Awake soon after dawn, we fed the animals, broke our own fast, and, having settled the score, started off on the highroad to Poictiers.

It was, by the position of the sun, about nine o’clock in the morning when we perceived a horseman approaching us.  He appeared in a desperate hurry, and was spurring his horse vigorously.

“Jacques!” I exclaimed, “this is a soldier of some sort.  Will he be coming from Montpensier, think you?”

“Likely enough, monsieur.”

“If so, he may carry important news, and his information may be of service to the Admiral.  It should be easy for us to obtain it.”

“True, monsieur; he will never dream of danger.”

“But we must not hurt him, Jacques; mind that.”

“Nothing more than a tap on the head,” said Jacques, “if he should prove obstinate.”

The rider came along at a swinging pace.  He was a young fellow, richly dressed, and of a handsome appearance.

“Good news, monsieur!” I cried, riding toward him.  “Do you carry good news?”

It was evident that he had not the slightest idea of meeting with an enemy in the rear of Montpensier’s troops.  He drew rein, saying, “Are you from Monseigneur?  I am bearing him welcome information.  Coligny is retreating, we fell on his rear just now and drove it in.  Ah, ah, ’tis a rich joke!  He thinks Monseigneur himself is here with the whole army.”

“While ’tis only Montpensier with a division!” I said, laughing.  “Where shall we find the Duke?”

“An hour’s ride, not more; but I must be going.  Monseigneur waits to make his plans.”

The next instant Jacques had clutched his bridle rein, while the young fellow was gazing in blank astonishment along the barrel of my pistol.

“’Tis a disagreeable necessity, monsieur,” I remarked, speaking very harshly, “but you are our prisoner.  Tie the horses’ reins together, Jacques, and remove this gentleman’s weapons.  Do not stir, monsieur, it would be foolish.  A cry or a movement will cost your life.  We must have that despatch which you are carrying to Monseigneur.”

“Who are you?” he asked.

“We belong to the Huguenot army, and have met you by a stroke of good fortune.  And now the document, monsieur!  Will you surrender it?  Or will you compel us to search you?  That is an undignified proceeding, and will not help you at all.”

“No,” he agreed gloomily; “I am in your power.  But this is a sorry trick; I would rather you had forced the paper from me at the sword’s point.  It would have been more creditable to your honour.”

“That may be so, but meanwhile we await the paper.”

Finding himself helpless, he handed me the document with the best grace he could muster, and I immediately placed it inside my doublet.

“Now,” I exclaimed cheerfully, “we are in a hurry to reach our comrades, but we have no wish to ride into the midst of the Duke’s troops.  In order to avoid that calamity, we will make you our guide; but pray be careful, because in the event of a mistake you will be the first victim.  My servant is an old soldier, while I have had some practice with the pistol.  But this is a disagreeable subject; let us dismiss it.”