His regiment was rather exposed, and on the left flank stretched some rolling ground, unsuitable for cavalry but affording good cover for foot-soldiers.  Across these hollows Cosse had sent a large body of infantry, while at the same time the prince’s regiment was assailed by an overwhelming force of cavalry.  An order to retire was given—­though none knew by whom—­and in consequence, Henry, with a handful of men, was left surrounded by a sea of foes.

Coligny glanced quickly round the field; the royalists were pressing us at every point; not a man could be spared from his post.

“We must save him ourselves, gentlemen!” he exclaimed tersely, “forward!”

We counted barely two score swords, but the prince was in peril, and though the enterprise cost all our lives he must be rescued.  Our comrades battling desperately at their posts cheered us as we flew by, crying, “Coligny!  Coligny!” Straight as a die we rode, our chief slightly in advance, the rest of us in threes, horse’s head to horse’s head, the animals straining and quivering in every muscle as we urged them madly forward.

Too late! was the thought in every heart, as we beheld the prince fighting for dear life, and hemmed in by a host of enemies.  “Coligny!  Coligny!” we cried, and in blind fury charged the dense mass.

Now it chanced by pure accident, for I had no other thought than to follow my patron closely, that the charge brought me close to the bridle-hand of the prince.  Henry of Bearn, though a fine sworder, was even a better horseman, and it was to his skill as a rider, much more than to his dexterity with the sword, that he owed his life.

But now he was so closely beset that he was compelled to depend upon the play of his sword, and his strength was failing.  They struck fiercely at him in front and on both sides; there was a continuous circle of flashing steel; it was marvellous how death missed him.  Pressed hard by a trooper on the right he turned to parry his blows more effectively, when a second trooper slashed at his bridle-arm.

There was no time for warning; no time even for thought.  With a cry of “Coligny!” I dashed forward, and, throwing myself half out of the saddle, caught the descending sword.  Before the trooper could recover himself I had pierced him through the side, and he fell with a groan across his horse’s neck.

I did not think that Henry had noticed the incident, but without turning his head he cried pleasantly, “My thanks, monsieur; I owe my life to you.”

“Have no fear for this side, my lord,” I answered, and the next instant was fiercely engaged with two of the king’s troopers.

But now the cry of “Coligny!” grew louder; the press was broken here and there; the Admiral himself appeared; some of his gentlemen fought their way to our side, and with one desperate effort we thrust back the hostile horsemen.  “Coligny!  Coligny!  Bearn!  Bearn!” were the shouts, as, with swords flashing and gleaming in the sunlight, we pushed a way through.  At the same time the rest of the regiment drove back the infantry, and the prince was saved.