“Stand firm, soldiers, stand firm!” cried our leader as he prepared to gallop off, for Cosse’s assaults were so rapid and daring that we had hardly a moment’s breathing space.

But, as we were moving away, Henry of Bearn, calling me to his side, said, “Your name, monsieur?”

“Edmond Le Blanc, my lord,” I answered, bowing low.

“If we live through this day,” he said graciously, “I will remember the debt I owe you.”

Once again I bowed, and, saluting with my sword, darted off to take my place in the Admiral’s train.  Whatever Henry’s fortune, there appeared considerable doubt as to my surviving the battle, for my patron seemed determined to court death not only for himself but for every gentleman in his household.  Wherever the Huguenots recoiled ever so slightly before the terrible onslaughts of the foe, there we were cheering and fighting till our arms were wearied by the work and our heads dazed by the maddening tumult.

And never for a moment during that long summer day did the strife cease.  Cosse was inflexible; he sent his troops to death without pity, and they obeyed without a murmur.  The carnage was fearful, and I longed for darkness to put an end to the hideous slaughter.

At the end of the afternoon he gathered his forces together for one supreme effort.  Horse and foot, they swung along as blithely as if the battle were only beginning.  I looked round on our diminished ranks, and wondered if we had strength to withstand another onset.

“’Tis their last try!” exclaimed Felix cheerfully; “if they fail now they will break, and the victory is ours.  Half an hour will see the finish; one side must give way.”

One side!  But which?

On they came, wave after wave, like the waters of an irresistible sea.  We waited in painful silence, broken suddenly by the Admiral’s voice, “Stand firm, soldiers, stand firm.  The end is at hand!”

On they came, bugles blowing, flags flying, horses prancing; the dying sun lighting up the bared swords and pike heads, the steel caps and breastplates.  On they came, a goodly and gallant band of well-trained warriors.

“Stand firm, soldiers, stand firm!” Well in front, serene and confident, full of proud courage and high resolve, there was our glorious leader, the best and bravest man in the two armies.

With a roar of cheering and a hurricane rush the foe dashed forward.  They struck us in front, they swirled tumultuously around our flanks, driving us back and cheering lustily, “For the King!” The fate of the day hung trembling in the balance, but Henry of Bearn on the one flank, and Conde on the other, rallied their troops, while in the centre the stout old Admiral plunged yet again into the fray.

[Illustration:  “With a roar of cheering and a hurricane rush the foe dashed forward.”]

“Forward!  Forward!” we shouted.  “On them!  They are giving way!” and Felix, snatching a flag from a wounded man, charged with reckless abandon into the very midst of the foe.