In February serious outbreaks took place.  A messenger arrived at Nancy with an urgent appeal for help, and Hector took four companies and marched with all speed to the disturbed district.  As soon as he reached it he broke up his force, despatching each company in a different direction, his instructions being that any body of armed peasants they might meet were to be dispersed, but, once beaten, were not to be pursued and cut up, and that life was not to be unnecessarily sacrificed.  He himself, with one company, marched towards Poissons.  He was within a mile of the town when a mounted man, bleeding from several wounds, rode up.

“The chateau of Blenfoix has been attacked by two hundred peasants,” he said.  “My lady and a dozen retainers are holding a tower, but they cannot long resist; even now the place may have been captured.  I broke my way through, and, hearing that there were troops in this direction, I have galloped at full speed to implore your aid.”

“How far is it?”

“About ten miles.”

“You hear, de Mieville; bring the men on with all speed.  I will gallop forward with my troopers and do what I can.  Do I go straight along the road?”

“Yes, sir, nine miles hence you will see the chateau on an eminence a mile away to the right.”

Followed by his troopers and Paolo, Hector dashed off at full speed.  In three quarters of an hour, at a turn of the road, they caught sight of the chateau.  Flames were pouring through most of the windows.

“Now, lads,” he said to the men, “we have got long odds to face, but there is a lady to be rescued, and if any men can accomplish it we will.”

The chateau was partly castellated, the new portion having been built against what had formerly been a small castle.  On its summit a flag was still flying.  Riding on at the top of their speed they soon saw a number of men swarming round a gate which opened into the older portion of the building.

“Put your pistols in your belts, lads.  Don’t use them if you can help it, but trust to your swords.  Cut your way through that crowd.  Ride in at the gate, and dismount at the door leading up to the turret.  Then do you, Macpherson and Hunter, cover our rear while we fight our way up the steps.  Follow us as we go, and if you want aid, shout and we will come down to you.”

On hearing the sound of the galloping hoofs the peasants for a moment made a movement of retreat, but when they saw that the six horsemen were alone, they began to gather courage, and again waved their arms, which were mostly axes, or poles to which scythes or billhooks were attached.  Riding three abreast, the horsemen burst in among them, hewing and hacking with their swords; and the crowd, unable to resist the impetus of the charge, opened a way for them, and in a moment they had passed through the gate.  A group of men round an open door that marked the position of the turret stairs, scattered with cries of alarm as they galloped up.  In a moment they sprang from their horses and entered the doorway.  The stairs were narrow, and but one man could mount and use his weapons at a time.  They were, however, densely packed with men.