to possess; and the river was far too wide, deep, and strong in its main current to be forded in the face of a hostile garrison.  The captain had about fifty gen d’armes in his garrison, besides the twenty new-comers whom he persisted in regarding as Berenger’s charge; and there were, besides, some seventy peasants and silk spinners, who had come into the place as a refuge from the enemy—­and with these he hoped to hold put till succour should come from the Duke.  He himself took the command of the north gate, where the former assaults had been made, and he instructed to his new ally the tower protecting the bridge, advising him to put on armour; but Berenger, trying on a steel cap, found that his head could not bear the weight and heat, and was forced to return to his broad-brimmed Spanish hat, while Philip in high glee armed himself as best he could with what Captain Falconnet could lend him. he was too much excited to eat of the scanty meal that was set before them:  a real flight seemed like a fair-day to him, and he was greatly exalted by his brother’s post of command—­a post that Berenger felt a heavy responsibility only thrust upon him by the commandant’s incapacity of hearing how utterly inexperienced he was.

The formal summons to surrender to the King, and the refusal, had duly passed, and it became evident that the first attack was to be on the bridge-gate.  Captain Falconnet hurried to the place, and the fighting was hot and desperate.  Every assailant who tried to throw his fagot into the moat became a mark for arquebus or pistol, and the weapons that had so lately hung over the hearth at Nid de Merle were now aimed again and again at the heads and corslets of Guisards, with something of the same exulting excitement as, only higher, more engrossing, and fiercer than, that with which the lads had taken aim at a wolf, or ridden after a fox.  Scaling-ladders were planted and hurled down again; stones were cast from the battlements, crushing the enemy; and throughout Berenger’s quick eye, alert movements, and great height and strength, made him a most valuable champion, often applauded by a low murmur of commendation from old Falconnet, or a loud shout of ’Ha, well done, the Duke’s Englishman,’ from the gen d’armes—­for English they would have him to be—­on the presumptions afforded by his companions, his complexion, and his slow speech.  Nor did Philip and Humfrey fail to render good service.  But just as the enemy had been foiled in a sharp assault and were dragging away their wounded, Philip touched his brother, and saying, ’I can hold out no longer,’ showed blood trickling down his right side.

Berenger threw an arm round him, and Captain Falconnet, seeing his case, said, ’You are hit, petit Anglais; you have done gallantly.  There will be time for you to take him to his quarters, sir; these fellows have had enough for the present, and you can tarry with him till you hear the bugle.  Whither, did you ask?  Let me see.  You, Renaud, take him to the chapel:  the old chancel behind the boarding will be more private; and desire Madame to look to him.  Farewell!  I hope it may prove slight; you are a brave youth.’  And he shook hands with Philip, whose intense gratification sustained him for many steps afterwards