CHAPTER XXVI.
"Vive le Roi!"
The day after Conde's narrow escape I received a visit from Raoul. Hewas as lively as ever, and in high spirits at the prospects of freshwork. My connection with Mazarin prevented me from sharing in many ofthe minor engagements, but Raoul missed nothing. His courage was aproverb among Turenne's gentlemen, while the soldiers followed withoutquestion on the most dangerous enterprise if Raoul Beauchamp led theway.
"What is going on now?" I inquired.
"A general advance, I believe; at least we have received orders tomove; the Marshal does not like to sit still."
I laughed at that, for Turenne was a general who allowed neither hisown troops nor the enemy any rest. Ambush and surprise, hot attack andfeigned retreat, he employed them all, keeping every one busy. Raoulhad not heard of Conde's movements, and when I told him, he exclaimed,"We can keep our eyes open now, Albert; there will be little time forsleeping when the prince takes command of his army. A good thing forus that Turenne is on our side. Most likely that accounts for ouradvance. Don't you envy us?"
"Well, I should not object if the Green Scarves were sent to the front."
"You will have your chance," said he laughing, and wishing me farewell,departed to join his men.
The town was a scene of unusual activity that day. Soldiers weremoving about in all directions. Here a column of infantry trudgedalong; there a squadron of horse passed at the trot; occasionally agaily-dressed gentleman with a white or green scarf on his arm flew by,bound on some errand of importance. Once I met Humphreys, who, much tohis disgust, had received orders to remain behind with a number of theQueen's Guards.
"There will be stirring business soon," said he. "Turenne is moving,and I hear that Conde has arrived from the south on purpose to opposehim. It will be a battle of giants, and here are we tied up in thiswretched hole doing nothing. We shan't even see the fight, much lesstake part in it."
"Why, you are becoming a regular fire-eater! Have you not had enoughfighting?"
"I only object to all the work being done by others. I would rathertake my own share. What are you supposed to be doing?"
"Nothing, and for once in a way it is a very pleasant occupation. Haveyou met Raoul?"
"No, and I expect he is a dozen miles off by now. He is in luck; hissquadron acts as a kind of bodyguard to the Marshal. I had no ideathat Beauchamp was such a daring fellow."
"He is like the rest, anxious to make a name for himself. Ah, herecomes Pillot to warn me that it is my turn for duty."
Gien was still crowded with numbers of the Queen's troops, gentlemen ofthe King, and Mazarin's bodyguard, in addition to the hosts of servantsand attendants on the Court. Hundreds watched Turenne's advance, andalmost every one seemed to imagine that the Marshal had little to dobut march peacefully to Paris.
From the gossip among Mazarin's gentlemen next morning I gathered thatTurenne had halted at a place called Briare, while Hocquincourt, oursecond general, had advanced to Blenau.
"The Marshal is preparing his plans," exclaimed one of our fellowscomplacently, "and if Conde's army stays to fight it will be soundlybeaten. I prophesy that within a month we shall be inside Paris."
I remembered these boastful words and laughed, when, a night or twoafterwards, Pillot burst into my room and wakened me rather brusquely.
"Get up, monsieur," said he, "Conde has sent to announce his arrival."
"Conde," I growled sleepily. "Where? What do you mean? What is allthe noise outside?"
"The town has gone mad with fright--that is all. Monsieur must bequick in dressing."
In a few minutes I was dressed and out of the house. Pillot wasright--the town certainly had gone mad. The street was packed withpeople surging this way and that, pushing, struggling, and askingquestions. There were hundreds of rumours in the air: Conde had creptinto Gien, and had hanged Mazarin in his own room. The Queen-Motherwas a prisoner with her two sons, and all her Guards had died fighting.I had hardly witnessed such a tumult even in Paris. Couriers andlackeys, coachmen and grooms; soldiers, citizens, peasants, and ladiesof the Court, were all grouped together, making the oddest spectacle.No one really knew what had happened, though a hundred people werewilling to tell.
I would have gone straight to the Cardinal's quarters, but such acourse was out of the question; so, following Pillot, I found myself ona piece of high ground to the left of the town.
"Ah!" said I, drawing a deep breath, "now it is plain what hasoccurred. You are right, Pillot, that is a message from Conde, sureenough!"
The night was dark, but far away in the distance the gloom was lit upby numerous tongues of fire that extended for miles. Now one diedaway, but the next minute a fresh one shot skyward, and in placesseveral merged together in one broad flame.
"Conde is amusing himself and providing us with a fine spectacle," saidPillot. "It seems to me that the prince has lost neither his cunningnor his boldness. Turenne is a good soldier, but it looks as if Condewere a better."
"Turenne is not over there. Conde has fallen on General Hocquincourt,and things will be serious for the Marshal."
"And for the Cardinal," laughed Pillot, who never saw any good inMazarin; "he must run, monsieur, and fast, too."
"So must we--he will need help. Come, let us find him."
This, however, was not a simple matter, and we were nearly an hour inforcing a way to Mazarin's rooms. They were empty, and the frightenedservants had no idea where their master was. Some asserted he had goneto reassure the Queen; others that he had galloped off to thebattlefield, at which Pillot laughed unkindly.
Turning back I encountered Humphreys, who, with a dozen troopers, wasclearing a passage through the crowd. In answer to my question he saidthat Mazarin had ridden toward the river, where he himself was going;so, bidding Pillot stay behind, I joined company with the Englishman.
"Well," said I, as we rode along, "Gien is not such a humdrum placeafter all!"
"Faith! this Conde has played a clever game. A courier has broughtword that Hocquincourt's army has vanished, while Turenne has onlyabout four thousand men with which to oppose fourteen thousand. Andlook at this rabble! Out of the way there, or we will ride you down!"
"Have you had orders to join Turenne?"
"No," he answered, with a touch of scorn. "My duty is to escort thecarriages, which are all on the other side of the river. The Queen hassent for them, so that her ladies can escape if Turenne getsbeaten--which he will. Ah! there is Mazarin with the King. Look howthe boy manages his horse! He should make a fine cavalry leader intime."
Leaving Humphreys, I turned aside to the edge of the plain, where theboy king and Mazarin were surrounded by a group of gentlemen. Louiswas flushed and excited, but he showed no fear, and, indeed, I heardthat he begged hard for permission to gallop to the scene of conflict.At frequent intervals Mazarin despatched a gentleman on some errand.His face was pale, and he looked anxious, which was not to be wonderedat, since the safety of the Court depended on so slender a thread.
Presently, catching sight of me, he said, "De Lalande, come here. Isee you have a good horse. Do not spare it, but ride top speed toMarshal Turenne, and inquire if he has any message for His Majesty."
"Yes, my Lord!" I answered, and saluting, rode off quickly.
The confusion was worse here than in the town. Crowds of ladies,attended by their servants, waited anxiously for the carriages; boxesand bales lay strewn around, and directly a carriage appeared the wholemob rushed at it, fighting like the _canaille_ of Paris. Once past thebridge, however, it was possible to increase the pace, and at Briare Ibegan to make inquiries as to where the Marshal was most likely to befound.
"On the plain between this and Blenau," said an officer who hadreceived orders to stop at Briare with a few troops. "Do you bring anyfresh news from Gien?"
"None, except that the place is upside down with fear. Conde hasmanaged to startle the Court."
"He
would do more than that if we were under any general but Turenne,and even he will have need of all his skill."
Far away in the distance the houses were still burning, and now andagain a fresh sheet of flame would leap skyward. Here and there I metwith riderless horses, and men bringing in wounded comrades. They alltold the same story. Conde had fallen upon Hocquincourt, and simplyswept his army away. His quarters were in ruins, many of his infantrywere killed, and his cavalry had become a mere rabble.
"Everything depends on Turenne," said a wounded officer whom I knewslightly. "If he can hold his ground, all may yet be well, but theodds are terribly against him."
At length I reached the plain where the Marshal had drawn up histroops, and, though quite unversed in real soldiering, I could see thathe had chosen a position of great strength. Beyond the plain were amarsh and a wood--one on the left, the other on the right--with anarrow causeway over which the enemy must pass, between them. The woodwas filled with infantry, while a battery of artillery was stationed soas to command the causeway.
Noticing a group of officers at the entrance to the plain, I rode overand asked where I should have the most chance of finding MarshalTurenne.
"With the cavalry, monsieur," one of them answered courteously, andglancing at my green scarf, added, "Do you come from Gien?"
"Yes, with a message from the Cardinal."
"Ah," said another, "I suppose this business has frightened the Court?Conde has made a good start, but he will meet his equal now."
"The Marshal is overweighted," remarked a third man, gloomily. "HisMajesty can trust us to die here, but I doubt if we can stop the princefrom breaking through. He has four men to our one."
This did not sound very cheerful, and before long I heard that severalofficers of the highest rank were just as doubtful of success.However, my business lay with the Marshal himself, so I advanced to thecauseway, and found that he was at the farther end with two or threesquadrons of cavalry. He was talking earnestly with a group ofofficers, so I waited till he had finished, and then, with a salute,gave him the Cardinal's message.
At first he appeared angry, but gradually a smile stole over his face,and he exclaimed, "_Corbleu!_ His Eminence is a very glutton forinformation. I have just sent the Marquis of Pertui with a despatch toHis Majesty, and there is nothing fresh to add. A battle is not foughtin five minutes!"
I bowed low, and presently he added kindly, "You can stay here: in anhour or so I may have some information to send back."
Saluting him in answer, I backed my horse to the rear of the group,when some one cried, "De Lalande!" and glancing round I observed Raoul,with his troopers stationed close at hand.
"What are you doing here?" he asked gaily, as I went over to him. "Iunderstood you were guarding Mazarin!"
"I have brought a message for the Marshal, and am to wait for ananswer."
"You will see some hot work presently. Ah, there is Bordel! He bringsfresh news of the prince, I warrant."
An officer, followed by an escort of troopers, had just galloped infrom the country behind Blenau. His horse was covered with foam, andhe himself was bleeding from a wound, but he jumped lightly to theground, saluted, and began talking earnestly to the Marshal. We couldnot hear what was said, but his information was evidently serious, forTurenne immediately sent off several of his staff.
"Conde is approaching!" exclaimed Raoul, and even while he was speakingan officer galloped over with orders from Turenne for the squadron tohold itself in readiness.
I had met with numerous adventures in my short career, but had neverwitnessed a real battle, and I was on fire with excitement. Raouldesired me to return to the rear, saying there was no need to exposemyself to danger, but I shook my head and resolved to stay with him.
With a few of his staff the Marshal advanced beyond the end of thecauseway, but presently came riding back, and every man knewinstinctively that Conde was quickly approaching. Presently we caughta glimpse of his cavalry, and at sight of the serried ranks ofhorsemen, most of our hearts, I think, began to droop. It seemed to methat, by one swift rush across the causeway, they would have uscompletely at their mercy.
As if of the same opinion Turenne ordered us to retire, and we fellback slowly, while the hostile cavalry halted to gather strength forthe spring. Then came the order to increase the pace, and our mensullenly obeyed. They did not like retreating, even to escape fromdeath. Raoul looked puzzled, and from time to time I noticed himglance back over his shoulder.
Suddenly a whisper of "Here they come!" ran through the ranks; our pacegrew faster, and soon we were flying like timid hares before a pack ofdogs.
Conde's cavalry made a splendid show. Squadron after squadron, fifteenor twenty in number, advanced with pennons flying and banners waving inthe breeze. The sun shone on the steel-tipped lances, and the baredswords flashed like a forest of steel. Nearer and nearer thundered thehorses: their hoofs rang hard on the causeway, and I expected everymoment to hear the roar of our artillery. But every gun was dumb; notone opened its mouth, and not a single musket shot came from theshelter of the thick wood.
What did it all mean? I did not know; in the excitement, did not evenguess; it was enough that Turenne with his handful of troopers wasflying before Conde's host. Still we maintained our order, and thoughriding fast rode together, every man preserving his proper place anddistance. Suddenly there came an order from the Marshal, and like aflash we turned with our horses' heads facing the exulting enemy.
"Charge!" shouted a voice, and without break or pause we thunderedback, waving our swords and yelling, "_Vive le Roi!_"
It seemed a mad thing to do, but Turenne was with us, and Turenne wasworth an army. Conde's troopers tried to gather themselves against theshock, but, confident of victory, they were riding in loose order, andwe gave them no time to close their ranks. Crash! We went into themlike a thunderbolt, and the bravest rebel there could not stand againstthe furious onslaught.
Turenne fought like an ordinary trooper, and as for Raoul, he outshonehimself. I tried hard to keep up with him, but he outpaced me andevery horseman in his squadron.
"_Vive le Roi!_" he shouted, and "_Vive le Roi!_" answered back histoiling troopers.
Once I lost sight of him in the press and feared he had gone down, butthe next instant I heard his battle-cry again, and there he was, amidsta throng of foes on the very edge of the causeway. Another order fromTurenne brought us to a halt, and we cheered frantically as the brokenrebels crowded together in their efforts to escape.
Suddenly Turenne's plan was made clear. A noise of thunder broke onour ears; the air was filled with smoke and flame, the strugglinghorsemen were bowled over by the great iron balls from the battery.The causeway had become a lane of death; men and horses fell to theground; the confusion grew terrible; Conde's splendid cavalry was amere rabble, struggling and fighting to get clear of the awful passage.Those who succeeded in breaking through galloped off swiftly, but, whenthe gunners ceased their work of destruction, the lane was carpetedwith the bodies of the dying and dead.
"Now, young sir," exclaimed Turenne, turning to me, "you may return andtell the Cardinal there is nothing to fear. The prince is thoroughlybeaten and can attempt no more to-day. His Majesty can sleep in peaceat Gien."
I would gladly have stayed longer, for Raoul was being carried off bysome of his troopers, and I feared he was badly wounded. However, inthe army one has to obey; so, gathering up my reins, I galloped backtowards Gien, spreading the news of the victory on the way. In thetown itself the crowds of frightened people thronged around me,pressing so closely that I could barely proceed at a walking pace.
"The news, monsieur?" they cried. "What of the battle? Has Conde won?Tell us what the prince is doing!"
Again and again I repeated that the prince was defeated, but theyseemed not to understand, or understanding, not to believe. By slowdegrees I reached Mazarin's apartments, and the Cardinal, agitated andalmost trembling, advanced qu
ickly to meet me.
"The news?" said he. "Is it good or ill?"
"Good, your Eminence," I answered, and at that he bade me accompany himinto the presence of the boy-king and the Queen-Mother, to whom Irepeated Turenne's message. Then they asked about the fight, and I, tothe best of my ability, gave them a description of the battle.
"My son," said the Queen-Mother gravely, "you must be very grateful toMarshal Turenne. He has placed the crown a second time on your head."
As soon as I was dismissed from the royal presence I sought Pillot, andtold him we must ride at once to Blenau to look for Raoul.
"M. Beauchamp wounded, monsieur? Is he hurt very much?"
"That is what I want to find out."
We were silent on the journey; I was greatly troubled about Raoul, andthe dwarf did not care to disturb my thoughts. We met some of thewounded being taken to Gien and Briare; others were at Blenau, andamongst these we found Raoul.
"M. Beauchamp?" said the surgeon to whom I spoke. "Yes, he is here,waiting to have his wounds dressed; he is a lucky fellow; there isnothing serious; he will return to Gien to-morrow. In less than amonth he will be in the saddle again. You can see him if you wish."
Raoul's eyes flashed with pleasure at my approach. He was very palefrom loss of blood, but was able to talk, and spoke hopefully ofreturning to duty in a few days. He did not tell me, however, what Iafterwards learned from others, that the Marshal had paid him a visitand had spoken in the highest terms of his bravery.
As soon as his wounds were dressed and he was made comfortable Ireturned to Gien, in order to be at hand in case the Cardinal needed myservices.