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216 'It will hearten you to know,' he continued, 'that I have sure advices that this Henry is a very valiant leader, and that he has it in his power to make such a stand against us as promises to give us much honour and pleasure. Of his own people he hath brought together, as I learn, some fifty thousand, with twelve thousand of the French free companies, who are, as you know, very valiant and expert men-at-arms. It is certain, also, that the brave and worthy Bertrand du Guesclin hath ridden into Francs to the Duke of Anjou, and purposes to take back with him great levies from Picardy and Brittany. We hold Bertrand in high esteem, for he has oft before been at great pains to furnish us with an honourable encounter. What think you of it, my worthy Captal? He took you at Cocherel, and, by my soul! you will have the chance now to pay that score.'

The Gascon warrior winced a little at the allusion, nor were his countrymen around him better pleased, for on the only occasion when they had encountered the arms of France without English aid they had met with a heavy defeat.

'There are some who say, sire,' said the burly De Clisson, 'that the score is already overpaid, for that without Gascon help Bertrand had not been taken at Auray, nor had King John been overborne at Poictiers.'

'By heaven, but this is too much!' cried an English nobleman. 'Methinks that Gascony is too small a cock to crow so lustily.'

'The smaller cock, my Lord Audley, may have the longer spur,' remarked the Captal de Buch.

'May have its comb clipped if it make overmuch noise,' broke in an Englishman.

'By Our Lady of Rocamadour!' cried the Lord of Mucident, 'this is more than I can abide. Sir John Charnell, you shall answer to me for those words!'

'Freely, my lord, and when you will,' returned the Englishman carelessly.

'My Lord de Clisson,' cried Lord Audley, 'you look