Page:Readings in European History Vol 1.djvu/251

 The Development of France 215 great was the havoc that some of our people thought to escape by swimming across the river to the duke of Bourgoyne's side, which, however, they were unable to do, for the horses were weary and the day grown very hot ; so that, as we came down, we saw the river full of lances and shields, and of drowning men and horses who perished there. We came presently to a little bridge or culvert over the brook, and I said to the constable that we would better stay and guard it, " for, if we leave it, they will rush across it to attack the king, and if our men are assailed from both sides at once they are likely to succumb." So we did this. And men said that we should all have been lost that day if it had not been for the king's being there in person. For the sire of Courtenay and Mon seigneur Jean de Saillenay told me how six Turks seized the king's horse by the bridle and were going to take him prisoner, and how he, with great slashing sword cuts, delivered himself from them unaided. And when his men saw how the king defended himself they took heart, and some of them gave up trying to get across the river and came to his support. . . . [The constable went to seek aid, leaving Joinville and two other knights to hold the bridge, which they did, in spite of many wounds. At sunset the constable brought a com- pany of crossbowmen, who ranged themselves in front of us ; and when the Saracens saw them preparing to discharge their crossbows they took to flight and left us. Then the constable said to me, " Seneschal, this is well done ; now you must go to the king, and do not leave him until he dismounts at his own tent." Just as I reached the king, Monseigneur Jean de Valery came and said, " Sire, Monseigneur de Chatillon requests that you assign to him the rear guard." This the king did gladly, and then we set out. As we went along I got him to take off his helmet, and I lent him my iron one so that he might get some air. . . . After we had passed the river there came to him Henry de Ronnay, marshal of the hospital, and kissed his hand, all in armor as it was. The king asked if he could give him any tidings of his brother, the count of Artois, and he said