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Updated: June 11, 2025
Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back. It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
I reminded them that their reward would be in proportion to their services; but they were old soldiers, who knew their duty, and nothing more need be said of this. Pierrebon I told off specially to keep an eye on the other guest whom we had not seen and then took a general survey of the house as far as it was possible.
At sight of us he, as a rule, left his birds to take care of themselves, and vanished like a rabbit into one of the ravines that cross and recross the plain in a network. And this was the King's peace in Poitou! My troopers rode stolidly on, taking turns with the led horse, and now and again exchanging a word with each other. Pierrebon followed behind them, whistling the "Rappel d'Aunis."
And Pierrebon entering at this time with some wine I begged them to do me the honour to drink a cup. This they willingly assented to, and filling three cups from the flagon I raised mine on high. "Messieurs, a toast for all good Christians! Down with the crescent!"
"Well," and Pierrebon looked at him, "am I not your guest, as my master is your master's?" Malsain said nothing, but scowled across the table at Pierrebon; and the latter, who was as alert as a weasel when it came to the push, went on: "But, compère, they feed you thinly here and no wine!"
Siege!" he groaned, "bread and cheese and cold water with a dagger-thrust to follow for digestion, perhaps." But now Malsain heard him, his hand went out silently to the arquebus, and he turned a yellow, threatening face towards the visitor. "Hola!" exclaimed Pierrebon. "It is I. I have brought monsieur's horses for a feed and a rest." "Ho! it is you."
There was some difficulty about Pierrebon and the horses; but in this Le Brusquet again came to my aid, and it was settled that Pierrebon should find shelter in a house in the Rue Tire Boudin, which belonged to Monsieur Blaise de Lorgnac, Seigneur of Malezieux, and lieutenant of the Queen's guard, the same being a tried and true friend of my new-found benefactor.
With this I sat down on one of the huge roots, that coiled like monstrous serpents at my feet, and leaning my head against the tree prepared to wait for the dawn. My arm, where Simon's sword had touched me, now began to remind me that it needed attention. A low whistle brought Pierrebon to my side, and the injury was looked to by such light as the moon gave.
"I will take Lizette," I said. "Then you take the best horse in all Poitou." And Ménorval then and there offered me a hundred crowns for her, which, needless to say, I refused. At the appointed time, accompanied by Pierrebon, I rode into the courtyard of the priory, and found there the men whom Montluc had promised me.
It is true that the walls were bare, except for a demi-suit of mail, a couple of swords, and a banner I had taken at Cerisolles; but for the rest, what with my books I had five in all and my lute, I flattered myself that I had all that a man needed. Pierrebon was asleep on a settle, and I had to call twice ere I could wake him, for he slept like the dead.
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