We had the
misfortune to lose our king, who delivered himself up, as our kings
always do, for the good and glory of his country.'
"'How was this?' said Sir Everard, in surprise.
"'I will tell you, Monsieur Sir Everard!' said Monsieur Dubois. 'I
had it from my own father, who fought in the battle, and told my
mother, word for word.
"'The king seeing his household troops, being only one thousand
strong, surrounded by twelve regiments, the best Spanish troops,
amounting to eighteen thousand four hundred and forty-two, although
he doubted not of victory, yet thought he might lose many brave men
before the close of the day, and rode up instantly to King Charles,
and said, -
"'"My brother! I am loath to lose so many of those brave men
yonder. Whistle off your Spanish pointers, and I agree to ride home
with you."
"'And so he did. But what did King Charles? Abusing French
loyalty, he made our Francis his prisoner, would you believe it? and
treated him worse than ever badger was treated at the bottom of any
paltry stable-yard, putting upon his table beer and Rhenish wine and
wild boar.'
"I have digressed with thee, young man," continued the knight, much
to the improvement of my knowledge, I do reverentially confess, as
it was of the lad's.
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