It was an almost miraculous adventure, and recalled the feats of the Cid.

Truly the days of chivalry are not passed; your great earl has proved the contrary." They had now entered the house, and, after pouring out a cup of wine for Jack after the fatigue of his ride, the count opened the dispatch of which Jack was the bearer.
"It is well." he said when he had read it.

"As you see for yourself I am already preparing to carry out the first part, for the alarm bells have been ringing out from every church tower in this part of Catalonia, and in another twenty-four hours I expect six thousand peasants will be out.

But, as the earl says, I have no hope with such levies as these of offering any effectual opposition to the advance of the enemy.
"The Miquelets cannot stand against disciplined troops.

They have no confidence in themselves, and a thousand Frenchmen could rout six thousand of them; but as irregulars they can be trusted to fight.