These were brought into the chateau, and placed in a room together.
The task was carried on by torchlight, and occupied some hours.
Towards midnight, the trampling of a large body of horse was heard.
Arms were hastily snatched up and steel caps thrust on and, pike in hand, they thronged to defend the entrance.

Francois ran to the battlements.
"Who comes there ?" he shouted.

"Halt and declare yourselves, or we fire." The horsemen halted, and a voice cried: "Is that you, Francois ?" "Yes, it is I, De la Noue," Francois shouted back joyously.
"Is all well?
Where are the enemy ?" was asked, in the Admiral's well-known voice.
"All is well, sir.

They retreated just before nightfall, leaving seven hundred of their infantry wounded or dead behind them." A shout of satisfaction rose from the horsemen.
"Take torches across the bridge," Francois ordered.

"It is the Admiral, come to our rescue." A minute later, the head of the column crossed the temporary bridge.