We have been too busy carrying out the dead, and collecting the wounded, to think of sleep." The countess was at the steps of the chateau, to receive the Admiral as he dismounted.
"Accept my heartiest thanks for the speed with which you have come to our aid, Admiral.

We did not expect you before tomorrow morning, at the earliest." "It has been a long ride, truly," the Admiral said.

"Your messenger arrived at daybreak, having walked the last five miles, for his horse had foundered.

I flew to horse, the moment I received the news; and with four hundred horsemen, for the most part Huguenot gentlemen, we started at once.

We halted for three hours in the middle of the day to rest our horses, and again for an hour just after nightfall.