While Coligny had been accomplishing his wonderful march round France, La Noue, who had been exchanged for Strozzi, had betaken himself to La Rochelle.

He forced the Catholics, who were still languidly blockading that place, to fall back; defeated them near Lucon, and recaptured Fontenay, Niort, the Isle of Oleron, Brouage, and Saintes.

At Fontenay, however, the brave Huguenot leader had his left arm broken, and was obliged to have it amputated.
Negotiations were now being carried on in earnest.

Charles the Ninth was weary of a war that impoverished the state, diminished his revenues, and forced him to rely upon the Guises, whom he feared and disliked.

Over and over again, he had been assured that the war was practically at an end, and the Huguenots crushed; but as often, fresh armies rose.