But the free archers only drew up out of bow-shot, and watched the men-at-arms. It was evident by their gestures they could see something the vanguard could not see.
The Captain of the Wight seemed uneasy and restive. He was urging something in a low tone on the old Marshal de Rieux, who only shook his head and muttered,--
"Pas à present; ce n'est pas le moment."
"Then it will never be the moment," said the Lord Woodville impatiently. "Look there!"
"Body o' me, Ralph!" said Dicky in consternation, "the Bretons and Gascons are running away. Look, there goes the banner of Laval; down goes the golden flag with its fiery cross and blue eagles; there goes d'Albret. Fie on its golden lilies and purple flag! where are Orleans and Orange! Look! the Allemaynes are being cut down. Mercy on us! see how the sword-strokes flash. Why don't we charge?"
The impatience of all the men of the Wight became very great. They uttered their grumblings aloud.
"Let's charge them, my Lord Captain. Don't be kept back by that old dotard of a Frenchman. He's changed sides twice; maybe he'd fain do it a third time."
This was a very awkward suspicion, and one at such a moment most sinister in its influence on the minds of the English and Breton troops.
The Captain of the Wight saw he could restrain them no longer. He also longed to take an active part in the battle. He turned to the Marechal de Rieux.
"Sir, I can keep my people together no longer. We must charge and retrieve the fortunes of the day, or die in the attempt."