But already the tide of battle had turned. Unless a surprising rally should take place on the part of the enemy the conflict was decided. The first division of the foe had recoiled upon the second, and now both were assailed by the victorious English, and the remains of both were seeking safety in flight. As for the third line, the fate of their comrades had struck them with panic. On the approach of the four hundred English lances, who had hitherto remained in ambush with remarkable self-restraint, they, too, fled, and the victory was complete.
In an endeavour to find Sir Thomas Carberry, Geoffrey made his way betwixt the piles of corpses to where a few valiant French knights still held out. For a while the squire searched in vain, till he perceived seven or eight surcoated archers, whom he recognized as being Warblington men, standing in a semi-circle with brandished weapons.
As Geoffrey drew near the object of their position became apparent. Standing with his back against a tree was a Frenchman. He was clad in complete mail, but in spite of this he had received more than one wound. The plume had been shorn from his crest, his shield was splintered, his armour cracked and dented, and his sword, broken close to the hilt, lay at his feet. Battle-axe in hand he stood at bay, disdaining to receive quarter at the hands of base archers, while his antagonists hesitated to come within reach of the menacing weapon.
"Send a shaft through him," suggested one.
About to act upon this advice, an archer bent his bow.
"Hold!" exclaimed Geoffrey, grasping the man by the shoulder. Even as he did so the arrow sped, but wide of the mark. Angrily the archer turned about.
"Who art thou to stand betwixt an honest Englishman and a rascally Frenchman?" he demanded, for he failed to recognize his young leader, whose armour was covered from helm to solleret in mud and gore.
"Dost not know me, Hubert?"
"By Our Lady, 'tis Master Geoffrey. Thy pardon, young sir. But this is our affair, therefore, come not to prevent us working our will on this thick-headed Frenchman."
"Have ye not demanded his surrender?"