"There were three of us, my lord, and we were all fairly well agreed. The marshal has six guns, between four and five thousand cavalry, and about thirteen thousand infantry."
"Do you agree with that statement, Le Blanc?"
"The numbers are a little over my calculation, my lord; but not much."
"In any case, you think the figures are high enough?"
"That is absolutely certain," I replied.
"Good! We owe you both our best thanks."
They were simple words, simply spoken, but they went straight to our hearts, amply repaying us for the risks attendant on our night's adventure.
Marching slowly, and halting two or three times during the day, as the general wished to husband his men's strength, we arrived early in the evening at a little stream near Arnay-le-Duc, and beheld, on the other side, two or three thousand of the royalist cavalry. There were no guns in sight, and the infantry had been drawn up at some distance in the background.
The troops took their supper—a very meagre one, too; our provisions being at a low ebb—sentries were posted, and Coligny made all arrangements for battle, in case the enemy should attack before morning.
"There is Roger coming towards us!" I exclaimed, as we lay wrapped in our cloaks on the ground.