“Let the vile mercenaries go! We can do without them,” cried Beauvais.
“Mercenaries they may be, but they have good ground of complaint,” rejoined Diesbach, angrily. “They have been brought hither by promises that have not been kept. My own men declare that, unless they receive their pay, they will at once disband, and return with their countrymen who are waiting for them at Gattinara. The Swiss will not fight for mere glory.”
“But you have sufficient influence over your men to quiet their murmurs, and prevent them from disbanding, Captain Diesbach,” said Bonnivet. “Give them the positive assurance from me that they shall be paid—speedily paid.”
“Promises will not content them, my lord,” replied Diesbach. “I must have something in hand.”
“You ask an impossibility, captain,” replied Bonnivet. “My coffers are quite empty.”
“Quite empty!” exclaimed Diesbach. “A month ago you promised me ten thousand ducats.”
“Very true, captain. But the whole of the money is gone. I have had a heavy ransom to pay.”
“Whose ransom, my lord, may I make bold to inquire?” said Diesbach.
“Ask the Duke of Milan,” replied Bonnivet. “My coffers are empty, I repeat. But all arrears shall be fully paid—as soon as I receive the expected supplies from France.”
“I will tell my soldiers what you say, my lord,” returned Diesbach. “But I know what their answer will be. They will laugh in my face, disband, and cross the Sesia to join their comrades. If such should be the case, I must perforce accompany them.”