CHAPTER XXIV
THE FORD BY LARNE
The moral effect of swift and determined action has won many a victoryagainst strong and apparently overwhelming opposition. The suddencharge of a handful of desperate men has often demoralized a wholearmy, the reckless courage of even a single individual has constantlyplucked success out of failure.
To possess the fertile lands of Montvilliers was a hereditary desireamongst the surrounding states. History recounted many a determinedstruggle in the past which had this end in view, but sometimes bydiplomacy, sometimes by splendid and self-sacrificing courage, theattempt had always been frustrated. In later times mere force of armswas not sufficient to ensure success, the rivalry of the nations hadto be taken into consideration; and so long as a strong man ruled inMontvilliers the conquest, or the partition, of the state was adifficult matter. This fact was so well understood that during thelate Duke's lifetime there had been peace. If for a time his doubtfulright to the throne had raised hopes that internal dissension wouldmean an appeal to the foreigner for help from one party or the other,the Duke had swiftly proved himself a man able to win the confidenceof his people and to keep the throne which he had taken. The utterhopelessness of a successful invasion while such a man held the reinsof government was apparent to all statesmen. Even such men as FatherBertrand, whose work was done in secret, could do no more than makepreparation for the future, and foster that feeling of dissensionwhich was certain to break out at the Duke's death. Pursuing the gamewhich had been mapped out for him, Father Bertrand had played hiscards cunningly. He had ingratiated himself with the old Duke, hadopenly espoused Felix's cause while in secret he had urged the rightof Maurice, and had, at the same time, lent countenance to those whowould make Christine de Liancourt Duchess. With the Duke's death, andwith all these different interests dividing the state, the time tostrike had surely come. Secretly the enemy was gradually gathered onthe frontier, and their leaders were in constant communication withthe Rue St. Romain. Many of these differences, however, seemed likelyto adjust themselves at the critical moment, and then, to strengthenhis hands, the priest had suddenly given his support to Roger Herrick,a stranger and a foreigner. Almost as soon as he had played this finalcard he recognized that he had made a mistake. True, there was plentyof opposition to the new Duke, but he was a strong man, equal tograppling with the difficulty, and moreover one who could keep his owncounsel.
Rumor had it that some of the nobles who had refused to recognize himand had withdrawn from Vayenne had, nevertheless, joined the Duke'sstandard on the way to the frontier; but it was only rumor, and FatherBertrand laughed at it. The papers which Mercier had brought came asan unexpected blow. They confirmed the rumor, and told him much morebesides. All the plans and schemes so carefully prepared during thelast few years were in danger of ruin at the eleventh hour.
The enemy on the frontier, awaiting the final word from the Rue St.Romain, had come to consider the task before them an easy one. A fewdesperate men might dispute the invasion, but the support of thecountry would not be behind them. They would be a mere handful,seduced by the glamor of the adventurer who led them, while the greatmass of the people was only too anxious for foreign intervention. Suchwas the story told by Father Bertrand, and fully believed; and a smallbody of the invaders had already crossed the frontier when the Dukeand his army arrived. Compared with the resources of the enemy,Herrick's followers might be considered a handful of men, but theforce was far larger than had been anticipated, and the skirmish whichquickly occurred proved that this adventurer was a leader of no meanskill. The enemy was repulsed with serious loss, and the first shoutsof victory rang from the ranks of the men of Montvilliers.
A narrow stream, swift and deep, formed the frontier line here, andfor a few days Herrick maintained his position, and prepared to attackin force. This aggressive policy was totally unexpected, and theenemy, who were weak at this particular spot, sent hastily forreinforcements. Certain of the nobles urged an engagement before thesereinforcements could arrive, but Herrick did not move, and althoughhis reasons for delay were not understood, there was no murmuring, forhe had already succeeded in inspiring confidence.
One evening, just as darkness fell, the leaders were summoned to histent, and Herrick explained his plans.
"Comrades, the odds are against us," he said. "With dissension in thecountry behind us we cannot hope to sustain a long campaign. A suddenand quick issue will serve us better. We have succeeded by theexhibition of great activity in drawing the enemy into force beforeus, but we do not fight here. There is another battle-ground awaitingus. You know the castle by Larne; to-night we march thither, and thewood behind us will screen our departure. We ought to be well upon ourway before the enemy discover that we have gone. Now I want a fewbrave hearts to remain behind to keep the watchfires burning and tomultiply themselves in the shadows so that our secret may be keptuntil morning. Those who remain must expect a hard reckoning with thedaylight."
The certainty of the swift vengeance sure to follow gave fear to none.Every man present was ready to stay, indeed pleaded for the honor.
"I expected no less from such gallant friends," said Herrick, "but atLarne there will be desperate fighting too. Our real effort must bemade there."
"Sir, I claim the right to stay," said the old noble who had been soswift to answer Herrick's message bidding all patriots to themeeting-place. "My age, if not my birth, gives me precedence of allhere, and my age also tells me that in the midst of a fierce fight myblows may not be so effective as those of younger men. I praytherefore that you will grant me this place of trust. Give me a fewstout fellows, and I warrant we will make fires enough, and shadowsenough, for a whole army."
"The trust is yours, and I thank you," Herrick answered. "At dawn, assoon as the enemy understand the strategem, to horse at once, andfollow us. You shall see our flag floating over Larne, or you shall bein time to help us place it there."
Within an hour men were withdrawing silently through the wood andhurrying toward Larne. There was no moon to betray them, and one ofthe charcoal-burners, who had joined the army, knew how to avoid thewindings of the stream and shorten the journey. But the camp firesblazed all night, and the men who tended them moved rapidly from placeto place so that no watchful sentry might have any suspicion of whathad happened.
Herrick had hoped to find the garrison at Larne unprepared, but asthey approached the castle soon after daylight he found that in thisrespect he had been too sanguine. The castle stood upon the other sideof the stream, and consisted of a great donjon tower and one massivewing in good preservation; the remainder was falling into ruins, orlay in heaps of debris. For a mile or more to left and right the riverbroadened out, but close by the tower there was a ford, impassable inthe winter-time, but comparatively easy to cross at this season of theyear. This ford was well defended. Across it the enemy had intended toenter Montvilliers presently, and until the call for reinforcementshad come, it was fully expected that whatever opposition was madewould be made here. Although Herrick's strategem had had the effect ofweakening the defence, it was soon evident that if victory were tocome it would have to be dearly bought.
"The castle must be ours," said Herrick as he gave his commands; "thesalvation of Montvilliers depends upon it."
"It shall be!" was the shout as Gaspard Lemasle led his men to theattack.
That fight for the ford by Larne will live long in history. With thefirst dash into the swiftly running stream the tower belched forthfire, and the clear waters were quickly stained with blood. Corpseswere swirled away savagely as though the waters themselves took partin the struggle, or slithered along by the banks with the otherrubbish which the stream brought down. Some there were who, sorelywounded, managed to reach the bank, and others with a cry slowly sank,and were drowned. Lemasle and his men were presently sent reelingback, and the enemy attacking fiercely were driven back in their turn.Rush after rush was made, now from one side, now from the other, andeach time a deadly struggle
ensued for a few minutes in the midst ofthe waters, friend and foe so intermingled that the fire from thetower was forced to cease, and the struggle became a hand-to-hand one.Blades flashed above the seething mass as though lightning playedthere, and the air was full of panting endeavor, of rough, loud oaths,and shrieks and groans of pain. Ever the stream ran more deeply redand carried down its human rubbish. For two hours or more the equalfight went on, and to neither side was there any advantage. Herrickhad ridden this way and that to find another crossing out of the rangeof the fire from the tower, but in vain; the stream was too deep andwide to cross except at the ford. Time became of increasing value.Long before this the enemy farther up the stream must have discoveredthe deception which had been practised upon them; in a little whilethey would be hastening back, and then all hope of success mustvanish. The ford must be won, and that quickly.
"Charge once more, Lemasle, hold them for a few moments, and when Ishout break to either side, and let us through. We must win now, or weshall be too late."
Again the waters were churned and blood-stained by a fiercely fightingcrowd, and then, at a shout, the attacking party broke suddenly, manyof the men plunging into the deep waters on either side and swimmingback to the bank. At the head of a strong and chosen band Herrickdashed into the gap. The sudden and unexpected relaxation of thepressure had thrown the enemy forward in some confusion, and they wereunprepared to stand against the swift and compact mass hurled againstthem. With irresistible force they were swept back across the ford,and Herrick and his followers stormed the opposite bank.
"It is now or never!" he cried, and the foremost ranks were carriedforward by those who rushed across the stream behind them. Nothing wasable to stop this supreme effort, and the stormers swept up the bankas a great wave rushes up a low beach of shingle.
Whether they lacked leaders, or whether the heart was out of them, theenemy quickly became a struggling crowd rather than a compact fightingforce, and Herrick was prompt to seize the advantage gained. Withsharp commands, rapidly repeated on all sides, he kept his mentogether, and almost before the enemy were fully conscious that theyhad lost the ford, they were being attacked and driven from the gateswhich gave entrance to the tower. It was soon evident that everyavailable man had been used for the stream's defence, and, the fordlost, the winning of the castle was an easy matter. No determinedvoice or action arrested the sudden panic. Men threw down their arms,the guns were silent, and in a very little while Herrick was issuingquick commands for the castle's occupation.
"Turn the guns to face the enemy, who must soon be upon us," he said."See to it, Briant. Post sentries, and then rest, comrades, while youmay. Before nightfall we shall be in the thick of it again."
For Herrick there was no rest yet. He was busy looking to every pointof defence and giving brief words of praise to every man. The victorywas even more complete than he had hoped for, because the castle hadbeen used as a base of operations, and a large quantity of stores hadconsequently fallen into his hand.
The cheers which greeted him as he passed from point to point werepleasant to his ears, as they always must be to the man who has setheavy odds at naught and triumphed. Only a little while since many ofthose who now shouted the loudest had left the great hall at Vayennein silence--his enemies. It would have been strange, beyond all humannature, if for a time some sense of self-satisfaction had notdominated his thoughts. For a little he enjoyed the shouting, and thenturned to Lemasle.
"That is a good sound, but the struggle is not yet over."
"Perhaps not, but we have the tower, sir." And the captain's face,grimy and blood-stained, broke into a wide smile of complacency.
"True, and that counts for much," Herrick answered, and as he hurriedaway all thought of self was forgotten. He went to one of theguard-rooms, where some of the prisoners had been gathered, and afterlooking at them he selected one man, and commanded him to follow him.Once in the passage outside he put his hand firmly on the man'sshoulder.
"In which part of the castle is the prisoner confined?" he asked.
"The prisoner! What prisoner?" said the man, turning toward him tofind himself looking into the barrel of a revolver.
"I could find him, but I have no time to waste in searching," Herrickreturned, "therefore, my friend, choose quickly. If you prefer death,one of your companions yonder is likely to prefer life under the samepersuasion."
The man hesitated for a moment, and then went forward, turningpresently to mount a spiral stone stairway set in the tower. Before asmall door on an upper landing he stopped.
"He is in there."
"Good. Now you shall show me where I can find the key of this prison."
"Indeed, sir, I was not his jailer."
"Still you may find the key. There is little secrecy about thejailer's office. You must go quickly, for this is not the sort of dayon which a man has much patience to spare."
The key was found in the jailer's empty room, and when Herrick hadtaken the man back to the guard-room he mounted the spiral staircasealone. He paused for an instant before putting the key into the lock,and it was evident that his thoughts had suddenly wandered.
"At least one task I have set myself is accomplished," he murmured ashe opened the heavy door.
There presently galloped across the ford the old noble and those whohad remained to cover the secret night march of the army. They had notescaped unscathed, for in the early morning they had been fired at,and half a dozen men had fallen by the watchfires they had tended. Noopposition met the little band at the water's edge, for the flag wasalready flying from the tower at Larne. Their coming, however,heralded the speedy return of the main body of the enemy, and beforenightfall the guns were speaking again.
The struggle was not at an end. With the greater part of their storeslost, the foe were in a precarious position, and desperate attemptswere made to recapture the castle. Time had become of consequence tothem. Herrick recognized that the castle was not strong enough tostand a siege, and his first care was to prevent the besiegers takingup any strong position. Sorties were constantly made, and there wereskirmishes which were almost of sufficient importance to be calledbattles. In these, ever fighting by his side, was the prisoner Herrickhad released from the tower. When he was not fighting he kept himselfin the background, and few knew, or cared, who he was. Each man's timewas too fully occupied to indulge in idle speculation.
In these skirmishes Fortune's favors were distributed fairly equally.Often, Herrick did not accomplish all he meant to do, but he had onereal advantage: the chief success of the struggle was his, and hisenemies were disheartened. Dissensions, too, had grown up in theirranks, and many declared that they had been deceived by theinformation sent them from Vayenne. Instead of the easy task they hadbeen led to expect, they had been vigorously attacked, and all thefighting had taken place on their side of the frontier. They began totalk of peace, and the first flag of truce had been raised beforeMercier had left for Vayenne. The papers he brought to Father Bertranddeclared that peace was imminent, and indeed terms had been agreedupon by the time the papers came into the priest's hands, and Herrickwas leading the larger portion of his victorious army back to Vayenne.
The camp had been pitched for the night at the juncture of the Passeyroad with the high road from Lame. No messengers had been sent forwardto the city. Herrick intended to return without warning, and iftreachery were within the gates he could easily crush it now. Some ofthe nobles had left him, returning to their own estates, but it waswith a promise to come to Vayenne within a week. They understood theDuke much better than they had done, and Herrick's popularity wasestablished beyond all question.
With early morning came another parting. A small body of men separatedfrom the rest and went slowly along the Passey road. The man who hadbeen released from the tower at Larne lingered beside Herrick for afew moments, talking earnestly, then he saluted, and rode after hiscompanions.
"Forward, comrades!" Herrick said when he had gone. "They must beeagerly awai
ting our news in Vayenne."
Some hours later a solitary and queer-looking horseman met them. Theanimal had been ridden hard, the man was bare-headed and unkempt, andgreen and scarlet showed from under his disordered and dusty cloak.There was a strange, low jingling of bells as he came.
"Where is the Duke?" he cried as he met the foremost ranks.
"Jean! What is it? What is the news?"
"Ay, Jean it is. Where is the Duke?"
"Yonder. What has happened?"
But the dwarf stayed to answer no questions. He pressed forward toHerrick.
"Jean! What is it?"
"Treachery and rebellion in the city. The gates are closed againstyou, and Mademoiselle is to be Duchess, and marries Count Felix."
"When?"
The sharp question had a note of agony in it.
"At once; but we may yet be in time. No one knows of the landing-placeyou and I used that night. I can tell you everything as we go."
"Lemasle! Lemasle!" cried Herrick, and he hastened to meet the captainas he came hurriedly at the call. For a few moments he poured atorrent of eager orders into his ears. "I will ride forward with ascore of men, Lemasle. I know a way into the city that they do notdream of. You shall find the gates open to-morrow, or there will beneed for another Duke of Montvilliers. Give Jean another horse. Thatpoor brute is done, and will never do the journey in time. A score ofmen, Lemasle! Quickly! There are vipers in Vayenne, comrades, thatmust be crushed. We go to crush them. Come, Jean! Forward! Gallop! Thenext few hours hold more than life for me."
"Long live the Duke!" they cried as they galloped forward, and thesame shout rang out lustily from the ranks of those they left behindthem.
That night Jean's boat crossed the river several times, and Herrickand his men scaled the wall by the haunted house, and enteredVayenne.