TO THE RESCUE! 15

monks closed their ranks and presented a front
against which the assailants continued for hours to
charge violently, but in vain. ,

But meanwhile the peril of the Count of Poictiers
had been great and alarming. Composed of infantry,
his division gave way before the rush of the Saracen
cavalry, and dispersed in consternation. Nor was
this the worst. The-count himself, while endeavour-
ing to rally his forces, was seized, and experienced
the mortification of finding himself dragged off ag a
prisoner. But there was succour at hand.

The Lord of Joinville and his knights were luckily
posted near the Count of Poictiers; but having all
been so severely wounded in the battle of Shrove
Tuesday as to be unable to bear their armour, they
could take no prominent part in the conflict raging
around them. No sooner, however, did they observe
the count’s predicament than they deemed themselves
bound to interfere at all hazards; and Guy Mus-
champ, riding to the place where the sutlerg and
workmen and women of the army were posted, urged
them to rouse themselves. |

‘Good people,’ cried the squire, ‘ the brave Count
of Poictiers is being carried into captivity. For our
Leader’s sake, succour the Count of Poictiers. To the
rescue ! to the rescue!’

Now the count was highly popular with the per-
sons to whom this appeal was addressed; and no
sooner did they learn the prince’s danger than they
displayed the utmost alacrity to aid him. Arming
themselves with axes, and clubs, and sticks, and any=
thing that came in their way, they rushed furiously