He hurried on with the fugitives in front of him until, half an hour later, they came to a bridge over a stream.

This was only wide enough for four horsemen to cross abreast, and here he took up his station.
In a few minutes, a number of horsemen approached.

They were riding without order or regularity, intent only on overtaking their prey.
Seeing the disorder in which they came, Philip advanced from the bridge, formed up his men in two lines, and then charged at full gallop.
The men-at-arms tried to rein in their horses and form in order but, before they could do so, the Huguenots burst down upon them.
The horses of the Catholics, exhausted with the speed at which they had been ridden, were unable to withstand the shock; and they and their riders went down before it.

A panic seized those in the rear and, turning quickly, they fled in all directions, leaving some thirty of their number dead on the ground.

Philip would not permit his followers to pursue.
"They outnumber us four times," he said; "and if we scatter, they may turn and fall upon us.