I believe we are not going to Perigueux, but are to be stationed somewhere on the lower Dordogne, to prevent any of the Huguenots from the south making their way towards La Rochelle." The frequenters of the cabaret presently dropped off.

Jacques, who acted as spokesman, had on entering asked the landlord if they could sleep there; and he said there was plenty of good hay, in the loft over the stable.

As his duties were now over, he came across to them.
"Which way are you going, lads ?" he asked.

"Are you bound, like the others, to join one of the lords on the Dordogne ?" "No," Jacques said, "we are bound for Agen.

We come from near there." "I thought your tongue had a smack of Gascon in it." "Yes, we come from across the border.