Philip, who knew no one, rode near the rear of this train, behind which followed the armed retainers.
In a short time a gentleman rode back through the party.
"Monsieur Fletcher," he said, when he reached Philip, "the prince has asked me to say that it is his wish that you shall ride forward, and accompany him." Philip turned into the field, and rode to the head of the party.
The prince, who was looking round, at once reined in his horse and took his place beside him.
"Now, Monsieur Philip, you must tell me all about it.

I am tired of hearing consultations about roads and Catholic forces.

I want to hear a full account of your adventures, just as you told me the tale of your journey to Nerac." During the course of the day, several parties of gentlemen joined the little force.

So well organized were the Huguenots that, during the last two or three days, the news had passed from mouth to mouth throughout the province for all to assemble, if possible, at points indicated to them; and all knew the day on which the seneschal would march north from Villeneuve.

Yet so well was the secret kept, that the Catholics remained in total ignorance of the movement.
Consequently, at every village there were accessions of force awaiting the seneschal, and parties of from ten to a hundred rode up and joined them on the march.
After marching twenty miles, they halted at the foot of a chain of hills, their numbers having been increased during the day to over twelve hundred men.