The pistol, however, was becoming a recognized portion of the outfit of a cavalier in the field and, following Francois' advice, Philip practised with one steadily, until he became a fair shot.
"They are cowardly weapons," Francois said, "but for all that they are useful in battle.

When you are surrounded by three or four pikemen, thrusting at you, it is a good thing to be able to disembarrass yourself of one or two of them.

Besides, these German horsemen, of whom the Guises employ so many, all carry firearms; and the contest would be too uneven if we were armed only with the sword; though for my part I wish that all the governments of Europe would agree to do away with firearms of every description.

They place the meanest footman upon the level of the bravest knight, and in the end will, it seems to me, reduce armies to the level of machines." In the afternoons there were generally gatherings of Huguenot gentry, who came to discuss the situation, to exchange news, or to listen to the last rumours from Paris.

No good had arisen from the Conference of Bayonne, and one by one the privileges of the Huguenots were being diminished.
The uprising of the Protestants of Holland was watched with the greatest interest by the Huguenots of France.