As I followed him I was nearly knocked down by the rider, whose face was covered with, dirt and blood, while fright had rendered his horse unmanageable.

Darting aside I let him pass--he was blinded and could not see me--and then found that Croisette--brave lad! had collared the foremost of the ruffians, and was beating him with his sheathed sword, while the rest of the rabble stood back, ashamed, yet sullen, and with anger in their eyes.
A dangerous crew, I thought; not townsmen, most of them.
"Down with the Huguenots!" cried one, as I appeared, one bolder than the rest.
"Down with the CANAILLE!" I retorted, sternly eyeing the ill-looking ring.

"Will you set yourselves above the king's peace, dirt that you are?
Go back to your kennels!" The words were scarcely out of my mouth, before I saw that the fellow whom Croisette was punishing had got hold of a dagger.

I shouted a warning, but it came too late.

The blade fell, and--thanks to God--striking the buckle of the lad's belt, glanced off harmless.