Many and valorous were the deeds of the men of Bordeaux holding their city against the enemy. But in every charge from out its gates, and in every fight upon the walls, men fell under the bite of the sword or by the swift shaft of the arrow. And none arose from out of the dust to take their places. So that fewer and fewer were able to answer the call to arms of the battle trumpets.
And Gerames, seeing every hour his lines grow thinner, his men fall to return no more, sorrowed in his heart. But with all he kept a brisk tongue and a bright face for the Lady Claramonde. While she, donning heavy mail over her tender flesh, did walk the walls and draw a bow of her own, sending full many straightly aimed arrows into the Alamayne camp.
But at length came a dark day when the mayor of the city waited upon the Duchess to say unto her:
“Liege lady, within this city are many stout hearts and strong arms to your service. But food and drink are needed by all men. Wide now stands the granary door and naught lies within the bins there but the dust of the wheat which once filled them. We have not tasted meat this fortnight past and ill seems the future.”
Then up spake Gerames in answer:
“True, fighting men must eat and we cannot hold the walls save when we have the proper strength to do so. In the fields beyond the river there graze cattle and sheep brought hither by our enemy for his service. This night let us issue forth and sweeps them up!”
So was it decided in a council of war and Gerames, with the best of the fighters still living, came secretly out into the fields. But the Emperor’s man on watch there was no dullard and he gave the alarm so swiftly that Gerames’ men were struck while yet they were gathering the cattle together. And in the dark was fought a grim battle.
Ill indeed was the fortune of the men of Bordeaux. Some were swept into the river where, weighted down by their mail, they went to death in the waters, none hearing their cries for help. And others fell under the sword and lance or, lying wounded in the press, were trampled by the horses. Thus died the last of the strong fighting men of Bordeaux.
And among them was Gerames, who had been slave to the Saracens, hermit in the desert lands, and a good friend to Huon all his days. Bravely he died as became a belted knight, slain by honorable wounds as a warrior of fame. And with him died the hope and deliverance of the Lady Claramonde and her daughter.
Bernard, who had been squire to Gerames, won free after the fall of his master and fought his way by sheer strength of his body to the gates of the city. There he did spur to the keep where, all blood and dust from the field, he ran through the halls seeking out the duchess.
The Lady Claramonde, seeing him in such sore straits, did guess somewhat of his dire news before he gave it tongue.
But when he cried: “On the field lies even now my master, the noble Gerames—” she gave such a scream as might one faced by doom, and then she stood statue still until those about her thought her mind gone from reason of the blow. But in time she turned to them and, when she spoke, it was evenly and with a calm voice.
“With Gerames, who was our fortress and our shield, reft from us, we cannot hope to prevail against the Emperor who can call to his service full half of Europe, while we have not enough left to man the walls. Too late v/ill my lord return with the help he has gone to seek. But be sure, friends, that when again he rides in France it will be to-avenge this hour and us. Now I will go up into the gate and from the window there I shall hail this Emperor and see what terms he will grant us in his triumph. But first, Bernard, I would speak with you.”
She took the squire into the fair part of the hall where they were alone and there she did give him certain orders, namely that he was to go to the stable and there saddle with his own hands the horse Amphage which Huon had won from the Emperor in battle. Then she would send to him secretly one of her maidens with the child Clarette. And the baby he was to bear to Cluny and there give her into the safe keeping of the Abbot, who was uncle to Huon and his good friend.
“For,” said the Lady Claramonde, “the Emperor may take Bordeaux by reason of our weakness and me he may make prisoner. But this child who be heir to Huon shall be saved from his wrath.”
And Bernard swore by the Cross that he would guard the child even to his heart’s blood and bear her safely to the Abbey of Cluny. Then he made haste to the stable and had forth Amphage, the horse being fresh and eager for the road. Hardly had he made secure the saddle upon the charger’s back than down came the maid, slipping through the shadows bearing in her arms—close wrapped in a dark cloak—the little Clarette. And with the baby before him the squire made his way out of Bordeaux by a little known way and reached the fields beyond the town. Once free he put spurs to Amphage and rode at a gallop into the night toward Cluny.
When the maid reported to the Lady Claramonde that her daughter was in Bernard’s keeping and that the squire had set forth, the Duchess went up into the gate and caused torches to be set up there so that those without the gate might see her standing so. And then she ordered her trumpeter to sound parley.
This being reported to the Emperor, he came himself on horseback, and, looking up at the lady standing framed by torchlight, he thought her very young and fair and he knew pity for her. But remembering that she was wife to Huon he hardened his heart and waited in silence to hear what she had to say.
“Lord Emperor”—loud and clear, without tears or breaking, sounded the voice of the Lady Claramonde—”defenseless against your might lies this city of Bordeaux at this hour, since you have broken our strength at last and put to lance and sword our men. But you and those who follow you be Christian men and as Christians I ask that you deal with us mercifully as Our Lord Jesu has taught.”
“Lady,” replied the Emperor, “be assured that this city shall not be put to sack if you now surrender yourselves to me. And I promise to deal with you and yours after no barbaric manner.”
With that half promise she needs must be content. But in her heart she was glad that she had sent forth her daughter while there was yet time.
So was Bordeaux surrendered and the Emperor did not sack it but set over it his own governor. And those who had been men of Huon and were still living he took with him to Mayence. There were they set in prison and the Lady Claramonde was placed in a stout tower where she did not even see the face of her keeper. And her heart was nigh to breaking when she thought upon her evil plight, her only hope lying in the swift return of Huon.
VII. OFHUON’S VOYAGE THROUGH STORMY SEAS AND HIS COMING TO THE CASTLE ADAMANT
Huon and those with him, having stolen away through the forces of the enemy, came at length to a port of the sea. And there the Dute made inquiries concerning a ship to take him and his companions unto Tunis. But it was the season of wild storms in the outer ocean, and few captains desired to risk their craft to the tearing winds and raging waters. But, after many days, Huon found a sailing master willing to try his fortune, and so they set sail.
Just beyond the protection of the harbor their vessel was caught up by the wind and fled helpless before a storm through seas which were mountains of foam and water. No man amongst them, no matter what his knowledge, could control their flight, and they knew not whither they sailed. Within the ship they were flung hither and thither so that all were sore bruised and Huon did strain his sword arm so that he could not raise it from his side. Thus did they exist for several days, and in all that time they sighted not the sun nor knew if it were day or night which encompassed them.