fight, they would then exert themfeives, and rifle the event of a battle. • What they had determined the preceding day, they put in execution the following. On the morning, having armed themfeives and mounted their horfes, their trumpets founded, when they fellied out of Montauban. The French had already drawn up before the town, from the alarm of what they faw and heard the preceding evening, fo that the companies could not pafs but through them. Upon this, fir Perducas d'Albret and fir Robert Cheney ftepped forward, to demand a parley of the French, and to beg of them to allow them quietly to pais. But thefe lords fent to inform them, they would have nothing to fay to them, and that they ihould not pafs but over the points of their fpears and fwords. • They inftantly began to fiiout their war-cry, and to call out, 6 Advance, advance upon thefe robbers, who pillage the world, and who live upon every one, without reafon or juftice.' When the companions faw that they ifruft fight in earneft, or die with difhonor, they difmounted, and formed their line, to wait for the French, who advanced very boldly on foot to meet them. Much fighting and purfuing now commenced : many hard blows were given, which knocked down feveral on each fide. The combat was fevere and long : many gallant deeds were performed, and feveral knights and fquires unhorfed. The French, however, were more in number than the companions by at Ieaft two to one. They had not, therefore, any caufe pf fear 2SS