Î38 Vancing towards St. Quentin and Ribemont, where the lord du Chin, whofe daughter he had married, poffefled a large eftate* and where he alfo had lands in right of his wife, he took leave of the citizens of Ham, who thanked him much for his fer-vices, * as he knew the caftle of Ribemont was QUITE unprovided with men at arms. He was at-tended by as many companions as he could mufter, but they were few in number, and rode on until he came to St. Quentin, where he did not arrive Without great danger, for the whole country was overfpread with -Englifh. He got into the town juft in time, for the Englifh light troops came to the gates as he entered them. The lord de Bourfiers found there fir William des Bourdes, who was governor of it for the king : he was received by him joyfully, and much preficd to ftay there, to help him in the defence of the town. The lord dc Bourfiers excufed hlmfclf by- faying* that he had undertaken to go to Ribemont, to de- fend that town and caftle, which was without any garrifon j and he entreated fir William fo much for affiftance that he gave him twelve crofs-bows. He had not advanced far before he few a company of Englifh ; but, as he knew the country well, he took a more circuitous road to avoid, them : the Englifh never quitted .their line of march* He was this whole day in much peril on his rôad towards Ribemont. He met a knight from Bur-gundy, called fir John de Bueil, who was going to St. Quentin $ but, after fome convcrfation with the lord