Presently the traitor Delagarde arrived and was welcomed hotly byRullecour. The night wore on, and at last the remaining legions werelanded. A force was left behind to guard La Roque Platte, and then thejourney across country to the sleeping city began.

With silent, drowsing batteries in front and on either side of them, theFrench troops advanced, the marshes of Samares and the sea on their left,churches and manor homes on their right, all silent. Not yet had a blowbeen struck for the honour of this land and of the Kingdom.