There was an
opening an inch broad betwixt it and the beaver. As the two lines
met the left-handed Breton squire, Alain de Karanais, caught sight
of Bambro's face, and in an instant thrust his short spear through
the opening. The English leader gave a cry of pain and fell on
his knees, but staggered to his feet again, too weak to raise his
shield. As he stood exposed the Breton knight, Geoffrey Dubois
the Strong, struck him such a blow with his ax that he beat in the
whole breast-plate with the breast behind it. Bambro' fell dead
upon the ground and for a few minutes a fierce fight raged round
his body.
Then the English drew back, sullen and dogged, bearing Bambro'
with them, and the Bretons, breathing hard, gathered again in
their own quarter. At the same instant the three prisoners picked
up such weapons as were scattered upon the grass and ran over to
join their own party.
"Nay, nay!" cried Knolles, raising his visor and advancing. "This
may not be. You have been held to mercy when we might have slain
you, and by the Virgin I will hold you dishonored, all three, if
you stand not back."
"Say not so, Robert Knolles," Evan Cheruel answered. "Never yet
has the word dishonor been breathed with my name, but I should
count myself faineant if I did not fight beside my comrades when
chance has made it right and proper that I should do so.
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