Henri had the best house in the town, half the troop slept within doors, the other half in the street where the king was.
"When are we to begin the hunt?" asked Chicot of Henri, as he was undressing.
"We are not yet in the territory of the wolves, my dear Chicot."
"Not so, sire; but you understand, one likes to know where one is going."
"You will know to-morrow; meanwhile, lie down there on those cushions on my left; here is Mornay snoring already at my right."
"Peste!" said Chicot, "he makes more noise asleep than awake."
"It is true he is not very talkative; but see him at the chase."
Day had partly appeared, when a great noise of horses awoke Chicot. They dressed, drank some spiced wine, and took other refreshment, and then Henri cried:
"To horse! gentlemen, we have a long day's work before us."
Chicot saw with astonishment that five hundred cavaliers had swelled the train during the night.
At Lauzerte, six hundred more men came and ranged themselves behind the cavaliers.
Twenty times his eyes turned toward the country, and the idea of flight presented itself to him. But Chicot had his guard of honor, doubtless as ambassador of the king of France, and so well was he recommended to this guard, that he could not make a movement that was not repeated by ten men.
This annoyed him, and he said so to the king.
"Diable!" said Henri, "it is your own fault; you tried to run away from Nerac, and I am afraid you will try it again."
"Sire, if I give my word as a gentleman not to do so?"
"Yes; for if I stay, I believe I shall see curious things."
At this moment they were going through the town of Montcuq, and four field-pieces took their place in the army.
"I return to my first idea," said Chicot, "that the wolves in this country are different from others, and are differently treated; with artillery, for instance."
"Ah!" said Henri, "it is a mania of the people of Montcuq. Since I gave them these four pieces they take them about everywhere."
"Then," said Chicot, "it is at Cahors we are to hunt, is it not, sire?"
"But, sire, you who have infantry, cavalry, and artillery to hunt wolves with, should also have taken the royal standard, and then the honor to the wolves would have been complete."
"We have not forgotten it, Chicot, ventre St. Gris! only it is left in the case for fear of dirtying it. But if you wish to see it, and know under whose banner you march, you shall see it."
