have had the effect of gaining over Gonzaga, as the latter showed no desire to prolong the discussion. The following morning was fixed upon as the time for commencing the retreat, and Hawkwood quickly distributed his orders to the different commanders, laid down the order of the march, and put everything in readiness for moving at day-break. The council was upon the point of breaking up, when a manat-arms entered the tent, and making his way up to the General, whispered a few words in his ear.

"A deserter from the enemy!" exclaimed Hawkwood; "let him be brought here instantly."

The soldier left the tent, and returned in a few seconds, with a man in a dark coloured cloak, which he wore SO as to conceal his features. He was of diminutive size, and remained standing at the door of the tent, without making any reverence to the assembled officers. Alfred, who stood near him, started as he entered, at the sudden apparition of a person he little expected to meet in such a place.

"Whence come you," asked Hawkwood of

the stranger.

"From your enemies the Milanese,” replied the latter, drily.

"Uncover yourself."

The stranger undid the folds of his mantle, and Alfred immediately recognised the keen features of the Egyptian who seemed to exercise so unaccountable an influence over his fortunes, and who appeared so well acquainted with his past history. No change had taken place in his appearance since he had seen him in Milan four years before. He had the same jet black hair, the small sparkling eyes, the same confident and unabashed demeanour which characterised him from first to last.

"Where are the enemy?" continued Hawkwood.

The Egyptian saw immediately, that the person with whom he was confronted was not one to be trifled with, and he replied, "Report calls you generous, and I will trust to it. Know then, that the Duke's lieutenant, Jacopo del Verme, is at present within a few miles of where

you now stand, with the bulk of the Milanese army."

"Indeed!" exclaimed Hawkwood, looking full in the deserter's face, as if he would read his inmost thoughts: "how then did you escape?"

"Question me no more, but look to your own;" replied the Egyptian, waving his hand impatiently.

Hawkwood knit his brows, and for a moment appeared undecided; the utmost anxiety appeared in the countenance of all present, who gazed alternately at the deserter and the General, at a loss to guess how all would end.

Meanwhile some one was heard approaching the tent, and all eyes were turned to the door, as a horseman leaped from his saddle, and entered, exclaiming, “The enemy are upon us; they have surprised our outmost picquet-I alone escaped."

Hawkwood's countenance immediately resumed its wonted composure. "Surprised, indeed!" he exclaimed, “what, did the drowsy knaves sleep on their posts? Begone!—but stay,

take this man with you, and answer for his safety with your head."

The soldier shrunk from the reproving glance of his chief, and immediately left the tent, accompanied by the Egyptian.

"To your posts, gentlemen," exclaimed the General; "we must place the river betwixt us and the enemy to-night. You, my lord of Mantua, will lead across the Florentine cavalry; you, lord Albert, the main body of the army; and I myself will bring up the rear, and cover your passage with four squadrons of mounted archers; Oliver and Nevil both remain with me.

To horse, gentlemen, to horse!"

The council immediately broke up, and the different officers repaired with the utmost speed to their quarters. It was now dark, and the busy sound of preparation consequent on a large body of men being suddenly put in motion, had a most imposing effect at such an hour. The accoutrements and baggage of an army were indeed at that period infinitely less cumbersome than at present. Artillery, though already employed, both in sieges and in naval war

VOL. III.

C

fare, was as yet very little used in the field; and the practice then universally adopted, of supporting troops by the pillage of the enemies' country, enabled them to execute all their movements with much greater rapidity than at present.

There was some little delay before the army was in marching order. Meanwhile, the General, accompanied every where by his two countrymen and an orderly trooper, galloped from post to post, commanding, encouraging, threatening, and approving, as he found occasion. A number of lights which flitted rapidly to and fro, appearing and disappearing at intervals, showed the position of the hostile army, while a confused murmuring sound, like the hum of a distant city, announced their approach. The English General, in order the better to conceal his intentions from the enemy, had ordered all the fires in his own camp to be extinguished. This circumstance added not a little to the general confusion: the soldiers in every direction were hastening to their posts; and the