After watching for a few moments, Antonio glided in amongst the horses till he reached the side of young Bayard, and pulling his surcoat, he said, "Signor de Terrail, will you tell me where Signor Visconti is?" "There!" answered Bayard, pointing with his hand, "he is leading the centre attack at the head of the forlorn hope." "God shield us!" exclaimed Antonio, "is he fool enough to plunge into forlorn hopes, when he has got such warm ones in that cottage there?" "Ah, I had forgot the lady," replied de Terrail, "she must doubtless be anxious." "Ay, as anxious as a hen who sees her brood of ducklings venture into a pond," answered Antonio. "Tell her I will come and bring her news from time to time," replied Bayard, "a lady's fears are to be reverenced, my good friend, especially when she nobly sends her lover to the field with strengthening words. Go, and say all goes well, and I will come and bear her tidings." Thus saying, while Antonio turned back to the cottage, the young hero fixed his eyes upon the small party of his friend, and never lost sight but for a moment or two, when some irregularity of the ground or the masses of the Swiss infantry interposed, of the surcoat of violet and gold, which Lorenzo wore that day. "They are nearing the wall," said the king aloud, "God send the youth has not deceived himself; but he will be there before the others reach the gates." "Look, sire, there is a rush!" cried La Tremouille. "He has got three ladders up by Heaven?" exclaimed de Vitry, "now God speed you, brave heart!" The Swiss quickened their pace to support, and as they poured in over the rise in the ground hid the _enfants perdus_ from sight, and all for a moment or two seemed confusion, while the defenders upon the walls alone appeared distinctly, hurling down masses of stone, and firing upon the assailants from every embrasure. At length, however, a figure appeared on the top of one of the ladders, carrying a banner in his left hand. He sprang, as it appeared at that distance, straight against the side of the wall. But he gained footing there; and then bounded up towards the summit. Another, and another followed; but still the banner bearer was the first; and at length, though surrounded evidently by a crowd of foes, he stood firm upon the parapet and waved the flag proudly in the air, while a gleam of sunshine broke through the cloud of smoke and shone upon the surcoat of violet and gold. "Visconti for a thousand crowns?" cried Bayard enthusiastically, "he is first in, he has won the town!" "Are you sure it is he?" demanded the king. "Certain, sire," replied De Terrail, "I have kept my eye on him all the time. I can see his surcoat distinctly." "Oh, yes, it is he," said La Tremouille, "the Swiss are pouring up after. The place is taken, and see, they have forced the south gate. But Visconti is first in. His be the _los!_"