The Dauphinois were in the act of passing the river Somme, when, perceiving the Burgundians, they deliberately changed their purpose, and returned to the plain, where they drew up in battle-array, and advanced with every appearance of giving battle to the duke, although they were very inferior in numbers to his army. Poton de Santrailles had joined them that night, with twelve others from St Riquier, in order to be present at the battle. The two parties were now advanced near enough to observe exactly the numbers on either side; and because some of the duke's men were behind, several heralds and poursuivants were sent to hasten them forward. Thus the two armies moved on for a considerable space, approaching each other; but sir James de Harcourt who, as has been said, was posted on the other side of the river, seeing the two parties ready to engage, never attempted to cross the ford to the assistance of his friends, notwithstanding he himself had sent for them, but returned to Crotoy, whence he had come that morning. CHAP. LXII. THE BURGUNDIANS AND THE DAUPHINOIS DRAW UP IN BATTLE ARRAY AGAINST EACH OTHER ON THE LAST DAY OF AUGUST.--THE CONSEQUENCES THAT FOLLOWED. On Saturday, the 31st of August, the two armies kept advancing with much courage, and halted about eleven o'clock in the forenoon, at three bow-shots distance from each other. During this short halt, many new knights were hastily created on both sides. In the number was the duke of Burgundy, by the hand of sir John de Luxembourg, when the duke did the same to Philip de Saveuses; and there were knighted of his party Collart de Commines, John d'Estenu, John de Robais, Andrew and John Villain, Philebert Andrenet, Daviod de Poix, Guerrard d'Acties, the lord de Moyencourt, Le Moyne de Renty, Colinet de Brimeu, Jacques Pot, Louis de Saint-Saulieu, Guillain de Halluin, Derre de Cauroy and others. On the part of the Dauphinois were, in like manner, created knights, Gilles de Gamaches, Regnault de Fontaines, Colinet de Villequier, the Marquis de Serre, John Rogan, John d'Espaigny, Corbeau de Rieux, and Sarrasin de Beaufort. When this ceremony was over, the duke sent the banner of Philip de Saveuses, with six score combatants, under the command of sir Mauroy de Saint-Leger and the bastard de Roussy, across the plain to fall on the flank of the Dauphinois. Both armies were eager for the combat; and these last advanced with a great noise, and fell on the division of the duke with all the strength of their horses' speed. The Burgundians received them well; and at this onset there was a grand clattering of arms, and horses thrown to the ground in a most horrible manner on each side. Both parties now began to wound and kill, and the affair became very murderous; but during this first shock of arms one half of the duke's forces were panic-struck and fled to Abbeville, where being refused admittance they galloped on for Picquigny.