A prolonged murmur greeted the sentinel's words and hostile demonstrations. Monsieur de La Meilleraie seized the bit of the king's horse, and turned him around, at the same time bidding the queen's coachman to turn and drive back. The two insulted majesties withdrew some seven or eight hundred yards, while their attendants scattered like a flock of birds at the report of the hunter's rifle. Maréchal de La Meilleraie, master of the situation, left some fifty men as escort for the king and queen, and with the rest of his force rode back toward the fortifications. When he was within a hundred yards of the moat, the sentinel, who had resumed his calm and measured tread, halted once more. "Take a trumpet, put a handkerchief on the end of your sword, Guitaut," said the marshal, "and summon this insolent governor to open his gates." Guitaut obeyed; he hoisted the emblem of peace, which affords protection to heralds in all civilized countries, and went forward toward the intrenchment. "Qui vive?" cried the sentry. "Flag of truce," Guitaut replied, waving his sword, with the bit of cloth at the end. "Let him approach," said the same man who had previously appeared upon the rampart of the main fort, and who had doubtless reached the outwork by an underground passage. The gate opened, and a drawbridge was lowered. "What is your errand?" demanded an officer who was awaiting Guitaut at the gate. "To speak to the governor," he replied. "I am he," said the man, who had been seen twice already. Guitaut noticed that he was very pale, but tranquil and courteous. "Are you the governor of Vayres?" Guitaut asked. "Yes, monsieur." "And you decline to open the doors of your fortress to his Majesty the king, and the queen regent?" "I regret that I must so decline." "What do you demand?" "The liberty of Messieurs les Princes, whose captivity is bringing ruin and desolation upon the kingdom." "His Majesty does not chaffer with his subjects." "Alas! monsieur, we know it; and for that reason we are prepared to die, knowing that we shall die in his Majesty's service, although we seem to be making war upon him." "'Tis well," said Guitaut; "that is all we wished to know." With a brusque nod to the governor, who replied with a most courteous salute, he withdrew. There was no movement discernible upon the bastion. Guitaut rejoined the marshal, and reported the result of his mission. "Let fifty men ride at full speed to yonder village," said the marshal, pointing toward the hamlet of Isson, "and bring hither instantly all the ladders they can find." Fifty men rode off at a gallop, and very soon reached the village, which was only a short distance away. "Now, messieurs," said the marshal, "dismount. Half of you, armed with muskets, will cover the other half, as they scale the ramparts." The command was greeted with joyful shouts. Guards, musketeers, and light-horse were on the ground in an instant, loading their weapons.