"That is true," replied the
seneschal of Carcassonne who was beside him, "it is inevitable that men will be killed and wounded in such assaults."
Sir Gaucher de Passac responded to these words, saying,
"I agree. Call off the attack. We still have to travel elsewhere. Little by little we must recover the castles held by the pillagers. If we let these men go cheaply now, they will fall into our hands again somewhere else and pay for it all then. To ill deeds will come an ill end. In my time I have had hanged and drowned more than five hundred such pillagers and thieves, and these will yet meet the same fate."
Those who were in charge of the negotiations returned to the barrier where
Ernauton de Batefol was waiting for them. So said
Guillaume Aluder when he saw
Ernauton,
"By my faith,
Ernauton, you and your companions should give thanks to
Sir Hugues de Froideville, because he has secured your terms for the treaty just as you requested. You will depart in safety, and you and your men will carry away what you are able and be escorted to
Lourdes."
"I am satisfied," said
Ernauton, "since it cannot be otherwise. Know,
Guillaume, that I am reluctant to leave my stronghold, for it has brought me considerable gain since my capture at the bridge of
Tournay, below
Mauvezin, by the
Bourc d'Espagne. He made me pay two thousand francs for my ransom.
In truth I have recovered that and more here in this place, and I am fond of these borderlands for whenever I wished to ride out, good fortune often fell into my hands, in the form of a merchant from
Rabastens,
Toulouse or
Rodez. I rode without the slightest doubt that I would acquire something."
Guillaume replied, "
Ernauton, I believe you, but if you wish to turn to the
French I will secure your pardon, give you one thousand francs for your purse, and pledge on my own honour that you will remain a good Frenchman once you have sworn to do so."
"Many thanks,
Guillaume," said
Ernauton, "but I do not care for your party, and shall stay with the
English. I do not know, God help me, that I could ever be a good Frenchman. Now return to your men and tell them that we will spend this whole day in preparation. In the morning we will surrender the fortress and depart and you will order an escort to take us to the town of
Lourdes."
The attack on the
castle of La Bouffie ceased at once and the
French withdrew to their camp where they passed the night at their ease for they had plentiful supplies. When morning came, at the hour of Terce, the army was drawn up and men were appointed to provide an escort to
Lourdes for the companions who were to surrender the
castle of La Bouffie.
Sir Hugues de Froideville, the seneschal of Toulouse, was sent to the castle to take possession of it. When he reached
La Bouffie he found the captain,
Ernauton de Batefol, and his men ready to leave with everything they wished to take with them packed up.
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