BAYARD'S HORSE, CARMAN 135 



known that whatever the qualities, fictitious or 

 otherwise, may have been that his horses are al- 

 leged to have possessed, Bayard was a fine rider, 

 "the boldest horseman of his period" as one 

 historian describes him. 



Of medium height, slim, and a light weight, 

 he was " of wholly irreproachable character " ; 

 hence the description which still clings to his 

 memory — Le chevalier sans peur et sans reproche. 



Truly remarkable are some of the feats of 

 horsemanship attributed to him still. Thus it is 

 said that he could ride any horse bareback and 

 without a bridle, and that he rode in this way 

 several savage animals which, when saddled and 

 bridled, several famous horsemen were not able 

 even to mount. But such stories must, of 

 course, be believed only in part. 



Probably the best horse owned by this knight 

 was the one named Carman, or Carmen, a gift of 

 the Duke of Lorrain. Particulars about its make 

 and shape apparently are not on record, but 

 Carman carried Bayard through several severe 

 engagements, though thrice severely wounded. 



It is said that Bayard was able to guide this 

 horse by word of mouth alone, when he found it 

 advisable to do so, and that upon some occasions 

 the steed " would neigh in reply as though joyful 

 at hearing its master's voice." 



Furthermore he could ride Carman over country 

 no matter how rough, and the horse would never 



