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gentlemen. Highest in rank among these highborn warriorswas a lad of sixteen, Philip Duke of Chartres, son of the Duke -of Orleans, and nephew of the King of France. It was withdifficulty and by importunate solicitation that the gallant boyhad extorted Luxemburg’s permission to be where the fire washottest. Two other youths of royal blood, Lewis Duke ofBourbon, and Armand Prince of Conti, showed a spirit worthyof their descent. With them was a descendant of one of thebastards of Henry the Fourth, Lewis Duke of Vendome, a mansunk in indolence and in the foulest vice, yet capable of exhi-biting on a great occasion the qualities of a great soldier.Berwick, who was beginning to earn for himself an honourablename in arms, was there; and at his side rode Sarsfield, whosecourage and ability earned, on that day, the esteem of the wholeFrench army. Meanwhile Luxemburg had sent off a pressingmessage to summon Boufflers. But the message was needless.Boufflers had heard the firing, and, like a brave and intelligentcaptain, was already hastening towards the point from whichthe sound came.

Though the assailants had lost all the advantage which be-longs to a surprise, they came on manfully. In the front of thebattle were the British commanded by Count Solmes. Thedivision which was to lead the way was Mackay’s. He was tohave been supported, according to William’s plan, by a strongbody of foot and horse. Though most of Mackay’s men hadnever before been under fire, their behaviour gave promise ofBlenheim and Ramilies. They first encountered the Swiss, whoheld a distinguished place in the French army. The fight wasso close and desperate that the muzzles of the muskets crossed.The Swiss were driven back with fearful slaughter. More thaneighteen hundred of them appear from the French returns tohave been killed or wounded. Luxemburg afterwards said thathe had never in his life seen so furious a struggle. He collected

CHAP.

XIX.

ICS2.