Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-07

Il
4 y is rising. and in the distance
they can see defiles through which
tb. army must make its way. The van
guard as they learn from one OF 'he
princes aides-de-camp, is compose of the
immortal Corps commanded by Count
souches. and must by this time be passing
through the narrows In front are the
Dutch troops. who are under the immediate
command of the commando r-in-chief. the
Fripra of Orange The English volunteers
being the next to the princes regiment Oh
Guards. followed close upon the main oody
of rbs army and behind them trailed the
long cunlbrous baggage tram Inc leai
guard together with some detais OF Varl-
ous kinds and nations c ohslsteu Vi al, ~ ne
Suauish division. which was commanded DS
prince Vaudemont. AS they came TO NJ Aer
ground CIaverhouse began to see the lie OF
the country, and 10 express MS Tears ~
II don't know how you judge things.
said Cllyerhousa but l would not be quite
at my ease If | We're his HlshneSs oI
Orange. IN command of the army. ana with
more than one nations interest at stake
instead of a poor devil of volunteer, with
little nay less reputation. and no RESPONSE
bili-y If We were marching across plain
and could see twenty miles rouhu' vi
there were no enemy within striking reach
we'll then this were pleasant march from
Neville to Birch. for that is where m
told we are going. But, faith, l don't IKE
Tn. sight of this country IN which we are
being ertangled II Condo has any head.
and he l. not a fool he could arrange a
fine ambuscade. and catch those mighty ana
VaIn-glorous Imperalists and that 1901
Souches like rats in trap. Or ne might
make a sudden attack on the flank and cut
our army into two. as you divide a cater
pillar crawling along the ground
The general knows what he is about, no
doubt" replies Carlton with true English
nh 'ha has
pose the cavalry have been scouting. II $
their business who rave got the command
to arrange the match and the attack, and
ours to do the fighting. II will be soon
enough for us to arrange the tactics when
We get to be generals. What say you 10
that. Mr. Graham? There's no sign of the
enemy at any rate. and Souches must De
we'll In through the valley.
men to be seen. but they may be there
behind the hill on our right. and quick
enough 70 show themselves when the tlne
comes. Oh l like this bit or country. LOT
IL minds me of the Braes of Angus, and
hate a land where all is fiat and smooth.
BY heaven, what chance there is FOR any
commander who knows how to use NIL
country. See ye here, comrade, suppose
this was Scotland, and this were an army OF
black wings making their way to do some
evil work after their hearts desire against
their king and church, and l had the deaf
ing with them. All ] would ask would be
of loyal gentlemen. well mounted and
armed. | would wait concealed behind yon
wood up there near the sky line TIL those
imperialists were fairy up the glen and
out Of sight and the Dutch were plodding
their way in Then I'd launch the High
landrrs sword in hand. down the slope of
that hill and cut off the rear guard, ana
take the baggage at a swoop. and II half
an hour the army would be disabled and
the third part of 1t put out of action
What about the imperial troops and the
Dutch my general?" said Carlton. much
Interested in Claverhouse's plan OF battle
You can't take an army IN detachT
Just as you please.
You can with Highlanders and cavalry.
and then having struck your blow retire as
quickly as you came. Faith, there Wouio
he 10 option about the retiring with your
Highlanders; when they got hold of the
baggage they would do nothing more.
After every man had lifted as much as he
could carry. he would make for the hills
and leave the other troops to do as they
pleased. An army of Highlanders Is quick
~ gathered and quickly dispersed. and the
great point of attraction IS the baggage.
Condo has no HiChlanders, the worse for
him and the better for US. but he has
plenty of light troops-tnfantry as well as
cavalry-and if h doesn't take this chance
he oug' TO be discharged with disgrace.
But see there, what make you or that'
Carlton?
What and where?" said Carlton, looking
in the direction Claverhouse pointed. II
see the brushwood, and 1t may be that
there are troops behind. but my e-es can
not detect them"
watch a r,~-1ent tn: place where the
leaves are darker and thicker, and that
tree stands out; you can catch glitter.
Just an instant ard then II disappears.
:, hat do you say to thatT
BY the Lord cried Carlton. who was
standing in his stirrups and shading his
eyes with his hand. its the glitter OF a
hreastplate. There's one trooper at any
rate in that wood and II there is one there
may be hundreds. What think you?
What I've been expecting for hours.
Those are the videttes of the French army,
and they have been watching us all the
time our vanguard was passing. I'll stake
a years rental of the lands of Claverhouse
that if We could see on the other side or
that hill we would find Condo 5 troops max
ing ready for an attack.
i will not say but that you are right.
and | don't like the situation nor feel as
comfortable as did half an h0rr ago. DO
You think that the general in command
knows OF this danger or has heard that the
French outpOsts are so near?
If YOU ask me. Mr.. Carlton, l would say
that those Dutch officers don't know that
there. is a Frenchman within ten miles; they
are good at drill. and steady in battle, but
their minds are as heavy as their bodies
Their idea OF fighting is to deploy accord
ing to a book OF drill on a parade ground.
You cannot expect men who live on the
fat 10 understand hills. That wood and
CIJVerhouse was looking at the nil intent
Is is simply full Of men and horses. ana
within an hour. and perhaps less, you Will
see pretty attack. Aren't We at their
Mercy ClaVerhouse pointed forward 20
the crest OF a little hill over which the
Dutch brigade was passing in marching
formation. and backward to the numbering
train of baggage wagons.
Whom the gods wish to destroy they
FIRST make mad is a Latin proverb l picked
W at St Andrews University, and one OF
tire few scraps of knowledge | carried away
from the good old place. They might at
least have thrown out some of our cavalry
ON the right to draw fire from that wood.
and enable us to find their position. It's not
overly pleasant TO jog quietly along as II
one were riding up the Carse of Gowrie to
Perth fair. when it's far more likely We
are riding into the shambles like a herd of
fat buIlocks going to Davie Saunders, the
dundee butcher"
See YOU here. friend" cried Carlton, 81
am not in mind TO be taken at a disad-
vantage and ridden down by those French
men when We are not information. They
have us at disadvantage in any case, but
my life we ought at any rate to deploy to
the right and seize that higher ground or
else they will send us into that marshl land
that ! see forward there on the left. II they
do there will be some threats cut and II
might be yours or mine. What say you. Mr..
Graham to ride forward and tell one of
the officers in attendance on his hghness
hat q have seen, and then let them do