As a set-off against all these
disappointments, there were two matters for rejoicing. The alliance
with Portugal has already been mentioned; now there came the accession
to the Allies of Savoy, for the Duke of Savoy had quarrelled with
Louis.
With intense interest, Lieutenant Fieldsend and George Fairburn heard,
on landing in the Netherlands, of the great victory of Blenheim that
had just been gained by the Allies under Marlborough, against the
combined French and Bavarian forces, commanded by the famous generals
Tallard and Marsin, and the two young soldiers hoped to learn more of
the great fight when they reached the front.
"What a bit of ill-luck not to have been there in time, sir!" George
exclaimed.
The boy had, during his stay in hospital at Lisbon, communicated with
his parents at home, and, to his delight, had received their consent
to his following the profession of a soldier. "It is useless to stand
in the boy's way," the elder Fairburn had said, "though I could have
wished he had taken up almost any other trade." So the lad had no
hesitation in thus taking service in the army once more.
When the two, in company with others, reached head quarters,
Lieutenant Fieldsend presented the letter he held from Sir George
Rooke, and was received with the utmost pleasantness by the great
Duke.
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