His adventures and his doings in that memorable fight may
well delay our tale for a little space.
That year Louis of France had determined to make a vigorous effort, or
rather a series of efforts, and sent various armies to oppose the
different members of the Grand Alliance. But his main plan was to
attack the Empire, making Bavaria, the Elector of which was his only
supporter in that part of the world, his advance post. For some time
Louis had been secretly encouraging Hungary in the rebellion she was
contemplating. He trusted, therefore, that the Emperor would find
himself attacked by his Hungarian subjects to rearward, while he was
engaged with the combined French and Bavarian forces in front. It was
a very fine scheme.
But there was one man, and only one, who saw through it--Marlborough.
At once the Duke set off southwards, carrying with him also a force of
Dutchmen, deceiving their rulers by a ruse. He sent for the valiant
Prince Eugene to meet him, and the two famous generals saw each other
for the first time. Mutual admiration and friendship sprang up between
them, to last through the rest of their lives. Prince Louis of Baden
had given some trouble by wishing to share the command with
Marlborough. Him they at last got rid of by sending him to take the
important fortress of Ingolstadt, commanding the Danube.
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