The Frenchman lunged out
fiercely at the lad, but the Englishman skipped out of the way like a
cat. Then before the man could use his weapon again George had charged
him head first, like a bull, his body bent double. With a shock his
head came into contact with the fellow's knees, and in a moment the
Frenchman had tumbled helplessly on his face. The rest of Blackett's
little band dashed over the prostrate enemy and into the fortress. The
stronghold was taken.
"Send Cornet Fairburn to me, Mr. Blackett," said the colonel that same
evening, and much wondering the lieutenant obeyed.
"Cornet Fairburn sounds well," he remarked to George. "Wonder if the
old colonel has made a mistake about it."
There was no mistake at all. When George Fairburn returned from his
interview with his commanding officer, it was as Cornet, not as
Trooper Fairburn. It was by the Duke's own order, it appeared. That
night the three friends, all with commissions in their pockets now,
made merry in company. Sir George Rooke's desire had been speedily
realized, and George had taken his first step upwards.
Marlborough marched to meet the King of Prussia, whom he persuaded to
send some eight thousand troops to the help of the Duke of Savoy, in
Italy.
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