The advance of the Allies was instantly checked. In vain
Auerkerke urged on his men; in vain those men renewed the attack. The
enemy stood steadfast; they began to drive back their antagonists; the
position of the Allies was becoming critical.
"Go and inform the Duke! Quick, quick!" the Dutchman called out to a
young officer whom he had observed fighting with the utmost
determination near by, but who had stopped for a moment to recover his
breath.
It happened to be Lieutenant Fairburn, and George once more found
himself face to face with the Duke, for the first time since he had
met him after the rush of the French defence line near Tirlemont last
year. Marlborough, the youth could see by his quick glance, knew him
again. In a word or two George delivered his startling message.
"By Jove, sir," declared the subaltern, when telling his story to his
colonel afterwards, "never did I see so spry a bit of work as I did
when I had said my little say. The Duke was ten men rolled into one,
sir. Orders here, there, and everywhere; fellows sent darting about like
hares. In a few minutes--minutes! I was going to say seconds--every
sabre had been got together, and we were all tumbling over each other
in our hurry to get along to the fight.
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