ould take place were we to suffer a heavy defeat while France is
without some great head to rally the nation and again show face to the
Spaniards. At the same time, I may tell you at once, that in this matter
I am heart and soul with Enghien. I consider that did we shrink from
battle now, it would so encourage Spain and Austria that they would put
such a force in the field as we could scarcely hope to oppose, while a
victory would alter the whole position and show our enemies that French
soldiers are equal to those of Spain, which at present no one believes.
And lastly, if we win, Enghien, when his father dies, will be the
foremost man in France, the leading spirit of the princes of the blood,
and having behind him the vast possessions and wealth accumulated by
Conde, will be a power that even the greatest minister might dread,
and I need hardly say that my marshal's baton would be very appreciably
nearer than it is at present."

"Then I may take it," Hector said with a smile, "that the chances are in
favour of a pitched battle."

"That is certainly so; l'Hopital's instructions are to force the
Spaniards, who have advanced against Rocroi, to raise the siege, but to
do so if possible by manoeuvering, and to avoid anything like a pitched
battle. But I fancy that he is likely to find circumstances too strong
for him, and that one of these mornings we shall stand face to face with
the enemy.

"The Spaniards are doubtless grand soldiers, and the army we shall meet
is largely composed of veteran troops; but we must remember that for
years and years the Dutchmen, by nature peaceable and for the most part
without training in arms, and although terribly deficient in cavalry,
have boldly withstood the power of Spain."

"They seldom have met them in the open field," Hector said doubtfully.

"Not very often, I grant, though when allied with your countrymen they
fairly beat them on the sands near Ostend, and that over and over again
they fought them in their breaches on even terms, and, burghers though
they were, beat back Alva's choicest troops."

The next morning the army marched forward. Hector rode with the group
of young nobles who followed Enghien. Rocroi was a town of considerable
strength lying in the forest of Ardennes. It was the key to the province
of Champagne, and its capture would open the road to the Spaniards. The
siege was being pressed forward by de Malo, who had with him an army of
twenty-seven thousand vete