avy guns and many flags; but had Sackville
done his duty, their army would have been annihilated, pent up as
it was with the river on each flank, convergent to each other at
Minden; a perfect rat trap from which no army could have escaped,
had it been hotly pressed by cavalry.

The feat performed by the British infantry astonished Europe, who
were at first almost incredulous that six regiments in line could
have repulsed, over and over again, and finally driven off the
field, ten thousand of the best cavalry of France.

While the battle was raging, the Hereditary Prince had done his
share of the work, had fallen upon Gohfeld, crushed the French
division guarding it, cutting the French from their magazines and
rendering their position untenable. They received the news that
evening, and at once commenced their retreat, Broglio towards
Frankfort and Contades straight for the Rhine. The latter was
obliged to abandon all his baggage, and many of his guns; and his
army, by the time it had reached the Rhine, had become a mere
rabble. The general was at once recalled in disgrace, and Broglio
appointed commander-in-chief; although by failing to carry out the
orders he had received, to fall upon the allies left at five in the
morning, he had largely contributed to the defeat that had befallen
Contades.

Chapter 17: Unexpected News.

The fury of the British cavalry, at the shameful inactivity in
which they had been maintained, was unbounded; and their commander,
if he moved from his tent, was saluted with hisses and jeers by the
troopers. It was not for long, however; for as soon as the news was
known at home, he was ordered to return. On the afternoon of the
same day, an officer rode over to headquarters and asked for Major
Drummond.

"I am here, sir," he said courteously, "on behalf of Lord
Sackville. He will be leaving for England tomorrow, and I am the
bearer of a hostile message from him. I shall be obliged if you
will put me in communication with some officer who will act on your
behalf."

"Certainly," Fergus replied. "I was expecting such a message."

He had already heard of the order that Sackville had received; and
had requested Major Kurstad, a fellow aide-de-camp, to act for him
should he send him a hostile message. Going in he spoke to Kurstad,
who at once went out and introduced himself to the British officer.

"This is a painful business," the latter said, "and I can assure
you that I do not underta