mp, where he
had been a Day or two before.

As soon after this, as I could get an Opportunity, I deliver'd, at his
Quarters, my recommendatory Letters to Sir _Walter Vane_; who receiv'd
me very kindly, telling me at the same time, that there were six or
seven _English_ Gentlemen, who had enter'd themselves Voluntiers in the
Prince's own Company of Guards: And added, that he would immediately
recommend me to Count _Solmes_, their Colonel. He was not worse than his
Word, and I was enter'd accordingly. Those six Gentlemen were as
follows, ---- _Clavers_, who since was better known by the Title of Lord
_Dundee_; Mr. _Collier_, now Lord _Portmore_; Mr. _Rooke_, since
Major-General; Mr. _Hales_, who lately died, and was for a long time
Governor of _Chelsea-Hospital_; Mr. _Venner_, Son of that _Venner_
remarkable for his being one of the Fifth-Monarchy Men; and Mr. _Boyce_.
The four first rose to be very eminent; but Fortune is not to all alike
favourable.

In about a Week's Time after, it was resolv'd in a Council of War, to
march towards _Binch_, a small wall'd Town, about four Leagues from
_Nivelle_; the better to cut off the Provisions from coming to the
Prince of _Conde's_ Camp that Way.

Accordingly, on the first Day of _August_, being _Saturday_, we began
our March; and the _English_ Voluntiers had the Favour of a Baggage
Waggon appointed them. Count _Souches_, the Imperial General, with the
Troops of that Nation, led the Van; the main Body was compos'd of
_Dutch_, under the Prince of _Orange_. as Generalissimo; and the
_Spaniards_, under Prince _Vaudemont_, with some Detachments, made the
Rear Guard.

As we were upon our March, I being among those Detachments which made up
the Rear Guard, observ'd a great Party of the Enemy's Horse upon an
Ascent, which, I then imagin'd, as it after prov'd, to be the Prince of
_Conde_ taking a View of our Forces under March. There were many
Defiles, which our Army must necessarily pass; through which that Prince
politickly enough permitted the _Imperial_ and _Dutch_ Forces to pass
unmolested. But when Prince _Vaudemont_, with the _Spaniards_, and our
Detachments, thought to have done the like, the Prince of _Conde_ fell
on our Rear Guard; and, after a long and sharp Dispute, entirely routed
'em; the Marquiss of _Assentar_, a _Spanish_ Lieutenant-General, dying
upon the spot.

Had the Prince of _Conde_ contented himself with this Share of good
Fortune, his Victory had been uncont