of the Ische was not the most formidable. Instead of listen-
ing to the reply, he indulged himself in a long digression,
and concluded with censuring that engagement as a rash and
imprudent attempt. Some dispute next arising on the force
of the enemy, Slangenberg drew from his pocket an order of
battle, and computed the number of their battalions and
squadrons to be far greater than those of the confederates.
The time was thus spent till the approach of darkness com-
pelled them to return to their respective quarters.

Without waiting for the result of this survey, Marlborough
had indignantly retired to Lane, where he was apprised by
Bothmar that the three generals had seen nothing but ob-
structions and impossibilities. Mortified with this informa-
tion, even though it was not unexpected, he exclaimed, in a
tone which marked his feelings, "I am at this moment ten
years older than I was four days ago."

On the following morning Overkirk sent him an official
report, stating the opinion of the three generals, and adding,
that the attack was still more hopeless than on the preceding
day, because the enemy had profited by the night to increase
their means of defence. ^* Convinced that the case was now
irremediable, Marlborough quitted a spot which he had con-
fidently hoped to illustrate by a victory no less splendid than
that of Blenheim; and withdrawing to Lower Wavre, where
he rejoined his baggage, concluded with a brief, though
pathetic, postscript, a letter which he had written two days
before to the duchess, in the full expectation of success.

"August 17. -- We shall march again to-morrow, for we cannot stay
longer in this country than the bread we bring with us will give us leave.
I hope in a week or ten days I shall have more leisure than I have now,

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