“Well, I would rather fight against long odds,” the officer said, “than be kept here month after month doing nothing.  Here is winter coming on, and I suppose that will put a stop to everything.”

“I should hardly think so,” Hector replied.  “I am sure that the viscount is as eager for action as we are, and winter here is not the same thing as in Holland or on the Rhine.  From what I hear there is very little snow in the plains; and as the country is generally flat, an army could march almost as easily as in summer, and in some respects they would be better off.”

“How do you mean?”

“I mean that in summer the barns would be all empty of food until filled again by the harvest, whereas in winter they would be all well stocked with forage for the cattle and horses.”

“You are right, Monsieur Campbell.  Certainly there should be nothing to prevent our operating through the winter, and I shall look forward even more eagerly than I did before for d’Harcourt’s return.  Will you come back with us tomorrow from Chivasso?”

“That will depend upon circumstances.  I think it is more probable that I shall not return to Susa for a few days; my orders are to report myself to the governor.”

No bodies of the enemy’s cavalry were met with on the way, and at four o’clock in the afternoon they rode into Chivasso.  They alighted at the commandant’s, and on stating that he was the bearer of a despatch from the general Hector was at once shown in.  As he had more than once ridden there with despatches from Turenne, he was known to the officer.

“We heard of the victory three days since,” the latter said, as Hector handed him the despatch, “and fired a salvo of guns in honour of it.  An Italian deserter from the other side brought the news.  The two generals were unwounded, I hope?”

“Yes, colonel, and our losses were altogether slight.”

The commandant opened the despatch.  He looked a little surprised at its contents.  “So you are going to endeavour to pass a message into the citadel.  It is a difficult undertaking.  The enemy’s watch is a very vigilant one.  Once or twice during the siege men have succeeded in swimming the Po and evading the enemy’s guards, but of late these have been doubled, for it is thought that the garrison may attempt to break out.  On the town side the firing has all but ceased; they know that the store of provisions is almost exhausted, and regard it as a waste of powder and shot to continue their cannonade, which only results in the citadel answering it, and that with very much more effect than the Spanish guns produce.  May I ask if you have any plan of getting in?”

“No, sir, we must decide upon that when we see how matters stand.”

“Who is the we?” the colonel asked.

“Myself and my servant, who is a very sharp and intelligent lad whom I can thoroughly trust.  Alone I could do nothing, for I have only picked up a few phrases in Italian yet, and should be detected at once; so anything that has to be said must be said by him.  May I ask, sir, if the enemy are in force on the other side of the bridge? if so, we must cross by swimming, either above or below it.”