“Where is the prince?” Gassion asked.

“There he lies under his cloak, general.  He is still fast asleep.  It is evident that the thought of the coming battle does not weigh heavily upon him.  I acknowledge that I have not closed an eye; I do not think that any of us have done so.”

So sound, indeed, was the prince’s sleep that Gassion had to shake him almost roughly to rouse him.

As soon, however, as his eyes opened he leapt to his feet.  “I have had a wonderful night,” he laughed; “never have I slept more soundly on a down bed than on this hard ground, which, however, as I find, makes my bones ache wonderfully.  Well, it is a fine day for a battle.  What is your news, Gassion?”

“It is important, monseigneur.  Captain Campbell has spent the night in reconnoitering on his own account, and has discovered that a thousand Spanish musketeers are lying in ambush in the copse in the hollow.”

“Is that so?” the duke said shortly.  “Well, Captain Campbell, you have rendered us a vital service indeed, and one that I shall not forget.  However, now we are forewarned, we shall know how to deal with them.  If I should fall, Gassion, and you should survive, see that Captain Campbell’s service is duly represented.  Now, to horse, gentlemen!”

The morning sun rose on the 20th of May on a brilliant scene.  The two armies were disposed along slightly elevated ridges, between which lay the hollow with its brushwood and copses.  Enghien commanded the cavalry on the right wing, with Gassion as second in command.  In place of his helmet the prince wore a hat with large white plumes, remembering, perhaps, how Henri of Navarre’s white plumes had served as a rallying point.  Marshal l’Hopital commanded the cavalry on the French left, Baron d’Espenan commanded the infantry in the centre, and Baron Sirot the reserves.  The right of the Spanish army was composed of the German horse led by de Malo, the Walloons on the left were under the Duke of Albuquerque, while in the centre were the veteran Spanish infantry under the command of General Fuentes, who had often led them to victory.  He was too old and infirm to mount a horse, but lay in a litter in the midst of his hitherto unconquerable infantry.

All being ready on both sides, the trumpet sounded, and simultaneously the cavalry of both armies moved forward.  Enghien moved farther to the right, and then dashing down the slopes led his cavalry along the bottom, fell suddenly upon the musketeers in ambush and cut them to pieces.  Then galloping forward he fell upon the Spanish left in front and flank.  The impetuous charge was irresistible; the Walloons broke and fled before it, and were speedily scattered over the plain, pursued by the victorious French.  But upon the other wing de Malo’s charge had proved equally irresistible.  L’Hopital’s horse was broken and scattered, and, wheeling his cavalry round, de Malo fell upon the flank and rear