st the slope ascends to another broad
hill called the Bosercanter; and at the highest point of the
eminence stands a windmill, shaded by a lofty lime-tree, forming
conspicuous objects from the whole adjacent country. From thence
the ground gradually declines towards Mardlen; and the eye glancing
over the humid valley watered by the Norken, rests on another range
of uplands, which, gently sinking, at length terminates near Asper.
Within this space, two small streams, descending from the lower
part of the hill of Oycke, embrace a low tongue of land, the centre
of which rises to a gentle elevation. The borders of these rivulets
are crossed by frequent enclosures, surrounding the farm-yards of
Barwaen, Chobon, and Diepenbeck. Near the source of one of these
streams is a castellated mansion; at that of the other is the
hamlet of Rhetelhouk, embosomed in a wooded nook. These streams
unite at the hamlet of Scharken, and their united current flows in
a marshy bed to the Scheldt, which it reaches near Eynes. The
Norken, another river traversing the field, runs for a considerable
distance parallel to the Scheldt, until, passing by Asper, it
terminates in a stagnant canal, which joins the Scheldt below
Gavre. Its borders, like those of the other streams, are skirted
with coppice-wood thickets; behind are the enclosures surrounding
the little plain. Generally speaking, this part of Flanders is even
not merely of picturesque beauty and high cultivation, but great
military strength; and it is hard to say whether its numerous
streams, hanging banks, and umbrageous woods, add most to its
interest in the eye of a painter, or to its intricacy and defensive
character in warlike operations."[21]

As fast as the Allies got across the Scheldt, Marlborough formed them
along the high grounds stretching from Bevere to Mooreghem Mill, with
their right resting on the Scheldt. Vendome's men stretched across the
plain, from the hill of Asper on the left, to Warreghem on the right. A
considerable body of cavalry and infantry lay in front of their position
in Eynes, of which they had retained possession since they had repulsed
Cadogan's horse. No sooner had the English general got a sufficient
number of troops up, than he ordered that gallant officer to advance and
retake that village. The infantry attacked in front, crossi