was over at this end of the field, by this time: the village was in
possession of the English, its brave defenders prisoners, or fled,
or drowned, many of them, in the neighboring waters of Donau. But for
honest Lockwood's faithful search after his master, there had no doubt
been an end of Esmond here, and of this his story. The marauders were
out riffling the bodies as they lay on the field, and Jack had brained
one of these gentry with the club-end of his musket, who had eased
Esmond of his hat and periwig, his purse, and fine silver-mounted
pistols which the Dowager gave him, and was fumbling in his pockets
for further treasure, when Jack Lockwood came up and put an end to the
scoundrel's triumph.

* My mistress, before I went this campaign, sent me John
Lockwood out of Walcote, who hath ever since remained with
me.--H. E.

Hospitals for our wounded were established at Blenheim, and here for
several weeks Esmond lay in very great danger of his life; the wound
was not very great from which he suffered, and the ball extracted by the
surgeon on the spot where our young gentleman received it; but a fever
set in next day, as he was lying in hospital, and that almost carried
him away. Jack Lockwood said he talked in the wildest manner during his
delirium; that he called himself the Marquis of Esmond, and seizing one
of the surgeon's assistants who came to dress his wounds, swore that he
was Madam Beatrix, and that he would make her a duchess if she would
but say yes. He was passing the days in these crazy fancies, and vana
somnia, whilst the army was singing "Te Deum" for the victory, and
those famous festivities were taking place at which our Duke, now made a
Prince of the Empire, was entertained by the King of the Romans and his
nobility. His Grace went home by Berlin and Hanover, and Esmond lost
the festivities which took place at those cities, and which his general
shared in company of the other general officers who travelled with our
great captain. When he could move, it was by the Duke of Wurtemberg's
city of Stuttgard that he made his way homewards, revisiting Heidelberg
again, whence he went to Manheim, and hence had a tedious but easy water
journey down the river of Rhine, which he had thought a delightful and
beautiful voyage indeed, but that his heart was longing for home, and
something far more beautiful and delightful.

As bright and welcome as the eyes almost of his mistress shone the
light