at nightfall General Cadogan drew off with his squadron,
being bound for head-quarters, the two Generals at parting grimly
saluting each other.

"He will be at Roncq time enough to lick my Lord Duke's trenchers at
supper," says Mr. Webb.

Our own men lay out in the woods of Wynendael that night, and our
General had his supper in the little castle there.

"If I was Cadogan, I would have a peerage for this day's work," General
Webb said; "and, Harry, thou shouldst have a regiment. Thou hast been
reported in the last two actions: thou wert near killed in the first. I
shall mention thee in my despatch to his Grace the Commander-in-Chief,
and recommend thee to poor Dick Harwood's vacant majority. Have you ever
a hundred guineas to give Cardonnel? Slip them into his hand to-morrow,
when you go to head-quarters with my report."

In this report the Major-General was good enough to mention Captain
Esmond's name with particular favor; and that gentleman carried the
despatch to head-quarters the next day, and was not a little pleased
to bring back a letter by his Grace's secretary, addressed to
Lieutenant-General Webb. The Dutch officer despatched by Count Nassau
Woudenbourg, Vaelt-Mareschal Auverquerque's son, brought back also a
complimentary letter to his commander, who had seconded Mr. Webb in the
action with great valor and skill.

Esmond, with a low bow and a smiling face, presented his despatch, and
saluted Mr. Webb as Lieutenant-General, as he gave it in. The gentlemen
round about him--he was riding with his suite on the road to Menin as
Esmond came up with him--gave a cheer, and he thanked them, and opened
the despatch with rather a flushed, eager face.

He slapped it down on his boot in a rage after he had read it. "'Tis not
even writ with his own hand. Read it out, Esmond." And Esmond read it
out:--

"SIR,--Mr. Cadogan is just now come in, and has acquainted me with the
success of the action you had yesterday in the afternoon against the
body of troops commanded by M. de la Mothe, at Wynendael, which must be
attributed chiefly to your good conduct and resolution. You may be sure
I shall do you justice at home, and be glad on all occasions to own the
service you have done in securing this convoy.--Yours, &c., M."

"Two lines by that d--d Cardonnel, and no more, for the taking of
Lille--for beating five times our number--for an action as brilliant
as the best he ever fought," says poor Mr. Webb. "Lieutenant-G