that impregnable convex front,
from the Euxine to the North Sea? No one guide them to the two great
strategic centres of the Black Forest and Trieste? No one cause them,
blind barbarians without maps or science, to follow those rules of war
without which victory in a protracted struggle is impossible: and by
the pressure of the Huns behind, force on their flagging myriads to an
enterprise which their simplicity fancied at first beyond the powers of
mortal men? Believe it who will; I cannot.

"But while I believe that not a stone or a handful of mud gravitates
into its place without the will of God; that it was ordained, ages
since, into what particular spot each grain of gold should be washed
down from an Australian quartz reef, that a certain man might find it
at a certain moment and crisis of his life--if I be superstitious
enough (as thank God I am) to hold that Creed, shall I not believe that
though this great war had no general upon earth, it may have had a
general in Heaven; and that in spite of all their sins the hosts of our
forefathers were the hosts of God?"--_Charles Kingsley_.

CHAPTER XI.

INFLUENCE, AND THE STRATEGIC ELEMENT IN OPPORTUNITY.

The history of a Jewish battle includes a dramatic incident. In the
thick of the fight an officer brought to one of his soldiers an
important prisoner. "Keep thou this man," said he, "with the utmost
vigilance. Upon his person hang the issues of this campaign. His
skill in leading the enemy, his courage and treachery have cost our
side many lives. If by any means thou shalt suffer him to escape thy
life shall be for his life."

Then, straining more tightly the cords knotted around the prisoner's
hands and feet, the officer turned and plunged again into the thick of
the fight. From that moment the soldier's one duty was to guard the
prisoner whose escape would work such havoc.

Strangely enough, he became negligent. Careless, he leaned his bow and
spear against the tent. Hungry, he busied himself with baking a few
small cakes. Weary, he cast himself upon the ground, dozing upon his
elbow. Suddenly a noise startled his nap. He sprang up just in time
to see his prisoner make one leap, then disappear into the thicket.

A concealed knife had cut the thongs. Negligence had let "slip the
dogs of war." That night when the general returned to his tent he
found the prisoner had escaped.

Fronting his master the terror-stricken soldier had no excuse