The Austrian veteran occupied one of the strongest positions that it is possible to imagine.

The invader hastened once more to dislodge him.
The French Directory, meanwhile, had begun to entertain certain not unnatural suspicions as to the ultimate designs of their young general, whose success and fame had already reached so astonishing a height.

They determined to check, if they could, the career of an ambition which they apprehended might outgrow their control.

Buonaparte was ordered to take half his army, and lead it against the Pope and the King of Naples, and leave the other half to terminate the contest with Beaulieu, under the orders of Kellerman.

But he acted on this occasion with the decision which these Directors in vain desired to emulate.