It runs into this again, near Mullen, and the enemy are not likely to have posted themselves so near to the river." They rode on through Huerne.

The village was full of wounded.

No one paid them any attention, and they again went on, until suddenly they were challenged with the usual "Who comes there ?" "A staff officer, with despatches," Desmond replied.
He heard the butt of the soldier's musket drop upon the ground, and rode forward.
"Can you tell me, my man," he said as he reached the sentinel, "where the Duke of Marlborough is to be found ?" "I don't know, sir," the man replied.

"Only our regiment is here.
I know there are a number of cavalry away there on the left, and I heard someone say that the duke himself was there.

There is a crossroad, a hundred yards farther on, which will lead you to them." Thanking the man, Desmond rode on.