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 whole of one column was delayed until they could join it. It was thus ten o'clock on the morning of

the 9th before the entire force reached the camp at Furnes, fortunately without the least molestation from the enemy. There the Duke effected his junction with Walmoden, but took the precaution to send his heavy baggage to Ostend. He had been fortunate in escaping from a most dangerous position with no greater loss than that of his thirty-two heavy guns; but incessant fighting, a swampy encampment, bad drinking-water and fever had grievously thinned the ranks of his army. It was reported at the time that the siege of Dunkirk had cost the Allies from one cause and another nearly ten thousand men; and I am disposed to think that this estimate is not exaggerated. "Our whole enterprise is defeated and our situation embarrassing in the extreme," wrote Murray. "It is uncertain whether we can maintain ourselves behind Furnes; at all events I think we shall hold good behind the canal at Nieuport." This

letter reached Downing Street on the 11th; and on that same day Macbride's fleet appeared before Nieuport, three weeks too late.