Page:Great Men and Famous Women Volume 2.djvu/34

 218 SOLDIERS AND SAILORS " Well, well," said the duke, smiling at the lad's earnestness, " I will grant your request by and by ; " and his young favorite had not long to wait before he got the post for which he had petitioned. The youthful ensign, scarce fifteen years of age, first embarked for Tangiers ; and although his stay was short, yet in the sallies and skirmishes with the Moors he showed that even now he possessed that courage and ability which in after years placed him at the head of all the heroes of his time. Before the year in which he left England had expired, he was again in his native country-. He then accompanied the Duke of Monmouth to the conti- nent, to assist France against Holland. The Prince of Cond^ and Marshal Tu- renne, the greatest generals of that time, comrnanded the French army, so that Churchill had very favorable opportunities of improving his military talent and genius. A French officer, during the siege of Nimeguen, had failed to retain a post of consequence, which he had been appointed to defend. The news of its loss was brought to Turenne. " I will bet a supper and a dozen of claret," instantly exclaimed the mar- shal, " that my handsome Englishman will recover the post with half the number of men that the officer commanded who lost it." Churchill was despatched with a small company, and, after a short but des- perate struggle, retook the post, won the marshal his wager, and gained for him- self the applause and admiration of the whole army. Next year, at the siege of Maestricht, Captain Churchill again distinguished himself. At the head of his own company, he scaled the ramparts, and planted the banner of France on the very summit, escaping with a slight wound. Louis XIV. was so highly pleased with his conduct that he thanked him at the head of the army, and soon made him lieutenant-colonel. The Duke of Monmouth afterward confessed to the king, that he was indebted for his life, on this occa- sion, to our hero's gallantry and discretion. On his return to England, he was made gentleman of the bedchamber and master of the robes to his earliest patron, the Duke of York. At this period he was captivated by the beauty of Miss Sarah Jennings, daughter of a gentleman of ancient family, and maid of honor to the duchess. Their marriage took place in 1678. The services Colonel Churchill continued to yield the royal brothers did not pass unrewarded. He was created Baron Churchill of Agmouth, in Berwick- shire ; and a friendship sprung up between Lady Churchill and the Princess (afterward queen) Anne, who, when she married Prince George of Denmark, got her friend appointed lady of her bedchamber. The day after James H, was proclaimed, he made his favorite, lieutenant-gen- eral. The battle of Sedgemoor, in which the ill-fated Duke of Monmouth with his rebel army was defeated, was won chiefly by Churchill's courage and decision. Till the closing scene of James's reign, there is little stated of Lord Churchill, al- though it is known that he used his influence with his royal master to prevent the