Page:The reign of George VI - 1763.djvu/159

 under the walls of Lyons; as George he supposed through his impetuosity, would aim at taking him and his army prisoners; and would neglect to cut off his communication with Spain.

George, whose camp was near Boissy, immediately perceived the oversight of the enemy; he took no time to spend in tedious consideration, but seeing that the whole fortune of the war depended on his preventing the junction of the French and Spaniards; he determined to exert every effort to cut off all their communications. There was the greater necessity for expedition, as the Duke de Lerma had entered France, and was arrived at Foix. The scheme was difficult to execute, for all the country before him was full of strong towns with garrisons in them. His plan was to march to St. Flour, but Riom, Clermont, and Issiorre, lay so near his road, that it