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 him. The Earl of Bury, with twenty thousand men had taken Orilac, Figiac, Cahors, and Ville Franché, so that all the country behind him was secure; and the enemy possessed the route by which they advanced. Having prepared every thing, by calling in all his detachments, the better to deceive the Duke, he gave out, that he should march immediately to succour Rouen, which was besieged by the French King; he accordingly provided a vast quantity of baggage, ammunition, and artillery waggons; pressed all the horses of the country into his service, and in short, gave directions in such a manner, that every one fully believed he was on the point of departing.

When the day came on which he meditated the attack, (the 23d of June) the troops were all directed to wait for orders; and it was expected that the