Page:The reign of George VI - 1763.djvu/62

 and there understood that Schmettau, on the advice of his approach, had drawn out his men from Durham, though not without great difficulty, and was on the march to York. His Majesty pushed on to meet him before he could reach that city; but as it was too strong to be taken by surprise; Schmettau encamped between York and Wetherby, and prepared to fight the King, who was within five miles of him. There were several circumstances that induced George to determine on hazarding an action immediately; he expected soon to hear of another army of Russians landing, and he thought that avoiding a battle would damp the spirits of his soldiers; add to this, the barbarous ravages of the savage enemy called aloud on his humanity to put a stop to the miseries of his suffering subjects: he accordingly drew near to the enemy, and reconnoitred their situation, and prepared to attack