Then the troops dashed forward, and forced their way into the outwork.  The French fought with magnificent resolution; and were from time to time reinforced by parties from the city.

For two hours the fight raged.  With bayonets and clubbed muskets, hand to hand, the troops fought.  No one flinched or gave way; indeed it was safer to be in the front line than behind; for in front friends and foes were so mixed together, that the French on the ramparts were unable to fire, but had to direct their aim at the masses behind.

At last the allies gained ground.  Gradually, foot by foot, the French were thrust back; and Rupert, who had been fighting desperately in the front line of the stormers’ party, directed his efforts to a part where a French officer still held his ground, nobly backed by his men.  The piled up dead in front of them showed how strenuous had been the resistance to the advancing wave of the allies.

Rupert gradually reached the spot, and had no difficulty in placing himself vis-a-vis to the French officer; for so terrible was his skill, that others willingly turned aside to attack less dangerous opponents.  In a moment the swords crossed!

The light was a strange one, flickering and yet constant, with the thousands of firearms, which kept up an unceasing roar.  The swords clashed and ground together, and after a pass or two both men drew back.  A bright flash from a musket not a yard away threw a bright though momentary light on their faces.

“Monsieur Dessin!” Rupert exclaimed, in delight.

“What!  Is it possible?” the Frenchman exclaimed.  “Rupert Holliday!”

At the moment there was a tremendous rush of the British.  The French were borne back, and hurled over the edge of the outwork; and before Rupert could avert the blow, the butt end of a musket fell with great force upon his late opponent’s head.

Rupert leapt forward, and lifting him in his arms, made his way with him to the rear; for with that last rush the fight was over, and the allies had established themselves in the left demi-bastion of the outwork—­an important advantage, but one which had cost them 5000 killed and wounded, of whom 3000 belonged to the English force, whom Marlborough had sent.  The fact that more than half of them were hors-de-combat showed how fiercely they had fought.

Owing to the wound of Prince Eugene, the Duke of Marlborough had to direct the operations of the siege as well as to command the army in the field.  On the 23rd he followed up the advantage gained on the 20th, by a fresh attack in two columns, each 5000 strong, and headed by 500 English troops.  After being three times repulsed, these succeeded in maintaining a lodgment in another outwork; losing, however, 1000 men in the attack, the greater part being destroyed by the explosion of a mine.

Both besiegers and besieged were now becoming straitened for ammunition, for the consumption had been immense.  The French generals succeeded in passing a supply into the fortress in a very daring manner.