SECOND TO NONE. A Military Romance. BY JAMES GRANT, AUTHOR OF "THE ROMANCE OF WAR," "THE CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD," "THE YELLOW FRIGATE," ETC. ETC. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. II. LONDON: ROUTLEDGE, WARNE, AND ROUTLEDGE, BROADWAY, LUDGATE HILL. NEW YORK: 129, GRAND STREET. 1864. CONTENTS OF THE SECOND VOLUME. CHAP. I. MARCH TO DOL II. A SKIRMISH III. HUSSARS AGAIN IV. MY NURSE V. NEWS OF THE ARMY VI. BOURGNEUF VII. LOVE AND ILLUSION VIII. I BECOME A SOUBRETTE IX. HAUTOIS X. THE BOUDOIR XI. STORY OF NINON DE L'ENCLOS XII. DISCOVERED XIII. SUSPENSE XIV. THE BLOODHOUND XV. THE FOREST OF ST. AUBIN DU CORMIER XVI. THE STRUGGLE XVII. THE CHAUMIÈRE XVIII. THE LIGHT TROOP XIX. CHARTERS' VOW XX. THE SACK OF CHERBOURG XXI. WHAT THE GAZETTE CONTAINED XXII. THE PRISON SHIP XXIII. "TRUTH IS STRANGER THAN FICTION" XXIV. WADHURST XXV. SAIL FOR GERMANY SECOND TO NONE. CHAPTER I. MARCH TO DOL. The city of St. Malo was now more closely reconnoitred by the commander-in-chief, as well as by General Elliot, the quartermaster-general, and other officers, who were unanimously of opinion that, from its vast strength, a long time--a month at least--must elapse before it could be reduced; and as the heavy cannon and mortars requisite for such a siege were yet on board the fleet, the idea of any assault upon the place should be relinquished, more especially as French troops were advancing against us from Normandy, Maine, and Anjou. The approach by land to the small isle of Aaron on which it is situated is by a mole or causeway, three-quarters of a mile in length, by fifty-four feet in breath. and this was daily covered by the tide with slimy weeds. The approach by sea was narrow, well defended by batteries, and was otherwise dangerous to vessels venturing within gunshot. On the north St. Malo was quite inaccessible, in consequence of the height of the rocks and strength of the fortifications which crown them. The city was crowded with fugitives from the adjacent country, from which they had retired by order of the noblesse, magistrates, and echevins, to whom the Duke of Marlborough* sent a notice, that if the peasantry did not return peaceably to their houses, he "would set fire to them without delay." * His Grace was Charles Spencer, fifth Earl of Sunderland, who succeeded to the honours of his illustrious grandfather, John Churchill, the great captain of Queen Anne's wars. He also published a manifesto making known "to all the inhabitants of Brittany, that the descent on their coast with the powerful army under our command, and our formidable armament by sea, was not made with the intention of making war on the inhabitants, except such as should be found in arms, or should otherwise oppose the just war which we were waging against His Majesty the most Christian King.