The garrison of Fort St.

Philip waited in vain for the return of the squadron; left to its own devices, it nevertheless held out; the fortifications seemed to be impregnable; the siege-works proceeded slowly; the soldiers were disgusted, and began to indulge to excess in the wine of Spain.

"No one who gets drunk shall have the honor of mounting the breach," said Richelieu's general order.

Before long he resolved to attempt the assault.
[Illustration: Attack on Fort St.Philip----218] Fort St.Philip towered up proudly on an enormous mass of rock; the French regiments flung themselves into the fosses, setting against the ramparts ladders that were too short; the soldiers mounted upon one another's shoulders, digging their bayonets into the interstices between the stones; the boldest were already at the top of the bastions.

On the 28th of June, at daybreak, three of the forts were in possession of the French; the same day the English commandant decided upon capitulation.
The Duke of Fronsac, Marshal Richelieu's son, hurried to Versailles to announce the good news.