A pen was put into his hand; a pistol was held to his breast; and he was commanded to write on pain of instant death.

His letter, dictated by William, was conveyed to the French camp.

It apprised Luxemburg that the allies meant to send out a strong foraging party on the next day.

In order to protect this party from molestation, some battalions of infantry, accompanied by artillery, would march by night to occupy the defiles which lay between the armies.
The Marshal read, believed and went to rest, while William urged forward the preparations for a general assault on the French lines.
The whole allied army was under arms while it was still dark.

In the grey of the morning Luxemburg was awakened by scouts, who brought tidings that the enemy was advancing in great force.