"He recommends you for a commission as ensign," the Duke said quietly,
the boy standing almost open-mouthed. "We will give you a short trial
first, for as yet we don't know you. No doubt we soon shall." And the
great man smiled.

He rapped smartly on the table and an aide-de-camp entered the tent,
saluting.

"Here, Mr. Blackett," Marlborough gave the order, "take this lad to
your captain, who will see that he is enrolled in your company."

The next moment George Fairburn was shaking the other hard by the
hand, the astonishment on both sides too great to admit of a word
between them.




CHAPTER VII

BLENHEIM


"Now I can thank you, my dear Fairburn! We shall never forget it!"
were the first words Blackett uttered, and he pressed George's hand
once more in his warm grip.

"Forget what, Blackett?" the other asked in surprise, "and for what do
you thank me?"