human
It would be a rare enterprise to surprise Breda, Captain de Heraugière said;
gpt
I do not see why it should be, Lionel said.
human
I was reading when I was last at home about our wars with the Scotch, and there were several cases in which very strong places that could not have been carried by assault were captured suddenly by small parties of men who disguised themselves as waggoners, and hiding a score or two of their comrades in a waggon covered with firewood, or sacks of grain, boldly went up to the gates. When there they cut the traces of their horses so that the gates could not be closed, or the portcullis lowered, and then falling upon the guards, kept them at bay until a force, hidden near the gates, ran up and entered the town. I see not why a similar enterprise should not be attempted at Breda.
gpt
Nor do I, Captain Heraugière said;
human
That one could not say without seeing the place, Lionel remarked.
gpt
I should say that a plan of this sort could only be successful after those who attempted it had made themselves masters of all particulars of the place and its ways. Everything would depend upon all going smoothly and without hitches of any kind. If you really think of undertaking such an adventure, Captain Heraugière, I should be very glad to act under you if Sir Francis Vere will give me leave to do so; but I would suggest that the first step should be for us to go into Breda in disguise. We might take in a waggon-load of grain for sale, or merely carry on our backs baskets with country produce, or we could row up in a boat with fish.
human
The plan is certainly worth thinking of, Captain Heraugière said.
gpt
I will turn it over in my mind for a day, and will then talk to you again. It would be a grand stroke, and there would be great honour to be obtained; but it will not do for me to go to Prince Maurice and lay it before him until we have a plan completely worked out, otherwise we are more likely to meet with ridicule than praise.
human
I have lain awake all night thinking of our scheme, he said,
gpt
I will gladly go with you to Breda, Lionel said,
human
That I will assuredly, Captain Heraugière said,
gpt
When do you think of setting about it?
human
Instantly. My company is at Voorne, and I should return thither with the prince to-day. I will at once go to him and ask for leave to be absent on urgent affairs for a week. Do you go to Sir Francis Vere and ask for a similar time. Do not tell him, if you can help it, the exact nature of your enterprise. But if you cannot obtain leave otherwise, of course you must do so. I will be back here in two hours' time. We can then at once get our disguises, and hire a craft to take us to Willemstad.
gpt
I have come, Sir Francis, to ask for a week's leave of absence.
human
That you can have, Lionel. What, are you going shooting ducks on the frozen meres?
gpt
No, Sir Francis. I am going on a little expedition with Captain Heraugière, who has invited me to accompany him. We have an idea in our heads that may perhaps be altogether useless, but may possibly bear fruit. In the first case we would say nothing about it, in the second we will lay it before you on our return.
human
Very well, Sir Francis said with a smile.
gpt
You showed that you could think at Sluys, and I hope something may come of this idea of yours, whatever it may be.