The book haunts one by its realistic vividness and force. The period dealt with is tha to Louis XIV, and his ruthless war minister, the Marquis de louvois, when France was involved in the long war of the league of Augsburg, formed by William of Orange to check the ambition of the Gran Monarque. This was the time when the French nation, having become the leading power in Europe, had a strong coalition of the nations formed against it. and at sea, in 1692,k suffered the loss of its navy in the crushing defeat off La Houge bythe British and Dutch.

The story relates the many and thrilling adventures of a Lieutenant in the French regiment, known as the Chevux-lLegers of the Nivernois, in garrison ne3ar the Swiss frontier, on his way, as the tale opens to Paris at eh command of the French monarch.(copied from the book that I own)