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1593
Which Smith seeks to relieve by a military stratagem.
Kisell, General of the Archduke's Artillery, original: "Generaal van des Aards-Hertogs Artillery" knew that I had taught that Governor, his worthy friend, something through which I wished to undertake to make known to him that which I wanted him to know, and at the same time receive his answer in return, if he could only place me in a location where those in the city could see the light of a torch. Kisell, inspired by this strange invention which I proposed to him so clearly, gave me some guides who brought me immediately, on a dark night, to a high mountain where I displayed to those in the city 3 ignited torches, standing equally apart from one another. The Governor, immediately noticing this, understood and replied with 3 similar lights, placed in the same manner, by which each made known the other's meaning and intention. I, although I was 7 English miles away, made the words known to him: On Thursday night I shall attack from the East, upon the alarm you then make a sally. Ebersbaught replied: I shall, as also came to pass.
In what this stratagem consisted.
First, I wrote my intention very briefly, as has been seen. As I did so, I divided the Alphabet into 2 parts, thus:
| A. | B. | C. | D. | E. | F. | G. | H. | I. | K. | L. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 1. | 1. | 1. | 1. | 1. | 1. | 1. | 1. | 1. | 1. |
| M. | N. | O. | P. | Q. | R. | S. | T. | V. | W. | X. | Y. | Z. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2. | 2. | 2. | 2. | 2. | 2. | 2. | 2. | 2. | 2. | 2. | 2. | 2. |
Its explanation.
The first part of the letters from A to L was signified by the showing and hiding of one light, and that as many times as there were letters from A to that letter which makes up the word. The other part of the letters, from M to Z, one shows by 2 lights in the same manner. The end of a word was signified by the showing of the 3 lights, each time...