for his own part , laurence could be almost thankful for the french catching them , if not for the suddenness of their assault ; it seemed to him as it had to temeraire , that the commanders had labored desperately the last week to avoid the very war which they had provoked and which all their men were prepared to endure ; a stupid cowering sort of delay that could only wear down morale , reduce their supply , and leave detachments exposed and vulnerable to being cut down one by one , as poor prince louis had been .