No big number, surely; just enough to fight a holding action.

Would there be a great change of heart among them if they fought a bloody action?

It would have been a great start for him in the Egyptian army had he fought a little action on his own account.

To fight a holding action until more Matrite companies arrived?

Sterling has been forced to fight only a holding action ever since.

In that case,' I decided, 'we had best keep our men together and fight a defensive action.

Anyone who doesn't like that, he added, is fighting a rear-guard action.

Charles then took command again, and insisted on fighting a defensive action.

We will fight a holding action and await reinforcements from the west.

We were fighting a rear-guard action and barely holding our own.