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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/5075-0.txt b/5075-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..fbc6eab --- /dev/null +++ b/5075-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11127 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lion of the North, by G.A. Henty + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Lion of the North + +Author: G.A. Henty + +Release Date: February, 2004 [EBook #5075] +Posting Date: April 14, 2009 +Last Updated: March 11, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LION OF THE NORTH *** + + + + +Produced by Martin Robb + + + + + + + +THE LION OF THE NORTH + +A Tale of the Times of Gustavus Adolphus, + + +By G. A. Henty + + + + +PREFACE. + + +MY DEAR LADS, + +You are nowadays called upon to acquire so great a mass of learning +and information in the period of life between the ages of twelve and +eighteen that it is not surprising that but little time can be spared +for the study of the history of foreign nations. Most lads are, +therefore, lamentably ignorant of the leading events of even the most +important epochs of Continental history, although, as many of these +events have exercised a marked influence upon the existing state of +affairs in Europe, a knowledge of them is far more useful, and, it +may be said, far more interesting than that of the comparatively petty +affairs of Athens, Sparta, Corinth, and Thebes. + +Prominent among such epochs is the Thirty Years' War, which arose from +the determination of the Emperor of Austria to crush out Protestantism +throughout Germany. Since the invasion of the Huns no struggle which +has taken place in Europe has approached this in the obstinacy of the +fighting and the terrible sufferings which the war inflicted upon the +people at large. During these thirty years the population of Germany +decreased by nearly a third, and in some of the states half the towns +and two-thirds of the villages absolutely disappeared. + +The story of the Thirty Years' War is too long to be treated in one +volume. Fortunately it divides itself naturally into two parts. The +first begins with the entry of Sweden, under her chivalrous monarch +Gustavus Adolphus, upon the struggle, and terminates with his death and +that of his great rival Wallenstein. This portion of the war has been +treated in the present story. The second period begins at the point when +France assumed the leading part in the struggle, and concluded with the +peace which secured liberty of conscience to the Protestants of Germany. +This period I hope to treat some day in another story, so that you may +have a complete picture of the war. The military events of the present +tale, the battles, sieges, and operations, are all taken from the best +authorities, while for the account of the special doings of Mackay's, +afterwards Munro's Scottish Regiment, I am indebted to Mr. J. Grant's +Life of Sir John Hepburn. + +Yours sincerely, + +G. A. HENTY + + + + +CHAPTER I THE INVITATION + + +It was late in the afternoon in the spring of the year 1630; the +hilltops of the south of Scotland were covered with masses of cloud, and +a fierce wind swept the driving rain before it with such force that it +was not easy to make way against it. It had been raining for three days +without intermission. Every little mountain burn had become a boiling +torrent, while the rivers had risen above their banks and flooded the +low lands in the valleys. + +The shades of evening were closing in, when a lad of some sixteen years +of age stood gazing across the swollen waters of the Nith rushing past +in turbid flood. He scarce seemed conscious of the pouring rain; but +with his lowland bonnet pressed down over his eyes, and his plaid +wrapped tightly round him, he stood on a rising hummock of ground at the +edge of the flood, and looked across the stream. + +“If they are not here soon,” he said to himself, “they will not get +across the Nith tonight. None but bold riders could do so now; but +by what uncle says, Captain Hume must be that and more. Ah! here they +come.” + +As he spoke two horsemen rode down the opposite side of the valley and +halted at the water's edge. The prospect was not a pleasant one. The +river was sixty or seventy feet wide, and in the centre the water swept +along in a raging current. + +“You cannot cross here,” the boy shouted at the top of his voice. “You +must go higher up where the water's deeper.” + +The wind swept his words away, but his gestures were understood. + +“The boy is telling us to go higher up,” said one of the horsemen. + +“I suppose he is,” the other replied; “but here is the ford. You see the +road we have travelled ends here, and I can see it again on the other +side. It is getting dark, and were we to cross higher up we might lose +our way and get bogged; it is years since I was here. What's the boy +going to do now? Show us a place for crossing?” + +The lad, on seeing the hesitation of the horsemen, had run along the +bank up the stream, and to their surprise, when he had gone a little +more than a hundred yards he dashed into the water. For a time the water +was shallow, and he waded out until he reached the edge of the regular +bank of the river, and then swam out into the current. + +“Go back,” the horseman shouted; but his voice did not reach the +swimmer, who, in a few strokes, was in the full force of the stream, and +was soon lost to the sight of the horsemen among the short foaming waves +of the torrent. + +“The boy will be drowned,” one of the horsemen said, spurring his horse +up the valley; but in another minute the lad was seen breasting the +calmer water just above the ford. + +“You cannot cross here, Captain Hume,” he said, as he approached the +horsemen. “You must go nigh a mile up the river.” + +“Why, who are you, lad?” the horseman asked, “and how do you know my +name?” + +“I'm the nephew of Nigel Graheme. Seeing how deep the floods were I came +out to show you the way, for the best horse in the world could not swim +the Nith here now.” + +“But this is the ford,” Captain Hume said. + +“Yes, this is the ford in dry weather. The bottom here is hard rock and +easy to ride over when the river is but waist deep, but below and above +this place it is covered with great boulders. The water is six feet +deep here now, and the horses would be carried down among the rocks, and +would never get across. A mile up the river is always deep, and though +the current is strong there is nothing to prevent a bold horseman from +swimming across.” + +“I thank you heartily, young sir,” Captain Hume said. “I can see how +broken is the surface of the water, and doubt not that it would have +fared hard with us had we attempted to swim across here. In faith, +Munro, we have had a narrow escape.” + +“Ay, indeed,” the other agreed. “It would have been hard if you and I, +after going through all the battlefields of the Low Countries, should +have been drowned here together in a Scottish burn. Your young friend is +a gallant lad and a good swimmer, for in truth it was no light task to +swim that torrent with the water almost as cold as ice.” + +“Now, sirs, will you please to ride on,” the boy said; “it is getting +dark fast, and the sooner we are across the better.” + +So saying he went off at a fast run, the horses trotting behind him. A +mile above he reached the spot he had spoken of. The river was narrower +here, and the stream was running with great rapidity, swirling and +heaving as it went, but with a smooth even surface. + +“Two hundred yards farther up,” the boy said, “is the beginning of the +deep; if you take the water there you will get across so as to climb up +by that sloping bank just opposite.” + +He led the way to the spot he indicated, and then plunged into the +stream, swimming quietly and steadily across, and allowing the stream to +drift him down. + +The horsemen followed his example. They had swum many a swollen river, +and although their horses snorted and plunged at first, they soon +quieted down and swam steadily over. They just struck the spot which the +boy had indicated. He had already arrived there, and, without a word, +trotted forward. + +It was soon dark, and the horsemen were obliged to keep close to his +heels to see his figure. It was as much as they could do to keep up with +him, for the ground was rough and broken, sometimes swampy, sometimes +strewn with boulders. + +“It is well we have a guide,” Colonel Munro said to his companion; “for +assuredly, even had we got safely across the stream, we should never +have found our way across such a country as this. Scotland is a fine +country, Hume, a grand country, and we are all proud of it, you know, +but for campaigning, give me the plains of Germany; while, as for your +weather here, it is only fit for a water rat.” + +Hume laughed at this outburst. + +“I sha'n't be sorry, Munro, for a change of dry clothes and a corner by +a fire; but we must be nearly there now if I remember right. Graheme's +hold is about three miles from the Nith.” + +The boy presently gave a loud shout, and a minute later lights were seen +ahead, and in two or three minutes the horsemen drew up at a door beside +which two men were standing with torches; another strolled out as they +stopped. + +“Welcome, Hume! I am glad indeed to see you; and--ah! is it you, Munro? +it is long indeed since we met.” + +“That is it, Graheme; it is twelve years since we were students together +at St. Andrews.” + +“I did not think you would have come on such a night,” Graheme said. + +“I doubt that we should have come tonight, or any other night, Nigel, if +it had not been that that brave boy who calls you uncle swam across +the Nith to show us the best way to cross. It was a gallant deed, and I +consider we owe him our lives.” + +“It would have gone hard with you, indeed, had you tried to swim the +Nith at the ford; had I not made so sure you would not come I would have +sent a man down there. I missed Malcolm after dinner, and wondered what +had become of him. But come in and get your wet things off. It is a +cold welcome keeping you here. My men will take your horses round to the +stable and see that they are well rubbed down and warmly littered.” + +In a quarter of an hour the party were assembled again in the sitting +room. It was a bare room with heavily timbered ceiling and narrow +windows high up from the ground; for the house was built for purposes +of defence, like most Scottish residences in those days. The floor was +thickly strewn with rushes. Arms and trophies of the chase hung on +the walls, and a bright fire blazing on the hearth gave it a warm and +cheerful aspect. As his guests entered the room Graheme presented them +with a large silver cup of steaming liquor. + +“Drain this,” he said, “to begin with. I will warrant me a draught of +spiced wine will drive the cold of the Nith out of your bones.” + +The travellers drank off the liquor. + +“'Tis a famous drink,” Hume said, “and there is nowhere I enjoy it so +much as in Scotland, for the cold here seems to have a knack of getting +into one's very marrow, though I will say there have been times in the +Low Countries when we have appreciated such a draught. Well, and how +goes it with you, Graheme?” + +“Things might be better; in fact, times in Scotland have been getting +worse and worse ever since King James went to England, and all the court +with him. If it were not for an occasional raid among the wild folks of +Galloway, and a few quarrels among ourselves, life would be too dull to +bear here.” + +“But why bear it?” Captain Hume asked. “You used to have plenty of +spirit in our old college days, Graheme, and I wonder at your rusting +your life out here when there is a fair field and plenty of honour, +to say nothing of hard cash, to be won in the Low Country. Why, beside +Hepburn's regiment, which has made itself a name throughout all Europe, +there are half a score of Scottish regiments in the service of the King +of Sweden, and his gracious majesty Gustavus Adolphus does not keep them +idle, I warrant you.” + +“I have thought of going a dozen times,” Graheme said, “but you see +circumstances have kept me back; but I have all along intended to cross +the seas when Malcolm came of an age to take the charge of his father's +lands. When my brother James was dying from that sword thrust he got in +a fray with the Duffs, I promised him I would be a father to the boy, +and see that he got his rights.” + +“Well, we will talk of the affair after supper, Graheme, for now that +I have got rid of the cold I begin to perceive that I am well nigh +famished.” + +As the officer was speaking, the servitors were laying the table, and +supper was soon brought in. After ample justice had been done to this, +and the board was again cleared, the three men drew their seats round +the fire, Malcolm seating himself on a low stool by his uncle. + +“And now to business, Nigel,” Colonel Munro said. “We have not come back +to Scotland to see the country, or to enjoy your weather, or even for +the pleasure of swimming your rivers in flood. + +“We are commissioned by the King of Sweden to raise some 3000 or 4000 +more Scottish troops. I believe that the king intends to take part in +the war in Germany, where the Protestants are getting terribly mauled, +and where, indeed, it is likely that the Reformed Religion will be +stamped out altogether unless the Swedes strike in to their rescue. My +chief object is to fill up to its full strength of two thousand men +the Mackay Regiment, of which I am lieutenant colonel. The rest of the +recruits whom we may get will go as drafts to fill up the vacancies in +the other regiments. So you see here we are, and it is our intention +to beat up all our friends and relations, and ask them each to raise a +company or half a company of recruits, of which, of course, they would +have the command. + +“We landed at Berwick, and wrote to several of our friends that we were +coming. Scott of Jedburgh has engaged to raise a company. Balfour of +Lauderdale, who is a cousin of mine, has promised to bring another; they +were both at St. Andrew's with us, as you may remember, Graheme. Young +Hamilton, who had been an ensign in my regiment, left us on the way. He +will raise a company in Douglasdale. Now, Graheme, don't you think you +can bring us a band of the men of Nithsdale?” + +“I don't know,” Graheme said hesitatingly. “I should like it of all +things, for I am sick of doing nothing here, and my blood often runs +hot when I read of the persecutions of the Protestants in Germany; but I +don't think I can manage it.” + +“Oh, nonsense, Nigel!” said Hume; “you can manage it easily enough if +you have the will. Are you thinking of the lad there? Why not bring him +with you? He is young, certainly, but he could carry a colour; and as +for his spirit and bravery, Munro and I will vouch for it.” + +“Oh, do, uncle,” the lad exclaimed, leaping to his feet in his +excitement. “I promise you I would not give you any trouble; and as for +marching, there isn't a man in Nithsdale who can tire me out across the +mountains.” + +“But what's to become of the house, Malcolm, and the land and the +herds?” + +“Oh, they will be all right,” the boy said. “Leave old Duncan in charge, +and he will look after them.” + +“But I had intended you to go to St. Andrews next year, Malcolm, and +I think the best plan will be for you to go there at once. As you say, +Duncan can look after the place.” + +Malcolm's face fell. + +“Take the lad with you, Graheme,” Colonel Munro said. “Three years under +Gustavus will do him vastly more good than will St. Andrews. You know it +never did us any good to speak of. We learned a little more Latin than +we knew when we went there, but I don't know that that has been of any +use to us; whereas for the dry tomes of divinity we waded through, I +am happy to say that not a single word of the musty stuff remains in my +brains. The boy will see life and service, he will have opportunities +of distinguishing himself under the eye of the most chivalrous king in +Europe, he will have entered a noble profession, and have a fair chance +of bettering his fortune, all of which is a thousand times better than +settling down here in this corner of Scotland.” + +“I must think it over,” Graheme said; “it is a serious step to take. +I had thought of his going to the court at London after he left the +university, and of using our family interest to push his way there.” + +“What is he to do in London?” Munro said. “The old pedant James, who +wouldn't spend a shilling or raise a dozen men to aid the cause of his +own daughter, and who thought more of musty dogmatic treatises than of +the glory and credit of the country he ruled over, or the sufferings +of his co-religionists in Germany, has left no career open to a lad of +spirit.” + +“Well, I will think it over by the morning,” Graheme said. “And now tell +me a little more about the merits of this quarrel in Germany. If I +am going to fight, I should like at least to know exactly what I am +fighting about.” + +“My dear fellow,” Hume laughed, “you will never make a soldier if you +always want to know the ins and outs of every quarrel you have to fight +about; but for once the tenderest conscience may be satisfied as to +the justice of the contention. But Munro is much better versed in the +history of the affair than I am; for, to tell you the truth, beyond the +fact that it is a general row between the Protestants and Catholics, I +have not troubled myself much in the matter.” + +“You must know,” Colonel Munro began, “that some twenty years ago the +Protestant princes of Germany formed a league for mutual protection and +support, which they called the Protestant Union; and a year later the +Catholics, on their side, constituted what they called the Holy League. +At that time the condition of the Protestants was not unbearable. In +Bohemia, where they constituted two-thirds of the population, Rudolph +II, and after him Mathias, gave conditions of religious freedom. + +“Gradually, however, the Catholic party about the emperor gained the +upper hand; then various acts in breach of the conditions granted to the +Protestants were committed, and public spirit on both sides became +much embittered. On the 23d of May, 1618, the Estates of Bohemia met +at Prague, and the Protestant nobles, headed by Count Thurn, came there +armed, and demanded from the Imperial councillors an account of the high +handed proceedings. A violent quarrel ensued, and finally the Protestant +deputies seized the councillors Martinitz and Slavata, and their +secretary, and hurled them from the window into the dry ditch, fifty +feet below. Fortunately for the councillors the ditch contained a +quantity of light rubbish, and they and their secretary escaped without +serious damage. The incident, however, was the commencement of war. +Bohemia was almost independent of Austria, administering its own +internal affairs. The Estates invested Count Thurn with the command of +the army. The Protestant Union supported Bohemia in its action. Mathias, +who was himself a tolerant and well meaning man, tried to allay the +storm; but, failing to do so, marched an army into Bohemia. + +“Had Mathias lived matters would probably have arranged themselves, +but he died the following spring, and was succeeded by Ferdinand II. +Ferdinand is one of the most bigoted Catholics living, and is at the +same time a bold and resolute man; and he had taken a solemn vow at +the shrine of Loretto that, if ever he came to the throne, he would +re-establish Catholicism throughout his dominions. Both parties prepared +for the strife; the Bohemians renounced their allegiance to him and +nominated the Elector Palatine Frederick V, the husband of our Scotch +princess, their king. + +“The first blow was struck at Zablati. There a Union army, led by +Mansfeldt, was defeated by the Imperial general Bucquoi. A few days +later, however, Count Thurn, marching through Moravia and Upper Austria, +laid siege to Vienna. Ferdinand's own subjects were estranged from him, +and the cry of the Protestant army, 'Equal rights for all Christian +churches,' was approved by the whole population--for even in Austria +itself there were a very large number of Protestants. Ferdinand had but +a few soldiers, the population of the city were hostile, and had Thurn +only entered the town he could have seized the emperor without any +resistance. + +“Thurn hesitated, and endeavoured instead to obtain the conditions of +toleration which the Protestants required; and sixteen Austrian barons +in the city were in the act of insisting upon Ferdinand signing these +when the head of the relieving army entered the city. Thurn retired +hastily. The Catholic princes and representatives met at Frankfort and +elected Ferdinand Emperor of Germany. He at once entered into a strict +agreement with Maximilian of Bavaria to crush Protestantism throughout +Germany. The Bohemians, however, in concert with Bethlem Gabor, king +of Hungary, again besieged Vienna; but as the winter set in they were +obliged to retire. From that moment the Protestant cause was lost; +Saxony and Hesse-Darmstadt left the Union and joined Ferdinand. Denmark, +which had promised its assistance to the Protestants, was persuaded to +remain quiet. Sweden was engaged in a war with the Poles. + +“The Protestant army was assembled at Ulm; the army of the League, under +the order of Maximilian of Bavaria, was at Donauworth. Maximilian worked +upon the fears of the Protestant princes, who, frightened at the contest +they had undertaken, agreed to a peace, by which they bound themselves +to offer no aid to Frederick V. + +“The Imperial forces then marched to Bohemia and attacked Frederick's +army outside Prague, and in less than an hour completely defeated it. +Frederick escaped with his family to Holland. Ferdinand then took steps +to carry out his oath. The religious freedom granted by Mathias was +abolished. In Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia, and Austria proper. Many of the +promoters of the rebellion were punished in life and property. The year +following all members of the Calvinistic sect were forced to leave their +country, a few months afterwards the Lutherans were also expelled, and +in 1627 the exercise of all religious forms except those of the Catholic +Church was forbidden; 200 of the noble, and 30,000 of the wealthier and +industrial classes, were driven into exile; and lands and property to +the amount of 5,000,000 or 6,000,000 pounds were confiscated. + +“The hereditary dominions of Frederick V were invaded, the Protestants +were defeated, the Palatinate entirely subdued, and the electorate was +conferred upon Maximilian of Bavaria; and the rigid laws against the +Protestants were carried into effect in the Palatinate also. It had now +become evident to all Europe that the Emperor of Austria was determined +to stamp out Protestantism throughout Germany; and the Protestant +princes, now thoroughly alarmed, besought aid from the Protestant +countries, England, Holland, and Denmark. King James, who had seen +unmoved the misfortunes which had befallen his daughter and her husband, +and who had been dead to the general feeling of the country, could no +longer resist, and England agreed to supply an annual subsidy; Holland +consented to supply troops; and the King of Denmark joined the League, +and was to take command of the army. + +“In Germany the Protestants of lower Saxony and Brunswick, and the +partisan leader Mansfeldt, were still in arms. The army under the king +of Denmark advanced into Brunswick, and was there confronted by that of +the league under Tilly, while an Austrian army, raised by Wallenstein, +also marched against it. Mansfeldt endeavoured to prevent Wallenstein +from joining Tilly, but was met and defeated by the former general. +Mansfeldt was, however, an enterprising leader, and falling back into +Brandenburg, recruited his army, joined the force under the Duke of +Saxe-Weimar, and started by forced marches to Silesia and Moravia, to +join Bethlem Gabor in Hungary. Wallenstein was therefore obliged to +abandon his campaign against the Danes and to follow him. Mansfeldt +joined the Hungarian army, but so rapid were his marches that his force +had dwindled away to a mere skeleton, and the assistance which it +would be to the Hungarians was so small that Bethlem Gabor refused to +cooperate with it against Austria. + +“Mansfeldt disbanded his remaining soldiers, and two months afterwards +died. Wallenstein then marched north. In the meantime Tilly had attacked +King Christian at Lutter, and completely defeated him. I will tell you +about that battle some other time. When Wallenstein came north it +was decided that Tilly should carry the war into Holland, and that +Wallenstein should deal with the King of Denmark and the Protestant +princes. In the course of two years he drove the Danes from Silesia, +subdued Brandenburg and Mecklenburg, and, advancing into Pomerania, +besieged Stralsund. + +“What a siege that was to be sure! Wallenstein had sworn to capture the +place, but he didn't reckon upon the Scots. After the siege had begun +Lieutenant General Sir Alexander Leslie, with 5000 Scots and Swedes, +fought his way into the town; and though Wallenstein raised fire upon +it, though we were half starved and ravaged by plague, we held out for +three months, repulsing every assault, till at last the Imperialists +were obliged to draw off; having lost 12,200 men. + +“This, however, was the solitary success on our side, and a few months +since, Christian signed a peace, binding himself to interfere no more in +the affairs of Germany. When Ferdinand considered himself free to carry +out his plans, he issued an edict by which the Protestants throughout +Germany were required to restore to the Catholics all the monasteries +and land which had formerly belonged to the Catholic Church. The +Catholic service was alone to be performed, and the Catholic princes +of the empire were ordered to constrain their subjects, by force if +necessary, to conform to the Catholic faith; and it was intimated to the +Protestant princes that they would be equally forced to carry the edict +into effect. But this was too much. Even France disapproved, not from +any feeling of pity on the part of Richelieu for the Protestants, but +because it did not suit the interests of France that Ferdinand should +become the absolute monarch of all Germany. + +“In these circumstances Gustavus of Sweden at once resolved to assist +the Protestants in arms, and ere long will take the field. That is +what has brought us here. Already in the Swedish army there are 10,000 +Scotchmen, and in Denmark they also form the backbone of the force; and +both in the Swedish and Danish armies the greater part of the native +troops are officered and commanded by Scotchmen. + +“Hitherto I myself have been in the Danish service, but my regiment is +about to take service with the Swedes. It has been quietly intimated to +us that there will be no objection to our doing so, although Christian +intends to remain neutral, at any rate for a time. We suffered very +heavily at Lutter, and I need 500 men to fill up my ranks to the full +strength. + +“Now, Graheme, I quite rely upon you. You were at college with Hepburn, +Hume, and myself, and it will be a pleasure for us all to fight side by +side; and if I know anything of your disposition I am sure you cannot +be contented to be remaining here at the age of nine-and-twenty, rusting +out your life as a Scotch laird, while Hepburn has already won a name +which is known through Europe.” + + + +CHAPTER II SHIPWRECKED + + +Upon the following morning Nigel Graheme told his visitors that he had +determined to accept their offer, and would at once set to work to raise +a company. + +“I have,” he said, “as you know, a small patrimony of my own, and as +for the last eight years I have been living here looking after Malcolm +I have been laying by any rents, and can now furnish the arms and +accoutrements for a hundred men without difficulty. When Malcolm comes +of age he must act for himself, and can raise two or three hundred men +if he chooses; but at present he will march in my company. I understand +that I have the appointment of my own officers.” + +“Yes, until you join the regiment,” Munro said. “You have the first +appointments. Afterwards the colonel will fill up vacancies. You must +decide how you will arm your men, for you must know that Gustavus' +regiments have their right and left wings composed of musketeers, while +the centre is formed of pikemen, so you must decide to which branch your +company shall belong.” + +“I would choose the pike,” Nigel said, “for after all it must be by the +pike that the battle is decided.” + +“Quite right, Nigel. I have here with me a drawing of the armour in use +with us. You see they have helmets of an acorn shape, with a rim turning +up in front; gauntlets, buff coats well padded in front, and large +breast plates. The pikes vary from fourteen to eighteen feet long +according to the taste of the commander. We generally use about sixteen. +If your company is a hundred strong you will have two lieutenants and +three ensigns. Be careful in choosing your officers. I will fill in the +king's commission to you as captain of the company, authorizing you to +enlist men for his service and to appoint officers thereto.” + +An hour or two later Colonel Munro and Captain Hume proceeded on their +way. The news speedily spread through Nithsdale that Nigel Graheme had +received a commission from the King of Sweden to raise a company in his +service, and very speedily men began to pour in. The disbandment of the +Scottish army had left but few careers open at home to the youth of +that country, and very large numbers had consequently flocked to the +Continent and taken service in one or other of the armies there, any +opening of the sort, therefore, had only to be known to be freely +embraced. Consequently, in eight-and-forty hours Nigel Graheme had +applications from a far larger number than he could accept, and he was +enabled to pick and choose among the applicants. Many young men of +good family were among them, for in those days service in the ranks was +regarded as honourable, and great numbers of young men of good family +and education trailed a pike in the Scotch regiments in the service of +the various powers of Europe. Two young men whose property adjoined +his own, Herries and Farquhar, each of whom brought twenty of his own +tenants with him, were appointed lieutenants, while two others, Leslie +and Jamieson, were with Malcolm named as ensigns. The noncommissioned +officers were appointed from men who had served before. Many of the men +already possessed armour which was suitable, for in those day's there +was no strict uniformity of military attire, and the armies of the +various nationalities differed very slightly from each other. Colonel +Munro returned in the course of a fortnight, Nigel Graheme's company +completing the number of men required to fill up the ranks of his +regiment. + +Captain Hume had proceeded further north. Colonel Munro stopped for +a week in Nithsdale, giving instructions to the officers and +noncommissioned officers as to the drill in use in the Swedish army. +Military manoeuvres were in these days very different to what they have +now become. The movements were few and simple, and easily acquired. +Gustavus had, however, introduced an entirely new formation into his +army. Hitherto troops had fought in solid masses, twenty or more deep. +Gustavus taught his men to fight six deep, maintaining that if troops +were steady this depth of formation should be able to sustain any +assault upon it, and that with a greater depth the men behind were +useless in the fight. His cavalry fought only three deep. The recruits +acquired the new tactics with little difficulty. In Scotland for +generations every man and boy had received a certain military training, +and all were instructed in the use of the pike; consequently, at the end +of a week Colonel Munro pronounced Nigel Graheme's company capable +of taking their place in the regiment without discredit, and so went +forward to see to the training of the companies of Hamilton, Balfour, +and Scott, having arranged with Graheme to march his company to Dunbar +in three weeks' time, when he would be joined by the other three +companies. Malcolm was delighted with the stir and bustle of his new +life. Accustomed to hard exercise, to climbing and swimming, he was a +strong and well grown lad, and was in appearance fully a year beyond +his age. He felt but little fatigued by the incessant drill in which the +days were passed, though he was glad enough of an evening to lay aside +his armour, of which the officers wore in those days considerably more +than the soldiers, the mounted officers being still clad in full armour, +while those on foot wore back and arm pieces, and often leg pieces, in +addition to the helmet and breastplate. They were armed with swords and +pistols, and carried besides what were called half pikes, or pikes some +7 feet long. They wore feathers in their helmets, and the armour was of +fine quality, and often richly damascened, or inlaid with gold. + +Very proud did Malcolm feel as on the appointed day he marched with +the company from Nithsdale, with the sun glittering on their arms and a +drummer beating the march at their head. They arrived in due course +at Dunbar, and were in a few hours joined by the other three companies +under Munro himself. The regiment which was now commanded by Lieutenant +Colonel Munro had been raised in 1626 by Sir Donald Mackay of Farre and +Strathnaver, 1500 strong, for the service of the King of Denmark. +Munro was his cousin, and when Sir Donald went home shortly before, he +succeeded to the command of the regiment. They embarked at once on board +a ship which Munro had chartered, and were landed in Denmark and marched +to Flensberg, where the rest of the regiment was lying. + +A fortnight was spent in severe drill, and then orders were received +from Oxenstiern, the chancellor of Sweden, to embark the regiment on +board two Swedish vessels, the Lillynichol and the Hound. On board +the former were the companies of Captains Robert Munro, Hector Munro, +Bullion, Nigel Graheme, and Hamilton. Colonel Munro sailed in this +ship, while Major Sennot commanded the wing of the regiment on board the +Hound. The baggage horses and ammunition were in a smaller vessel. + +The orders were that they were to land at Wolgast on the southern shore +of the Baltic. Scarcely had they set sail than the weather changed, and +a sudden tempest burst upon them. Higher and higher grew the wind, +and the vessels were separated in the night. The Lillynichol laboured +heavily in the waves, and the discomfort of the troops, crowded together +between decks, was very great. Presently it was discovered that she had +made a leak, and that the water was entering fast. Munro at once called +forty-eight soldiers to the pumps. They were relieved every quarter +of an hour, and by dint of the greatest exertions barely succeeded in +keeping down the water. So heavily did the vessel labour that Munro bore +away for Dantzig; but when night came on the storm increased in fury. +They were now in shoal water, and the vessel, already half waterlogged, +became quite unmanageable in the furious waves. Beyond the fact that +they were fast driving on to the Pomeranian coast, they were ignorant of +their position. + +“This is a rough beginning,” Nigel said to his nephew. “We bargained to +run the risk of being killed by the Germans, but we did not expect to +run the hazard of being drowned. I doubt if the vessel can live till +morning. It is only eleven o'clock yet, and in spite of the pumps she is +getting lower and lower in the water.” + +Before Malcolm had time to answer him there was a tremendous crash which +threw them off their feet. All below struggled on deck, but nothing +could be seen in the darkness save masses of foam as the waves broke on +the rock on which they had struck. There were two more crashes, and +then another, even louder and more terrible, and the vessel broke in two +parts. + +“Come aft all,” Colonel Munro shouted; “this part of the wreck is +fixed.” + +With great efforts all on board managed to reach the after portion of +the vessel, which was wedged among the rocks, and soon afterwards the +forepart broke up and disappeared. For two hours the sea broke wildly +over the ship, and all had to hold on for life. + +Malcolm, even in this time of danger, could not but admire the calmness +and coolness of his young colonel. He at once set men to work with +ropes to drag towards the vessel the floating pieces of wreck which +were tossing about in the boiling surf. The masts and yards were hauled +alongside, and the colonel instructed the men to make themselves fast to +these in case the vessel should go to pieces. + +Hour after hour passed, and at last, to the joy of all, daylight +appeared. The boats had all been broken to pieces, and Munro now set the +men to work to bind the spars and timbers together into a raft. One +of the soldiers and a sailor volunteered to try to swim to shore with +lines, but both were dashed to pieces. + +At one o'clock in the day some natives were seen collecting on the +shore, and these presently dragged down a boat and launched it, and with +great difficulty rowed out to the ship. A line was thrown to them, and +with this they returned to shore, where they made the line fast. The +storm was now abating somewhat, and Munro ordered the debarkation to +commence. + +As many of the troops as could find a place on the raft, or could cling +to the ropes fastened on its sides, started first, and by means of the +line hauled the raft ashore. A small party then brought it back to the +ship, while others manned the boat; and so after a number of trips the +whole of the troops and crew were landed, together with all the weapons +and armour that could be saved. + +From the peasantry Munro now learned that they had been wrecked upon +the coast of Rugenwalde, a low lying tract of country in the north +of Pomerania. The forts upon it were all in the possession of the +Imperialists, while the nearest post of the Swedes was eighty miles +away. + +The position was not a pleasant one. Many of the arms had been lost, and +the gunpowder was of course destroyed. The men were exhausted and worn +out with their long struggle with the tempest. They were without food, +and might at any moment be attacked by their enemies. + +“Something must be done, and that quickly,” Munro said, “or our fate +will be well nigh as bad as that of the Sinclairs; but before night we +can do nothing, and we must hope that the Germans will not discover us +till then.” + +Thereupon he ordered all the men to lie down under shelter of the bushes +on the slopes facing the shore, and on no account to show themselves on +the higher ground. Then he sent a Walloon officer of the regiment to the +Pomeranian seneschal of the old castle of Rugenwalde which belonged to +Bogislaus IV, Duke of Pomerania, to inform him that a body of Scotch +troops in the service of the Swedish king had been cast on the coast, +and begging him to supply them with a few muskets, some dry powder, and +bullets, promising if he would do so that the Scotch would clear the +town of its Imperial garrison. + +The castle itself, which was a very old feudal building, was held only +by the retainers of the duke, and the seneschal at once complied +with Munro's request, for the Duke of Pomerania, his master, although +nominally an ally of the Imperialists, had been deprived of all +authority by them, and the feelings of his subjects were entirely with +the Swedes. + +Fifty old muskets, some ammunition, and some food were sent out by a +secret passage to the Scots. There was great satisfaction among the men +when these supplies arrived. The muskets which had been brought ashore +were cleaned up and loaded, and the feeling that they were no longer +in a position to fall helplessly into the hands of any foe who might +discover them restored the spirits of the troops, and fatigue and hunger +were forgotten as they looked forward to striking a blow at the enemy. + +“What did the colonel mean by saying that our position was well nigh as +bad as that of the Sinclairs?” Malcolm asked Captain Hector Munro, who +with two or three other officers was sheltering under a thick clump of +bushes. + +“That was a bad business,” Captain Munro replied. “It happened now nigh +twenty years ago. Colonel Monkhoven, a Swedish officer, had enlisted +2300 men in Scotland for service with Gustavus, and sailed with them and +with a regiment 900 strong raised by Sinclair entirely of his own clan +and name. Sweden was at war with Denmark, and Stockholm was invested by +the Danish fleet when Monkhoven arrived with his ships. Finding that he +was unable to land, he sailed north, landed at Trondheim, and marching +over the Norwegian Alps reached Stockholm in safety, where the +appearance of his reinforcements discouraged the Danes and enabled +Gustavus to raise the siege. + +“Unfortunately Colonel Sinclair's regiment had not kept with Monkhoven, +it being thought better that they should march by different routes so as +to distract the attention of the Norwegians, who were bitterly +hostile. The Sinclairs were attacked several times, but beat off their +assailants; when passing, however, through the tremendous gorge of +Kringellen, the peasantry of the whole surrounding country gathered in +the mountains. The road wound along on one side of the gorge. So steep +was the hill that the path was cut in solid rock which rose almost +precipitously on one side, while far below at their feet rushed a rapid +torrent. As the Sinclairs were marching along through this rocky gorge a +tremendous fire was opened upon them from the pine forests above, while +huge rocks and stones came bounding down the precipice. + +“The Sinclairs strove in vain to climb the mountainside and get at their +foes. It was impossible, and they were simply slaughtered where they +stood, only one man of the whole regiment escaping to tell the story.” + +“That was a terrible massacre indeed,” Malcolm said. “I have read of a +good many surprises and slaughters in our Scottish history, but never of +such complete destruction as that only one man out of 900 should escape. +And was the slaughter never avenged?” + +“No,” Munro replied. “We Scots would gladly march north and repay these +savage peasants for the massacre of our countrymen, but the King of +Sweden has had plenty of occupation for his Scotchmen in his own wars. +What with the Russians and the Poles and the Danes his hands have been +pretty full from that day to this, and indeed an expedition against the +Norsemen is one which would bring more fatigue and labour than profit. +The peasants would seek shelter in their forests and mountains, and +march as we would we should never see them, save when they fell upon us +with advantage in some defile.” + +At nightfall the troops were mustered, and, led by the men who had +brought the arms, they passed by the secret passage into the castle, +and thence sallied suddenly into the town below. There they fell upon a +patrol of Imperial cavalry, who were all shot down before they had +time to draw their swords. Then scattering through the town, the whole +squadron of cuirassiers who garrisoned it were either killed or taken +prisoners. This easy conquest achieved, the first care of Munro was to +feed his troops. These were then armed from the stores in the town, and +a strong guard being placed lest they should be attacked by the Austrian +force, which was, they learned, lying but seven miles away, on the other +side of the river, the troops lay down to snatch a few hours of needed +rest. + +In the morning the country was scoured, and a few detached posts of the +Austrians captured. The main body then advanced and blew up the bridge +across the river. Five days later an order came from Oxenstiern, to +whom Munro had at once despatched the news of his capture of Rugenwalde, +ordering him to hold it to the last, the position being a very valuable +one, as opening an entrance into Pomerania. + +The passage of the river was protected by entrenchments, strong redoubts +were thrown up round Rugenwalde, and parties crossing the river in boats +collected provisions and stores from the country to the very gates of +Dantzig. The Austrians rapidly closed in upon all sides, and for nine +weeks a constant series of skirmishes were maintained with them. + +At the end of that time Sir John Hepburn arrived from Spruce, having +pushed forward by order of Oxenstiern by forced marches to their relief. +Loud and hearty was the cheering when the two Scotch regiments united, +and the friends, Munro and Hepburn, clasped hands. Not only had they +been at college together, but they had, after leaving St. Andrews, +travelled in companionship on the Continent for two or three years +before taking service, Munro entering that of France, while Hepburn +joined Sir Andrew Gray as a volunteer when he led a band to succour the +Prince Palatine at the commencement of the war. + +“I have another old friend in my regiment, Hepburn,” the colonel +said after the first greeting was over--“Nigel Graheme, of course you +remember him.” + +“Certainly I do,” Hepburn exclaimed cordially, “and right glad will I +be to see him again; but I thought your regiment was entirely from the +north.” + +“It was originally,” Munro said; “but I have filled up the gaps with men +from Nithsdale and the south. I was pressed for time, and our glens of +Farre and Strathnaver had already been cleared of all their best men. +The other companies are all commanded by men who were with us at St. +Andrews--Balfour, George Hamilton, and James Scott.” + +“That is well,” Hepburn said. “Whether from the north or the south +Scots fight equally well; and with Gustavus 'tis like being in our own +country, so large a proportion are we of his majesty's army. And now, +Munro, I fear that I must supersede you in command, being senior to +you in the service, and having, moreover, his majesty's commission as +governor of the town and district.” + +“There is no one to whom I would more willingly resign the command. I +have seen some hard fighting, but have yet my name to win; while you, +though still only a colonel, are famous throughout Europe.” + +“Thanks to my men rather than to myself,” Hepburn said, “though, indeed, +mine is no better than the other Scottish regiments in the king's +service; but we have had luck, and in war, you know, luck is +everything.” + +There were many officers in both regiments who were old friends and +acquaintances, and there was much feasting that night in the Scotch +camp. In the morning work began again. The peasants of the district, +8000 strong, were mustered and divided into companies, armed and +disciplined, and with these and the two Scotch regiments Hepburn +advanced through Pomerania to the gates of Colberg, fifty miles away, +clearing the country of the Austrians, who offered, indeed, but a faint +resistance. + +The Lord of Kniphausen, a general in the Swedish service, now arrived +with some Swedish troops, and prepared to besiege the town. The rest +of Munro's regiment accompanied him, having arrived safely at their +destination, and the whole were ordered to aid in the investment +of Colberg, while Hepburn was to seize the town and castle of +Schiefelbrune, five miles distant, and there to check the advance of the +Imperialists, who were moving forward in strength towards it. + +Hepburn performed his mission with a party of cavalry, and reported that +although the castle was dilapidated it was a place of strength, and that +it could be held by a resolute garrison; whereupon Munro with 500 men of +his regiment was ordered to occupy it. Nigel Graheme's company was one +of those which marched forward on the 6th of November, and entering +the town, which was almost deserted by its inhabitants, set to work to +prepare it for defence. Ramparts of earth and stockades were hastily +thrown up, and the gates were backed by piles of rubbish to prevent them +being blown in by petards. + +Scarcely were the preparations completed before the enemy were seen +moving down the hillside. + +“How many are there of them, think you?” Malcolm asked Lieutenant +Farquhar. + +“I am not skilled in judging numbers, Malcolm, but I should say that +there must be fully five thousand.” + +There were indeed eight thousand Imperialists approaching, led by the +Count of Montecuculi, a distinguished Italian officer, who had with +him the regiments of Coloredo, Isslani, Goetz, Sparre, and Charles +Wallenstein, with a large force of mounted Croats. + +Munro's orders were to hold the town as long as he could, and afterwards +to defend the castle to the last man. The Imperial general sent in a +message requesting him to treat for the surrender of the place; but +Munro replied simply, that as no allusion to the word treaty was +contained in his instructions he should defend the place to the last. +The first advance of the Imperialists was made by the cavalry covered by +1000 musketeers, but these were repulsed without much difficulty by the +Scottish fire. + +The whole force then advanced to the attack with great resolution. +Desperately the Highlanders defended the town, again and again the +Imperialists were repulsed from the slight rampart, and when at last +they won their way into the place by dint of numbers, every street, +lane, alley, and house was defended to the last. Malcolm was almost +bewildered at the din, the incessant roll of musketry, the hoarse shouts +of the contending troops, the rattling of the guns, and the shrieks of +pain. + +Every time the Imperialists tried to force their way in heavy columns +up the streets the Scots poured out from the houses to resist them, and +meeting them pike to pike hurled them backwards. Malcolm tried to keep +cool, and to imitate the behaviour of his senior officers, repeating +their orders, and seeing that they were carried out. + +Time after time the Austrians attempted to carry the place, and were +always hurled back, although outnumbering the Scots by nigh twenty +to one. At last the town was in ruins, and was on fire in a score of +places. Its streets and lanes were heaped with dead, and it was no +longer tenable. Munro therefore gave orders that the houses should +everywhere be set on fire, and the troops fall back to the castle. + +Steadily and in good order his commands were carried out, and with +levelled pikes, still facing the enemy, the troops retired into the +castle. The Imperial general, seeing how heavy had been his losses in +carrying the open town, shrank from the prospect of assaulting a castle +defended by such troops, and when night fell he quietly marched away +with the force under his command. + + + +CHAPTER III SIR JOHN HEPBURN + + +Munro's first care, when he found that the Imperialists had retreated +in the direction of Colberg, was to send out some horsemen to discover +whether the Swedes were in a position to cover that town. The men +returned in two hours with the report that Field Marshal Horn, with the +Swedish troops from Stettin, had joined Kniphausen and Hepburn, and were +guarding the passage between the enemy and Colberg. + +Two days later a message arrived to the effect that Sir Donald Mackay, +who had now been created Lord Reay, had arrived to take the command of +his regiment, and that Nigel Graheme's company was to march and join +him; while Munro with the rest of his command was to continue to hold +the Castle of Schiefelbrune. + +Shortly afterwards General Bauditzen arrived with 4000 men and 18 pieces +of cannon to press the siege of Colberg, which was one of the strongest +fortresses in North Germany. On the 13th of November the news arrived +that Montecuculi was again advancing to raise the siege; and Lord Reay +with his half regiment, Hepburn with half his regiment, and a regiment +of Swedish infantry marched out to meet him, Kniphausen being in +command. They took up a position in a little village a few miles from +the town; and here, at four o'clock in the morning, they were attacked +by the Imperialists, 7000 strong. The Swedish infantry fled almost +without firing a shot, but the Scottish musketeers of Hepburn and Reay +stood their ground. + +For a time a desperate conflict raged. In the darkness it was utterly +impossible to distinguish friend from foe, and numbers on both sides +were mown down by the volleys of their own party. In the streets and +gardens of the little village men fought desperately with pikes and +clubbed muskets. Unable to act in the darkness, and losing many men from +the storm of bullets which swept over the village, the Swedish cavalry +who had accompanied the column turned and fled; and being unable to +resist so vast a superiority of force, Kniphausen gave the word, and the +Scotch fell slowly back under cover of the heavy mist which rose with +the first breath of day, leaving 500 men, nearly half their force, dead +behind them. + +Nigel Graheme's company had suffered severely; he himself was badly +wounded. A lieutenant and one of the ensigns were killed, with thirty of +the men, and many others were wounded with pike or bullet. Malcolm had +had his share of the fighting. Several times he and the men immediately +round him had been charged by the Imperialists, but their long pikes had +each time repulsed the assaults. + +Malcolm had before this come to the conclusion, from the anecdotes he +heard from the officers who had served through several campaigns, that +the first quality of an officer is coolness, and that this is even more +valuable than is reckless bravery. He had therefore set before himself +that his first duty in action was to be perfectly calm, to speak without +hurry or excitement in a quiet and natural tone. + +In his first fight at Schiefelbrune he had endeavoured to carry this +out, but although he gained much commendation from Nigel and the other +officers of the company for his coolness on that occasion, he had by no +means satisfied himself; but upon the present occasion he succeeded +much better in keeping his natural feelings in check, forcing himself to +speak in a quiet and deliberate way without flurry or excitement, and in +a tone of voice in no way raised above the ordinary. The effect had been +excellent, and the soldiers, in talking over the affair next day, were +loud in their praise of the conduct of the young ensign. + +“The lad was as cool as an old soldier,” one of the sergeants said, “and +cooler. Just as the Austrian column was coming on for the third time, +shouting, and cheering, and sending their bullets in a hail, he said to +me as quietly as if he was giving an order about his dinner, 'I think, +Donald, it would be as well to keep the men out of fire until the last +moment. Some one might get hurt, you see, before the enemy get close +enough to use the pikes.' And then when they came close he said, 'Now, +sergeant, I think it is time to move out and stop them.' When they came +upon us he was fighting with his half pike with the best of us. And when +the Austrians fell back and began to fire again, and we took shelter +behind the houses, he walked about on the road, stooping down over those +who had fallen, to see if all were killed, and finding two were alive he +called out, 'Will one of you just come and help me carry these men under +shelter? They may get hit again if they remain here.' I went out to him, +but I can tell you I didn't like it, for the bullets were coming along +the road in a shower. His helmet was knocked off by one, and one of the +men we were carrying in was struck by two more bullets and killed, and +the lad seemed to mind it no more than if it had been a rainstorm in the +hills at home. I thought when we left Nithsdale that the captain was in +the wrong to make so young a boy an officer, but I don't think so now. +Munro himself could not have been cooler. If he lives he will make a +great soldier.” + +The defence of the Scots had been so stubborn that Montecuculi abandoned +his attempt to relieve Colberg that day, and so vigilant was the watch +which the besiegers kept that he was obliged at last to draw off his +troops and leave Colberg to its fate. The place held out to the 26th of +February, when the garrison surrendered and were allowed to march out +with the honours of war, with pikes carried, colours flying, drums +beating, matches lighted, with their baggage, and with two pieces of +cannon loaded and ready for action. They were saluted by the army as +they marched away to the nearest town held by the Austrians, and as they +passed by Schiefelbrune Munro's command were drawn up and presented +arms to the 1500 men who had for three months resisted every attempt to +capture Colberg by assault. + +Nigel Graheme's wound was so severe that he was obliged for a time to +relinquish the command of his company, which he handed over to Herries. + +As there had been two vacancies among the officers Malcolm would +naturally have been promoted to the duties of lieutenant, but at his +urgent request his uncle chose for the purpose a young gentleman of good +family who had fought in the ranks, and had much distinguished himself +in both the contests. Two others were also promoted to fill up the +vacancies as ensigns. + +The troops after the capture of Colberg marched to Stettin, around which +town they encamped for a time, while Gustavus completed his preparations +for his march into Germany. While a portion of his army had been +besieging Colberg, Gustavus had been driving the Imperialists out of the +whole of Pomerania. Landing on the 24th of June with an army in all of +15,000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, and about 3000 artillery, he had, after +despatching troops to aid Munro and besiege Colberg, marched against the +Imperialists under Conti. These, however, retreated in great disorder +and with much loss of men, guns, and baggage, into Brandenburg; and in +a few weeks after the Swedish landing only Colberg, Greifswald, and +Demming held out. In January Gustavus concluded a treaty with France, +who agreed to pay him an annual subsidy of 400,000 thalers on the +condition that Gustavus maintained in the field an army of 30,000 +infantry and 6000 cavalry, and assured to the princes and peoples whose +territory he might occupy the free exercise of their religion. England +also promised a subsidy, and the Marquis of Hamilton was to bring over +6000 infantry; but as the king did not wish openly to take part in +the war this force was not to appear as an English contingent. Another +regiment of Highlanders was brought over by Colonel John Munro of +Obstell, and also a regiment recruited in the Lowlands by Colonel Sir +James Lumsden. + +Many other parties of Scotch were brought over by gentlemen of rank. +Four chosen Scottish regiments, Hepburn's regiment, Lord Reay's +regiment, Sir James Lumsden's musketeers, and Stargate's corps, were +formed into one brigade under the command of Hepburn. It was called the +Green Brigade, and the doublets, scarfs, feathers, and standards were +of that colour. The rest of the infantry were divided into the Yellow, +Blue, and White Brigades. + +One evening when the officers of Reay's regiment were sitting round the +campfire Lieutenant Farquhar said to Colonel Munro: + +“How is it that Sir John Hepburn has, although still so young, risen to +such high honour in the counsel of the king; how did he first make his +way?” + +“He first entered the force raised by Sir Andrew Gray, who crossed from +Leith to Holland, and then uniting with a body of English troops under +Sir Horace Vere marched to join the troops of the Elector Palatine. It +was a work of danger and difficulty for so small a body of men to march +through Germany, and Spinola with a powerful force tried to intercept +them. They managed, however, to avoid him, and reached their destination +in safety. + +“Vere's force consisted of 2200 men, and when he and Sir Andrew Gray +joined the Margrave of Anspach the latter had but 4000 horse and +4000 foot with him. There was a good deal of fighting, and Hepburn +so distinguished himself that although then but twenty years old he +obtained command of a company of pikemen in Sir Andrew Gray's band, and +this company was specially selected as a bodyguard for the king. + +“There was one Scotchman in the band who vied even with Hepburn in the +gallantry of his deeds. He was the son of a burgess of Stirling named +Edmund, and on one occasion, laying aside his armour, he swam the Danube +at night in front of the Austrian lines, and penetrated to the very +heart of the Imperial camp. There he managed to enter the tent of the +Imperialist general, the Count de Bucquoi, gagged and bound him, carried +him to the river, swam across with him and presented him as a prisoner +to the Prince of Orange, under whose command he was then serving. + +“It was well for Hepburn that at the battle of Prague he was guarding +the king, or he also might have fallen among the hosts who died on that +disastrous day. When the elector had fled the country Sir Andrew Gray's +bands formed part of Mansfeldt's force, under whom they gained great +glory. When driven out of the Palatinate they still kept up the war +in various parts of Germany and Alsace. With the Scotch companies of +Colonel Henderson they defended Bergen when the Marquis of Spinola +besieged it. Morgan with an English brigade was with them, and right +steadily they fought. Again and again the Spaniards attempted to storm +the place, but after losing 12,000 men they were forced to withdraw on +the approach of Prince Maurice. + +“The elector now made peace with the emperor, and Mansfeldt's bands +found themselves without employment. Mansfeldt in vain endeavoured to +obtain employment under one of the powers, but failing, marched into +Lorraine. There, it must be owned, they plundered and ravaged till they +were a terror to the country. At last the Dutch, being sorely pressed +by the Spaniards, offered to take them into their pay, and the bands +marched out from Lorraine in high spirits. + +“They were in sore plight for fighting, for most of them had been +obliged to sell even their arms and armour to procure food. Spinola, +hearing of their approach pushed forward with a strong force to +intercept them, and so came upon them at Fleurus, eight miles from +Namur, on the 30th of August, 1622. + +“The Scots were led by Hepburn, Hume, and Sir James Ramsay; the English +by Sir Charles Rich, brother to the Earl of Warwick, Sir James Hayes, +and others. The odds seemed all in favour of the Spaniards who were +much superior in numbers, and were splendidly accoutred and well +disciplined, and what was more, were well fed, while Mansfeldt's bands +were but half armed and almost wholly starving. + +“It was a desperate battle, and the Spaniards in the end remained +masters of the field, but Mansfeldt with his bands had burst their +way through them, and succeeded in crossing into Holland. Here their +position was bettered; for, though there was little fighting for them to +do, and they could get no pay, they lived and grew fat in free quarters +among the Dutch. At last the force broke up altogether; the Germans +scattered to their homes, the English crossed the seas, and Hepburn led +what remained of Sir Andrew Gray's bands to Sweden, where he offered +their services to Gustavus. The Swedish king had already a large number +of Scotch in his service, and Hepburn was made a colonel, having +a strong regiment composed of his old followers inured to war and +hardship, and strengthened by a number of new arrivals. When in 1625 +hostilities were renewed with Poland Hepburn's regiment formed part +of the army which invaded Polish Prussia. The first feat in which he +distinguished himself in the service of Sweden was at the relief of +Mewe, a town in Eastern Prussia, which was blockaded by King Sigismund +at the head of 30,000 Poles. The town is situated at the confluence of +the Bersa with the Vistula, which washes two sides of its walls. + +“In front of the other face is a steep green eminence which the Poles +had very strongly entrenched, and had erected upon it ten batteries +of heavy cannon. As the town could only be approached on this side the +difficulties of the relieving force were enormous; but as the relief of +the town was a necessity in order to enable Gustavus to carry out the +campaign he intended, the king determined to make a desperate effort to +effect it. + +“He selected 3000 of his best Scottish infantry, among whom was +Hepburn's own regiment, and 500 horse under Colonel Thurn. When they +were drawn up he gave them a short address on the desperate nature of +the service they were about to perform, namely, to cut a passage over a +strongly fortified hill defended by 30,000 men. The column, commanded +by Hepburn, started at dusk, and, unseen by the enemy, approached their +position, and working round it began to ascend the hill by a narrow +and winding path encumbered by rocks and stones, thick underwood, and +overhanging trees. + +“The difficulty for troops with heavy muskets, cartridges, breastplates, +and helmets, to make their way up such a place was enormous, and the +mountain side was so steep that they were frequently obliged to haul +themselves up by the branches of the trees; nevertheless, they managed +to make their way through the enemy's outposts unobserved, and reached +the summit, where the ground was smooth and level. + +“Here they fell at once upon the Poles, who were working busily at their +trenches, and for a time gained a footing there; but a deadly fire of +musketry with showers of arrows and stones, opened upon them from all +points, compelled the Scots to recoil from the trenches, when they were +instantly attacked by crowds of horsemen in mail shirts and steel caps. +Hepburn drew off his men till they reached a rock on the plateau, and +here they made their stand, the musketeers occupying the rock, the +pikemen forming in a wall around it. + +“They had brought with them the portable chevaux-de-frise carried by the +infantry in the Swedish service. They fixed this along in front, and +it aided the spearmen greatly in resisting the desperate charges of the +Polish horsemen. Hepburn was joined by Colonel Mostyn, an Englishman, +and Count Brahe, with 200 German arquebusiers, and this force for two +days withstood the incessant attacks of the whole of the Polish army. + +“While this desperate strife was going on, and the attention of the +enemy entirely occupied, Gustavus managed to pass a strong force of men +and a store of ammunition into the town, and the Poles, seeing that +he had achieved his purpose, retired unmolested. In every battle which +Gustavus fought Hepburn bore a prominent part. He distinguished himself +at the storming of Kesmark and the defeat of the Poles who were marching +to its relief. + +“He took part in the siege and capture of Marienburg and in the defeat +of the Poles at Dirschau. He was with Leslie when last year he defended +Stralsund against Wallenstein, and inflicted upon the haughty general +the first reverse he had ever met with. Truly Hepburn has won his +honours by the edge of the sword.” + +“Wallenstein is the greatest of the Imperial commanders, is he not?” + Farquhar asked. + +“He and Tilly,” Munro replied. “'Tis a question which is the greatest. +They are men of a very different stamp. Tilly is a soldier, and nothing +but a soldier, save that he is a fanatic in religion. He is as cruel as +he is brave, and as portentously ugly as he is cruel. + +“Wallenstein is a very different man. He has enormous ambition and great +talent, and his possessions are so vast that he is a dangerous subject +for any potentate, even the most powerful. Curiously enough, he was born +of Protestant parents, but when they died, while he was yet a child, he +was committed to the care of his uncle, Albert Slavata, a Jesuit, and +was by him brought up a strict Catholic. When he had finished the course +of his study at Metz he spent some time at the University of Altdorf, +and afterwards studied at Bologna and Padua. He then travelled in Italy, +Germany, France, Spain, England, and Holland, studying the military +forces and tactics of each country. + +“On his return to Bohemia he took service under the Emperor Rudolph +and joined the army of General Basta in Hungary, where he distinguished +himself greatly at the siege of Grau. When peace was made in 1606 +Wallenstein returned to Bohemia, and though he was but twenty-three +years old he married a wealthy old widow, all of whose large properties +came to him at her death eight years afterwards. + +“Five years later he raised at his own cost two hundred dragoons to +support Ferdinand of Gratz in his war against the Venetians. Here he +greatly distinguished himself, and was promoted to a colonelcy. He +married a second time, and again to one of the richest heiresses of +Austria. On the outbreak of the religious war of 1618 he raised a +regiment of Cuirassiers, and fought at its head. Two years later he was +made quartermaster general of the army, and marched at the head of an +independent force into Moravia, and there re-established the Imperial +authority. + +“The next year he bought from the Emperor Ferdinand, for a little over +7,000,000 florins, sixty properties which the emperor had confiscated +from Protestants whom he had either executed or banished. He had been +made a count at the time of his second marriage; he was now named a +prince, which title was changed into that of the Duke of Friedland. They +say that his wealth is so vast that he obtains two millions and a half +sterling a year from his various estates. + +“When in 1625 King Christian of Denmark joined in the war against the +emperor, Wallenstein raised at his own cost an army of 50,000 men +and defeated Mansfeldt's army. After that he cleared the Danes out +of Silesia, conquered Brandenburg and Mecklenburg, and laid siege to +Stralsund, and there broke his teeth against our Scottish pikes. For his +services in that war Wallenstein received the duchy of Mecklenburg. + +“At present he is in retirement. The conquests which his army have +made for the emperor aroused the suspicion and jealousy of the German +princes, and it may be that the emperor himself was glad enough of an +excuse to humble his too powerful subject. At any rate, Wallenstein's +army was disbanded, and he retired to one of his castles. You may +be sure we shall hear of him again. Tilly, you know, is the Bavarian +commander, and we shall probably encounter him before long.” + +New Brandenburg and several other towns were captured and strongly +garrisoned, 600 of Reay's regiment under Lieutenant Colonel Lindsay +being left in New Brandenburg. Nigel Graheme was still laid up, but his +company formed part of the force. + +“This is ill fortune indeed,” Malcolm said to Lieutenant Farquhar, “thus +to be shut up here while the army are marching away to win victories in +the field.” + +“It is indeed, Malcolm, but I suppose that the king thinks that Tilly is +likely to try and retake these places, and so to threaten his rear as +he marches forward. He would never have placed as strong a force of his +best soldiers here if he had not thought the position a very important +one.” + +The troops were quartered in the larger buildings of New Brandenburg; +the officers were billeted upon the burghers. The position of the +country people and the inhabitants of the towns of Germany during this +long and desolating war was terrible; no matter which side won, they +suffered. There were in those days no commissariat wagons bringing +up stores from depots and magazines to the armies. The troops lived +entirely upon the country through which they marched. In exceptional +cases, when the military chest happened to be well filled, the +provisions acquired might be paid for, but as a rule armies upon the +march lived by foraging. The cavalry swept in the flocks and herds +from the country round. Flour, forage, and everything else required was +seized wherever found, and the unhappy peasants and villagers thought +themselves lucky if they escaped with the loss of all they possessed, +without violence, insult, and ill treatment. The slightest resistance +to the exactions of the lawless foragers excited their fury, and +indiscriminate slaughter took place. The march of an army could be +followed by burned villages, demolished houses, crops destroyed, and +general ruin, havoc, and desolation. + +In the cases of towns these generally escaped indiscriminate plunder by +sending deputies forward to meet advancing armies, when an offer would +be made to the general to supply so much food and to pay so much money +on condition that private property was respected. In these cases the +main body of the troops was generally encamped outside the town. Along +the routes frequently followed by armies the country became a desert, +the hapless people forsook their ruined homes, and took refuge in the +forests or in the heart of the hills, carrying with them their portable +property, and driving before them a cow or two and a few goats. + +How great was the general slaughter and destruction may be judged by the +fact that the population of Germany decreased by half during the war, +and in Bohemia the slaughter was even greater. At the commencement of +the war the population of Bohemia consisted of 3,000,000 of people, +inhabiting 738 towns and 34,700 villages. At the end of the war there +were but 780,000 inhabitants, 230 towns, and 6000 villages. Thus three +out of four of the whole population had been slaughtered during the +struggle. + +Malcolm was, with Lieutenant Farquhar, quartered upon one of the +principal burghers of New Brandenburg, and syndic of the weavers. He +received them cordially. + +“I am glad,” he said, “to entertain two Scottish officers, and, to speak +frankly, your presence will be of no slight advantage, for it is only +the houses where officers are quartered which can hope to escape from +the plunder and exactions of the soldiers. My wife and I will do our +best to make you comfortable, but we cannot entertain you as we could +have done before this war began, for trade is altogether ruined. None +have money wherewith to buy goods. Even when free from the presence of +contending armies, the country is infested with parties of deserters or +disbanded soldiers, who plunder and murder all whom they meet, so that +none dare travel along the roads save in strong parties. I believe that +there is scarce a village standing within twenty miles, and many parts +have suffered much more than we have. If this war goes on, God help the +people, for I know not what will become of them. This is my house, will +you please to enter.” + +Entering a wide hall, he led them into a low sitting room where his wife +and three daughters were at work. They started up with looks of alarm at +the clatter of steel in the hall. + +“Wife,” the syndic said as he entered, “these are two gentlemen, +officers of the Scottish regiment; they will stay with us during the +occupation of the town. I know that you and the girls will do your best +to make their stay pleasant to them.” + +As the officers removed their helmets the apprehensions of the women +calmed down on perceiving that one of their guests was a young man of +three or four and twenty, while the other was a lad, and that both had +bright pleasant faces in no way answering the terrible reputation gained +by the invincible soldiers of the Swedish king. + +“I hope,” Farquhar said pleasantly, “that you will not put yourselves +out of your way for us. We are soldiers of fortune accustomed to sleep +on the ground and to live on the roughest fare, and since leaving +Scotland we have scarcely slept beneath a roof. We will be as little +trouble to you as we can, and our two soldier servants will do all that +we need.” + +Farquhar spoke in German, for so large a number of Germans were serving +among the Swedes that the Scottish officers had all learned to speak +that language and Swedish, German being absolutely necessary for their +intercourse with the country people. This was the more easy as the two +languages were akin to each other, and were less broadly separated from +English in those days than they are now. + +It was nearly a year since Farquhar and Malcolm had landed on the shores +of the Baltic, and living as they had done among Swedes and Germans, +they had had no difficulty in learning to speak both languages fluently. + + + +CHAPTER IV NEW BRANDENBURG + + +Farquhar and Malcolm Graheme were soon at home with their hosts. The +syndic had offered to have their meals prepared for them in a separate +chamber, but they begged to be allowed to take them with the family, +with whom they speedily became intimate. + +Three weeks after the capture of New Brandenburg the news came that +Tilly with a large army was rapidly approaching. + +Every effort was made to place the town in a position of defence. Day +after day messengers came in with the news that the other places which +had been garrisoned by the Swedes had been captured, and very shortly +the Imperialist army was seen approaching. The garrison knew that they +could expect no relief from Gustavus, who had ten days before marched +northward, and all prepared for a desperate resistance. The townsfolk +looked on with trembling apprehension, their sympathies were with the +defenders, and, moreover, they knew that in any case they might expect +pillage and rapine should the city be taken, for the property of the +townspeople when a city was captured was regarded by the soldiery as +their lawful prize, whether friendly to the conquerors or the reverse. +The town was at once summoned to surrender, and upon Lindsay's refusal +the guns were placed in position, and the siege began. + +As Tilly was anxious to march away to the north to oppose Gustavus he +spared no effort to reduce New Brandenburg as speedily as possible, and +his artillery fired night and day to effect breaches in the walls. The +Scotch officers saw little of their hosts now, for they were almost +continually upon the walls. + +At the first news of the approach of the Imperialists the syndic had +sent away his daughters to the house of a relative at Stralsund, where +his son was settled in business. When Farquhar and Malcolm returned to +eat a meal or to throw themselves on their beds to snatch a short sleep, +the syndic anxiously questioned them as to the progress of the +siege. The reports were not hopeful. In several places the walls were +crumbling, and it was probable that a storm would shortly be attempted. +The town itself was suffering heavily, for the balls of the besiegers +frequently flew high, and came crashing among the houses. Few of the +inhabitants were to be seen in the streets; all had buried their most +valuable property, and with scared faces awaited the issue of the +conflict. + +After six days' cannonade the walls were breached in many places, and +the Imperialists advanced to the assault. The Scotch defended them with +great resolution, and again and again the Imperialists recoiled, unable +to burst their way through the lines of pikes or to withstand the heavy +musketry fire poured upon them from the walls and buildings. + +But Tilly's army was so strong that he was able continually to bring up +fresh troops to the attack, while the Scotch were incessantly engaged. +For eight-and-forty hours the defenders resisted successfully, but at +last, worn out by fatigue, they were unable to withstand the onslaught +of the enemy, and the latter forced their way into the town. Still the +Scots fought on. Falling back from the breaches, they contested every +foot of the ground, holding the streets and lanes with desperate +tenacity, and inflicting terrible losses upon the enemy. + +At last, twelve hours later, they were gathered in the marketplace, +nearly in the centre of the town, surrounded on all sides by the enemy. +Several times the Scottish bugles had sounded a parley, but Tilly, +furious at the resistance, and at the loss which the capture of the town +had entailed, had issued orders that no quarter should be given, and his +troops pressed the now diminished band of Scotchmen on all sides. + +Even now they could not break through the circle of spears, but from +every window and roof commanding them a deadly fire was poured in. +Colonel Lindsay was shot dead. Captain Moncrieff, Lieutenant Keith, and +Farquhar fell close to Malcolm. The shouts of “Kill, kill, no quarter,” + rose from the masses of Imperialists. Parties of the Scotch, preferring +to die sword in hand rather than be shot down, flung themselves into the +midst of the enemy and died fighting. + +At last, when but fifty men remained standing, these in a close body +rushed at the enemy and drove them by the fury of their attack some +distance down the principal street. Then numbers told. The band was +broken up, and a desperate hand-to-hand conflict raged for a time. + +Two of the Scottish officers alone, Captain Innes and Lieutenant +Lumsden, succeeded in breaking their way down a side lane, and thence, +rushing to the wall, leapt down into the moat, and swimming across, +succeeded in making their escape, and in carrying the news of the +massacre to the camp of Gustavus, where the tale filled all with +indignation and fury. Among the Scotch regiments deep vows of vengeance +were interchanged, and in after battles the Imperialists had cause +bitterly to rue having refused quarter to the Scots at New Brandenburg. + +When the last melee was at its thickest, and all hope was at an end, +Malcolm, who had been fighting desperately with his half pike, found +himself for a moment in a doorway. He turned the handle, and it opened +at once. The house, like all the others, was full of Imperialists, who +had thrown themselves into it when the Scots made their charge, and were +now keeping up a fire at them from the upper windows. Closing the door +behind him, Malcolm stood for a moment to recover his breath. He had +passed unscathed through the three days' fighting, though his armour and +helmet were deeply dinted in many places. + +The din without and above was tremendous. The stroke of sword on armour, +the sharp crack of the pistols, the rattle of musketry, the shouts of +the Imperialists, and the wild defiant cries of the Highlanders mingled +together. + +As Malcolm stood panting he recalled the situation, and, remembering +that the syndic's house was in the street behind, he determined to gain +it, feeling sure that his host would shelter him if he could. Passing +through the house he issued into a courtyard, quickly stripped off his +armour and accoutrements, and threw them into an outhouse. Climbing on +the roof of this he got upon the wall, and ran along it until behind the +house of the syndic. He had no fear of being observed, for the attention +of all in the houses in the street he had left would be directed to the +conflict below. + +The sound of musketry had already ceased, telling that the work of +slaughter was well nigh over, when Malcolm dropped into the courtyard +of the syndic; the latter and his wife gave a cry of astonishment as the +lad entered the house, breathless and pale as death. + +“Can you shelter me awhile?” he said. “I believe that all my countrymen +are killed.” + +“We will do our best, my lad,” the syndic said at once. “But the houses +will be ransacked presently from top to bottom.” + +“Let him have one of the servant's disguises,” the wife said; “they can +all be trusted.” + +One of the serving men was at once called in, and he hurried off with +Malcolm. + +The young Scotchmen had made themselves very popular with the servants +by their courtesy and care to avoid giving unnecessary trouble, and in +a few minutes Malcolm was attired as a serving man, and joined the +servants who were busy in spreading the tables with provisions, and +in broaching a large cask of wine to allay the passions of the +Imperialists. + +It was not long before they came. Soon there was a thundering knocking +at the door, and upon its being opened a number of soldiers burst in. +Many were bleeding from wounds. All bore signs of the desperate strife +in which they had been engaged. + +“You are welcome,” the host said, advancing towards them. “I have made +preparations for your coming; eat and drink as it pleases you.” + +Rushing to the wine casks, the soldiers appeased their thirst with long +draughts of wine, and then fell upon the eatables. Other bands followed, +and the house was soon filled from top to bottom with soldiers, who +ransacked the cupboards, loaded themselves with such things as they +deemed worth carrying away, and wantonly broke and destroyed what they +could not. The servants were all kept busy bringing up wine from the +cellars. This was of good quality, and the soldiers, well satisfied, +abstained from personal violence. + +All night long pandemonium reigned in the town. Shrieks and cries, oaths +and sounds of conflict arose from all quarters, as citizens or their +wives were slaughtered by drunken soldiers, or the latter quarrelled and +fought among themselves for some article of plunder. Flames broke out in +many places, and whole streets were burned, many of the drunken soldiers +losing their lives in the burning houses; but in the morning the bugles +rang out, the soldiers desisted from their orgies, and such as were able +to stand staggered away to join their colours. + +A fresh party marched into the town; these collected the stragglers, +and seized all the horses and carts for the carriage of the baggage and +plunder. The burgomaster had been taken before Tilly and commanded to +find a considerable sum of money the first thing in the morning, under +threat that the whole town would be burned down, and the inhabitants +massacred if it was not forthcoming. + +A council of the principal inhabitants was hastily summoned at daybreak. +The syndics of the various guilds between them contributed the necessary +sum either in money or in drafts, and at noon Tilly marched away with +his troops, leaving the smoking and ruined town behind him. Many of the +inhabitants were forced as drivers to accompany the horses and carts +taken away. Among these were three of the syndic's serving men, Malcolm +being one of the number. + +It was well that the Pomeranian dialect differed so widely from the +Bavarian, so Malcolm's German had consequently passed muster without +suspicion. The Imperialist army, although dragging with them an immense +train of carts laden with plunder, marched rapidly. The baggage was +guarded by horsemen who kept the train in motion, galloping up and down +the line, and freely administering blows among their captives whenever a +delay or stoppage occurred. + +The whole country through which they passed was desolated and wasted, +and the army would have fared badly had it not been for the herds of +captured cattle they drove along with them, and the wagons laden with +flour and wine taken at New Brandenburg and the other towns they had +stormed. The marches were long, for Tilly was anxious to accomplish his +object before Gustavus should be aware of the direction he was taking. + +This object was the capture of the town of Magdeburg, a large and +important city, and one of the strongholds of Protestantism. Here he was +resolved to strike a blow which would, he believed, terrify Germany into +submission. + +When Gustavus heard that Tilly had marched west, he moved against +Frankfort-on-the-Oder, where the Imperialists were commanded by Count +Schomberg. The latter had taken every measure for the defence of the +town, destroying all the suburbs, burning the country houses and mills, +and cutting down the orchards and vineyards. + +Gustavus, accompanied by Sir John Hepburn, at once reconnoitred the +place and posted his troops. The Blue and Yellow Brigades were posted +among the vineyards on the road to Custrin; the White Brigade took post +opposite one of the two gates of the town. Hepburn and the Green Brigade +were stationed opposite the other. + +As the Swedes advanced the Imperialist garrison, who were 10,000 strong, +opened fire with musketry and cannon from the walls. The weakest point +in the defence was assigned by Schomberg to Colonel Walter Butler, who +commanded a regiment of Irish musketeers in the Imperialist service. +In the evening Hepburn and some other officers accompanied the king +to reconnoitre near the walls. A party of Imperialists, seeing some +officers approaching, and judging by their waving plumes they were +of importance, sallied quietly out of a postern gate unperceived and +suddenly opened fire. Lieutenant Munro, of Munro's regiment, was shot in +the leg, and Count Teuffel, a colonel of the Life Guards, in the arm. +A body of Hepburn's regiment, under Major Sinclair, rushed forward and +drove in the Imperialists, a lieutenant colonel and a captain being +captured. + +So hotly did they press the Imperialists that they were able to make a +lodgment, on some high ground near the rampart, on which stood an old +churchyard surrounded by a wall, and whence their fire could sweep +the enemy's works. Some cannon were at once brought up and placed in +position here, and opened fire on the Guben gate. Captain Gunter, of +Hepburn's regiment, went forward with twelve men, and in spite of a very +heavy fire from the walls reconnoitred the ditch and approaches to the +walls. + +The next day all was ready for the assault. It was Palm Sunday, the +3d of April, and the attack was to take place at five o'clock in the +afternoon. Before advancing, Hepburn and several of the other officers +wished to lay aside their armour, as its weight was great, and would +impede their movements. The king, however, forbade them to do so. + +“No,” he said; “he who loves my service will not risk life lightly. If +my officers are killed, who is to command my soldiers?” + +Fascines and scaling ladders were prepared. The Green Brigade were to +head the assault, and Gustavus, addressing them, bade them remember New +Brandenburg. + +At five o'clock a tremendous cannonade was opened on the walls from all +the Swedish batteries, and under cover of the smoke the Green Brigade +advanced to the assault. From the circle of the walls a cloud of smoke +and fire broke out from cannon and arquebus, muskets, and wall pieces. +Sir John Hepburn and Colonel Lumsden, side by side, led on their +regiments against the Guben gate; both carried petards. + +In spite of the tremendous fire poured upon them from the wall they +reached the gate, and the two colonels fixed the petards to it and +retired a few paces. In a minute there was a tremendous explosion, and +the gate fell scattered in fragments. Then the Scottish pikemen rushed +forward. As they did so there was a roar of cannon, and a storm of +bullets ploughed lanes through the close ranks of the pikemen, for the +Imperialists, expecting the attack, had placed cannon, loaded to the +muzzle with bullets, behind the gates. + +Munro's regiment now leapt into the moat, waded across, and planting +their ladders under a murderous fire, stormed the works flanking the +gate, and then joined their comrades, who were striving to make an +entrance. Hepburn, leading on the pikemen, was hit on the knee, where he +had in a former battle been badly wounded. + +“Go on, bully Munro,” he said jocularly to his old schoolfellow, “for I +am wounded.” + +A major who advanced to take his place at the head of the regiment +was shot dead, and so terrible was the fire that even the pikemen of +Hepburn's regiment wavered for a moment; but Munro and Lumsden, with +their vizors down and half pikes in their hands, cheered on their men, +and, side by side, led the way. + +“My hearts!” shouted Lumsden, waving his pike--“my brave hearts, let's +enter.” + +“Forward!” shouted Munro; “advance pikes!” + +With a wild cheer the Scots burst forward; the gates were stormed, +and in a moment the cannon, being seized, were turned, and volleys of +bullets poured upon the dense masses of the Imperialists. The pikemen +pressed forward in close column, shoulder to shoulder, the pikes +levelled in front, the musketeers behind firing on the Imperialists in +the houses. + +In the meantime Gustavus, with the Blue and Yellow Swedish Brigades, +stormed that part of the wall defended by Butler with his Irishmen. +These fought with extreme bravery, and continued their resistance until +almost every man was killed, when the two brigades burst into the +town, the White Brigade storming the wall in another quarter. Twice the +Imperialist drums beat a parley, but their sound was deadened by the +roar of musketry and the boom of cannon from wall and battery, and the +uproar and shouting in every street and house. The Green Brigade, under +its commander, maintained its regular order, pressing forward with +resistless strength. In vain the Austrians shouted for quarter. They +were met by shouts of--“Remember New Brandenburg!” + +Even now, when all was lost, Tilly's veterans fought with extreme +bravery and resolution; but at last, when Butler had fallen, and +Schomberg and Montecuculi, and a few other officers had succeeded in +escaping, all resistance ceased. Four colonels, 36 officers, and 3000 +men were killed. Fifty colours and ten baggage wagons, laden with gold +and silver plate, were captured. + +Many were taken prisoners, and hundreds were drowned in the Oder, across +which the survivors of the garrison made their escape. Plundering at +once began, and several houses were set on fire; but Gustavus ordered +the drums to beat, and the soldiers to repair to their colours outside +the town, which was committed to the charge of Sir John Hepburn, with +his regiment. + +The rumour that Magdeburg was the next object of attack circulated among +Tilly's troops the day after they marched west from New Brandenburg. It +originated in some chance word dropped by a superior officer, and seemed +confirmed by the direction which they were taking which was directly +away from the Swedish army. There was a report, too, that Count +Pappenheim, who commanded a separate army, would meet Tilly there, and +that every effort would be made to capture the town before Gustavus +could march to its assistance. + +Malcolm could easily have made his escape the first night after leaving +New Brandenburg; but the distance to be traversed to join the Swedish +army was great, confusion and disorder reigned everywhere, and he had +decided that it would be safer to remain with the Imperialist army until +Gustavus should approach within striking distance. On the road he kept +with the other two men who had been taken with the horses from the +syndic of the weavers, and, chatting with them when the convoy halted, +he had not the least fear of being questioned by others. Indeed, none of +those in the long train of carts and wagons paid much attention to their +fellows, all had been alike forced to accompany the Imperialists, and +each was too much occupied by the hardships of his own lot, and by +thoughts of the home from which he had been torn, to seek for the +companionship of his comrades in misfortune. + +As soon, however, as Malcolm heard the report of Tilly's intentions, he +saw that it was of the utmost importance that the King of Sweden should +be informed of the Imperialist plans as early as possible, and he +determined at once to start and endeavour to make his way across the +country. At nightfall the train with the baggage and plunder was as +usual so placed that it was surrounded by the camps of the various +brigades of the army in order to prevent desertion. The previous night +an escape would have been comparatively easy, for the soldiers were worn +out by their exertions at the siege of New Brandenburg, and were still +heavy from the drink they had obtained there; but discipline was now +restored, and the sentries were on the alert. A close cordon of these +was placed around the baggage train; and when this was passed, there +would still be the difficulty of escaping through the camps of soldiery, +and of passing the outposts. Malcolm waited until the camp became quiet, +or rather comparatively quiet, for the supplies of wine were far from +exhausted, and revelling was still going on in various parts of the +camp, for the rigid discipline in use in modern armies was at that time +unknown, and except when on duty in the ranks a wide amount of license +was permitted to the soldiers. The night was fine and bright, and +Malcolm saw that it would be difficult to get through the line of +sentries who were stationed some thirty or forty yards apart. + +After thinking for some time he went up to a group of eight or ten +horses which were fastened by their bridles to a large store wagon on +the outside of the baggage camp. Malcolm unfastened the bridles and +turned the horses heads outwards. Then he gave two of them a sharp prick +with his dagger, and the startled animals dashed forward in affright, +followed by their companions. They passed close to one of the sentries, +who tried in vain to stop them, and then burst into the camp beyond, +where their rush startled the horses picketed there. These began to kick +and struggle desperately to free themselves from their fastenings. The +soldiers, startled at the sudden noise, sprang to their feet, and much +confusion reigned until the runaway horses were secured and driven back +to their lines. + +The instant he had thus diverted the attention of the whole line of +sentries along that side of the baggage camp, Malcolm crept quietly up +and passed between them. Turning from the direction in which the horses +had disturbed the camp, he made his way cautiously along. Only the +officers had tents, the men sleeping on the ground around their fires. +He had to move with the greatest caution to avoid treading upon the +sleepers, and was constantly compelled to make detours to get beyond +the range of the fires, round which groups of men were sitting and +carousing. + +At last he reached the outside of the camp, and taking advantage of +every clump of bushes he had no difficulty in making his way through the +outposts, for as the enemy was known to be far away, no great vigilance +was observed by the sentries. He had still to be watchful, for fires +were blazing in a score of places over the country round, showing that +the foragers of the army were at their usual work of rapine, and he +might at any moment meet one of these returning laden with spoil. + +Once or twice, indeed, he heard the galloping of bodies of horse, and +the sound of distant pistol shots and the shrieks of women came faintly +to his ears. He passed on, however, without meeting with any of the +foraging parties, and by morning was fifteen miles away from Tilly's +camp. Entering a wood he threw himself down and slept soundly for some +hours. It was nearly noon before he started again. After an hour's +walking he came upon the ruins of a village. Smoke was still curling up +from the charred beams and rafters of the cottages, and the destruction +had evidently taken place but the day before. The bodies of several +men and women lay scattered among the houses; two or three dogs were +prowling about, and these growled angrily at the intruder, and would +have attacked him had he not flourished a club which he had cut in the +woods for self defence. + +Moving about through the village he heard a sound of wild laughter, and +going in that direction saw a woman sitting on the ground. In her lap +was a dead child pierced through with a lance. The woman was talking +and laughing to it, her clothes were torn, and her hair fell in wild +disorder over her shoulders. It needed but a glance to tell Malcolm that +the poor creature was mad, distraught by the horrors of the previous +day. + +A peasant stood by leaning on a stick, mournfully regarding her. He +turned suddenly round with the weapon uplifted at the sound of Malcolm's +approach, but lowered it on seeing that the newcomer was a lad. + +“I hoped you were a soldier,” the peasant said, as he lowered his stick. +“I should like to kill one, and then to be killed myself. My God, what +is life worth living for in this unhappy country? Three times since the +war began has our village been burned, but each time we were warned of +the approach of the plunderers, and escaped in time. Yesterday they came +when I was away, and see what they have done;” and he pointed to his +wife and child, and to the corpses scattered about. + +“It is terrible,” Malcolm replied. “I was taken a prisoner but two days +since at the sack of New Brandenburg, but I have managed to escape. I am +a Scot, and am on my way now to join the army of the Swedes, which will, +I hope, soon punish the villains who have done this damage.” + +“I shall take my wife to her mother,” the peasant said, “and leave +her there. I hope God will take her soon, and then I will go and take +service under the Swedish king, and will slay till I am slain. I would +kill myself now, but that I would fain avenge my wife and child on some +of these murderers of Tilly's before I die.” + +Malcolm felt that the case was far beyond any attempt at consolation. + +“If you come to the Swedish army ask for Ensign Malcolm Graheme of +Reay's Scottish regiment, and I will take you to one of the German +corps, where you will understand the language of your comrades.” So +saying he turned from the bloodstained village and continued his way. + + + +CHAPTER V MARAUDERS + + +Malcolm had brought with him from Tilly's camp a supply of provisions +sufficient for three or four days, and a flask of wine. Before he +started from New Brandenburg the syndic had slipped into his band a +purse containing ten gold pieces, and whenever he came to a village +which had escaped the ravages of the war he had no difficulty in +obtaining provisions. + +It was pitiable at each place to see the anxiety with which the +villagers crowded round him upon his arrival and questioned him as to +the position of the armies and whether he had met with any parties +of raiders on the way. Everywhere the cattle had been driven into the +woods; boys were posted as lookouts on eminences at a distance to bring +in word should any body of men be seen moving in that direction; and the +inhabitants were prepared to fly instantly at the approach of danger. + +The news that Tilly's army was marching in the opposite direction was +received with a deep sense of thankfulness and relief, for they were +now assured of a respite from his plunderers, although still exposed to +danger from the arrival of some of the numerous bands. These, nominally +fighting for one or other of the parties, were in truth nothing but +marauders, being composed of deserters and desperadoes of all kinds, who +lived upon the misfortunes of the country, and were even more cruel and +pitiless than were the regular troops. + +At one of these villages Malcolm exchanged his attire as a serving man +of a rich burgher for that of a peasant lad. He was in ignorance of the +present position of the Swedish army, and was making for the intrenched +camp of Schwedt, on the Oder, which Gustavus had not left when he had +last heard of him. + +On the fourth day after leaving the camp of Tilly, as Malcolm was +proceeding across a bare and desolate country he heard a sound of +galloping behind him, and saw a party of six rough looking horsemen +coming along the road. As flight would have been useless he continued +his way until they overtook him. They reined up when they reached him. + +“Where are you going, boy, and where do you belong to?” the leader of +the party asked. + +“I am going in search of work,” Malcolm answered. “My village is +destroyed and my parents killed.” + +“Don't tell me that tale,” the man said, drawing a pistol from his +holster. “I can tell by your speech that you are not a native of these +parts.” + +There was nothing in the appointments of the men to indicate which party +they favoured, and Malcolm thought it better to state exactly who he +was, for a doubtful answer might be followed by a pistol shot, which +would have brought his career to a close. + +“You are right,” he said quietly; “but in these times it is not safe +always to state one's errand to all comers. I am a Scotch officer in the +army of the King of Sweden. I was in New Brandenburg when it was stormed +by Tilly. I disguised myself, and, passing unnoticed, was forced to +accompany his army as a teamster. The second night I escaped, and am now +making my way to Schwedt, where I hope to find the army.” + +The man replaced his pistol. + +“You are an outspoken lad,” he said laughing, “and a fearless one. I +believe that your story is true, for no German boor would have looked +me in the face and answered so quietly; but I have heard that the Scotch +scarce know what danger is, though they will find Tilly and Pappenheim +very different customers to the Poles.” + +“Which side do you fight on?” Malcolm asked. + +“A frank question and a bold one!” the leader laughed. “What say you, +men? Whom are we for just at present? We were for the Imperialists the +other day, but now they have marched away, and as it may be the Swedes +will be coming in this direction, I fancy that we shall soon find +ourselves on the side of the new religion.” + +The men laughed. “What shall we do with this boy? To begin with, if he +is what he says, no doubt he has some money with him.” + +Malcolm at once drew out his purse. “Here are nine gold pieces,” he +said. “They are all I have, save some small change.” + +“That is better than nothing,” the leader said, pocketing the purse. +“And now what shall we do with him?” + +“He is a Protestant,” one of the men replied; “best shoot him.” + +“I should say,” another said, “that we had best make him our cook. Old +Rollo is always grumbling at being kept at the work, and his cooking +gets worse and worse. I could not get my jaws into the meat this +morning.” + +A murmur of agreement was raised by the other horsemen. + +“So be it,” the leader said. “Dost hear, lad? You have the choice +whether you will be cook to a band of honourable gentlemen or be shot at +once.” + +“The choice pleases me not,” Malcolm replied. “Still, if it must +needs be, I would prefer for a time the post of cook to the other +alternative.” + +“And mind you,” the leader said sharply, “at the first attempt to escape +we string you up to the nearest bough. Carl, do you lead him back and +set him to work, and tell the men there to keep a sharp watch upon him.” + +One of the men turned his horse, and, with Malcolm walking by his side, +left the party. They soon turned aside from the road, and after a ride +of five miles across a rough and broken country entered a wood. Another +half mile and they reached the foot of an eminence, on the summit of +which stood a ruined castle. Several horses were picketed among the +trees at the foot of the hill, and two men were sitting near them +cleaning their arms. The sight of these deterred Malcolm from carrying +into execution the plan which he had formed--namely, to strike down his +guard with his club as he dismounted, to leap on his horse, and ride +off. + +“Who have you there, Carl?” one of the men asked as they rose and +approached the newcomers. + +“A prisoner,” Carl said, “whom the captain has appointed to the +honourable office of cook instead of old Rollo, whose food gets harder +and tougher every day. You are to keep a sharp eye over the lad, who +says he is a Scotch officer of the Swedes, and to shoot him down if he +attempts to escape.” + +“Why, I thought those Scots were very devils to fight,” one of the men +said, “and this is but a boy. How comes he here?” + +“He told the captain his story, and he believed it,” Carl said +carelessly, “and the captain is not easily taken in. He was captured by +Tilly at New Brandenburg, which town we heard yesterday he assaulted and +sacked, killing every man of the garrison; but it seems this boy put +on a disguise, and being but a boy I suppose passed unnoticed, and was +taken off as a teamster with Tilly's army. He gave them the slip, but +as he has managed to fall into our hands I don't know that he has gained +much by the exchange. Now, youngster, go up to the castle.” + +Having picketed his horse the man led the way up the steep hill. When +they reached the castle Malcolm saw that it was less ruined than it had +appeared to be from below. The battlements had indeed crumbled away, +and there were cracks and fissures in the upper parts of the walls, +but below the walls were still solid and unbroken, and as the rock was +almost precipitous, save at the point at which a narrow path wound up +to the entrance, it was still capable of making a stout defence against +attack. + +A strong but roughly made gate, evidently of quite recent make, hung +on the hinges, and passing through it Malcolm found himself in the +courtyard of the castle. Crossing this he entered with his guide what +had once been the principal room of the castle. A good fire blazed in +the centre; around this half a dozen men were lying on a thick couch of +straw. Malcolm's guide repeated the history of the newcomer, and then +passed through with him into a smaller apartment, where a man was +attending to several sauce pans over a fire. + +“Rollo,” he said, “I bring you a substitute. You have been always +grumbling about being told off for the cooking, just because you +happened to be the oldest of the band. Here is a lad who will take your +place, and tomorrow you can mount your horse and ride with the rest of +us.” + +“And be poisoned, I suppose, with bad food when I return,” the man +grumbled--“a nice lookout truly.” + +“There's one thing, you old grumbler, it is quite certain he cannot do +worse than you do. My jaws ache now with trying to eat the food you gave +us this morning. Another week and you would have starved the whole band +to death.” + +“Very well,” the man said surlily; “we will see whether you have gained +by the exchange. What does this boy know about cooking?” + +“Very little, I am afraid,” Malcolm said cheerfully; “but at least I can +try. If I must be a cook I will at least do my best to be a good one. +Now, what have you got in these pots?” + +Rollo grumblingly enumerated their contents, and then putting on his +doublet went out to join his comrades in the hall, leaving Malcolm to +his new duties. + +The latter set to work with a will. He saw that it was best to appear +contented with the situation, and to gain as far as possible the +goodwill of the band by his attention to their wants. In this way their +vigilance would become relaxed, and some mode of escape might open +itself to him. At dusk the rest of the band returned, and Malcolm found +that those who had met him with the captain were but a portion of the +party, as three other companies of equal strength arrived at about the +same time, the total number mounting up to over thirty. + +Malcolm was conscious that the supper was far from being a success; but +for this he was not responsible, as the cooking was well advanced when +he undertook it; however the band were not dissatisfied, for it was +much better than they had been accustomed to, as Malcolm had procured +woodwork from the disused part of the castle, and had kept the fire +briskly going; whereas his predecessor in the office had been too +indolent to get sufficient wood to keep the water on the boil. + +In the year which Malcolm had spent in camp he had learned a good deal +of rough cookery, for when on active duty the officers had often to +shift for themselves, and consequently next day he was able to produce +a dinner so far in advance of that to which the band was accustomed that +their approbation was warmly and loudly expressed. + +The stew was juicy and tender, the roast done to a turn, and the +bread, baked on an iron plate, was pronounced to be excellent. The band +declared that their new cook was a treasure. Malcolm had already found +that though he could move about the castle as he chose, one of the band +was now always stationed at the gate with pike and pistols, while at +night the door between the room in which he cooked and the hall was +closed, and two or three heavy logs thrown against it. + +Under the pretence of getting wood Malcolm soon explored the castle. The +upper rooms were all roofless and open to the air. There were no windows +on the side upon which the path ascended, and by which alone an attack +upon the castle was possible. Here the walls were pierced only by narrow +loopholes for arrows or musketry. On the other sides the windows were +large, for here the steepness of the rock protected the castle from +attack. + +The kitchen in which he cooked and slept had no other entrance save that +into the hall, the doorway into the courtyard being closed by a heap of +fallen stones from above. Two or three narrow slits in the wall allowed +light and air to enter. Malcolm saw that escape at night, after he had +once been shut in, was impossible, and that in the daytime he could not +pass out by the gate; for even if by a sudden surprise he overpowered +the sentry there, he would be met at the bottom of the path by the +two men who were always stationed as guards to the horses, and to give +notice of the approach of strangers. + +The only chance of escape, therefore, was by lowering himself from one +of the windows behind, down the steep rock. To do this a rope of some +seventy feet long was necessary, and after a careful search through the +ruins he failed to discover even the shortest piece of rope. + +That afternoon some of the band on their return from foraging drove in +half a dozen cattle, and one of these was with much difficulty compelled +to climb up the path to the castle, and was slaughtered in the yard. + +“There, Scot, are victuals for the next week; cut it up, and throw the +head and offal down the rock behind.” + +As Malcolm commenced his unpleasant task a thought suddenly struck him, +and he laboured away cheerfully and hopefully. After cutting up the +animal into quarters he threw the head, the lower joints of the legs, +and the offal, from the window. The hide he carried, with the four +quarters, into his kitchen, and there concealed it under the pile of +straw which served for his bed. + +When the dinner was over, and the usual carousal had begun, and he knew +there was no chance of any of the freebooters coming into the room, he +spread out the hide on the floor, cut off the edges, and trimmed it up +till it was nearly circular in form, and then began to cut a strip two +inches wide round and round till he reached the centre. This gave him a +thong of over a hundred feet long. Tying one end to a ring in the wall +he twisted the long strip until it assumed the form of a rope, which +was, he was sure, strong enough to bear many times his weight. + +This part of the work was done after the freebooters had retired to +rest. When he had finished cutting the hide he went in as usual and sat +down with them as they drank, as he wished to appear contented with his +position. The freebooters were discussing an attack upon a village some +thirty miles away. It lay in a secluded position, and had so far escaped +pillage either by the armies or wandering bands. The captain said he had +learned that the principal farmer was a well-to-do man with a large herd +of cattle, some good horses, and a well stocked house. It was finally +agreed that the band should the next day carry out another raid which +had already been decided upon, and that they should on the day following +that sack and burn Glogau. + +As soon as the majority of the band had started in the morning Malcolm +made his way with his rope to the back of the castle, fastened it to the +window, and launched himself over the rock, which, although too steep +to climb, was not perpendicular; and holding by the rope Malcolm had +no difficulty in lowering himself down. He had before starting taken +a brace of pistols and a sword from the heap of weapons which the +freebooters had collected in their raids, and as soon as he reached the +ground he struck off through the wood. + +Enough had been said during the conversation the night before to +indicate the direction in which Glogau lay, and he determined, in the +first place, to warn the inhabitants of the village of the fate which +the freebooters intended for them. + +He walked miles before seeing a single person in the deserted fields. He +had long since left the wood, and was now traversing the open country, +frequently turning round to examine the country around him, for at +any moment after he had left, his absence from the castle might be +discovered, and the pursuit begun. He hoped, however, that two or three +hours at least would elapse before the discovery was made. + +He had, before starting, piled high the fire in the hall, and had placed +plenty of logs for the purpose of replenishing it close at hand. He put +tankards on the board, and with them a large jug full of wine, so that +the freebooters would have no occasion to call for him, and unless they +wanted him they would be unlikely to look into the kitchen. Except when +occasionally breaking into a walk to get breath, he ran steadily on. +It was not until he had gone nearly ten miles that he saw a goatherd +tending a few goats, and from him he learned the direction of Glogau, +and was glad to find he had not gone very far out of the direct line. +At last, after asking the way several times, he arrived within a short +distance of the village. The ground had now become undulating, and the +slopes were covered with trees. The village lay up a valley, and it +was evident that the road he was travelling was but little frequented, +ending probably at the village itself. Proceeding for nearly two miles +through a wood he came suddenly upon Glogau. + +It stood near the head of the valley, which was here free of trees, +and some cultivated fields lay around it. The houses were surrounded +by fruit trees, and an air of peace and tranquillity prevailed such as +Malcolm had not seen before since he left his native country. One house +was much larger than the rest; several stacks stood in the rick yard, +and the large stables and barns gave a proof of the prosperity of its +owner. The war which had already devastated a great part of Germany had +passed by this secluded hamlet. + +No signs of work were to be seen, the village was as still and quiet as +if it was deserted. Suddenly Malcolm remembered that it was the Sabbath, +which, though always kept strictly by the Scotch and Swedish soldiers +when in camp, for the most part passed unobserved when they were engaged +in active service. Malcolm turned his steps towards the house; as he +neared it he heard the sound of singing within. The door was open, and +he entered and found himself on the threshold of a large apartment in +which some twenty men and twice as many women and children were standing +singing a hymn which was led by a venerable pastor who stood at the head +of the room, with a powerfully built elderly man, evidently the master +of the house, near him. + +The singing was not interrupted by the entrance of the newcomer. Many +eyes were cast in his direction, but seeing that their leaders went on +unmoved, the little congregation continued their hymn with great fervour +and force. When they had done the pastor prayed for some time, and then +dismissed the congregation with his blessing. They filed out in a quiet +and orderly way, but not until the last had left did the master of the +house show any sign of observing Malcolm, who had taken his place near +the door. + +Then he said gravely, “Strangers do not often find their way to Glogau, +and in truth we can do without them, for a stranger in these times too +often means a foe; but you are young, my lad, though strong enough to +bear weapons, and can mean us no ill. What is it that brings you to our +quiet village?” + +“I have, sir, but this morning escaped from the hands of the freebooters +at Wolfsburg, and I come to warn you that last night I heard them agree +to attack and sack your village tomorrow; therefore, before pursuing my +own way, which is to the camp of the Swedish king, in whose service I +am, I came hither to warn you of their intention.” + +Exclamations of alarm arose from the females of the farmer's family, who +were sitting at the end of the room. The farmer waved his hand and the +women were instantly silent. + +“This is bad news, truly,” he said gravely; “hitherto God has protected +our village and suffered us to worship Him in our own way in peace and +in quiet in spite of the decrees of emperors and princes. This gang +of Wolfsburg have long been a scourge to the country around it, and +terrible are the tales we have heard of their violence and cruelty. +I have for weeks feared that sooner or later they would extend their +ravages even to this secluded spot.” + +“And, indeed, I thank you, brave youth, for the warning you have given +us, which will enable us to send our womenkind, our cattle and horses, +to a place of safety before these scourges of God arrive here. Gretchen, +place food and wine before this youth who has done us so great a +service; doubtless he is hungry and thirsty, for 'tis a long journey +from Wolfsburg hither.” + +“What think you, father, shall I warn the men at once of the coming +danger, or shall I let them sleep quietly this Sabbath night for the +last time in their old homes?” + +“What time, think you, will these marauders leave their hold?” the +pastor asked Malcolm. + +“They will probably start by daybreak,” Malcolm said, “seeing that the +journey is a long one; but this is not certain, as they may intend +to remain here for the night, and to return with their plunder on the +following day to the castle.” + +“But, sir,” he went on, turning to the farmer, “surely you will not +abandon your home and goods thus tamely to these freebooters. You have +here, unless I am mistaken, fully twenty stout men capable of bearing +arms; the marauders number but thirty in all, and they always leave at +least five to guard the castle and two as sentries over the horses; thus +you will not have more than twenty-three to cope with. Had they, as they +expected, taken you by surprise, this force would have been ample to +put down all resistance here; but as you will be prepared for them, and +will, therefore, take them by surprise, it seems to me that you should +be able to make a good fight of it, stout men-at-arms though the +villains be.” + +“You speak boldly, sir, for one but a boy in years,” the pastor said; +“it is lawful, nay it is right to defend one's home against these +lawless pillagers and murderers, but as you say, evil though their ways +are, these freebooters are stout men-at-arms, and we have heard that +they have taken a terrible vengeance on the villages which have ventured +to oppose them.” + +“I am a Scottish officer in the King of Sweden's army,” Malcolm said, +“and fought at Schiefelbrune and New Brandenburg, and in the fight when +the Imperialists tried to relieve Colberg, and having, I hope, done my +duty in three such desperate struggles against the Imperialist veterans, +I need not shrink from an encounter with these freebooters. If you +decide to defend the village I am ready to strike a blow at them, for +they have held me captive for five days, and have degraded me by making +me cook for them.” + +A slight titter was heard among the younger females at the indignant +tone in which Malcolm spoke of his enforced culinary work. + +“And you are truly one of those Scottish soldiers of the Swedish hero +who fight so stoutly for the Faith and of whose deeds we have heard so +much!” the pastor said. “Truly we are glad to see you. Our prayers have +not been wanting night and morning for the success of the champions of +the Reformed Faith. What say you, my friend? Shall we take the advice of +this young soldier and venture our lives for the defence of our homes?” + +“That will we,” the farmer said warmly. “He is used to war, and can give +us good advice. As far as strength goes, our men are not wanting. Each +has his sword and pike, and there are four or five arquebuses in the +village. Yes, if there be a chance of success, even of the slightest, we +will do our best as men in defence of our homes.” + + + +CHAPTER VI THE ATTACK ON THE VILLAGE + + +“And now,” the farmer said to Malcolm, “what is your advice? That we +will fight is settled. When, where, and how? This house is strongly +built, and we could so strengthen its doors and windows with beams that +we might hold out for a long time against them.” + +“No,” Malcolm said, “that would not be my advice. Assuredly we might +defend the house; but in that case the rest of the village, the herds +and granaries, would fall into their hands. To do any good, we must +fight them in the wood on their way hither. But although I hope for +a favourable issue, I should strongly advise that you should have the +herds and horses driven away. Send off all your more valuable goods in +the wagons, with your women and children, to a distance. We shall fight +all the better if we know that they are all in safety. Some of the old +men and boys will suffice for this work. And now, methinks, you had best +summon the men, for there will be work for them tonight.” + +The bell which was used to call the hands from their work in the fields +and woods at sunset soon sounded, and the men in surprise came trooping +in at the summons. When they were assembled the farmer told them the +news he had heard, and the determination which had been arrived at to +defend the village. + +After the first movement of alarm caused by the name of the dreaded band +of the Wolfsburg had subsided Malcolm was glad to see an expression +of stout determination come over the faces of the assemblage, and all +declared themselves ready to fight to the last. Four of the elder men +were told off at once to superintend the placing of the more movable +household goods of the village in wagons, which were to set out at +daybreak with the cattle and families. + +“Now,” Malcolm said, “I want the rest to bring mattocks and shovels and +to accompany me along the road. There is one spot which I marked as I +came along as being specially suited for defence.” + +This was about half a mile away, and as darkness had now set in the men +lighted torches, and with their implements followed him. At the spot +which he had selected there was for the distance of a hundred yards a +thick growth of underwood bordering the track on either side. Across the +road, at the end of the passage nearest to the farm, Malcolm directed +ten of the men to dig a pit twelve feet wide and eight feet deep. The +rest of the men he set to work to cut nearly through the trunks of the +trees standing nearest the road until they were ready to fall. + +Ten trees were so treated, five on either side of the road. Standing, as +they did, among the undergrowth, the operation which had been performed +on them was invisible to any one passing by. Ropes were now fastened to +the upper part of the trees and carried across the road, almost hidden +from sight by the foliage which met over the path. When the pit was +completed the earth which had been taken from it was scattered in the +wood out of sight. Light boughs were then placed over the hole. These +were covered with earth and sods trampled down until the break in the +road was not perceptible to a casual eye. + +This was done by Malcolm himself, as the lightest of the party, the +boughs sufficing to bear his weight, although they would give way +at once beneath that of a horse. The men all worked with vigour and +alacrity as soon as they understood Malcolm's plans. Daylight was +breaking when the preparations were completed. Malcolm now divided the +party, and told them off to their respective posts. They were sixteen in +all, excluding the pastor. + +Eight were placed on each side of the road. Those on one side were +gathered near the pit which had been dug, those on the other were +opposite to the tree which was farthest down the valley. The freebooters +were to be allowed to pass along until the foremost fell into the pit. +The men stationed there were at once to haul upon the rope attached to +the tree near it and to bring it down. Its fall would bar the road and +prevent the horsemen from leaping the pit. Those in the rear were, +if they heard the crash before the last of the marauders had passed +through, to wait until they had closed up, which they were sure to do +when the obstacle was reached, and then to fell the tree to bar their +retreat. + +The instant this was done both parties were to run to other ropes and +to bring down the trees upon the horsemen gathered on the road, and were +then to fall upon them with axe, pike, and arquebus. + +“If it works as well as I expect,” Malcolm said, “not one of them will +escape from the trap.” + +Soon after daybreak bowls of milk and trays of bread and meat were +brought down to the workers by some of the women. As there was no +immediate expectation of attack, the farmer himself, with the pastor, +went back to the village to cheer the women before their departure. + +“You need not be afraid, wife,” the farmer said. “I shall keep to my +plans, because when you have once made a plan it is foolish to change +it; but I deem not that there is any real need for sending you and +the wagons and beasts away. This young Scotch lad seems made for a +commander, and truly, if all his countrymen are like himself, I wonder +no longer that the Poles and Imperialists have been unable to withstand +them. Truly he has constructed a trap from which this band of villains +will have but little chance of escape, and I trust that we may slay them +without much loss to ourselves. What rejoicings will there not be in +the fifty villages when the news comes that their oppressors have +been killed! The good God has assuredly sent this youth hither as His +instrument in defeating the oppressors, even as He chose the shepherd +boy David out of Israel to be the scourge of the Philistines.” + +By this time all was ready for a start, and having seen the wagons +fairly on their way the farmer returned to the wood, the pastor +accompanying the women. Three hours passed before there were any signs +of the marauders, and Malcolm began to think that the idea might +have occurred to them that he had gone to Glogau, and that they might +therefore have postponed their raid upon that village until they could +make sure of taking it by surprise, and so capturing all the horses +and valuables before the villagers had time to remove them. Glogau was, +however, quite out of Malcolm's direct line for the Swedish camp, and +it was hardly likely that the freebooters would think that their late +captive would go out of his way to warn the village, in which he had no +interest whatever; indeed they would scarcely be likely to recall the +fact that he had been present when they were discussing their proposed +expedition against it. + +All doubts were, however, set at rest when a boy who had been stationed +in a high tree near the edge of the wood ran in with the news that a +band of horsemen were riding across the plain, and would be there in a +few minutes. Every one fell into his appointed place. The farmer himself +took the command of the party on one side of the road, Malcolm of that +on the other. Matches were blown, and the priming of the arquebuses +looked to; then they gathered round the ropes, and listened for the +tramp of horses. + +Although it was but a few minutes before it came, the time seemed long +to those waiting; but at last a vague sound was heard, which rapidly +rose into a loud trampling of horses. The marauders had been riding +quietly until they neared the wood, as speed was no object; but as they +wished to take the village by surprise--and it was just possible that +they might have been seen approaching--they were now riding rapidly. + +Suddenly the earth gave way under the feet of the horses of the captain +and his lieutenant, who were riding at the head of the troop, and men +and animals disappeared from the sight of those who followed. The two +men behind them pulled their horses back on their haunches, and checked +them at the edge of the pit into which their leaders had fallen. + +As they did so a loud crack was heard, and a great tree came crashing +down, falling directly upon them, striking them and their horses to the +ground. A loud cry of astonishment and alarm rose from those behind, +followed by curses and exclamations of rage. A few seconds after the +fall of the tree there was a crash in the rear of the party, and to +their astonishment the freebooters saw that another tree had fallen +there, and that a barricade of boughs and leaves closed their way behind +as in front. Deprived of their leaders, bewildered and alarmed at this +strange and unexpected occurrence, the marauders remained irresolute. +Two or three of those in front got off their horses and tried to make +their way to the assistance of their comrades who were lying crushed +under the mass of foliage, and of their leaders in the pit beyond. + +But now almost simultaneously two more crashes were heard, and a tree +from each side fell upon them. Panic stricken now the horsemen strove to +dash through the underwood, but their progress was arrested, for among +the bushes ropes had been fastened from tree to tree; stakes had been +driven in, and the bushes interlaced with cords. The trees continued to +fall till the portion of the road occupied by the troop was covered by a +heap of fallen wood and leaf. Then for the first time the silence in the +wood beyond them was broken, the flashes of firearms darted out from the +brushwood, and then with a shout a number of men armed with pikes and +axes sprang forward to the attack. + +A few only of the marauders were in a position to offer any resistance +whatever. The greater portion were buried under the mass of foliage. +Many had been struck down by the trunks or heavy arms of the trees. +All were hampered and confused by the situation in which they found +themselves. Under such circumstances it was a massacre rather than a +fight. Malcolm, seeing the inability of the freebooters to oppose any +formidable resistance, sheathed his sword, and left it to the peasants +to avenge the countless murders which the band had committed, and the +ruin and misery which they had inflicted upon the country. + +In a few minutes all was over. The brigands were shot down, piked, or +slain by the heavy axes through the openings in their leafy prison. +Quarter was neither asked for nor given. The freebooters knew that it +would be useless, and died cursing their foes and their own fate in +being thus slaughtered like rats in a trap. Two or three of the peasants +were wounded by pistol shots, but this was all the injury that their +success cost them. + +“The wicked have digged a pit, and they have fallen into it themselves,” + the farmer said as he approached the spot where Malcolm was standing, +some little distance from the scene of slaughter. “Verily the Lord hath +delivered them into our hands. I understand, my young friend, why you +as a soldier did not aid in the slaughter of these villains. It is your +trade to fight in open battle, and you care not to slay your enemies +when helpless; but with us it is different. We regard them as wild +beasts, without heart or pity, as scourges to be annihilated when we +have the chance; just as in winter we slay the wolves who come down to +attack our herds.” + +“I blame you not,” Malcolm said. “When men take to the life of wild +beasts they must be slain as such. Now my task is done, and I will +journey on at once to join my countrymen; but I will give you one piece +of advice before I go. + +“In the course of a day or two the party left at Wolfsburg will grow +uneasy, and two of their number are sure to ride hither to inquire as to +the tarrying of the band. Let your men with arquebuses keep watch night +and day and shoot them down when they arrive. Were I in your place I +would then mount a dozen of your men and let them put on the armour of +these dead robbers and ride to Wolfsburg, arriving there about daybreak. +If they see you coming they will take you to be the band returning. The +two men below you will cut down without difficulty, and there will then +be but three or four to deal with in the castle. + +“I recommend you to make a complete end of them; and for this reason: if +any of the band survive they will join themselves with some other party +and will be sure to endeavour to get them to avenge this slaughter; +for although these bands have no love for each other, yet they would be +ready enough to take up each other's quarrel as against country folk, +especially when there is a hope of plunder. Exterminate them, then, and +advise your men to keep their secret. Few can have seen the brigands +riding hither today. When it is found that the band have disappeared the +country around will thank God, and will have little curiosity as to how +they have gone. You will of course clear the path again and bury their +bodies; and were I you I would prepare at once another ambush like that +into which they have fallen, and when a second band of marauders comes +into this part of the country set a watch night and day. Your men will +in future be better armed than hitherto, as each of those freebooters +carries a brace of pistols. And now, as I would fain be off as soon as +possible, I would ask you to let your men set to work with their axes +and cut away the boughs and to get me out a horse. Several of them +must have been killed by the falling trees, and some by the fire of the +arquebuses; but no doubt there are some uninjured.” + +In a quarter of an hour a horse was brought up, together with the helmet +and armour worn by the late captain of the band. + +As Malcolm mounted, the men crowded round him and loaded him with thanks +and blessings for the danger from which he had delivered them, their +wives and families. + +When the fugitives had left the village a store of cooked provisions +had been left behind for the use of the defenders during the day. As +the women could not be fetched back before nightfall, the farmer had +despatched a man for some of this food and the wallets on the saddle +were filled with sufficient to last Malcolm for three or four days. + +A brace of pistols were placed in the holsters, and with a last farewell +to the farmer Malcolm gave the rein to his horse and rode away from the +village. He travelled fast now and without fear of interruption. The +sight of armed men riding to join one or other of the armies was too +common to attract any attention, and avoiding large towns Malcolm rode +unmolested across the plain. + +He presently heard the report that the Swedes had captured +Frankfort-on-the-Oder, and as he approached that town, after four days' +riding, heard that they had moved towards Landsberg. Thither he followed +them, and came up to them outside the walls of that place six days after +leaving Glogau. The main body of the Swedish army had remained in and +around Frankfort, Gustavus having marched against Landsberg with only +3200 musketeers, 12 pieces of cannon, and a strong body of horse. +Hepburn and Reay's Scotch regiments formed part of the column, and +Malcolm with delight again saw the green scarves and banners. + +As he rode into the camp of his regiment he was unnoticed by the +soldiers until he reached the tents of the officers, before which +Colonel Munro was standing talking with several others. On seeing +an officer approach in full armour they looked up, and a cry of +astonishment broke from them on recognizing Malcolm. + +“Is it you, Malcolm Graheme, or your wraith?” Munro exclaimed. + +“It is I in the flesh, colonel, sound and hearty.” + +“Why, my dear lad,” Munro exclaimed, holding out his hand, “we thought +you had fallen at the sack of New Brandenburg. Innes and Lumsden were +believed to be the only ones who had escaped.” + +“I have come through it, nevertheless,” Malcolm said; “but it is a long +story, colonel, and I would ask you first if the king has learned what +Tilly is doing.” + +“No, he has received no news whatever of him since he heard of the +affair at New Brandenburg, and is most anxious lest he should fall upon +the army at Frankfort while we are away. Do you know aught about him?” + +“Tilly marched west from New Brandenburg,” Malcolm said, “and is now +besieging Magdeburg.” + +“This is news indeed,” Munro said; “you must come with me at once to the +king.” + +Malcolm followed Colonel Munro to the royal tent, which was but a +few hundred yards away. Gustavus had just returned after visiting the +advanced lines round the city. On being told that Colonel Munro wished +to speak to him on important business, he at once came to the entrance +of his tent. + +“Allow me to present to you, sire, Malcolm Graheme, a very gallant young +officer of my regiment. He was at New Brandenburg, and I deemed that +he had fallen there; how he escaped I have not yet had time to learn, +seeing that he has but now ridden into the camp; but as he is bearer +of news of the whereabouts of Tilly and his army, I thought it best to +bring him immediately to you.” + +“Well, sir,” Gustavus said anxiously to Malcolm, “what is your news?” + +“Tilly is besieging Magdeburg, sire, with his whole strength.” + +“Magdeburg!” Gustavus exclaimed incredulously. “Are you sure of your +news? I deemed him advancing upon Frankfort.” + +“Quite sure, sire, for I accompanied his column to within two marches of +the city, and there was no secret of his intentions. He started for that +town on the very day after he had captured New Brandenburg.” + +“This is important, indeed,” Gustavus said; “follow me,” and he turned +and entered the tent. Spread out on the table was a large map, which the +king at once consulted. + +“You see, Colonel Munro, that to relieve Magdeburg I must march +through Kustrin, Berlin, and Spandau, and the first and last are strong +fortresses. I can do nothing until the Elector of Brandenburg declares +for us, and gives us leave to pass those places, for I dare not march +round and leave them in my rear until sure that this weak prince will +not take sides with the Imperialists. I will despatch a messenger +tonight to him at Berlin demanding leave to march through his territory +to relieve Magdeburg. In the meantime we will finish off with this +place, and so be in readiness to march west when his answer arrives. +And now, sir,” he went on, turning to Malcolm, “please to give me the +account of how you escaped first from New Brandenburg, and then from +Tilly.” + +Malcolm related briefly the manner of his escape from the massacre at +New Brandenburg, and how, after accompanying Tilly's army as a teamster +for two days, he had made his escape. He then still more briefly related +how he had been taken prisoner by a band of freebooters, but had managed +to get away from them, and had drawn them into an ambush by peasants, +where they had been slain, by which means he had obtained a horse and +ridden straight to the army. + +Gustavus asked many questions, and elicited many more details than +Malcolm had deemed it necessary to give in his first recital. + +“You have shown great prudence and forethought,” the king said when he +had finished, “such as would not be looked for in so young a soldier.” + +“And he behaved, sire, with distinguished gallantry and coolness at +Schiefelbrune, and in the destructive fight outside Colberg,” Colonel +Munro put in. “By the slaughter on the latter day he would naturally +have obtained his promotion, but he begged to be passed over, asserting +that it was best that at his age he should remain for a time an ensign.” + +“Such modesty is unusual,” the king said, “and pleases me; see the next +time a step is vacant, colonel, that he has it. Whatever his age, he has +shown himself fit to do man's work, and years are of no great value in a +soldier; why, among all my Scottish regiments I have scarcely a colonel +who is yet thirty years old.” + +Malcolm now returned with Colonel Munro to the regiment, and there had +to give a full and minute account of his adventures, and was warmly +congratulated by his fellow officers on his good fortune in escaping +from the dangers which had beset him. The suit of armour was a handsome +one, and had been doubtless stripped off from the body of some knight +or noble murdered by the freebooters. The leg pieces Malcolm laid aside, +retaining only a cuirass, back piece, and helmet, as the full armour was +too heavy for service on foot. + +Two days later the king gave orders that the assault upon Landsberg was +to be made that night. The place was extremely strong, and Gustavus had +in his previous campaign twice failed in attempts to capture it. +Since that time the Imperialists had been busy in strengthening the +fortification, and all the peasantry for ten miles round had been +employed in throwing up earthworks; but its principal defence was in +the marsh which surrounded it, and which rendered the construction of +approaches by besiegers almost impossible. Its importance consisted in +the fact that from its great strength its garrison dominated the whole +district known as the Marc of Brandenburg. It was the key to Silesia, +and guarded the approaches to Pomerania, and its possession was +therefore of supreme importance to Gustavus. The garrison consisted of +five thousand Imperialist infantry and twelve troops of horse, the whole +commanded by Count Gratz. The principal approach to the town was guarded +by a strong redoubt armed with numerous artillery. + +Colonel Munro had advanced his trenches to within a short distance of +this redoubt, and had mounted the twelve pieces of cannon to play upon +it, but so solid was the masonry of the fort that their fire produced +but little visible effect. Gustavus had brought from Frankfort as guide +on the march a blacksmith who was a native of Landsberg, and this man +had informed him of a postern gate into the town which would not be +likely to be defended, as to reach it it would be necessary to cross a +swamp flanked by the advanced redoubt and covered with water. + +For two days previous to the assault the troops had been at work +cutting bushes and trees, and preparing the materials for constructing +a floating causeway across the mud and water. As soon as night fell +the men were set to work laying down the causeway, and when this was +finished the column advanced to the attack. It consisted of 250 pikemen +under Colonel Munro, and the same number of the dragoons under Colonel +Deubattel. Hepburn with 1000 musketeers followed a short distance behind +them. + +The pikemen led the way, and passed along the floating causeway without +difficulty, but the causeway swayed and often sank under the feet of the +cavalry behind them. These, however, also managed to get across. Their +approach was entirely unobserved, and they effected an entrance into the +town. + +Scarcely had they done so when they came upon a body of three hundred +Imperialists who were about to make a sally under Colonel Gratz, son of +the governor. The pikemen at once fell upon them. Taken by surprise the +Imperialists fought nevertheless stoutly, and eighty of the Scots fell +under the fire of their musketry. But the pikemen charged home; Colonel +Gratz was killed, with many of his men, and the rest taken prisoners. +Hepburn marching on behind heard the din of musketry and pressed +forward; before reaching the town he found a place in the swamp +sufficiently firm to enable his men to march across it, and, turning +off, he led his troops between the town and the redoubt, and then +attacked the latter in the rear where its defences were weak, and after +three minutes' fighting with its surprised and disheartened garrison the +latter surrendered. + +The redoubt having fallen, and Munro's men having effected a lodgment +in the town, while the retreat on one side was cut off by the force of +Gustavus, and on the other by a strong body of cavalry under Marshal +Horn, the governor sent a drummer to Colonel Munro to say that he +was ready to surrender, and to ask for terms. The drummer was sent to +Gustavus, who agreed that the garrison should be allowed to march away +with the honours of war, taking their baggage and effects with them. +Accordingly at eight o'clock the Count of Gratz at the head of his +soldiers marched out with colours flying and drums beating, and retired +into Silesia. A garrison was placed in Landsberg, and the blacksmith +appointed burgomaster of the town. Landsberg fell on the 15th of April, +and on the 18th the force marched back to Frankfort. + + + +CHAPTER VII A QUIET TIME + + +In spite of the urgent entreaties of Gustavus and the pressing peril of +Magdeburg, the wavering Duke of Brandenburg could not bring himself +to join the Swedes. He delivered Spandau over to them, but would do no +more. The Swedish army accordingly marched to Berlin and invested his +capital. The duke sent his wife to Gustavus to beseech him to draw off +his army and allow him to remain neutral; but Gustavus would not listen +to his entreaties, and insisted, as the only condition upon which he +would raise the siege, that the duke should ally himself with him, and +that the troops of Brandenburg should join his army. + +These conditions the duke was obliged to accept, but in the meantime his +long hesitation and delay had caused the loss of Magdeburg, which after +a gallant defence was stormed by the troops of Pappenheim and Tilly on +the 10th of May. The ferocious Tilly had determined upon a deed which +would, he believed, frighten Germany into submission; he ordered that no +quarter should be given, and for five days the city was handed over to +the troops. + +History has no record since the days of Attila of so frightful a +massacre. Neither age nor sex was spared, and 30,000 men, women, and +children were ruthlessly massacred. The result for a time justified the +anticipations of the ferocious leader. The terrible deed sent a shudder +of horror and terror through Protestant Germany. It seemed, too, as if +the catastrophe might have been averted had the Swedes shown diligence +and marched to the relief of the city; for in such a time men were not +inclined to discuss how much of the blame rested upon the shoulders of +the Duke of Brandenburg, who was, in fact, alone responsible for the +delay of the Swedes. + +Many of the princes and free towns which had hitherto been staunch to +the cause of Protestantism at once hastened to make their peace with +the emperor. For a time the sack of Magdeburg greatly strengthened the +Imperialist cause. No sooner did the news reach the ears of the Duke +of Brandenburg than his fears overcame him, and he wrote to Gustavus +withdrawing from the treaty he had made, and saying that as Spandau had +only been delivered to him in order that he might march to the relief of +Magdeburg he was now bound in honour to restore it. + +Gustavus at once ordered Spandau to be evacuated by his troops, and +again marched with the army against Berlin, which he had but a few days +before left. Here he again dictated terms, which the duke was forced to +agree to. + +The Swedish army now marched to Old Brandenburg, thirty-four miles west +of Berlin, and there remained for some time waiting until some expected +reinforcements should reach it. + +The place was extremely unhealthy, and great numbers died from malaria +and fever, thirty of Munro's musketeers dying in a single week. During +this time the king was negotiating with the Elector of Saxony and the +Landgrave of Hesse. These were the two most powerful of the Protestant +princes in that part of Germany, and Tilly resolved to reduce them to +obedience before the army of Gustavus was in a position to move forward, +for at present his force was too small to enable him to take the field +against the united armies of Tilly and Pappenheim. + +He first fell upon the Landgrave of Hesse, and laid Thuringen waste with +fire and sword. Frankenhausen was plundered and burned to the ground. +Erfurt saved itself from a similar fate by the payment of a large sum of +money, and by engaging to supply great stores of provisions for the use +of the Imperial army. The Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel was next summoned +by Tilly, who threatened to carry fire and sword through his dominions +unless he would immediately disband his troops, pay a heavy contribution +and receive the Imperial troops into his cities and fortresses; but the +landgrave refused to accept the terms. + +Owing to the unhealthiness of the district round Old Brandenburg, +Gustavus raised his camp there, and marched forward to Werben near the +junction of the Elbe with the Havel. He was joined there by his young +queen, Maria Eleonora, with a reinforcement of 8000 men, and by the +Marquis of Hamilton with 6200, for the most part Scotch, who had been +raised by him with the consent of Charles I, to whom the marquis was +master of the horse. + +Werben was distant but a few miles from Magdeburg, and Pappenheim, who +commanded the troops in that neighbourhood, seeing that Gustavus was now +in a position to take the field against him, sent an urgent message to +Tilly for assistance; and the Imperial general, who was on the point of +attacking the Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel, at once marched with his army +and effected a junction with Pappenheim, their combined force being +greatly superior to that of Gustavus even after the latter had received +his reinforcements. + +Malcolm had not accompanied the army in its march from Old Brandenburg. +He had been prostrated by fever, and although he shook off the attack it +left him so weak and feeble that he was altogether unfit for duty. +The army was still lying in its swampy quarters, and the leech who had +attended him declared that he could never recover his strength in such +an unhealthy air. Nigel Graheme, who had now rejoined the regiment cured +of his wound, reported the surgeon's opinion to Munro. + +“I am not surprised,” the colonel said, “and there are many others in +the same state; but whither can I send them? The Elector of Brandenburg +is so fickle and treacherous that he may at any moment turn against us.” + +“I was speaking to Malcolm,” Nigel replied, “and he said that he would +he could go for a time to recruit his health in that village among the +hills where he had the fight with the freebooters who made him captive. +He said he was sure of a cordial welcome there, and it is but three +days' march from here.” + +“'Tis an out-of-the-way place,” Munro said, “and if we move west +we shall be still further removed from it. There are Imperial bands +everywhere harrying the country unguarded by us, and one of these might +at any moment swoop down into that neighbourhood.” + +“That is true; but, after all, it would be better that he should run +that risk than sink from weakness as so many have done here after +getting through the first attack of fever.” + +“That is so, Nigel, and if you and Malcolm prefer that risk to the other +I will not say you nay; but what is good for him is good for others, and +I will ask the surgeon to make me a list of twenty men who are strong +enough to journey by easy stages, and who yet absolutely require to get +out of this poisonous air to enable them to effect their recovery. We +will furnish them with one of the baggage wagons of the regiment, so +that they can ride when they choose. Tell the paymaster to give each +man in advance a month's pay, that they may have money to pay what they +need. Horses are scarce, so we can give them but two with the wagon, but +that will be sufficient as they will journey slowly. See that a steady +and experienced driver is told off with them. They had best start at +daybreak tomorrow morning.” + +At the appointed time the wagon was in readiness, and those who had to +accompany Malcolm gathered round, together with many of their comrades +who had assembled to wish them Godspeed. The pikes and muskets, helmets +and breast pieces were placed in the wagon, and then the fever stricken +band formed up before it. + +Munro, Nigel, and most of the officers came down to bid farewell to +Malcolm, and to wish him a speedy return in good health. Then he placed +himself at the head of the band and marched off, the wagon following in +the rear. Before they had been gone a mile several of the men had been +compelled to take their places in the wagon, and by the time three miles +had been passed the rest had one by one been forced to give in. + +Malcolm was one of the last. He took his seat by the driver, and the +now heavily freighted wagon moved slowly across the country. A store of +provisions sufficient for several days had been placed in the wagon, and +after proceeding fifteen miles a halt was made at a deserted village, +and two of the houses in the best condition were taken possession of, +Malcolm and the sergeant of the party, a young fellow named Sinclair, +occupying the one, and the men taking up their quarters in another. + +The next morning the benefit of the change and the removal from the +fever tainted air made itself already apparent. The distance performed +on foot was somewhat longer than on the preceding day; the men were in +better spirits, and marched with a brisker step than that with which +they had left the camp. At the end of the fourth day they approached the +wood in which the village was situated. + +“I will go on ahead,” Malcolm said. “Our approach will probably have +been seen, and unless they know who we are we may meet with but a rough +welcome. Halt the wagon here until one returns with news that you may +proceed, for there may be pitfalls in the road.” + +Malcolm had kept the horse on which he had ridden to Landsberg, and it +had been tied behind the wagon. During the last day's march he had been +strong enough to ride it. He now dismounted, and taking the bridle over +his arm he entered the wood. He examined the road cautiously as he went +along. He had gone about half way when the farmer with four of his men +armed with pikes suddenly appeared in the road before him. + +“Who are you,” the farmer asked, “and what would you here?” + +“Do you not remember me?” Malcolm said. “It is but three months since I +was here.” + +“Bless me, it is our Scottish friend! Why, lad, I knew you not again, so +changed are you. Why, what has happened to you?” + +“I have had the fever,” Malcolm said, “and have been like to die; but I +thought that a change to the pure air of your hills and woods here would +set me up. So I have travelled here to ask your hospitality.” + +By this time the farmer had come up and had grasped Malcolm's hand. + +“All that I have is yours,” he said warmly. “The lookout saw a wagon +coming across the plain with three or four men walking beside it, and he +thought that many more were seated in it; so thinking that this might be +a ruse of some freebooting band, I had the alarm bell rung, and prepared +to give them a hot reception.” + +“I have brought some sick comrades with me,” Malcolm said. “I have no +thought of quartering them on you. That would be nigh as bad as the +arrival of a party of marauders, for they are getting strength, and +will, I warrant you, have keen appetites ere long; but we have brought +tents, and will pay for all we have.” + +“Do not talk of payment,” the farmer said heartily. “As long as there is +flour in the storehouse and bacon on the beams, any Scottish soldier of +Gustavus is welcome to it, still more if they be comrades of thine.” + +“Thanks, indeed,” Malcolm replied. “I left them at the edge of the wood, +for I knew not what welcome you might have prepared here; and seeing so +many men you might have shot at them before waiting to ask a question.” + +“That is possible enough,” the farmer said, “for indeed we could hardly +look for friends. The men are all posted a hundred yards further on.” + +The farmer ordered one of his men to go on and bring up the wagon, and +then with Malcolm walked on to the village. A call that all was right +brought out the defenders of the ambush. It had been arranged similarly +to that which had been so successful before, except that instead of the +pit, several strong ropes had been laid across the road, to be tightened +breast high as soon as an enemy came close to them. + +“These are not as good as the pit,” the farmer said as they passed them; +“but as we have to use the road sometimes we could not keep a pit +here, which, moreover, might have given way and injured any one from a +neighbouring village who might be riding hither. We have made a strong +stockade of beams among the underwood on either side, so that none could +break through into the wood from the path.” + +“That is good,” Malcolm said; “but were I you I would dig a pit across +the road some twelve feet wide, and would cover it with a stout door +with a catch, so that it would bear wagons crossing, but when the catch +is drawn it should rest only on some light supports below, and would +give way at once if a weight came on it. It would, of course, be covered +over with turf. It will take some time to make, but it will add greatly +to your safety.” + +“It shall be done,” the farmer said. “Wood is in plenty, and some of my +men are good carpenters. I will set about it at once.” + +On arriving at the village Malcolm was cordially welcomed by the +farmer's wife and daughters. The guest chamber was instantly prepared +for him and refreshments laid on the table, while the maids, under the +direction of the farmer's wife, at once began to cook a bounteous meal +in readiness for the arrival of the soldiers. A spot was chosen on some +smooth turf under the shade of trees for the erection of the tents, and +trusses of clean straw carried there for bedding. + +Malcolm as he sat in the cool chamber in the farm house felt the change +delightful after the hot dusty journey across the plain. There was quite +an excitement in the little village when the wagon drove up. The men +lifted the arms and baggage from the wagon. The women offered fruit and +flagons of wine, and fresh cool water, to the soldiers. There was not +only general pleasure throughout the village caused by the novelty of +the arrival of the party from the outer world, but a real satisfaction +in receiving these men who had fought so bravely against the oppressors +of the Protestants of Germany. There was also the feeling that so long +as this body of soldiers might remain in the village they would be able +to sleep in peace and security, safe from the attacks of any marauding +band. The tents were soon pitched by the peasants under the direction of +Sergeant Sinclair, straw was laid down in them, and the canvas raised to +allow the air to sweep through them. + +Very grateful were the weary men for the kindness with which they were +received, and even the weakest felt that they should soon recover their +strength. + +In an hour two men came up from the farm house carrying a huge pot +filled with strong soup. Another brought a great dish of stew. Women +carried wooden platters, bowls of stewed fruit, and loaves of bread; and +the soldiers, seated upon the grass, fell to with an appetite such as +they had not experienced for weeks. With the meal was an abundant supply +of the rough but wholesome wine of the country. + +To the Scottish soldiers after the hardships they had passed through, +this secluded valley seemed a perfect paradise. They had nought to do +save to eat their meals, to sleep on the turf in the shade, or to wander +in the woods and gardens free to pick what fruit they fancied. Under +these circumstances they rapidly picked up strength, and in a week after +their arrival would hardly have been recognized as the feeble band who +had left the Swedish camp at Old Brandenburg. + +On Sunday the pastor arrived. He did not live permanently at the +village, but ministered to the inhabitants of several villages scattered +among the hills, holding services in them by turns, and remaining a few +days in each. As the congregation was too large for the room in the farm +house the service was held in the open air. The Scotch soldiers were all +present, and joined heartily in the singing, although many of them were +ignorant of the language, and sang the words of Scotch hymns to the +German tunes. + +Even the roughest of them, and those who had been longest away from +their native country, were much moved by the service. The hush and +stillness, the air of quiet and peace which prevailed, the fervour with +which all joined in the simple service, took them back in thought to the +days of their youth in quiet Scottish glens, and many a hand was passed +hastily across eyes which had not been moistened for many a year. + +The armour and arms were now cleaned and polished, and for a short time +each day Malcolm exercised them. The martial appearance and perfect +discipline of the Scots struck the villagers with admiration the first +time they saw them under arms, and they earnestly begged Malcolm that +they might receive from him and Sergeant Sinclair some instruction in +drill. + +Accordingly every evening when work was done the men of the village were +formed up and drilled. Several of the soldiers took their places with +them in the ranks in order to aid them by their example. After the drill +there was sword and pike exercise, and as most of the men had already +some knowledge of the use of arms they made rapid progress, and felt an +increased confidence in their power to defend the village against the +attacks of any small bands of plunderers. To Malcolm the time passed +delightfully. His kind hosts vied with each other in their efforts to +make him comfortable, and it was in vain that he assured them that he +no longer needed attention and care. A seat was always placed for him +in the coolest nook in the room, fresh grapes and other fruit stood in +readiness on a table hard by. The farmer's daughters, busy as they were +in their household avocations, were always ready to sit and talk with +him when he was indoors, and of an evening to sing him the country +melodies. + +At the end of a fortnight the men were all fit for duty again, but the +hospitable farmer would not hear of their leaving, and as news from +time to time reached them from the outer world, and Malcolm learned that +there was no chance of any engagement for a time between the hostile +armies, he was only too glad to remain. + +Another fortnight passed, and Malcolm reluctantly gave the word that on +the morrow the march must be recommenced. A general feeling of sorrow +reigned in the village when it was known that their guests were about to +depart, for the Scottish soldiers had made themselves extremely popular. +They were ever ready to assist in the labours of the village. They +helped to pick the apples from the heavily laden trees, they assisted to +thrash out the corn, and in every way strove to repay their entertainers +for the kindness they had shown them. + +Of an evening their camp had been the rendezvous of the whole village. +There alternately the soldiers and the peasants sang their national +songs, and joined in hearty choruses. Sometimes there were dances, for +many of the villagers played on various instruments; and altogether +Glogau had never known such a time of festivity and cheerfulness before. + +Late in the evening of the day before they had fixed for their departure +the pastor rode into the village. + +“I have bad news,” he said. “A party of Pappenheim's dragoons, three +hundred strong, are raiding in the district on the other side of the +hills. A man came in just as I mounted my horse, saying that it was +expected they would attack Mansfeld, whose count is a sturdy Protestant. +The people were determined to resist to the last, in spite of the fate +of Magdeburg and Frankenhausen, but I fear that their chance of success +is a small one; but they say they may as well die fighting as be +slaughtered in cold blood.” + +“Is Mansfeld fortified?” Malcolm asked. + +“It has a wall,” the pastor replied, “but of no great strength. The +count's castle, which stands on a rock adjoining it, might defend itself +for some time, but I question whether it can withstand Pappenheim's +veterans. + +“Mansfeld itself is little more than a village. I should not say it +had more than a thousand inhabitants, and can muster at best about two +hundred and fifty men capable of bearing arms.” + +“How far is it from here?” Malcolm asked after a pause. + +“Twenty-four miles by the bridle path across the hills.” + +“When were the Imperialists expected to arrive?” + +“They were ten miles away this morning,” the pastor replied; “but as +they were plundering and burning as they went they will not probably +arrive before Mansfeld before the morning. Some of the more timid +citizens were leaving, and many were sending away their wives and +families.” + +“Then,” Malcolm said, “I will march thither at once. Twenty good +soldiers may make all the difference, and although I have, of course, no +orders for such an emergency, the king can hardly blame me even if the +worst happens for striking a blow against the Imperialists here. Will +you give me a man,” he asked the farmer, “to guide us across the hills?” + +“That will I right willingly,” the farmer said; “but it seems to me a +desperate service to embark in. These townspeople are of little good for +fighting, and probably intend only to make a show of resistance in order +to procure better terms. The count himself is a brave nobleman, but I +fear that the enterprise is a hopeless one.” + +“Hopeless or not,” Malcolm said, “I will undertake it, and will at once +put the men under arms. The wagon and horses with the baggage I will +leave here till I return, that is if we should ever come back again.” + +A tap of the drum and the soldiers came running in hastily from various +cottages where they were spending their last evening with their village +friends, wondering at the sudden summons to arms. As soon as they had +fallen in, Malcolm joined them. + +“Men,” he said, “I am sorry to disturb you on your last evening here, +but there is business on hand. A party of Pappenheim's dragoons are +about to attack the town of Mansfeld, where the people are of the +Reformed Religion. The siege will begin in the morning, and ere that +time we must be there. We have all got fat and lazy, and a little +fighting will do us good.” + +The thought of a coming fray reconciled the men to their departure +from their quiet and happy resting place. Armour was donned, buckles +fastened, and arms inspected, and in half an hour, after a cordial adieu +from their kind hosts, the detachment marched off, their guide with a +lighted torch leading the way. The men were in light marching order, +having left everything superfluous behind them in the wagon; and they +marched briskly along over hill and through forest without a halt, till +at three o'clock in the morning the little town of Mansfeld, with its +castle rising above it, was visible before them in the first light of +morning. + +As they approached the walls a musketoon was fired, and the alarm bell +of the church instantly rang out. Soon armed men made their appearance +on the walls. Fearing that the burghers might fire before waiting to +ascertain who were the newcomers, Malcolm halted his band, and advanced +alone towards the walls. + +“Who are you who come in arms to the peaceful town of Mansfeld?” an +officer asked from the wall. + +“I am an officer of his Swedish Majesty, Gustavus, and hearing that +the town was threatened with attack by the Imperialists, I have marched +hither with my detachment to aid in the defence.” + +A loud cheer broke from the walls. Not only was the reinforcement a most +welcome one, small as it was, for the valour of the Scottish soldiers +of the King of Sweden was at that time the talk of all Germany, but the +fact that a detachment of these redoubted troops had arrived seemed a +proof that the main army of the Swedish king could not be far away. +The gates were at once opened, and Malcolm with his band marched into +Mansfield. + + + +CHAPTER VIII THE SIEGE OF MANSFELD + + +“Will it please your worship at once to repair to the castle?” the +leader of the townspeople said. “The count has just sent down to inquire +into the reason of the alarm.” + +“Yes,” Malcolm replied, “I will go at once. In the meantime, sir, I +pray you to see to the wants of my soldiers, who have taken a long night +march and will be none the worse for some refreshment. Hast seen aught +of the Imperialists?” + +“They are at a village but a mile distant on the other side of the +town,” the citizen said. “Yesterday we counted eighteen villages in +flames, and the peasants who have come in say that numbers have been +slain by them.” + +“There is little mercy to be expected from the butchers of Magdeburg,” + Malcolm replied; “the only arguments they will listen to are steel and +lead, and we will not be sparing of these.” + +A murmur of assent rang through the townsfolk who had gathered round, +and then the burgomaster himself led Malcolm up the ascent to the +castle. The news that the newcomers were a party of Scots had already +been sent up to the castle, and as Malcolm entered the gateway the count +came forward to welcome him. + +“You are welcome indeed, fair sir,” he said. “It seems almost as if you +had arrived from the clouds to our assistance, for we had heard that the +Swedish king and his army were encamped around Old Brandenburg. + +“His majesty has moved west, I hear,” Malcolm said; “but we have been a +month away from the camp. My detachment consisted of a body of invalids +who came up among the hills to get rid of the fever which was playing +such havoc among our ranks. I am glad to say that all are restored, and +fit as ever for a meeting with the Imperialists. I heard but yestereven +that you were expecting an attack, and have marched all night to be here +in time. My party is a small one, but each man can be relied upon; and +when it comes to hard fighting twenty in good soldiers may turn the +day.” + +“You are heartily welcome, sir, and I thank you much for coming to our +aid. The townspeople are determined to do their best, but most of them +have little skill in arms. I have a score or two of old soldiers here in +the castle, and had hoped to be able to hold this to the end; but truly +I despaired of a successful defence of the town. But enter, I pray you; +the countess will be glad to welcome you.” + +Malcolm accompanied the count to the banquet hall of the castle. The +countess, a gentle and graceful woman, was already there; for indeed but +few in Mansfeld had closed an eye that night, for it was possible that +the Imperialists might attack without delay. By her side stood her +daughter, a girl of about fourteen years old. Malcolm had already stated +his name to the count, and the latter now presented him to his wife. + +“We have heard so much of the Scottish soldiers,” she said as she held +out her hand, over which Malcolm bent deeply, “that we have all been +curious to see them, little dreaming that a band of them would appear +here like good angels in our hour of danger.” + +“It was a fortunate accident which found me within reach when I heard of +the approach of the Imperialists. The names of the Count and Countess +of Mansfeld are so well known and so highly esteemed through Protestant +Germany that I was sure that the king would approve of my hastening to +lend what aid I might to you without orders from him.” + +“I see you have learned to flatter,” the countess said smiling. “This is +my daughter Thekla.” + +“I am glad to see you,” the girl said; “but I am a little disappointed. +I had thought that the Scots were such big fierce soldiers, and you +are not very big--not so tall as papa; and you do not look fierce at +all--not half so fierce as my cousin Caspar, who is but a boy.” + +“That is very rude, Thekla,” her mother said reprovingly, while Malcolm +laughed gaily. + +“You are quite right, Fraulein Thekla. I know I do not look very fierce, +but I hope when my moustache grows I shall come up more nearly to your +expectations. As to my height, I have some years to grow yet, seeing +that I am scarce eighteen, and perhaps no older than your cousin.” + +“Have you recently joined, sir?” the countess asked. + +“I have served through the campaign,” Malcolm replied, “and have seen +some hard knocks given, as you may imagine when I tell you that I was at +the siege of New Brandenburg.” + +“When your soldiers fought like heroes, and, as I heard, all died sword +in hand save two or three officers who managed to escape.” + +“I was one of the three, countess; but the tale is a long one, and can +be told after we have done with the Imperialists. Now, sir,” he went on, +turning to the count, “I am at your orders, and will take post with my +men at any point that you may think fit.” + +“Before doing that,” the count said, “you must join us at breakfast. You +must be hungry after your long march, and as I have been all night in +my armour I shall do justice to it myself. You will, of course, take +up your abode here. As to other matters I have done my best, and the +townspeople were yesterday all told off to their places on the walls. +I should think it were best that your band were stationed in the +marketplace as a reserve, they could then move to any point which might +be seriously threatened. Should the Imperialists enter the town the +citizens have orders to fall back here fighting. All their most valuable +goods were sent up here yesterday, together with such of their wives +and families as have not taken flight, so that there will be nothing to +distract them from their duty.” + +“That is good,” Malcolm said. “The thought that one is fighting for +home and family must nerve a man in the defence, but when the enemy +once breaks in he would naturally think of home first and hasten away to +defend it to the last, instead of obeying orders and falling back with +his comrades in good order and discipline.” + +The meal was a cheerful one. Malcolm related more in detail how he and +his detachment happened to be so far removed from the army. + +Just as the meal came to an end a drum beat in the town and the alarm +bells began to ring. The count and Malcolm sallied out at once to the +outer wall, and saw a small party of officers riding from the village +occupied by the Imperialists towards the town. + +“Let us descend,” the count said. “I presume they are going to demand +our surrender.” + +They reached the wall of the town just as the Imperialist officers +approached the gate. + +“In the name of his majesty the emperor,” one of them cried out, “I +command you to open the gate and to surrender to his good will and +pleasure.” + +“The smoking villages which I see around me,” Count Mansfeld replied, +“are no hopeful sign of any good will or pleasure on the part of his +majesty towards us. As to surrendering, we will rather die. But I am +willing to pay a fair ransom for the town if you will draw off your +troops and march away.” + +“Beware, sir!” the officer said. “I have a force here sufficient to +compel obedience, and I warn you of the fate which will befall all +within these walls if you persist in refusing to admit us.” + +“I doubt not as to their fate,” the count replied; “there are plenty of +examples before us of the tender mercy which your master's troops show +towards the towns you capture. + +“Once again I offer you a ransom for the town. Name the sum, and if it +be in reason such as I and the townspeople can pay, it shall be yours; +but open the gates to you we will not.” + +“Very well,” the officer said; “then your blood be on your own heads.” + And turning his horse he rode with his companions back towards the +village. + +On their arrival there a bustle was seen to prevail. A hundred horsemen +rode off and took post on an eminence near the town, ready to cut off +the retreat of any who might try to escape, and to enter the town when +the gates were forced open. The other two hundred men advanced on foot +in a close body towards the principal gate. + +“They will try and blow it open with petards,” Malcolm said. “Half of +my men are musketeers and good shots, and I will, with your permission, +place them on the wall to aid the townsfolk there, for if the gate is +blown open and the enemy force their way in it will go hard with us.” + +The count assented, and Malcolm posted his musketeers on the wall, +ordering Sergeant Sinclair with the remainder to set to work to erect +barricades across the street leading from the gate, so that, in case +this were blown in, such a stand might be made against the Imperialists +as would give the townspeople time to rally from the walls and to gather +there. + +The Imperialists heralded their advance by opening fire with pistols and +musketoons against the wall, and the defenders at once replied. So heavy +was the fire that the head of the column wavered, many of the leading +files being at once shot down, but, encouraged by their officers, they +rallied, and pushed forward at a run. The fire of the townspeople at +once became hurried and irregular, but the Scots picked off their men +with steady aim. The leader of the Imperialists, who carried a petard, +advanced boldly to the edge of the ditch. The fosse was shallow and +contained but little water, and he at once dashed into it and waded +across, for the drawbridge had, of course, been raised. He climbed up +the bank, and was close to the gate, when Malcolm, leaning far over +the wall, discharged his pistol at him. The ball glanced from the steel +armour. + +Malcolm drew his other pistol and again fired, this time more +effectually, for the ball struck between the shoulder and the neck at +the junction of the breast and back pieces, and passed down into the +body of the Austrian, who, dropping the petard, fell dead; but a number +of his men were close behind him. + +“Quick, lads!” Malcolm cried. “Put your strength to this parapet. It is +old and rotten. Now, all together! Shove!” + +The soldiers bent their strength against the parapet, while some of the +townspeople, thrusting their pikes into the rotten mortar between the +stones, prised them up with all their strength. The parapet tottered, +and then with a tremendous crash fell, burying five or six of the +Imperialists and the petard beneath the ruins. + +A shout of exultation rose from the defenders, and the Imperialists +at once withdrew at full speed. They halted out of gunshot, and then +a number of men were sent back to the village, whence they returned +carrying ladders, some of which had been collected the day before from +the neighbouring villages and others manufactured during the night. +The enemy now divided into three parties, which advanced simultaneously +against different points of the wall. + +Notwithstanding the storm of shot poured upon them as they advanced, +they pressed forward until they reached the wall and planted their +ladders, and then essayed to climb; but at each point the stormers were +stoutly met with pike and sword, while the musketeers from the flanking +towers poured their bullets into them. + +The troops proved themselves worthy of their reputation, for it was not +until more than fifty had fallen that they desisted from the attempt and +drew off. + +“Now we shall have a respite,” Malcolm said. “If there are no more of +them in the neighbourhood methinks they will retire altogether, but +if they have any friends with cannon anywhere within reach they will +probably send for them and renew the attack.” + +The day passed quietly. Parties of horsemen were seen leaving the +village to forage and plunder the surrounding country, but the main body +remained quietly there. The next day there was still no renewal of the +attack, but as the enemy remained in occupation of the village Malcolm +guessed that they must be waiting for the arrival of reinforcements. +The following afternoon a cloud of dust was seen upon the plain, and +presently a column of infantry some four hundred strong, with three +cannon, could be made out. The townspeople now wavered in their +determination. A few were still for resistance, but the majority held +that they could not attempt to withstand an assault by so strong a +force, and that it was better to make the best terms they could with the +enemy. + +A parlementaire was accordingly despatched to the Imperialists asking +what terms would be granted should the place surrender. + +“We will grant no terms whatever,” the colonel in command of the +Imperialists said. “The town is at our mercy, and we will do as we +will with it and all within it; but tell Count Mansfeld that if he will +surrender the castle as well as the town at once, and without striking +another blow, his case shall receive favourable consideration.” + +“That will not do,” the count said. “They either guarantee our lives +or they do not. I give not up my castle on terms like these, but I +will exercise no pressure on the townspeople. If they choose to defend +themselves till the last I will fight here with them; if they choose to +surrender they can do so; and those who differ from their fellows and +put no faith in Tilly's wolves can enter the castle with me.” + +The principal inhabitants of the town debated the question hotly. +Malcolm lost patience with them, and said: “Are you mad as well as +stupid? Do you not see the smoking villages round you? Do you not +remember the fate of Magdeburg, New Brandenburg, and the other towns +which have made a resistance? You have chosen to resist. It was open to +you to have fled when you heard the Imperialists were coming. You could +have opened the gates then with some hope at least of your lives; but +you decided to resist. You have killed some fifty or sixty of their +soldiers. You have repulsed them from a place which they thought to +take with scarce an effort. You have compelled them to send for +reinforcements and guns. And now you are talking of opening the gates +without even obtaining a promise that your lives shall be spared. This +is the extremity of folly, and all I can say is, if you take such a step +you will well deserve your fate.” + +Malcolm's indignant address had its effect, and after a short discussion +the townspeople again placed themselves at the count's disposal, and +said that they would obey his orders. + +“I will give no orders,” the count said. “My Scottish friend here agrees +with me that it is useless to try to defend the town. We might repulse +several attacks, but in the end they would surely break in, for the +walls are old and weak, and will crumble before their cannon. Were there +any hope of relief one would defend them to the last, but as it is +it would be but a waste of blood, for many would be slain both in +the defence and before they could retreat to the castle; therefore we +propose at once to withdraw. We doubt not that we can hold the castle. +Any who like to remain in their houses and trust to the tender mercy of +Tilly's wolves can do so.” + +There was no more hesitation, and a cannonball, the first which the +Imperialists had fired, at that moment crashed into a house hard by, and +sharpened their decision wonderfully. + +“I have no great store of provisions in the castle,” the count said, +“and although I deem it not likely that we shall have to stand a long +siege we must be prepared for it. There are already more than 700 +of your wives and children there, therefore while half of the force +continue to show themselves upon the walls, and so deter the enemy from +attempting an assault until they have opened some breaches, let the rest +carry up provisions to the castle. Any houses from which the women have +fled are at once to be broken open. All that we leave behind the enemy +will take, and the less we leave for them the better; therefore all +stores and magazines of food and wine must be considered as public +property. Let the men at once be divided into two bodies--the one to +guard the walls, the other to search for and carry up provisions. They +can be changed every three or four hours.” + +The resolution was taken and carried into effect without delay. Most of +the horses and carts in the town had left with the fugitives, those +that remained were at once set to work. The carts were laden with large +barrels of wine and sacks of flour, while the men carried sides of +bacon, kegs of butter, and other portable articles on their heads. The +Imperialists, seeing the movement up the steep road to the castle gate, +opened fire with their arquebuses, but the defenders of the wall replied +so hotly that they were forced to retire out of range. The cannon played +steadily all day, and by nightfall two breaches had been effected in the +wall and the gate had been battered down. + +But by this time an ample store of provisions had been collected in the +castle and as the Imperialists were seen to form up for the assault the +trumpet was sounded, and at the signal the whole of the defenders of the +walls left their posts and fell back to the castle, leaving the deserted +town at the mercy of the enemy. The Imperialists raised a shout of +triumph as they entered the breaches and found them undefended, and +when once assured that the town was deserted they broke their ranks and +scattered to plunder. + +It was now quite dark, and many of them dragging articles of furniture +into the streets made great bonfires to light them at their work +of plunder. But they had soon reason to repent having done so, for +immediately the flames sprang up and lighted the streets, flashes ran +round the battlements of the castle, and a heavy fire was opened into +the streets, killing many of the soldiers. Seeing the danger of thus +exposing the men to the fire from the castle, the Imperialist commander +issued orders at once that all fires should be extinguished, that anyone +setting fire to a house should be instantly hung, and that no lights +were to be lit in the houses whose windows faced the castle. + +Foreseeing the possibility of an attack from the castle, the Austrians +placed a hundred men at the foot of the road leading up to it, and laid +their three cannon loaded to the muzzle to command it. + +“Have you not,” Malcolm asked the count, “some means of exit from the +castle besides the way into the town?” + +“Yes,” the count said, “there is a footpath down the rock on the other +side.” + +“Then,” Malcolm said, “as soon as they are fairly drunk, which will be +before midnight, let us fall upon them from the other side. Leave fifty +of your oldest men with half a dozen veteran soldiers to defend the +gateway against a sudden attack; with the rest we can issue out, and +marching round, enter by the gate and breaches, sweeping the streets as +we go, and then uniting, burst through any guard they may have placed to +prevent a sortie, and so regain the castle.” + +The count at once assented. In a short time shouts, songs, the sound +of rioting and quarrels, arose from the town, showing that revelry was +general. At eleven o'clock the men in the castle were mustered, fifty +were told off to the defence with five experienced soldiers, an officer +of the count being left in command. The rest sallied through a little +door at the back of the castle and noiselessly descended the steep path. +On arriving at the bottom they were divided into three bodies. Malcolm +with his Scots and fifty of the townspeople formed one. Count Mansfeld +took the command of another, composed of his own soldiers and fifty more +of the townspeople. The third consisted of eighty of the best fighting +men of the town under their own leaders. These were to enter by the +gate, while the other two parties came in by the breaches. The moment +the attack began the defenders of the castle were to open as rapid +a fire as they could upon the foot of the road so as to occupy the +attention of the enemy's force there, and to lead them to anticipate a +sortie. + +The breach by which Malcolm was to enter was the farthest from the +castle, and his command would, therefore, be the last in arriving at its +station. When he reached it he ordered the trumpeters who accompanied +him to sound, and at the signal the three columns rushed into the town +uttering shouts of “Gustavus! Gustavus!” + +The Imperialists in the houses near were slaughtered with scarcely +any resistance. They were for the most part intoxicated, and such as +retained their senses were paralysed at the sudden attack, and panic +stricken at the shouts, which portended the arrival of a relieving +force from the army of the King of Sweden. As the bands pressed forward, +slaying all whom they came upon, the resistance became stronger; but +the three columns were all headed by parties of pikemen who advanced +steadily and in good order, bearing down all opposition, and leaving to +those behind them the task of slaying all found in the houses. + +Lights flashed from the windows and partly lit up the streets, and the +Imperialist officers attempted to rally their men; but the Scottish +shouts, “A Hepburn! A Hepburn!” and the sight of their green scarves +added to the terror of the soldiers, who were convinced that the +terrible Green Brigade of the King of Sweden was upon them. + +Hundreds were cut down after striking scarce a blow in their defence, +numbers fled to the walls and leapt over. The panic communicated itself +to the party drawn up to repel a sortie. Hearing the yells, screams, +and shouts, accompanied by the musketry approaching from three different +quarters of the town, while a steady fire from the castle indicated +that the defenders there might, at any moment, sally out upon them, +they stood for a time irresolute; but as the heads of the three columns +approached they lost heart, quitted their station, and withdrew in +a body by a street by which they avoided the approaching columns. On +arriving at the spot Malcolm found the guns deserted. + +“The town is won now,” he said. “I will take my post here with my men in +case the Austrians should rally; do you with the rest scatter over the +town and complete the work, but bid them keep together in parties of +twenty.” + +The force broke up and scattered through the town in their work of +vengeance. House after house was entered and searched, and all who were +found there put to the sword; but by this time most of those who were +not too drunk to fly had already made for the gates. + +In half an hour not an Imperialist was left alive in the town. Then +guards were placed at the gate and breaches, and they waited till +morning. Not a sign of an Imperialist was to be seen on the plain, and +parties sallying out found that they had fled in the utmost disorder. +Arms, accoutrements, and portions of plunder lay scattered thickly +about, and it was clear that in the belief that the Swedish army was on +them, the Imperialists had fled panic stricken, and were now far away. +Upwards of two hundred bodies were found in the streets and houses. + +A huge grave was dug outside the walls, and here the fallen foes were +buried. Only three or four of the defenders of the town were killed and +a score or so wounded in the whole affair. Although there was little +fear of a return, as the Imperialists would probably continue their +headlong flight for a long distance, and would then march with all haste +to rejoin their main army with the news that a strong Swedish force +was at Mansfeld, the count set the townspeople at once to repair the +breaches. + +The people were overjoyed with their success, and delighted at +having preserved their homes from destruction, for they knew that the +Imperialists would, if unsuccessful against the castle, have given the +town to the flames before retiring. The women and children flocked down +to their homes again, and although much furniture had been destroyed and +damage done, this was little heeded when so much was saved. + +All vied in the expression of gratitude towards Malcolm and his Scots, +but Malcolm modestly disclaimed all merit, saying that he and his men +had scarcely struck a blow. + +“It is not so much the fighting,” the count said, “as the example which +you set the townsmen, and the spirit which the presence of you and your +men diffused among them. Besides, your counsel and support to me have +been invaluable; had it not been for you the place would probably have +been carried at the first attack, and if not the townspeople would have +surrendered when the enemy's reinforcements arrived; and in that case, +with so small a force at my command I could not have hoped to defend the +castle successfully. Moreover, the idea of the sortie which has freed us +of them and saved the town from destruction was entirely yours. No, +my friend, say what you will I feel that I am indebted to you for the +safety of my wife and child, and so long as I live I shall be deeply +your debtor.” + +The following day Malcolm with his party marched away. The count had +presented him with a suit of magnificent armour, and the countess with a +gold chain of great value. Handsome presents were also made to Sergeant +Sinclair, who was a cadet of good family, and a purse of gold was given +to each of the soldiers, so in high spirits the band marched away over +the mountains on their return to the village. + + + +CHAPTER IX THE BATTLE OF BREITENFELD + + +Great joy was manifested as Malcolm's band marched into the village and +it was found that they had accomplished the mission on which they went, +had saved Mansfeld, and utterly defeated the Imperialists, and had +returned in undiminished numbers, although two or three had received +wounds more or less serious, principally in the first day's fighting. +They only remained one night in the village. + +On the following morning the baggage was placed in the wagons with a +store of fruit and provisions for their march, and after another hearty +adieu the detachment set out in high spirits. After marching for two +days they learned that the Swedish army had marched to Werben, and that +Tilly's army had followed it there. + +After the receipt of this news there was no more loitering; the +marches were long and severe, and after making a detour to avoid the +Imperialists the detachment entered the royal camp without having met +with any adventure on the way. His fellow officers flocked round Malcolm +to congratulate him on his safe return and on his restored health. + +“The change has done wonders for you, Malcolm,” Nigel Graheme said. +“Why, when you marched out you were a band of tottering scarecrows, +and now your detachment looks as healthy and fresh as if they had but +yesterday left Scotland; but come in, the bugle has just sounded to +supper, and we are only waiting for the colonel to arrive. He is at +present in council with the king with Hepburn and some more. Ah! here he +comes.” + +Munro rode up and leapt from his horse, and after heartily greeting +Malcolm led the way into the tent where supper was laid out. Malcolm +was glad to see by the faces of his comrades that all had shaken off the +disease which had played such havoc among them at Old Brandenburg. + +“Is there any chance of a general engagement?” he asked Nigel. + +“Not at present,” Nigel said. “We are expecting the reinforcements up in +a few days. As you see we have fortified the camp too strongly for Tilly +to venture to attack us here. Only yesterday he drew up his army and +offered us battle; but the odds were too great, and the king will not +fight till his reinforcements arrive. Some of the hotter spirits were +sorry that he would not accept Tilly's invitation, and I own that I +rather gnashed my teeth myself; but I knew that the king was right in +not risking the whole cause rashly when a few days will put us in a +position to meet the Imperialists on something like equal terms. Is +there any news, colonel?” he asked, turning to Munro. + +“No news of importance,” the colonel replied; “but the king is rather +puzzled. A prisoner was taken today--one of Pappenheim's horsemen--and +he declares that a force of horse and foot have been defeated at +Mansfeld by a Swedish army with heavy loss. He avers that he was present +at the affair, and arrived in camp with the rest of the beaten force +only yesterday. We cannot make it out, as we know that there are no +Swedish troops anywhere in that direction.” + +Malcolm burst into a hearty laugh, to the surprise of his fellow +officers. + +“I can explain the matter, colonel,” he said. “It was my detachment that +had the honour of representing the Swedish army at Mansfeld.” + +“What on earth do you mean, Malcolm?” the colonel asked. + +“Well, sir, as you know I went with a detachment to the village where I +had before been well treated, and had earned the gratitude of the people +by teaching them how to destroy a party of marauders. After having been +there for a month I was on the point of marching, for the men were all +perfectly restored to health; and indeed I know I ought to have returned +sooner, seeing that the men were fit for service; but as I thought +you were still at Old Brandenburg, and could well dispense with our +services, I lingered on to the last. But just as I was about to march +the news came that a party of Imperialist horse, three hundred strong, +was about to attack Mansfeld, a place of whose existence I had never +heard; but hearing that its count was a staunch Protestant, and that the +inhabitants intended to make a stout defence, I thought that I could not +be doing wrong in the service of the king by marching to aid them, the +place being but twenty-four miles away across the hills. We got there in +time, and aided the townspeople to repulse the first assault. After two +days they brought up a reinforcement of four hundred infantry and some +cannon. As the place is a small one, with but about two hundred and +fifty fighting men of all ages, we deemed it impossible to defend the +town, and while they were breaching the walls fell back to the castle. +The Imperialists occupied it at sunset, and at night, leaving a party to +hold the castle, we sallied out from the other side, and marching round, +entered by the breaches, and, raising the Swedish war cry fell upon +the enemy, who were for the most part too drunk to offer any serious +resistance. We killed two hundred and fifty of them, and the rest fled +in terror, thinking they had the whole Swedish army upon them. The +next day I started on my march back here, and though we have not spared +speed, it seems that the Imperialists have arrived before us.” + +A burst of laughter and applause greeted the solution of the mystery. + +“You have done well, sir,” Munro said cordially, “and have rendered a +great service not only in the defeat of the Imperialists, but in its +consequences here, for the prisoner said that last night five thousand +men were marched away from Tilly's army to observe and make head against +this supposed Swedish force advancing from the east. When I have done +my meal I will go over to the king with the news, for his majesty is +greatly puzzled, especially as the prisoner declared that he himself had +seen the Scots of the Green Brigade in the van of the column, and had +heard the war cry, 'A Hepburn! A Hepburn!' + +“Hepburn himself could make neither head nor tail of it, and was half +inclined to believe that this avenging force was led by the ghosts of +those who had been slain at New Brandenburg. Whenever we can't account +for a thing, we Scots are inclined to believe it's supernatural. + +“Now tell me more about the affair, Malcolm. By the way do you know that +you are a lieutenant now? Poor Foulis died of the fever a few days after +you left us, and as the king had himself ordered that you were to have +the next vacancy, I of course appointed you at once. We must drink +tonight to your promotion.” + +Malcolm now related fully the incidents of the siege. + +“By my faith, Malcolm Graheme,” Munro said when he had finished, “you +are as lucky as you are brave. Mansfeld is a powerful nobleman, and has +large possessions in various parts of Germany and much influence, and +the king will be grateful that you have thus rendered him such effective +assistance and so bound him to our cause. I believe he has no children.” + +“He has a daughter,” Malcolm said, “a pretty little maid some fourteen +years old.” + +“In faith, Malcolm, 'tis a pity that you and she are not some four +or five years older. What a match it would be for you, the heiress of +Mansfeld; she would be a catch indeed! Well, there's time enough yet, my +lad, for there is no saying how long this war will last.” + +There was a general laugh, and the colonel continued: + +“Malcolm has the grace to colour, which I am afraid the rest of us have +lost long ago. Never mind, Malcolm, there are plenty of Scotch cadets +have mended their fortune by means of a rich heiress before now, and I +hope there will be many more. I am on the lookout for a wealthy young +countess myself, and I don't think there is one here who would not lay +aside his armour and sword on such inducement. And now, gentlemen, as we +have all finished, I will leave you to your wine while I go across with +our young lieutenant to the king. I must tell him tonight, or he will +not sleep with wondering over the mystery. We will be back anon and will +broach a cask of that famous wine we picked up the other day, in honour +of Malcolm Graheme's promotion.” + +Sir John Hepburn was dining with Gustavus, and the meal was just +concluded when Colonel Munro was announced. + +“Well, my brave Munro, what is it?” the king said heartily, “and whom +have you here? The young officer who escaped from New Brandenburg and +Tilly, unless I am mistaken.” + +“It is, sir, but I have to introduce him in a new character tonight, as +the leader of your majesty's army who have defeated the Imperialists at +Mansfeld.” + +“Say you so?” exclaimed the king. “Then, though I understand you not, +we shall hear a solution of the mystery which has been puzzling us. Sit +down, young sir; fill yourself a flagon of wine, and expound this riddle +to us.” + +Malcolm repeated the narrative as he had told it to his colonel, and the +king expressed his warm satisfaction. + +“You will make a great leader some day if you do not get killed in one +of these adventures, young sir. Bravery seems to be a common gift of the +men of your nation; but you seem to unite with it a surprising prudence +and sagacity, and, moreover, this march of yours to Mansfeld shows that +you do not fear taking responsibility, which is a high and rare quality. +You have done good service to the cause, and I thank you, and shall keep +my eye upon you in the future.” + +The next day Malcolm went round the camp, and was surprised at the +extensive works which had been erected. Strong ramparts and redoubts had +been thrown up round it, faced with stone, and mounted with 150 pieces +of cannon. In the centre stood an inner entrenchment with earthworks +and a deep fosse. In this stood the tents of the king and those of his +principal officers. The Marquis of Hamilton had, Malcolm heard, arrived +and gone. He had lost on the march many of the soldiers he had enlisted +in England, who had died from eating German bread, which was heavier, +darker coloured, and more sour than that of their own country. This, +however, did not disagree with the Scotch, who were accustomed to black +bread. + +“I wonder,” Malcolm said to Nigel Graheme, “that when the king has in +face of him a force so superior to his own he should have sent away on +detached service the four splendid regiments which they say the marquis +brought.” + +“Well, the fact was,” Nigel said laughing, “Hamilton was altogether too +grand for us here. We all felt small and mean so long as he remained. +Gustavus himself, who is as simple in his tastes as any officer in the +army, and who keeps up no ostentatious show, was thrown into the shade +by his visitor. Why, had he been the Emperor of Germany or the King of +France he could not have made a braver show. His table was equipped +and furnished with magnificence; his carriages would have created a +sensation in Paris; the liveries of his attendants were more splendid +than the uniforms of generals; he had forty gentlemen as esquires and +pages, and 200 yeomen, splendidly mounted and armed, rode with him as +his bodyguard. + +“Altogether he was oppressive; but the Hamiltons have ever been fond of +show and finery. So Gustavus has sent him and his troops away to guard +the passages of the Oder and to cover our retreat should we be forced to +fall back.” + +Tilly, finding that the position of Gustavus was too strong to be +forced, retired to Wolmirstadt, whence he summoned the Elector of Saxony +to admit his army into his country, and either to disband the Saxon +army or to unite it to his own. Hitherto the elector had held aloof from +Gustavus, whom he regarded with jealousy and dislike, and had stood by +inactive although the slightest movement of his army would have +saved Magdeburg. To disband his troops, however, and to hand over his +fortresses to Tilly, would be equivalent to giving up his dominions +to the enemy; rather than do this he determined to join Gustavus, and +having despatched Arnheim to treat with the King of Sweden for alliance, +he sent a point blank refusal to Tilly. + +The Imperialist general at once marched towards Leipzig, devastating the +country as he advanced. Terms were soon arranged between the elector and +Gustavus, and on the 3d of September, 1631, the Swedish army crossed +the Elbe, and the next day joined the Saxon army at Torgau. By this time +Tilly was in front of Leipzig, and immediately on his arrival burned to +the ground Halle, a suburb lying beyond the wall, and then summoned the +city to surrender. + +Alarmed at the sight of the conflagration of Halle, and with the fate of +Magdeburg in their minds, the citizens of Leipzig opened their gates at +once on promise of fair treatment. The news of this speedy surrender +was a heavy blow to the allies, who, however, after a council of war, +determined at once to march forward against the city, and to give battle +to the Imperialists on the plain around it. + +Leipzig stands on a wide plain which is called the plain of Breitenfeld, +and the battle which was about to commence there has been called by +the Germans the battle of Breitenfeld, to distinguish it from the +even greater struggles which have since taken place under the walls of +Leipzig. + +The baggage had all been left behind, and the Swedish army lay down as +they stood. The king occupied his travelling coach, and passed the night +chatting with Sir John Hepburn, Marshal Horn, Sir John Banner, Baron +Teuffel, who commanded the guards, and other leaders. The lines of red +fires which marked Tilly's position on the slope of a gentle eminence to +the southwest were plainly to be seen. The day broke dull and misty on +the 7th of September, and as the light fog gradually rose the troops +formed up for battle. Prayers were said in front of every regiment, and +the army then moved forward. Two Scottish brigades had the places of +honour in the van, where the regiments of Sir James Ramsay, the Laird of +Foulis, and Sir John Hamilton were posted, while Hepburn's Green Brigade +formed part of the reserve--a force composed of the best troops of the +army, as on them the fate of the battle frequently depends. The Swedish +cavalry were commanded by Field Marshal Horn, General Banner, and +Lieutenant General Bauditzen. + +The king and Baron Teuffel led the main body of infantry; the King of +Saxony commanded the Saxons, who were on the Swedish left. The armies +were not very unequal in numbers, the allies numbering 35,000, of whom +the Swedes and Scots counted 20,000, the Saxons 15,000. The Imperialists +numbered about 40,000. Tilly was fighting unwillingly, for he had +wished to await the arrival from Italy of 12,000 veterans under General +Altringer, and who were within a few days' march; but he had been +induced, against his own better judgment, by the urgency of Pappenheim, +Furstenberg, and the younger generals, to quit the unassailable post +he had taken up in front of Leipzig, and to move out on to the plain of +Breitenfeld to accept the battle which the Swedes offered. + +A short distance in his front was the village of Podelwitz. Behind his +position were two elevations, on which he placed his guns, forty +in number. In rear of these elevations was a very thick wood. The +Imperialist right was commanded by Furstenberg, the left by Pappenheim, +the centre by Tilly himself. Although he had yielded to his generals +so far as to take up a position on the plain, Tilly was resolved, if +possible, not to fight until the arrival of the reinforcements; but the +rashness of Pappenheim brought on a battle. To approach the Austrian +position the Swedes had to cross the little river Loder, and Pappenheim +asked permission of Tilly to charge them as they did so. Tilly consented +on condition that he only charged with two thousand horse and did not +bring on a general engagement. Accordingly, as the Scottish brigade +under Sir James Ramsay crossed the Loder, Pappenheim swept down upon +them. + +The Scots stood firm, and with pike and musket repelled the attack; and +after hard fighting Pappenheim was obliged to fall back, setting fire as +he retired to the village of Podelwitz. The smoke of the burning village +drifted across the plain, and was useful to the Swedes, as under its +cover the entire army passed the Loder, and formed up ready for battle +facing the Imperialists position, the movement being executed under a +heavy fire from the Austrian batteries on the hills. + +The Swedish order of battle was different from that of the Imperialists. +The latter had their cavalry massed together in one heavy, compact body, +while the Swedish regiments of horse were placed alternately with +the various regiments or brigades of infantry. The Swedish centre was +composed of four brigades of pikemen. Guns were behind the first line, +as were the cavalry supporting the pikemen. The regiments of musketeers +were placed at intervals among the brigades of pikemen. + +Pappenheim on his return to the camp ordered up the whole of his +cavalry, and charged down with fury upon the Swedes, while at the same +moment Furstenberg dashed with seven regiments of cavalry on the Saxons. +Between these and the Swedes there was a slight interval, for Gustavus +had doubts of the steadiness of his allies, and was anxious that in case +of their defeat his own troops should not be thrown into confusion. The +result justified his anticipations. + +Attacked with fury on their flank by Furstenberg's horse, while his +infantry and artillery poured a direct fire into their front, the Saxons +at once gave way. Their elector was the first to set the example of +flight, and, turning his horse, galloped without drawing rein to Torgau, +and in twenty minutes after the commencement of the fight the whole of +the Saxons were in utter rout, hotly pursued by Furstenberg's cavalry. + +Tilly now deemed the victory certain, for nearly half of his opponents +were disposed of, and he outnumbered the remainder by two to one; but +while Furstenberg had gained so complete a victory over the Saxons, +Pappenheim, who had charged the Swedish centre, had met with a very +different reception. + +In vain he tried to break through the Swedish spears. The wind was +blowing full in the faces of the pikemen, and the clouds of smoke and +dust which rolled down upon them rendered it impossible for them to see +the heavy columns of horse until they fell upon them like an avalanche, +yet with perfect steadiness they withstood the attacks. + +Seven times Pappenheim renewed his charge; seven times he fell back +broken and disordered. + +As he drew off for the last time Gustavus, seeing the rout of the +Saxons, and knowing that he would have the whole of Tilly's force +upon him in a few minutes, determined to rid himself altogether of +Pappenheim, and launched the whole of his cavalry upon the retreating +squadrons with overwhelming effect. Thus at the end of half an hour's +fighting Tilly had disposed of the Saxons, and Gustavus had driven +Pappenheim's horse from the field. + +Three of the Scottish regiments were sent from the centre to strengthen +Horn on the left flank, which was now exposed by the flight of the +Saxons. Scarcely had the Scottish musketeers taken their position +when Furstenberg's horse returned triumphant from their pursuit of the +Saxons, and at once fell upon Horn's pikemen. These, however, stood +as firmly as their comrades in the centre had done; and the Scottish +musketeers, six deep, the three front ranks kneeling, the three in rear +standing, poured such heavy volleys into the horsemen that these fell +back in disorder; the more confused perhaps, since volley firing was at +that time peculiar to the Swedish army, and the crashes of musketry were +new to the Imperialists. + +As the cavalry fell back in disorder, Gustavus led his horse, who had +just returned from the pursuit of Pappenheim, against them. The shock +was irresistible, and Furstenberg's horse were driven headlong from +the field. But the Imperialist infantry, led by Tilly himself, were +now close at hand, and the roar of musketry along the whole line was +tremendous, while the artillery on both sides played unceasingly. + +Just as the battle was at the hottest the Swedish reserve came up to the +assistance of the first line, and Sir John Hepburn led the Green Brigade +through the intervals of the Swedish regiments into action. Lord Reay's +regiment was in front, and Munro, leading it on, advanced against the +solid Imperialist columns, pouring heavy volleys into them. When close +at hand the pikemen passed through the intervals of the musketeers and +charged furiously with levelled pikes, the musketeers following them +with clubbed weapons. + +The gaps formed by the losses of the regiment at New Brandenburg and the +other engagements had been filled up, and two thousand strong they +fell upon the Imperialists. For a few minutes there was a tremendous +hand-to-hand conflict, but the valour and strength of the Scotch +prevailed, and the regiment was the first to burst its way through the +ranks of the Imperialists, and then pressed on to attack the trenches +behind, held by the Walloon infantry. While the battle was raging in the +plain the Swedish cavalry, after driving away Furstenberg's horse, swept +round and charged the eminence in the rear of the Imperialists, cutting +down the artillerymen and capturing the cannon there. + +These were at once turned upon the masses of Imperialist infantry, who +thus, taken between two fires--pressed hotly by the pikemen in +front, mown down by the cannon in their rear--lost heart and fled +precipitately, four regiments alone, the veterans of Furstenberg's +infantry, holding together and cutting their way through to the woods in +the rear of their position. + +The slaughter would have been even greater than it was, had not the +cloud of dust and smoke been so thick that the Swedes were unable to see +ten yards in front of them. The pursuit was taken up by their cavalry, +who pressed the flying Imperialists until nightfall. So complete was the +defeat that Tilly, who was badly wounded, could only muster 600 men to +accompany him in his retreat, and Pappenheim could get together but 1400 +of his horsemen. Seven thousand of the Imperialists were killed, 5000 +were wounded or taken prisoners. The Swedes lost but 700 men, the Saxons +about 2000. + +The Swedes that night occupied the Imperial tents, making great bonfires +of the broken wagons, pikes, and stockades. A hundred standards were +taken. Tilly had fought throughout the battle with desperate valour. +He was ever in the van of his infantry, and three times was wounded +by bullets and once taken prisoner, and only rescued after a desperate +conflict. + +At the conclusion of the day Cronenberg with 600 Walloon cavalry threw +themselves around him and bore him from the field. The fierce old +soldier is said to have burst into a passion of tears on beholding the +slaughter and defeat of his infantry. Hitherto he had been invincible, +this being the first defeat he had suffered in the course of his long +military career. Great stores of provision and wine had been captured, +and the night was spent in feasting in the Swedish camp. + +The next morning the Elector of Saxony rode on to the field to +congratulate Gustavus on his victory. The latter was politic enough to +receive him with great courtesy and to thank him for the services the +Saxons had rendered. He intrusted to the elector the task of recapturing +Leipzig, while he marched against Merseburg, which he captured with its +garrison of five hundred men. + +After two or three assaults had been made on Leipzig the garrison +capitulated to the Saxons, and on the 11th of September the army was +drawn up and reviewed by Gustavus. When the king arrived opposite the +Green Brigade he dismounted and made the soldiers an address, thanking +them for their great share in winning the battle of Leipzig. + +Many of the Scottish officers were promoted, Munro being made a full +colonel, and many others advanced a step in rank. The Scottish brigade +responded to the address of the gallant king with hearty cheers. +Gustavus was indeed beloved as well as admired by his soldiers. Fearless +himself of danger, he ever recognized bravery in others, and was ready +to take his full share of every hardship as well as every peril. + +He had ever a word of commendation and encouragement for his troops, and +was regarded by them as a comrade as well as a leader. In person he was +tall and rather stout, his face was handsome, his complexion fair, his +forehead lofty, his hair auburn, his eyes large and penetrating, his +cheeks ruddy and healthy. He had an air of majesty which enabled him +to address his soldiers in terms of cheerful familiarity without in +the slightest degree diminishing their respect and reverence for him as +their monarch. + + + +CHAPTER X THE PASSAGE OF THE RHINE + + +“I suppose,” Nigel Graheme said, as the officers of the regiment +assembled in one of the Imperialist tents on the night after the battle +of Leipzig, “we shall at once press forward to Vienna;” and such was +the general opinion throughout the Swedish army; but such was not the +intention of Gustavus. Undoubtedly the temptation to press forward +and dictate peace in Vienna was strong, but the difficulties and +disadvantages of such a step were many. He had but 20,000 men, for the +Saxons could not be reckoned upon; and indeed it was probable that their +elector, whose jealousy and dislike of Gustavus would undoubtedly be +heightened by the events of the battle of Breitenfeld, would prove +himself to be a more than a doubtful ally were the Swedish army to +remove to a distance. + +Tilly would soon rally his fugitives, and, reinforced by the numerous +Imperialist garrisons from the towns, would be able to overrun North +Germany in his absence, and to force the Saxons to join him even if the +elector were unwilling to do so. Thus the little Swedish force would be +isolated in the heart of Germany; and should Ferdinand abandon Vienna +at his approach and altogether refuse to treat with him--which his +obstinacy upon a former occasion when in the very hands of his enemy +rendered probable--the Swedes would find themselves in a desperate +position, isolated and alone in the midst of enemies. + +There was another consideration. An Imperialist diet was at that moment +sitting at Frankfort, and Ferdinand was using all his influence to +compel the various princes and representatives of the free cities to +submit to him. It was of the utmost importance that Gustavus should +strengthen his friends and overawe the waverers by the approach of his +army. Hitherto Franconia and the Rhine provinces had been entirely +in the hands of the Imperialists, and it was needful that a +counterbalancing influence should be exerted. These considerations +induced Gustavus to abandon the tempting idea of a march upon Vienna. +The Elector of Saxony was charged with carrying the war into Silesia and +Bohemia, the Electors of Hesse and Hesse-Cassel were to maintain Lower +Saxony and Westphalia, and the Swedish army turned its face towards the +Rhine. + +On the 20th of September it arrived before Erfurt, an important +fortified town on the Gera, which surrendered at discretion. Gustavus +granted the inhabitants, who were for the most part Catholics, the free +exercise of their religion, and nominated the Duke of Saxe-Weimar to be +governor of the district and of the province of Thuringen, and the +Count of Lowenstein to be commander of the garrison, which consisted of +Colonel Foulis's Scottish regiment, 1500 strong. + +Travelling by different routes in two columns the army marched to +Wurtzburg, the capital of Franconia, a rich and populous city, +the Imperialist garrison having withdrawn to the strong castle of +Marienburg, on a lofty eminence overlooking the town, and only separated +from it by the river Maine. The cathedral at Wurtzburg is dedicated to +a Scottish saint, St. Kilian, a bishop who with two priests came from +Scotland in the year 688 to convert the heathen of Franconia. They +baptized many at Wurtzburg, among them Gospert, the duke of that +country. This leader was married to Geilana, the widow of his brother; +and Kilian urging upon him that such a marriage was contrary to the laws +of the Christian church, the duke promised to separate from her. Geilana +had not, like her lord, accepted Christianity, and, furious at this +interference of Kilian, she seized the opportunity when the latter had +gone with his followers on an expedition against the pagan Saxons to +have Kilian and his two companions murdered. + +The cathedral was naturally an object of interest to the Scotch soldiers +in the time of Gustavus, and there was an animated argument in the +quarters of the officers of Munro's regiment on the night of their +arrival as to whether St. Kilian had done well or otherwise in insisting +upon his new convert repudiating his wife. The general opinion, however, +was against the saint, the colonel summing up the question. + +“In my opinion,” he said, “Kilian was a fool. Here was no less a matter +at stake than the conversion of a whole nation, or at least of a great +tribe of heathens, and Kilian imperilled it all on a question of minor +importance; for in the first place, the Church of Rome has always held +that the pope could grant permission for marriage within interdicted +degrees; in the second place, the marriage had taken place before +the conversion of the duke to Christianity, and they were therefore +innocently and without thought of harm bona fide man and wife. Lastly, +the Church of Rome is opposed to divorce; and Kilian might in any case +have put up with this small sin, if sin it were, for the sake of saving +the souls of thousands of pagans. My opinion is that St. Kilian richly +deserved the fate which befell him. And now to a subject much more +interesting to us--viz, the capture of Marienburg. + +“I tell you, my friends, it is going to be a warm business; the castle +is considered impregnable, and is strong by nature as well as art, and +Captain Keller is said to be a stout and brave soldier. He has 1000 men +in the garrison, and all the monks who were in the town have gone up and +turned soldiers. But if the task is a hard one the reward will be rich; +for as the Imperialists believe the place cannot be taken, the treasures +of all the country round are stored up there. And I can tell you more, +in the cellars are sixty gigantic tuns of stone, the smallest of which +holds twenty-five wagon loads of wine, and they say some of it is a +hundred years old. With glory and treasure and good wine to be won we +will outdo ourselves tomorrow; and you may be sure that the brunt of the +affair will fall upon the Scots.” + +“Well, there is one satisfaction,” said Nigel Graheme--who after Leipzig +had been promoted to the rank of major--“if we get the lion's share of +the fighting, we shall have the lion's share of the plunder and wine.” + +“For shame, Graheme! You say nothing of the glory.” + +“Ah! well,” Graheme laughed, “we have already had so large share of +that, that I for one could do without winning any more just at present. +It's a dear commodity to purchase, and neither fills our belly nor our +pockets.” + +“For shame, Graheme! for shame!” Munro said laughing. “It is a scandal +that such sentiments should be whispered in the Scottish brigade; +and now to bed, gentlemen, for we shall have, methinks, a busy day +tomorrow.” + +Sir James Ramsay was appointed to command the assault. The river Maine +had to be crossed, and he sent off Lieutenant Robert Ramsay of his own +regiment to obtain boats from the peasantry. The disguise in which he +went was seen through, and he was taken prisoner and carried to the +castle. A few boats were, however, obtained by the Swedes. + +The river is here 300 yards wide, and the central arch of the bridge had +been blown up by the Imperialists, a single plank remaining across the +chasm over the river 48 feet below. The bridge was swept by the heaviest +cannon in the fortress, and a passage appeared well nigh hopeless. On +the afternoon of the 5th of October the party prepared to pass, some +in boats, others by the bridge. A tremendous fire was opened by the +Imperialists from cannon and musketry, sweeping the bridge with a storm +of missiles and lashing the river to foam around the boats. The soldiers +in these returned the fire with their muskets, and the smoke served as a +cover to conceal them from the enemy. + +In the meantime Major Bothwell of Ramsay's regiment led a company across +the bridge. These, in spite of the fire, crossed the plank over the +broken arch and reached the head of the bridge, from whence they kept +up so heavy a fire upon the gunners and musketeers in the lower works by +the river that they forced them to quit their posts, and so enabled Sir +James Ramsay and Sir John Hamilton to effect a landing. + +Major Bothwell, his brother, and the greater part of his followers were, +however, slain by the Imperialists' fire from above. The commandant of +the castle now sallied out and endeavoured to recapture the works by +the water, but the Scotch repelled the attack and drove the enemy up +the hill to the castle again. The Scottish troops having thus effected +a lodgment across the river, and being protected by the rocks from the +enemy's fire, lay down for the night in the position they had won. + +Gustavus during the night caused planks to be thrown across the +broken bridge and prepared to assault at daybreak. Just as morning +was breaking, a Swedish officer with seven men climbed up the hill to +reconnoitre the castle, and found to his surprise that the drawbridge +was down, but a guard of 200 men were stationed at the gate. He was at +once challenged, and, shouting “Sweden!” sprang with his men on to +the end of the drawbridge. The Imperialists tried in vain to raise it; +before they could succeed some companions of the Swedes ran up, and, +driving in the guard, took possession of the outer court. + +Almost at the same moment Ramsay's and Hamilton's regiments commenced +their assault on a strong outwork of the castle, which, after two hours' +desperate fighting, they succeeded in gaining. They then turned its guns +upon the gate of the keep, which they battered down, and were about to +charge in when they received orders from the king to halt and retire, +while the Swedish regiment of Axel-Lilly and the Blue Brigade advanced +to the storm. + +The Scottish regiments retired in the deepest discontent, deeming +themselves affronted by others being ordered to the post of honour after +they had by their bravery cleared the way. The Swedish troops forced +their way in after hard fighting; and the Castle of Marienburg, so +long deemed impregnable, was captured after a few hours' fighting. The +quantity of treasure found in it was enormous, and there were sufficient +provisions to have lasted its garrison for twenty years. + +Immediately the place was taken, Colonel Sir John Hamilton advanced to +Gustavus and resigned his commission on the spot; nor did the assurances +of the king that he intended no insult to the Scotch soldiers mollify +his wrath, and quitting the Swedish service he returned at once +to Scotland. Munro's regiment had taken no part in the storming +of Marienburg, but was formed up on the north side of the river in +readiness to advance should the first attack be repelled, and many were +wounded by the shot of the enemy while thus inactive. + +Malcolm while binding up the arm of his sergeant who stood next to him +felt a sharp pain shoot through his leg, and at once fell to the ground. +He was lifted up and carried to the rear, where his wound was examined +by the doctor to the regiment. + +“Your luck has not deserted you,” he said after probing the wound. “The +bullet has missed the bone by half an inch, and a short rest will soon +put you right again.” + +Fortunately for a short time the army remained around Wurtzburg. +Columns scoured the surrounding country, capturing the various towns and +fortresses held by the Imperialists, and collecting large quantities of +provisions and stores. Tilly's army lay within a few days' march; but +although superior in numbers to that of Gustavus, Tilly had received +strict orders not to risk a general engagement as his army was now +almost the only one that remained to the Imperialists, and should it +suffer another defeat the country would lie at the mercy of the Swedes. + +One evening when Malcolm had so far recovered as to be able to walk for +a short distance, he was at supper with Colonel Munro and some other +officers, when the door opened and Gustavus himself entered. All leapt +to their feet. + +“Munro,” he said, “get the musketeers of your brigade under arms with +all haste, form them up in the square before the town hall, and desire +Sir John Hepburn to meet me there.” + + +The drum was at once beaten, and the troops came pouring from their +lodgings, and in three or four minutes the musketeers, 800 strong, were +formed up with Hepburn and Munro at their head. Malcolm had prepared to +take his arms on the summons, but Munro said at once: + +“No, Malcolm, so sudden a summons augurs desperate duty, maybe a long +night march; you would break down before you got half a mile; besides, +as only the musketeers have to go, half the officers must remain here.” + +Without a word the king placed himself at the head of the men, and +through the dark and stormy night the troops started on their unknown +mission. Hepburn and Munro were, like their men, on foot, for they had +not had time to have their horses saddled. + +After marching two hours along the right bank of the Maine the tramp +of horses was heard behind them, and they were reinforced by eighty +troopers whom Gustavus before starting had ordered to mount and follow. +Hitherto the king had remained lost in abstraction, but he now roused +himself. + +“I have just received the most serious news, Hepburn. Tilly has been +reinforced by 17,000 men under the Duke of Lorraine, and is marching +with all speed against me. Were my whole army collected here he would +outnumber us by two to one, but many columns are away, and the position +is well nigh desperate. + +“I have resolved to hold Ochsenfurt. The place is not strong, but it +lies in a sharp bend of the river and may be defended for a time. If any +can do so it is surely you and your Scots. Tilly is already close to the +town; indeed the man who brought me the news said that when he left it +his advanced pickets were just entering, hence the need for this haste. + +“You must hold it to the last, Hepburn, and then, if you can, fall back +to Wurtzburg; even a day's delay will enable me to call in some of the +detachments and to prepare to receive Tilly.” + +Without halting, the little column marched sixteen miles, and then, +crossing the bridge over the Maine, entered Ochsenfurt. + +It was occupied by a party of fifty Imperialist arquebusiers, but these +were driven headlong from it. The night was extremely dark, all +were ignorant of the locality, and the troops were formed up in the +marketplace to await either morning or the attack of Tilly. Fifty +troopers were sent half a mile in advance to give warning of the +approach of the enemy. They had scarcely taken their place when they +were attacked by the Imperialists, who had been roused by the firing in +the town. The incessant flash of fire and the heavy rattle of musketry +told Gustavus that they were in force, and a lieutenant of Lumsden's +regiment with fifty musketeers was sent off to reinforce the cavalry. +The Imperialists were, however, too strong to be checked, and horse and +foot were being driven in when Colonel Munro sallied out with a hundred +of his own regiment, and the Imperialists after a brisk skirmish, not +knowing what force they had to deal with, fell back. + +As soon as day broke the king and Hepburn made a tour of the walls, +which were found to be in a very bad condition and ill calculated to +resist an assault. The Imperialists were not to be seen, and the king, +fearing they might have marched by some other route against Wurtzburg, +determined to return at once, telling Hepburn to mine the bridge, and to +blow it up if forced to abandon the town. + +Hepburn at once set to work to strengthen the position, to demolish +all the houses and walls outside the defences, cut down and destroy all +trees and hedges which might shelter an enemy, and to strengthen the +walls with banks of earth and platforms of wood. For three days the +troops laboured incessantly; on the third night the enemy were heard +approaching. The advanced troopers and a half company of infantry were +driven in, contesting every foot of the way. When they reached the walls +heavy volleys were poured in by the musketeers who lined them upon the +approaching enemy, and Tilly, supposing that Gustavus must have moved +forward a considerable portion of his army, called off his troops and +marched away to Nuremberg. Two days later Hepburn was ordered to return +with his force to Wurtzburg. + +The king now broke up his camp near Wurtzburg, and leaving a garrison in +the castle of Marienburg and appointing Marshal Horn to hold Franconia +with 8000 men, he marched against Frankfort-on-the-Maine, his troops +capturing all the towns and castles on the way, levying contributions, +and collecting great booty. Frankfort opened its gates without +resistance, and for a short time the army had rest in pleasant quarters. + +The regiments were reorganized, in some cases two of those which +had suffered most being joined into one. Gustavus had lately been +strengthened by two more Scottish regiments under Sir Frederick Hamilton +and Alexander Master of Forbes, and an English regiment under Captain +Austin. He had now thirteen regiments of Scottish infantry, and the +other corps of the army were almost entirely officered by Scotchmen. He +had five regiments of English and Irish, and had thus eighteen regiments +of British infantry. + +At Frankfort he was joined by the Marquis of Hamilton, who had done +splendid service with the troops under his command. He had driven the +Imperialists out of Silesia, and marching south, struck such fear into +them that Tilly was obliged to weaken his army to send reinforcements +to that quarter. By the order of Gustavus he left Silesia and marched +to Magdeburg. He had now but 3500 men with him, 2700 having died +from pestilence, famine, and disease. He assisted General Banner in +blockading the Imperialist garrison of Magdeburg, and his losses by +fever and pestilence thinned his troops down to two small regiments; +these were incorporated with the force of the Duke of Saxe-Weimar, +and the Marquis of Hamilton joined the staff of Gustavus as a simple +volunteer. + +The king now determined to conquer the Palatinate, which was held by a +Spanish army. He drove them before him until he reached the Rhine, where +they endeavoured to defend the passage by burning every vessel and boat +they could find, and for a time the advance of the Swedes was checked. +It was now the end of November, the snow lay thick over the whole +country, and the troops, without tents or covering, were bivouacked +along the side of the river, two miles below Oppenheim. The opposite +bank was covered with bushes to the water's edge, and on an eminence a +short distance back could be seen the tents of the Spaniards. + +“If it were summer we might swim across,” Nigel Graheme said to Malcolm; +“the river is broad, but a good swimmer could cross it easily enough.” + +“Yes,” Malcolm agreed, “there would be no difficulty in swimming if +unencumbered with arms and armour, but there would be no advantage in +getting across without these; if we could but get hold of a boat or two, +we would soon wake yonder Spaniards up.” + +The next morning Malcolm wandered along the bank closely examining the +bushes as he went, to see if any boats might be concealed among them, +for the fishermen and boatmen would naturally try to save their craft +when they heard that the Imperialists were destroying them. He walked +three miles up the river without success. As he returned he kept his +eyes fixed on the bushes on the opposite bank. When within half a mile +of the camp he suddenly stopped, for his eye caught something dark among +them. He went to the water's edge and stooped, the better to see under +the bushes, and saw what he doubted not to be the stern of a boat +hauled up and sheltered beneath them. He leapt to his feet with a joyful +exclamation. Here was the means of crossing the river; but the boat had +to be brought over. Once afloat this would be easy enough, but he was +sure that his own strength would be insufficient to launch her, and +that he should need the aid of at least one man. On returning to camp he +called aside the sergeant of his company, James Grant, who was from his +own estate in Nithsdale, and whom he knew to be a good swimmer. + + +“Sergeant,” he said, “I want you to join me in an enterprise tonight. I +have found a boat hauled up under the bushes on the opposite shore, and +we must bring her across. I cannot make out her size; but from the look +of her stern I should say she was a large boat. You had better therefore +borrow from the artillerymen one of their wooden levers, and get a stout +pole two or three inches across, and cut half a dozen two foot lengths +from it to put under her as rollers. Get also a plank of four inches +wide from one of the deserted houses in the village behind us, and cut +out two paddles; we may find oars on board, but it is as well to be +prepared in case the owner should have removed them.” + +“Shall I take my weapons, sir?” + +“We can take our dirks in our belts, sergeant, and lash our swords to +the wooden lever, but I do not think we shall have any fighting. The +night will be dark, and the Spaniards, believing that we have no boats, +will not keep a very strict watch. The worst part of the business is the +swim across the river, the water will be bitterly cold; but as you and I +have often swum Scotch burns when they were swollen by the melting snow +I think that we may well manage to get across this sluggish stream.” + +“At what time will we be starting, sir?” + +“Be here at the edge of the river at six o'clock, sergeant. I can get +away at that time without exciting comment, and we will say nothing +about it unless we succeed.” + +Thinking it over, however, it occurred to Malcolm that by this means +a day would be lost--and he knew how anxious the king was to press +forward. He therefore abandoned his idea of keeping his discovery +secret, and going to his colonel reported that he had found a boat, and +could bring it across from the other side by seven o'clock. + +The news was so important that Munro at once went to the king. Gustavus +ordered three hundred Swedes and a hundred Scots of each of the +regiments of Ramsay, Munro, and the Laird of Wormiston, the whole under +the command of Count Brahe, to form up after dark on the river bank and +prepare to cross, and he himself came down to superintend the passage. +By six it was perfectly dark. During the day Malcolm had placed two +stones on the edge of the water, one exactly opposite the boat, the +other twenty feet behind it in an exact line. When Gustavus arrived at +the spot where the troops were drawn up, Malcolm was taken up to him by +his colonel. + +“Well, my brave young Graheme,” the king said, “so you are going to do +us another service; but how will you find the boat in this darkness? +Even were there no stream you would find it very difficult to strike the +exact spot on a dark night like this.” + +“I have provided against that, sir, by placing two marks on the bank. +When we start lanterns will be placed on these. We shall cross higher up +so as to strike the bank a little above where I believe the boat to be, +then we shall float along under the bushes until the lanterns are in +a line one with another, and we shall know then that we are exactly +opposite the boat.” + +“Well thought of!” the king exclaimed. “Munro, this lieutenant of yours +is a treasure. And now God speed you, my friend, in your cold swim +across the stream!” + +Malcolm and the sergeant now walked half a mile up the river, a distance +which, judging from the strength of the current and the speed at which +they could swim, would, they thought, take them to the opposite bank +at about the point where the boat was lying. Shaking hands with Colonel +Munro, who had accompanied them, Malcolm entered the icy cold water +without delay. Knowing that it was possible that their strength might +give out before they reached the opposite side, Malcolm had had +two pairs of small casks lashed two feet apart. These they fastened +securely, so that as they began to swim the casks floated a short +distance behind each shoulder, giving them perfect support. The lever +and paddles were towed behind them. The lights in the two camps afforded +them a means of directing their way. The water was intensely cold, +and before they were halfway across Malcolm congratulated himself upon +having thought of the casks. Had it not been for them he would have +begun to doubt his ability to reach the further shore, for although he +would have thought nothing of the swim at other times his limbs were +fast becoming numbed with the extreme cold. The sergeant kept close to +him, and a word or two was occasionally exchanged. + +“I think it is colder than our mountain streams, Grant?” + +“It's no colder, your honour, but the water is smooth and still, and +we do not have to wrestle with it as with a brook in spate. It's the +stillness which makes it feel so cold. The harder we swim the less we +will feel it.” + +It was with a deep feeling of relief that Malcolm saw something loom +just in front of him from the darkness, and knew that he was close to +the land. A few more strokes and he touched the bushes. Looking back he +saw that the two lights were nearly in a line. Stopping swimming he let +the stream drift him down. Two or three minutes more and one of the tiny +lights seemed exactly above the other. + +“This is the spot, Grant,” he said in a low voice; “land here as quietly +as you can.” + + + +CHAPTER XI THE CAPTURE OF OPPENHEIM + + +The two swimmers dragged themselves on shore, but for a minute or two +could scarce stand, so numbed were their limbs by the cold. Malcolm took +from his belt a flask of brandy, took a long draught, and handed it to +his companion, who followed his example. + +The spirit sent a glow of warmth through their veins, and they began to +search among the bushes for the boat, one proceeding each way along the +bank. They had not removed their leathern doublets before entering +the water, as these, buoyed up as they were, would not affect their +swimming, and would be a necessary protection when they landed not only +against the cold of the night air but against the bushes. + +Malcolm's beacon proved an accurate guide, for he had not proceeded +twenty yards before he came against a solid object which he at once felt +to be the boat. A low whistle called the sergeant to his side, bringing +with him the rollers and paddles from the spot where they had landed. +They soon felt that the boat was a large one, and that their strength +would have been wholly insufficient to get her into the water without +the aid of the lever and rollers. Taking the former they placed its end +under the stern post, and placing a roller under its heel to serve as a +pivot they threw their weight on the other end of the lever and at once +raised the boat some inches in the air. + +Grant held the lever down and Malcolm slid a roller as far up under +the keel as it would go; the lever was then shifted and the boat again +raised, and the process was continued until her weight rested upon three +rollers. She was now ready to be launched, and as the bank was steep +they had no doubt of their ability to run her down. An examination had +already shown that their paddles would be needless, as the oars were +inside her. They took their places one on each side of the bow, and +applying their strength the boat glided rapidly down. + +“Gently, Grant,” Malcolm said, “don't let her go in with a splash. There +may be some sentries within hearing.” + +They continued their work cautiously, and the boat noiselessly entered +the water. Getting out the oars they gave her a push, and she was soon +floating down the stream. The rowlocks were in their places, and rowing +with extreme care so as to avoid making the slightest sound they made +their way across the river. They were below the camp when they landed, +but there were many men on the lookout, for the news of the attempt had +spread rapidly. + +Leaping ashore amidst a low cheer from a group of soldiers, Malcolm +directed them to tow the boat up at once to the place where the troops +were formed ready for crossing, while he and the sergeant, who were +both chilled to the bone, for their clothes had frozen stiff upon them, +hurried to the spot where the regiment was bivouacked. Here by the side +of a blazing fire they stripped, and were rubbed with cloths by their +comrades till a glow of warmth again began to be felt, the external heat +and friction being aided by the administration of two steaming flagons +of spiced wine. Dry clothes were taken from their knapsacks and warmed +before the fire, and when these were put on they again felt warm and +comfortable. + +Hurrying off now to the spot where the troops were drawn up, they found +that the boat had already made two passages. She rowed four oars, and +would, laden down to the water's edge, carry twenty-five men. The oars +had been muffled with cloths so as to make no sound in the rowlocks. +A party of Munro's Scots had first crossed, then a party of Swedes. +Malcolm and the sergeant joined their company unnoticed in the darkness. +Each detachment sent over a boat load in turns, and when six loads +had crossed it was again the turn of the men of Munro's regiment, and +Malcolm entered the boat with the men. The lights still burned as a +signal, enabling the boat to land each party almost at the same spot. +Malcolm wondered what was going on. A perfect stillness reigned on the +other side, and it was certain that the alarm had not yet been given. + +On ascending the bank he saw in front of him some dark figures actively +engaged, and heard dull sounds. On reaching the spot he found the +parties who had preceded him hard at work with shovels throwing up an +intrenchment. In the darkness he had not perceived that each of the +soldiers carried a spade in addition to his arms. The soil was deep and +soft, and the operations were carried on with scarce a sound. As each +party landed they fell to work under the direction of their officers. +All night the labour continued, and when the dull light of the winter +morning began to dispel the darkness a solid rampart of earth breast +high rose in a semicircle, with its two extremities resting on the +riverbank. + +The last boat load had but just arrived across, and the 600 men were now +gathered in the work, which was about 150 feet across, the base formed +by the river. The earth forming the ramparts had been taken from the +outside, and a ditch 3 feet deep and 6 feet wide had been thus formed. + +The men, who, in spite of the cold were hot and perspiring from their +night's work, now entered the intrenched space, and sat down to take +a meal, each man having brought two days' rations in his havresack. It +grew rapidly lighter, and suddenly the sound of a trumpet, followed by +the rapid beating of drums, showed that the Spaniards had, from their +camp on the eminence half a mile away, discovered the work which had +sprung up during the night as if by magic on their side of the river. + +In a few minutes a great body of cavalry was seen issuing from the +Spanish camp, and fourteen squadrons of cuirassiers trotted down towards +the intrenchments. Soon the word was given to charge, and, like a +torrent, the mass of cavalry swept down upon it. + +Two-thirds of those who had crossed were musketeers, the remainder +pikemen. The latter formed the front line behind the rampart, their +spears forming a close hedge around it, while the musketeers prepared to +fire between them. By the order of Count Brahe not a trigger was pulled +until the cavalry were within fifty yards, then a flash of flame swept +round the rampart, and horses and men in the front line of the cavalry +tumbled to the ground. But half the musketeers had fired, and a few +seconds later another volley was poured into the horsemen. The latter, +however, although many had fallen, did not check their speed, but rode +up close to the rampart, and flung themselves upon the hedge of spears. + +Nothing could exceed the gallantry with which the Spaniards fought. Some +dismounted, and, leaping into the ditch, tried to climb the rampart; +others leapt the horses into it, and standing up in their saddles, cut +at the spearmen with their swords, and fired their pistols among them. +Many, again, tried to leap their horses over ditch and rampart, but the +pikemen stood firm, while at short intervals withering volleys tore into +the struggling mass. + +For half an hour the desperate fight continued, and then, finding that +the position could not be carried by horsemen, the Spanish commander +drew off his men, leaving no less than 600 lying dead around the rampart +of earth. There were no Spanish infantry within some miles of the spot, +and the cavalry rode away, some to Maintz, but the greater part to +Oppenheim, where there was a strong garrison of 1000 men. + +A careful search among the bushes brought three more boats to light, and +a force was soon taken across the river sufficient to maintain itself +against any attack. Gustavus himself was in one of the first boats that +crossed. + +“Well done, my brave hearts!” he said as he landed, just as the Spanish +horsemen had ridden away. “You have fought stoutly and well, and our +way is now open to us. Where are Lieutenant Graheme and the sergeant who +swam across with him?” + +Malcolm and his companion soon presented themselves. + +“I sent for you to your camp,” the king said, “but found that you but +waited to change your clothes, and had then joined the force crossing. +You had no orders to do so.” + +“We had no orders not to do so, sire, but having begun the affair it was +only natural that we should see the end of it.” + +“You had done your share and more,” the king said, “and I thank you +both heartily for it, and promote you, Graheme, at once to the rank of +captain, and will request Colonel Munro to give you the first company +which may fall vacant in his regiment. If a vacancy should not occur +shortly I will place you in another regiment until one may happen in +your own corps. To you, sergeant, I give a commission as officer. +You will take that rank at once, and will be a supernumerary in your +regiment till a vacancy occurs. Such promotion has been well and +worthily won by you both.” + +Without delay an advance was ordered against Oppenheim. It lay on the +Imperialist side of the Rhine. Behind the town stood a strong and well +fortified castle upon a lofty eminence. Its guns swept not only the +country around it, but the ground upon the opposite side of the river. +There, facing it, stood a strong fort surrounded by double ditches, +which were deep and broad and full of water. They were crossed only by +a drawbridge on the side facing the river, and the garrison could +therefore obtain by boats supplies or reinforcements as needed from the +town. + +The Green and Blue Brigades at once commenced opening trenches against +this fort, and would have assaulted the place without delay had not a +number of boats been brought over by a Protestant well wisher of the +Swedes from the other side of the river. The assault was therefore +delayed in order that the attack might be delivered simultaneously +against the positions on both sides of the river. The brigade of guards +and the White Brigade crossed in the boats at Gernsheim, five miles from +the town, and marched against it during the night. + +The Spaniards from their lofty position in the castle of Oppenheim saw +the campfires of the Scots around their fort on the other side of the +river, and opened a heavy cannonade upon them. The fire was destructive, +and many of the Scots were killed, Hepburn and Munro having a narrow +escape, a cannonball passing just over their heads as they were sitting +together by a fire. + +The defenders of the fort determined to take advantage of the fire +poured upon their assailants, and two hundred musketeers made a gallant +sortie upon them; but Hepburn led on his pikemen who were nearest at +hand, and, without firing a shot, drove them back again into the +fort. At daybreak the roar of cannon on the opposite side of the river +commenced, and showed that the king with the divisions which had crossed +had arrived at their posts. The governor of the fort, seeing that if, +as was certain, the lower town were captured by the Swedes, he should be +cut off from all communication with the castle and completely isolated, +surrendered to Sir John Hepburn. + +The town had, indeed, at once opened its gates, and two hundred men of +Sir James Ramsay's regiment were placed there. Hepburn prepared to cross +the river with the Blue and Green Brigades to aid the king in reducing +the castle--a place of vast size and strength--whose garrison composed +of Spaniards and Italians were replying to the fire of Gustavus. A boat +was lying at the gate of the fort. + +“Captain Graheme,” Hepburn said to Malcolm, “take with you two +lieutenants and twenty men in the boat and cross the river; then send +word by an officer to the king that the fort here has surrendered, and +that I am about to cross, and let the men bring over that flotilla of +boats which is lying under the town wall.” + +Malcolm crossed at once. After despatching the message to the king and +sending the officer back with the boats he had for the moment nothing +to do, and made his way into the town to inquire from the officers of +Ramsay's detachment how things were going. He found the men drawn up. + +“Ah! Malcolm Graheme,” the major in command said, “you have arrived in +the very nick of time to take part in a gallant enterprise.” + +“I am ready,” Malcolm said; “what is to be done?” + +“We are going to take the castle, that is all,” the major said. + +“You are joking,” Malcolm laughed, looking at the great castle and the +little band of two hundred men. + +“That am I not,” the major answered; “my men have just discovered a +private passage from the governor's quarters here up to the very gate +of the outer wall. As you see we have collected some ladders, and as we +shall take them by surprise, while they are occupied with the king, we +shall give a good account of them.” + +“I will go with you right willingly,” Malcolm said; but he could not but +feel that the enterprise was a desperate one, and wished that the major +had waited until a few hundred more men had crossed. Placing himself +behind the Scottish officer, he advanced up the passage which had been +discovered. Ascending flight after flight of stone stairs, the column +issued from the passage at the very foot of the outer wall before the +garrison stationed there were aware of their approach. The ladders were +just placed when the Italians caught sight of them and rushed to the +defence, but it was too late. The Scotch swarmed up and gained a footing +on the wall. + +Driving the enemy before them they cleared the outer works, and pressed +so hotly upon the retiring Imperialists that they entered with them into +the inner works of the castle, crossing the drawbridge over the moat +which separated it from its outer works before the garrison had time to +raise it. + +Now in the very heart of the castle a terrible encounter took place. The +garrison, twelve hundred strong, ran down from their places on the wall, +and seeing how small was the force that had entered fell upon them +with fury. It was a hand to hand fight. Loud rose the war cries of the +Italian and Spanish soldiers, and the answering cheers of the Scots +mingled with the clash of sword on steel armour and the cries of the +wounded, while without the walls the cannon of Gustavus thundered +incessantly. + +Not since the dreadful struggle in the streets of New Brandenburg had +Malcolm been engaged in so desperate a strife. All order and regularity +was lost, and man to man they fought with pike, sword, and clubbed +musket. There was no giving of orders, for no word could be heard in +such a din, and the officers with their swords and half pikes fought +desperately in the melee with the rest. + +Gradually, however, the strength and endurance of Ramsay's veterans +prevailed over numbers. Most of the officers of the Imperialists had +been slain, as well as their bravest men, and the rest began to draw off +and to scatter through the castle, some to look for hiding places, many +to jump over the walls rather than fall into the hands of the terrible +Scots. + +The astonishment of Gustavus and of Hepburn, who was now marching with +his men towards the castle, at hearing the rattle of musketry and the +din of battle within the very heart of the fortress was great indeed, +and this was heightened when, a few minutes later, the soldiers were +seen leaping desperately from the walls, and a great shout arose from +the troops as the Imperial banner was seen to descend from its flagstaff +on the keep. Gustavus with his staff rode at once to the gate, which was +opened for him; and on entering he found Ramsay's little force drawn up +to salute him as he entered. It was reduced nearly half in strength, and +not a man but was bleeding from several wounds, while cleft helms and +dinted armour showed how severe had been the fray. + +“My brave Scots,” he exclaimed, “why were you too quick for me?” + +The courtyard of the castle was piled with slain, who were also +scattered in every room throughout it, five hundred having been slain +there before the rest threw down their arms and were given quarter. +This exploit was one of the most valiant which was performed during the +course of the whole war. Four colours were taken, one of which was that +of the Spanish regiment, this being the first of that nationality which +had ever been captured by Gustavus. + +After going over the castle, whose capture would have tasked his +resources and the valour of his troops to the utmost had he been +compelled to attack it in the usual way, Gustavus sent for the officers +of Ramsay's companies and thanked them individually for their capture. + +“What! you here, Malcolm Graheme!” Gustavus said as he came in at the +rear of Ramsay's officers. “Why, what had you to do with this business?” + +“I was only a volunteer, sire,” Malcolm said. “I crossed with the +parties who fetched the boats; but as my instructions ended there I had +nought to do, and finding that Ramsay's men were about to march up to +the attack of the castle, I thought it best to join them, being somewhat +afraid to stop in the town alone.” + +“And he did valiant service, sire,” the major said. “I marked him in the +thick of the fight, and saw more than one Imperialist go down before his +sword.” + +“You know the story of the pitcher and the well, Captain Graheme,” the +king said, smiling. “Some day you will go once too often, and I shall +have to mourn the loss of one of the bravest young officers in my army.” + +There was no rest for the soldiers of Gustavus, and no sooner had +Oppenheim fallen than the army marched against Maintz. This was defended +by two thousand Spanish troops under Don Philip de Sylvia, and was +a place of immense strength. It was at once invested, and trenches +commenced on all sides, the Green Brigade as usual having the post +of danger and honour facing the citadel. The investment began in the +evening, but so vigorously did the Scotch work all night in spite of +the heavy musketry and artillery fire with which the garrison swept +the ground that by morning the first parallel was completed, and the +soldiers were under shelter behind a thick bank of earth. + +All day the Imperialists kept up their fire, the Scots gradually pushing +forward their trenches. In the evening Colonel Axel Lily, one of the +bravest of the Swedish officers, came into the trenches to pay a visit +to Hepburn. He found him just sitting down to dinner with Munro by the +side of a fire in the trench. They invited him to join them, and the +party were chatting gaily when a heavy cannonball crashed through the +earthen rampart behind them, and, passing between Hepburn and Munro, +carried off the leg of the Swedish officer. + +Upon the following day the governor, seeing that the Swedes had erected +several strong batteries, and that the Green Brigade, whose name was a +terror to the Imperialists, was preparing to storm, capitulated, and +his soldiers were allowed to march out with all their baggage, flying +colours, and two pieces of cannon. Eighty pieces of cannon fell into the +hands of the Swedes. The citizens paid 220,000 dollars as the ransom +of their city from pillage, and the Jews 180,000 for the protection +of their quarters and of their gorgeous synagogue, whose wealth and +magnificence were celebrated; and on the 14th of December, 1631, on +which day Gustavus completed his thirty-seventh year, he entered the +city as conqueror. + +Here he kept Christmas with great festivity, and his court was attended +by princes and nobles from all parts of Germany. Among them were six +of the chief princes of the empire and twelve ambassadors from foreign +powers. Among the nobles was the Count of Mansfeld, who brought with him +his wife and daughter. Three days before Christmas Hepburn's brigade +had been moved in from their bivouac in the snow covered trenches, +and assigned quarters in the town, and the count, who arrived on the +following day, at once repaired to the mansion inhabited by the colonel +and officers of Munro's regiment, and inquired for Malcolm Graheme. + +“You will find Captain Graheme within,” the Scottish soldier on sentry +said. + +“It is not Captain Graheme I wish to see,” the count said, “but Malcolm +Graheme, a very young officer.” + +“I reckon that it is the captain,” the soldier said; “he is but a boy; +but in all the regiment there is not a braver soldier; not even the +colonel himself. Donald,” he said, turning to a comrade, “tell Captain +Graheme that he is wanted here.” + +In a short time Malcolm appeared at the door. + +“Ah! it is you, my young friend!” the count exclaimed; “and you have won +the rank of captain already by your brave deeds! Right glad am I to see +you again. I have come with my wife, to attend the court of this noble +king of yours. Can you come with me at once? The countess is longing to +see you, and will be delighted to hear that you have passed unscathed +through all the terrible contests in which you have been engaged. My +daughter is here too; she is never tired of talking about her young +Scottish soldier; but now that you are a captain she will have to be +grave and respectful.” + +Malcolm at once accompanied the count to his house, and was most kindly +received by the countess. + +“It is difficult to believe,” she said, “that 'tis but four months since +we met, so many have been the events which have been crowded into that +time. Scarce a day has passed but we have received news of some success +gained, of some town or castle captured, and your Green Brigade has +always been in the van. We have been constantly in fear for you, and +after that terrible battle before Leipzig Thekla scarcely slept a wink +until we obtained a copy of the Gazette with the names of the officers +killed.” + +“You are kind indeed to bear me so in remembrance,” Malcolm said, “and +I am indeed grateful for it. I have often wondered whether any fresh +danger threatened you; but I hoped that the advance of the Marquis of +Hamilton's force would have given the Imperialists too much to do for +them to disturb you.” + +“Yes, we have had no more trouble,” the countess replied. “The villages +which the Imperialists destroyed are rising again; and as after the +flight of the enemy the cattle and booty they had captured were all left +behind, the people are recovering from their visit. What terrible havoc +has the war caused! Our way here led through ruined towns and villages, +the country is infested by marauders, and all law and order is at an end +save where there are strong bodies of troops. We rode with an escort of +twenty men; but even then we did not feel very safe until we were fairly +through Franconia. And so you have passed unwounded through the strife?” + +“Yes, countess,” Malcolm replied. “I had indeed a ball through my leg +at Wurtzburg; but as it missed the bone, a trifle like that is scarcely +worth counting. I have been most fortunate indeed.” + +“He is a captain now,” the count said, “and to obtain such promotion he +must have greatly distinguished himself. I do not suppose that he will +himself tell us his exploits; but I shall soon learn all about them from +others. I am to meet his colonel this evening at a dinner at the palace, +and shall be able to give you the whole history tomorrow.” + +“But I want the history now,” Thekla said. “It is much nicer to hear a +thing straight from some one who has done it, than from any one else.” + +“There is no story to tell,” Malcolm said. “I had been promised my +lieutenancy at the first vacancy before I was at Mansfeld, and on my +return found that the vacancy had already occurred, and I was appointed. +I got my company the other day for a very simple matter, namely, for +swimming across the Rhine with a barrel fixed on each side of me to +prevent my sinking. Nothing very heroic about that, you see, young +lady.” + +“For swimming across the Rhine!” the count said. “Then you must have +been the Scottish officer who with a sergeant swam and fetched the boat +across which enabled the Swedes to pass a body of troops over, and so +open the way into the Palatinate. I heard it spoken of as a most gallant +action.” + +“I can assure you,” Malcolm said earnestly, “that there was no gallantry +about it. It was exceedingly cold, I grant, but that was all.” + +“Then why should the king have made you a captain for it? You can't get +over that.” + +“That was a reward for my luck,” Malcolm laughed. “'Tis better to be +lucky than to be rich, it is said, and I had the good luck to discover +a boat concealed among the bushes just at the time when a boat was worth +its weight in gold.” + +For an hour Malcolm sat chatting, and then took his leave, as he was +going on duty, promising to return the next day, and to spend as much of +his time as possible with them while they remained in the city. + + + +CHAPTER XII THE PASSAGE OF THE LECH + + +For the next two months the Green Brigade remained quietly at Maintz, +a welcome rest after their arduous labours. The town was very gay, and +every house was occupied either by troops or by the nobles and visitors +from all parts of Northern Europe. Banquets and balls were of nightly +occurrence; and a stranger who arrived in the gay city would not have +dreamt that a terrible campaign had just been concluded, and that +another to the full as arduous was about to commence. + +During this interval of rest the damages which the campaign had effected +in the armour and accoutrements of men and officers were repaired, the +deep dents effected by sword, pike, and bullet were hammered out, the +rust removed, and the stains of blood and bivouac obliterated; fresh +doublets and jerkins were served out from the ample stores captured from +the enemy, and the army looked as gay and brilliant as when it first +landed in North Germany. + +Malcolm spent much of his spare time with the Count and Countess of +Mansfeld, who, irrespective of their gratitude for the assistance he had +rendered them in time of need, had taken a strong liking to the young +Scotchman. + +“You are becoming quite a court gallant, Graheme,” one of his comrades +said at a court ball where Malcolm had been enjoying himself greatly, +having, thanks to the Countess of Mansfeld, no lack of partners, while +many of the officers were forced to look on without taking part in the +dancing, the number of ladies being altogether insufficient to furnish +partners to the throng of officers, Swedish, German, and Scottish. +Beyond the scarf and feathers which showed the brigade to which officers +belonged, there was, even when in arms, but slight attempt at uniformity +in their attire, still less so when off duty. The scene at these balls +was therefore gay in the extreme, the gallants being all attired in +silk, satin, or velvet of brilliant colours slashed with white or some +contrasting hue. The tailors at Maintz had had a busy time of it, for in +so rapid a campaign much baggage had been necessarily lost, and many of +the officers required an entirely new outfit before they could take part +in the court festivities. + +There was, however, no lack of money, for the booty and treasure +captured had been immense, and each officer having received a fixed +share, they were well able to renew their wardrobes. Some fresh +reinforcements arrived during their stay here, and the vacancies which +battle and disease had made in the ranks were filled up. + +But although the Green Brigade did not march from Maintz till the 5th +of March, 1632, the whole army did not enjoy so long a rest. In February +Gustavus despatched three hundred of Ramsay's regiment under Lieutenant +Colonel George Douglas against the town of Creutzenach, together with a +small party of English volunteers under Lord Craven. Forty-seven of +the men were killed while opening the trenches, but the next day they +stormed one of the gates and drove the garrison, which was composed of +six hundred Walloons and Burgundians, out of the town into the castle of +Kausemberg, which commanded it. Its position was extremely strong, its +walls and bastions rising one behind another, and their aspect was so +formidable that they were popularly known as the “Devil's Works.” From +these the garrison opened a very heavy fire into the town, killing +many of the Scots. Douglas, however, gave them but short respite, for +gathering his men he attacked the castle and carried bastion after +bastion by storm until the whole were taken. + +About the same time the important town of Ulm on the Danube opened its +gates to the Swedes, and Sir Patrick Ruthven was appointed commandant +with 1200 Swedes as garrison, Colonel Munro with two companies of +musketeers marched to Coblentz and aided Otto Louis the Rhinegrave, who +with a brigade of twenty troops of horse was expecting to be attacked +by 10,000 Spaniards and Walloons from Spires. Four regiments of Spanish +horse attacked the Rhinegrave's quarters, but were charged so furiously +by four troops of Swedish dragoons under Captain Hume that 300 of them +were killed and the Elector of Nassau taken prisoner; after this the +Spaniards retired beyond the Moselle. + +In other parts of Germany the generals of Gustavus were equally +successful. General Horn defeated the Imperialists at Heidelberg and +Heilbronn. General Lowenhausen scoured all the shores of the Baltic, and +compelled Colonel Graham, a Scotch soldier in the Imperial service, +to surrender the Hanse town of Wismar. Graham marched out with his +garrison, 3000 strong, with the honours of war en route for Silesia, but +having, contrary to terms, spiked the cannon, plundered the shipping, +and slain a Swedish lieutenant, Lowenhausen pursued him, and in the +battle which ensued 500 of Graham's men were slain and the colonel +himself with 2000 taken prisoner. + +General Ottentodt was moving up the Elbe carrying all before him with a +force of 14,000 men, among whom were five battalions of Scots and one +of English. This force cleared the whole duchy of Mecklenburg, capturing +all the towns and fortresses in rapid succession. Sir Patrick Ruthven +advanced along the shores of Lake Constance, driving the Imperialists +before him into the Tyrol. Magdeburg was captured by General Banner, the +Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel reduced all Fulda-Paderborn and the adjacent +districts, the Elector of Saxony overran Bohemia, and Sir Alexander +Leslie threatened the Imperialists in Lower Saxony. + +Thus the campaign of 1632 opened under the most favourable auspices. The +Green Brigade marched on the 5th of March to Aschaffenburg, a distance +of more than thirty miles, a fact which speaks volumes for the physique +and endurance of the troops, for this would in the present day be +considered an extremely long march for troops, and the weight of the +helmet and armour, musket and accoutrements, of the troops of those days +was fully double that now carried by European soldiers. Here they were +reviewed by the king. + +By the 10th the whole army, 23,000 strong, were collected at Weinsheim +and advanced towards Bavaria, driving before them the Imperialists under +the Count de Bucquio. The Chancellor Oxenstiern had been left by the +king with a strong force to guard his conquests on the Rhine. + +No sooner had the king marched than the Spaniards again crossed the +Moselle. The chancellor and the Duke of Weimar advanced against them. +The Dutch troops, who formed the first line of the chancellor's army, +were unable to stand the charge of the Spanish and fled in utter +confusion; but the Scottish regiment of Sir Roderick Leslie, who had +succeeded Sir John Hamilton on his resignation, and the battalion of +Sir John Ruthven, charged the Spaniards with levelled pikes so furiously +that these in turn were broken and driven off the field. + +On the 26th of March Gustavus arrived before the important town and +fortress of Donauworth, being joined on the same day by the Laird of +Foulis with his two regiments of horse and foot. Donauworth is the key +to Swabia; it stands on the Danube, and was a strongly fortified place, +its defences being further covered by fortifications upon a lofty +eminence close by, named the Schellemberg. It was held by the Duke of +Saxe-Lauenburg with two thousand five hundred men. The country round +Donauworth is fertile and hilly, and Gustavus at once seized a height +which commanded the place. The Bavarians were at work upon entrenchments +here as the Swedes advanced, but were forced to fall back into the town. +From the foot of the hill a suburb extended to the gates of the city. +This was at once occupied by five hundred musketeers, who took up their +post in the houses along the main road in readiness to repel a sortie +should the garrison attempt one; while the force on the hillside worked +all night, and by daybreak on the 27th had completed and armed a twenty +gun battery. + +In this was placed a strong body of infantry under Captain Semple, a +Scotchman. As this battery commanded the walls of the town, and flanked +the bridge across the Danube, the position of the defenders was now +seriously menaced, but the Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg refused the demand of +Gustavus to surrender. The battery now opened fire, first demolishing a +large stone building by the river occupied by a force of Imperialists, +and then directing its fire upon the city gates. + +The cannonade continued after nightfall, but in the darkness a body of +Imperialist horsemen under Colonel Cronenberg dashed out at full speed +through the gate, cut a passage through the musketeers in the suburb, +galloped up the hill, and fell upon the infantry and artillery in +the battery. So furious was their charge that the greater part of the +defenders of the battery were cut down. The guns were spiked, and the +cavalry, having accomplished their purpose, charged down the hill, cut +their way through the suburb, and regained the town. + +This gallant exploit deranged the plans of the Swedes. Gustavus +reconnoitred the town accompanied by Sir John Hepburn, and by the advice +of that officer decided upon a fresh plan of operations. Hepburn +pointed out to him that by taking possession of the angle formed by the +confluence of the Wermitz and Danube to the west of the town the bridge +crossing from Donauworth into Bavaria would be completely commanded, and +the garrison would be cut off from all hope of escape and of receiving +relief from Bavaria. + +The plan being approved, Hepburn drew off his brigade with its +artillery, and marching five miles up the Danube crossed the river at +the bridge of Hassfurt, and descended the opposite bank until he faced +Donauworth. He reached his position at midnight, and placed his cannon +so as to command the whole length of the bridge, and then posted his +musketeers in the gardens and houses of a suburb on the river, so that +their crossfire also swept it. + +The pikemen were drawn up close to the artillery at the head of the +bridge. Quietly as these movements were performed the garrison took the +alarm, and towards morning the duke, finding his retreat intercepted, +sallied out at the head of eight hundred musketeers to cut his way +through; but as the column advanced upon the bridge the Green Brigade +opened fire, the leaden hail of their musketeers smote the column on +both sides, while the cannon ploughed lanes through it from end to end. +So great was the destruction that the Bavarians retreated in confusion +back into the town again, leaving the bridge strewn with their dead. + +Alone the gallant Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg charged through the hail of +fire across the bridge, fell upon the pikemen sword in hand, and cutting +his way through them rode away, leaving his garrison to their fate. +The roar of artillery informed Gustavus what was going on, and he +immediately opened fire against the other side of the town and led his +men to the assault of the gate. + +The instant the Scotch had recovered from their surprise at the +desperate feat performed by the duke, Hepburn, calling them together, +placed himself at their head and led them across the bridge. The panic +stricken fugitives had omitted to close the gate, and the Scotch at once +entered the town. Here the garrison resisted desperately; their pikemen +barred the streets, and from every window and roof their musketeers +poured their fire upon the advancing column. + +The day was breaking now, and the roar of battle in the city mingled +with that at the gates, where the Swedes were in vain striving to effect +an entrance. Gradually the Scotch won their way forward; 500 of the +Bavarians were killed, in addition to 400 who had fallen on the bridge. +The rest now attempted to fly. Great numbers were drowned in the Danube, +and the remainder were taken prisoners. The streets were encumbered by +the heavily laden baggage wagons, and a vast amount of booty fell into +the hands of the Scotch, who thus became masters of the town before +Gustavus and his Swedes had succeeded in carrying the gate. + +The king now entered the town, and as soon as order was restored +Hepburn's brigade recrossed the Danube and threw up a strong work on +the other side of the bridge; for Tilly was on the Lech, but seven miles +distant, and might at any moment return. He had just struck a severe +blow at Marshal Horn, who had recently taken Bamberg. His force, 9000 +strong, had been scattered to put down a rising of the country people, +when Tilly with 16,000 fell upon them. + +A column under Bauditzen was attacked and defeated, and Tilly's horsemen +pursued them hotly to the bridge leading to the town. Marshal Horn threw +a barricade across this and defended it until nightfall. Tilly had then +fallen back before the advance of Gustavus to a very strong position +on the Lech. This was an extremely rapid river, difficult to cross and +easily defensible. Tilly had broken down the bridges, and was prepared +to dispute till the last the further advance of the Swedes. He placed +his army between Rain, where the Lech falls into the Danube, and +Augsburg, a distance of sixteen miles--all the assailable points being +strongly occupied, with small bodies of cavalry in the intervals to give +warning of the approach of the enemy. He had been joined by Maximilian +of Bavaria, and his force amounted to 40,000 men. + +Gustavus gave his army four days' rest at Donauworth, and then advanced +with 32,000 men against the Lech. His dragoons, who had been pushed +forward, had found the bridges destroyed. He first attempted to repair +that at Rain, but the fire of the artillery and musketry was so +heavy that he was forced to abandon the idea. He then made a careful +reconnaissance of the river, whose course was winding and erratic. + +Finding that at every point at which a crossing could be easily effected +Tilly's batteries and troops commanded the position, he determined to +make his attack at a point where the river made a sharp bend in the form +of a semicircle, of which he occupied the outer edge. He encamped the +bulk of his army at the village of Nordheim, a short distance in the +rear, and erected three powerful batteries mounting seventy-two guns. +One of these faced the centre of the loop, the others were placed +opposite the sides. + +The ground on the Swedish bank of the river was higher than that facing +it; and when the Swedish batteries opened they so completely swept the +ground inclosed by the curve of the river that the Imperialists could +not advance across it, and were compelled to remain behind a rivulet +called the Ach, a short distance in the rear of the Lech. They brought +up their artillery, however, and replied to the cannonade of the Swedes. + +For four days the artillery duel continued, and while it was going on a +considerable number of troops were at work in the village of Oberndorf, +which lay in a declivity near the river, hidden from the sight of the +Imperialists, constructing a bridge. For that purpose a number of strong +wooden trestles of various heights and with feet of unequal length for +standing in the bed of the river were prepared, together with a quantity +of piles to be driven in among and beside them to enable them to resist +the force of the current. + +On the night of the fourth day the king caused a number of fires to be +lighted near the river, fed with green wood and damp straw. A favourable +wind blew the smoke towards the enemy, and thus concealed the ground +from them. At daybreak on the 5th of April, a thousand picked men +crossed the river in two boats, and having reached the other side +at once proceeded to throw up intrenchments to cover the head of the +bridge, while at the same time the workmen began to place the trestles +in position. + +As soon as day broke Tilly became aware of what was being done, and +two batteries opened fire upon the work at the head of the bridge and +against the bridge itself; but the low and swampy nature of the ground +on the Imperialist side of the river prevented his placing the batteries +in a position from which they could command the works, and their fire +proved ineffective in preventing the construction of the bridge. Seeing +this, Tilly at once commenced preparations for arresting the further +advance of the Swedes. + +To reach his position they would be obliged to cross the swampy ground +exposed to the fire of his troops, and to render their progress still +more difficult he proceeded to cut down large trees, lopping and +sharpening their branches to form a chevaux-de-frise before his troops. +All the morning a heavy cannonade was kept up on both sides, but by noon +the bridge was completed and the advance guard of the Swedes, led by +Colonels Wrandel and Gassion, advanced across it. As the other brigades +were following, Tilly directed General Altringer to lead his cavalry +against them. + +Altringer led his troops round the end of the marsh and charged with +great bravery down upon the Swedes. These, however, had time to form up, +and a tremendous fire of musketry was poured into the Imperialist horse, +while the round shot from the three Swedish batteries ploughed their +ranks in front and on both flanks. Under such circumstances, although +fighting with reckless bravery, the Imperialist cavalry were repulsed. +Altringer, however, rallied them and led them back again to the charge, +but a cannonball grazed his temple and he was carried senseless from +the field. His men, shaken by the tremendous fire and deprived of their +leader, fell back in confusion. + +Tilly at once placed himself at the head of a chosen body of troops +and advanced to the attack, fighting with the ardour and bravery which +always distinguished him. He was short in stature and remarkable for his +ugliness as well as his bravery. Lean and spare in figure, he had hollow +cheeks, a long nose, a broad wrinkled forehead, heavy moustaches, and +a sharp pointed chin. He had from his boyhood been fighting against the +Protestants. He had learned the art of war under the cruel and pitiless +Spanish general Alva in the Netherlands, of which country he was a +native, and had afterwards fought against them in Bavaria, in Bohemia, +and the Palatinate, and had served in Hungary against the Turks. + +Until he met Gustavus at Breitenfeld he had never known a reverse. A +bigoted Catholic, he had never hesitated at any act of cruelty which +might benefit the cause for which he fought, or strike terror into the +Protestants; and the singularity of his costume and the ugliness of his +appearance heightened the terror which his deeds inspired among them. +When not in armour his costume was modelled upon that of the Duke of +Alva, consisting of a slashed doublet of green silk, with an enormously +wide-brimmed and high conical hat adorned with a large red ostrich +feather. In his girdle he carried a long dagger and a Toledo sword of +immense length. His personal bravery was famous, and never did he +fight more gallantly than when he led his veterans to the attack of the +Swedes. + +For twenty minutes a furious hand to hand conflict raged, and the result +was still uncertain when a shot from a falconet struck Tilly on the +knee and shattered the bone, and the old general fell insensible to +the ground. He was carried off the field, and his troops, now without a +leader, gave way, the movement being hastened by two bodies of Swedish +horse, who, eager for action, swam their horses across the river and +threatened to cut off the retreat. By this time evening was at hand. The +Swedes had secured the passage of the river, but the Imperialist army +still held its intrenched position in the wood behind the Lech. Gustavus +brought the rest of his army across and halted for the night. + +The Imperialist position was tremendously strong, being unassailable on +the right and covered in the front by the marshy ground. It could +still have been defended with every prospect of success by a determined +general, but the two best Imperialist commanders were hors de combat, +and Maximilian of Bavaria, the nominal generalissimo, had no military +experience. The army, too, was disheartened by the first success of the +Swedes and by the loss of the general whom they regarded as well nigh +invincible. + +Tilly had now recovered his senses, but was suffering intense agony from +his wound, and on being consulted by Maximilian he advised him to fall +back, as the destruction of his army would leave the whole country open +to the Swedes. + +The Imperialists accordingly evacuated their position and fell back in +good order during the night on Neuberg, and then to Ingolstadt. Rain and +Neuberg were occupied the next day by the Swedes. Gustavus despatched +Marshal Horn to follow the retreating enemy to Ingolstadt, and he +himself with the rest of his army marched up the Lech to Augsburg, which +was held by Colonel Breda with four thousand five hundred men. + +The Imperialists had broken down the bridge, but Gustavus immediately +built two others, one above and the other below the city, and summoned +it to surrender. Breda, hearing that Tilly was dying, Altringer severely +wounded, and that no help was to be expected from Maximilian, considered +it hopeless to resist, and surrendered the town, which Gustavus, +attended by the titular King of Bohemia and many other princes, entered +in triumph on the following day, April 14th. The capture of Augsburg +was hailed with peculiar satisfaction, as the city was regarded as the +birthplace of the Reformation in Germany. Leaving a garrison there the +king retraced his steps along the Lech to Neuberg, and marched thence to +join Marshal Horn in front of Ingolstadt. + +This town was one of the strongest places in Germany and had never been +captured. It was now held by a formidable garrison, and the Imperialist +army covered it on the north. Tilly had implored Maximilian to defend +it and Ratisbon at all hazards, as their possession was a bar to the +further advance of Gustavus. + +The king arrived before it on the 19th, and on the following day +advanced to reconnoitre it closely. The gunners of the town, seeing a +number of officers approaching, fired, and with so good an aim that +a cannonball carried off the hindquarters of the horse the king was +riding. A cry of alarm and consternation burst from the officers, but +their delight was great when the king rose to his feet, covered with +dust and blood indeed, but otherwise unhurt. + +On the following day a cannonball carried off the head of the Margrave +of Baden-Durlach, and on the same day Tilly expired. With his last +breath he urged Maximilian never to break his alliance with the emperor, +and to appoint Colonel Cratz, an officer of great courage and ability, +to the command of his army. + +Gustavus remained eight days before Ingolstadt, and then, finding that +the reduction of the place could not be effected without the loss of +much valuable time, he raised the siege. On his march he took possession +of Landshut and forced it to pay a ransom of 100,000 thalers and to +receive a garrison, and then continued his way to Munich. + +The Bavarian capital surrendered without a blow on the 17th of May. +Gustavus made a triumphal entry into the town, where he obtained +possession of a vast quantity of treasure and stores. Here he remained +some little time reducing the country round and capturing many cities +and fortresses. The Green Brigade had suffered severely at Ingolstadt. +On the evening of the 19th of April the king, expecting a sally, had +ordered Hepburn to post the brigade on some high ground near the gate +and the soldiers remained under arms the whole night. + +The glow of their matches enabled the enemy to fire with precision, and +a heavy cannonade was poured upon them throughout the whole night. Three +hundred men were killed as they stood, Munro losing twelve men by one +shot; but the brigade stood their ground unflinchingly, and remained +until morning in steady line in readiness to repel any sortie of the +enemy. + +The army suffered greatly on the march from the Lech to Ingolstadt, +and thence to Munich, from the attacks of the country people, who were +excited against them by the priests. Every straggler who fell into their +hands was murdered with horrible cruelty, the hands and feet being cut +off, and other savage mutilations being performed upon them, in revenge +for which the Swedes and Scots shot all the Bavarians who fell into +their hands, and burned two hundred towns and villages. + + + +CHAPTER XIII CAPTURED BY THE PEASANTS + + +Malcolm Graheme was not present at the siege of Ingolstadt. The orders +after crossing the Lech had been very strict against straggling, so soon +as the disposition of the country people was seen; but it is not easy +to keep a large column of troops in a solid body. The regiments in the +march indeed, under the eye of the officers, can be kept in column, but +a considerable number of troops are scattered along the great convoy +of wagons containing the tents, stores, and ammunition of the army, and +which often extends some miles in length. Even if the desire for plunder +does not draw men away, many are forced to fall behind either from +sickness, sore feet, or other causes. + +The number of these was comparatively small in the army of Gustavus, +for discipline was strict and the spirit of the troops good. As soon, +however, as it was found that every straggler who fell into the hands of +the peasantry was murdered under circumstances of horrible atrocity +it became very difficult for the officers to keep the men together, +so intense was their fury and desire for vengeance against the savage +peasantry, and on every possible occasion when a village was seen near +the line of march men would slip away and slay, plunder, and burn. + +Gustavus endeavoured to repress these proceedings. He shared the +indignation of his troops at the barbarous conduct of the peasantry, +but throughout the war he always tried to carry on hostilities so as +to inflict as little loss and suffering as possible upon noncombatants. +This state of warfare too between his troops and the country people +added to his difficulties, for the peasantry drove off their cattle and +burned their stacks, and rendered it necessary for provisions and forage +to be carried with the army. Parties were therefore sent out on the +flanks of the column for the double purpose of preventing soldiers +stealing off to plunder and burn, and of picking up stragglers and +saving them from the fury of the peasants. + +A strong rear guard followed a short distance behind the army. It was +accompanied by some empty wagons, in which those who fell out and were +unable to keep up with the march were placed. Two days after the advance +from the Lech, Malcolm was in charge of a small party on the right flank +of the column. There was no fear of an attack from the enemy, for the +Swedish horsemen were out scouring the country, and the Imperialists +were known to have fallen back to Ingolstadt. The villages were found +deserted by the male inhabitants, the younger women too had all left, +but a few old crones generally remained in charge. These scowled at the +invaders, and crossing themselves muttered curses beneath their breath +upon those whom their priests had taught them to regard as devils. There +was nothing to tempt the cupidity of the soldiers in these villages. +Malcolm's duty was confined to a casual inspection, to see that no +stragglers had entered for the purpose of procuring wine. + +The day's march was nearly over when he saw some flames rise from a +village a short distance away. Hurrying forward with his men he found +a party of ten of the Swedish soldiers who had stolen away from the +baggage guard engaged in plundering. Two peasants lay dead in the +street, and a house was in flames. + +Malcolm at once ordered his detachment, who were twenty strong, to +arrest the Swedes and to march them back to the columns. While they were +doing this he went from house to house to see that none of the party +were lurking there. At the door of the last house of the village three +women were standing. + +“Are any of the soldiers here?” he asked. + +The women gave him an unintelligible answer in the country patois, and +passing between them he entered the cottage. On the table stood a large +jug of water, and lifting it he took a long draught. There was a sudden +crash, and he fell heavily, struck down from behind with a heavy mallet +by one of the women. He was stunned by the blow, and when he recovered +his senses he found that he was bound hand and foot, a cloth had been +stuffed tightly into his mouth, and he was covered thickly with a heap +of straw and rubbish. He struggled desperately to free himself, but so +tightly were the cords bound that they did not give in the slightest. + +A cold perspiration broke out on his forehead as he reflected that he +was helpless in the power of these savage peasants, and that he should +probably be put to death by torture. Presently he could hear the shouts +of his men, who, on finding that he did not return, had scattered +through the village in search of him. He heard the voice of his +sergeant. + +“These old hags say they saw an officer walk across to the left. The +captain may have meant us to march the prisoners at once to the column, +and be waiting just outside the village for us, but it is not likely. At +any rate, lads, we will search every house from top to bottom before we +leave. So set to work at once; search every room, cupboard, and shed. +There may be foul play; though we see no men about, some may be in +hiding.” + +Malcolm heard the sound of footsteps, and the crashing of planks as +the men searched the cottages, wrenched off the doors of cupboards, and +ransacked the whole place. Gradually the sound ceased, and everything +became quiet. Presently he heard the sound of drums, and knew that the +regiment which formed the rear guard was passing. + +It was bitterness indeed to know that his friends were within sound of a +call for aid, and that he was bound and helpless. The halting place for +the night was, he knew, but a mile or two in advance, and his only hope +was that some band of plunderers might in the night visit the village; +but even then his chances of being discovered were small indeed, for +even should they sack and burn it he would pass unnoticed lying hidden +in the straw yard. His captors were no doubt aware of the possibility of +such a visit, for it was not until broad daylight, when the army would +again be on its forward march, that they uncovered him. + +Brave as Malcolm was he could scarce repress a shudder as he looked at +the band of women who surrounded him. All were past middle age, some +were old and toothless, but all were animated by a spirit of ferocious +triumph. Raising him into a sitting position, they clustered round him, +some shook their skinny hands in his face, others heaped curses upon +him, some of the most furious assailed him with heavy sticks, and had he +not still been clothed in his armour, would then and there have killed +him. + +This, however, was not their intention, for they intended to put him to +death by slow torture. He was lifted and carried into the cottage. +There the lacings of his armour were cut, the cords loosened one by one, +sufficient to enable them to remove the various pieces of which it was +composed, then he was left to himself, as the hags intended to postpone +the final tragedy until the men returned from the hills. + +This might be some hours yet, as the Swedish cavalry would still be +scouring the country, and other bodies of troops might be marching up. +From the conversation of the women, which he understood but imperfectly, +Malcolm gathered that they thought the men would return that night. Some +of the women were in favour of executing the vengeance themselves, but +the majority were of opinion that the men should have their share of the +pleasure. + +All sorts of fiendish propositions were made as to the manner in which +his execution should be carried out, but even the mildest caused Malcolm +to shudder in anticipation. His arms were bound tightly to his side at +the elbows, and the wrists were fastened in front of him, his legs were +tied at the knees and ankles. Sometimes he was left alone as the women +went about their various avocations in the village, but he was so +securely bound that to him as to them his escape appeared altogether +impossible. The day passed heavily and slowly. The cloth had been +removed from his mouth, but he was parched with thirst, while the +tightly bound cords cut deeply into his flesh. + +He had once asked for water, but his request had been answered with such +jeers and mockery that he resolved to suffer silently until the last. At +length the darkness of the winter evening began to fall when a thought +suddenly struck him. On the hearth a fire was burning; he waited until +the women had again left the hut. He could hear their voices without +as they talked with those in the next cottage. They might at any moment +return, and it was improbable that they would again go out, for the cold +was bitter, and they would most likely wait indoors for the return of +the men. + +This then was his last opportunity. He rolled himself to the fire, and +with his teeth seized the end of one of the burning sticks. He raised +himself into a sitting position, and with the greatest difficulty laid +the burning end of the stick across the cords which bound his wrists. It +seemed to him that they would never catch fire. The flesh scorched and +frizzled, and the smoke rose up with that of the burning rope. The agony +was intense, but it was for life, and Malcolm unflinchingly held the +burning brand in its place until the cords flew asunder and his hands +were free. Although almost mad with the pain, Malcolm set to work +instantly to undo the other ropes. As soon as one of his arms was free +he seized a hatchet, which lay near him, and rapidly cut the rest. He +was not a moment too soon, for as he cut the last knot he heard the +sound of steps, and two women appeared at the door. + +On seeing their prisoner standing erect with an axe in his hand they +turned and fled shrieking loudly. It was well for Malcolm that they did +so, for so stiff and numbed were his limbs that he could scarcely hold +the axe, and the slightest push would have thrown him to the ground. + +Some minutes passed before, by stamping his feet and rubbing his legs +he restored circulation sufficiently to totter across the room. Then he +seized a brand and thrust it into the thatch of the house, having first +put on his helmet and placed his sword and pistols in his belt. His +hands were too crippled and powerless to enable him to fasten on the +rest of his armour. He knew that he had no time to lose. Fortunately the +women would not know how weak and helpless he was, for had they returned +in a body they could easily have overpowered him; but at any moment the +men might arrive, and if he was found there by them his fate was sealed. + +Accordingly as soon as he had fired the hut he made his way from the +village as quickly as he could crawl along. He saw behind him the flames +rising higher and higher. The wind was blowing keenly, and the fire +spread rapidly from house to house, and by the time he reached the road +along which the army had travelled the whole village was in flames. He +felt that he could not travel far, for the intense sufferings which he +had endured for twenty-four hours without food or water had exhausted +his strength. + +His limbs were swollen and bruised from the tightness of the cords, the +agony of his burned wrists was terrible, and after proceeding slowly for +about a mile he drew off from the broad trampled track which the army +had made in passing, and dragging himself to a clump of trees a short +distance from the road, made his way through some thick undergrowth and +flung himself down. The night was intensely cold, but this was a relief +to him rather than otherwise, for it alleviated the burning pain of his +limbs while he kept handfuls of snow applied to his wrists. + +Two hours after he had taken refuge he heard a number of men come along +the road at a run. Looking through the bushes he could see by their +figures against the snow that they were peasants, and had no doubt that +they were the men of the village who had returned and at once started in +pursuit of him. + +An hour later, feeling somewhat relieved, he left his hiding place and +moved a mile away from the road, as he feared that the peasants, failing +to overtake him, might, as they returned, search every possible hiding +place near it. He had no fear of the track being noticed, for the +surface of the snow was everywhere marked by parties going and returning +to the main body. He kept on until he saw a small shed. The door was +unfastened; opening it he found that the place was empty, though there +were signs that it was usually used as a shelter for cattle. + +A rough ladder led to a loft. This was nearly full of hay. Malcolm threw +himself down on this, and covering himself up thickly, felt the blood +again begin to circulate in his limbs. It brought, however, such +a renewal of his pain, that it was not until morning that fatigue +overpowered his sufferings and he fell asleep. + +It was late in the afternoon when he woke at the sound of shouts and +holloaing. Springing to his feet he looked out between the cracks in the +boards and saw a party of forty or fifty peasants passing close by the +shed. They were armed with hatchets, scythes, and pikes. On the heads of +four of the pikes were stuck gory heads, and in the centre of the party +were three prisoners, two Swedes and a Scot. These were covered with +blood, and were scarcely able to walk, but were being urged forward with +blows and pike thrusts amid the brutal laughter of their captors. + +Malcolm retired to his bed full of rage and sorrow. It would have been +madness to have followed his first impulse to sally out sword in hand +and fall upon the ruffians, as such a step would only have ensured his +own death without assisting the captives. + +“Hitherto,” he said to himself, “I have ever restrained my men, and have +endeavoured to protect the peasants from violence; henceforward, so long +as we remain in Bavaria, no word of mine shall be uttered to save one +of these murderous peasants. However, I am not with my company yet. +The army is two marches ahead, and must by this time be in front of +Ingolstadt. I have been two days without food, and see but little chance +of getting any until I rejoin them, and the whole country between us is +swarming with an infuriated peasantry. The prospect is certainly not +a bright one. I would give a year's pay to hear the sound of a Swedish +trumpet.” + +When darkness had fairly set in Malcolm started on his way again. +Although his limbs still smarted from the weals and sores left by the +cords they had now recovered their lissomeness; but he was weak from +want of food, and no longer walked with the free elastic stride which +distinguished the Scottish infantry. His wrists gave him great pain, +being both terribly burned, and every movement of the hand sent a thrill +of agony up the arm. He persisted, however, in frequently opening and +clenching his hands, regardless of the pain, for he feared that did he +not do so they would stiffen and he would be unable to grasp a sword. +Fortunately the wounds were principally on the upper side of the thumbs, +where the flesh was burned away to the bone, but the sinews and muscles +of the wrists had to a great extent escaped. + +He had not journeyed very far when he saw a light ahead and presently +perceived the houses of a village. A fire was lit in the centre, and a +number of figures were gathered round it. + +“Something is going on,” Malcolm said to himself; “as likely as not they +have got some unfortunate prisoner. Whatever it be, I will steal in and +try to get some food. I cannot go much further without it; and as their +attention is occupied, I may find a cottage empty.” + +Making his way round to the back of the houses, he approached one of the +cottages in the rear. He lifted the latch of the door and opened it a +little. All was still. With his drawn sword he entered. The room was +empty; a fire burned on the hearth, and on the table were some loaves +which had evidently been just baked. Malcolm fell upon one of them and +speedily devoured it, and, taking a long draught of rough country wine +from a skin hanging against the wall, he felt another man. + +He broke another loaf in two and thrust the pieces into his doublet, and +then sallied out from the cottage again. Still keeping behind the houses +he made his way until he got within view of the fire. Here he saw a +sight which thrilled him with horror. Some eight or ten peasants and +forty or fifty women were yelling and shouting. Fastened against a +post in front of the fire were the remains of a prisoner. He had been +stripped, his ears, nose, hands, and feet cut off, and he was slowly +bleeding to death. + +Four other men, bound hand and foot, lay close to the fire. By its +flames Malcolm saw the green scarves that told they were Scotchmen of +his own brigade, and he determined at once to rescue them or die in the +attempt. He crept forward until he reached the edge of the road; then he +raised a pistol and with a steady aim fired at one of the natives, who +fell dead across the fire. + +Another shot laid another beside him before the peasants recovered from +their first surprise. Then with a loud shout in German, “Kill--kill! and +spare none!” Malcolm dashed forward. The peasants, believing that they +were attacked by a strong body, fled precipitately in all directions. +Malcolm, on reaching the prisoners, instantly severed their bonds. + +“Quick, my lads!” he exclaimed; “we shall have them upon us again in a +minute.” + +The men in vain tried to struggle to their feet--their limbs were too +numbed to bear them. + +“Crawl to the nearest cottage!” Malcolm exclaimed; “we can hold it until +your limbs are recovered.” + +He caught up from the ground some pikes and scythes which the peasants +had dropped in their flight, and aided the men to make their way to the +nearest cottage. They were but just in time; for the peasants, finding +they were not pursued, had looked round, and seeing but one opponent had +gained courage and were beginning to approach again. Malcolm barred the +door, and then taking down a skin of wine bade his companions take a +drink. There were loaves on the shelves, and these he cut up and handed +to them. + +“Quick, lads!” he said; “stamp your legs and swing your arms, and get +the blood in motion. I will keep these fellows at bay a few minutes +longer.” + +He reloaded his pistols and fired through the door, at which the +peasants were now hewing with axes. A cry and a heavy fall told him that +one of the shots had taken effect. Suddenly there was a smell of smoke. + +“They have fired the roof,” Malcolm said. “Now, lads, each of you put a +loaf of bread under his jerkin. There is no saying when we may get more. +Now get ready and sally out with me. There are but six or eight men in +the village, and they are no match for us. They only dared to attack us +because they saw that you couldn't walk.” + +The door was opened, and headed by Malcolm the four Scotchmen dashed +out. They were assailed by a shower of missiles by the crowd as they +appeared, but as soon as it was seen that the men were on foot again the +peasants gave way. Malcolm shot one and cut down another, and the rest +scattered in all directions. + +“Now, lads, follow me while we may,” and Malcolm again took to the +fields. The peasants followed for some distance, but when the soldiers +had quite recovered the use of their limbs Malcolm suddenly turned on +his pursuers, overtaking and killing two of them. Then he and his men +again continued their journey, the peasants no longer following. When at +some distance from the village he said: + +“We must turn and make for the Lech again. It is no farther than it is +to Ingolstadt, and we shall find friends there. These peasants will go +on ahead and raise all the villagers against us, and we should never get +through. What regiment do you belong to, lads?” for in the darkness he +had been unable to see their faces. + +“Your own, Captain Graheme. We were in charge of one of the wagons with +sick. The wheel came off, and we were left behind the convoy while we +were mending it. As we were at work, our weapons laid on the ground, +some twenty men sprang out from some bushes hard by and fell upon us. We +killed five or six of them, but were beaten down and ten of our number +were slain. They murdered all the sick in the wagons and marched us +away, bound, to this village where you found us. Sandy McAlister they +had murdered just as you came up, and we should have had a like horrible +fate had you been a few minutes later. Eh, sir! but it's an awful death +to be cut in pieces by these devils incarnate!” + +“Well, lads,” Malcolm said, “we will determine that they shall not take +us alive again. If we are overtaken or met by any of these gangs of +peasants we will fight till we die. None of us, I hope, are afraid of +death in fair strife, but the bravest might well shrink from such a +death as that of your poor comrade. Now let us see what arms we have +between us.” + +Malcolm had his sword and pistols, two of the men had pikes, the other +two scythes fastened to long handles. + +“These are clumsy weapons,” Malcolm said. “You had best fit short +handles to them, so as to make them into double handed swords.” + +They were unable to travel far, for all were exhausted with the +sufferings they had gone through, but they kept on until they came upon +a village which had been fired when the troops marched through. The +walls of a little church were alone standing. It had, like the rest of +the village, been burned, but the shell still remained. + +“So far as I can see,” Malcolm said, “the tower has escaped. Had it been +burned we should see through the windows. We may find shelter in the +belfry.” + +On reaching the church they found that the entrance to the belfry tower +was outside the church, and to this, no doubt, it owed its escape from +the fire which had destroyed the main edifice. The door was strong and +defied their efforts to break it in. + +“I must fire my pistol through the lock,” Malcolm said. “I do not +like doing so, for the sound may reach the ears of any peasants in the +neighbourhood; but we must risk it, for the cold is extreme, and to lie +down in the snow would be well nigh certain death.” + +He placed his pistol to the keyhole and fired. The lock at once yielded +and the party entered the door. + +“Before we mount,” Malcolm said, “let each pick up one of these blocks +of stone which have fallen from the wall. We will wedge the door from +behind, and can then sleep secure against a surprise.” + +When the door was closed one of the men, who was a musketeer, struck +some sparks from a flint and steel on to a slow match which he carried +in his jerkin, and by its glow they were enabled to look around them. +The stone steps began to ascend close to the door, and by laying the +stones between the bottom step and the door they wedged the latter +firmly in its place. They then ascended the stairs, and found themselves +in a room some ten feet square, in which hung the bell which had called +the village to prayers. It hung from some beams which were covered with +a boarded floor, and a rough ladder led to a trapdoor, showing that +there was another room above. The floor of the room in which they stood +was of stone. + +“Now, lads,” Malcolm said, “two of you make your way up that ladder and +rip up some of the planks of the flooring. See if there are any windows +or loopholes in the chamber above, and if so stuff your jerkins into +them; we will close up those here. In a few minutes we will have a +roaring fire; but we must beware lest a gleam of light be visible +without, for this belfry can be seen for miles round.” + +Some of the boards were soon split up into fragments; but before the +light was applied to them Malcolm carefully examined each window and +loophole to be sure that they were perfectly stopped. Then the slow +match was placed in the centre of a number of pieces of dry and rotten +wood. One of the men kneeling down blew lustily, and in a few seconds a +flame sprang up. The wood was now heaped on, and a bright fire was soon +blazing high. + +A trapdoor leading out on to the flat top of the tower was opened for +the escape of the smoke, and the party then seated themselves round the +fire, under whose genial warmth their spirits speedily rose. They now +took from their wallets the bread which they had brought away with them. + +“If we had,” one of the soldiers said, “but a few flasks of Rhine wine +with us we need not envy a king.” + +“No,” Malcolm replied, “we are better off at present than our comrades +who are sleeping in the snow round the watchfires; but for all that I +would that we were with them, for we have a long and dangerous march +before us. And now, lads, you can sleep soundly. There will be no +occasion to place a watch, for the door is securely fastened; but at the +first dawn of light we must be on our feet; for although I do not mean +to march until nightfall, we must remove the stoppings from the windows, +for should the eye of any passing peasant fall upon them, he will guess +at once that some one is sheltering here, and may proceed to find out +whether it be friend or foe.” + +Having finished half their bread, for Malcolm had warned them to save +the other half for the next day, the men lay down round the fire, and +soon all were sound asleep. + + + +CHAPTER XIV IN THE CHURCHTOWER + + +Malcolm was the first to awake, and was vexed to find by a stream of +light pouring down through the half open trapdoor above that it was +broad day. He roused the men, and the stoppings were at once removed +from the loopholes. The sun was already high, for the party, overpowered +with fatigue, had slept long and soundly. + +Malcolm looked cautiously from the window; no one was in sight, and the +ruins of the village below lay black and deserted. The men resumed the +clothes which had been used for blocking the loopholes, and sat down +to pass the long hours which would elapse before the time for action +arrived. It was exceedingly cold, for there were loopholes on each side +of the chamber, and the wind blew keenly through. + +“Sergeant,” Malcolm said, “we will risk a bit of fire again, for the +cold pierces to the bone; only be sure that you use perfectly dry wood. +Examine each piece to see that no drip from the roof has penetrated it. +If it is dry it will give but little smoke, and a slight vapour is not +likely to be observed rising from the top of the tower.” + +The fire was again lighted, and the smoke was so slight that Malcolm had +little fear of its being observed. + +An hour later, as the men were talking, Malcolm suddenly held up his +hand for silence, and the murmur of voices was heard without. Malcolm +rose to his feet to reconnoitre, standing far back from the loophole as +he did so. A group of some eight or ten peasants were standing looking +at the tower, while a woman was pointing to it and talking eagerly. + +It was towards the windows that she was pointing, and Malcolm guessed at +once that, having returned in the early morning to see what remained +of her home, she had happened to notice the garments stuffed in the +windows, and had carried the news to some of her companions. Malcolm +regretted bitterly now that he had not set a watch, so that at the first +gleam of daylight the windows might have been unblocked; but it was now +too late. + +“We shall have to fight for it, lads,” he said, turning round. “Our +clothes must have been seen early this morning, and there is a party +of peasants watching the tower. Of course they cannot know at present +whether we are friends or foes; but no doubt the news of last evening's +doings has travelled through the country, and the peasants are on the +lookout for us, so they may well guess that we are here. However, we +shall soon see. Sergeant, place one of your men on sentry at the foot of +the stairs, but do not let him speak or give any signs of his presence +if the door is tried.” + +One of the soldiers was placed on guard. Scarcely had he taken his +station when there was a knocking at the door, and shouts were heard +outside from the peasants calling on those within, if they were friends, +to come out. No answer was returned. + +“It's fortunate for you,” Malcolm muttered, “that we don't come out, or +we should make short work of you; but I know you would fly like hares +if you saw us, and would bring the whole country down on us. No; we +must hold out here. Our only hope is to escape at night, or to hold this +place till some of our troops come along. At any moment some regiments +from the Lech may be marching forward to join the king. + +“We must make our bread last, lads,” he said cheerfully to the men, +“for we may have to stand a long siege. Methinks we can hold this stone +staircase against all the peasants of this part of Bavaria; and we must +do so until we hear the sound of the Swedish drums; they may come along +at any time. If the worst comes to the worst one of us must start at +night and carry news of our peril to the Lech. We made a good supper +last night, and can fast for a bit. If we cut our bread up into small +portions we can hold out for days. There should be snow enough on the +tower top to furnish us with drink.” + +After hammering at the door for some time, the peasants retired +convinced that there were none of their own people within the tower, and +that those who had slept there were the fugitives of whom they had been +in search during the night. These might, indeed, have departed in the +interval between the time when the woman first saw the traces of their +presence and her return with them; but they did not think that this was +so, for in that case they could not have fastened the door behind them. +The peasants accordingly withdrew a short distance from the church, and +three of their number were sent off in different directions to bring +up reinforcements. As soon as Malcolm saw this movement he knew that +concealment was useless, and began to make preparations for the defence. +First, he with the sergeant ascended to the roof of the tower. To his +disappointment he saw that the heat of the flames had melted the snow, +and that most of the water had run away. Some, however, stood in the +hollows and inequalities of the stone platform, where it had again +frozen into ice. + +As the supply would be very precious, Malcolm directed that before any +moved about on the platform every piece of ice should be carefully taken +up and carried below. Here it was melted over the fire in one of +the iron caps, and was found to furnish three quarts of water. The +appearance of Malcolm and his companion on the tower had been hailed by +a shout of hatred and exultation by the peasants; but the defenders had +paid no attention to the demonstration, and had continued their work as +if regardless of the presence of their enemies. + +On his return to the platform Malcolm found, looking over the low +parapet, that on the side farthest from the church great icicles hung +down from the mouth of the gutter, the water having frozen again as it +trickled from the platform. These icicles were three or four inches in +diameter and many feet in length. They were carefully broken off, and +were laid down on the platform where they would remain frozen until +wanted. Malcolm now felt secure against the attacks of thirst for +some days to come. The stones of the parapet were next tried, and were +without much trouble moved from their places, and were all carried to +the side in which the door was situated, in readiness to hurl down upon +any who might assault it. Some of the beams of the upper flooring were +removed from their places, and being carried down, were wedged against +the upper part of the door, securing it as firmly as did the stones +below. These preparations being finished, Malcolm took a survey of the +situation outside. + +The group of peasants had increased largely, some thirty or forty men +armed with pikes, bills, and scythes being gathered in a body, while +many more could be seen across the country hurrying over the white plain +towards the spot. The windows of the lower apartment had been barricaded +with planks, partly to keep out missiles, partly for warmth. A good fire +now blazed in the centre, and the soldiers, confident in themselves and +their leader, cracked grim jokes as, their work being finished, they sat +down around it and awaited the attack, one of their number being placed +on the summit of the tower to give warning of the approach of the enemy. + +“I would that we had a musket or two,” Malcolm said; “for we might then +keep them from the door. I have only some twenty charges for my pistols, +and the most of these, at any rate, I must keep for the defence of the +stairs.” + +Presently the sentry from above called out that the peasants were moving +forward to the attack. + +“Sergeant,” Malcolm said, “do you fasten my green scarf to a long strip +of plank and fix it to the top of the tower. We cannot fight under +a better banner. Now let us mount to the roof and give them a warm +reception.” + +“Look out, sir,” the sentry exclaimed as Malcolm ascended the stair, +“three or four of them have got muskets.” + +“Then we must be careful,” Malcolm said. “I don't suppose they are much +of marksmen, but even a random shot will tell at times, and I want to +take you all back safe with me; so keep low when you get on the roof, +lads, and don't show your heads more than you can help.” + +Heralding their attack by a discharge from their muskets, whose balls +whistled harmlessly round the tower, the peasants rushed forward to the +door and commenced an assault upon it with hatchets and axes. + +Malcolm and his men each lifted a heavy stone and rolled it over the +parapet, the five loosing the missiles simultaneously. There was a dull +crash, and with a terrible cry the peasants fled from the door. Looking +over, Malcolm saw that six or seven men had been struck down. Five of +these lay dead or senseless; two were endeavouring to drag themselves +away. + +“That is lesson number one,” he said. “They will be more prudent next +time.” + +The peasants, after holding a tumultuous council, scattered, most of +them making for a wood a short distance off. + +“They are going to cut down a tree and use it as a battering ram,” + Malcolm observed. “They know that these large stones are too heavy for +us to cast many paces from the foot of the wall. We must get to work +and break some of them up. That will not be difficult, for the wind and +weather have rotted many of them half through.” + +The stones were for the most part from two to three feet long and nine +or ten inches square. Two were laid down on the platform some eighteen +inches apart and another placed across them. The four men then lifted +another stone, and holding it perpendicularly brought it down with all +their strength upon the unsupported centre of the stone, which broke in +half at once. To break it again required greater efforts, but it yielded +to the blows. Other stones were similarly treated, until a large pile +was formed of blocks of some ten inches each way, besides a number of +smaller fragments. + +In half an hour the peasants reappeared with a slight well grown tree +some forty feet long which had been robbed of its branches. It was laid +down about fifty yards from the church, and then twenty men lifted it +near the butt and advanced to use it as a battering ram, with the small +end forward; but before they were near enough to touch the door the +bearers were arrested by a cry from the crowd as the defenders appeared +on the tower, and poising their blocks of stone above their heads, +hurled them down. Three of them flew over the heads of the peasants, but +the others crashed down among them, slaying and terribly mutilating two +of the bearers of the tree and striking several others to the ground. +The battering ram was instantly dropped, and before the Scotchmen had +time to lift another missile the peasants were beyond their reach. + +“Lesson number two,” Malcolm said. “What will our friends do next, I +wonder?” + +The peasants were clearly at a loss. A long consultation was held, but +this was not followed by any renewal of the attack. + +“I think they must have made up their minds to starve us out, sir,” the +sergeant remarked as the hours went slowly by without any renewal of the +attack. + +“Yes; either that, sergeant, or a night attack. In either case I +consider that we are safe for a time, but sooner or later our fate is +sealed unless aid comes to us, and therefore I propose that one of you +should tonight try and bear a message to the Lech. We can lower him down +by the bell rope from this window in the angle where the tower touches +the church. Keeping round by the church he will be in deep shadow until +he reaches the other end, and will then be close to the ruins of the +village. Before morning he could reach our camp.” + +“I will undertake it myself, sir, if you will allow me,” the sergeant +said, while the other men also volunteered for the duty. + +“You shall try first, sergeant,” Malcolm said. “It will be dangerous +work, for as the news of our being here spreads the peasants will be +coming in from all quarters. Their numbers are already greatly increased +since they commenced the attack, and there must be at least three or +four hundred men around us. They will be sure to keep a sharp lookout +against our escaping, and it will need all your care and caution to get +through them.” + +“Never fear, sir,” the man replied confidently. “I have stalked the deer +scores of times, and it will be hard if I cannot crawl through a number +of thick witted Bavarian peasants.” + +“Even beyond the village you will have to keep your eyes open, as you +may meet parties of peasants on their way here. Fortunately you will +have no difficulty in keeping the road, so well beaten is it by the +march of the army. If by tomorrow night no rescue arrives I shall +consider that you have been taken or killed, and shall try with the +others to make my way through. It would be better to die sword in hand +while we have still the strength to wield our arms than to be cooped +up here until too weak any longer to defend ourselves, and then to be +slowly tortured to death.” + +As soon as it was dusk a sentry was placed on the top of the tower, with +orders to report the slightest sound or stir. During the day this had +not been necessary, for a view could be obtained from the windows, and +the men with firearms, who had now considerably increased in numbers, +kept up a constant fire at the tower. + +An hour later the sentry reported that he could hear the sound of many +feet in the darkness, with the occasional snapping as of dry twigs. + +“They are going to burn down the door,” Malcolm said. “That is what I +expected. Now, sergeant, is your time. They are all busy and intent upon +their purpose. You could not have a better time.” + +The rope was fastened round the sergeant's waist, and with some +difficulty he squeezed himself through the narrow window, after +listening attentively to discover if any were below. + +All seemed perfectly still on this side, and he was gradually and +steadily lowered down. Presently those above felt the rope slack. +Another minute and it swung loosely. It was drawn up again, and Malcolm, +placing one of the men at the loophole, with instructions to listen +intently for any sound of alarm or conflict, turned his attention to the +other side. + +Soon he saw a number of dark figures bearing on their heads great +bundles which he knew to be faggots approaching across the snow. + +As they approached a brisk fire suddenly opened on the tower. Malcolm at +once called the sentry down. + +“It is of no use exposing yourself,” he said, “and we could not do much +harm to them did we take to stoning them again. We have nothing to do +now but to wait.” + +Soon a series of dull heavy crashes were heard as the faggots were +thrown down against the door. Malcolm descended the stairs until he +reached the lowest loophole which lighted them, and which was a few feet +above the top of the door. He took one of the men with him. + +“Here are my flask and bullet pouch,” he said. “Do you reload my pistols +as I discharge them.” + +For some minutes the sound of the faggots being thrown down continued, +then the footsteps were heard retreating, and all was quiet again. + +“Now it is our turn again,” Malcolm said. “It is one thing to prepare +a fire and another to light it, my fine fellows. I expect that you have +forgotten that there are firearms here.” + +Presently a light was seen in the distance, and two men with blazing +brands approached. They advanced confidently until within twenty yards +of the tower, then there was the sharp crack of a pistol, and one of +them fell forward on his face, the other hesitated and stood irresolute, +then, summoning up courage, he sprang forward. + +As he did so another shot flashed out, and he, too, fell prostrate, the +brand hissing and spluttering in the snow a few feet from the pile of +brushwood. A loud yell of rage and disappointment arose on the night +air, showing how large was the number of peasants who were watching the +operations. Some time elapsed before any further move was made on the +part of the assailants, then some twenty points of light were seen +approaching. + +“Donald,” Malcolm said to the soldier, “go up to the top of the tower +with your comrades. They are sure to light the pile this time, but if +it is only fired in one place you may possibly dash out the light with a +stone.” + +The lights rapidly approached, but when the bearers came within forty +yards they stopped. They were a wild group, as, with their unkempt +hair and beards, and their rough attire, they stood holding the lighted +brands above their heads. A very tall and powerful man stood at their +head. + +“Come on,” he said, “why do you hesitate? Let us finish with them.” And +he rushed forward. + +Malcolm had his pistol lying on the sill of the loophole covering +him, and when the peasant had run ten paces he fired, and the man fell +headlong. The others stopped, and a second shot took effect among them. +With a yell of terror they hurled the brands towards the pile and fled. +Most of the brands fell short, others missed their aim, but from his +loophole Malcolm saw that one had fallen on to the outside faggot of the +pile. + +Almost instantly a heavy stone fell in the snow close by, another, +and another. Malcolm stood with his eyes fixed on the brand. The twigs +against which it leaned were catching, and the flames began to shoot up. +Higher and higher they rose, and a shout of triumph from the peasants +told how keenly they were also watching. Still the heavy stones +continued to fall. The flames rose higher, and half the faggot was now +alight. Another minute and the fire would communicate with the pile. +Then there was a crash. A shower of sparks leapt up as the faggot, +struck by one of the heavy stones, was dashed from its place and lay +blazing twenty feet distant from the pile. There it burnt itself out, +and for a time the tower was safe. + +For an hour the defenders watched the peasants, who had now lighted +great fires just out of pistol shot from the tower, and were gathered +thickly round them, the light flashing redly from pike head and scythe. + +The uproar of voices was loud; but though the defenders guessed that +they were discussing the next plan of attack they could catch no meaning +from such words as reached them, for the patois of the Bavarian +peasants was unintelligible. At last a large number seized brands, some +approached as before towards the pile, the others scattered in various +directions, while the men with muskets again opened fire at the top of +the tower. + +Malcolm took his post at the loophole awaiting attack, but the men in +front of him did not advance. Suddenly a light sprang up beneath him. +There was a sound of falling stones, but the light grew brighter and +brighter, and he knew that this time the pile had been fired. As he ran +upstairs he was met by one of the soldiers from above. + +“They crept round by the back of the church, sir, and round at the foot +of the tower, and they had fired the pile before we saw that they were +there.” + +“It cannot be helped,” Malcolm said, “they were sure to succeed sooner +or later. Call the others down from the roof.” + +The door at the top of the stairs was now closed, and the crevices were +stuffed tightly with strips torn from the men's clothes so as to prevent +the smoke from entering when the door below gave way to the flames. A +broad glare of light now lit up the scene, and showers of sparks, and an +occasional tongue of flame were visible through the window. + +“Shut down the trapdoor in the roof,” Malcolm said, “that will check the +draught through the windows.” + +The wood was dry, and what smoke made its way in through the window +found its way out through the loopholes of the upper chamber without +seriously incommoding those below. + +“We can take it easy, now,” Malcolm said as he set the example by +sitting down against the wall. “It will be hours before the stonework +below will be cool enough to permit them to attack.” + +“They are lighting a circle of fires all round the church,” one of the +soldiers said looking out. + +“They think we shall be trying to escape, now that our door is burned. +They are too late; I trust our messenger is miles away by this time.” + +In half an hour the flames died away, but a deep red glow showed that +the pile of embers was still giving out an intense heat. One of the +men was now placed on the top of the tower again, as a measure of +precaution, but it was certain that hours would elapse before an attack +could be made. The peasants, indeed, secure of their prey, evinced +no hurry to commence the attack, but spent the night in shouting and +singing round their fires, occasionally yelling threats of the fate +which awaited them against the defenders of the tower. + +Towards daylight Malcolm commenced his preparations for defence. The +door was taken off its hinges and was laid on the stone stairs. These +were but two feet wide, the door itself being some three inches less. +The rope was fastened round its upper end to prevent it from sliding +down. + +“I wish we had some grease to pour over it,” Malcolm said, “but dry as +it is it will be next to impossible for anyone to walk up that sharp +incline, and we four should be able to hold it against the peasants till +doomsday.” + +It was not until broad daylight that the peasants prepared for the +attack. So long as the operation had been a distant one it had seemed +easy enough, but as in a confused mass they approached the open doorway +they realized that to ascend the narrow staircase, defended at the top +by desperate men, was an enterprise of no common danger, and that the +work which they had regarded as finished was in fact scarcely begun. + +The greater part then hung back, but a band of men, who by their +blackened garments and swarthy faces Malcolm judged to be charcoal +burners, armed with heavy axes, advanced to the front, and with an air +of dogged resolution approached the door. The defenders gave no sign of +their presence, no pistol flashed out from window or loophole. + +Striding through the still hot ashes the leader of the woodmen passed +through the doorway and advanced up the stairs. These ran in short +straight flights round the tower, lighted by narrow loopholes. No +resistance was encountered until he reached the last turning, where +a broader glare of light came from the open doorway, where two of the +soldiers, pike in hand, stood ready to repel them. With a shout to his +followers to come on, the peasant sprang forward. He ascended three +steps, and then, as he placed his foot upon the sharply inclined +plane of the door, which he had not noticed, he stumbled forward. His +companions, supposing he had been pierced with a spear, pressed on after +him, but each fell when they trod upon the door until a heap of men +cumbered the stair. These were not unharmed, for with their long pikes +the Scottish spearmen ran them through and through as they lay. + +Their bodies afforded a foothold to those who followed, but these could +make but little way, for as but one could advance at a time, each as he +came on was slain by the pikes. Finding that two were well able to hold +the door, Malcolm with the other ran up to the top of the tower, and +toppled over the stones of the parapet upon the mass gathered around +the door. These at once scattered, and those on the stairs, finding +themselves unable to get forward, for the narrow passage was now +completely choked with the dead, made their way out again and rejoined +their comrades. + +“I expect they will send their musketeers first next time,” Malcolm said +as he rejoined those below, leaving the soldier on the watch. “Now let +us get the door up again, and bring the dead here; we can form a barrier +with them breast high.” + +The door was quickly shifted on one side, and then the troopers brought +up the dead, who were eleven in number. + +“Now replace the door,” Malcolm ordered; “fill your iron caps with +blood--there is plenty flowing from these fellows--and pour it over the +door, it will be as good as oil.” + +This was done, and the bodies were then piled shoulder high across the +door. + +“They can fire as much as they like now,” Malcolm said, “they will be no +nearer, and I defy anyone to climb up that door now.” + + + +CHAPTER XV A TIMELY RESCUE + + +Although unaware how much more formidable the task before them had +become, the peasants were disheartened by their defeat, and even the +boldest hesitated at the thought of again attacking foes so formidably +posted. None of those who had returned were able to explain what was the +obstacle which had checked their advance. All that they could tell was, +that those before them had fallen, in some cases even before they were +touched by the spears of the defenders. This mystery added to the dread +which the assault of so difficult a position naturally inspired, and +some hours were spent in discussing how the next attack should be made. +Many indeed were strongly in favour of remaining quietly around the +tower and starving its defenders into surrendering. + +Others advocated an attempt to stifle them by heaping green wood and +damp straw round the tower; but the more timid pointed out that +many would be killed in carrying out the task by the firearms of the +besieged, and that even were the combustibles placed in position and +lighted the success of the experiment would be by no means certain, +as the besieged might stuff up all the orifices, or at the worst might +obtain sufficient fresh air on the top of the tower to enable them to +breathe. + +“You are forgetting,” one of the peasants exclaimed, “the powder wagon +which broke down as Count Tilly retreated from the Lech. Did we not +carry off the powder barrels and hide them, partly to prevent them +falling into the hands of these accursed Swedes, partly because the +powder would last us for years for hunting the wolf and wild boar? We +have only to stow these inside the tower to blow it into the air.” + +The idea was seized with shouts of acclamation. Most of the peasants who +had assisted in carrying off the contents of the wagon were present, and +these started instantly to dig up the barrels which they had taken as +their share of the booty. The shouts of satisfaction and the departure +of forty or fifty men at full speed in various directions did not pass +unnoticed by the garrison of the tower. + +“They have got a plan of some sort,” Malcolm said; “what it is I have no +idea, but they certainly seem confident about it. Look at those fellows +throwing up their caps and waving their arms. I do not see how we can be +attacked, but I do not like these signs of confidence on their part, +for they know now how strong our position is. It seems to me that we are +impregnable except against artillery.” + +Unable to repress his uneasiness Malcolm wandered from window to window +watching attentively what was going on without, but keeping himself as +far back as possible from the loopholes; for the men with muskets kept +up a dropping fire at the openings, and although their aim was poor, +bullets occasionally passed in and flattened themselves against the +opposite walls. + +“There is a man returning,” he said in about half an hour; “he is +carrying something on his shoulder, but I cannot see what it is.” + +In another ten minutes the man had reached the group of peasants +standing two or three hundred yards from the church, and was greeted +with cheers and waving of hats. + +“Good heavens!” Malcolm exclaimed suddenly, “it is a barrel of powder. +They must have stripped some broken down ammunition wagon. This is a +danger indeed.” + +The men grasped their weapons and rose to their feet at the news, +prepared to take any steps which their young officer might command, +for his promptitude and ingenuity had inspired them with unbounded +confidence in him. + +“We must at all hazards,” he said after a few minutes thought, “prevent +them from storing these barrels below. Remove the barricade of bodies +and then carry the door down the stairs. We must fix it again on the +bottom steps. The bottom stair is but a foot or two inside the doorway; +if you place it there it will hinder their rushing up to attack you, and +your pikes, as you stand above it, will prevent any from placing their +barrels inside. + +“I will take my place at the loophole as before. We cannot prevent their +crawling round from behind as they did to light the faggots; but if they +pile them outside, they may blow in a hole in the wall of the tower, but +it is possible that even then it may not fall. Two will be sufficient to +hold the stairs, at any rate for the present. Do you, Cameron, take +your place on the tower, and drop stones over on any who may try to make +their way round from behind; even if you do no harm you will make them +careful and delay the operation, and every hour now is of consequence.” + +Malcolm's instructions were carried out, and all was in readiness +before the peasants, some of whom had to go considerable distances, had +returned with the powder. + +The lesson of the previous evening had evidently not been lost upon the +peasants, for Malcolm saw a tall man who was acting as their leader wave +his hand, and those who had brought the powder started to make a detour +round the church. Malcolm, finding that no movement was being made +towards the front, and that at present he could do nothing from his +loophole, ran up to the top of the tower and took his place by the +soldier who was lying down on the roof and looking over the edge. + +Presently the first of the peasants appeared round the corner of the +main building, and dashed rapidly across to the angle of the tower. Two +heavy stones were dropped, but he had passed on long before they had +reached the bottom. Man after man followed, and Malcolm, seeing that he +could do nothing to stop them, again ran down. As he did so he heard a +scream of agony. The leading peasants had reached the doorway, but as +they dashed in to place their barrels of powder they were run through +and through by the spears of the pikemen. They fell half in and half out +of the doorway, and the barrels rolled some distance away. Those behind +them stopped panic stricken at their sudden fall. Several of them +dropped their barrels and fled, while others ran round the angle of the +tower again, coming in violent contact with those following them; all +then hurried round behind the church. Malcolm stamped his feet with +vexation. + +“What a fool I am,” he muttered, “not to have thought of a sortie! If +we had all held ourselves in readiness to spring out, we might have cut +down the whole of them; at any rate none would have got off with their +barrels.” + +This unexpected failure greatly damped the spirit of the peasants, and +there was much consultation among them before any fresh move was made. +As he saw that they were fully occupied, and paying no heed to the +tower, Malcolm said to his men: + +“I am going outside; prepare to help me up over the door again quickly +if necessary.” + +Leaving his sword behind him, he took a leap from the step above the +inclined plane and landed at the bottom, and at once threw himself down +outside. With his dagger he removed the hoops of one of the barrels, and +scattered the contents thickly along the front of the tower. None of the +peasants perceived him, for there were many bodies lying round the +foot of the tower; and even had any looked that way they would not have +noticed that one prone figure had been added to the number. + +Crawling cautiously along Malcolm pushed two other barrels before him, +and opening them as before, spread the contents of one upon the ground +near the side of the tower, and the other by the hinder face. The thick +black layer on the snow would have told its tale instantly to a soldier, +but Malcolm had little fear of the peasants in their haste paying +attention to it. When his task was completed he crawled back again +to the door and laid a train from the foot of the slide to the powder +without. + +“I will remain here,” he said, “for the present. Do one of you take your +place in the belfry. Tell Cameron to shout down to you what is passing +behind, and do you run instantly down the stairs to tell me.” + +The peasants advanced next time accompanied by a strong force of their +armed comrades. As before they came round from behind, intending to +stack their barrels in the angle there. As the bearers of the first two +or three powder barrels came round the corner Cameron shouted the news, +and the soldier below ran down to Malcolm, who fired his pistol into +the train. A broad flash of fire rose round the tower followed +instantaneously by two heavy explosions. There was silence for an +instant, and then a chorus of shrieks and yells. + +The powder barrels borne by the two first men had exploded, their heads +having been knocked in previously to admit of their ignition. Some +thirty of the peasants were killed or terribly mutilated by the +explosion, and the rest took to their heels in terror, leaving their +wounded comrades on the ground. + +The echoes of the explosion had scarce died away when a shout of terror +broke from the main body of peasants, and Malcolm saw them flying in +all directions. An instant afterwards the ringing sound of the Swedish +trumpets was heard, and a squadron of horse galloped down full speed. +The peasants attempted no resistance, but fled in all directions, hotly +pursued by the Swedes, who broke up into small parties and followed +the fugitives cross the country cutting down great numbers of them. The +Swedish leader at once rode up to the foot of the tower, where Malcolm +had already sallied out. + +“I am glad indeed I am in time, Captain Graheme; we have ridden without +drawing rein since your messenger arrived at four o'clock this morning.” + +“Thanks indeed, Captain Burgh,” Malcolm replied. “Your coming is most +welcome; though I think we have given the peasants so hot a lesson that +they would not have attacked us again, and by tightening our waistbelts +we could have held on for another three or four days.” + +“I see that you have punished them heavily,” the Swedish officer said, +looking round at the bodies; “but what was the explosion I heard?” + +“You will see its signs behind the tower,” Malcolm said as he led the +way there. “They tried to blow us up, but burnt their own fingers.” + +The scene behind the tower was ghastly. Some thirty peasants lay with +their clothes completely burned from their bodies, the greater portion +of them dead, but some still writhing in agony. Malcolm uttered an +exclamation of horror. + +“It were a kindness to put these wretches out of their misery,” the +Swede said, and dismounting he passed his sword through the bodies of +the writhing men. “You know I am in favour of carrying on the war as +mercifully as may be,” he continued turning to Malcolm, “for we have +talked the matter over before now; and God forbid that I should strike +a fallen foe; but these poor wretches were beyond help, and it is true +mercy to end their sufferings.” + +“They have had a heavy lesson,” Malcolm said; “there are eleven more +dead up in the belfry, which they tried to carry by storm, and a dozen +at least crushed by stones. + +“You and your three men have indeed given a good account of yourselves,” + Captain Burgh exclaimed; “but while I am talking you are fasting. Here +is a bottle of wine, a cold chicken, and a manchet of bread which I put +in my wallet on starting; let us breakfast, for though I do not pretend +to have been fasting as you have, the morning ride has given me an +appetite. I see your fellows are hard at work already on the viands +which my orderly brought for them in his havresack; but first let us +move away to the tree over yonder, for verily the scent of blood and of +roasted flesh is enough to take away one's appetite, little squeamish as +these wars have taught us to be.” + +Captain Burgh asked no questions until Malcolm had finished his meal. “I +have plenty more food,” he said, “for we have brought three led horses +well laden; but it were better that you eat no more at present, tis ill +overloading a fasting stomach. My men will not be back from the pursuit +for a couple of hours yet, for they will not draw rein so long as their +horses can gallop, so excited are they over the tales of the horrible +cruelties which have been perpetrated on all our men who have fallen +into the hands of the peasants, so now you can tell me in full the tale +of your adventures. I had no time to ask any questions of your sergeant, +for we were called up and sent off five minutes after he arrived with +the news that you with three men were beleaguered here by a party of +peasants.” + +Malcolm related the whole incidents which had befallen him since he had +been suddenly felled and made captive by the women in the hut in the +village. The Swede laughed over this part of the adventure. + +“To think,” he said, “of you, a dashing captain of the Green Brigade, +being made captive by a couple of old women. There is more than one +gallant Scot, if reports be true, has fallen a captive to German +maidens, but of another sort; to be taken prisoner and hid in a straw +yard is too good.” + +“It was no laughing matter, I can tell you,” Malcolm said, “though +doubtless it will serve as a standing jest against me for a long time; +however, I am so thankful I have got out of the scrape that those may +laugh who will.” + +When Malcolm finished his story Captain Burgh said: “You have managed +marvellously well indeed, Graheme, and can well afford to put up with a +little laughter anent that matter of the women, for in truth there +are few who would with three men have held a post against four or five +hundred, as you have done--ay, and fairly defeated them before I came on +the scene. That thought of yours of laying the door upon the stairs +was a masterly one, and you rarely met and defeated every device of the +enemy. + +“Now, if you will, I will mount this stronghold of yours with you, and +see exactly how it stands, for I shall have to tell the tale a score of +times at least when I get back to camp, and I can do it all the better +after I have seen for myself the various features of the place.” + +By the time they had mounted the top of the tower and Captain Burgh had +fully satisfied himself as to the details of the defence the troopers +began to return. Their horses were far too fatigued with the long ride +from the camp and the subsequent pursuit to be able to travel farther. +Fires were accordingly lit, rations distributed, and a halt ordered till +the following morning, when, at daybreak, they returned to the Lech. + +Two days later Malcolm and his men marched forward with a brigade +which was advancing to reinforce the army under Gustavus, and reached +Ingolstadt on the day when the king raised the siege, and accompanied +him on his march to Munich. + +Malcolm on rejoining was greeted with great pleasure by his comrades, +who had made up their minds that he had in some way fallen a victim to +the peasants. The noncommissioned officers and men of his party had been +severely reprimanded for leaving the village without finding him. In +their defence they declared that they had searched every house and shed, +and, having found no sign of him, or of any struggle having taken place, +they supposed that he must have returned alone. But their excuses were +not held to be valid, the idea of Malcolm having left his men without +orders being so preposterous that it was held it should never have been +entertained for a moment by them. + +“I shall never be anxious about you again,” Nigel Graheme said, when +Malcolm finished the narrative of his adventures to the officers of his +regiment as they sat round the campfire on the evening when he rejoined +them. “This is the third or fourth time that I have given you up for +dead. Whatever happens in the future, I shall refuse to believe the +possibility of any harm having come to you, and shall be sure that +sooner or later you will walk quietly into camp with a fresh batch of +adventures to tell us. Whoever of us may be doomed to lay our bones in +this German soil, it will not be you. Some good fairy has distinctly +taken charge of you, and there is no saying what brilliant destiny may +await you.” + +“But he must keep clear of the petticoats, Graheme,” Colonel Munro +laughed; “evidently danger lurks for him there, and if he is caught +napping again some Delilah will assuredly crop the hair of this young +Samson of ours.” + +“There was not much of Delilah in that fury who felled me with a mallet, +colonel,” Malcolm laughed; “however, I will be careful in future, and +will not give them a chance.” + +“Ah! it may come in another form next time, Malcolm,” Munro said; “this +time it was an old woman, next time it may be a young one. Beware, my +boy! they are far the most dangerous, innocent though they may look.” + +A laugh ran round the circle. + +“Forewarned forearmed, colonel,” Malcolm said sturdily, “I will be on +my guard against every female creature, young or old, in future. But +I don't think that in this affair the woman has had much to boast +about--she and her friends had best have left me alone.” + +“That is so, Malcolm,” the colonel said warmly. “You have borne yourself +well and bravely, and you have got an old head on those young shoulders +of yours. You are as full of plans and stratagems as if you had been +a campaigner for the last half century; and no man, even in the Green +Brigade, no, not Hepburn himself, could have held that church tower more +ably than you did. It will be a good tale to tell the king as we ride +on the march tomorrow, for he loves a gallant deed, and the more so when +there is prudence and good strategy as well as bravery. He has more than +once asked if you have been getting into any new adventures, and seemed +almost surprised when I told him that you were doing your duty with your +company. He evidently regards it as your special mission to get into +harebrained scrapes. He regards you, in fact, as a pedagogue might view +the pickle of the school.” + +There was a general laugh at Malcolm's expense. + +“I don't know how it is I am always getting into scrapes,” the lad said +half ruefully when the laugh subsided. “I am sure I don't want to get +into them, colonel, and really I have never gone out of my way to do so, +unless you call my march to help the Count of Mansfeld going out of my +way. All the other things have come to me without any fault of my own.” + +“Quite so, Graheme,” the colonel said smiling; “that's always the excuse +of the boy who gets into scrapes. The question is, Why do these things +always happen to you and to nobody else? If you can explain that your +whole case is made out. But don't take it seriously, Malcolm,” he +continued, seeing that the lad looked really crestfallen. + +“You know I am only laughing, and there is not a man here, including +myself, who does not envy you a little for the numerous adventures which +have fallen to your lot, and for the courage and wisdom which you have +shown in extricating yourself from them.” + +“And now, please, will you tell me, colonel,” Malcolm said more +cheerfully, “why we are turning our backs upon Ingolstadt and are +marching away without taking it? I have been away for ten days, you +know, and it is a mystery to me why we are leaving the only enemy +between us and Vienna, after having beaten him so heartily a fortnight +since, without making an effort to rout him thoroughly.” + +“Maximilian's position is a very strong one, my lad, and covered as he +is by the guns of Ingolstadt it would be even a harder task to dislodge +him than it was to cross the Lech in his teeth. But you are wrong; his +is not the only army which stands between us and Vienna. No sooner +is old Tilly dead than a greater than Tilly appears to oppose us. +Wallenstein is in the field again. It has been known that he has for +some time been negotiating with the emperor, who has been imploring him +to forgive the slight that was passed upon him before, and to again take +the field. + +“Wallenstein, knowing that the game was in his hands, and that the +emperor must finally agree to any terms which he chose to dictate, has, +while he has been negotiating, been collecting an army; and when the +emperor finally agreed to his conditions, that he was at the conclusion +of the peace to be assured a royal title and the fief of a sovereign +state, he had an army ready to his hand, and is now on the point of +entering Bohemia with 40,000 men.” + +“What his plans may be we cannot yet say, but at any rate it would +not do to be delaying here and leaving Germany open to Wallenstein to +operate as he will. It was a stern day at Leipzig, but, mark my words, +it will be sterner still when we meet Wallenstein; for, great captain as +Tilly undoubtedly was, Wallenstein is far greater, and Europe will hold +its breath when Gustavus and he, the two greatest captains of the age, +meet in a pitched battle.” + +At Munich the regiments of Munro and Spynie were quartered in the +magnificent Electoral Palace, where they fared sumptuously and enjoyed +not a little their comfortable quarters and the stores of old wines in +the cellar. Sir John Hepburn was appointed military governor of Munich. + +In the arsenal armour, arms, and clothing sufficient for 10,000 infantry +were found, and a hundred and forty pieces of cannon were discovered +buried beneath the floors of the palace. Their carriages were ready in +the arsenal, and they were soon put in order for battle. For three +weeks the army remained at Munich, Gustavus waiting to see what course +Wallenstein was taking. The Imperialist general had entered Bohemia, +had driven thence, with scarcely an effort, Arnheim and the Saxons, and +formed a junction near Eger with the remnants of the army which had been +beaten on the Lech; then, leaving a strong garrison in Ratisbon, he had +marched on with an army of sixty thousand men. + +He saw that his best plan to force Gustavus to loose his hold of +Bavaria was to march on some important point lying between him and North +Germany. He therefore selected a place which Gustavus could not abandon, +and so would be obliged to leave Bavaria garrisoned only by a force +insufficient to withstand the attacks of Pappenheim, who had collected +a considerable army for the recovery of the territories of Maximilian. +Such a point was Nuremberg, the greatest and strongest of the free +cities, and which had been the first to open its gates to Gustavus. The +Swedish king could hardly abandon this friendly city to the assaults of +the Imperialists, and indeed its fall would have been followed by the +general defection from his cause of all that part of Germany, and he +would have found himself isolated and cut off from the North. + +As soon as Gustavus perceived that Nuremberg was the point towards +which Wallenstein was moving, he hastened at once from Munich to the +assistance of the threatened city. The forces at his disposal had been +weakened by the despatch of Marshal Horn to the Lower Palatinate, and +by the garrisons left in the Bavarian cities, and he had but 17,000 men +disposable to meet the 60,000 with whom Wallenstein was advancing. He +did not hesitate, however, but sent off messengers at once to direct +the corps in Swabia under General Banner, Prince William of Weimar, and +General Ruthven, to join him, if possible, before Nuremberg. + +Marching with all haste he arrived at Nuremberg before Wallenstein +reached it, and prepared at once for the defence of the city. He first +called together the principal citizens of Nuremberg and explained to +them his position. He showed them that were he to fall back with his +army he should be able to effect a junction with the troops under +his generals, and would ere long be in a position to offer battle to +Wallenstein upon more equal terms, but that were he to do so he would be +forced to abandon the city to the vengeance of the Imperialists. He told +them that did he remain before the city he must to a great extent be +dependent upon them for food and supplies, as he would be beleaguered +by Wallenstein, and should be unable to draw food and forage from the +surrounding country; he could therefore only maintain himself by the aid +of the cordial goodwill and assistance of the citizens. + +The people of Nuremberg were true to the side they had chosen, and +placed the whole of their resources at his disposal. Gustavus at once +set his army to work to form a position in which he could confront the +overwhelming forces of the enemy. Round the city, at a distance of about +thirteen hundred yards from it, he dug a ditch, nowhere less than twelve +feet wide and eight deep, but, where most exposed to an attack, eighteen +feet wide and twelve deep. Within the circuit of this ditch he erected +eight large forts and connected them with a long and thick earthen +parapet strengthened with bastions. On the ramparts and forts three +hundred cannon, for the most part supplied by the city of Nuremberg, +were placed in position. As the camp between the ramparts and the town +was traversed by the river Pegnitz numerous bridges were thrown across +it, so that the whole force could concentrate on either side in case of +attack. So vigorously did the army, assisted by the citizens, labour at +these works, that they were completed in fourteen days after Gustavus +reached Nuremberg. + +It was on the 19th of June that the Swedish army arrived there, and on +the 30th Wallenstein and Maximilian of Bavaria appeared before it +with the intention of making an immediate assault. The works, however, +although not yet quite completed, were so formidable that Wallenstein +saw at once that the success of an assault upon them would be extremely +doubtful, and, in spite of the earnest entreaties of Maximilian to lead +his army to the assault, he decided to reduce the place by starvation. +This method appeared at once easy and certain. The whole of the +surrounding country belonged to the Bishop of Bamberg, who was devoted +to the Imperialist cause, and he possessed all the towns, and strong +places in the circle of country around Nuremberg. Wallenstein had +brought with him vast stores of provisions, and could draw upon the +surrounding country for the further maintenance of his army. It was only +necessary then to place himself in a position where the Swedes could not +attack him with a hope of success. + +Such a position lay at a distance of three miles from Nuremberg, where +there was a wooded hill known as the Alte Veste. Round this Wallenstein +threw up a circle of defences, consisting of a ditch behind which was an +interlacement of forest trees, baggage wagons, and gabions, forming an +almost insurpassable obstacle to an attacking force. Within this circle +he encamped his army, formed into eight divisions, each about seven +thousand strong, while two considerable bodies of troops in the diocese +of Bamberg and the Upper Palatinate prepared to oppose any forces +approaching to the aid of Nuremberg, and the Croats, horse and foot, +scoured the country day and night to prevent any supplies entering the +city. Having thus adopted every means for starving out the beleaguered +army and city, Wallenstein calmly awaited the result. + + + +CHAPTER XVI THE SIEGE OF NUREMBERG + + +Drearily passed the days in the beleaguered camp, varied only by an +occasional raid by small parties to drive in cattle from the surrounding +country, or to intercept convoys of provisions on their way to the +Imperialists' camp. So active and watchful were the Croats that these +enterprises seldom succeeded, although, to enable his men to move with +celerity, Gustavus mounted bodies of infantry on horseback. Thus they +were enabled to get over the ground quickly, and if attacked they +dismounted and fought on foot. + +To these mounted infantry the name of dragoons was given, and so useful +were they found that the institution was adopted in other armies, and +dragoons became a recognized portion of every military force. In time +the custom of dismounting and fighting on foot was gradually abandoned, +and dragoons became regular cavalry; but in modern times the utility of +Gustavus's invention of mounted infantry has been again recognized, +and in all the small wars in which England has been engaged bodies of +mounted infantry have been organized. Ere long mounted infantry will +again become a recognized arm of the service. + +But these raids in search of provisions occupied but a small portion +of the army. The rest passed their time in enforced idleness. There was +nothing to be done save to clean and furbish their arms and armour; to +stand on the ramparts and gaze on the distant heights of the Alte Veste, +to watch the solid columns of the Imperial army, which from time to time +Wallenstein marched down from his stronghold and paraded in order of +battle, as a challenge to the Swedes to come out and fight, or to loiter +through the narrow streets of Nuremberg, and to talk to the citizens, +whose trade and commerce were now entirely at a standstill. Malcolm, +with the restlessness of youth, seldom stayed many hours quiet in camp. +He did not care either for drinking or gambling; nor could he imitate +the passive tranquillity of the old soldiers, who were content to sleep +away the greater part of their time. He therefore spent many hours every +day in the city, where he speedily made many acquaintances. + +In the city of Nuremberg time dragged as slowly as it did in the camp. +At ordinary times the centre of a quiet and busy trade, the city was +now cut off from the world. The shops were for the most part closed; the +artisans stood idle in the streets, and the townsfolk had nought to do, +save to gather in groups and discuss the times, or to take occasional +excursions beyond the gates into the camp of their allies. The advances +then of the young Scottish officer were willingly responded to, and he +soon became intimate in the houses of all the principal citizens; and +while the greater part of his comrades spent their evenings in drinking +and gambling, he enjoyed the hours in conversation and music in the +houses of the citizens of Nuremberg. + +The long inaction brought its moral consequences, and the troops became +demoralized and insubordinate from their enforced idleness. Plundering +and acts of violence became so common that Gustavus was obliged to issue +the most stringent ordinances to restore discipline; and an officer and +many men had to be executed before the spirit of insubordination was +quelled. In order to pass some of the hours of the days Malcolm obtained +leave from one of the great clockmakers of the town--for Nuremberg was +at that time the centre of the craft of clockmaking--to allow him to +work in his shop, and to learn the mysteries of his trade. + +Most of the establishments were closed, but Malcolm's acquaintance +was one of the wealthiest of the citizens, and was able to keep his +craftsmen at work, and to store the goods he manufactured until better +times should return. Malcolm began the work purely to occupy his time, +but he presently came to take a lively interest in it, and was soon +able to take to pieces and put together again the cumbrous but simple +machines which constituted the clocks of the period. + +Workshops were not in those days factories. The master of a craft +worked, surrounded by his craftsmen and apprentices. Every wheel and +spring were made upon the premises, fashioned and finished with chisel +and file; and there was an interest in the work far beyond any which it +possesses in the present day, when watches are turned out wholesale, the +separate parts being prepared by machinery, and the work of the artisan +consisting solely in the finishing and putting them together. + +Laying aside his armour and gay attire, and donning a workman's apron, +Malcolm sat at the bench by the side of the master, shaping and filing, +and listening to his stories connected with the trade and history +of Nuremberg. He anticipated no advantage from the knowledge he was +gaining, but regarded it simply as a pleasant way of getting through a +portion of the day. + +Thus for three months the armies confronted each other. Provisions were +becoming terribly scarce, the magazines of the city were emptying fast, +and although working night and day, the mills of the place did not +suffice to grind flour for the needs of so many mouths. The population +of the city itself was greatly swollen by the crowds of Protestant +fugitives who had fled there for refuge on the approach of the +Imperialists, and the magazines of the city dwindled fast under the +demands made upon them by this addition, and that of the Swedish army, +to the normal population. Fever broke out in the city and camp. The +waters of the Pegnitz were tainted by the carcasses of dead horses and +other animals. The supplies of forage had long since been exhausted, and +the baggage and troop animals died in vast numbers. + +Still there was no sign of a change. Wallenstein would not attack, +Gustavus could not. The Swedish king waited to take advantage of some +false move on the part of the Imperial commander; but Wallenstein was as +great a general as himself, and afforded him no opening, turning a deaf +ear to the entreaties and importunities of Maximilian that he would end +the tedious siege by an attack upon the small and enfeebled army around +Nuremberg. + +All this time Gustavus was in constant communication with his generals +outside, his messengers making their way by speed or stratagem through +the beleaguering Croats, and kept up the spirits of his men by daily +reviews and by the cheerful countenance which he always wore. + +The Swedish columns were gradually closing in towards Nuremberg. One was +led by the chancellor Oxenstiern, to whom had been committed the care of +the Middle Rhine and the Lower Palatinate, where he had been confronted +by the Spanish troops under Don Philip de Sylva. + +On the 11th July, leaving Horn with a small force to oppose the +Spaniards, the chancellor set out to join his master. On the way he +effected a junction with the forces of the Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel. +This general had been opposed in Westphalia by Pappenheim, but he seized +the opportunity when the latter had marched to relieve Maestricht, which +was besieged by Frederic of Nassau, to march away and join Oxenstiern. + +The Scotch officers Ballandine and Alexander Hamilton were with their +regiment in the Duchy of Magdeburg. When the news of the king's danger +reached them without waiting for instructions they marched to Halle and +joining a portion of the division of the Duke of Saxe-Weimar, to which +they were attached, pushed on to Zeitz, and were there joined by the +duke himself, who had hurried on from the Lake of Constance, attended +only by his guards, but, picking up five Saxon regiments in Franconia. +Together they passed on to Wurtzburg, where they joined Oxenstiern and +the Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel. General Banner, with the fourth corps, +was at Augsburg, opposed to Cratz, who was at the head of the remains of +Tilly's old army. + +Slipping away from his foes he marched to Windsheim, and was there +joined by a body of troops under Bernhard of Weimar. The force from +Wurtzburg soon afterwards came up, and the whole of the detached corps, +amounting to 49,000 men, being now collected, they marched to Bruck, +ten miles north of Nuremberg. Three days later, on the 16th of August, +Gustavus rode into their camp, and on the 21st marched at their head +into Nuremberg, unhindered by the Imperialists. + +Gustavus probably calculated that the Imperialists would now move down +and offer battle; but Wallenstein, who had detached 10,000 men to bring +up supplies, could not place in the field a number equal to those of the +reinforcements, and preferred to await an attack in the position which +he had prepared with such care. He knew the straits to which Nuremberg +and its defenders were reduced, and the impossibility there would be of +feeding the new arrivals. + +The country round for a vast distance had been long since stripped of +provisions, and Gustavus had no course open to him but to march +away with his army and leave the city to its fate, or to attack the +Imperialists in their stronghold. + +On the day after his arrival, the 21st of August, Gustavus marched out +and opened a cannonade upon the Imperialists' position, in order to +induce Wallenstein to come down and give battle. Wallenstein was not, +however, to be tempted, but kept his whole army busy with the spade and +axe further intrenching his position. The next day the king brought his +guns nearer to the enemy's camp, and for twenty-four hours kept up a +heavy fire. The only result, however, was that Wallenstein fell back +a few hundred yards on to two ridges, on one of which was the ruined +castle called the Alte Veste; the other was known as the Altenburg. The +ascent to these was steep and craggy, and they were covered by a thick +forest. Here Wallenstein formed in front of his position a threefold +barrier of felled trees woven and interlaced with each other, each +barrier rising in a semicircle one above the other. Before the Swedish +cannon ceased to fire the new position of the Imperialists had been made +impregnable. + +Unfortunately for Gustavus he had at this moment lost the services +of the best officer in his army, Sir John Hepburn, whom he had always +regarded as his right hand. The quarrel had arisen from some trifling +circumstance, and Gustavus in the heat of the moment made some +disparaging allusion to the religion of Hepburn, who was a Catholic and +also to that officer's love of dress and finery. The indignant Hepburn +at once resigned his commission and swore never again to draw his sword +in the service of the king--a resolution to which he adhered, although +Gustavus, when his anger cooled, endeavoured in every way to appease the +angry soldier. + +As he persisted in his resolution Colonel Munro was appointed to the +command of the Green Brigade. It is probable that the quarrel was the +consummation of a long standing grievance. Hepburn as well as the other +Scottish officers had shared the indignation of Sir John Hamilton when +the latter resigned in consequence of the Swedish troop being placed in +the post of honour at the storm of the castle of Marienburg after the +Scots had done all the work. There had, too, been much discontent among +them concerning the Marquis of Hamilton, whom they considered that +Gustavus had treated ungenerously; and still more concerning Lieutenant +Colonel Douglas, whom Gustavus had committed to a common prison for +a slight breach of etiquette, a punishment at which the English +ambassador, Sir Harry Vane, remonstrated, and which the whole Scottish +officers considered an insult to them and their country. + +There were probably faults on both sides. The Scottish troops were the +backbone of the Swedish army, and to them were principally due almost +the whole of the successes which Gustavus had gained. Doubtless +they presumed upon the fact, and although Gustavus recognized his +obligations, as is shown by the immense number of commands and +governorships which he bestowed upon his Scottish officers, he may +well have been angered and irritated by the insistance with which they +asserted their claims and services. It was, however, a most unfortunate +circumstance that just at this critical moment he should have lost the +services of an officer whose prudence was equal to his daring, and who +was unquestionably one of the greatest military leaders of his age. + +It is probable that had Hepburn remained by his side the king would +not have undertaken the attack upon the impregnable position of the +Imperialists. Deprived of the counsellor upon whose advice he had +hitherto invariably relied, Gustavus determined to attempt to drive +Wallenstein from his position, the decision being finally induced by a +ruse of the Imperialist commander, who desired nothing so much as that +the Swedes should dash their forces against the terrible position he +had prepared for them. Accordingly on the 24th of August he directed +a considerable portion of his force to march away from the rear of his +position as if, alarmed at the superior strength of the Swedes, he had +determined to abandon the heights he had so long occupied and to march +away. + +Gustavus fell into the trap, and prepared at once to assault the +position. Two hundred pieces of artillery heralded the advance, which +was made by the whole body of the musketeers of the army, drafted +from the several brigades and divided into battalions 500 strong, each +commanded by a colonel. It was a terrible position which they were +advancing to storm. Each of the lines of intrenchments was surmounted +by rows of polished helmets, while pikes and arquebuses glittered in +the sunshine; but it was not long that the scene was visible, for as the +battalions approached the foot of the Altenburg 80 pieces of artillery +opened from its summit and from the ridge of the Alte Veste, while +the smoke of the arquebuses drifted up in a cloud from the lines of +intrenchments. + +Steadily and in good order the Scotch and Swedish infantry pressed +forward, and forcing the lower ditch strove to climb the rocky heights; +but in vain did they strive. Over and over again they reached the +intrenchments, but were unable to force their way through the thickly +bound fallen trees, while their lines were torn with a storm of iron +and lead. Never did the Scottish soldiers of Gustavus fight with greater +desperation and valour. Scores of them rolled lifeless down the slope, +but fresh men took their places and strove to hack their way through the +impenetrable screen through which the Imperialist bullets whistled like +hail. + +At last, when nigh half their number had fallen, the rest, exhausted, +broken, and in disorder, fell suddenly back. Gustavus in person then led +on his Finlanders, but these, after a struggle as obstinate and heroic +as that of their predecessors, in their turn fell back baffled. The +Livonians next made the attempt, but in vain. + +In the meantime a sharp conflict had taken place between the Imperial +cavalry and the Swedish left wing. Wallenstein's cuirassiers, hidden by +the smoke, charged right through a column of Swedish infantry; but this +success was counterbalanced by the rout of Cronenberg's Invincibles, +a magnificent regiment of 1500 horsemen, by 200 Finland troopers. The +troops of Duke Bernhard of Weimar, among whom were still the Scottish +regiments of Hamilton and Douglas, marched against the heights which +commanded the Alte Veste, and drove back the Imperialists with great +loss. Five hundred musketeers of the Green Brigade under Colonel Munro +then pushed gallantly forward and posted themselves far in advance, +resisting all attempts of the Imperialists to drive them back, until +Lieutenant Colonel Sinclair, who was now in command of Munro's own +regiment, brought it forward to his assistance. Until the next morning +this body of one thousand men maintained the ground they had won in +spite of all the efforts of the Imperialists to dislodge them. + +Colonel Munro was severely wounded in the left side. Lieutenant Colonel +Maken, Capt. Innis, and Capt. Traill were killed, and an immense number +of other Scottish officers were killed and wounded. The news was brought +down to Gustavus of the advantage gained by Duke Bernhard, but he +was unable to take advantage of it by moving his army round to that +position, as he would have exposed himself to a counter attack of the +enemy while doing so. He therefore launched a fresh column of attack +against the Alte Veste. + +This was followed by another and yet another, until every regiment in +the army had in its turn attempted to storm the position, but still +without success. + +The battle had now raged for ten hours, and nightfall put an end to +the struggle. Hepburn had all day ridden behind the king as a simple +cavalier, and had twice carried messages through the thick of the fire +when there were no others to bear them, so great had been the slaughter +round the person of the king. + +It was the first time that Gustavus had been repulsed, and he could +hardly yet realize the fact; but as messenger after messenger came in +from the different divisions he discovered how terrible had been his +loss. Most of his generals and superior officers had been killed or +wounded, 2000 men lay dead on the field, and there were nigh three times +that number of wounded. + +The Imperialists on their side lost 1000 killed and 1500 wounded; but +the accounts of the losses on both sides differ greatly, some placing +the Imperial loss higher than that of the Swedes, a palpably absurd +estimate, as the Imperialists, fighting behind shelter, could not have +suffered anything like so heavily as their assailants, who were exposed +to their fire in the open. + +Hepburn bore the order from the king for Munro's troops and those of +Duke Bernhard to retire from the position they had won, as they were +entirely cut off from the rest of the army, and would at daylight have +had the whole of the Imperialists upon them. The service was one of +great danger, and Hepburn had to cut his way sword in hand through the +Croats who intervened between him and his comrades of the Green Brigade. +He accomplished his task in safety, and before daylight Munro's men +and the regiments of Duke Bernhard rejoined the army in the plain. But +though repulsed Gustavus was not defeated. He took up a new position +just out of cannon shot of the Altenburg, and then offered battle to +Wallenstein, the latter, however, well satisfied with his success, +remained firm in his policy of starving out the enemy, and resisted +every device of the king to turn him from his stronghold. + +For fourteen days Gustavus remained in position. Then he could hold out +no longer. The supplies were entirely exhausted. The summer had been +unusually hot. The shrunken waters of the Pegnitz were putrid and +stinking, the carcasses of dead horses poisoned the air, and fever +and pestilence raged in the camp. Leaving, then, Kniphausen with eight +thousand men to aid the citizens of Nuremberg to defend the city should +Wallenstein besiege it, Gustavus marched on the 8th of September by +way of Neustadt to Windsheim, and there halted to watch the further +movements of the enemy. + +Five days later Wallenstein quitted his camp and marched to Forsheim. +So far the advantage of the campaign lay with him. His patience and iron +resolution had given the first check to the victorious career of the +Lion of the North. + +Munro's regiment, as it was still called--for he was now its full +colonel, although Lieutenant Colonel Sinclair commanded it in the +field--had suffered terribly, but less, perhaps, than some of those +who had in vain attempted to force their way up the slopes of the Alte +Veste; and many an eye grew moist as at daybreak the regiment marched +into its place in the ranks of the brigade and saw how terrible had been +the slaughter among them. Munro's soldiers had had but little of that +hand to hand fighting in which men's blood becomes heated and all +thought of danger is lost in the fierce desire to kill. Their losses +had been caused by the storm of cannonball and bullet which had swept +through them, as, panting and breathless, they struggled up the steep +slopes, incapable of answering the fire of the enemy. They had had their +triumph, indeed, as the Imperial regiments broke and fled before their +advance; but although proud that they at least had succeeded in a day +when failure was general, there was not a man but regretted that he had +not come within push of pike of the enemy. + +Malcolm Graheme had passed scatheless through the fray--a good fortune +that had attended but few of his brother officers. His uncle was badly +wounded, and several of his friends had fallen. Of the men who had +marched from Denmark but a year before scarce a third remained in the +ranks, and although the regiment had been strengthened by the breaking +up of two or three of the weaker battalions and their incorporation +with the other Scottish regiments, it was now less than half its former +strength. While Gustavus and Wallenstein had been facing each other at +Nuremberg the war had continued without interruption in other parts, and +the Swedes and their allies had gained advantages everywhere except in +Westphalia and Lower Saxony, where Pappenheim had more than held his own +against Baudissen, who commanded for Gustavus; and although Wallenstein +had checked the king he had gained no material advantages and had +wrested no single town or fortress from his hands. Gustavus was still in +Bavaria, nearer to Munich than he was, his garrisons still holding Ulm, +Nordlingen, and Donauworth, its strongest fortresses. + +He felt sure, however, that it would be impossible for Gustavus to +maintain at one spot the army which he had at Windsheim, and that +with so many points to defend he would soon break it up into separate +commands. He resolved then to wait until he did so, and then to sweep +down upon Northern Germany, and so by threatening the king's line of +retreat to force him to abandon Bavaria and the south and to march to +meet him. + +At present he was in no position to risk a battle, for he had already +detached 4000 men to reinforce Holk, whom he had sent with 10,000 +to threaten Dresden. The 13,000 Bavarians who were with him under +Maximilian had separated from him on his way to Forsheim, and on +arriving at that place his army numbered but 17,000 men, while Gustavus +had more than 40,000 gathered at Windsheim. + +Gustavus, on his part, determined to carry out his former projects, to +march against Ingolstadt, which he had before failed to capture, and +thence to penetrate into Upper Austria. But fearful lest Wallenstein, +released from his presence, should attempt to recover the fortresses in +Franconia, he despatched half his force under Duke Bernhard to prevent +the Imperial general from crossing the Rhine. Could he succeed in +doing this he would be in a position to dictate terms to the emperor in +Vienna. + +On the 12th of October he reached Neuberg, on the Danube, and halted +there, awaiting the arrival of his siege train from Donauworth. +While making the most vigorous exertions to press on the necessary +arrangements for his march against Vienna he received the most urgent +messages to return to Saxony. Not only, as he was told, had Wallenstein +penetrated into that province, but he was employing all his influence to +detach its elector from the Protestant cause, and there was great fear +that the weak prince would yield to the solicitations of Wallenstein and +to his own jealousy of the King of Sweden. + +No sooner, in fact, had Gustavus crossed the Danube than Wallenstein +moved towards Schweinfurt, and by so doing drew to that place the +Swedish army under the command of Duke Bernhard. He then suddenly +marched eastward at full speed, capturing Bamberg, Baireuth, and +Culmbach, and pushed on to Colberg. + +The town was captured, but the Swedish Colonel Dubatel, who was really +a Scotchman, by name M'Dougal, a gallant and brilliant officer, threw +himself with his dragoons into the castle, which commanded the town, and +defended it so resolutely against the assaults of Wallenstein that +Duke Bernhard had time to march to within twenty miles of the place. +Wallenstein then raised the siege, marched east to Kronach, and then +north to Weida, on the Elster. Thence he pressed on direct to Leipzig, +which he besieged at once; and while the main body of his troops were +engaged before the city, others took possession of the surrounding towns +and fortresses. + +Leipzig held out for only two days, and after its capture Wallenstein +marched to Merseburg, where he was joined by the army under Pappenheim. +Thus reinforced he was in a position to capture the whole of Saxony. The +elector, timid and vacillating, was fully conscious of his danger and +the solicitations of Wallenstein to break off from his alliance with the +King of Sweden and to join the Imperialists were strongly seconded by +Marshal Von Arnheim, his most trusted councillor, who was an intimate +friend of the Imperialist general. + +It was indeed a hard decision which Gustavus was called upon to make. On +the one hand Vienna lay almost within his grasp, for Wallenstein was +now too far north to interpose between him and the capital. On the other +hand, should the Elector of Saxony join the Imperialists, his position +after the capture of Vienna would be perilous in the extreme. The +emperor would probably leave his capital before he arrived there, and +the conquest would, therefore, be a barren one. Gustavus reluctantly +determined to abandon his plan, and to march to the assistance of +Saxony. + + + +CHAPTER XVII THE DEATH OF GUSTAVUS + + +The determination of Gustavus to march to the assistance of Saxony once +taken, he lost not a moment in carrying it into effect. General Banner, +whom he greatly trusted, was unfortunately suffering from a wound, and +until he should recover he appointed the Prince Palatine of Burkenfeldt +to command a corps 12,000 strong which he determined to leave on +the Danube; then strengthening the garrisons of Augsburg, Rain, and +Donauworth, he set out with the remainder of his army on his march to +Saxony. + +From Donauworth he marched to Nuremberg, stayed there forty-eight hours +to recover the fortress of Lauf, and, having forced the garrison of that +place to surrender at discretion, pushed on with all possible speed to +Erfurt, which he had fixed upon as the point of junction for his several +corps. The Green Brigade formed a portion of the force which Gustavus +left behind him in Bavaria under the Prince Palatine. So terribly +weakened were the Scottish regiments by the various battles of the +campaign, in all of which they had borne the brunt of the fighting, +that Gustavus determined reluctantly to leave them behind for rest and +reorganization. + +Hepburn, Sir James Hamilton, Sir James Ramsay, and the Marquis of +Hamilton, who like Hepburn had quarrelled with Gustavus, left the +Swedish army the day after they arrived at Neustadt, after marching +away from Nuremberg. All the Scottish officers in the Swedish army +accompanied Hepburn and his three companions along the road for a long +German mile from Neustadt, and then parted with great grief from the +gallant cavalier who had led them so often to victory. + +Malcolm Graheme did not remain behind in Bavaria with his comrades of +the Green Brigade. Gustavus, who had taken a great fancy to the young +Scotch officer, whose spirit of adventure and daring were in strong +harmony with his own character, appointed him to ride on his own +personal staff. Although he parted with regret from his comrades, +Malcolm was glad to accompany the king on his northward march, for there +was no probability of any very active service in Bavaria, and it was +certain that a desperate battle would be fought when Gustavus and +Wallenstein met face to face in the open field. + +At Erfurt Gustavus was joined by Duke Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar with his +force, which raised his army to a strength of 20,000. The news of his +approach had again revived the courage of the Elector of Saxony, who +had occupied the only towns where the Elbe could be crossed, Dresden, +Torgau, and Wittenberg--he himself, with his main army of 15,000 men, +lying at Torgau. From him Gustavus learned that the Imperial army was +divided into three chief corps--that of Wallenstein 12,000 strong, that +of Pappenheim 10,000, those of Gallas and Holk united 16,000, making a +total of 38,000 men. + +So great was the speed with which Gustavus had marched to Erfurt that +Wallenstein had received no notice of his approach; and believing that +for some time to come he should meet with no serious opposition, he had +on the very day after the Swedes reached Erfurt despatched Gallas with +12,000 men into Bohemia. A division of his troops was at the same time +threatening Naumburg, whose possession would enable him to block the +only easy road with which Gustavus could enter the country held by him. + +But Gustavus at Erfurt learned that Naumburg had not yet fallen, and +marching with great rapidity reached the neighbourhood of that town +before the Imperialists were aware that he had quitted Erfurt, and +cutting up a small detachment of the enemy who lay in his way, entered +the town and at once began to intrench it. Wallenstein first learned +from the fugitives of the beaten detachment that Gustavus had arrived at +Naumburg, but as his own position lay almost centrally between Naumburg +and Torgau, so long as he could prevent the Swedes and Saxons from +uniting, he felt safe; for although together they would outnumber him, +he was superior in strength to either if alone. The Imperialist general +believed that Gustavus intended to pass the winter at Naumburg, and he +had therefore no fear of an immediate attack. + +In order to extend the area from which he could draw his supplies +Wallenstein despatched Pappenheim to secure the fortress of Halle; for +although that town had been captured the fortress held out, and barred +the main road to the north. From Halle Pappenheim was to proceed to the +relief of Cologne, which was menaced by the enemy. + +Having done this, Wallenstein withdrew from the line of the Saale and +prepared to distribute his army in winter quarters in the towns of the +district, he himself with a portion of the force occupying the little +town of Lutzen. But Gustavus had no idea of taking up his quarters for +the winter at Naumburg; and he proposed to the Elector of Saxony that if +he would march to Eilenberg, midway to Leipzig, he himself would make +a detour to the south round Wallenstein's position and join him there. +Without waiting to receive the answer of the elector, Gustavus, leaving +a garrison in Naumburg, set out at one o'clock in the morning on the +5th of November on his march; but before he had proceeded nine miles he +learned from a number of gentlemen and peasants favourable to the +cause that Pappenheim had started for Halle, that the remainder of +the Imperial army lay dispersed among the towns and villages of the +neighbourhood, and that Wallenstein himself was at Lutzen. + +Gustavus called his generals together and informed them of the news. +Learning that Lutzen was but five miles distant--as it turned out, a +mistaken piece of information, as it was nearly twice as far--he ordered +that the men should take some food, and then wheeling to the left, push +on towards Lutzen. + +It was not until some time later that Wallenstein learned from the +Imperial scouts that Gustavus was upon him. It was then nearly five +o'clock in the evening, and darkness was at hand. Considering the heavy +state of the roads, and the fact that Gustavus would have in the last +three miles of his march to traverse a morass crossed by a bridge over +which only two persons could pass abreast, he felt confident that the +attack could not be made until the following morning. + +Mounted messengers were sent in all directions to bring up his troops +from the villages in which they were posted, and in the meantime the +troops stationed around Lutzen were employed in preparing obstacles to +hinder the advance of the Swedes. On either side of the roads was a low +swampy country intersected with ditches, and Wallenstein at once set his +men to work to widen and deepen these ditches, which the troops as they +arrived on the ground were to occupy. All night the troops laboured at +this task. + +In the meantime Gustavus had found the distance longer and the +difficulties greater than he had anticipated; the roads were so heavy +that it was with difficulty that the artillery and ammunition wagons +could be dragged along them, and the delay caused by the passage of the +morass was very great. + +Indeed the passage would have been scarcely possible had the men of an +Imperial regiment of cuirassiers and a battalion of Croats, who were +posted in a village on the further side of the morass, defended it; but +instead of doing so they fell back to an eminence in the rear of the +village, and remained there quietly until, just as the sun set, the +whole Swedish army got across. The cuirassiers and Croats were at once +attacked and put to flight; but as darkness was now at hand it was +impossible for Gustavus to make any further advance, and the army was +ordered to bivouac as it stood. The state of the roads had defeated the +plans of Gustavus. Instead of taking the enemy by surprise, as he had +hoped, and falling upon them scattered and disunited, the delays which +had occurred had given Wallenstein time to bring up all his forces, and +at daybreak Gustavus would be confronted by a force nearly equal to +his own, and occupying a position very strongly defended by natural +obstacles. + +Before the day was won, Pappenheim, for whom Wallenstein would have sent +as soon as he heard of the Swedish advance, might be on the field, +and in that case the Imperialists would not only have the advantage of +position but also that of numbers. It was an anxious night, and +Gustavus spent the greater part of it in conversation with his generals, +especially Kniphausen and Duke Bernhard. + +The former strongly urged that the army should repass the morass and +march, as originally intended, to effect a junction with the Saxons. +He pointed out that the troops were fatigued with their long and weary +march during the day, and would have to fight without food, as it had +been found impossible to bring up the wagons with the supplies; he +particularly urged the point that Pappenheim would arrive on the field +before the victory could be won. But Gustavus was of opinion that the +disadvantages of retreat were greater than those of action. The troops, +hungry, weary, and dispirited, would be attacked as they retired, and +he believed that by beginning the action early the Imperialists could be +defeated before Pappenheim could return from Halle. + +Gustavus proposed to move forward at two o'clock in the morning; but +fate was upon this occasion against the great Swedish leader. Just as on +the previous day the expected length of the march and the heavy state of +the roads had prevented him from crushing Wallenstein's scattered army, +so now a thick fog springing up, making the night so dark that a soldier +could not see the man standing next to him, prevented the possibility of +movement, and instead of marching at two o'clock in the morning it was +nine before the sun cleared away the fog sufficiently to enable the +army to advance. Then, after addressing a few stirring words to his men, +Gustavus ordered the advance towards Chursitz, the village in front of +them. + +The king himself led the right wing, consisting of six regiments of +Swedes, supported by musketeers intermingled with cavalry. The left, +composed of cavalry and infantry intermixed, was commanded by Duke +Bernhard. The centre, consisting of four brigades of infantry supported +by the Scottish regiments under Henderson, was commanded by Nicholas +Brahe, Count of Weissenburg. + +The reserves behind each of these divisions were formed entirely of +cavalry, commanded on the right by Bulach, in the centre by Kniphausen, +and on the left by Ernest, Prince of Anhalt. The field pieces, twenty +in number, were disposed to the best advantage between the wings. Franz +Albert of Lauenburg, who had joined the army the day before, rode by +the king. A short halt was made at Chursitz, where the baggage was left +behind, and the army then advanced against the Imperialists, who at once +opened fire. + +Wallenstein had posted his left so as to be covered by a canal, while +his right was protected by the village of Lutzen. On some rising ground +to the left of that village, where there were several windmills, he +planted fourteen small pieces of cannon, while to support his front, +which was composed of the musketeers in the ditches on either side of +the road, he planted a battery of seven heavy pieces of artillery. + +The main body of his infantry he formed into four massive brigades, +which were flanked on both sides by musketeers intermixed with cavalry. +Count Coloredo commanded on the left, Holk on the right, Terzky in the +centre. + +As the Swedish army advanced beyond Chursitz the seven heavy pieces +of artillery on the side of the road opened upon them, doing much +execution, while their own lighter guns could not reply effectively. The +Swedes pressed forward to come to close quarters. The left wing, led +by Duke Bernhard, was the first to arrive upon the scene of action. +Gallantly led by the duke his men forced the ditches, cleared the road, +charged the deadly battery, killed or drove away the gunners, and rushed +with fury on the Imperialist right. + +Holk, a resolute commander, tried in vain to stem the assault; the +ardour of the Swedes was irresistible, and they scattered, one after +the other, his three brigades. The battle seemed already lost when +Wallenstein himself took his place at the head of the fourth brigade, +and fell upon the Swedes, who were disordered by the rapidity and ardour +of their charge, while at the same moment he launched three regiments of +cavalry on their flanks. + +The Swedes fought heroically but in vain; step by step they were driven +back, the battery was recaptured, and the guns, which in the excitement +of the advance the captors had omitted to spike, were retaken by the +Imperialists. + +In the meantime on the right the king had also forced the road, and had +driven from the field the Croats and Poles opposed to him, and he was on +the point of wheeling his troops to fall on the flank of the Imperialist +centre when one of Duke Bernhard's aides-de-camp dashed up with the news +that the left wing had fallen back broken and in disorder. + +Leaving to Count Stalhaus to continue to press the enemy, Gustavus, +accompanied by his staff, rode at full gallop to the left at the head of +Steinboch's regiment of dragoons. Arrived on the spot he dashed to the +front at a point where his men had not yet been forced back across the +road, and riding among them roused them to fresh exertions. By his side +were Franz Albert of Lauenberg and a few other followers. But his pace +had been so furious that Steinboch's dragoons had not yet arrived. As +he urged on his broken men Gustavus was struck in the shoulder by a +musketball. He reeled in his saddle, but exclaimed, “It is nothing,” and +ordered them to charge the enemy with the dragoons. Malcolm Graheme and +others on his staff hesitated, but the king exclaimed, “Ride all, +the duke will see to me.” The cavalry dashed forward, and the king, +accompanied only by Franz Albert, Duke of Lauenberg, turned to leave the +field, but he had scarcely moved a few paces when he received another +shot in the back. Calling out to Franz Albert that it was all over with +him, the mortally wounded king fell to the ground. + +Franz Albert, believing the battle lost, galloped away; the king's +page alone remained with the dying man. A minute later three Austrian +cuirassiers rode up, and demanded the name of the dying man. The page +Leubelfing refused to give it, and firing their pistols at him they +stretched him mortally wounded beside the dying king. Gustavus then, but +with difficulty, said who he was. The troopers leapt from their horses +and stripped his rich armour from him, and then, as they saw Steinboch's +dragoons returning from their charge, they placed their pistols close to +the king's head and fired, and then leaping on their horses fled. + +Great was the grief when Malcolm, happening to ride near the body, +recognized it as that of the king. An instant later a regiment of +Imperialist cavalry charged down, and a furious fight took place for +some minutes over the king's body. It was, however, at last carried +off by the Swedes, so disfigured by wounds and by the trampling of the +horses in the fray as to be unrecognizable. + +The news of the fall of their king, which spread rapidly through +the ranks, so far from discouraging the Swedes, inspired them with a +desperate determination to avenge his death, and burning with fury they +advanced against the enemy, yet preserving the most perfect steadiness +and order in their ranks. + +In vain did Wallenstein and his officers strive to stem the attack of +the left wing, their bravery and skill availed nothing to arrest that +furious charge. Regiment after regiment who strove to bar their way +were swept aside, the guns near the windmills were captured and turned +against the enemy. Step by step the Imperial right wing was forced back, +and the centre was assailed in flank by the guns from the rising ground, +while Stalhaus with the right wing of the Swedes attacked them on their +left. + +Hopeless of victory the Imperialist centre was giving way, when the +explosion of one of their powder wagons still further shook them. +Attacked on both flanks and in front the Imperialist centre wavered, +and in a few minutes would have been in full flight. The Swedish victory +seemed assured, when a mighty trampling of horse was heard, and emerging +from the smoke Pappenheim with eight regiments of Imperial cavalry +dashed into the fray. + +Pappenheim had already captured the citadel of Halle when Wallenstein's +messenger reached him. To wait until his infantry, who were engaged in +plundering, could be collected, and then to proceed at their pace to +the field of battle, would be to arrive too late to be of service, and +Pappenheim instantly placed himself at the head of his eight regiments +of magnificent cavalry, and galloped at full speed to the battlefield +eighteen miles distant. On the way he met large numbers of flying Poles +and Croats, the remnants of the Austrian left, who had been driven from +the field by Gustavus; these he rallied, and with them dashed upon the +troops of Stalhaus who were pursuing them, and forced them backward. +The relief afforded to the Imperialists by this opportune arrival +was immense, and leaving Pappenheim to deal with the Swedish right, +Wallenstein rallied his own right on the centre, and opposed a +fresh front to the advancing troops of Duke Bernhard and Kniphausen. +Inspirited by the arrival of the reinforcements, and burning to turn +what had just appeared a defeat into a victory, the Imperialists +advanced with such ardour that the Swedes were driven back, the guns on +the hills recaptured, and it seemed that in this terrible battle victory +was at last to declare itself in favour of the Imperialists. + +It needed only the return of Pappenheim from the pursuit of the Swedish +right to decide the day, but Pappenheim was not to come. Though driven +back by the first impetuous charge of the Imperial cavalry, the Swedes +under Stalhaus, reinforced by the Scottish regiments under Henderson, +stubbornly opposed their further attacks. + +While leading his men forward Pappenheim fell with two musketballs +through his body. While lying there the rumour for the first time +reached him that Gustavus had been killed. When upon inquiry the truth +of the rumour was confirmed, the eyes of the dying man lighted up. + +“Tell Wallenstein,” he said to the officer nearest to him, “that I am +lying here without hope of life, but I die gladly, knowing, as I now +know, that the irreconcilable enemy of my faith has fallen on the same +day.” + +The Imperialists, discouraged by the fall of their general, could +not withstand the ardour with which the Swedes and Scottish infantry +attacked them, and the cavalry rode from the field. Elsewhere the +battle was still raging. Wallenstein's right and centre had driven Count +Bernhard, the Duke of Brahe, and Kniphausen across that desperately +contested road, but beyond this they could not force them, so stubbornly +and desperately did they fight. But Stalhaus and his men, refreshed and +invigorated by their victory over Pappenheim's force, again came up +and took their part in the fight. Wallenstein had no longer a hope of +victory, he fought now only to avoid defeat. The sun had already set, +and if he could but maintain his position for another half hour darkness +would save his army. + +He fell back across the road again, fighting stubbornly and in good +order, and extending his line to the left to prevent Stalhaus from +turning his flank; and in this order the terrible struggle continued +till nightfall. Both sides fought with splendid bravery. The Swedes, +eager for the victory once again apparently within their grasp, pressed +on with fury, while the Imperialists opposed them with the most stubborn +obstinacy. + +Seven times did Piccolomini charge with his cavalry upon the advancing +Swedes. Seven times was his horse shot under him, but remounting each +time, he drew off his men in good order, and in readiness to dash +forward again at the first opportunity. The other Imperialist generals +fought with equal courage and coolness, while Wallenstein, present +wherever the danger was thickest, animated all by his courage and +coolness. Though forced step by step to retire, the Imperialists never +lost their formation, never turned their backs to the foe; and thus +the fight went on till the darkness gathered thicker and thicker, the +combatants could no longer see each other, and the desperate battle came +to an end. + +In the darkness, Wallenstein drew off his army and fell back to Leipzig, +leaving behind him his colours and all his guns. In thus doing he threw +away the opportunity of turning what his retreat acknowledged to be a +defeat into a victory on the following morning, for scarcely had he left +the field when the six regiments of Pappenheim's infantry arrived from +Halle. Had he held his ground he could have renewed the battle in the +morning, with the best prospects of success, for the struggle of +the preceding day had been little more than a drawn battle, and the +accessions of fresh troops should have given him a decided advantage +over the weary Swedes. The newcomers, finding the field deserted, and +learning from the wounded lying thickly over it that Wallenstein had +retreated, at once marched away. + +In the Swedish camp there was no assurance whatever that a victory had +been gained, for nightfall had fallen on the Imperialists fighting as +stubbornly as ever. The loss of the king, the master spirit of the war, +dispirited and discouraged them, and Duke Bernhard and Kniphausen held +in the darkness an anxious consultation as to whether the army should +not at once retreat to Weissenburg. The plan was not carried out, only +because it was considered that it was impracticable--as the army would +be exposed to destruction should the Imperialists fall upon them while +crossing the terrible morass in their rear. + +The morning showed them that the Imperialists had disappeared, and that +the mighty struggle had indeed been a victory for them--a victory won +rather by the superior stubbornness with which the Swedish generals held +their ground during the night, while Wallenstein fell back, than to the +splendid courage with which the troops had fought on the preceding +day. But better far would it have been for the cause which the Swedes +championed, that they should have been driven a defeated host from the +field of Lutzen, than that they should have gained a barren victory at +the cost of the life of their gallant monarch--the soul of the struggle, +the hope of Protestantism, the guiding spirit of the coalition against +Catholicism as represented by Ferdinand of Austria. + +The losses in the battle were about equal, no less than 9000 having +fallen upon each side--a proportion without precedent in any battle of +modern times, and testifying to the obstinacy and valour with which on +both sides the struggle was maintained from early morning until night +alone terminated it. + +It is said, indeed, that every man, both of the yellow regiments of +Swedish guards and of the blue regiments, composed entirely of English +and Scotchmen, lay dead on the field. On both sides many men of high +rank were killed. On the Swedish side, besides Gustavus himself, fell +Count Milo, the Count of Brahe, General Uslar, Ernest Prince of +Anhalt, and Colonels Gersdorf and Wildessein. On the Imperialist +side Pappenheim, Schenk, Prince and Abbot of Fulda, Count Berthold +Wallenstein, General Brenner, Issolani, general of the Croats, and six +colonels were killed. Piccolomini received ten wounds, but none of them +were mortal. + +Holk was severely wounded, and, indeed, so close and desperate was the +conflict, that it is said there was scarcely a man in the Imperial army +who escaped altogether without a wound. + + + +CHAPTER XVIII WOUNDED + + +A controversy, which has never been cleared up, has long raged as to the +death of Gustavus of Sweden; but the weight of evidence is strongly in +favour of those who affirm that he received his fatal wound, that in +the back, at the hand of Franz Albert of Lauenburg. The circumstantial +evidence is, indeed, almost overwhelming. By birth the duke was the +youngest of four sons of Franz II, Duke of Lauenburg. On his mother's +side he was related to the Swedish royal family, and in his youth lived +for some time at the court of Stockholm. + +Owing to some impertinent remarks in reference to Gustavus he fell into +disfavour with the queen, and had to leave Sweden. On attaining manhood +he professed the Catholic faith, entered the Imperial army, obtained +the command of a regiment, attached himself with much devotion to +Wallenstein, and gained the confidence of that general. While the +negotiations between the emperor and Wallenstein were pending Franz +Albert was employed by the latter in endeavouring to bring about a +secret understanding with the court of Dresden. + +When Gustavus was blockaded in Nuremberg by Wallenstein Franz Albert +left the camp of the latter and presented himself in that of Gustavus as +a convert to the Reformed Religion and anxious to serve as a volunteer +under him. No quarrel or disagreement had, so far as is known, taken +place between him and Wallenstein, nor has any explanation ever been +given for such an extraordinary change of sides, made, too, at a moment +when it seemed that Gustavus was in a position almost desperate. By his +profession of religious zeal he managed to win the king's heart, but +Oxenstiern, when he saw him, entertained a profound distrust of him, and +even warned the king against putting confidence in this sudden convert. + +Gustavus, however, naturally frank and open in disposition, could not +believe that treachery was intended, and continued to treat him with +kindness. After the assault made by Gustavus upon Wallenstein's position +Franz Albert quitted his camp, saying that he was desirous of raising +some troops for his service in his father's territory. He rejoined him, +however, with only his personal followers, on the very day before the +battle of Lutzen, and was received by Gustavus with great cordiality, +although the absence of his retainers increased the general doubts as to +his sincerity. + +He was by the king's side when Gustavus received his first wound. He +was riding close behind him when the king received his second and fatal +wound in the back, and the moment the king had fallen he rode away from +the field, and it is asserted that it was he who brought the news of the +king's death to Wallenstein. + +Very soon after the battle he exchanged the Swedish service for the +Saxon, and some eighteen months later he re-embraced the Roman Catholic +faith and re-entered the Imperial army. + +A stronger case of circumstantial evidence could hardly be put together, +and it would certainly seem as if Lauenburg had entered the Swedish +service with the intention of murdering the king. That he did not carry +out his purpose during the attack on the Altenburg was perhaps due to +the fact that Gustavus may not have been in such a position as to afford +him an opportunity of doing so with safety to himself. + +It is certainly curious that after that fight he should have absented +himself, and only rejoined on the eve of the battle of Lutzen. The only +piece of evidence in his favour is that of Truchsess, a chamberlain of +the king, who, affirmed that he saw the fatal shot fired at a distance +of ten paces from the king by an Imperial officer, Lieutenant General +Falkenberg, who at once turned and fled, but was pursued and cut down by +Luckau, master of horse of Franz Albert. + +The general opinion of contemporary writers is certainly to the effect +that the King of Sweden was murdered by Franz Albert; but the absolute +facts must ever remain in doubt. + +On the morning after the battle Wallenstein, having been joined by +Pappenheim's infantry, sent a division of Croats back to the battlefield +to take possession of it should they find that the Swedes had retired; +but on their report that they still held the ground he retired at once +from Leipzig, and, evacuating Saxony, marched into Bohemia, leaving the +Swedes free to accomplish their junction with the army of the Elector, +thus gaining the object for which they had fought at Lutzen. + +After the death of the king, Malcolm Graheme, full of grief and rage at +the loss of the monarch who was loved by all his troops, and had treated +him with special kindness, joined the soldiers of Duke Bernhard, and +took part in the charge which swept back the Imperialists and captured +the cannon on the hill. At the very commencement of the struggle his +horse fell dead under him, and he fought on foot among the Swedish +infantry; but when the arrival of Pappenheim on the field enabled the +Imperialists again to assume the offensive, Malcolm, having picked up +a pike from the hands of a dead soldier, fought shoulder to shoulder in +the ranks as the Swedes, contesting stubbornly every foot of the ground, +were gradually driven back towards the road. + +Suddenly a shot struck him; he reeled backwards a few feet, strove to +steady himself and to level his pike, and then all consciousness left +him, and he fell prostrate. Again and again, as the fortune of the +desperate fray wavered one way or the other, did friend and foe pass +over the place where he lay. + +So thickly strewn was the field with dead that the combatants in their +desperate struggle had long ceased to pick their way over the fallen, +but trampled ruthlessly upon and over them as, hoarsely shouting their +battle cry, they either pressed forward after the slowly retreating foe +or with obstinate bravery strove to resist the charges of the enemy. +When Malcolm recovered his consciousness all was still, save that +here and there a faint moan was heard from others who like himself lay +wounded on the battlefield. The night was intensely dark, and Malcolm's +first sensation was that of bitter cold. + +It was indeed freezing severely, and great numbers of the wounded who +might otherwise have survived were frozen to death before morning; but +a few, and among these were Malcolm, were saved by the frost. Although +unconscious of the fact, he had been wounded in two places. The first +ball had penetrated his breastpiece and had entered his body, and a few +seconds later another ball had struck him in the arm. It was the first +wound which had caused his insensibility; but from the second, which +had severed one of the principal veins in the arm, he would have bled to +death had it not been for the effects of the cold. For a time the life +blood had flowed steadily away; but as the cold increased it froze and +stiffened on his jerkin, and at last the wound was staunched. + +It was none too soon, for before it ceased to flow Malcolm had lost a +vast quantity of blood. It was hours before nature recovered from the +drain. Gradually and slowly he awoke from his swoon. It was some time +before he realized where he was and what had happened, then gradually +his recollection of the fight returned to him. + +“I remember now,” he murmured to himself, “I was fighting with the +Swedish infantry when a shot struck me in the body, I think, for I +seemed to feel a sudden pain like a red hot iron. Who won the day, I +wonder? How bitterly cold it is! I feel as if I were freezing to death.” + +So faint and stiff was he, partly from loss of blood, partly from being +bruised from head to foot by being trampled on again and again as the +ranks of the combatants swept over him, that it was some time before +he was capable of making the slightest movement. His left arm was, he +found, entirely useless; it was indeed firmly frozen to the ground; but +after some difficulty he succeeded in moving his right, and felt for the +flask which had hung from his girdle. + +So frozen and stiff were his fingers that he was unable to unbuckle the +strap which fastened it; but, drawing his dagger, he at last cut through +this, and removing the stopper of the flask, took a long draught of +the wine with which it was filled. The relief which it afforded him was +almost instantaneous, and he seemed to feel life again coursing in his +veins. + +After a while he was sufficiently restored to be enabled to get from his +havresack some bread and meat which he had placed there after finishing +his breakfast on the previous morning. He ate a few mouthfuls, took +another long draught of wine, and then felt that he could hope to hold +on until morning. He was unable to rise even into a sitting position, +nor would it have availed him had he been able to walk, for he knew not +where the armies were lying, nor could he have proceeded a yard in any +direction without falling over the bodies which so thickly strewed the +ground around him. + +Though in fact it wanted but two hours of daylight when he recovered +consciousness, the time appeared interminable; but at last, to his +delight, a faint gleam of light spread across the sky. Stronger and +stronger did it become until the day was fairly broken. It was another +hour before he heard voices approaching. Almost holding his breath he +listened as they approached, and his heart gave a throb of delight as he +heard that they were speaking in Swedish. A victory had been won, then, +for had it not been so, it would have been the Imperialists, not the +Swedes, who would have been searching the field of battle. + +“There are but few alive,” one voice said, “the cold has finished the +work which the enemy began.” + +Malcolm, unable to rise, lifted his arm and held it erect to call the +attention of the searchers; it was quickly observed. + +“There is some one still alive,” the soldier exclaimed, “an officer, +too; by his scarf and feathers he belongs to the Green Brigade.” + +“These Scotchmen are as hard as iron,” another voice said; “come, bring +a stretcher along.” + +They were soon by the side of Malcolm. + +“Drink this, sir,” one said, kneeling beside him and placing a flask of +spirits to his lips; “that will warm your blood, I warrant, and you must +be well nigh frozen.” + +Malcolm took a few gulps at the potent liquor, then he had strength to +say: + +“There is something the matter with my left arm, I can't move it, and I +think I am hit in the body.” + +“You are hit in the body, sure enough,” the man said, “for there is +a bullet hole through your cuirass, and your jerkin below it is all +stained with blood. You have been hit in the left arm too, and the blood +is frozen to the ground; but we will soon free that for you. But before +trying to do that we will cut open the sleeve of your jerkin and bandage +your arm, or the movement may set it off bleeding again, and you have +lost a pool of blood already.” + +Very carefully the soldiers did their work, and then placing Malcolm on +the stretcher carried him away to the camp. Here the surgeons were all +hard at work attending to the wounded who were brought in. They had +already been busy all night, as those whose hurts had not actually +disabled them found their way into the camp. As he was a Scotch officer +he was carried to the lines occupied by Colonel Henderson with his +Scotch brigade. He was known to many of the officers personally, and no +time was lost in attending to him. He was nearly unconscious again by +the time that he reached the camp, for the movement had caused the wound +in his body to break out afresh. + +His armour was at once unbuckled, and his clothes having been cut the +surgeons proceeded to examine his wounds. They shook their heads as +they did so. Passing a probe into the wound they found that the ball, +breaking one of the ribs in its course, had gone straight on. They +turned him gently over. + +“Here it is,” the surgeon said, producing a flattened bullet. The +missile indeed had passed right through the body and had flattened +against the back piece, which its force was too far spent to penetrate. + +“Is the case hopeless, doctor?” one of the officers who was looking on +asked. + +“It is well nigh hopeless,” the doctor said, “but it is just possible +that it has not touched any vital part. The lad is young, and I judge +that he has not ruined his constitution, as most of you have done, by +hard drinking, so that there is just a chance for him. There is nothing +for me to do but to put a piece of lint over the two holes, bandage it +firmly, and leave it to nature. Now let me look at his arm. + +“Ah!” he went on as he examined the wound, “he has had a narrow escape +here. The ball has cut a vein and missed the principal artery by an +eighth of an inch. If that had been cut he would have bled to death in +five minutes. Evidently the lad has luck on his side, and I begin to +think we may save him if we can only keep him quiet.” + +At the earnest request of the surgeons tents were brought up and a +hospital established on some rising ground near the field of battle for +the serious cases among the wounded, and when the army marched away +to join the Saxons at Leipzig a brigade was left encamped around the +hospital. + +Here for three weeks Malcolm lay between life and death. The quantity of +blood he had lost was greatly in his favour, as it diminished the risk +of inflammation, while his vigorous constitution and the life of fatigue +and activity which he had led greatly strengthened his power. By a +miracle the bullet in its passage had passed through without injuring +any of the vital parts; and though his convalescence was slow it was +steady, and even at the end of the first week the surgeons were able to +pronounce a confident opinion that he would get over it. + +But it was not until the end of the month that he was allowed to move +from his recumbent position. A week later and he was able to sit up. On +the following day, to his surprise, the Count of Mansfeld strode into +his tent. + +“Ah! my young friend,” he exclaimed, “I am glad indeed to see you so +far recovered. I came to Leipzig with the countess and my daughter; +for Leipzig at present is the centre where all sorts of political +combinations are seething as in a cooking pot. It is enough to make one +sick of humanity and ashamed of one's country when one sees the greed +which is displayed by every one, from the highest of the princes down to +petty nobles who can scarce set twenty men in the field. + +“Each and all are struggling to make terms by which he may better +himself, and may add a province or an acre, as the case may be, to his +patrimony at the expense of his neighbours. Truly I wonder that the +noble Oxenstiern, who represents Sweden, does not call together the +generals and troops of that country from all parts and march away +northward, leaving these greedy princes and nobles to fight their own +battles, and make the best terms they may with their Imperial master. + +“But there, all that does not interest you at present; but I am so full +of spleen and disgust that I could not help letting it out. We arrived +there a week since, and of course one of our first inquiries was for +you, and we heard to our grief that the Imperialists had shot one of +their bullets through your body and another through your arm. This, of +course, would have been sufficient for any ordinary carcass; but I knew +my Scotchman, and was not surprised when they told me you were mending +fast. + +“I had speech yesterday with an officer who had ridden over from this +camp, and he told me that the doctors said you were now convalescent, +but would need repose and quiet for some time before you could again +buckle on armour. The countess, when I told her, said at once, 'Then we +will take him away back with us to Mansfeld.' Thekla clapped her hands +and said, 'That will be capital! we will look after him, and he shall +tell us stories about the wars.' + +“So the thing was settled at once. I have brought over with me a horse +litter, and have seen your surgeon, who says that although it will be +some weeks before you can sit on a horse without the risk of your wound +bursting out internally, there is no objection to your progression in a +litter by easy stages; so that is settled, and the doctor will write to +your colonel saying that it will be some months before you are fit for +duty, and that he has therefore ordered you change and quiet. + +“You need not be afraid of neglecting your duty or of getting out of the +way of risking your life in harebrained ventures, for there will be no +fighting till the spring. Everyone is negotiating at present, and you +will be back with your regiment before fighting begins again. Well, what +do you say?” + +“I thank you, indeed,” Malcolm replied. “It will of all things be the +most pleasant; the doctor has told me that I shall not be fit for duty +until the spring, and I have been wondering how ever I should be able to +pass the time until then.” + +“Then we will be off without a minute's delay,” the count said. “I sent +off the litter last night and started myself at daybreak, promising the +countess to be back with you ere nightfall, so we have no time to lose.” + +The news soon spread that Malcolm Graheme was about to leave the camp, +and many of the Scottish officers came in to say adieu to him; but time +pressed, and half an hour after the arrival of the count he started +for Leipzig with Malcolm in a litter swung between two horses. As they +travelled at a foot pace Malcolm did not find the journey uneasy, but +the fresh air and motion soon made him drowsy, and he was fast asleep +before he had left the camp an hour, and did not awake until the sound +of the horses' hoofs on stone pavements told him that they were entering +the town of Leipzig. + +A few minutes later he was lying on a couch in the comfortable +apartments occupied by the count, while the countess with her own hands +was administering refreshments to him, and Thekla was looking timidly +on, scarce able to believe that this pale and helpless invalid was the +stalwart young Scottish soldier of whose adventures she was never weary +of talking. + + + +CHAPTER XIX A PAUSE IN HOSTILITIES + + +Never had Malcolm Graheme spent a more pleasant time than the two months +which he passed at Mansfeld. Travelling by very easy stages there he +was so far convalescent upon his arrival that he was able to move about +freely and could soon ride on horseback. For the time the neighbourhood +of Mansfeld was undisturbed by the peasants or combatants on either +side, and the count had acted with such vigour against any parties of +brigands and marauders who might approach the vicinity of Mansfeld, +or the country under his control, that a greater security of life and +property existed than in most other parts of Germany. The ravages made +by war were speedily effaced, and although the peasants carried on their +operations in the fields without any surety as to who would gather the +crops, they worked free from the harassing tyranny of the petty bands of +robbers. + +As soon as he was strong enough Malcolm rode with the count on his +visits to the different parts of his estates, joined in several parties +got up to hunt the boar in the hills, or to make war on a small scale +against the wolves which, since the outbreak of the troubles, had vastly +increased in number, committing great depredations upon the flocks and +herds, and rendering it dangerous for the peasants to move between their +villages except in strong parties. + +The evenings were passed pleasantly and quietly. The countess would +read aloud or would play on the zither, with which instrument she would +accompany herself while she sang. Thekla would sit at her embroidery and +would chat merrily to Malcolm, and ask many questions about Scotland +and the life which the ladies led in that, as she asserted, “cold and +desolate country.” Sometimes the count's chaplain would be present and +would gravely discuss theological questions with the count, wearying +Malcolm and Thekla so excessively, that they would slip away from the +others and play checkers or cards on a little table in a deep oriel +window where their low talk and laughter did not disturb the discussions +of their elders. + +Once Malcolm was absent for two days on a visit to the village in +the mountains he had so much aided in defending. Here he was joyfully +received, and was glad to find that war had not penetrated to the quiet +valley, and that prosperity still reigned there. Malcolm lingered at +Mansfeld for some time after he felt that his strength was sufficiently +restored to enable him to rejoin his regiment; but he knew that until +the spring commenced no great movement of troops would take place, and +he was so happy with his kind friends, who treated him completely as one +of the family, that he was loath indeed to tear himself away. At last +he felt that he could no longer delay, and neither the assurances of the +count that the Protestant cause could dispense with his doughty services +for a few weeks longer, or the tears of Thekla and her insistance that +he could not care for them or he would not be in such a hurry to leave, +could detain him longer, and mounting a horse with which the count had +presented him he rode away to rejoin his regiment. + +No military movements of importance had taken place subsequent to the +battle of Lutzen. Oxenstiern had laboured night and day to repair as far +as possible the effects of the death of Gustavus. He had been left by +the will of the king regent of Sweden until the king's daughter, now a +child of six years old, came of age, and he at once assumed the supreme +direction of affairs. It was essential to revive the drooping courage +of the weaker states, to meet the secret machinations of the enemy, to +allay the jealousy of the more powerful allies, to arouse the friendly +powers, France in particular, to active assistance, and above all to +repair the ruined edifice of the German alliance and to reunite the +scattered strength of the party by a close and permanent bond of union. + +Had the emperor at this moment acted wisely Oxenstiern's efforts would +have been in vain. Wallenstein, farseeing and broad minded, saw the +proper course to pursue, and strongly urged upon the emperor the +advisability of declaring a universal amnesty, and of offering +favourable conditions to the Protestant princes, who, dismayed at the +loss of their great champion, would gladly accept any proposals which +would ensure the religious liberty for which they had fought; but the +emperor, blinded by this unexpected turn of fortune and infatuated by +Spanish counsels, now looked to a complete triumph and to enforce his +absolute will upon the whole of Germany. + +Instead, therefore, of listening to the wise counsels of Wallenstein he +hastened to augment his forces. Spain sent him considerable supplies, +negotiated for him with the ever vacillating Elector of Saxony, and +levied troops for him in Italy. The Elector of Bavaria increased his +army, and the Duke of Lorraine prepared again to take part in the +struggle which now seemed to offer him an easy opportunity of increasing +his dominions. For a time the Elector of Saxony, the Duke of Brunswick, +and many others of the German princes wavered; but when they saw that +Ferdinand, so far from being disposed to offer them favourable terms to +detach them from the league, was preparing with greater vigour than +ever to overwhelm them, they perceived that their interest was to remain +faithful to their ally, and at a great meeting of princes and deputies +held at Heilbronn the alliance was re-established on a firmer basis. + +Before, however, the solemn compact was ratified scarce one of the +German princes and nobles but required of Oxenstiern the gratification +of private greed and ambition, and each bargained for some possession +either already wrested or to be afterwards taken from the enemy. To the +Landgrave of Hesse the abbacies of Paderborn, Corvey, Munster, and Fulda +were promised, to Duke Bernhard of Weimar the Franconian bishoprics, +to the Duke of Wurtemburg the ecclesiastical domains and the Austrian +counties lying within his territories, all to be held as fiefs of +Sweden. + +Oxenstiern, an upright and conscientious man, was disgusted at the +greed of these princes and nobles who professed to be warring solely +in defence of their religious liberties, and he once exclaimed that he +would have it entered in the Swedish archives as an everlasting memorial +that a prince of the German empire made a request for such and such +territory from a Swedish nobleman, and that the Swedish noble complied +with the request by granting him German lands. However, the negotiations +were at last completed, the Saxons marched towards Lusatia and Silesia +to act in conjunction with Count Thurn against the Austrians in that +quarter, a part of the Swedish army was led by the Duke of Weimar into +Franconia, and the other by George, Duke of Brunswick, into Westphalia +and Lower Saxony. + +When Gustavus had marched south from Ingolstadt on the news of +Wallenstein's entry into Saxony he had left the Count Palatine of +Birkenfeld and General Banner to maintain the Swedish conquests +in Bavaria. These generals had in the first instance pressed their +conquests southward as far as Lake Constance; but towards the end of +the year the Bavarian General Altringer pressed them with so powerful an +army that Banner sent urgent requests to Horn to come to his assistance +from Alsace, where he had been carrying all before him. Confiding his +conquests to the Rhinegrave Otto Ludwig, Horn marched at the head of +seven thousand men towards Swabia. Before he could join Banner, +however, Altringer had forced the line of the Lech, and had received +reinforcements strong enough to neutralize the aid brought to Banner by +Horn. Deeming it necessary above all things to bar the future progress +of the enemy, Horn sent orders to Otto Ludwig to join him with all the +troops still remaining in Alsace; but finding himself still unable to +resist the advance of Altringer, he despatched an urgent request to Duke +Bernhard, who had captured Bamberg and the strong places of Kronach +and Hochstadt in Franconia, to come to his assistance. The duke at once +quitted Bamberg and marched southward, swept a strong detachment of the +Bavarian army under John of Werth from his path, and pressing on reached +Donauwurth in March 1633. + +Malcolm had rejoined his regiment, which was with Duke Bernhard, just +before it advanced from Bamberg and was received with a hearty welcome +by his comrades, from whom he had been separated nine months, having +quitted them three months before the battle of Lutzen. + +The officers were full of hope that Duke Bernhard was going to strike +a great blow. Altringer was away on the shore of Lake Constance facing +Horn, Wallenstein was in Bohemia. Between Donauworth and Vienna were +but the four strong places of Ingolstadt, Ratisbon, Passau, and Linz. +Ingolstadt was, the duke knew, commanded by a traitor who was ready to +surrender. Ratisbon had a Protestant population who were ready to open +their gates. It seemed that the opportunity for ending the war by a +march upon Vienna, which had been snatched by Wallenstein from Gustavus +just when it appeared in his grasp, was now open to Duke Bernhard. +But the duke was ambitious, his demands for Franconia had not yet been +entirely complied with by Oxenstiern, and he saw an opportunity to +obtain his own terms. The troops under his orders were discontented, +owing to the fact that their pay was many months in arrear, and private +agents of the duke fomented this feeling by assuring the men that their +general was with them and would back their demands. Accordingly they +refused to march further until their demands were fully satisfied. The +Scotch regiments stood apart from the movement, though they too were +equally in arrear with their pay. Munro and the officers of the Brigade +chafed terribly at this untimely mutiny just when the way to Vienna +appeared open to them. Duke Bernhard forwarded the demands of the +soldiers to Oxenstiern, sending at the same time a demand on his own +account, first that the territory of the Franconian bishoprics should at +once be erected into a principality in his favour, and secondly, that +he should be nominated commander-in-chief of all the armies fighting in +Germany for the Protestant cause with the title of generalissimo. + +Oxenstiern was alarmed by the receipt of the mutinous demands of the +troops on the Danube, and was disgusted when he saw those demands +virtually supported by their general. His first thought was to dismiss +Duke Bernhard from the Swedish service; but he saw that if he did so the +disaffection might spread, and that the duke might place himself at +the head of the malcontents and bring ruin upon the cause. He therefore +agreed to bestow at once the Franconian bishoprics upon him, and gave a +pledge that Sweden would defend him in that position. + +He declined to make him generalissimo of all the armies, but appointed +him commander-in-chief of the forces south of the Maine. The duke +accepted this modification, and had no difficulty in restoring order in +the ranks of his army. But precious months had been wasted before this +matter was brought to a conclusion, and the month of October arrived +before the duke had completed all his preparations and was in a position +to move forward. + +While the delays had been going on Altringer, having been joined by the +army of the Duke of Feria, quitted the line of the Danube, in spite +of Wallenstein's absolute order not to do so, and, evading Horn and +Birkenfeldt, marched into Alsace. The Swedish generals, however, pressed +hotly upon him, and finally drove him out of Alsace. Ratisbon being left +open by Altringer's disobedience to Wallenstein's orders, Duke Bernhard +marched upon that city without opposition, and laid siege to it. +Maximilian of Bavaria was himself there with a force sufficient to +defend the city had he been supported by the inhabitants; but a large +majority of the people were Protestants, and, moreover, bitterly hated +the Bavarians, who had suppressed their rights as a free city. + +Maximilian wrote urgently to the emperor and to Wallenstein, pledging +himself to maintain Ratisbon if he could receive a reinforcement of +5000 men. The emperor was powerless; he had not the men to send, but he +despatched to Wallenstein, one after another, seven messengers, +urging him at all hazards to prevent the fall of so important a place. +Wallenstein replied to the order that he would do all in his power, and +in presence of the messengers ordered the Count of Gallas to march +with 12,000 men on Ratisbon, but privately furnished the general with +absolute orders, forbidding him on any account to do anything which +might bring on an action with the duke. + +Wallenstein's motives in so acting were, as he afterwards assured the +emperor, that he was not strong enough to divide his army, and that he +could best cover Vienna by maintaining a strong position in Bohemia, a +policy which was afterwards justified by the event. Ratisbon resisted +for a short time; but, finding that the promised relief did not arrive, +it capitulated on the 5th of November, Maximilian having left the town +before the surrender. + +The duke now pushed on towards Vienna, and captured Straubing and +Plattling. John of Werth, who was posted here, not being strong enough +to dispute the passage of the Isar, fell back towards the Bohemian +frontier, hoping to meet the troops which the emperor had urged +Wallenstein to send to his aid, but which never came. Duke Bernhard +crossed the Isar unopposed, and on the 12th came within sight of Passau. + +So far Wallenstein had not moved; he had seemed to comply with the +emperor's request to save Ratisbon, but had seemed only, and had not +set a man in motion to reinforce John of Werth. He refused, in fact, to +fritter away his army. Had he sent Gallas with 12,000 men to join John +of Werth, and had their united forces been, as was probable, attacked +and defeated by the Swedes, Wallenstein would have been too weak to save +the empire. Keeping his army strong he had the key of the position in +his hands. + +He had fixed upon Passau as the point beyond which Duke Bernhard should +not be allowed to advance, and felt that should he attack that city he +and his army were lost. In front of him was the Inn, a broad and deep +river protected by strongly fortified places; behind him John of Werth, +a bitterly hostile country, and the river Isar. On his left would +be Wallenstein himself marching across the Bohemian forest. When, +therefore, he learned that Duke Bernhard was hastening on from the Isar +towards Passau he put his army in motion and marched southward, so as to +place himself in the left rear of the duke. This movement Duke Bernhard +heard of just when he arrived in sight of Passau, and he instantly +recognized the extreme danger of his position, and perceived with his +usual quickness of glance that to be caught before Passau by Wallenstein +and John of Werth would be absolute destruction. A moment's hesitation +and the Swedish army would have been lost. Without an hour's delay he +issued the necessary orders, and the army retraced its steps with all +speed to Ratisbon, and not stopping even there marched northward +into the Upper Palatinate, to defend that conquered country against +Wallenstein even at the cost of a battle. + +But Wallenstein declined to fight a battle there. He had but one army, +and were that army destroyed, Duke Bernhard, with the prestige of +victory upon him, could resume his march upon Vienna, which would then +be open to him. Therefore, having secured the safety of the capital, he +fell back again into winter quarters in Bohemia. Thus Ferdinand again +owed his safety to Wallenstein, and should have been the more grateful +since Wallenstein had saved him in defiance of his own orders. + +At the time he fully admitted in his letters to Wallenstein that the +general had acted wisely and prudently, nevertheless he was continually +listening to the Spaniards, the Jesuits, and the many envious of +Wallenstein's great position, and hoping to benefit by his disgrace, +and, in spite of all the services his great general had rendered him, +was preparing to repeat the humiliation which he had formerly laid upon +him and again to deprive him of his command. + +Wallenstein was not ignorant of the intrigue against him. Vast as +were his possessions, his pride and ambition were even greater. A +consciousness of splendid services rendered and of great intellectual +power, a belief that the army which had been raised by him and was to +a great extent paid out of his private funds, and which he had so often +led to victory, was devoted to him, and to him alone, excited in his +mind the determination to resist by force the intriguers who dominated +the bigoted and narrow minded emperor, and, if necessary, to hurl the +latter from his throne. + + + +CHAPTER XX FRIENDS IN TROUBLE + + +One day in the month of December, when Malcolm Graheme was with his +regiment on outpost duty closely watching the Imperialists, a countryman +approached. + +“Can you direct me to Captain Malcolm Graheme, who, they tell me, +belongs to this regiment?” + +“You have come to the right man,” Malcolm said. “I am Captain +Graheme--what would you with me?” + +“I am the bearer of a letter to you,” the man said, and taking off his +cap he pulled out the lining and brought out a letter hidden beneath it. + +“I am to ask for some token from you by which it may be known that it +has been safely delivered.” + +Malcolm cut with his dagger the silk with which the letter was fastened. +It began: + +“From the Lady Hilda, Countess of Mansfeld, to Captain Malcolm Graheme +of Colonel Munro's Scottish regiment.--My dear friend,--I do not know +whether you have heard the misfortune which has fallen upon us. The +town and castle of Mansfeld were captured two months since by a sudden +assault of the Imperialists, and my dear husband was grievously wounded +in the defence. He was brought hither a prisoner, and Thekla and I also +carried here. As the count still lies ill with his wounds he is not +placed in a prison, but we are treated as captives and a close watch +is kept upon us. The count is threatened with the forfeiture of all his +possessions unless he will change sides and join the Imperialists, and +some of his estates have been already conferred upon other nobles as a +punishment for the part he has taken. + +“Were my husband well and free he would treat the offers with scorn, +believing that the tide will turn and that he will recover his +possessions. Nor even were he certain of their perpetual forfeiture +would he desert the cause of Protestantism. Moreover, the estates which +I brought him in marriage lie in the north of Pomerania, and the income +there from is more than ample for our needs. But the emperor has ordered +that if the count remain contumacious Thekla shall be taken from us and +placed in a convent, where she will be forced to embrace Catholicism, +and will, when she comes of age, be given in marriage to some adherent +of the emperor, who will with her receive the greater portion of her +father's lands. + +“She is now sixteen years old, and in another year will be deemed +marriageable. My heart is broken at the thought, and I can scarce see +the paper on which I write for weeping. I know not why I send to you, +nor does the count know that I am writing, nor does it seem possible +that any aid can come to us, seeing that we are here in the heart +of Bohemia, and that Wallenstein's army lies between us and you. But +somehow in my heart I have a hope that you may aid us, and at any rate I +know that you will sympathize with us greatly. I feel sure that if there +be any mode in which we may be aided it will be seized by your ready +wit. And now adieu! This letter will be brought to you by a messenger +who will be hired by a woman who attends us, and who has a kind heart +as well as an eye to her own interests. Send back by the messenger +some token which she may pass on to me, that I may know that you have +received it. Send no written answer, for the danger is too great.” + +Malcolm twisted off two or three links of the chain which had long +before been presented to him by the count, and then, until relieved from +duty, paced up and down, slowly revolving in his mind what could best +be done to aid his friends. His mind was at last made up, and when his +company was called in he went to his colonel and asked for leave of +absence, stating his reasons for wishing to absent himself from the +regiment. + +“It is a perilous business, Malcolm,” Colonel Munro said. “I have scarce +a handful of the friends with whom I joined Gustavus but three years and +a half ago remaining, and I can ill spare another; nevertheless I will +not stay you in your enterprise. The Count of Mansfeld has been a steady +ally of ours, and is one of the few who has appeared to have at heart +the cause of Protestantism rather than of personal gain. + +“Moreover, he is as you say a friend of yours, and has shown you real +kindness in time of need. Therefore go, my boy, and Heaven be with you! +It is not likely that there will be any more serious fighting this +year. Wallenstein lies inactive, negotiating now with Saxony, now with +Oxenstiern. What are his aims and plans Heaven only knows; but at any +rate we have no right to grumble at the great schemer, for ever since +Lutzen he has kept the emperor's best army inactive. Make it a point, +Malcolm, to find out, so far as you can, what is the public opinion in +Bohemia as to his real intentions. If you can bring back any information +as to his plans you will have done good service to the cause, however +long your absence from the camp may be.” + +That evening Malcolm packed up his armour, arms, court suits, and +valuables, and sent them away to the care of his friend the syndic of +the clockmakers of Nuremberg, with a letter requesting him to keep them +in trust for him until he returned; and in the event of his not arriving +to claim them in the course of six months, to sell them, and to devote +the proceeds to the assistance of sick or wounded Scottish soldiers. +Then he purchased garments suitable for a respectable craftsman, and +having attired himself in these, with a stout sword banging from his +leathern belt, a wallet containing a change of garments and a number +of light tools used in clockmaking, with a long staff in his hand, and +fifty ducats sewed in the lining of the doublet, he set out on foot on +his journey. + +It was nigh three weeks from the time when he started before he arrived +at Prague, for not only had he to make a very long detour to avoid the +contending armies, but he was forced to wait at each considerable town +until he could join a company of travellers going in the same direction, +for the whole country so swarmed with disbanded soldiers, plunderers, +and marauding bands that none thought of traversing the roads save in +parties sufficiently strong to defend themselves and their property. +None of those with whom he journeyed suspected Malcolm to be aught but +what he professed himself--a craftsman who had served his time at a +clockmaker's in Nuremberg, and who was on his way to seek for employment +in Vienna. + +During his three years and a half residence in Germany he had come +to speak the language like a native, and, indeed, the dialect of the +different provinces varied so widely, that, even had he spoken the +language with less fluency, no suspicion would have arisen of his being +a foreigner. Arrived at Prague, his first care was to hire a modest +lodging, and he then set to work to discover the house in which the +Count of Mansfeld was lying as a prisoner. + +This he had no difficulty in doing without exciting suspicion, for the +count was a well known personage, and he soon found that he and his +family had apartments in a large house, the rest of which was occupied +by Imperialist officers and their families. There was a separate +entrance to the portion occupied by the count, and a sentry stood always +at the door. + +The day after his arrival Malcolm watched the door from a distance +throughout the whole day, but none entered or came out. The next morning +he resumed his watch at a much earlier hour, and presently had the +satisfaction of seeing a woman in the attire of a domestic issue +from the door. She was carrying a basket, and was evidently bent upon +purchasing the supplies for the day. He followed her to the market, and, +after watching her make her purchases, he followed her until, on her +return, she entered a street where but few people were about. There he +quickened his pace and overtook her. + +“You are the attendant of the Countess of Mansfeld, are you not?” he +said. + +“I am,” she replied; “but what is that to you?” + +“I will tell you presently,” Malcolm replied, “but in the first place +please inform me whether you are her only attendant, and in the next +place how long you have been in her service. I can assure you,” he went +on, as the woman, indignant at thus being questioned by a craftsman who +was a stranger to her, tossed her head indignantly, and was about to +move on, “that I ask not from any impertinent curiosity. Here is a ducat +as a proof that I am interested in my questions.” + +The woman gave him a quick and searching glance; she took the piece +of money, and replied more civilly. “I am the only attendant on the +countess. I cannot be said to be in her service, since I have been +placed there by the commandant of the prison, whither the count will +be moved in a few days, but I have been with them since their arrival +there, nigh three months since.” + +“Then you are the person whom I seek. I am he to whom a certain letter +which you wot of was sent, and who returned by the messenger as token +that he received it two links of this chain.” + +The woman started as he spoke, and looked round anxiously to see that +they were not observed; then she said hurriedly: + +“For goodness sake, sir, if you be he, put aside that grave and earnest +look, and chat with me lightly and laughingly, so that if any observe us +speaking they will think that you are trying to persuade me that my face +has taken your admiration. Not so very difficult a task, methinks,” she +added coquettishly, acting the part she had indicated. + +“By no means,” Malcolm replied laughing, for the girl was really good +looking, “and were it not that other thoughts occupy me at present you +might well have another captive to look after; and now tell me, how is +it possible for me to obtain an interview with the count?” + +“And the countess, and the Fraulein Thekla,” the girl said laughing, +“for I suppose you are the young Scottish officer of whom the young +countess is always talking. I don't see that it is possible.” + +“Twenty ducats are worth earning,” Malcolm said quietly. + +“Very well worth earning,” the woman replied, “but a costly day's work +if they lead to a prison and flogging, if not to the gallows.” + +“But we must take care that you run no risk,” Malcolm said. “Surely such +a clever head as I see you have can contrive some way for me to get in.” + +“Yes; it might be managed,” the girl said thoughtfully. “The orders were +strict just at first, but seeing that the count cannot move from his +couch, and that the countess and the fraulein have no motive in seeking +to leave him, the strictness has been relaxed. The orders of the sentry +are stringent that neither of the ladies shall be allowed to set foot +outside the door, but I do not think they have any orders to prevent +others from going in and out had they some good excuse for their visit.” + +“Then it is not so impossible after all,” Malcolm said with a smile, +“for I have an excellent excuse. + +“What is that?” the woman asked. + +“The clock in the count's chamber has stopped, and it wearies him to lie +there and not know how the time passes, so he has requested you to fetch +in a craftsman to set it going again.” + +“A very good plan,” the girl said. “There is a clock, and it shall stop +this afternoon. I will find out from the sentry as I go in whether he +has any orders touching the admission of strangers. If he has I will +go across to the prison and try and get a pass for you. I shall come to +market in the morning.” + +So saying, with a wave of her hand she tripped on towards the house, +which was now near at hand, leaving Malcolm to arrange his plans for +next day. His first care was to purchase a suit of clothes such as would +be worn by a boy of the class to which he appeared to belong. Then he +went to one of the small inns patronized by the peasants who brought +their goods into market, and without difficulty bargained with one of +them for the purchase of a cart with two oxen, which were to remain at +the inn until he called for them. Then he bought a suit of peasant's +clothes, after which, well satisfied with the day's work, he returned to +his lodging. In the morning he again met the servant. + +“It was well I asked,” she said, “for the sentry had orders to prevent +any, save nobles and officers, from passing in. However, I went to the +prison, and saw one of the governor's deputies, and told him that the +count was fretting because his clock had stopped, and, as while I said +so I slipped five ducats the countess had given me for the purpose into +his hand, he made no difficulty about giving me the pass. Here it is. +Now,” she said, “I have earned my twenty ducats.” + +“You have earned them well,” Malcolm replied, handing them to her. + +“Now mind,” she said, “you must not count on me farther. I don't know +what you are going to do, and I don't want to know. I have run quite +a risk enough as it is, and mean, directly the count is lodged in the +prison, to make my way home, having collected a dowry which will enable +me to buy a farm and marry my bachelor, who has been waiting for me for +the last three years. His father is an old curmudgeon, who has declared +that his son shall never marry except a maid who can bring as much money +as he will give him. I told Fritz that if he would trust to my wits and +wait I would in five years produce the dowry. Now I have treble the sum, +and shall go off and make Fritz happy.” + +“He is a lucky fellow,” Malcolm said laughing. “It is not every one who +gets beauty, wit, and wealth all together in a wife.” + +“You are a flatterer,” the girl laughed; “but for all that I think +myself that Fritz is not unfortunate.” + +“And now tell me,” Malcolm asked, “at what time is the sentry generally +changed?” + +“At sunrise, at noon, at sunset, and at midnight,” the girl replied; +“but what is that to you?” + +“Never mind;” Malcolm laughed; “you know you don't want to be told what +I'm going to do. I will tell you if you like.” + +“No, no,” the girl replied hurriedly. “I would rather be able to always +take my oath on the holy relics that I know nothing about it.” + +“Very well,” Malcolm replied; “then this afternoon I will call.” + +Having hidden away under his doublet the suit of boy's clothes, and with +the tools of his trade in a small basket in his hand, Malcolm presented +himself at three o'clock in the afternoon to the sentry at the door +leading to the count's apartments. The soldier glanced at the pass and +permitted him to enter without remark. + +The waiting maid met him inside and conducted him upstairs, and ushered +him into a spacious apartment, in which the count was lying on a couch, +while the countess and Thekla sat at work beside him. She then retired +and closed the door after her. The count and Thekla looked with surprise +at the young artisan, but the countess ran to meet him, and threw her +arms round his neck as if she had been his mother, while Thekla gave a +cry of delight as she recognized him. + +“Welcome a thousand times! Welcome, my brave friend!” the countess +exclaimed. “What dangers must you not have encountered on your way +hither to us! The count and Thekla knew not that I had written to +you, for I feared a failure; and when I learned yesterday that you had +arrived I still kept silence, partly to give a joyful surprise to my +lord today, partly because, if the governor called, I was sure that this +child's telltale face would excite his suspicion that something unusual +had happened.” + +“How imprudent!” the count said, holding out his hand to Malcolm. “Had +I known that my wife was sending to you I would not have suffered her to +do so, for the risk is altogether too great, and yet, indeed, I am truly +glad to see you again.” + +Thekla gave Malcolm her hand, but said nothing. She had now reached an +age when girls feel a strange shyness in expressing their feelings; but +her hand trembled with pleasure as she placed it in Malcolm's, and her +cheek flushed hotly as, in accordance with the custom of the times, she +presented it to his kiss. + +“Now,” the count said, “do not let us waste time; tell us quickly by +what miracle you have arrived here, and have penetrated to what is +really my prison. You must be quick, for we have much to say, and your +visit must be a short one for every third day the governor of the prison +pays me a visit to see how I am getting on, and I expect that he will be +here ere long.” + +“Then,” Malcolm said, “I had best prepare for his coming, for assuredly +I am not going to hurry away.” + +So saying, he lifted down the great clock which stood on a bracket on +the wall, and placed it on a side table. “I am a clockmaker,” he said, +“and am come to put this machine, whose stopping has annoyed you sadly, +into order.” + +So saying, he took some tools from his basket, removed the works of the +clock, and, taking them in pieces, laid them on the table. + +“I spent much of my time at Nuremberg,” he said, in answer to the +surprised exclamations of the count, “in learning the mysteries of +horology, and can take a clock to pieces and can put it together again +with fair skill. There, now, I am ready, and if the governor comes he +will find me hard at work. And now I will briefly tell you how I got +here; then I will hear what plans you may have formed, and I will tell +you mine.” + +“For myself, I have no plans,” the count said. “I am helpless, and +must for the present submit to whatever may befall me. That I will not +renounce the cause of my religion you may be sure; as for my wife, we +know not yet whether, when they remove me to the fortress, they will +allow her to accompany me or not. If they do, she will stay with me, but +it is more likely that they will not. The emperor is merciless to those +who oppose him. They will more likely keep her under their eye here or +in Vienna. But for ourselves we care little; our anxiety is for Thekla. +It is through her that they are striking us. You know what they have +threatened if I do not abandon the cause of Protestantism. Thekla is to +be placed in a convent, forced to become a Catholic, and married to the +man on whom the emperor may please to bestow my estates.” + +“I would rather die, father, than become a Catholic,” Thekla exclaimed +firmly. + +“Yes, dear!” the count said gently, “but it is not death you have to +face; with a fresh and unbroken spirit, it were comparatively easy to +die, but it needs an energy and a spirit almost superhuman to resist the +pressure which may be placed on those who are committed to a convent. +The hopelessness, the silence, the gloom, to say nothing of threats, +menaces, and constant and unremitting pressure, are sufficient to break +down the firmest resolution. The body becomes enfeebled, the nerves +shattered, and the power of resistance enfeebled. No, my darling, brave +as you are in your young strength, you could not resist the influence +which would be brought to bear upon you.” + +“Then it is clear,” Malcolm said cheerfully, “that we must get your +daughter out of the clutches of the emperor and the nuns.” + +“That is what I have thought over again and again as I have lain here +helpless, but I can see no means of doing so. We have no friends in the +city, and, could the child be got safely out of this place, there is +nowhere whither she could go.” + +“And it is for that I have sent for you,” the countess said. “I knew +that if it were in any way possible you would contrive her escape and +aid her to carry it out.” + +“Assuredly I will, my dear countess,” Malcolm said. “You only wanted a +friend outside, and now you have got one. I see no difficulty about it.” + +At this moment the door suddenly opened; the waiting maid put in her +head and exclaimed, “The governor is alighting at the door.” Malcolm at +once seated himself at the side table and began oiling the wheels of the +clock, while the countess and Thekla took up their work again and seated +themselves, as before, by the couch of the count. A moment later the +attendant opened the door and in a loud voice announced the Baron of +Steinburg. + +The governor as he entered cast a keen glance at Malcolm, and then +bowing ceremoniously approached the count and inquired after his health, +and paid the usual compliments to the countess. The count replied +languidly that he gained strength slowly, while the countess said +quietly that he had slept but badly and that his wound troubled him +much. It was well for Thekla that she was not obliged to take part +in the conversation, for she would have found it impossible to speak +quietly and indifferently, for every nerve was tingling with joy at +Malcolm's last words. The prospect had seemed so hopeless that her +spirits had sunk to the lowest ebb. Her mother had done her best to +cheer her, but the count, weakened by pain and illness, had all along +taken the most gloomy view. He had told himself that it was better for +the girl to submit to her fate than to break her heart like a wild bird +beating out its life against the bars of its cage, and he wished to show +her that neither he nor the world would blame her for yielding to the +tremendous pressure which would be put upon her. + +For himself, he would have died a thousand times rather than renounce +his faith; but he told himself that Thekla was but a child, that women +cared little for dogmas, and that she would learn to pray as sincerely +in a Catholic as in a Protestant church, without troubling her mind as +to whether there were gross abuses in the government of the church, in +the sale of absolutions, or errors in abstruse doctrines. But to Thekla +it had seemed impossible that she could become a Catholic. + +The two religions stood in arms against each other; Catholics and +Protestants differed not only in faith but in politics. In all things +they were actively and openly opposed to each other, and the thought +that she might be compelled to abjure her faith was most terrible to the +girl; and she was firmly resolved that, so long as her strength lasted +and her mind was unimpaired, she would resist whatever pressure might +be placed upon her, and would yield neither to menaces, to solitary +confinement, or even to active cruelty. The prospect, however; had +weighed heavily upon her mind. Her father had appeared to consider any +escape impossible; her mother had said nothing of her hopes; and the +words which Malcolm had spoken, indicating something like a surety of +freeing her from her terrible position, filled her with surprise and +delight. + +“Whom have you here?” the governor asked, indicating Malcolm by a motion +of the head. + +“It is a craftsman from Nuremberg. The clock had stopped, and the count, +with whom the hours pass but slowly, fretted himself at not being able +to count them; so I asked our attendant to bring hither a craftsman +to put it in order, first sending her with a note to you asking for +permission for him to come; as you were out your deputy signed the +order.” + +“He should not have done so,” the baron said shortly, “for the orders +are strict touching the entry of any here. However, as he has taken the +clock to pieces, he can put it together again.” So saying he went over +to the table where Malcolm was at work and stood for a minute or two +watching him. The manner in which Malcolm fitted the wheels into their +places, filing and oiling them wherever they did not run smoothly, +satisfied him that the youth was what he seemed. + +“You are young to have completed your apprenticeship,” he said. + +“It is expired but two months, sir,” Malcolm said, standing up +respectfully. + +“Under whom did you learn your trade?” the governor asked; “for I have +been in Nuremberg and know most of the guild of clockmakers by name.” + +“Under Jans Boerhoff, the syndic of the guild,” Malcolm replied. + +“Ah!” the baron said shortly; “and his shop is in--” + +“The Cron Strasse,” Malcolm said promptly in answer to the implied +question. + +Quite satisfied now, the baron turned away and conversed a few minutes +with the count, telling him that as the surgeon said he could now be +safely removed he would in three days be transferred to an apartment in +the fortress. + +“Will the countess be permitted to accompany me?” the count asked. + +“That I cannot tell you,” the baron replied. “We are expecting a +messenger with his majesty's orders on the subject tomorrow or next day. +I have already informed you that, in his solicitude for her welfare, his +majesty has been good enough to order that the young countess shall +be placed in the care of the lady superior of the Convent of St. +Catherine.” + +A few minutes later he left the room. Not a word was spoken in the room +until the sound of horse's hoofs without told that he had ridden off. + +As the door closed the countess and Thekla had dropped their work and +sat anxiously awaiting the continuance of the conversation. The count +was the first to speak. + +“How mean you, Malcolm? How think you it possible that Thekla can +escape, and where could she go?” + +“I like not to make the proposal,” Malcolm said gravely, “nor under +any other circumstances should I think of doing so; but in a desperate +position desperate measures must be adopted. It is impossible that in +your present state you can escape hence, and the countess will not leave +you; but what is absolutely urgent is that your daughter should be freed +from the strait. Save myself you have no friends here; and therefore, +count, if she is to escape it must be through my agency and she must be +committed wholly to my care. I know it is a great responsibility; but if +you and the countess can bring yourselves to commit her to me I swear to +you, as a Scottish gentleman and a Protestant soldier, that I will watch +over her as a brother until I place her in all honour in safe hands.” + +The count looked at the countess and at Thekla, who sat pale and still. + +“We can trust you, Malcolm Graheme,” he said after a pause. “There are +few, indeed, into whose hands we would thus confide our daughter; but we +know you to be indeed, as you say, a Scottish gentleman and a Protestant +soldier. Moreover, we know you to be faithful, honourable, and true. +Therefore we will, seeing that there is no other mode of escape from the +fate which awaits her, confide her wholly to you. And now tell us what +are your plans?” + + + +CHAPTER XXI FLIGHT + + +“I THANK you, count, and you, dear lady,” Malcolm said gratefully, “for +the confidence you place in me, and will carry out my trust were it to +cost me my life. My plan is a simple one. The guard will be changed in +half an hour's time. I have brought hither a suit of boy's garments, +which I must pray the Countess Thekla to don, seeing that it will be +impossible for her to sally out in her own garb. I show my pass to +the sentry, who will deem that my companion entered with me, and is my +apprentice, and will suppose that, since the sentry who preceded him +suffered him to enter with me he may well pass him out without question. +In the town I have a wagon in readiness, and shall, disguised as a +peasant, start with it this evening. Thekla will be in the bottom +covered with straw. We shall travel all night. + +“Tomorrow, when your attendant discovers that your daughter has escaped, +she will at once take the news to the governor. The sentries will all be +questioned, and it will be found that, whereas but one clockmaker came +in two went out. The city will be searched and the country round scoured +but if the horsemen overtake me they will be looking for a craftsman and +his apprentice, and will not suspect a solitary peasant with a wagon. + +“The first danger over I must be guided by circumstances; but in any +case Thekla must travel as a boy to the end of the journey, for in such +troubled times as these it were unsafe indeed for a young girl to travel +through Germany except under a strong escort of men-at-arms. I design +to make my way to Nuremberg, and shall then place her in the hands of +my good friend Jans Boerhoff, whose wife and daughters will, I am sure, +gladly receive and care for her until the time, which I hope is not far +off, that peace be made and you can again rejoin her.” + +“The plan is a good one,” the count said when Malcolm had concluded, +“and offers every prospect of success. 'Tis hazardous, but there is no +escape from such a strait as ours without risk. What say you, wife?” + +“Assuredly I can think of nothing better. But what say you, Thekla? +Are you ready to run the risks, the danger, and the hardships of such a +journey under the protection only of this brave Scottish gentleman?” + +“I am ready, mother,” Thekla said quickly, “but I wish--I wish”--and she +hesitated. + +“You wish you could go in your own garments, Thekla, with jewels on +your fingers and a white horse to carry you on a pillion behind your +protector,” the count said with a smile, for his spirits had risen +with the hope of his daughter's escape from the peril in which she was +placed. “It cannot be, Thekla. Malcolm's plan must be carried out to the +letter, and I doubt not that you will pass well as a 'prentice boy. But +your mother must cut off that long hair of yours; I will keep it, my +child, and will stroke it often and often in my prison as I have done +when it has been on your head; your hair may be long again before I next +see you.” + +His eyes filled with tears as he spoke, and Thekla and the countess both +broke into a fit of crying. Leaving them by themselves, Malcolm returned +to his work, and in half an hour had replaced the machinery of the clock +and had set it in motion, while a tender conversation went on between +the count and countess and their daughter. By this time the sun had +set, and the attendant entered and lighted the candles in the apartment, +saying, as she placed one on the table by Malcolm, “You must need a +light for your work.” No sooner had she left the room than Malcolm said: + +“I would not hurry your parting, countess, but the sooner we are off now +the better.” + +Without a word the countess rose, and, taking the clothes which Malcolm +produced from his doublet, retired to her chamber, followed by Thekla. + +“Malcolm Graheme,” the count said, “it may be that we shall not meet +again. The emperor is not tender with obstinate prisoners, and I have no +strength to support long hardships. Should aught happen to me I beseech +you to watch over the happiness of my child. Had she been a year older, +and had you been willing, I would now have solemnly betrothed her to +you, and should then have felt secure of her future whatever may befall +me. Methinks she will make a good wife, and though my estates may be +forfeited by the emperor her mother's lands will make a dowry such as +many a German noble would gladly accept with his wife. + +“I might betroth her to you now, for many girls are betrothed at a far +younger age, but I would rather leave it as it is. You are young yet, +and she in most matters is but a child, and it would be better in every +way did she start on this adventure with you regarding you as a brother +than in any other light. Only remember that if we should not meet again, +and you in future years should seek the woman who is now a child as your +wife, you have my fullest approval and consent--nay, more, that it is my +dearest wish.” + +“I thank you most deeply for what you have said, count,” Malcolm replied +gravely. “As I have seen your daughter growing up from a child I have +thought how sweet a wife she would make, but I have put the thought from +me, seeing that she is heiress to broad lands and I a Scottish soldier +of fortune, whose lands, though wide enough for me to live in comfort at +home, are yet but a mere farm in comparison with your broad estates. +I have even told myself that as she grew up I must no longer make long +stays in your castle, for it would be dishonourable indeed did I reward +your kindness and hospitality by winning the heart of your daughter; but +after what you have so generously said I need no longer fear my heart, +and will, when the time comes, proudly remind you of your promise. For +this journey I will put all such thoughts aside, and will regard Thekla +as my merry playfellow of the last three years. But after I have once +placed her in safety I shall thenceforward think of her as my wife who +is to be, and will watch over her safety as over my greatest treasure, +trusting that in some happy change of times and circumstances you +yourself and the dear countess, whom I already regard almost as my +parents, will give her to me.” + +“So be it,” the count said solemnly. “My blessing on you both should +I ne'er see you again. I can meet whatever fate may be before me with +constancy and comfort now that her future is assured--but here they +come.” + +The door opened, and the countess appeared, followed by Thekla, +shrinking behind her mother's skirts in her boyish attire. + +“You will pass well,” the count said gravely, for he knew that jest now +would jar upon her. “Keep that cap well down over your eyes, and try +and assume a little more of the jaunty and impudent air of a boy. +Fortunately it will be dark below, and the sentry will not be able +to mark how fair is your skin and how delicate your hands. And now +farewell, my child. Let us not stand talking, for the quicker a parting +is over the better. May God in heaven bless you and keep you! Malcolm +knows all my wishes concerning you, and when I am not with you trust +yourself to his advice and guidance as you would to mine. There, my +darling, do not break down. You must be brave for all our sakes. Should +the emperor hold me in durance your mother will try and join you ere +long at Nuremberg.” + +While the count was embracing Thekla, as she bravely but in vain tried +to suppress her tears, the countess opened the door, and glanced into +the anteroom to see that all was clear and the attendant in her own +apartment. Then she returned, kissed her daughter fondly, and placed her +hand in Malcolm's, saying to the latter, “God bless you, dear friend! +Take her quickly away for her sake and ours.” One last adieu and Malcolm +and Thekla stood alone in the anteroom. + +“Now, Thekla,” he said firmly, “be brave, the danger is at hand, and +your safety and escape from your fate, and my life, depend upon your +calmness. Do you carry this basket of tools and play your part as my +apprentice. Just as we open the door drop the basket and I will rate you +soundly for your carelessness. Keep your head down, and do not let the +light which swings over the door fall upon your face.” + +For a minute or two Thekla stood struggling to master her emotions. Then +she said, in a quiet voice, “I am ready now,” and taking up the basket +of tools she followed Malcolm down the stairs. Malcolm opened the door, +and as he did so Thekla dropped the basket. + +“How stupid you are!” Malcolm exclaimed sharply. “How often have I told +you to be careful! You don't suppose that those fine tools can stand +being knocked about in that way without injury? Another time an' you are +so careless I will give you a taste of the strap, you little rascal.” + +“What is all this?” the sentry asked, barring the way with his pike, +“and who are you who are issuing from this house with so much noise? My +orders are that none pass out here without an order from the governor.” + +“And such an order have I,” Malcolm said, producing the document. +“There's the governor's seal. I have been sent for to repair the clock +in the Count of Mansfeld's apartment, and a rare job it has been.” + +The sentry was unable to read, but he looked at the seal which he had +been taught to recognize. + +“But there is only one seal,” he said, “and there are two of you.” + +“Pooh!” Malcolm said scornfully. “Dost think that when ten persons are +admitted to pass in together the governor puts ten seals on the pass? +You see for yourself that it is but a young boy, my apprentice. Why, the +governor himself left scarce an hour ago, and was in the apartment with +me while I was at work. Had it not been all right he would have hauled +me to the prison quickly enough.” + +As the sentry knew that the governor had left but a short time before +he came on guard this convinced him, and, standing aside, he allowed +Malcolm and his companion to pass. Malcolm made his way first to the +apartment he had occupied, where he had already settled for his lodging. + +Leaving Thekla below he ran upstairs, and hastily donned the suit of +peasant's clothes, and then making the others into a bundle descended +again, and with Thekla made his way to the quiet spot outside the city +gates where the wagon was standing ready for a start. He had already +paid the peasant half the sum agreed, and now handed him the remainder. + +“I should scarce have known you,” the peasant said, examining Malcolm by +the light of his pinewood torch. “Why, you look like one of us instead +of a city craftsman.” + +“I am going to astonish them when I get home,” Malcolm said, “and shall +make the old folks a present of the wagon. So I am going to arrive just +as I was when I left them.” + +The peasant asked no farther questions, but, handing the torch to +Malcolm, and telling him that he would find half a dozen more in the +wagon, he took his way back to the town, where he intended to sleep in +the stables and to start at daybreak for his home. + +He thought that the transaction was a curious one; but, as he had +been paid handsomely for his wagon, he troubled not his head about any +mystery there might be in the matter. As soon as he had gone Malcolm +arranged the straw in the bottom of the wagon so as to form a bed; but +Thekla said that for the present she would rather walk with him. + +“It is weeks since I have been out, and I shall enjoy walking for a +time; besides, it is all so strange that I should have no chance to +sleep were I to lie down.” + +Malcolm at once consented, and taking his place at the head of the oxen, +he started them, walking ahead to light the way and leading them by +cords passed through their nostrils. He had not the least fear of +pursuit for the present, for it had been arranged that the countess +should inform their attendant that Thekla was feeling unwell, and had +retired to bed, and the woman, whatever she might suspect, would +take care not to verify the statement, and it would be well on in the +following morning before her absence was discovered. + +Malcolm tried his best to distract Thekla's thoughts from her parents, +and from the strange situation in which she was placed, and chatted to +her of the events of the war since he had last seen her, of the route +which he intended to adopt, and the prospects of peace. In two hours' +time the girl, unaccustomed to exercise, acknowledged that she was +tired; she therefore took her place in the wagon. + +Malcolm covered her up with straw and threw some sacks lightly over +her, and then continued his journey. He travelled all night, and in the +morning stopped at a wayside inn, where his arrival at that hour excited +no surprise, as the peasants often travelled at night, because there was +then less chance of their carts being seized and requisitioned by the +troops. He only stopped a short time to water and feed the oxen, and +to purchase some black bread and cheese. This he did, not because he +required it, for he had an ample supply of provisions in the cart far +more suited for Thekla's appetite than the peasant's fare, but to act +in the usual manner, and so avoid any comment. Thekla was still asleep +under the covering, which completely concealed her. Malcolm journeyed on +until two miles further he came to a wood, then, drawing aside from the +road, he unyoked the oxen and allowed them to lie down, for they had +already made a long journey. Then he woke Thekla, who leaped up gaily +on finding that it was broad daylight. Breakfast was eaten, and after a +four hours' halt they resumed their way, Thekla taking her place in +the wagon again, and being carefully covered up in such a manner that +a passerby would not suspect that anyone was lying under the straw +and sacks at one end of the wagon. Just at midday Malcolm heard the +trampling of horses behind him and saw a party of cavalry coming along +at full gallop. The leader drew rein when he overtook the wagon. + +“Have you seen anything,” he asked Malcolm, “of two seeming craftsmen, a +man and a boy, journeying along the road?” + +Malcolm shook his head. “I have seen no one on foot since I started an +hour since.” + +Without a word the soldiers went on. They had no reason, indeed, +for believing that those for whom they were in search had taken that +particular road. As soon as Thekla's disappearance had been discovered +by the waiting woman she had hurried to the governor, and with much +perturbation and many tears informed him that the young countess was +missing, and that her couch had not been slept on. The governor had at +once hurried to the spot. The count and countess resolutely refused to +state what had become of their daughter. + +The sentries had all been strictly questioned, and it was found that the +mender of clocks had, when he left, been accompanied by an apprentice +whom the sentry previously on duty asserted had not entered with him. +The woman was then closely questioned; she asserted stoutly that she +knew nothing whatever of the affair. The count had commissioned her to +obtain a craftsman to set the clock in order, and she had bethought her +of a young man whose acquaintance she had made some time previously, and +who had informed her in the course of conversation that he had come +from Nuremberg, and was a clockmaker by trade, and was at present out of +work. She had met him, she said, on several occasions, and as he was a +pleasant youth and comely, when he had spoken to her of marriage she +had not been averse, now it was plain he had deceived her; and here she +began to cry bitterly and loudly. + +Her story seemed probable enough, for any friend of the count who +had intended to carry off his daughter would naturally have begun by +ingratiating himself with her attendant. She was, however, placed in +confinement for a time. The count and countess were at once removed +to the fortress. Orders were given that the town should be searched +thoroughly, and any person answering to the description which the +governor was able to give of the supposed clockmaker should be arrested, +while parties of horse were despatched along all the roads with orders +to arrest and bring to Prague any craftsman or other person accompanied +by a young boy whom they might overtake by the way. Several innocent +peasants with their sons were pounced upon on the roads and hauled to +Prague; but no news was obtained of the real fugitives, who quietly +pursued their way undisturbed further by the active search which was +being made for them. The anger of the emperor when he heard of the +escape of the prize he had destined for one of his favourite officers +was extreme. He ordered the count to be treated with the greatest +rigour, and declared all his estates and those of his wife forfeited, +the latter part of the sentence being at present inoperative, her +estates being in a part of the country far beyond the range of the +Imperialist troops. The waiting maid was after some weeks' detention +released, as there was no evidence whatever of her complicity in the +affair. + +Malcolm continued his journey quietly towards the frontier of Bavaria; +but, on arriving at a small town within a few miles of Pilsen, he +learned that Wallenstein had fallen back with his army to that place. +Much alarmed at the news he determined to turn off by a cross road and +endeavour to avoid the Imperialists. He had not, however, left the place +before a party of Imperialist horse rode in. + +Malcolm was at once stopped, and was told that he must accompany the +troops to Pilsen, as they had orders to requisition all carts for the +supply of provisions for the army. Malcolm knew that it was of no use to +remonstrate, but, with many loud grumblings at his hard lot, he moved to +the marketplace, where he remained until all the wagons in the place and +in the surrounding country had been collected. + +Loud and bitter were the curses which the peasants uttered at finding +themselves taken from their homes and compelled to perform service for +which the pay, if received at all, would be scanty in the extreme. There +was, however, no help for it; and when all were collected they started +in a long procession guarded by the cavalry for Pilsen. On arriving +there they were ordered to take up their station with the great train of +wagons collected for the supply of the army. + +Thekla had from her hiding place heard the conversation, and was +greatly alarmed at finding that they were again in the power of the +Imperialists. No one, however, approached the wagon, and it was not +until darkness had set in that she heard Malcolm's voice whispering to +her to arise quietly. + +“We must leave the wagon; it will be impossible for you to remain +concealed here longer, for tomorrow I may be sent out to bring in +supplies. For the present we must remain in Pilsen. The whole country +will be scoured by the troops, and it will not be safe to traverse the +roads. Here in Pilsen no one will think of looking for us. + +“Wallenstein's headquarters are the last place where we should be +suspected of hiding, and you may be sure that, however close the search +may be elsewhere, the governor of Prague will not have thought of +informing Wallenstein of an affair so foreign to the business of war as +the escape from the emperor's clutches of a young lady. I have donned my +craftsman dress again, and we will boldly seek for lodgings.” + +They soon entered the town, which was crowded with troops, searching +about in the poorer quarters. + +Malcolm presently found a woman who agreed to let him two rooms. He +accounted for his need for the second room by saying that his young +brother was ill and needed perfect rest and quiet, and that the filing +and hammering which was necessary in his craft prevented the lad from +sleeping. As Malcolm agreed at once to the terms she asked for the +rooms, the woman accepted his statement without doubt. They were soon +lodged in two attics at the top of the house, furnished only with a +table, two chairs, and a truckle bed in each; but Malcolm was well +contented with the shelter he had found. + +Seeing that it would be extremely difficult at present to journey +further, he determined to remain some little time in the town, thinking +that he might be able to carry out the instructions which he had +received from Colonel Munro, and to obtain information as to the plans +of Wallenstein and the feelings of the army. + +“You will have to remain a prisoner here, Thekla, I am afraid, almost +as strictly as at Prague, for it would not do to risk the discovery that +you are a girl by your appearing in the streets in daylight, and after +dark the streets of the town, occupied by Wallenstein's soldiers, are no +place for any peaceful persons. + +“I may as well be here as at Nuremberg,” Thekla said, “and as I shall +have you with me instead of being with strangers, the longer we stay +here the better.” + +The next morning Malcolm sallied out into the town to see if he could +find employment. There was, however, but one clockmaker in Pilsen, +and the war had so injured his trade that he had discharged all his +journeymen, for clocks were still comparatively rare luxuries, and were +only to be seen in the houses of nobles and rich citizens. Knowing that +Wallenstein was devoted to luxury and magnificence, always taking with +him, except when making the most rapid marches, a long train of baggage +and furniture, Malcolm thought it possible that he might obtain some +employment in his apartments. He accordingly went boldly to the castle +where the duke had established himself, and, asking for his steward, +stated that he was a clockmaker from the workshop of the celebrated +horologist, Master Jans Boerhoff, and could repair any clocks or watches +that might be out of order. + +“Then you are the very man we need,” the steward said. “My master, the +duke, is curious in such matters, and ever carries with him some half +dozen clocks with his other furniture; and, use what care I will in +packing them, the shaking of the wagons is constantly putting them +out of repair. It was but this morning the duke told me to bring a +craftsman, if one capable of the work could be found in the town, and +to get the clocks put in order, for it displeases him if they do not all +keep the time to the same minute. Follow me.” + +He led the way into the private apartments of the duke. These were +magnificently furnished, the walls being covered with rich velvet +hangings. Thick carpets brought from the East covered the floors. +Indeed, in point of luxury and magnificence, Wallenstein kept up a state +far surpassing that of his Imperial master. + +There were several clocks standing on tables and on brackets, for +Wallenstein, although in most respects of a clear and commanding +intellect, was a slave to superstition. He was always accompanied by an +astrologer, who read for him the course of events from the movements of +the stars, who indicated the lucky and unlucky days, and the hours at +which it was not propitious to transact important business. Hence it +was that he placed so great an importance on the exact observance of the +hour by his numerous time pieces. + +“Here are some of the clocks,” the steward said, indicating them. “Of +course you cannot work here, and they are too heavy to be removed, +besides being too costly to intrust out of my charge, I will have a room +prepared in the castle where you can work. Come again at noon with your +tools, and all shall be in readiness.” + +At the hour appointed Malcolm again presented himself. + +“The duke has given personal instructions,” he said, “that a closet +close by shall be fitted up for you, in order that he himself if he +chooses may see you at work.” + +Malcolm was conducted to a small room near at hand. Here one of the +clocks which had stopped had been placed on the table, and he at once +set to work. He soon discovered that one of the wheels had been shaken +from its place by the jolting of the wagons, and that the clock could be +set going by a few minutes work. As, however, his object was to prolong +his visit to the castle as long as possible, he set to work and took it +entirely to pieces. Two hours later the door opened and a tall handsome +man of commanding presence entered. Malcolm rose and bowed respectfully, +feeling that he was in the presence of the great general. + +“You come from Nuremberg,” Wallenstein said, “as I am told, and have +learned your craft in the workshop of Master Jans Boerhoff, who is well +known as being the greatest master of his craft.” + +Malcolm bowed silently. + +“It is strange,” Wallenstein muttered to himself, “that this young man's +destiny should be connected with mine; and yet the astrologer said that +he who should present himself at the castle nearest to the stroke of +nine this morning would be a factor in my future, and, as my steward +tells me, the clock sounded nine as this young man addressed him.” He +then asked Malcolm several questions as to the work upon which he was +engaged, and then said abruptly: “Dost know the day and hour on which +you were born?” + +Malcolm was somewhat surprised at the question, for he had not heard the +muttered words of Wallenstein, but he at once replied that he had heard +that he was born at the stroke of midnight on the last day in the year. + +The duke said no more, but left the closet and proceeded at once to an +apartment near his own bed chamber, which, although he had arrived but +a few hours previously, had already been fitted up for the use of his +astrologer. The walls were hidden by a plain hanging of scarlet cloth; +a large telescope stood at the window, a chart of the heavens was spread +out on the table, and piles of books stood beside it. On the ceiling the +signs of the zodiac had been painted, and some mystical circles had been +marked out on the floor. A tall spare old man with a long white beard +was seated at the table. He rose when Wallenstein entered. + +“I cannot but think,” the duke said, “that your calculations must for +once have been mistaken, and that there must have been an error in the +hour, for I see not how the destiny of this craftsman, who seems to be a +simple lad, can in any way be connected with mine.” + +“I have made the calculation three times, your grace,” the old man +replied, “and am sure there is no error.” + +“He was born,” Wallenstein said, “at midnight on December 31st, 1613. +Work out his nativity, and see what stars were in the ascendant, and +whether there are any affinities between us.” + +“I will do so at once,” the astrologer said; “by tonight I shall be able +to give your grace the information you require.” + +“Tonight,” the duke said, “we will go over your calculations together +as to our great enterprise. It is all important that there should be no +mistake. I have for a whole year remained inactive because you told +me that the time had not yet come, and now that you say the propitious +moment is approaching would fain be sure that no error has been +committed. All seems well, the troops are devoted to me, and will +fight against whomsoever I bid them. By lavish gifts and favours I have +attached all my generals firmly to me, and soon this ungrateful emperor +shall feel how rash and foolish he has been to insult the man to whom +alone he owes it that he was not long ago a fugitive and an exile, with +the Swedes victorious masters of his capital and kingdom. + +“Have not I alone saved him? Did not I at my own cost raise an army and +stand between him and the victorious Gustavus? Have not I alone of all +his generals checked the triumphant progress of the invaders? And yet +he evades all his promises, he procrastinates and falters. Not one step +does he take to give me the sovereignty of Bohemia which he so solemnly +promised me, and seems to think that it is honour and reward enough for +me to have spent my treasure and blood in his service. But my turn is at +hand, and when the hand which saved his throne shall cast him from it +he will learn how rash he has been to have deceived and slighted me. +And you say that the stars last night all pointed to a favourable +conjunction, and that the time for striking the great blow is at hand?” + +“Nothing could be better,” the astrologer said; “Jupiter, your own +planet, and Mars are in the ascendant. Saturn is still too near them to +encourage instant action, but he will shortly remove to another house +and then your time will have come.” + +“So be it,” Wallenstein said, “and the sooner the better. Now I will +leave you to your studies, and will ride out to inspect the troops, and +to see that they have all that they need, for they must be kept in the +best of humours at present.” + + + +CHAPTER XXII THE CONSPIRACY + + +The next day Wallenstein again entered Malcolm's workroom and said +abruptly to him: “What deeds of bravery have you performed?” + +Malcolm looked astonished. + +“In an idle moment,” the duke said, “having an interest in nativities +and seeing that you were born between two years, I asked my astrologer +to work out the calculations. He tells me that it was fated that you +should perform deeds of notable bravery while still young. It seemed +the horoscope of a soldier rather than of a craftsman, and so I told the +sage; but he will have it that he has made no mistake.” + +Malcolm hesitated for a moment; the blind faith which the otherwise +intelligent and capable general placed in the science of astrology was +well known to the world. Should he deny that he had accomplished any +feats, the duke, believing implicitly the statement which his astrologer +had made him, would suspect that he was not what he seemed; he therefore +replied modestly, “I have done no deeds worthy relating to your +excellency, but I once swam across a swollen river to direct some +travellers who would otherwise have perished, and my neighbours were +good enough to say that none in those parts save myself would have +attempted such a feat.” + +“Ah!” the duke exclaimed in a tone of satisfaction, “as usual the stars +have spoken correctly. Doubtless as great courage is required to swim a +river in flood as to charge into the ranks of the enemy.” + +So saying Wallenstein left the room, filled with a desire to attach to +himself the young man whom his adviser had assured him was in some +way connected with his destiny. Wallenstein a day or two later offered +Malcolm to take him into his permanent service, saying that he was +frequently plagued by the stoppages of his clocks, and desired to have +a craftsman capable of attending to them on his establishment. He even +told the young man that he might expect promotion altogether beyond his +present station. + +Malcolm could not refuse so flattering an offer, and was at once +installed as a member of Wallenstein's household, declining however the +use of the apartment which the steward offered him, saying that he had a +sick brother lodging with him in the town. Mingling with the soldiers in +the evenings Malcolm learned that there were rumours that negotiations +for peace were going on with Saxony and Sweden. This was indeed the +case, but Wallenstein was negotiating on his own behalf, and not on that +of the emperor. So far but little had come of these negotiations, for +Oxenstiern had the strongest doubts of Wallenstein's sincerity, and +believed that he was only trying to gain time and delay operations +by pretended proposals for peace. He could not believe that the great +Imperialist general, the right hand of the emperor, had any real +intention of turning against his master. Towards the end of January +there was some excitement in Pilsen owing to the arrival there of all +the generals of the Imperialist army save only Gallas, Coloredo, and +Altringer. + +Malcolm was sure that such a gathering could only have been summoned +by Wallenstein upon some matter of the most vital importance, and he +determined at all hazards to learn what was taking place, in order that +he might enlighten Oxenstiern as to the real sentiments of the duke. +Learning that the principal chamber in the castle had been cleared, and +that a meeting of the officers would take place there in the evening, he +told Thekla when he went home to his meal at midday that she must not be +surprised if he did not return until a late hour. He continued his work +until nearly six o'clock, the time at which the meeting was to begin, +and then extinguishing his light, he made his way through the passages +of the castle until he reached the council chamber, meeting with no +interruption from the domestics, who were by this time familiar with his +person, and who regarded him as one rising in favour with their master. +He waited in the vicinity of the chamber until he saw an opportunity for +entering unobserved, then he stole into the room and secreted himself +behind the arras beneath a table standing against the wall, and where, +being in shadow, the bulge in the hanging would not attract attention. + +In a few minutes he heard heavy steps with the clanking of swords and +jingling of spurs, and knew that the council was beginning to assemble. +The hum of conversation rose louder and louder for a quarter of an +hour; then he heard the door of the apartment closed, and knew that the +council was about to commence. The buzz of conversation ceased, and then +a voice, which was that of Field Marshal Illo, one of the three men in +Wallenstein's confidence, rose in the silence. He began by laying before +the army the orders which the emperor had sent for its dispersal to +various parts of the country, and by the turn he gave to these he found +it easy to excite the indignation of the assembly. + +He then expatiated with much eloquence upon the merits of the army +and its generals, and upon the ingratitude with which the emperor had +treated them after their noble efforts in his behalf. The court, he +said, was governed by Spanish influence. The ministry were in the pay of +Spain. Wallenstein alone had hitherto opposed this tyranny, and had thus +drawn upon himself the deadly enmity of the Spaniards. To remove him +from the command, or to make away with him entirely, had, he asserted, +been long the end of their desires, and until they could succeed they +endeavoured to abridge his power in the field. The supreme command was +to be placed in the hands of the King of Hungary solely to promote +the Spanish power in Germany, as this prince was merely the passive +instrument of Spain. + +It was only with the view of weakening the army that six thousand troops +were ordered to be detached from it, and solely to harass it by a winter +campaign that they were now called upon at this inhospitable season +to undertake the recovery of Ratisbon. The Jesuits and the ministry +enriched themselves with the treasure wrung from the provinces, and +squandered the money intended for the pay of the troops. + +The general, then, abandoned by the court, was forced to acknowledge +his inability to keep his engagements to the army. For all the services +which for two-and-twenty years he had rendered to the house of Austria, +in return for all the difficulties with which he had struggled, for all +the treasures of his own which he had expended in the Imperial service, +a second disgraceful dismissal awaited him. But he was resolved the +matter should not come to this; he was determined voluntarily to resign +the command before it should be wrested from his hands, “and this,” + continued the speaker, “is what he has summoned you here to make known +to you, and what he has commissioned me to inform you.” + +It was now for them to say whether they would permit him to leave them; +it was for each man present to consider who was to repay him the sums +he had expended in the emperor's service; how he was ever to reap the +rewards for his bravery and devotion, when the chief who alone was +cognizant of their efforts, who was their sole advocate and champion, +was removed from them. + +When the speaker concluded a loud cry broke from all the officers that +they would not permit Wallenstein to be taken from them. Then a babel +of talk arose, and after much discussion four of the officers were +appointed as a deputation to wait upon the duke to assure him of the +devotion of the army, and to beg him not to withdraw himself from +them. The four officers intrusted with the commission left the room and +repaired to the private chamber of the general. They returned in a short +time, saying that the duke refused to yield. + +Another deputation was sent to pray him in even stronger terms to remain +with them. These returned with the news that Wallenstein had reluctantly +yielded to their request; but upon the condition that each of them +should give a written promise to truly and firmly adhere to him, neither +to separate or to allow himself to be separated from him, and to +shed his last drop of blood in his defence. Whoever should break this +covenant, so long as Wallenstein should employ the army in the emperor's +service, was to be regarded as a perfidious traitor and to be treated by +the rest as a common enemy. + +As these last words appeared to indicate clearly that Wallenstein had no +thought of assuming a position hostile to the emperor, or of defying his +authority, save in the point of refusing to be separated from his army, +all present agreed with acclamations to sign the documents required. + +“Then, gentlemen,” Marshal Illo said, “I will have the document for your +signatures at once drawn up. A banquet has been prepared in the next +room, of which I invite you now all to partake, and at its conclusion +the document shall be ready.” + +Malcolm from his hiding place heard the general movement as the officers +left the apartment, and looking cautiously out from beneath the arras, +saw that the chamber was entirely empty. He determined, however, to +remain and to hear the conclusion of the conference. He accordingly +remained quiet for upwards of an hour. During this time the attendants +had entered and extinguished the lights, as the guests would not return +to the council chamber. + +He now left his hiding place and made his way to the door which +separated him from the banqueting hall. Listening intently at the +keyhole, he heard the clinking of glasses and the sound of voices loudly +raised, and he guessed that the revelry was at its height. More and more +noisy did it become, for Marshal Illo was plying his guests with wine in +order that they might sign without examination the document which he had +prepared for their signatures. Feeling confident that none would hear +him in the state at which they had now arrived, Malcolm cautiously +opened the door an inch or two, and was able to hear and see all that +passed. + +It was another hour before Marshal Illo produced the document and passed +it round for signature. Many of those to whom it was handed signed it +at once without reading the engagement; but one more sober than the +rest insisted on reading it through, and at once rising to his feet, +announced to the others that the important words “as long as Wallenstein +shall employ the army for the emperor's service,” which had been +inserted in the first draft agreed to by Wallenstein and the deputation, +had been omitted. + +A scene of noisy confusion ensued. Several of the officers declared that +they would not sign the document as it stood. General Piccolomini, who +had only attended the meeting in order that he might inform the emperor, +to whom he was devoted, of what took place there, had drunk so much wine +that he forgot the part he was playing, and rose to his feet and with +drunken gravity proposed the health of the emperor. + +Louder and louder grew the din of tongues until Count Terzky, who was +alone with Illo and Colonel Kinsky in Wallenstein's confidence, arose, +and in a thundering voice declared that all were perjured villains +who should recede from their engagement, and would, according to their +agreements be treated as enemies by the rest. His menaces and the +evident danger which any who might now draw back would run, overcame the +scruples of the recalcitrants, and all signed the paper. This done +the meeting broke up, and Malcolm, stealing away from his post of +observation, made his way back to his lodgings. + +He slept little that night. What he had seen convinced him that +Wallenstein was really in earnest in the propositions which he had made +to Oxenstiern and the Elector of Saxony, and that he meditated an +open rebellion against the emperor. It was of extreme importance that +Oxenstiern should be made acquainted with these facts; but it would +be next to impossible to escape from Pilsen, burdened as he was with +Thekla, and to cross the country which intervened between the two armies +and which was constantly traversed by cavalry parties and scouts of both +sides. + +After much deliberation, therefore, he determined upon the bold course +of frankly informing Wallenstein who he was and what he had heard, and +to beg of him to furnish him with an escort to pass through the lines in +order that he might make his way with all speed to Oxenstiern in order +to assure him of the good faith of the duke and of the importance of +his frankly and speedily accepting his proposals. It was possible, of +course, that he might fall a victim to Wallenstein's first anger when he +found out that he had been duped, and the plot in which he was engaged +discovered; but he resolved to run the risk, believing that the duke +would see the advantage to be gained by complying with his proposal. + +It was necessary, however, to prepare Thekla for the worst. + +“Thekla,” he said in the morning, “an end has come to our stay here. +Circumstances have occurred which will either enable us to continue our +journey at once and in safety or which may place me in a prison.” + +Thekla gave a cry of surprise and terror. “I do not think, my dear +girl,” Malcolm went on, “that there is much fear of the second +alternative, but we must be prepared for it. You must obey my +instructions implicitly. Should I not return by nightfall you will know +that for a time at least I have been detained. You will tell the woman +of the house, who is aware that I am employed by Wallenstein, that I +have been sent by him to examine and set in order the clocks in his +palace in Vienna in readiness for his return there, but that as you were +too unwell to travel I have bade you remain here until I return to fetch +you. + +“You have an ample supply of money even without the purse of gold which +the duke presented to me yesterday. You must remain here quietly until +the spring, when the tide of war is sure to roll away to some other +quarter, and I trust that, long ere that, even should I be detained, +I shall be free to come to you again; but if not, do you then despatch +this letter which I have written for you to Jans Boerhoff. In this +I tell him where you are, in order that, if your mother comes to him +asking for you, or your parents are able to write to him to inquire for +you, he may inform them of your hiding place. I have also written you a +letter to the commander of any Swedish force which may enter this town, +telling him who you are, and praying him to forward you under an escort +to Nuremberg.” + +“But what shall I do without you?” Thekla sobbed. + +“I trust, my dear, that you will not have to do without me, and +feel convinced that tomorrow we shall be upon our way to the Swedish +outposts. I only give you instructions in case of the worst. It troubles +me terribly that I am forced to do anything which may possibly deprive +you of my protection, but my duty to the country I serve compels me to +take this step, which is one of supreme importance to our cause.” + +It was long before Thekla was pacified, and Malcolm himself was +deeply troubled at the thought that the girl might be left alone and +unprotected in a strange place. Still there appeared every probability +that she would be able to remain there in safety until an opportunity +should occur for her to make her way to Nuremberg. It was with a heavy +heart, caused far more by the thought of Thekla's position than of +danger to himself, that he took his way to the castle; but he felt that +his duty was imperative, and was at heart convinced that Wallenstein +would eagerly embrace his offer. + +It was not until midday that he was able to see the duke. Wallenstein +had been greatly angered as well as alarmed at the resistance which his +scheme had met with on the previous evening. He had believed that his +favours and liberality had so thoroughly attached his generals to +his person that they would have followed him willingly and without +hesitation, even in a war against the emperor, and the discovery that, +although willing to support him against deprivation from his command, +they shrunk alarmed at the idea of disloyalty to the emperor, showed +that his position was dangerous in the extreme. + +He found that the signatures to the document had for the most part been +scrawled so illegibly that the writers would be able to repudiate them +if necessary, and that deceit was evidently intended. In the morning he +called together the whole of the generals, and personally received them. +After pouring out the bitterest reproaches and abuse against the court, +he reminded them of their opposition to the proposition set before them +on the previous evening, and declared that this circumstance had induced +him to retract his own promise, and that he should at once resign his +command. + +The generals, in confusion and dismay, withdrew to the antechamber, and +after a short consultation returned to offer their apologies for their +conduct on the previous evening and to offer to sign anew the engagement +which bound them to him. This was done, and it now remained only for +Wallenstein to obtain the adhesion of Gallas, Altringer, and Coloredo, +which, as they held important separate commands, was necessary for the +success of his plan. Messengers were accordingly sent out at once to +request them to come instantly to Pilsen. + +After this business was despatched and Wallenstein was disengaged he was +informed that Malcolm desired earnestly to speak to him on particular +business. Greatly surprised at the request, he ordered that he should be +shown in to him. + +“Your excellency,” Malcolm began when they were alone, “what I am about +to say may anger you, but as I trust that much advantage may arise from +my communication, I implore you to restrain your anger until you hear me +to the end, after which it will be for you to do with me as you will.” + +Still more surprised at this commencement, Wallenstein signed to him to +continue. + +“I am, sir,” Malcolm went on, “no clockmaker, although, indeed, having +worked for some time in the shop of Master Jans Boerhoff at the time of +the siege of Nuremberg, I am able to set clocks and watches in repair, +as I have done to those which have been placed in my hands here. In +reality, sir, I am a Scottish officer, a captain in the service of +Sweden.” + +Wallenstein gave a short exclamation of angry surprise. “You must not +think, sir, that I have come hither in disguise to be a spy upon the +movements of your army. I came here unwillingly, being captured by your +troops, and forced to accompany them. + +“I left the Swedish camp on a private mission, having received there a +missive from the Countess of Mansfeld, who, with her husband, was a kind +friend of mine, telling me that they were prisoners of the emperor at +Prague, and begging me to come to their assistance. Bethinking me of +the occupation which had amused my leisure hours during the weary months +when we were shut up by you in Nuremberg, I obtained leave of absence, +attired myself as a craftsman, and made my way to Prague. There I found +the count confined to his couch by a wound and unable to move. The +countess had no thought of quitting him. Her anxiety was wholly for her +daughter, a girl of fifteen, whom the emperor purposed to shut up in a +convent and force to change her religion, and then to bestow her hand +upon one of his favourites, with her father's confiscated estates as her +dowry. + +“I succeeded in effecting her escape, disguised as a boy; I myself +travelling in the disguise of a peasant with a wagon. We were making our +way towards the Swedish lines when we came across your army, which had, +unknown to me, suddenly moved hither. I and my cart were requisitioned +for the service of the army. On the night of my arrival here I resumed +my disguise as a craftsman, left my wagon, and with my young companion +took up my lodging here, intending to remain quietly working at the +craft I assumed until an opportunity offered for continuing our journey. +Accident obtained me employment here, and as rumour said that overtures +for peace were passing between yourself and the Swedish chancellor, +I may frankly say that I determined to use the position in which I +accidentally found myself for the benefit of the country I served, by +ascertaining, if I could, how far your excellency was in earnest as +to the offers you were making. In pursuance of that plan I yesterday +concealed myself and overheard all that passed in the council chamber +with the officers, and at the banquet subsequently.” + +Wallenstein leapt to his feet with an angry exclamation. + +“Your excellency will please to remember,” Malcolm went on quietly, +“that I could have kept all this to myself and used it to the benefit or +detriment of your excellency, but it seemed to me that I should benefit +at once your designs and the cause I serve by frankly acquainting you +with what I have discovered. It would be a work of time for me to make +my way with my companion through the lines of your army and to gain +those of the Swedes. I might be slain in so doing and the important +information I have acquired lost. + +“It is of all things important to you that the Swedish chancellor, whose +nature is cautious and suspicious, should be thoroughly convinced that +it is your intention to make common cause with him and to join him heart +and soul in forcing the emperor to accept the conditions which you and +he united may impose upon him. This the information I have acquired will +assuredly suffice to do, and he will, without doubt, at once set his +army in motion to act in concert with yours.” + +Wallenstein paced the room for a minute or two in silence. + +“The stars truly said that you are a brave man and that your destiny is +connected with mine,” he said at length, “for assuredly none but a brave +man would venture to tell me that he had spied into my councils. I see, +however, that what you say is reasonable and cogent, and that the news +you have to tell may well induce Oxenstiern to lay aside the doubts +which have so long kept us asunder and at once to embrace my offer. +What, then, do you propose?” + +“I would ask, sir,” Malcolm replied, “that you would at once order a +squadron of horse to escort me and my companion through the debatable +land between your army and that of the Swedes, with orders for us +to pass freely on as soon as we are beyond your outposts and in the +neighbourhood of those of the Swedes.” + +“It shall be done,” Wallenstein said. “In half an hour a squadron of +horse shall be drawn up in the courtyard here, and a horse and pillion +in readiness for yourself and the maiden. In the meantime I will myself +prepare a letter for you to present to the Swedish chancellor with fresh +proposals for common action.” + + + +CHAPTER XXIII THE MURDER OF WALLENSTEIN + + +Malcolm hurried back to his lodging, where he was received with a cry +of delight from Thekla, who had passed the time since he had left her on +her knees praying for his safety. He told her at once that she was about +to be restored to safety among friends, that her troubles were at an +end, and she was again to resume her proper garments which she had +brought with her in the basket containing his tools at the time of her +flight. + +A few minutes sufficed to make the change, and then she accompanied +Malcolm to the castle. Wallenstein's orders had been rapidly carried +out; a squadron of cavalry were formed up in the courtyard, and in front +of them an attendant held a horse with a pillion behind the saddle. +Malcolm lifted Thekla on to the pillion and sprang into the saddle in +front of her. One of Wallenstein's household handed a letter to him and +then gave him into the charge of the officer commanding the squadron, +who had already received his orders. The officer at once gave the word +and rode from the castle followed by the cavalry. + +As soon as they were out of the town the pace was quickened, and the +cavalcade proceeded at a trot which was kept up with few intermissions +until nightfall, by which time twenty miles had been covered. They +halted for the night in a small town where the soldiers were billeted +on the inhabitants, comfortable apartments being assigned to Malcolm and +his charge. + +Soon after daybreak the journey was continued. A sharp watch was now +kept up, as at any moment parties of the Swedish cavalry making a raid +far in advance of their lines might be met with. No such adventure +happened, and late in the afternoon the troop halted on the crest of a +low hill. + +“Here,” the officer said, “we part. That town which you see across +the river is held by the Swedes, and you will certainly meet with no +molestation from any of our side as you ride down to it.” + +Malcolm thanked the officer for the courtesy he had shown him on the +journey, and then rode forward towards the town. It was getting dusk as +he neared the bridge, but as he came close Malcolm's heart gave a bound +as he recognized the green scarves and plumes worn by the sentries at +the bridge. These seeing only a single horseman with a female behind +him did not attempt to question him as he passed; but he reined in his +horse. + +“Whose regiment do you belong to?” he asked. + +The men looked up in surprise at being addressed in their own language +by one whose attire was that of a simple craftsman, but whom they now +saw rode a horse of great strength and beauty. + +“We belong to Hamilton's regiment,” they replied. + +“And where shall I find that of Munro?” + +“It is lying in quarters fifteen miles away,” one of the soldiers +answered. + +“Then we cannot get on there tonight,” Malcolm said. “Where are your +officers quartered?” + +A soldier standing near at once volunteered to act as guide, and in a +few minutes Malcolm arrived at the house occupied by them. He was +of course personally known to all the officers, and as soon as their +surprise at his disguise and at seeing him accompanied by a young lady +had subsided, they received him most heartily. + +Thekla was at once taken to the house of the burgomaster, which was +close at hand, and handed over to the wife of that functionary for the +night, and Malcolm spent a merry evening with the Scottish officers, +to whom he related the adventures which had so satisfactorily +terminated--making, however, no allusion to the political secrets which +he had discovered or the mission with which he was charged. He was soon +furnished from the wardrobes of the officers with a suit of clothes, +and although his craftsman attire had served him well he was glad to don +again the uniform of the Scottish brigade. + +“You have cut your narrative strangely short at the end, Graheme,” + Colonel Hamilton said when Malcolm brought his story to a conclusion. +“How did you get away from Pilsen at last, and from whom did you steal +that splendid charger on whom you rode up to the door?” + +“That is not my own secret, colonel, and I can only tell you at present +that Wallenstein himself gave it to me.” + +A roar of incredulous laughter broke from the officers round the table. + +“A likely story indeed, Graheme; the duke was so fascinated with your +talents as a watchmaker that he bestowed a charger fit for his own +riding upon you to carry you across into our lines.” + +“It does not sound likely, I grant you,” Malcolm said, “but it is true, +as you will acknowledge when the time comes that there will be no longer +any occasion for me to keep the circumstances secret. I only repeat, +Wallenstein gave me the honour of an escort which conducted me to the +crest of the hill two miles away, where, if your sentries and outposts +had been keeping their eyes open, they might have seen them.” + +It was late before the party broke up, but soon after daylight Malcolm +was again in the saddle, and with Thekla as before on the pillion he +continued his journey, and in three hours reached the town where his +regiment was quartered. + +Alighting at the door of the colonel's quarters, he led Thekla to his +apartments. The colonel received him with the greatest cordiality and +welcomed Thekla with a kindness which soon put her at her ease, for +now that the danger was past she was beginning to feel keenly the +strangeness of her position. + +She remembered Colonel Munro perfectly, as he and the other officers of +the regiment had been frequently at her father's during the stay of the +regiment at Maintz. The colonel placed her at once in charge of the +wife of one of the principal citizens, who upon hearing that she was the +daughter of the Count of Mansfeld, well known for his attachment to the +Protestant cause, willingly received her, and offered to retain her +as her guest until an opportunity should occur for sending her on to +Nuremberg, should Malcolm not be able at once to continue his journey to +that city. + +“That,” Colonel Munro said as soon as Malcolm informed him of the +extremely important information he had gained, “is out of the question. +Your news is of supreme importance, it alters the whole course of +events, and offers hopes of an early termination of the struggle. There +is no doubt that Wallenstein is in earnest now, for he has committed +himself beyond reparation. The only question is whether he can carry the +army with him. However, it is clear that you must ride with all haste +to Oxenstiern with your tidings; not a moment must be lost. He is in the +Palatinate, and it will take you four days of hard riding at the least +to reach him. + +“In the meantime, your little maid, who by the way is already nearly a +woman, had best remain here--I will see that she is comfortable and well +cared for, and after all she is as well here as at Nuremberg, as there +is no fear now of an advance of the Imperialists. In case of anything +extraordinary occurring which might render this town an unsafe abiding +place, I will forward her in safety to Nuremberg, even I if I have to +detach a score of my men as her escort.” + +Before mounting again Malcolm paid a hurried visit to Thekla, who +expressed her contentment with her new abode, and her readiness to stay +there until he should return to take her to Nuremberg, even should it be +weeks before he could do so. + +“I quite feel among friends now,” she said, “and Colonel Munro and your +Scotch officers will, I am sure, take good care of me till you return.” + +Glad to feel that his charge was left in good hands Malcolm mounted +his horse with a light heart and galloped away. Four days later he was +closeted with the Swedish chancellor, and relating to him the scene in +the castle at Pilsen. When he had finished his narrative Oxenstiern, who +had, before Malcolm began, read the letter which Wallenstein had sent +him, said: + +“After what you tell me there can be no longer the slightest doubts of +Wallenstein's intention. Ever since the death of the king he has been +negotiating privately with me, but I could not believe that he was +in earnest or that such monstrous treachery was possible. How could I +suppose that he who has been raised from the rank of a simple gentleman +to that of a duke and prince, and who, save the fortunes which he +obtained with his wives, owes everything to the bounty of the emperor, +could be preparing to turn his arms against him?” + +“It is true that he has done great things for Ferdinand, but his +ambition is even greater than his military talent. Any other man would +have been content with the enormous possessions and splendid dignity +which he has attained, and which in fact render him far richer than his +Imperial master; but to be a prince does not suffice for him. He has +been promised a kingdom, but even that is insufficient for his ambition. +It is clear that he aims to dethrone the emperor and to set himself up +in his place; however, his ingratitude does not concern me, it suffices +now that at any rate he is sincere, and that a happy issue out of the +struggle opens before us henceforth. + +“I can trust him thoroughly; but though he has the will to join us has +he the power? Wallenstein, with his generals and his army fighting for +the emperor, is a mighty personage, but Wallenstein a rebel is another +altogether. By what you tell me it seems more than doubtful whether his +officers will follow him; and although his army is attached to him, and +might follow him could he put himself at its head, it is scattered in +its cantonments, and each section will obey the orders which the general +in its command may give. + +“Probably some of those who signed the document, pledging their fidelity +to Wallenstein, have already sent news to the emperor of what is being +done. It is a strange situation and needs great care; the elements are +all uncertain. Wallenstein writes to me as if he were assured of the +allegiance of the whole of his army, and speaks unquestionably of his +power to overthrow the emperor; but the man is clearly blinded by his +ambition and infatuated by his fixed belief in the stars. However, one +thing is certain, he and as much of his army as he can hold in hand are +now our allies, and I must lose no time in moving such troops as are +most easily disposable to his assistance. + +“I will send to Saxony and urge the elector to put in motion a force to +support him, and Duke Bernhard shall move with a division of our troops. +I will at once pen a despatch to Wallenstein, accepting his alliance and +promising him active aid as soon as possible. + +“What say you, young sir? You have shown the greatest circumspection +and ability in this affair. Will you undertake to carry my despatch? +You must not travel as a Scottish officer, for if there are any traitors +among the officers of Wallenstein they will assuredly endeavour to +intercept any despatches which may be passing between us in order to +send them to the emperor as proofs of the duke's guilt.” + +“I will undertake the task willingly, sir,” Malcolm replied, “and doubt +not that I shall be able to penetrate to him in the same disguise which +I before wore. When I once reach him is your wish that I should remain +near him, or that I should at once return?” + +“It were best that you should remain for a time,” the chancellor said. +“You may be able to send me news from time to time of what is passing +around the duke. Before you start, you shall be supplied with an +ample amount of money to pay messengers to bring your reports to me. +Wallenstein hardly appears to see the danger of his situation; but you +will be more clear sighted. It is a strange drama which is being played, +and may well terminate in a tragedy. At any rate the next month will +decide what is to come of these strange combinations.” + +The horse on which Malcolm had ridden was knocked up from the speed at +which he had travelled, and, ordering it to be carefully tended till his +return, he obtained a fresh horse and again set out. He made the journey +at the same speed at which he had before passed over the ground, and +paused for a few hours only at Amberg, where he found Thekla well and +comfortable, and quite recovered from the effects of her journeys and +anxiety. She received him with delight; but her joy was dashed when she +found that, instead of returning to remain with his regiment, as she had +hoped, he was only passing through on another mission. + +At Amberg he again laid aside his uniform and donned his costume as a +craftsman. Colonel Munro gave him an escort of twenty troopers; with +these he crossed the river at nightfall, and, making a detour to avoid +the Imperialist outposts, rode some fifteen miles on his way. He then +dismounted and handed over his horse to his escort, who at once started +on their way back to Amberg, while he pursued his journey on foot +towards Pilsen. It was late the next evening before he reached the town; +and on arriving he learned that Wallenstein was still there. + +The Imperialist general, immediately upon obtaining the signature of +his officers, had sent to urge Altringer and Gallas, who had been absent +from the meeting, to come to him with all speed. Altringer, on pretence +of sickness, did not comply with the invitation. Gallas made +his appearance, but merely with the intention of finding out all +Wallenstein's plans and of keeping the emperor informed of them. +Piccolomini had, immediately the meeting broke up, sent full details +of its proceedings to the court, and Gallas was furnished with a secret +commission containing the emperor's orders to the colonels and officers, +granting an amnesty for their adhesion to Wallenstein at Pilsen, and +ordering them to make known to the army that it was released from its +obedience to Wallenstein, and was placed under the command of Gallas +himself, who received orders, if possible, to arrest Wallenstein. + +Gallas on his arrival perceived the impossibility of executing his +commission, for Wallenstein's troops and officers were devoted to him, +and not even the crime of high treason could overcome their veneration +and respect for him. Finding that he could do nothing, and fearful that +Wallenstein should discover the commission with which he was charged, +Gallas sought for a pretence to escape from Pilsen, and offered to go to +Altringer and to persuade him to return with him. + +Wallenstein had no doubts of the fidelity of the general, and allowed +him to depart. As he did not return at once Piccolomini, who was also +most anxious to get out of the grasp of Wallenstein, offered to go and +fetch both Gallas and Altringer. Wallenstein consented, and conveyed +Piccolomini in his own carriage to Lintz. No sooner had Piccolomini +left him than he hurried to his own command, denounced Wallenstein as a +traitor, and prepared to surprise the duke in Pilsen. Gallas at the same +time sent round copies of his commission to all the Imperial camps. + +Upon his arrival Malcolm at once proceeded to the castle, and, finding +the steward, requested him to inform the duke that he had returned. In +a few minutes he was ushered into his presence, and handed to him the +letter from Oxenstiern. Wallenstein tore it open without a word and gave +an exclamation of satisfaction as he glanced it through. + +“This is opportune indeed,” he said, “and I thank you for bringing me +the news so rapidly. Well did the astrologer say that my destiny to +some extent depended on you; this is a proof that he was right. The +chancellor tells me that the Duke of Saxe-Lauenberg will march instantly +with four thousand men to join me, and that Duke Bernhard will move down +at once with six thousand of the best Swedish troops. I may yet be even +with the traitors.” + +Although the defection of Gallas and Piccolomini and the news of the +issue of the Imperial proclamation had fallen with stunning force upon +Wallenstein, he had still faith in the fidelity of the army at large, +and he had already despatched Marshal Terzky to Prague, where all the +troops faithful to him were to assemble, intending to follow himself +with the regiments at Pilsen as soon as carriage could be obtained from +the country round. His astrologer still assured him that the stars were +favourable, and Wallenstein's faith in his own destiny was unshaken. + +Upon finding that Malcolm had orders to remain with him until he was +joined by Duke Bernhard, he ordered handsome apartments to be prepared +for him, and as there was no longer any reason why the fact that a +Swedish officer was in the castle should be concealed, he commanded that +Malcolm should be furnished with handsome raiment of all sorts and a +suit of superb armour. Upon the following morning Wallenstein sent for +him. + +“I have bad news,” he said. “General Suys with an army arrived at Prague +before Terzky got there, and I fear that the influence of Piccolomini, +Gallas, and Altringer have withdrawn from me the corps which they +command. Terzky will return tomorrow morning, and I shall then march +with him and the troops here to Egra. There I shall effect a junction +with Duke Bernhard, who is instructed to march upon that town.” + +The duke, though anxious, still appeared confident; but the outlook +seemed to Malcolm extremely gloomy. The whole army save the regiments +around Pilsen had fallen away from Wallenstein. His princely generosity +to the generals and officers and his popularity among the troops had +failed to attach them to him now that he had declared against the +emperor, and it appeared to Malcolm that he would be able to bring over +to the Swedish cause only the corps which he immediately commanded. + +Still his defection could not but cause a vast gap in the Imperial +defences, and the loss of the services of the greatest of their leaders +would in itself be a heavy blow to the Imperialist cause, which had been +almost solely supported by his commanding talents and his vast private +income. Terzky arrived on the following morning, and the same afternoon +Wallenstein with the whole of the troops at Pilsen marched towards Egra. + +Among the officers attached to Wallenstein's person was a Scotchman +named Leslie, to whom and a few other confidants Wallenstein had +confided his designs. Wallenstein had at once introduced Malcolm to him, +and the two rode in company during the march to Egra. Malcolm did not +find him a cheerful companion. They chatted at times of the engagements +in which both had taken part although on opposite sides; but Malcolm saw +that his companion was absent and preoccupied, and that he avoided any +conversation as to the turn which events had taken. + +At the end of the first day's ride Malcolm came to the decided +conclusion that he did not like his companion, and, moreover, that his +heart was far from being in the enterprise on which they were engaged. +The following day he avoided joining him, and rode with some of the +other officers. Upon their arrival at Egra the gates were opened at +their approach, and Colonel Butler, an Irishman who commanded the +garrison, met Wallenstein as he entered, and saluted him with all +honour. Wallenstein was pleased to find that the disaffection which had +spread so rapidly through the army had not reached Egra. + +A few hours after he had entered the town Wallenstein received the news +that an Imperial edict had been issued proclaiming him a traitor and an +outlaw; he also learned that the corps under the Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg +was within a day's march of Egra. As soon as the duke retired to his +apartments Leslie sought out Colonel Butler, and revealed to him +the purposes of Wallenstein, and informed him of the Imperial order +absolving the army from their allegiance to him. The two men, with +Lieutenant Colonel Gordon, another Imperialist officer, at once +determined to capture Wallenstein and to hand him over as a prisoner to +the emperor. + +In the afternoon Leslie had an interview with Wallenstein, who told him +of the near approach of the Dukes of Saxe-Lauenburg and Saxe-Weimar, and +informed him of his plans for advancing from Egra direct into the heart +of Bohemia. + +The treacherous officer at once hurried away with the news to his two +associates, and it was agreed that the near approach of the Saxons +rendered it impossible for them to carry out their first plan, but that +instant and more urgent steps must be taken. That evening a banquet was +given by Butler to Wallenstein and his officers. The duke, however, was +too anxious to appear at it, and remained in his own apartment, the +rest of the officers, among them Wallenstein's chief confidants, Illo, +Terzky, and Kinsky, together with Captain Neumann, an intimate adviser +of Terzky, were among the guests. Malcolm was also present. + +The banquet passed off gaily, Wallenstein's health was drunk in full +bumpers, and his friends boasted freely that in a few days he would +find himself at the head of as powerful an army as he had ever before +commanded. Malcolm had naturally been placed at the table near his +compatriots, and it seemed to him that their gaiety was forced and +unnatural, and a sense of danger came over him. + +The danger indeed was great, although he knew it not. The drawbridge +of the castle had been drawn up, the avenues leading to it guarded, and +twenty infantry soldiers and six of Butler's dragoons were in hiding in +the apartment next to the banqueting hall. + +Dessert was placed on the table; Leslie gave the signal, and in an +instant the hall was filled with armed men, who placed themselves behind +the chairs of Wallenstein's trusted officers with shouts of “Long live +Ferdinand!” The three officers instantly sprang to their feet, but +Terzky and Kinsky were slain before they had time to draw their swords. + +Neumann in the confusion escaped into the court, where he too was cut +down. Illo burst through his assailants, and placing his back against a +window stood on his defence. As he kept his assailants at bay he poured +the bitterest reproaches upon Gordon for his treachery, and challenged +him to fight him fairly and honourably. After a gallant resistance, in +which he slew two of his assailants, he fell to the ground overpowered +by numbers, and pierced with ten wounds. + +Malcolm had sprung to his feet at the commencement of the tumult, but +was pressed down again into his chair by two soldiers, while Leslie +exclaimed, “Keep yourself quiet, sir, I would fain save you as a fellow +countryman, and as one who is simply here in the execution of his duty; +but if you draw sword to defend these traitors, you must share their +fate.” + +No sooner had the murder of the four officers been accomplished than +Leslie, Butler, and Gordon issued into the town. Butler's cavalry +paraded the streets, and that officer quieted the garrison by telling +them that Wallenstein had been proclaimed a traitor and an outlaw, and +that all who were faithful to the emperor must obey their orders. The +regiments most attached to Wallenstein had not entered the city, and the +garrison listened to the voice of their commander. + +Wallenstein knew nothing of what had taken place in the castle, and had +just retired to bed when a band of Butler's soldiers, led by Captain +Devereux, an Irishman, burst into his apartment. The duke leaped from +his bed, but before he could snatch up a sword he was pierced through +and through by the murderers' halberts. + +So fell one of the greatest men of his age. Even to the present day +there are differences of opinion as to the extent of his guilt, but +none as to the treachery with which he was murdered by his most trusted +officers. That Wallenstein owed much gratitude to the emperor is +unquestionable, but upon the other hand he had even a greater title to +the gratitude of Ferdinand, whose crown and empire he had repeatedly +saved. Wallenstein was no bigot, his views were broad and enlightened, +and he was therefore viewed with the greatest hostility by the violent +Catholics around the king, by Maximilian of Bavaria, by the Spaniards, +and by the Jesuits, who were all powerful at court. These had once +before brought about his dismissal from the command, after he had +rendered supreme services, and their intrigues against him were again +at the point of success when Wallenstein determined to defy and dethrone +the emperor. The coldness with which he was treated at court, the marked +inattention to all his requests, the consciousness that while he was +winning victories in the field his enemies were successfully plotting +at court, angered the proud and haughty spirit of Wallenstein almost to +madness, and it may truly be said that he was goaded into rebellion. +The verdict of posterity has certainly been favourable to him, and the +dastardly murder which requited a lifetime of brilliant services has +been held to more than counterbalance the faults which he committed. + + + +CHAPTER XXIV MALCOLM'S ESCAPE + + +After the fall of Wallenstein's colonels Malcolm was led away a +prisoner, and was conducted to a dungeon in the castle. It was not until +the door closed behind him that he could fairly realize what had taken +place, so sudden and unexpected had been the scene in the banqueting +hall. Five minutes before he had been feasting and drinking the health +of Wallenstein, now he was a prisoner of the Imperialists. Wallenstein's +adherents had been murdered, and it was but too probable that a like +fate would befall the general himself. The alliance from which so much +had been hoped, which seemed to offer a prospect of a termination of the +long and bloody struggle, was cut short at a blow. + +As to his own fate it seemed dark enough, and his captivity might last +for years, for the Imperialists' treatment of their prisoners was harsh +in the extreme. The system of exchange, which was usual then as now, +was in abeyance during the religious war in Germany. There was an almost +personal hatred between the combatants, and, as Malcolm knew, many of +his compatriots who had fallen into the hands of the Imperialists had +been treated with such harshness in prison that they had died there. +Some, indeed, were more than suspected of having been deliberately +starved to death. + +However, Malcolm had gone through so many adventures that even the scene +which he had witnessed and his own captivity and uncertain fate were +insufficient to banish sleep from his eyes, and he reposed as soundly on +the heap of straw in the corner of his cell as he would have done in the +carved and gilded bed in the apartment which had been assigned to him in +the castle. + +The sun was shining through the loophole of his dungeon when he awoke. +For an hour he occupied himself in polishing carefully the magnificently +inlaid armour which Wallenstein had presented him, and which, with the +exception of his helmet, he had not laid aside when he sat down to the +banquet, for it was very light and in no way hampered his movements, and +except when quartered in towns far removed from an enemy officers seldom +laid aside their arms. He still retained his sword and dagger, for his +captors, in their haste to finish the first act of the tragedy, and to +resist any rising which might take place among the soldiery, had omitted +to take them from him when they hurried him away. + +On examination he found that with his dagger he could shove back the +lock of the door, but this was firmly held by bolts without. Thinking +that on some future occasion the blade might be useful to him, he pushed +the dagger well into the lock, and with a sharp jerk snapped it off at +the hilt. Then he concealed the steel within his long boot and cast the +hilt through the loophole. + +Presently a soldier brought him his breakfast--a manchet of bread and +a stoup of wine. He was visited again at dinner and supper. Before the +soldier came in the first time Malcolm concealed his sword in the straw, +thinking that the soldier would be sure to remove it if he noticed it. +The man who brought his breakfast and dinner was taciturn, and made +no reply to his questions, but another man brought his supper, and he +turned out of a more communicative disposition. + +“What has happened?” he repeated in reply to Malcolm's question. “Well, +I don't know much about it myself, but I do know that Wallenstein is +dead, for the trooper who rides next to me helped to kill him. Everyone +is content that the traitor has been punished, and as the troops have +all pronounced for the emperor every thing is quiet. We had a good +laugh this afternoon. The colonel sent out one of our men dressed up in +Wallenstein's livery to meet the Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg and invite him +to come on at once and join him here. The duke suspected no danger, and +rode on ahead of his troops, with a few attendants, and you should have +seen his face, when, after passing through the gates, he suddenly found +himself surrounded by our men and a prisoner. Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar +will be here tomorrow, as they say, and we shall catch him in the same +way. It's a rare trap this, I can tell you.” + +The news heightened Malcolm's uneasiness. The capture of Duke Bernhard, +the most brilliant of the German generals on the Protestant side, would +be a heavy blow indeed to the cause, and leaving his supper untasted +Malcolm walked up and down his cell in a fever of rage at his impotence +to prevent so serious a disaster. + +At last he ate his supper, and then threw himself upon the straw, but he +was unable to sleep. The death of Wallenstein had made a deep impression +upon him. The Imperialist general was greatly respected by his foes. Not +only was he admired for his immense military talents, but he carried on +the war with a chivalry and humanity which contrasted strongly with the +ferocity of Tilly, Pappenheim, and Piccolomini. Prisoners who fell into +his hands were always treated with courtesy, and although, from motives +of policy, he placed but little check upon the excesses of his soldiery, +no massacres, such as those which had caused the names of Tilly and +Pappenheim to be held in abhorrence by the Protestants of Germany, were +associated with that of Wallenstein. Then, too, the princely dignity and +noble presence of the duke had greatly impressed the young soldier, and +the courtesy with which he had treated him personally had attracted +his liking as well as respect. To think that this great general, this +princely noble, the man who alone had baffled the Lion of the North, had +been foully murdered by those he had trusted and favoured, filled him +with grief and indignation, the more so since two of the principal +assassins were Scotchmen. + +The thought that on the morrow Duke Bernhard of Weimar--a leader +in importance second only to the Chancellor of Sweden--would fall +unsuspiciously into the trap set for him goaded him almost to madness, +and he tossed restlessly on the straw through the long hours of the +night. Towards morning he heard a faint creaking of bolts, then there +was a sound of the locks of the door being turned. He grasped his sword +and sprang to his feet. He heard the door close again, and then a man +produced a lantern from beneath a long cloak, and he saw Wallenstein's +steward before him. The old man's eyes were bloodshot with weeping, and +his face betokened the anguish which the death of his master had caused +him. + +“You have heard the news?” he asked. + +“Alas!” Malcolm replied, “I have heard it indeed.” + +“I am determined,” the old man said, “to thwart the projects of these +murderers and to have vengeance upon them. None have thought of me. I +was an old man, too insignificant for notice, and I have passed the day +in my chamber lamenting the kindest of lords, the best of masters. Last +evening I heard the soldiers boasting that today they would capture +the Duke of Saxe-Weimar, and I determined to foil them. They have been +feasting and drinking all night, and it is but now that the troopers +have fallen into a drunken slumber and I was able to possess myself of +the key of your dungeon. + +“Here is your helmet. I will lead you to the stable, where I have +saddled the best and fastest of my master's horses. You must remain +there quietly until you deem that the gates are open, then leap upon the +horse, and ride for your life. Few will know you, and you will probably +pass out of the gate unquestioned. If not, you have your sword to cut +your way. Once beyond the town ride to meet the duke. Tell him my master +has been murdered, that Egra is in the hands of the Imperialists, and +that Saxe-Lauenburg is a prisoner. Bid him march on this place with his +force, take it by assault, and leave not one of the assassins of my lord +living within its walls.” + +“You will run no risk, I hope, for your share in this adventure,” + Malcolm said. + +“It matters little to me,” the old man replied. “My life is worthless, +and I would gladly die in the thought that I have brought retribution on +the head of the murderers of my master. But they will not suspect me. I +shall lock the door behind us, and place the key again in the girdle of +the drunken guard, and then return to my own chamber.” + +Quietly Malcolm and his conductor made their way through the castle and +out into the courtyard. Then they entered the stables. + +“This is the horse,” the steward said, again uncovering his lantern. “Is +he not a splendid animal? He was my master's favourite, and sooner than +that his murderers should ride him I would cut the throat of the noble +beast with my dagger; but he has a better mission in carrying the +avenger of his master's blood. And now farewell. The rest is in your +own hands. May Heaven give you good fortune.” So saying, the old man set +down his lantern and left Malcolm alone. + +The latter, after examining the saddle and bridle, and seeing that every +buckle was firm and in its place, extinguished the light, and waited +patiently for morning. In two hours a faint light began to show itself. +Stronger and stronger it grew until it was broad day. Still there were +but few sounds of life and movement in the castle. Presently, however, +the noise of footsteps and voices was heard in the courtyard. + +Although apprehensive that at any moment the stable door might open, +Malcolm still delayed his start, as it would be fatal were he to set out +before the opening of the gates. At last he felt sure that they must +be opened to admit the country people coming in with supplies for the +market. He had donned his helmet before leaving his cell, and he now +quietly opened the stable door, sprang into the saddle, and rode boldly +out. + +Several soldiers were loitering about the courtyard. Some were washing +at the trough and bathing their heads beneath the fountain to get rid +of the fumes of the wine they had indulged in overnight. Others were +cleaning their arms. + +The sudden appearance of a mounted officer armed from head to foot +caused a general pause in their occupation, although none had any +suspicion that the splendidly attired officer was a fugitive; but, +believing that he was one of Leslie's friends who was setting out on +some mission, they paid no further heed to him, as quietly and without +any sign of haste he rode through the gateway of the castle into the +town. The inhabitants were already in the streets, country women with +baskets were vending their produce, and the market was full of people. +Malcolm rode on at a foot pace until he was within sight of the open +gate of the town. When within fifty yards of the gate he suddenly came +upon Colonel Leslie, who had thus early been making a tour of the walls +to see that the sentries were upon the alert, for Duke Bernhard's force +was within a few miles. He instantly recognized Malcolm. + +“Ah!” he exclaimed, “Captain Graheme--treachery! treachery! shut the +gate there,” and drawing his sword, threw himself in Malcolm's way. + +Malcolm touched the horse with his spur and it bounded forward; he +parried the blow which Leslie struck at him, and, with a sweeping cut +full on the traitor's helmet, struck him to the ground and then dashed +onward. A sentry was beginning to shut the gate, and his comrades were +running out from the guardhouse as Malcolm galloped up. + +The steward had fastened the holsters on to the saddle, and Malcolm, +before starting, had seen to the priming of the pistols in them. Drawing +one he shot the man who was closing the gate, and before his comrades +could run up he dashed through it and over the drawbridge. + +Several bullets whizzed around him, but he was soon out of range, and +galloping at full speed in the direction in which the steward had told +him that Duke Bernhard was encamped. In half an hour he reached the +Swedish lines, and rode at once to the tent of the duke who was upon the +point of mounting; beside him stood a man in the livery of Wallenstein. +As he rode up Malcolm drew his pistol, and said to the man: + +“If you move a foot I will send a bullet through your head.” + +“What is this?” exclaimed the duke in astonishment, “and who are you, +sir, who with such scant courtesy ride into my camp?” + +Malcolm raised his vizor. “I am Captain Graheme of Munro's regiment,” + he said, “and I have ridden here to warn your excellency of treachery. +Wallenstein has been foully murdered. Egra is in the hands of the +Imperialists, the Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg has been beguiled into a trap +and taken prisoner, and this fellow, who is one of Butler's troopers, +has been sent here to lead you into a like snare.” + +“Wallenstein murdered!” the duke exclaimed in tones of horror. +“Murdered, say you? Impossible!” + +“It is but too true, sir,” Malcolm replied; “I myself saw his friends +Illo, Terzky, and Kinsky assassinated before my eyes at a banquet. +Wallenstein was murdered by his favourites Leslie and Gordon and the +Irishman Butler. I was seized and thrown into a dungeon, but have +escaped by a miracle to warn you of your danger.” + +“This is a blow indeed,” the duke said mournfully. Turning to his +attendants he ordered them to hang the false messenger to the nearest +tree, and then begged Malcolm to follow him into his tent and give him +full details of this terrible transaction. + +“This upsets all our schemes indeed,” the duke said when he had +concluded. “What is the strength of the garrison at Egra?” + +“There were Butler's dragoons and an infantry regiment in garrison there +when we arrived; six regiments accompanied us on the march, and I +fear that all these must now be considered as having gone over to the +Imperialists.” + +“Then their force is superior to my own,” the duke said, “for I have but +six thousand men with me, and have no artillery heavy enough to make +any impression upon the walls of the town. Much as I should like to meet +these traitors and to deal out to them the punishment they deserve, I +cannot adventure on the siege of Egra until I have communicated this +terrible news to the Swedish chancellor. Egra was all important to us as +affording an entrance into Bohemia so long as Wallenstein was with +us, but now that he has been murdered and our schemes thus suddenly +destroyed I cannot risk the destruction of my force by an assault upon +the city, which is no longer of use to us.” + +Much as Malcolm would have liked to have seen the punishment of +Wallenstein's treacherous followers, he could not but feel that the +duke's view was, under the circumstances, the correct one. The tents +were speedily struck, and the force fell back with all speed towards +Bavaria, and after accompanying them for a march or two, Malcolm left +them and rode to join his regiment, the duke having already sent off +a messenger to Oxenstiern with a full account of the murder of +Wallenstein. + +As none could say what events were likely to follow the changed +position of things, Malcolm determined at once to carry out the original +intention of placing Thekla under the care of his friends at Nuremberg, +in which direction it was not probable that the tide of war would +for the present flow. After staying therefore a day or two with his +regiment, where his relation of the events he had witnessed caused +the greatest excitement and interest, Malcolm obtained leave from his +colonel to escort Thekla to Nuremberg. + +In order that they might pass in perfect safety across the intervening +country Munro gave him an escort of twelve troopers, and with these he +journeyed by easy stages to Nuremberg, where the worthy syndic of the +clockmakers and his wife gladly received Thekla, and promised to treat +her as one of their own daughters. + +Here Malcolm took possession of his arms and valises, which he had sent, +upon starting for Prague, to the care of Jans Boerhoff; not indeed that +he needed the armour, for the suit which Wallenstein had given him was +the admiration and envy of his comrades, and Munro had laughingly said +that since Hepburn had left them no such gallantly attired cavalier had +ridden in the ranks of the Scottish brigade. + +There were many tears on Thekla's part as her young protector bade her +adieu, for there was no saying how long a time might elapse before she +might again see him, and Malcolm was sorely tempted to tell her that +he had her father's consent to wooing her as his wife. He thought it, +however, better to abstain from speaking, for should he fall in the +campaign her grief would be all the greater had she come to think of +him as her destined husband, for her hearty affection for him already +assured him that she would make no objection to carrying out her +father's wishes. + +Shortly after rejoining his regiment Malcolm received a communication +from the Swedish chancellor expressing in high terms his approbation of +the manner in which he had carried out his instructions with regard to +Wallenstein, and especially for the great service he had rendered +the cause by warning the Duke of Saxe-Weimar of the trap which the +Imperialists had set for him. + +The death of Wallenstein was followed by a short pause in the war. It +had entirely frustrated all the plans and hopes of the Protestants, and +it caused a delay in the movement of the Imperialists. The emperor, when +he heard of Wallenstein's death, heaped favours and honours upon the +three men who had plotted and carried out his murder, and then appointed +his son Ferdinand, King of Hungary, to the chief command of the army, +with General Gallas as his principal adviser. + +The Duke of Lorraine marched with an army to join the Imperialists, who +were also strengthened by the arrival of 10,000 Spanish veterans, and +early in May the new Imperial general entered the Palatinate and marched +to lay siege to Ratisbon. To oppose the Imperial army, which numbered +35,000 men, Duke Bernhard, after having drawn together all the troops +scattered in the neighbourhood, could only put 15,000 in the field. With +so great a disparity of force he could not offer battle, but in every +way he harassed and interrupted the advance of the Imperialists, while +he sent pressing messages to Oxenstiern for men and money, and to +Marshal Horn, who commanded in Alsace, to beg him march with all haste +to his assistance. + +Unfortunately Horn and Duke Bernhard were men of extremely different +temperaments. The latter was vivacious, enterprising, and daring even to +rashness, ready to undertake any enterprise which offered the smallest +hope of success. Marshal Horn, on the other hand, although a good +general, was slow, over cautious and hesitating, and would never move +until his plans appeared to promise almost a certainty of success. +Besides this, Horn, a Swede, was a little jealous that Duke Bernhard, a +German, should be placed in the position of general-in-chief, and this +feeling no doubt tended to increase his caution and to delay his action. + +Consequently he was so long a time before he obeyed the pressing +messages sent by the duke, that Ratisbon, after a valiant defence, +surrendered on the 29th of July, before he had effected a junction with +the duke's army. The Imperialists then marched upon Donauworth, and this +place, after a feeble defence, also capitulated. The duke, heartbroken +at seeing the conquests, which had been effected at so great a loss of +life and treasure, wrested from his hands while he was unable to strike +a blow to save them, in despair marched away to Swabia to meet the +slowly advancing army of Marshal Horn. + +No sooner was the junction effected than he turned quickly back and +reached the vicinity of Nordlingen, only to find the enemy already there +before him, and posted on the more advanced of the two heights which +dominate the plain. By a skillful manoeuvre, however, he was enabled to +throw within its walls a reinforcement to the garrison of eight hundred +men. + +Nordlingen, an important free town, stands on the south bank of the +Ries, some 18 miles to the northeast of Donauworth. It was surrounded by +a wall, interspersed with numerous towers, sufficiently strong to guard +it against any surprise, but not to defend it against a regular siege by +a numerous army. The vast plain on which the town stands is broken near +its centre by two heights rising at a distance of three thousand yards +from each other. + +The height nearest to the town, which is very steep and craggy, is known +as the Weinberg, the other is called Allersheim; a village stands some +three hundred yards in advance of the valley between the heights, and is +nearer to the town than either of the two eminences. + +The Scotch brigade formed part of Duke Bernhard's command. It was now +nearly two years since a pitched battle had been fought, for although +there had been many skirmishes and assaults in the preceding year no +great encounter had taken place between the armies since Gustavus fell +at Lutzen, in October, 1632, and the Scotch brigade had not been present +at that battle. In the time which had elapsed many recruits had arrived +from Scotland, and Munro's regiment had been again raised to the +strength at which it had landed at Rugen four years before. Not half a +dozen of the officers who had then, full of life and spirit, marched in +its ranks were now present. Death had indeed been busy among them. On +the evening of their arrival in sight of the Imperialist army the two +Grahemes supped with their colonel. Munro had but just arrived from the +duke's quarters. + +“I suppose we shall fight tomorrow, Munro,” Major Graheme said. + +“It is not settled,” the colonel replied; “between ourselves the duke +and Horn are not of one mind. The duke wants to fight; he urges that +were we to allow Nordlingen to fall, as we have allowed Ratisbon and +Donauworth, without striking a blow to save it, it would be an evidence +of caution and even cowardice which would have the worst possible effect +through Germany. Nordlingen has ever been staunch to the cause, and the +Protestants would everywhere fall away from us did they find that we had +so little care for their safety as to stand by and see them fall into +the hands of the Imperialists without an effort. It is better, in +the duke's opinion, to fight and to be beaten than to tamely yield +Nordlingen to the Imperialists. In the one case honour would be +satisfied and the reformers throughout Germany would feel that we had +done our utmost to save their co-religionists, on the other hand there +would be shame and disgrace.” + +“There is much in what the duke says,” Nigel Graheme remarked. + +“There is much,” Munro rejoined; “but there is much also in the +arguments of Horn. He reasons that we are outnumbered, the enemy is +superior to us by at least a third, and to save the town we must attack +them in an immensely strong position, which it will cost us great +numbers to capture. + +“The chances against our winning a victory are fully five to one. +Granted the fall of Nordlingen will injure us in the eyes of the princes +and people of Germany; but with good management on our part the feeling +thus aroused will be but temporary, for we should soon wipe out the +reverse. Of the 35,000 men of which the Imperial army is composed, 8000 +at least are Spaniards who are on their way to Flanders, and who will +very shortly leave it. + +“On the other hand the Rhinegrave Otto Ludwig is with 7000 men within a +few marches of us; in a short time therefore we shall actually outnumber +the enemy, and shall be able to recover our prestige, just as we +recovered it at Leipzig after suffering Magdeburg to fall. We shall +recapture the towns which he has taken, and if the enemy should dare +to accept battle we shall beat him, and shall be in a position to march +upon Vienna.” + +“Horn's arguments are the strongest,” Nigel Graheme said gravely; “the +course he advises is the most prudent one.” + +“Undoubtedly,” Munro replied; “but I think that it will not be followed. +The duke is of a fiery spirit, and he would feel it, as most of us would +feel it, a disgrace to fall back without striking a blow for Nordlingen. +He has, too, been goaded nearly to madness during the last few days by +messengers and letters which have reached him from the reformed princes +and the free towns in all parts of Germany, reproaching him bitterly for +having suffered Ratisbon and Donauworth to fall into the hands of the +enemy without a blow, and he feels that his honour is concerned. I have +little doubt that we shall fight a great battle to save Nordlingen.” + + + +CHAPTER XXV NORDLINGEN + + +While Colonel Munro and his companions were discussing the matter a +council of war was being held, and Duke Bernhard's view was adopted by +all his generals, who felt with him that their honour was involved in +the question, and that it would be disgraceful to march away without +striking a blow to save the besieged city. Horn, therefore, being +outvoted, was forced to give way. Up to nightfall the Imperialists had +showed no signs of an intention to occupy the Weinberg, their forces +being massed on and around the Allersheim Hill. It was determined +therefore to seize the Weinberg at once, and the execution of this step +was committed to Horn. + +The choice was most unfortunate. The service was one upon the prompt +carrying out of which victory depended, and Horn, though a brave and +capable commander, was slow and cautious, and particularly unfitted for +executing a service which had to be performed in a dark night across a +country with which he was not familiar. Taking with him four thousand +chosen musketeers and pikemen and twelve guns he set out at nine +o'clock, but the rough road, the dikes, and ditches which intercepted +the country impeded him, and the fact that he was unacquainted with the +general position of the country made him doubly cautious, and it was not +until midnight that he reached the foot of the hill. + +Here, unfortunately, he came to the conclusion that since he had +encountered such difficulties in crossing the flat country he should +meet with even greater obstacles and delays in ascending the hill in the +dark; he therefore took the fatal resolution of remaining where he +was until daylight, and accordingly ordered the column to halt. Had he +continued his march he would have reached the summit of the Weinberg +unopposed, and the fate of the battle on the following day would have +been changed. But the Imperialist leaders, Gallas and Cardinal Infanta +Don Fernando, had not been unmindful of the commanding position of the +hill upon which Horn was marching, and had given orders that it should +be occupied before daylight by four hundred Spaniards. + +The commander of this force was as over prompt in the execution of his +orders as Horn was over cautious. He reached the top of the Weinberg +before midnight, and at once set his men to work to intrench themselves +strongly. As soon as daybreak enabled Horn to see the fatal consequences +which had arisen from his delay he ordered his men to advance. With +their usual gallantry the Swedes mounted the hill and rushed at the +intrenchment. It was defended with the greatest obstinacy and courage by +the Spaniards; but after desperate fighting the Swedes forced their way +into the work at two points, and were upon the point of capturing the +position when an ammunition wagon accidentally exploded in their midst, +killing great numbers and throwing the rest into a temporary disorder, +which enabled the Spaniards to drive them out and again occupy the +intrenchments. + +Before the Swedes had fully recovered themselves the Spanish cavalry, +which at the first sound of the conflict the cardinal had ordered to +the spot, charged them in flank and forced them to a precipitate retreat +down the hillside. Bitterly regretting his delay at midnight, Horn +brought up fresh troops, and after addressing encouraging words to those +who had been already repulsed, led the united body to the assault. + +But the Weinberg, which had been occupied in the early morning by only +four hundred men, was now defended by the whole of the Spanish infantry. +Vain now was the energy of Horn, and ineffectual the valour of his +troops. Time after time did the Swedes climb the hill and strive to +obtain a footing on its crest, each assault was repulsed with prodigious +slaughter. Duke Bernhard was now fully engaged with the Imperialists on +the Allersheim, and was gradually gaining ground. Seeing, however, +how fruitless were the efforts of Horn to capture the Weinberg, he +despatched as many of his infantry as he could spare to reinforce the +marshal. Among these was Munro's regiment. + +“Now, my brave lads,” Colonel Munro shouted, as he led his regiment +against the hill, “show them what Scottish hearts can do.” With a cheer +the regiment advanced. Pressing forward unflinchingly under a hail +of bullets they won their way up the hill, and then gathering, hurled +themselves with a shout upon the heavy masses of Spanish veterans. For a +moment the latter recoiled before the onset; then they closed in around +the Scotch, who had already lost a third of their number in ascending +the hill. + +Never did the famous regiment fight with greater courage and fury; but +they were outnumbered ten to one, and their opponents were soldiers of +European reputation. In vain the Scotchmen strove to break through the +serried line of pikes which surrounded them. Here and there a knot of +desperate men would win a way through; but ere others could follow them +the Spanish line closed in again and cut them off from their comrades, +and they died fighting to the last. + +Fighting desperately in the front rank Munro and his officers encouraged +their men with shouts and example; but it was all in vain, and he at +last shouted to the remains of his followers to form in a solid body and +cut their way back through the enemy who surrounded them. Hemmed in as +they were by enemies the Scottish spearmen obeyed, and, headed by their +colonel, flung themselves with a sudden rush upon the enemy. Before the +weight and fury of the charge the veterans of Spain gave way, and the +Scots found themselves on the crest of the hill which they had lately +ascended. No sooner were they free from the Spanish ranks than the +musketeers of the latter opened fire upon them, and numbers fell in the +retreat. When they reached the foot of the fatal hill, and bleeding and +breathless gathered round their commander, Munro burst into tears on +finding that of the noble regiment he had led up the hill scarce enough +remained to form a single company. Seven times now had Horn striven +to carry the hill, seven times had he been repulsed with terrible +slaughter, and he now began to fall back to join the force of Duke +Bernhard. The latter, recognizing that the battle was lost, and that +Horn, if not speedily succoured, was doomed, for the Imperialists, +flushed with victory, were striving to cut him off, made a desperate +attack upon the enemy hoping to draw their whole forces upon himself, +and so enable Horn to retire. For the moment he succeeded, but he was +too weak in numbers to bear the assault he had thus provoked. John of +Werth, who commanded the Imperial cavalry, charged down upon the Swedish +horsemen and overthrew them so completely that these, forced back upon +their infantry, threw them also into complete disorder. + +The instant Horn had given the orders to retreat, Colonel Munro, seeing +the danger of the force being surrounded, formed up the little remnant +of his regiment and set off at the double to rejoin the force of the +duke. It was well that he did so, for just when he had passed over the +intervening ground the Imperialist cavalry, fresh from the defeat of the +Swedes, swept across the ground, completely cutting off Horn's division +from that of the duke. A few minutes later Marshal Horn, surrounded +on all sides by the enemy, and feeling the impossibility of further +resistance with his weakened and diminished force, was forced to +surrender with all his command. + +Duke Bernhard narrowly escaped the same fate; but in the end he managed +to rally some nine thousand men and retreated towards the Maine. The +defeat was a terrible one; ten thousand men were killed and wounded, and +four thousand under Horn taken prisoners; all the guns, equipage, and +baggage fell into the hands of the enemy. + +Nordlingen was the most decisive battle of the war; its effect was to +change a war which had hitherto been really only a civil war--a war of +religion--into one with a foreign enemy. Hitherto France had contented +herself with subsidizing Sweden, who had played the principal part. +Henceforward Sweden was to occupy but a secondary position. Cardinal +Richelieu saw the danger of allowing Austria to aggrandize itself at the +expense of all Germany, and now took the field in earnest. + +Upon the other hand Nordlingen dissolved the confederacy of the +Protestant German princes against Ferdinand the Second. The Elector of +Saxony, who had ever been vacillating and irresolute in his policy, +was the first to set the example by making peace with the emperor. The +Elector of Brandenburg, Duke William of Weimar, the Prince of Anhalt, +the Duke of Brunswick-Luneburg, the Duke of Mecklenburg, Pomerania, and +the cities of Augsburg, Wurzburg, and Coburg, and many others hastened +to follow the example of all the leading members of the Protestant +Union. + +Dukes Bernhard of Weimar and William of Cassel were almost alone in +supporting the cause to maintain which Gustavus Adolphus had invaded +Germany. The Swedish army, whose exploits had made the court of Vienna +tremble, seemed annihilated, and well might the emperor deem that his +final triumph over Protestantism was complete when he heard of the +battle of Nordlingen, for as yet he dreamed not that its result would +bring France into the field against him. + +Malcolm Graheme was one of the few officers of Munro's regiment who +burst his way through the Spanish lines on the top of the Weinberg. He +was bleeding from several wounds, but none of them were serious. Nigel +was beside him as they began to descend the hill; but scarcely had he +gone a step when he fell headlong, struck by a ball from an arquebus. +Malcolm and one of the sergeants raised him, and between them carried +him to the foot of the hill; then, when the remains of the regiments +started to rejoin Duke Bernhard, they were forced to leave him. Although +Malcolm kept up with his regiment in the retreat he was so utterly +exhausted by loss of blood that he could no longer accompany them. By +the death of so many of his seniors he was now one of the majors of the +regiment, if that could be called a regiment which was scarce a company +in strength. A few days after the battle Colonel Munro received orders +to march with his shattered remnant, scarce one of whom but was from +wounds unfit for present service, by easy stages to North Germany, there +to await the arrival of reinforcements from Scotland, which might raise +the regiment to a strength which would enable it again to take the +field. + +Malcolm remained behind until his strength slowly returned. The colonel, +before leaving, had bade him take his time before rejoining, as months +would probably elapse before the regiment would again be fit for +service. As soon as he was able to travel he journeyed to Nuremberg. +On arriving at the abode of Jans Boerhoff he learned that Thekla was +no longer an inmate of the family. The Count of Mansfeld had died in +prison, and the countess had arrived at Nuremberg and had taken up her +abode there. Malcolm made his way to the house she occupied. The meeting +was an affecting one. Malcolm was greatly grieved over the death of +his staunch friend, and joined in the sorrow of the countess and her +daughter. A few days after his arrival the countess said to him: + +“I am of course aware, Malcolm, of the conversation which the count had +with you concerning Thekla, and my wishes fully agreed with his on the +subject. In other times one would not speak of marriage when +Thekla's father had been but two months dead; but it is no time for +conventionalities now. All Southern Germany is falling away from the +Protestant cause, and ere long we may see the Imperialists at the gate +of Nuremberg, and it may be that in a few months the whole of Germany +will be in their power. Therefore, I would that there should be no +delay. Thekla is nearly seventeen; you are twenty-one--over young both +to enter upon the path of matrimony; but the events of the last few +months have made a woman of her, while you have long since proved +yourself both in thoughtfulness and in valour to be a man. Thekla is +no longer a great heiress. Since Nordlingen we may consider that her +father's estates have gone for ever, mine may follow in a few months. +Therefore I must ask you, are you ready to take her without dowry?” + +“I am,” Malcolm said earnestly, “and that right gladly, for I love her +with all my heart.” + +“It needs no questioning on my part,” the countess said, “to know that +she loves you as truly, and that her happiness depends wholly on you. I +saw her anguish when the news came of the terrible defeat at Nordlingen +and of the annihilation of some of the Scottish regiments. My heart was +wrung by her silent despair, her white and rigid face, until the news +came that you were among the few who had survived the battle, and, in +the outburst of joy and thankfulness at the news, she owned to me that +she loved you, her only fear being that you cared for her only as a +sister, since no word of love had ever passed your lips. I reassured her +on that score by telling her of your conversation with her father, and +that a feeling of duty alone had kept you silent while she remained +under your protection. + +“However, Malcolm, she will not come to you penniless, for, seeing that +it was possible that the war would terminate adversely, and determined +to quit the country should he be forbidden to worship according to +his own religion here, the count has from time to time despatched +considerable sums to the care of a banker at Hamburg, and there are now +10,000 gold crowns in his hands. + +“There are, moreover, my estates at Silesia, but these I have for +sometime foreseen would follow those of my husband and fall into the +hands of the emperor. Before the death of the count I talked over the +whole matter with him, and he urged me in any case, even should you fall +before becoming the husband of Thekla, to leave this unhappy country and +to take refuge abroad. + +“Before his death I had an interview with my nearest kinsman, who +has taken sides with the Imperialists, and to him I offered to resign +Thekla's rights as heiress to the estate for the sum of 10,000 crowns. +As this was but three years revenue of the estates, and it secured their +possession to him whether the Imperialists or Swedes were victorious in +the struggle, he consented, after having obtained the emperor's consent +to the step, and I have this morning received a letter from him saying +that the money has been lodged in the hands of the banker at Hamburg, +and Thekla and I have this morning signed a deed renouncing in his +favour all claim to the estate. Thus Thekla has a dowry of 20,000 gold +crowns--a sum not unworthy of a dowry even for the daughter of a Count +of Mansfeld; but with it you must take me also, for I would fain leave +the country and end my days with her.” + +“Do you keep the dowry so long as you live, countess,” Malcolm said +earnestly. “It is more than the richest noble in Scotland could give +with his daughter. My own estate, though small, is sufficient to keep +Thekla and myself in ease, and my pleasure in having you with us will +be equal to hers. You would wish, of course, that I should quit the army +and return home, and, indeed, I am ready to do so. I have had more +than enough of wars and fighting. I have been preserved well nigh by +a miracle, when my comrades have fallen around me like grass. I cannot +hope that such fortune would always attend me. The cause for which I +have fought seems lost, and since the Protestant princes of Germany are +hastening to desert it, neither honour nor common sense demand that I, +a soldier of fortune and a foreigner, should struggle any longer for it; +therefore I am ready at once to resign my commission and to return to +Scotland.” + +“So be it,” the countess said; “but regarding Thekla's dowry I shall +insist on having my way. I should wish to see her in a position similar +to that in which she was born, and with this sum you can largely +increase your estates and take rank among the nobles of your country. +Now I will call Thekla in and leave you to ask her to agree to the +arrangements we have made. + +“My child,” she went on, as Thekla in obedience to her summons entered +the apartment, “Malcolm Graheme has asked your hand of me. He tells +me that he loves you truly, and is willing to take you as a penniless +bride, and to carry you and me away with him far from these terrible +wars to his native Scotland--what say you, my love?” + +Thekla affected neither shyness or confusion, her colour hardly +heightened as in her sombre mourning she advanced to Malcolm, and laying +her hand in his, said: + +“He cannot doubt my answer, mother; he must know that I love him with my +whole heart.” + +“Then, my daughter,” the countess said, “I will leave you to yourselves; +there is much to arrange, for time presses, and your betrothal must be +quickly followed by marriage.” + +It was but a few days later that Malcolm led Thekla to the altar in St. +Sebald's Church, Nuremberg. The marriage was a quiet one, seeing that +the bride had been so lately orphaned, and only Jans Boerhoff and +his family, and two or three Scottish comrades of Malcolm's, who were +recovering from their wounds at Nuremberg, were present at the quiet +ceremony. The following day the little party started for the north. +Malcolm had already received a letter from Oxenstiern accepting +his resignation, thanking him heartily for the good services he had +rendered, and congratulating him on his approaching wedding. + +Without adventure they reached Hamburg, and there, arranging with the +banker for the transmission of the sum in his hands to Edinburgh, they +took ship and crossed to Scotland. + +Three months later Malcolm was delighted by the appearance of his uncle +Nigel. The latter was indeed in dilapidated condition, having lost an +arm, and suffering from other wounds. He had been retained a prisoner +by the Imperialists only until he was cured, when they had freed him in +exchange for an Imperial officer who had been captured by the Swedes. + +Thekla's dowry enabled her husband largely to increase his estates. A +new and handsome mansion was erected at a short distance from the old +castle, and here Malcolm Graheme lived quietly for very many years with +his beautiful wife, and saw a numerous progeny rise around them. + +To the gratification of both, five years after her coming to Scotland, +the Countess of Mansfeld married Nigel Graheme and the pair took up +their abode in the old castle, which was thoroughly repaired and set in +order by Malcolm for their use, while he and Thekla insisted that the +fortune he had received as a dowry with his wife should be shared by the +countess and Nigel. + + + +THE END + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lion of the North, by G.A. 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A. Henty + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lion of the North, by G.A. Henty + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Lion of the North + +Author: G.A. Henty + +Release Date: April 14, 2009 [EBook #5075] +Last Updated: March 11, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LION OF THE NORTH *** + + + + +Produced by Martin Robb, and David Widger + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE LION OF THE NORTH + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + A Tale of the Times of Gustavus Adolphus, + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + By G. A. Henty + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <a href="#link2H_PREF"> PREFACE. </a><br /><br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a> THE INVITATION <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a> SHIPWRECKED <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. </a> SIR JOHN HEPBURN + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a> NEW + BRANDENBURG <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a> MARAUDERS + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. </a> THE + ATTACK ON THE VILLAGE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. + </a> A QUIET TIME <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER + VIII. </a> THE SIEGE OF MANSFELD <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. </a> THE BATTLE OF + BREITENFELD <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. </a> THE + PASSAGE OF THE RHINE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. + </a> THE CAPTURE OF OPPENHEIM <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. </a> THE PASSAGE OF THE + LECH <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. </a> CAPTURED + BY THE PEASANTS <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. </a> IN + THE CHURCHTOWER <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. </a> A + TIMELY RESCUE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI. </a> THE + SIEGE OF NUREMBERG <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII. + </a> THE DEATH OF GUSTAVUS <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0018"> + CHAPTER XVIII. </a> WOUNDED <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0019"> + CHAPTER XIX. </a> A PAUSE IN HOSTILITIES <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX. </a> FRIENDS IN TROUBLE + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI. </a> FLIGHT + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII. </a> THE + CONSPIRACY <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER XXIII. </a> THE + MURDER OF WALLENSTEIN <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER XXIV. + </a> MALCOLM'S ESCAPE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0025"> + CHAPTER XXV. </a> NORDLINGEN <br /><br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + PREFACE. + </h2> + <p> + MY DEAR LADS, + </p> + <p> + You are nowadays called upon to acquire so great a mass of learning and + information in the period of life between the ages of twelve and eighteen + that it is not surprising that but little time can be spared for the study + of the history of foreign nations. Most lads are, therefore, lamentably + ignorant of the leading events of even the most important epochs of + Continental history, although, as many of these events have exercised a + marked influence upon the existing state of affairs in Europe, a knowledge + of them is far more useful, and, it may be said, far more interesting than + that of the comparatively petty affairs of Athens, Sparta, Corinth, and + Thebes. + </p> + <p> + Prominent among such epochs is the Thirty Years' War, which arose from the + determination of the Emperor of Austria to crush out Protestantism + throughout Germany. Since the invasion of the Huns no struggle which has + taken place in Europe has approached this in the obstinacy of the fighting + and the terrible sufferings which the war inflicted upon the people at + large. During these thirty years the population of Germany decreased by + nearly a third, and in some of the states half the towns and two-thirds of + the villages absolutely disappeared. + </p> + <p> + The story of the Thirty Years' War is too long to be treated in one + volume. Fortunately it divides itself naturally into two parts. The first + begins with the entry of Sweden, under her chivalrous monarch Gustavus + Adolphus, upon the struggle, and terminates with his death and that of his + great rival Wallenstein. This portion of the war has been treated in the + present story. The second period begins at the point when France assumed + the leading part in the struggle, and concluded with the peace which + secured liberty of conscience to the Protestants of Germany. This period I + hope to treat some day in another story, so that you may have a complete + picture of the war. The military events of the present tale, the battles, + sieges, and operations, are all taken from the best authorities, while for + the account of the special doings of Mackay's, afterwards Munro's Scottish + Regiment, I am indebted to Mr. J. Grant's Life of Sir John Hepburn. + </p> + <p> + Yours sincerely, + </p> + <p> + G. A. HENTY <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + CHAPTER I THE INVITATION + </h2> + <p> + It was late in the afternoon in the spring of the year 1630; the hilltops + of the south of Scotland were covered with masses of cloud, and a fierce + wind swept the driving rain before it with such force that it was not easy + to make way against it. It had been raining for three days without + intermission. Every little mountain burn had become a boiling torrent, + while the rivers had risen above their banks and flooded the low lands in + the valleys. + </p> + <p> + The shades of evening were closing in, when a lad of some sixteen years of + age stood gazing across the swollen waters of the Nith rushing past in + turbid flood. He scarce seemed conscious of the pouring rain; but with his + lowland bonnet pressed down over his eyes, and his plaid wrapped tightly + round him, he stood on a rising hummock of ground at the edge of the + flood, and looked across the stream. + </p> + <p> + “If they are not here soon,” he said to himself, “they will not get across + the Nith tonight. None but bold riders could do so now; but by what uncle + says, Captain Hume must be that and more. Ah! here they come.” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke two horsemen rode down the opposite side of the valley and + halted at the water's edge. The prospect was not a pleasant one. The river + was sixty or seventy feet wide, and in the centre the water swept along in + a raging current. + </p> + <p> + “You cannot cross here,” the boy shouted at the top of his voice. “You + must go higher up where the water's deeper.” + </p> + <p> + The wind swept his words away, but his gestures were understood. + </p> + <p> + “The boy is telling us to go higher up,” said one of the horsemen. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose he is,” the other replied; “but here is the ford. You see the + road we have travelled ends here, and I can see it again on the other + side. It is getting dark, and were we to cross higher up we might lose our + way and get bogged; it is years since I was here. What's the boy going to + do now? Show us a place for crossing?” + </p> + <p> + The lad, on seeing the hesitation of the horsemen, had run along the bank + up the stream, and to their surprise, when he had gone a little more than + a hundred yards he dashed into the water. For a time the water was + shallow, and he waded out until he reached the edge of the regular bank of + the river, and then swam out into the current. + </p> + <p> + “Go back,” the horseman shouted; but his voice did not reach the swimmer, + who, in a few strokes, was in the full force of the stream, and was soon + lost to the sight of the horsemen among the short foaming waves of the + torrent. + </p> + <p> + “The boy will be drowned,” one of the horsemen said, spurring his horse up + the valley; but in another minute the lad was seen breasting the calmer + water just above the ford. + </p> + <p> + “You cannot cross here, Captain Hume,” he said, as he approached the + horsemen. “You must go nigh a mile up the river.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, who are you, lad?” the horseman asked, “and how do you know my + name?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm the nephew of Nigel Graheme. Seeing how deep the floods were I came + out to show you the way, for the best horse in the world could not swim + the Nith here now.” + </p> + <p> + “But this is the ford,” Captain Hume said. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, this is the ford in dry weather. The bottom here is hard rock and + easy to ride over when the river is but waist deep, but below and above + this place it is covered with great boulders. The water is six feet deep + here now, and the horses would be carried down among the rocks, and would + never get across. A mile up the river is always deep, and though the + current is strong there is nothing to prevent a bold horseman from + swimming across.” + </p> + <p> + “I thank you heartily, young sir,” Captain Hume said. “I can see how + broken is the surface of the water, and doubt not that it would have fared + hard with us had we attempted to swim across here. In faith, Munro, we + have had a narrow escape.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, indeed,” the other agreed. “It would have been hard if you and I, + after going through all the battlefields of the Low Countries, should have + been drowned here together in a Scottish burn. Your young friend is a + gallant lad and a good swimmer, for in truth it was no light task to swim + that torrent with the water almost as cold as ice.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, sirs, will you please to ride on,” the boy said; “it is getting dark + fast, and the sooner we are across the better.” + </p> + <p> + So saying he went off at a fast run, the horses trotting behind him. A + mile above he reached the spot he had spoken of. The river was narrower + here, and the stream was running with great rapidity, swirling and heaving + as it went, but with a smooth even surface. + </p> + <p> + “Two hundred yards farther up,” the boy said, “is the beginning of the + deep; if you take the water there you will get across so as to climb up by + that sloping bank just opposite.” + </p> + <p> + He led the way to the spot he indicated, and then plunged into the stream, + swimming quietly and steadily across, and allowing the stream to drift him + down. + </p> + <p> + The horsemen followed his example. They had swum many a swollen river, and + although their horses snorted and plunged at first, they soon quieted down + and swam steadily over. They just struck the spot which the boy had + indicated. He had already arrived there, and, without a word, trotted + forward. + </p> + <p> + It was soon dark, and the horsemen were obliged to keep close to his heels + to see his figure. It was as much as they could do to keep up with him, + for the ground was rough and broken, sometimes swampy, sometimes strewn + with boulders. + </p> + <p> + “It is well we have a guide,” Colonel Munro said to his companion; “for + assuredly, even had we got safely across the stream, we should never have + found our way across such a country as this. Scotland is a fine country, + Hume, a grand country, and we are all proud of it, you know, but for + campaigning, give me the plains of Germany; while, as for your weather + here, it is only fit for a water rat.” + </p> + <p> + Hume laughed at this outburst. + </p> + <p> + “I sha'n't be sorry, Munro, for a change of dry clothes and a corner by a + fire; but we must be nearly there now if I remember right. Graheme's hold + is about three miles from the Nith.” + </p> + <p> + The boy presently gave a loud shout, and a minute later lights were seen + ahead, and in two or three minutes the horsemen drew up at a door beside + which two men were standing with torches; another strolled out as they + stopped. + </p> + <p> + “Welcome, Hume! I am glad indeed to see you; and—ah! is it you, + Munro? it is long indeed since we met.” + </p> + <p> + “That is it, Graheme; it is twelve years since we were students together + at St. Andrews.” + </p> + <p> + “I did not think you would have come on such a night,” Graheme said. + </p> + <p> + “I doubt that we should have come tonight, or any other night, Nigel, if + it had not been that that brave boy who calls you uncle swam across the + Nith to show us the best way to cross. It was a gallant deed, and I + consider we owe him our lives.” + </p> + <p> + “It would have gone hard with you, indeed, had you tried to swim the Nith + at the ford; had I not made so sure you would not come I would have sent a + man down there. I missed Malcolm after dinner, and wondered what had + become of him. But come in and get your wet things off. It is a cold + welcome keeping you here. My men will take your horses round to the stable + and see that they are well rubbed down and warmly littered.” + </p> + <p> + In a quarter of an hour the party were assembled again in the sitting + room. It was a bare room with heavily timbered ceiling and narrow windows + high up from the ground; for the house was built for purposes of defence, + like most Scottish residences in those days. The floor was thickly strewn + with rushes. Arms and trophies of the chase hung on the walls, and a + bright fire blazing on the hearth gave it a warm and cheerful aspect. As + his guests entered the room Graheme presented them with a large silver cup + of steaming liquor. + </p> + <p> + “Drain this,” he said, “to begin with. I will warrant me a draught of + spiced wine will drive the cold of the Nith out of your bones.” + </p> + <p> + The travellers drank off the liquor. + </p> + <p> + “'Tis a famous drink,” Hume said, “and there is nowhere I enjoy it so much + as in Scotland, for the cold here seems to have a knack of getting into + one's very marrow, though I will say there have been times in the Low + Countries when we have appreciated such a draught. Well, and how goes it + with you, Graheme?” + </p> + <p> + “Things might be better; in fact, times in Scotland have been getting + worse and worse ever since King James went to England, and all the court + with him. If it were not for an occasional raid among the wild folks of + Galloway, and a few quarrels among ourselves, life would be too dull to + bear here.” + </p> + <p> + “But why bear it?” Captain Hume asked. “You used to have plenty of spirit + in our old college days, Graheme, and I wonder at your rusting your life + out here when there is a fair field and plenty of honour, to say nothing + of hard cash, to be won in the Low Country. Why, beside Hepburn's + regiment, which has made itself a name throughout all Europe, there are + half a score of Scottish regiments in the service of the King of Sweden, + and his gracious majesty Gustavus Adolphus does not keep them idle, I + warrant you.” + </p> + <p> + “I have thought of going a dozen times,” Graheme said, “but you see + circumstances have kept me back; but I have all along intended to cross + the seas when Malcolm came of an age to take the charge of his father's + lands. When my brother James was dying from that sword thrust he got in a + fray with the Duffs, I promised him I would be a father to the boy, and + see that he got his rights.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we will talk of the affair after supper, Graheme, for now that I + have got rid of the cold I begin to perceive that I am well nigh + famished.” + </p> + <p> + As the officer was speaking, the servitors were laying the table, and + supper was soon brought in. After ample justice had been done to this, and + the board was again cleared, the three men drew their seats round the + fire, Malcolm seating himself on a low stool by his uncle. + </p> + <p> + “And now to business, Nigel,” Colonel Munro said. “We have not come back + to Scotland to see the country, or to enjoy your weather, or even for the + pleasure of swimming your rivers in flood. + </p> + <p> + “We are commissioned by the King of Sweden to raise some 3000 or 4000 more + Scottish troops. I believe that the king intends to take part in the war + in Germany, where the Protestants are getting terribly mauled, and where, + indeed, it is likely that the Reformed Religion will be stamped out + altogether unless the Swedes strike in to their rescue. My chief object is + to fill up to its full strength of two thousand men the Mackay Regiment, + of which I am lieutenant colonel. The rest of the recruits whom we may get + will go as drafts to fill up the vacancies in the other regiments. So you + see here we are, and it is our intention to beat up all our friends and + relations, and ask them each to raise a company or half a company of + recruits, of which, of course, they would have the command. + </p> + <p> + “We landed at Berwick, and wrote to several of our friends that we were + coming. Scott of Jedburgh has engaged to raise a company. Balfour of + Lauderdale, who is a cousin of mine, has promised to bring another; they + were both at St. Andrew's with us, as you may remember, Graheme. Young + Hamilton, who had been an ensign in my regiment, left us on the way. He + will raise a company in Douglasdale. Now, Graheme, don't you think you can + bring us a band of the men of Nithsdale?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know,” Graheme said hesitatingly. “I should like it of all + things, for I am sick of doing nothing here, and my blood often runs hot + when I read of the persecutions of the Protestants in Germany; but I don't + think I can manage it.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, nonsense, Nigel!” said Hume; “you can manage it easily enough if you + have the will. Are you thinking of the lad there? Why not bring him with + you? He is young, certainly, but he could carry a colour; and as for his + spirit and bravery, Munro and I will vouch for it.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, do, uncle,” the lad exclaimed, leaping to his feet in his excitement. + “I promise you I would not give you any trouble; and as for marching, + there isn't a man in Nithsdale who can tire me out across the mountains.” + </p> + <p> + “But what's to become of the house, Malcolm, and the land and the herds?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, they will be all right,” the boy said. “Leave old Duncan in charge, + and he will look after them.” + </p> + <p> + “But I had intended you to go to St. Andrews next year, Malcolm, and I + think the best plan will be for you to go there at once. As you say, + Duncan can look after the place.” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm's face fell. + </p> + <p> + “Take the lad with you, Graheme,” Colonel Munro said. “Three years under + Gustavus will do him vastly more good than will St. Andrews. You know it + never did us any good to speak of. We learned a little more Latin than we + knew when we went there, but I don't know that that has been of any use to + us; whereas for the dry tomes of divinity we waded through, I am happy to + say that not a single word of the musty stuff remains in my brains. The + boy will see life and service, he will have opportunities of + distinguishing himself under the eye of the most chivalrous king in + Europe, he will have entered a noble profession, and have a fair chance of + bettering his fortune, all of which is a thousand times better than + settling down here in this corner of Scotland.” + </p> + <p> + “I must think it over,” Graheme said; “it is a serious step to take. I had + thought of his going to the court at London after he left the university, + and of using our family interest to push his way there.” + </p> + <p> + “What is he to do in London?” Munro said. “The old pedant James, who + wouldn't spend a shilling or raise a dozen men to aid the cause of his own + daughter, and who thought more of musty dogmatic treatises than of the + glory and credit of the country he ruled over, or the sufferings of his + co-religionists in Germany, has left no career open to a lad of spirit.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I will think it over by the morning,” Graheme said. “And now tell + me a little more about the merits of this quarrel in Germany. If I am + going to fight, I should like at least to know exactly what I am fighting + about.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear fellow,” Hume laughed, “you will never make a soldier if you + always want to know the ins and outs of every quarrel you have to fight + about; but for once the tenderest conscience may be satisfied as to the + justice of the contention. But Munro is much better versed in the history + of the affair than I am; for, to tell you the truth, beyond the fact that + it is a general row between the Protestants and Catholics, I have not + troubled myself much in the matter.” + </p> + <p> + “You must know,” Colonel Munro began, “that some twenty years ago the + Protestant princes of Germany formed a league for mutual protection and + support, which they called the Protestant Union; and a year later the + Catholics, on their side, constituted what they called the Holy League. At + that time the condition of the Protestants was not unbearable. In Bohemia, + where they constituted two-thirds of the population, Rudolph II, and after + him Mathias, gave conditions of religious freedom. + </p> + <p> + “Gradually, however, the Catholic party about the emperor gained the upper + hand; then various acts in breach of the conditions granted to the + Protestants were committed, and public spirit on both sides became much + embittered. On the 23d of May, 1618, the Estates of Bohemia met at Prague, + and the Protestant nobles, headed by Count Thurn, came there armed, and + demanded from the Imperial councillors an account of the high handed + proceedings. A violent quarrel ensued, and finally the Protestant deputies + seized the councillors Martinitz and Slavata, and their secretary, and + hurled them from the window into the dry ditch, fifty feet below. + Fortunately for the councillors the ditch contained a quantity of light + rubbish, and they and their secretary escaped without serious damage. The + incident, however, was the commencement of war. Bohemia was almost + independent of Austria, administering its own internal affairs. The + Estates invested Count Thurn with the command of the army. The Protestant + Union supported Bohemia in its action. Mathias, who was himself a tolerant + and well meaning man, tried to allay the storm; but, failing to do so, + marched an army into Bohemia. + </p> + <p> + “Had Mathias lived matters would probably have arranged themselves, but he + died the following spring, and was succeeded by Ferdinand II. Ferdinand is + one of the most bigoted Catholics living, and is at the same time a bold + and resolute man; and he had taken a solemn vow at the shrine of Loretto + that, if ever he came to the throne, he would re-establish Catholicism + throughout his dominions. Both parties prepared for the strife; the + Bohemians renounced their allegiance to him and nominated the Elector + Palatine Frederick V, the husband of our Scotch princess, their king. + </p> + <p> + “The first blow was struck at Zablati. There a Union army, led by + Mansfeldt, was defeated by the Imperial general Bucquoi. A few days later, + however, Count Thurn, marching through Moravia and Upper Austria, laid + siege to Vienna. Ferdinand's own subjects were estranged from him, and the + cry of the Protestant army, 'Equal rights for all Christian churches,' was + approved by the whole population—for even in Austria itself there + were a very large number of Protestants. Ferdinand had but a few soldiers, + the population of the city were hostile, and had Thurn only entered the + town he could have seized the emperor without any resistance. + </p> + <p> + “Thurn hesitated, and endeavoured instead to obtain the conditions of + toleration which the Protestants required; and sixteen Austrian barons in + the city were in the act of insisting upon Ferdinand signing these when + the head of the relieving army entered the city. Thurn retired hastily. + The Catholic princes and representatives met at Frankfort and elected + Ferdinand Emperor of Germany. He at once entered into a strict agreement + with Maximilian of Bavaria to crush Protestantism throughout Germany. The + Bohemians, however, in concert with Bethlem Gabor, king of Hungary, again + besieged Vienna; but as the winter set in they were obliged to retire. + From that moment the Protestant cause was lost; Saxony and Hesse-Darmstadt + left the Union and joined Ferdinand. Denmark, which had promised its + assistance to the Protestants, was persuaded to remain quiet. Sweden was + engaged in a war with the Poles. + </p> + <p> + “The Protestant army was assembled at Ulm; the army of the League, under + the order of Maximilian of Bavaria, was at Donauworth. Maximilian worked + upon the fears of the Protestant princes, who, frightened at the contest + they had undertaken, agreed to a peace, by which they bound themselves to + offer no aid to Frederick V. + </p> + <p> + “The Imperial forces then marched to Bohemia and attacked Frederick's army + outside Prague, and in less than an hour completely defeated it. Frederick + escaped with his family to Holland. Ferdinand then took steps to carry out + his oath. The religious freedom granted by Mathias was abolished. In + Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia, and Austria proper. Many of the promoters of + the rebellion were punished in life and property. The year following all + members of the Calvinistic sect were forced to leave their country, a few + months afterwards the Lutherans were also expelled, and in 1627 the + exercise of all religious forms except those of the Catholic Church was + forbidden; 200 of the noble, and 30,000 of the wealthier and industrial + classes, were driven into exile; and lands and property to the amount of + 5,000,000 or 6,000,000 pounds were confiscated. + </p> + <p> + “The hereditary dominions of Frederick V were invaded, the Protestants + were defeated, the Palatinate entirely subdued, and the electorate was + conferred upon Maximilian of Bavaria; and the rigid laws against the + Protestants were carried into effect in the Palatinate also. It had now + become evident to all Europe that the Emperor of Austria was determined to + stamp out Protestantism throughout Germany; and the Protestant princes, + now thoroughly alarmed, besought aid from the Protestant countries, + England, Holland, and Denmark. King James, who had seen unmoved the + misfortunes which had befallen his daughter and her husband, and who had + been dead to the general feeling of the country, could no longer resist, + and England agreed to supply an annual subsidy; Holland consented to + supply troops; and the King of Denmark joined the League, and was to take + command of the army. + </p> + <p> + “In Germany the Protestants of lower Saxony and Brunswick, and the + partisan leader Mansfeldt, were still in arms. The army under the king of + Denmark advanced into Brunswick, and was there confronted by that of the + league under Tilly, while an Austrian army, raised by Wallenstein, also + marched against it. Mansfeldt endeavoured to prevent Wallenstein from + joining Tilly, but was met and defeated by the former general. Mansfeldt + was, however, an enterprising leader, and falling back into Brandenburg, + recruited his army, joined the force under the Duke of Saxe-Weimar, and + started by forced marches to Silesia and Moravia, to join Bethlem Gabor in + Hungary. Wallenstein was therefore obliged to abandon his campaign against + the Danes and to follow him. Mansfeldt joined the Hungarian army, but so + rapid were his marches that his force had dwindled away to a mere + skeleton, and the assistance which it would be to the Hungarians was so + small that Bethlem Gabor refused to cooperate with it against Austria. + </p> + <p> + “Mansfeldt disbanded his remaining soldiers, and two months afterwards + died. Wallenstein then marched north. In the meantime Tilly had attacked + King Christian at Lutter, and completely defeated him. I will tell you + about that battle some other time. When Wallenstein came north it was + decided that Tilly should carry the war into Holland, and that Wallenstein + should deal with the King of Denmark and the Protestant princes. In the + course of two years he drove the Danes from Silesia, subdued Brandenburg + and Mecklenburg, and, advancing into Pomerania, besieged Stralsund. + </p> + <p> + “What a siege that was to be sure! Wallenstein had sworn to capture the + place, but he didn't reckon upon the Scots. After the siege had begun + Lieutenant General Sir Alexander Leslie, with 5000 Scots and Swedes, + fought his way into the town; and though Wallenstein raised fire upon it, + though we were half starved and ravaged by plague, we held out for three + months, repulsing every assault, till at last the Imperialists were + obliged to draw off; having lost 12,200 men. + </p> + <p> + “This, however, was the solitary success on our side, and a few months + since, Christian signed a peace, binding himself to interfere no more in + the affairs of Germany. When Ferdinand considered himself free to carry + out his plans, he issued an edict by which the Protestants throughout + Germany were required to restore to the Catholics all the monasteries and + land which had formerly belonged to the Catholic Church. The Catholic + service was alone to be performed, and the Catholic princes of the empire + were ordered to constrain their subjects, by force if necessary, to + conform to the Catholic faith; and it was intimated to the Protestant + princes that they would be equally forced to carry the edict into effect. + But this was too much. Even France disapproved, not from any feeling of + pity on the part of Richelieu for the Protestants, but because it did not + suit the interests of France that Ferdinand should become the absolute + monarch of all Germany. + </p> + <p> + “In these circumstances Gustavus of Sweden at once resolved to assist the + Protestants in arms, and ere long will take the field. That is what has + brought us here. Already in the Swedish army there are 10,000 Scotchmen, + and in Denmark they also form the backbone of the force; and both in the + Swedish and Danish armies the greater part of the native troops are + officered and commanded by Scotchmen. + </p> + <p> + “Hitherto I myself have been in the Danish service, but my regiment is + about to take service with the Swedes. It has been quietly intimated to us + that there will be no objection to our doing so, although Christian + intends to remain neutral, at any rate for a time. We suffered very + heavily at Lutter, and I need 500 men to fill up my ranks to the full + strength. + </p> + <p> + “Now, Graheme, I quite rely upon you. You were at college with Hepburn, + Hume, and myself, and it will be a pleasure for us all to fight side by + side; and if I know anything of your disposition I am sure you cannot be + contented to be remaining here at the age of nine-and-twenty, rusting out + your life as a Scotch laird, while Hepburn has already won a name which is + known through Europe.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II SHIPWRECKED + </h2> + <p> + Upon the following morning Nigel Graheme told his visitors that he had + determined to accept their offer, and would at once set to work to raise a + company. + </p> + <p> + “I have,” he said, “as you know, a small patrimony of my own, and as for + the last eight years I have been living here looking after Malcolm I have + been laying by any rents, and can now furnish the arms and accoutrements + for a hundred men without difficulty. When Malcolm comes of age he must + act for himself, and can raise two or three hundred men if he chooses; but + at present he will march in my company. I understand that I have the + appointment of my own officers.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, until you join the regiment,” Munro said. “You have the first + appointments. Afterwards the colonel will fill up vacancies. You must + decide how you will arm your men, for you must know that Gustavus' + regiments have their right and left wings composed of musketeers, while + the centre is formed of pikemen, so you must decide to which branch your + company shall belong.” + </p> + <p> + “I would choose the pike,” Nigel said, “for after all it must be by the + pike that the battle is decided.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite right, Nigel. I have here with me a drawing of the armour in use + with us. You see they have helmets of an acorn shape, with a rim turning + up in front; gauntlets, buff coats well padded in front, and large breast + plates. The pikes vary from fourteen to eighteen feet long according to + the taste of the commander. We generally use about sixteen. If your + company is a hundred strong you will have two lieutenants and three + ensigns. Be careful in choosing your officers. I will fill in the king's + commission to you as captain of the company, authorizing you to enlist men + for his service and to appoint officers thereto.” + </p> + <p> + An hour or two later Colonel Munro and Captain Hume proceeded on their + way. The news speedily spread through Nithsdale that Nigel Graheme had + received a commission from the King of Sweden to raise a company in his + service, and very speedily men began to pour in. The disbandment of the + Scottish army had left but few careers open at home to the youth of that + country, and very large numbers had consequently flocked to the Continent + and taken service in one or other of the armies there, any opening of the + sort, therefore, had only to be known to be freely embraced. Consequently, + in eight-and-forty hours Nigel Graheme had applications from a far larger + number than he could accept, and he was enabled to pick and choose among + the applicants. Many young men of good family were among them, for in + those days service in the ranks was regarded as honourable, and great + numbers of young men of good family and education trailed a pike in the + Scotch regiments in the service of the various powers of Europe. Two young + men whose property adjoined his own, Herries and Farquhar, each of whom + brought twenty of his own tenants with him, were appointed lieutenants, + while two others, Leslie and Jamieson, were with Malcolm named as ensigns. + The noncommissioned officers were appointed from men who had served + before. Many of the men already possessed armour which was suitable, for + in those day's there was no strict uniformity of military attire, and the + armies of the various nationalities differed very slightly from each + other. Colonel Munro returned in the course of a fortnight, Nigel + Graheme's company completing the number of men required to fill up the + ranks of his regiment. + </p> + <p> + Captain Hume had proceeded further north. Colonel Munro stopped for a week + in Nithsdale, giving instructions to the officers and noncommissioned + officers as to the drill in use in the Swedish army. Military manoeuvres + were in these days very different to what they have now become. The + movements were few and simple, and easily acquired. Gustavus had, however, + introduced an entirely new formation into his army. Hitherto troops had + fought in solid masses, twenty or more deep. Gustavus taught his men to + fight six deep, maintaining that if troops were steady this depth of + formation should be able to sustain any assault upon it, and that with a + greater depth the men behind were useless in the fight. His cavalry fought + only three deep. The recruits acquired the new tactics with little + difficulty. In Scotland for generations every man and boy had received a + certain military training, and all were instructed in the use of the pike; + consequently, at the end of a week Colonel Munro pronounced Nigel + Graheme's company capable of taking their place in the regiment without + discredit, and so went forward to see to the training of the companies of + Hamilton, Balfour, and Scott, having arranged with Graheme to march his + company to Dunbar in three weeks' time, when he would be joined by the + other three companies. Malcolm was delighted with the stir and bustle of + his new life. Accustomed to hard exercise, to climbing and swimming, he + was a strong and well grown lad, and was in appearance fully a year beyond + his age. He felt but little fatigued by the incessant drill in which the + days were passed, though he was glad enough of an evening to lay aside his + armour, of which the officers wore in those days considerably more than + the soldiers, the mounted officers being still clad in full armour, while + those on foot wore back and arm pieces, and often leg pieces, in addition + to the helmet and breastplate. They were armed with swords and pistols, + and carried besides what were called half pikes, or pikes some 7 feet + long. They wore feathers in their helmets, and the armour was of fine + quality, and often richly damascened, or inlaid with gold. + </p> + <p> + Very proud did Malcolm feel as on the appointed day he marched with the + company from Nithsdale, with the sun glittering on their arms and a + drummer beating the march at their head. They arrived in due course at + Dunbar, and were in a few hours joined by the other three companies under + Munro himself. The regiment which was now commanded by Lieutenant Colonel + Munro had been raised in 1626 by Sir Donald Mackay of Farre and + Strathnaver, 1500 strong, for the service of the King of Denmark. Munro + was his cousin, and when Sir Donald went home shortly before, he succeeded + to the command of the regiment. They embarked at once on board a ship + which Munro had chartered, and were landed in Denmark and marched to + Flensberg, where the rest of the regiment was lying. + </p> + <p> + A fortnight was spent in severe drill, and then orders were received from + Oxenstiern, the chancellor of Sweden, to embark the regiment on board two + Swedish vessels, the Lillynichol and the Hound. On board the former were + the companies of Captains Robert Munro, Hector Munro, Bullion, Nigel + Graheme, and Hamilton. Colonel Munro sailed in this ship, while Major + Sennot commanded the wing of the regiment on board the Hound. The baggage + horses and ammunition were in a smaller vessel. + </p> + <p> + The orders were that they were to land at Wolgast on the southern shore of + the Baltic. Scarcely had they set sail than the weather changed, and a + sudden tempest burst upon them. Higher and higher grew the wind, and the + vessels were separated in the night. The Lillynichol laboured heavily in + the waves, and the discomfort of the troops, crowded together between + decks, was very great. Presently it was discovered that she had made a + leak, and that the water was entering fast. Munro at once called + forty-eight soldiers to the pumps. They were relieved every quarter of an + hour, and by dint of the greatest exertions barely succeeded in keeping + down the water. So heavily did the vessel labour that Munro bore away for + Dantzig; but when night came on the storm increased in fury. They were now + in shoal water, and the vessel, already half waterlogged, became quite + unmanageable in the furious waves. Beyond the fact that they were fast + driving on to the Pomeranian coast, they were ignorant of their position. + </p> + <p> + “This is a rough beginning,” Nigel said to his nephew. “We bargained to + run the risk of being killed by the Germans, but we did not expect to run + the hazard of being drowned. I doubt if the vessel can live till morning. + It is only eleven o'clock yet, and in spite of the pumps she is getting + lower and lower in the water.” + </p> + <p> + Before Malcolm had time to answer him there was a tremendous crash which + threw them off their feet. All below struggled on deck, but nothing could + be seen in the darkness save masses of foam as the waves broke on the rock + on which they had struck. There were two more crashes, and then another, + even louder and more terrible, and the vessel broke in two parts. + </p> + <p> + “Come aft all,” Colonel Munro shouted; “this part of the wreck is fixed.” + </p> + <p> + With great efforts all on board managed to reach the after portion of the + vessel, which was wedged among the rocks, and soon afterwards the forepart + broke up and disappeared. For two hours the sea broke wildly over the + ship, and all had to hold on for life. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm, even in this time of danger, could not but admire the calmness + and coolness of his young colonel. He at once set men to work with ropes + to drag towards the vessel the floating pieces of wreck which were tossing + about in the boiling surf. The masts and yards were hauled alongside, and + the colonel instructed the men to make themselves fast to these in case + the vessel should go to pieces. + </p> + <p> + Hour after hour passed, and at last, to the joy of all, daylight appeared. + The boats had all been broken to pieces, and Munro now set the men to work + to bind the spars and timbers together into a raft. One of the soldiers + and a sailor volunteered to try to swim to shore with lines, but both were + dashed to pieces. + </p> + <p> + At one o'clock in the day some natives were seen collecting on the shore, + and these presently dragged down a boat and launched it, and with great + difficulty rowed out to the ship. A line was thrown to them, and with this + they returned to shore, where they made the line fast. The storm was now + abating somewhat, and Munro ordered the debarkation to commence. + </p> + <p> + As many of the troops as could find a place on the raft, or could cling to + the ropes fastened on its sides, started first, and by means of the line + hauled the raft ashore. A small party then brought it back to the ship, + while others manned the boat; and so after a number of trips the whole of + the troops and crew were landed, together with all the weapons and armour + that could be saved. + </p> + <p> + From the peasantry Munro now learned that they had been wrecked upon the + coast of Rugenwalde, a low lying tract of country in the north of + Pomerania. The forts upon it were all in the possession of the + Imperialists, while the nearest post of the Swedes was eighty miles away. + </p> + <p> + The position was not a pleasant one. Many of the arms had been lost, and + the gunpowder was of course destroyed. The men were exhausted and worn out + with their long struggle with the tempest. They were without food, and + might at any moment be attacked by their enemies. + </p> + <p> + “Something must be done, and that quickly,” Munro said, “or our fate will + be well nigh as bad as that of the Sinclairs; but before night we can do + nothing, and we must hope that the Germans will not discover us till + then.” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon he ordered all the men to lie down under shelter of the bushes + on the slopes facing the shore, and on no account to show themselves on + the higher ground. Then he sent a Walloon officer of the regiment to the + Pomeranian seneschal of the old castle of Rugenwalde which belonged to + Bogislaus IV, Duke of Pomerania, to inform him that a body of Scotch + troops in the service of the Swedish king had been cast on the coast, and + begging him to supply them with a few muskets, some dry powder, and + bullets, promising if he would do so that the Scotch would clear the town + of its Imperial garrison. + </p> + <p> + The castle itself, which was a very old feudal building, was held only by + the retainers of the duke, and the seneschal at once complied with Munro's + request, for the Duke of Pomerania, his master, although nominally an ally + of the Imperialists, had been deprived of all authority by them, and the + feelings of his subjects were entirely with the Swedes. + </p> + <p> + Fifty old muskets, some ammunition, and some food were sent out by a + secret passage to the Scots. There was great satisfaction among the men + when these supplies arrived. The muskets which had been brought ashore + were cleaned up and loaded, and the feeling that they were no longer in a + position to fall helplessly into the hands of any foe who might discover + them restored the spirits of the troops, and fatigue and hunger were + forgotten as they looked forward to striking a blow at the enemy. + </p> + <p> + “What did the colonel mean by saying that our position was well nigh as + bad as that of the Sinclairs?” Malcolm asked Captain Hector Munro, who + with two or three other officers was sheltering under a thick clump of + bushes. + </p> + <p> + “That was a bad business,” Captain Munro replied. “It happened now nigh + twenty years ago. Colonel Monkhoven, a Swedish officer, had enlisted 2300 + men in Scotland for service with Gustavus, and sailed with them and with a + regiment 900 strong raised by Sinclair entirely of his own clan and name. + Sweden was at war with Denmark, and Stockholm was invested by the Danish + fleet when Monkhoven arrived with his ships. Finding that he was unable to + land, he sailed north, landed at Trondheim, and marching over the + Norwegian Alps reached Stockholm in safety, where the appearance of his + reinforcements discouraged the Danes and enabled Gustavus to raise the + siege. + </p> + <p> + “Unfortunately Colonel Sinclair's regiment had not kept with Monkhoven, it + being thought better that they should march by different routes so as to + distract the attention of the Norwegians, who were bitterly hostile. The + Sinclairs were attacked several times, but beat off their assailants; when + passing, however, through the tremendous gorge of Kringellen, the + peasantry of the whole surrounding country gathered in the mountains. The + road wound along on one side of the gorge. So steep was the hill that the + path was cut in solid rock which rose almost precipitously on one side, + while far below at their feet rushed a rapid torrent. As the Sinclairs + were marching along through this rocky gorge a tremendous fire was opened + upon them from the pine forests above, while huge rocks and stones came + bounding down the precipice. + </p> + <p> + “The Sinclairs strove in vain to climb the mountainside and get at their + foes. It was impossible, and they were simply slaughtered where they + stood, only one man of the whole regiment escaping to tell the story.” + </p> + <p> + “That was a terrible massacre indeed,” Malcolm said. “I have read of a + good many surprises and slaughters in our Scottish history, but never of + such complete destruction as that only one man out of 900 should escape. + And was the slaughter never avenged?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” Munro replied. “We Scots would gladly march north and repay these + savage peasants for the massacre of our countrymen, but the King of Sweden + has had plenty of occupation for his Scotchmen in his own wars. What with + the Russians and the Poles and the Danes his hands have been pretty full + from that day to this, and indeed an expedition against the Norsemen is + one which would bring more fatigue and labour than profit. The peasants + would seek shelter in their forests and mountains, and march as we would + we should never see them, save when they fell upon us with advantage in + some defile.” + </p> + <p> + At nightfall the troops were mustered, and, led by the men who had brought + the arms, they passed by the secret passage into the castle, and thence + sallied suddenly into the town below. There they fell upon a patrol of + Imperial cavalry, who were all shot down before they had time to draw + their swords. Then scattering through the town, the whole squadron of + cuirassiers who garrisoned it were either killed or taken prisoners. This + easy conquest achieved, the first care of Munro was to feed his troops. + These were then armed from the stores in the town, and a strong guard + being placed lest they should be attacked by the Austrian force, which + was, they learned, lying but seven miles away, on the other side of the + river, the troops lay down to snatch a few hours of needed rest. + </p> + <p> + In the morning the country was scoured, and a few detached posts of the + Austrians captured. The main body then advanced and blew up the bridge + across the river. Five days later an order came from Oxenstiern, to whom + Munro had at once despatched the news of his capture of Rugenwalde, + ordering him to hold it to the last, the position being a very valuable + one, as opening an entrance into Pomerania. + </p> + <p> + The passage of the river was protected by entrenchments, strong redoubts + were thrown up round Rugenwalde, and parties crossing the river in boats + collected provisions and stores from the country to the very gates of + Dantzig. The Austrians rapidly closed in upon all sides, and for nine + weeks a constant series of skirmishes were maintained with them. + </p> + <p> + At the end of that time Sir John Hepburn arrived from Spruce, having + pushed forward by order of Oxenstiern by forced marches to their relief. + Loud and hearty was the cheering when the two Scotch regiments united, and + the friends, Munro and Hepburn, clasped hands. Not only had they been at + college together, but they had, after leaving St. Andrews, travelled in + companionship on the Continent for two or three years before taking + service, Munro entering that of France, while Hepburn joined Sir Andrew + Gray as a volunteer when he led a band to succour the Prince Palatine at + the commencement of the war. + </p> + <p> + “I have another old friend in my regiment, Hepburn,” the colonel said + after the first greeting was over—“Nigel Graheme, of course you + remember him.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly I do,” Hepburn exclaimed cordially, “and right glad will I be + to see him again; but I thought your regiment was entirely from the + north.” + </p> + <p> + “It was originally,” Munro said; “but I have filled up the gaps with men + from Nithsdale and the south. I was pressed for time, and our glens of + Farre and Strathnaver had already been cleared of all their best men. The + other companies are all commanded by men who were with us at St. Andrews—Balfour, + George Hamilton, and James Scott.” + </p> + <p> + “That is well,” Hepburn said. “Whether from the north or the south Scots + fight equally well; and with Gustavus 'tis like being in our own country, + so large a proportion are we of his majesty's army. And now, Munro, I fear + that I must supersede you in command, being senior to you in the service, + and having, moreover, his majesty's commission as governor of the town and + district.” + </p> + <p> + “There is no one to whom I would more willingly resign the command. I have + seen some hard fighting, but have yet my name to win; while you, though + still only a colonel, are famous throughout Europe.” + </p> + <p> + “Thanks to my men rather than to myself,” Hepburn said, “though, indeed, + mine is no better than the other Scottish regiments in the king's service; + but we have had luck, and in war, you know, luck is everything.” + </p> + <p> + There were many officers in both regiments who were old friends and + acquaintances, and there was much feasting that night in the Scotch camp. + In the morning work began again. The peasants of the district, 8000 + strong, were mustered and divided into companies, armed and disciplined, + and with these and the two Scotch regiments Hepburn advanced through + Pomerania to the gates of Colberg, fifty miles away, clearing the country + of the Austrians, who offered, indeed, but a faint resistance. + </p> + <p> + The Lord of Kniphausen, a general in the Swedish service, now arrived with + some Swedish troops, and prepared to besiege the town. The rest of Munro's + regiment accompanied him, having arrived safely at their destination, and + the whole were ordered to aid in the investment of Colberg, while Hepburn + was to seize the town and castle of Schiefelbrune, five miles distant, and + there to check the advance of the Imperialists, who were moving forward in + strength towards it. + </p> + <p> + Hepburn performed his mission with a party of cavalry, and reported that + although the castle was dilapidated it was a place of strength, and that + it could be held by a resolute garrison; whereupon Munro with 500 men of + his regiment was ordered to occupy it. Nigel Graheme's company was one of + those which marched forward on the 6th of November, and entering the town, + which was almost deserted by its inhabitants, set to work to prepare it + for defence. Ramparts of earth and stockades were hastily thrown up, and + the gates were backed by piles of rubbish to prevent them being blown in + by petards. + </p> + <p> + Scarcely were the preparations completed before the enemy were seen moving + down the hillside. + </p> + <p> + “How many are there of them, think you?” Malcolm asked Lieutenant + Farquhar. + </p> + <p> + “I am not skilled in judging numbers, Malcolm, but I should say that there + must be fully five thousand.” + </p> + <p> + There were indeed eight thousand Imperialists approaching, led by the + Count of Montecuculi, a distinguished Italian officer, who had with him + the regiments of Coloredo, Isslani, Goetz, Sparre, and Charles + Wallenstein, with a large force of mounted Croats. + </p> + <p> + Munro's orders were to hold the town as long as he could, and afterwards + to defend the castle to the last man. The Imperial general sent in a + message requesting him to treat for the surrender of the place; but Munro + replied simply, that as no allusion to the word treaty was contained in + his instructions he should defend the place to the last. The first advance + of the Imperialists was made by the cavalry covered by 1000 musketeers, + but these were repulsed without much difficulty by the Scottish fire. + </p> + <p> + The whole force then advanced to the attack with great resolution. + Desperately the Highlanders defended the town, again and again the + Imperialists were repulsed from the slight rampart, and when at last they + won their way into the place by dint of numbers, every street, lane, + alley, and house was defended to the last. Malcolm was almost bewildered + at the din, the incessant roll of musketry, the hoarse shouts of the + contending troops, the rattling of the guns, and the shrieks of pain. + </p> + <p> + Every time the Imperialists tried to force their way in heavy columns up + the streets the Scots poured out from the houses to resist them, and + meeting them pike to pike hurled them backwards. Malcolm tried to keep + cool, and to imitate the behaviour of his senior officers, repeating their + orders, and seeing that they were carried out. + </p> + <p> + Time after time the Austrians attempted to carry the place, and were + always hurled back, although outnumbering the Scots by nigh twenty to one. + At last the town was in ruins, and was on fire in a score of places. Its + streets and lanes were heaped with dead, and it was no longer tenable. + Munro therefore gave orders that the houses should everywhere be set on + fire, and the troops fall back to the castle. + </p> + <p> + Steadily and in good order his commands were carried out, and with + levelled pikes, still facing the enemy, the troops retired into the + castle. The Imperial general, seeing how heavy had been his losses in + carrying the open town, shrank from the prospect of assaulting a castle + defended by such troops, and when night fell he quietly marched away with + the force under his command. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III SIR JOHN HEPBURN + </h2> + <p> + Munro's first care, when he found that the Imperialists had retreated in + the direction of Colberg, was to send out some horsemen to discover + whether the Swedes were in a position to cover that town. The men returned + in two hours with the report that Field Marshal Horn, with the Swedish + troops from Stettin, had joined Kniphausen and Hepburn, and were guarding + the passage between the enemy and Colberg. + </p> + <p> + Two days later a message arrived to the effect that Sir Donald Mackay, who + had now been created Lord Reay, had arrived to take the command of his + regiment, and that Nigel Graheme's company was to march and join him; + while Munro with the rest of his command was to continue to hold the + Castle of Schiefelbrune. + </p> + <p> + Shortly afterwards General Bauditzen arrived with 4000 men and 18 pieces + of cannon to press the siege of Colberg, which was one of the strongest + fortresses in North Germany. On the 13th of November the news arrived that + Montecuculi was again advancing to raise the siege; and Lord Reay with his + half regiment, Hepburn with half his regiment, and a regiment of Swedish + infantry marched out to meet him, Kniphausen being in command. They took + up a position in a little village a few miles from the town; and here, at + four o'clock in the morning, they were attacked by the Imperialists, 7000 + strong. The Swedish infantry fled almost without firing a shot, but the + Scottish musketeers of Hepburn and Reay stood their ground. + </p> + <p> + For a time a desperate conflict raged. In the darkness it was utterly + impossible to distinguish friend from foe, and numbers on both sides were + mown down by the volleys of their own party. In the streets and gardens of + the little village men fought desperately with pikes and clubbed muskets. + Unable to act in the darkness, and losing many men from the storm of + bullets which swept over the village, the Swedish cavalry who had + accompanied the column turned and fled; and being unable to resist so vast + a superiority of force, Kniphausen gave the word, and the Scotch fell + slowly back under cover of the heavy mist which rose with the first breath + of day, leaving 500 men, nearly half their force, dead behind them. + </p> + <p> + Nigel Graheme's company had suffered severely; he himself was badly + wounded. A lieutenant and one of the ensigns were killed, with thirty of + the men, and many others were wounded with pike or bullet. Malcolm had had + his share of the fighting. Several times he and the men immediately round + him had been charged by the Imperialists, but their long pikes had each + time repulsed the assaults. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm had before this come to the conclusion, from the anecdotes he + heard from the officers who had served through several campaigns, that the + first quality of an officer is coolness, and that this is even more + valuable than is reckless bravery. He had therefore set before himself + that his first duty in action was to be perfectly calm, to speak without + hurry or excitement in a quiet and natural tone. + </p> + <p> + In his first fight at Schiefelbrune he had endeavoured to carry this out, + but although he gained much commendation from Nigel and the other officers + of the company for his coolness on that occasion, he had by no means + satisfied himself; but upon the present occasion he succeeded much better + in keeping his natural feelings in check, forcing himself to speak in a + quiet and deliberate way without flurry or excitement, and in a tone of + voice in no way raised above the ordinary. The effect had been excellent, + and the soldiers, in talking over the affair next day, were loud in their + praise of the conduct of the young ensign. + </p> + <p> + “The lad was as cool as an old soldier,” one of the sergeants said, “and + cooler. Just as the Austrian column was coming on for the third time, + shouting, and cheering, and sending their bullets in a hail, he said to me + as quietly as if he was giving an order about his dinner, 'I think, + Donald, it would be as well to keep the men out of fire until the last + moment. Some one might get hurt, you see, before the enemy get close + enough to use the pikes.' And then when they came close he said, 'Now, + sergeant, I think it is time to move out and stop them.' When they came + upon us he was fighting with his half pike with the best of us. And when + the Austrians fell back and began to fire again, and we took shelter + behind the houses, he walked about on the road, stooping down over those + who had fallen, to see if all were killed, and finding two were alive he + called out, 'Will one of you just come and help me carry these men under + shelter? They may get hit again if they remain here.' I went out to him, + but I can tell you I didn't like it, for the bullets were coming along the + road in a shower. His helmet was knocked off by one, and one of the men we + were carrying in was struck by two more bullets and killed, and the lad + seemed to mind it no more than if it had been a rainstorm in the hills at + home. I thought when we left Nithsdale that the captain was in the wrong + to make so young a boy an officer, but I don't think so now. Munro himself + could not have been cooler. If he lives he will make a great soldier.” + </p> + <p> + The defence of the Scots had been so stubborn that Montecuculi abandoned + his attempt to relieve Colberg that day, and so vigilant was the watch + which the besiegers kept that he was obliged at last to draw off his + troops and leave Colberg to its fate. The place held out to the 26th of + February, when the garrison surrendered and were allowed to march out with + the honours of war, with pikes carried, colours flying, drums beating, + matches lighted, with their baggage, and with two pieces of cannon loaded + and ready for action. They were saluted by the army as they marched away + to the nearest town held by the Austrians, and as they passed by + Schiefelbrune Munro's command were drawn up and presented arms to the 1500 + men who had for three months resisted every attempt to capture Colberg by + assault. + </p> + <p> + Nigel Graheme's wound was so severe that he was obliged for a time to + relinquish the command of his company, which he handed over to Herries. + </p> + <p> + As there had been two vacancies among the officers Malcolm would naturally + have been promoted to the duties of lieutenant, but at his urgent request + his uncle chose for the purpose a young gentleman of good family who had + fought in the ranks, and had much distinguished himself in both the + contests. Two others were also promoted to fill up the vacancies as + ensigns. + </p> + <p> + The troops after the capture of Colberg marched to Stettin, around which + town they encamped for a time, while Gustavus completed his preparations + for his march into Germany. While a portion of his army had been besieging + Colberg, Gustavus had been driving the Imperialists out of the whole of + Pomerania. Landing on the 24th of June with an army in all of 15,000 + infantry, 2000 cavalry, and about 3000 artillery, he had, after + despatching troops to aid Munro and besiege Colberg, marched against the + Imperialists under Conti. These, however, retreated in great disorder and + with much loss of men, guns, and baggage, into Brandenburg; and in a few + weeks after the Swedish landing only Colberg, Greifswald, and Demming held + out. In January Gustavus concluded a treaty with France, who agreed to pay + him an annual subsidy of 400,000 thalers on the condition that Gustavus + maintained in the field an army of 30,000 infantry and 6000 cavalry, and + assured to the princes and peoples whose territory he might occupy the + free exercise of their religion. England also promised a subsidy, and the + Marquis of Hamilton was to bring over 6000 infantry; but as the king did + not wish openly to take part in the war this force was not to appear as an + English contingent. Another regiment of Highlanders was brought over by + Colonel John Munro of Obstell, and also a regiment recruited in the + Lowlands by Colonel Sir James Lumsden. + </p> + <p> + Many other parties of Scotch were brought over by gentlemen of rank. Four + chosen Scottish regiments, Hepburn's regiment, Lord Reay's regiment, Sir + James Lumsden's musketeers, and Stargate's corps, were formed into one + brigade under the command of Hepburn. It was called the Green Brigade, and + the doublets, scarfs, feathers, and standards were of that colour. The + rest of the infantry were divided into the Yellow, Blue, and White + Brigades. + </p> + <p> + One evening when the officers of Reay's regiment were sitting round the + campfire Lieutenant Farquhar said to Colonel Munro: + </p> + <p> + “How is it that Sir John Hepburn has, although still so young, risen to + such high honour in the counsel of the king; how did he first make his + way?” + </p> + <p> + “He first entered the force raised by Sir Andrew Gray, who crossed from + Leith to Holland, and then uniting with a body of English troops under Sir + Horace Vere marched to join the troops of the Elector Palatine. It was a + work of danger and difficulty for so small a body of men to march through + Germany, and Spinola with a powerful force tried to intercept them. They + managed, however, to avoid him, and reached their destination in safety. + </p> + <p> + “Vere's force consisted of 2200 men, and when he and Sir Andrew Gray + joined the Margrave of Anspach the latter had but 4000 horse and 4000 foot + with him. There was a good deal of fighting, and Hepburn so distinguished + himself that although then but twenty years old he obtained command of a + company of pikemen in Sir Andrew Gray's band, and this company was + specially selected as a bodyguard for the king. + </p> + <p> + “There was one Scotchman in the band who vied even with Hepburn in the + gallantry of his deeds. He was the son of a burgess of Stirling named + Edmund, and on one occasion, laying aside his armour, he swam the Danube + at night in front of the Austrian lines, and penetrated to the very heart + of the Imperial camp. There he managed to enter the tent of the + Imperialist general, the Count de Bucquoi, gagged and bound him, carried + him to the river, swam across with him and presented him as a prisoner to + the Prince of Orange, under whose command he was then serving. + </p> + <p> + “It was well for Hepburn that at the battle of Prague he was guarding the + king, or he also might have fallen among the hosts who died on that + disastrous day. When the elector had fled the country Sir Andrew Gray's + bands formed part of Mansfeldt's force, under whom they gained great + glory. When driven out of the Palatinate they still kept up the war in + various parts of Germany and Alsace. With the Scotch companies of Colonel + Henderson they defended Bergen when the Marquis of Spinola besieged it. + Morgan with an English brigade was with them, and right steadily they + fought. Again and again the Spaniards attempted to storm the place, but + after losing 12,000 men they were forced to withdraw on the approach of + Prince Maurice. + </p> + <p> + “The elector now made peace with the emperor, and Mansfeldt's bands found + themselves without employment. Mansfeldt in vain endeavoured to obtain + employment under one of the powers, but failing, marched into Lorraine. + There, it must be owned, they plundered and ravaged till they were a + terror to the country. At last the Dutch, being sorely pressed by the + Spaniards, offered to take them into their pay, and the bands marched out + from Lorraine in high spirits. + </p> + <p> + “They were in sore plight for fighting, for most of them had been obliged + to sell even their arms and armour to procure food. Spinola, hearing of + their approach pushed forward with a strong force to intercept them, and + so came upon them at Fleurus, eight miles from Namur, on the 30th of + August, 1622. + </p> + <p> + “The Scots were led by Hepburn, Hume, and Sir James Ramsay; the English by + Sir Charles Rich, brother to the Earl of Warwick, Sir James Hayes, and + others. The odds seemed all in favour of the Spaniards who were much + superior in numbers, and were splendidly accoutred and well disciplined, + and what was more, were well fed, while Mansfeldt's bands were but half + armed and almost wholly starving. + </p> + <p> + “It was a desperate battle, and the Spaniards in the end remained masters + of the field, but Mansfeldt with his bands had burst their way through + them, and succeeded in crossing into Holland. Here their position was + bettered; for, though there was little fighting for them to do, and they + could get no pay, they lived and grew fat in free quarters among the + Dutch. At last the force broke up altogether; the Germans scattered to + their homes, the English crossed the seas, and Hepburn led what remained + of Sir Andrew Gray's bands to Sweden, where he offered their services to + Gustavus. The Swedish king had already a large number of Scotch in his + service, and Hepburn was made a colonel, having a strong regiment composed + of his old followers inured to war and hardship, and strengthened by a + number of new arrivals. When in 1625 hostilities were renewed with Poland + Hepburn's regiment formed part of the army which invaded Polish Prussia. + The first feat in which he distinguished himself in the service of Sweden + was at the relief of Mewe, a town in Eastern Prussia, which was blockaded + by King Sigismund at the head of 30,000 Poles. The town is situated at the + confluence of the Bersa with the Vistula, which washes two sides of its + walls. + </p> + <p> + “In front of the other face is a steep green eminence which the Poles had + very strongly entrenched, and had erected upon it ten batteries of heavy + cannon. As the town could only be approached on this side the difficulties + of the relieving force were enormous; but as the relief of the town was a + necessity in order to enable Gustavus to carry out the campaign he + intended, the king determined to make a desperate effort to effect it. + </p> + <p> + “He selected 3000 of his best Scottish infantry, among whom was Hepburn's + own regiment, and 500 horse under Colonel Thurn. When they were drawn up + he gave them a short address on the desperate nature of the service they + were about to perform, namely, to cut a passage over a strongly fortified + hill defended by 30,000 men. The column, commanded by Hepburn, started at + dusk, and, unseen by the enemy, approached their position, and working + round it began to ascend the hill by a narrow and winding path encumbered + by rocks and stones, thick underwood, and overhanging trees. + </p> + <p> + “The difficulty for troops with heavy muskets, cartridges, breastplates, + and helmets, to make their way up such a place was enormous, and the + mountain side was so steep that they were frequently obliged to haul + themselves up by the branches of the trees; nevertheless, they managed to + make their way through the enemy's outposts unobserved, and reached the + summit, where the ground was smooth and level. + </p> + <p> + “Here they fell at once upon the Poles, who were working busily at their + trenches, and for a time gained a footing there; but a deadly fire of + musketry with showers of arrows and stones, opened upon them from all + points, compelled the Scots to recoil from the trenches, when they were + instantly attacked by crowds of horsemen in mail shirts and steel caps. + Hepburn drew off his men till they reached a rock on the plateau, and here + they made their stand, the musketeers occupying the rock, the pikemen + forming in a wall around it. + </p> + <p> + “They had brought with them the portable chevaux-de-frise carried by the + infantry in the Swedish service. They fixed this along in front, and it + aided the spearmen greatly in resisting the desperate charges of the + Polish horsemen. Hepburn was joined by Colonel Mostyn, an Englishman, and + Count Brahe, with 200 German arquebusiers, and this force for two days + withstood the incessant attacks of the whole of the Polish army. + </p> + <p> + “While this desperate strife was going on, and the attention of the enemy + entirely occupied, Gustavus managed to pass a strong force of men and a + store of ammunition into the town, and the Poles, seeing that he had + achieved his purpose, retired unmolested. In every battle which Gustavus + fought Hepburn bore a prominent part. He distinguished himself at the + storming of Kesmark and the defeat of the Poles who were marching to its + relief. + </p> + <p> + “He took part in the siege and capture of Marienburg and in the defeat of + the Poles at Dirschau. He was with Leslie when last year he defended + Stralsund against Wallenstein, and inflicted upon the haughty general the + first reverse he had ever met with. Truly Hepburn has won his honours by + the edge of the sword.” + </p> + <p> + “Wallenstein is the greatest of the Imperial commanders, is he not?” + Farquhar asked. + </p> + <p> + “He and Tilly,” Munro replied. “'Tis a question which is the greatest. + They are men of a very different stamp. Tilly is a soldier, and nothing + but a soldier, save that he is a fanatic in religion. He is as cruel as he + is brave, and as portentously ugly as he is cruel. + </p> + <p> + “Wallenstein is a very different man. He has enormous ambition and great + talent, and his possessions are so vast that he is a dangerous subject for + any potentate, even the most powerful. Curiously enough, he was born of + Protestant parents, but when they died, while he was yet a child, he was + committed to the care of his uncle, Albert Slavata, a Jesuit, and was by + him brought up a strict Catholic. When he had finished the course of his + study at Metz he spent some time at the University of Altdorf, and + afterwards studied at Bologna and Padua. He then travelled in Italy, + Germany, France, Spain, England, and Holland, studying the military forces + and tactics of each country. + </p> + <p> + “On his return to Bohemia he took service under the Emperor Rudolph and + joined the army of General Basta in Hungary, where he distinguished + himself greatly at the siege of Grau. When peace was made in 1606 + Wallenstein returned to Bohemia, and though he was but twenty-three years + old he married a wealthy old widow, all of whose large properties came to + him at her death eight years afterwards. + </p> + <p> + “Five years later he raised at his own cost two hundred dragoons to + support Ferdinand of Gratz in his war against the Venetians. Here he + greatly distinguished himself, and was promoted to a colonelcy. He married + a second time, and again to one of the richest heiresses of Austria. On + the outbreak of the religious war of 1618 he raised a regiment of + Cuirassiers, and fought at its head. Two years later he was made + quartermaster general of the army, and marched at the head of an + independent force into Moravia, and there re-established the Imperial + authority. + </p> + <p> + “The next year he bought from the Emperor Ferdinand, for a little over + 7,000,000 florins, sixty properties which the emperor had confiscated from + Protestants whom he had either executed or banished. He had been made a + count at the time of his second marriage; he was now named a prince, which + title was changed into that of the Duke of Friedland. They say that his + wealth is so vast that he obtains two millions and a half sterling a year + from his various estates. + </p> + <p> + “When in 1625 King Christian of Denmark joined in the war against the + emperor, Wallenstein raised at his own cost an army of 50,000 men and + defeated Mansfeldt's army. After that he cleared the Danes out of Silesia, + conquered Brandenburg and Mecklenburg, and laid siege to Stralsund, and + there broke his teeth against our Scottish pikes. For his services in that + war Wallenstein received the duchy of Mecklenburg. + </p> + <p> + “At present he is in retirement. The conquests which his army have made + for the emperor aroused the suspicion and jealousy of the German princes, + and it may be that the emperor himself was glad enough of an excuse to + humble his too powerful subject. At any rate, Wallenstein's army was + disbanded, and he retired to one of his castles. You may be sure we shall + hear of him again. Tilly, you know, is the Bavarian commander, and we + shall probably encounter him before long.” + </p> + <p> + New Brandenburg and several other towns were captured and strongly + garrisoned, 600 of Reay's regiment under Lieutenant Colonel Lindsay being + left in New Brandenburg. Nigel Graheme was still laid up, but his company + formed part of the force. + </p> + <p> + “This is ill fortune indeed,” Malcolm said to Lieutenant Farquhar, “thus + to be shut up here while the army are marching away to win victories in + the field.” + </p> + <p> + “It is indeed, Malcolm, but I suppose that the king thinks that Tilly is + likely to try and retake these places, and so to threaten his rear as he + marches forward. He would never have placed as strong a force of his best + soldiers here if he had not thought the position a very important one.” + </p> + <p> + The troops were quartered in the larger buildings of New Brandenburg; the + officers were billeted upon the burghers. The position of the country + people and the inhabitants of the towns of Germany during this long and + desolating war was terrible; no matter which side won, they suffered. + There were in those days no commissariat wagons bringing up stores from + depots and magazines to the armies. The troops lived entirely upon the + country through which they marched. In exceptional cases, when the + military chest happened to be well filled, the provisions acquired might + be paid for, but as a rule armies upon the march lived by foraging. The + cavalry swept in the flocks and herds from the country round. Flour, + forage, and everything else required was seized wherever found, and the + unhappy peasants and villagers thought themselves lucky if they escaped + with the loss of all they possessed, without violence, insult, and ill + treatment. The slightest resistance to the exactions of the lawless + foragers excited their fury, and indiscriminate slaughter took place. The + march of an army could be followed by burned villages, demolished houses, + crops destroyed, and general ruin, havoc, and desolation. + </p> + <p> + In the cases of towns these generally escaped indiscriminate plunder by + sending deputies forward to meet advancing armies, when an offer would be + made to the general to supply so much food and to pay so much money on + condition that private property was respected. In these cases the main + body of the troops was generally encamped outside the town. Along the + routes frequently followed by armies the country became a desert, the + hapless people forsook their ruined homes, and took refuge in the forests + or in the heart of the hills, carrying with them their portable property, + and driving before them a cow or two and a few goats. + </p> + <p> + How great was the general slaughter and destruction may be judged by the + fact that the population of Germany decreased by half during the war, and + in Bohemia the slaughter was even greater. At the commencement of the war + the population of Bohemia consisted of 3,000,000 of people, inhabiting 738 + towns and 34,700 villages. At the end of the war there were but 780,000 + inhabitants, 230 towns, and 6000 villages. Thus three out of four of the + whole population had been slaughtered during the struggle. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm was, with Lieutenant Farquhar, quartered upon one of the principal + burghers of New Brandenburg, and syndic of the weavers. He received them + cordially. + </p> + <p> + “I am glad,” he said, “to entertain two Scottish officers, and, to speak + frankly, your presence will be of no slight advantage, for it is only the + houses where officers are quartered which can hope to escape from the + plunder and exactions of the soldiers. My wife and I will do our best to + make you comfortable, but we cannot entertain you as we could have done + before this war began, for trade is altogether ruined. None have money + wherewith to buy goods. Even when free from the presence of contending + armies, the country is infested with parties of deserters or disbanded + soldiers, who plunder and murder all whom they meet, so that none dare + travel along the roads save in strong parties. I believe that there is + scarce a village standing within twenty miles, and many parts have + suffered much more than we have. If this war goes on, God help the people, + for I know not what will become of them. This is my house, will you please + to enter.” + </p> + <p> + Entering a wide hall, he led them into a low sitting room where his wife + and three daughters were at work. They started up with looks of alarm at + the clatter of steel in the hall. + </p> + <p> + “Wife,” the syndic said as he entered, “these are two gentlemen, officers + of the Scottish regiment; they will stay with us during the occupation of + the town. I know that you and the girls will do your best to make their + stay pleasant to them.” + </p> + <p> + As the officers removed their helmets the apprehensions of the women + calmed down on perceiving that one of their guests was a young man of + three or four and twenty, while the other was a lad, and that both had + bright pleasant faces in no way answering the terrible reputation gained + by the invincible soldiers of the Swedish king. + </p> + <p> + “I hope,” Farquhar said pleasantly, “that you will not put yourselves out + of your way for us. We are soldiers of fortune accustomed to sleep on the + ground and to live on the roughest fare, and since leaving Scotland we + have scarcely slept beneath a roof. We will be as little trouble to you as + we can, and our two soldier servants will do all that we need.” + </p> + <p> + Farquhar spoke in German, for so large a number of Germans were serving + among the Swedes that the Scottish officers had all learned to speak that + language and Swedish, German being absolutely necessary for their + intercourse with the country people. This was the more easy as the two + languages were akin to each other, and were less broadly separated from + English in those days than they are now. + </p> + <p> + It was nearly a year since Farquhar and Malcolm had landed on the shores + of the Baltic, and living as they had done among Swedes and Germans, they + had had no difficulty in learning to speak both languages fluently. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV NEW BRANDENBURG + </h2> + <p> + Farquhar and Malcolm Graheme were soon at home with their hosts. The + syndic had offered to have their meals prepared for them in a separate + chamber, but they begged to be allowed to take them with the family, with + whom they speedily became intimate. + </p> + <p> + Three weeks after the capture of New Brandenburg the news came that Tilly + with a large army was rapidly approaching. + </p> + <p> + Every effort was made to place the town in a position of defence. Day + after day messengers came in with the news that the other places which had + been garrisoned by the Swedes had been captured, and very shortly the + Imperialist army was seen approaching. The garrison knew that they could + expect no relief from Gustavus, who had ten days before marched northward, + and all prepared for a desperate resistance. The townsfolk looked on with + trembling apprehension, their sympathies were with the defenders, and, + moreover, they knew that in any case they might expect pillage and rapine + should the city be taken, for the property of the townspeople when a city + was captured was regarded by the soldiery as their lawful prize, whether + friendly to the conquerors or the reverse. The town was at once summoned + to surrender, and upon Lindsay's refusal the guns were placed in position, + and the siege began. + </p> + <p> + As Tilly was anxious to march away to the north to oppose Gustavus he + spared no effort to reduce New Brandenburg as speedily as possible, and + his artillery fired night and day to effect breaches in the walls. The + Scotch officers saw little of their hosts now, for they were almost + continually upon the walls. + </p> + <p> + At the first news of the approach of the Imperialists the syndic had sent + away his daughters to the house of a relative at Stralsund, where his son + was settled in business. When Farquhar and Malcolm returned to eat a meal + or to throw themselves on their beds to snatch a short sleep, the syndic + anxiously questioned them as to the progress of the siege. The reports + were not hopeful. In several places the walls were crumbling, and it was + probable that a storm would shortly be attempted. The town itself was + suffering heavily, for the balls of the besiegers frequently flew high, + and came crashing among the houses. Few of the inhabitants were to be seen + in the streets; all had buried their most valuable property, and with + scared faces awaited the issue of the conflict. + </p> + <p> + After six days' cannonade the walls were breached in many places, and the + Imperialists advanced to the assault. The Scotch defended them with great + resolution, and again and again the Imperialists recoiled, unable to burst + their way through the lines of pikes or to withstand the heavy musketry + fire poured upon them from the walls and buildings. + </p> + <p> + But Tilly's army was so strong that he was able continually to bring up + fresh troops to the attack, while the Scotch were incessantly engaged. For + eight-and-forty hours the defenders resisted successfully, but at last, + worn out by fatigue, they were unable to withstand the onslaught of the + enemy, and the latter forced their way into the town. Still the Scots + fought on. Falling back from the breaches, they contested every foot of + the ground, holding the streets and lanes with desperate tenacity, and + inflicting terrible losses upon the enemy. + </p> + <p> + At last, twelve hours later, they were gathered in the marketplace, nearly + in the centre of the town, surrounded on all sides by the enemy. Several + times the Scottish bugles had sounded a parley, but Tilly, furious at the + resistance, and at the loss which the capture of the town had entailed, + had issued orders that no quarter should be given, and his troops pressed + the now diminished band of Scotchmen on all sides. + </p> + <p> + Even now they could not break through the circle of spears, but from every + window and roof commanding them a deadly fire was poured in. Colonel + Lindsay was shot dead. Captain Moncrieff, Lieutenant Keith, and Farquhar + fell close to Malcolm. The shouts of “Kill, kill, no quarter,” rose from + the masses of Imperialists. Parties of the Scotch, preferring to die sword + in hand rather than be shot down, flung themselves into the midst of the + enemy and died fighting. + </p> + <p> + At last, when but fifty men remained standing, these in a close body + rushed at the enemy and drove them by the fury of their attack some + distance down the principal street. Then numbers told. The band was broken + up, and a desperate hand-to-hand conflict raged for a time. + </p> + <p> + Two of the Scottish officers alone, Captain Innes and Lieutenant Lumsden, + succeeded in breaking their way down a side lane, and thence, rushing to + the wall, leapt down into the moat, and swimming across, succeeded in + making their escape, and in carrying the news of the massacre to the camp + of Gustavus, where the tale filled all with indignation and fury. Among + the Scotch regiments deep vows of vengeance were interchanged, and in + after battles the Imperialists had cause bitterly to rue having refused + quarter to the Scots at New Brandenburg. + </p> + <p> + When the last melee was at its thickest, and all hope was at an end, + Malcolm, who had been fighting desperately with his half pike, found + himself for a moment in a doorway. He turned the handle, and it opened at + once. The house, like all the others, was full of Imperialists, who had + thrown themselves into it when the Scots made their charge, and were now + keeping up a fire at them from the upper windows. Closing the door behind + him, Malcolm stood for a moment to recover his breath. He had passed + unscathed through the three days' fighting, though his armour and helmet + were deeply dinted in many places. + </p> + <p> + The din without and above was tremendous. The stroke of sword on armour, + the sharp crack of the pistols, the rattle of musketry, the shouts of the + Imperialists, and the wild defiant cries of the Highlanders mingled + together. + </p> + <p> + As Malcolm stood panting he recalled the situation, and, remembering that + the syndic's house was in the street behind, he determined to gain it, + feeling sure that his host would shelter him if he could. Passing through + the house he issued into a courtyard, quickly stripped off his armour and + accoutrements, and threw them into an outhouse. Climbing on the roof of + this he got upon the wall, and ran along it until behind the house of the + syndic. He had no fear of being observed, for the attention of all in the + houses in the street he had left would be directed to the conflict below. + </p> + <p> + The sound of musketry had already ceased, telling that the work of + slaughter was well nigh over, when Malcolm dropped into the courtyard of + the syndic; the latter and his wife gave a cry of astonishment as the lad + entered the house, breathless and pale as death. + </p> + <p> + “Can you shelter me awhile?” he said. “I believe that all my countrymen + are killed.” + </p> + <p> + “We will do our best, my lad,” the syndic said at once. “But the houses + will be ransacked presently from top to bottom.” + </p> + <p> + “Let him have one of the servant's disguises,” the wife said; “they can + all be trusted.” + </p> + <p> + One of the serving men was at once called in, and he hurried off with + Malcolm. + </p> + <p> + The young Scotchmen had made themselves very popular with the servants by + their courtesy and care to avoid giving unnecessary trouble, and in a few + minutes Malcolm was attired as a serving man, and joined the servants who + were busy in spreading the tables with provisions, and in broaching a + large cask of wine to allay the passions of the Imperialists. + </p> + <p> + It was not long before they came. Soon there was a thundering knocking at + the door, and upon its being opened a number of soldiers burst in. Many + were bleeding from wounds. All bore signs of the desperate strife in which + they had been engaged. + </p> + <p> + “You are welcome,” the host said, advancing towards them. “I have made + preparations for your coming; eat and drink as it pleases you.” + </p> + <p> + Rushing to the wine casks, the soldiers appeased their thirst with long + draughts of wine, and then fell upon the eatables. Other bands followed, + and the house was soon filled from top to bottom with soldiers, who + ransacked the cupboards, loaded themselves with such things as they deemed + worth carrying away, and wantonly broke and destroyed what they could not. + The servants were all kept busy bringing up wine from the cellars. This + was of good quality, and the soldiers, well satisfied, abstained from + personal violence. + </p> + <p> + All night long pandemonium reigned in the town. Shrieks and cries, oaths + and sounds of conflict arose from all quarters, as citizens or their wives + were slaughtered by drunken soldiers, or the latter quarrelled and fought + among themselves for some article of plunder. Flames broke out in many + places, and whole streets were burned, many of the drunken soldiers losing + their lives in the burning houses; but in the morning the bugles rang out, + the soldiers desisted from their orgies, and such as were able to stand + staggered away to join their colours. + </p> + <p> + A fresh party marched into the town; these collected the stragglers, and + seized all the horses and carts for the carriage of the baggage and + plunder. The burgomaster had been taken before Tilly and commanded to find + a considerable sum of money the first thing in the morning, under threat + that the whole town would be burned down, and the inhabitants massacred if + it was not forthcoming. + </p> + <p> + A council of the principal inhabitants was hastily summoned at daybreak. + The syndics of the various guilds between them contributed the necessary + sum either in money or in drafts, and at noon Tilly marched away with his + troops, leaving the smoking and ruined town behind him. Many of the + inhabitants were forced as drivers to accompany the horses and carts taken + away. Among these were three of the syndic's serving men, Malcolm being + one of the number. + </p> + <p> + It was well that the Pomeranian dialect differed so widely from the + Bavarian, so Malcolm's German had consequently passed muster without + suspicion. The Imperialist army, although dragging with them an immense + train of carts laden with plunder, marched rapidly. The baggage was + guarded by horsemen who kept the train in motion, galloping up and down + the line, and freely administering blows among their captives whenever a + delay or stoppage occurred. + </p> + <p> + The whole country through which they passed was desolated and wasted, and + the army would have fared badly had it not been for the herds of captured + cattle they drove along with them, and the wagons laden with flour and + wine taken at New Brandenburg and the other towns they had stormed. The + marches were long, for Tilly was anxious to accomplish his object before + Gustavus should be aware of the direction he was taking. + </p> + <p> + This object was the capture of the town of Magdeburg, a large and + important city, and one of the strongholds of Protestantism. Here he was + resolved to strike a blow which would, he believed, terrify Germany into + submission. + </p> + <p> + When Gustavus heard that Tilly had marched west, he moved against + Frankfort-on-the-Oder, where the Imperialists were commanded by Count + Schomberg. The latter had taken every measure for the defence of the town, + destroying all the suburbs, burning the country houses and mills, and + cutting down the orchards and vineyards. + </p> + <p> + Gustavus, accompanied by Sir John Hepburn, at once reconnoitred the place + and posted his troops. The Blue and Yellow Brigades were posted among the + vineyards on the road to Custrin; the White Brigade took post opposite one + of the two gates of the town. Hepburn and the Green Brigade were stationed + opposite the other. + </p> + <p> + As the Swedes advanced the Imperialist garrison, who were 10,000 strong, + opened fire with musketry and cannon from the walls. The weakest point in + the defence was assigned by Schomberg to Colonel Walter Butler, who + commanded a regiment of Irish musketeers in the Imperialist service. In + the evening Hepburn and some other officers accompanied the king to + reconnoitre near the walls. A party of Imperialists, seeing some officers + approaching, and judging by their waving plumes they were of importance, + sallied quietly out of a postern gate unperceived and suddenly opened + fire. Lieutenant Munro, of Munro's regiment, was shot in the leg, and + Count Teuffel, a colonel of the Life Guards, in the arm. A body of + Hepburn's regiment, under Major Sinclair, rushed forward and drove in the + Imperialists, a lieutenant colonel and a captain being captured. + </p> + <p> + So hotly did they press the Imperialists that they were able to make a + lodgment, on some high ground near the rampart, on which stood an old + churchyard surrounded by a wall, and whence their fire could sweep the + enemy's works. Some cannon were at once brought up and placed in position + here, and opened fire on the Guben gate. Captain Gunter, of Hepburn's + regiment, went forward with twelve men, and in spite of a very heavy fire + from the walls reconnoitred the ditch and approaches to the walls. + </p> + <p> + The next day all was ready for the assault. It was Palm Sunday, the 3d of + April, and the attack was to take place at five o'clock in the afternoon. + Before advancing, Hepburn and several of the other officers wished to lay + aside their armour, as its weight was great, and would impede their + movements. The king, however, forbade them to do so. + </p> + <p> + “No,” he said; “he who loves my service will not risk life lightly. If my + officers are killed, who is to command my soldiers?” + </p> + <p> + Fascines and scaling ladders were prepared. The Green Brigade were to head + the assault, and Gustavus, addressing them, bade them remember New + Brandenburg. + </p> + <p> + At five o'clock a tremendous cannonade was opened on the walls from all + the Swedish batteries, and under cover of the smoke the Green Brigade + advanced to the assault. From the circle of the walls a cloud of smoke and + fire broke out from cannon and arquebus, muskets, and wall pieces. Sir + John Hepburn and Colonel Lumsden, side by side, led on their regiments + against the Guben gate; both carried petards. + </p> + <p> + In spite of the tremendous fire poured upon them from the wall they + reached the gate, and the two colonels fixed the petards to it and retired + a few paces. In a minute there was a tremendous explosion, and the gate + fell scattered in fragments. Then the Scottish pikemen rushed forward. As + they did so there was a roar of cannon, and a storm of bullets ploughed + lanes through the close ranks of the pikemen, for the Imperialists, + expecting the attack, had placed cannon, loaded to the muzzle with + bullets, behind the gates. + </p> + <p> + Munro's regiment now leapt into the moat, waded across, and planting their + ladders under a murderous fire, stormed the works flanking the gate, and + then joined their comrades, who were striving to make an entrance. + Hepburn, leading on the pikemen, was hit on the knee, where he had in a + former battle been badly wounded. + </p> + <p> + “Go on, bully Munro,” he said jocularly to his old schoolfellow, “for I am + wounded.” + </p> + <p> + A major who advanced to take his place at the head of the regiment was + shot dead, and so terrible was the fire that even the pikemen of Hepburn's + regiment wavered for a moment; but Munro and Lumsden, with their vizors + down and half pikes in their hands, cheered on their men, and, side by + side, led the way. + </p> + <p> + “My hearts!” shouted Lumsden, waving his pike—“my brave hearts, + let's enter.” + </p> + <p> + “Forward!” shouted Munro; “advance pikes!” + </p> + <p> + With a wild cheer the Scots burst forward; the gates were stormed, and in + a moment the cannon, being seized, were turned, and volleys of bullets + poured upon the dense masses of the Imperialists. The pikemen pressed + forward in close column, shoulder to shoulder, the pikes levelled in + front, the musketeers behind firing on the Imperialists in the houses. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime Gustavus, with the Blue and Yellow Swedish Brigades, + stormed that part of the wall defended by Butler with his Irishmen. These + fought with extreme bravery, and continued their resistance until almost + every man was killed, when the two brigades burst into the town, the White + Brigade storming the wall in another quarter. Twice the Imperialist drums + beat a parley, but their sound was deadened by the roar of musketry and + the boom of cannon from wall and battery, and the uproar and shouting in + every street and house. The Green Brigade, under its commander, maintained + its regular order, pressing forward with resistless strength. In vain the + Austrians shouted for quarter. They were met by shouts of—“Remember + New Brandenburg!” + </p> + <p> + Even now, when all was lost, Tilly's veterans fought with extreme bravery + and resolution; but at last, when Butler had fallen, and Schomberg and + Montecuculi, and a few other officers had succeeded in escaping, all + resistance ceased. Four colonels, 36 officers, and 3000 men were killed. + Fifty colours and ten baggage wagons, laden with gold and silver plate, + were captured. + </p> + <p> + Many were taken prisoners, and hundreds were drowned in the Oder, across + which the survivors of the garrison made their escape. Plundering at once + began, and several houses were set on fire; but Gustavus ordered the drums + to beat, and the soldiers to repair to their colours outside the town, + which was committed to the charge of Sir John Hepburn, with his regiment. + </p> + <p> + The rumour that Magdeburg was the next object of attack circulated among + Tilly's troops the day after they marched west from New Brandenburg. It + originated in some chance word dropped by a superior officer, and seemed + confirmed by the direction which they were taking which was directly away + from the Swedish army. There was a report, too, that Count Pappenheim, who + commanded a separate army, would meet Tilly there, and that every effort + would be made to capture the town before Gustavus could march to its + assistance. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm could easily have made his escape the first night after leaving + New Brandenburg; but the distance to be traversed to join the Swedish army + was great, confusion and disorder reigned everywhere, and he had decided + that it would be safer to remain with the Imperialist army until Gustavus + should approach within striking distance. On the road he kept with the + other two men who had been taken with the horses from the syndic of the + weavers, and, chatting with them when the convoy halted, he had not the + least fear of being questioned by others. Indeed, none of those in the + long train of carts and wagons paid much attention to their fellows, all + had been alike forced to accompany the Imperialists, and each was too much + occupied by the hardships of his own lot, and by thoughts of the home from + which he had been torn, to seek for the companionship of his comrades in + misfortune. + </p> + <p> + As soon, however, as Malcolm heard the report of Tilly's intentions, he + saw that it was of the utmost importance that the King of Sweden should be + informed of the Imperialist plans as early as possible, and he determined + at once to start and endeavour to make his way across the country. At + nightfall the train with the baggage and plunder was as usual so placed + that it was surrounded by the camps of the various brigades of the army in + order to prevent desertion. The previous night an escape would have been + comparatively easy, for the soldiers were worn out by their exertions at + the siege of New Brandenburg, and were still heavy from the drink they had + obtained there; but discipline was now restored, and the sentries were on + the alert. A close cordon of these was placed around the baggage train; + and when this was passed, there would still be the difficulty of escaping + through the camps of soldiery, and of passing the outposts. Malcolm waited + until the camp became quiet, or rather comparatively quiet, for the + supplies of wine were far from exhausted, and revelling was still going on + in various parts of the camp, for the rigid discipline in use in modern + armies was at that time unknown, and except when on duty in the ranks a + wide amount of license was permitted to the soldiers. The night was fine + and bright, and Malcolm saw that it would be difficult to get through the + line of sentries who were stationed some thirty or forty yards apart. + </p> + <p> + After thinking for some time he went up to a group of eight or ten horses + which were fastened by their bridles to a large store wagon on the outside + of the baggage camp. Malcolm unfastened the bridles and turned the horses + heads outwards. Then he gave two of them a sharp prick with his dagger, + and the startled animals dashed forward in affright, followed by their + companions. They passed close to one of the sentries, who tried in vain to + stop them, and then burst into the camp beyond, where their rush startled + the horses picketed there. These began to kick and struggle desperately to + free themselves from their fastenings. The soldiers, startled at the + sudden noise, sprang to their feet, and much confusion reigned until the + runaway horses were secured and driven back to their lines. + </p> + <p> + The instant he had thus diverted the attention of the whole line of + sentries along that side of the baggage camp, Malcolm crept quietly up and + passed between them. Turning from the direction in which the horses had + disturbed the camp, he made his way cautiously along. Only the officers + had tents, the men sleeping on the ground around their fires. He had to + move with the greatest caution to avoid treading upon the sleepers, and + was constantly compelled to make detours to get beyond the range of the + fires, round which groups of men were sitting and carousing. + </p> + <p> + At last he reached the outside of the camp, and taking advantage of every + clump of bushes he had no difficulty in making his way through the + outposts, for as the enemy was known to be far away, no great vigilance + was observed by the sentries. He had still to be watchful, for fires were + blazing in a score of places over the country round, showing that the + foragers of the army were at their usual work of rapine, and he might at + any moment meet one of these returning laden with spoil. + </p> + <p> + Once or twice, indeed, he heard the galloping of bodies of horse, and the + sound of distant pistol shots and the shrieks of women came faintly to his + ears. He passed on, however, without meeting with any of the foraging + parties, and by morning was fifteen miles away from Tilly's camp. Entering + a wood he threw himself down and slept soundly for some hours. It was + nearly noon before he started again. After an hour's walking he came upon + the ruins of a village. Smoke was still curling up from the charred beams + and rafters of the cottages, and the destruction had evidently taken place + but the day before. The bodies of several men and women lay scattered + among the houses; two or three dogs were prowling about, and these growled + angrily at the intruder, and would have attacked him had he not flourished + a club which he had cut in the woods for self defence. + </p> + <p> + Moving about through the village he heard a sound of wild laughter, and + going in that direction saw a woman sitting on the ground. In her lap was + a dead child pierced through with a lance. The woman was talking and + laughing to it, her clothes were torn, and her hair fell in wild disorder + over her shoulders. It needed but a glance to tell Malcolm that the poor + creature was mad, distraught by the horrors of the previous day. + </p> + <p> + A peasant stood by leaning on a stick, mournfully regarding her. He turned + suddenly round with the weapon uplifted at the sound of Malcolm's + approach, but lowered it on seeing that the newcomer was a lad. + </p> + <p> + “I hoped you were a soldier,” the peasant said, as he lowered his stick. + “I should like to kill one, and then to be killed myself. My God, what is + life worth living for in this unhappy country? Three times since the war + began has our village been burned, but each time we were warned of the + approach of the plunderers, and escaped in time. Yesterday they came when + I was away, and see what they have done;” and he pointed to his wife and + child, and to the corpses scattered about. + </p> + <p> + “It is terrible,” Malcolm replied. “I was taken a prisoner but two days + since at the sack of New Brandenburg, but I have managed to escape. I am a + Scot, and am on my way now to join the army of the Swedes, which will, I + hope, soon punish the villains who have done this damage.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall take my wife to her mother,” the peasant said, “and leave her + there. I hope God will take her soon, and then I will go and take service + under the Swedish king, and will slay till I am slain. I would kill myself + now, but that I would fain avenge my wife and child on some of these + murderers of Tilly's before I die.” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm felt that the case was far beyond any attempt at consolation. + </p> + <p> + “If you come to the Swedish army ask for Ensign Malcolm Graheme of Reay's + Scottish regiment, and I will take you to one of the German corps, where + you will understand the language of your comrades.” So saying he turned + from the bloodstained village and continued his way. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V MARAUDERS + </h2> + <p> + Malcolm had brought with him from Tilly's camp a supply of provisions + sufficient for three or four days, and a flask of wine. Before he started + from New Brandenburg the syndic had slipped into his band a purse + containing ten gold pieces, and whenever he came to a village which had + escaped the ravages of the war he had no difficulty in obtaining + provisions. + </p> + <p> + It was pitiable at each place to see the anxiety with which the villagers + crowded round him upon his arrival and questioned him as to the position + of the armies and whether he had met with any parties of raiders on the + way. Everywhere the cattle had been driven into the woods; boys were + posted as lookouts on eminences at a distance to bring in word should any + body of men be seen moving in that direction; and the inhabitants were + prepared to fly instantly at the approach of danger. + </p> + <p> + The news that Tilly's army was marching in the opposite direction was + received with a deep sense of thankfulness and relief, for they were now + assured of a respite from his plunderers, although still exposed to danger + from the arrival of some of the numerous bands. These, nominally fighting + for one or other of the parties, were in truth nothing but marauders, + being composed of deserters and desperadoes of all kinds, who lived upon + the misfortunes of the country, and were even more cruel and pitiless than + were the regular troops. + </p> + <p> + At one of these villages Malcolm exchanged his attire as a serving man of + a rich burgher for that of a peasant lad. He was in ignorance of the + present position of the Swedish army, and was making for the intrenched + camp of Schwedt, on the Oder, which Gustavus had not left when he had last + heard of him. + </p> + <p> + On the fourth day after leaving the camp of Tilly, as Malcolm was + proceeding across a bare and desolate country he heard a sound of + galloping behind him, and saw a party of six rough looking horsemen coming + along the road. As flight would have been useless he continued his way + until they overtook him. They reined up when they reached him. + </p> + <p> + “Where are you going, boy, and where do you belong to?” the leader of the + party asked. + </p> + <p> + “I am going in search of work,” Malcolm answered. “My village is destroyed + and my parents killed.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't tell me that tale,” the man said, drawing a pistol from his + holster. “I can tell by your speech that you are not a native of these + parts.” + </p> + <p> + There was nothing in the appointments of the men to indicate which party + they favoured, and Malcolm thought it better to state exactly who he was, + for a doubtful answer might be followed by a pistol shot, which would have + brought his career to a close. + </p> + <p> + “You are right,” he said quietly; “but in these times it is not safe + always to state one's errand to all comers. I am a Scotch officer in the + army of the King of Sweden. I was in New Brandenburg when it was stormed + by Tilly. I disguised myself, and, passing unnoticed, was forced to + accompany his army as a teamster. The second night I escaped, and am now + making my way to Schwedt, where I hope to find the army.” + </p> + <p> + The man replaced his pistol. + </p> + <p> + “You are an outspoken lad,” he said laughing, “and a fearless one. I + believe that your story is true, for no German boor would have looked me + in the face and answered so quietly; but I have heard that the Scotch + scarce know what danger is, though they will find Tilly and Pappenheim + very different customers to the Poles.” + </p> + <p> + “Which side do you fight on?” Malcolm asked. + </p> + <p> + “A frank question and a bold one!” the leader laughed. “What say you, men? + Whom are we for just at present? We were for the Imperialists the other + day, but now they have marched away, and as it may be the Swedes will be + coming in this direction, I fancy that we shall soon find ourselves on the + side of the new religion.” + </p> + <p> + The men laughed. “What shall we do with this boy? To begin with, if he is + what he says, no doubt he has some money with him.” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm at once drew out his purse. “Here are nine gold pieces,” he said. + “They are all I have, save some small change.” + </p> + <p> + “That is better than nothing,” the leader said, pocketing the purse. “And + now what shall we do with him?” + </p> + <p> + “He is a Protestant,” one of the men replied; “best shoot him.” + </p> + <p> + “I should say,” another said, “that we had best make him our cook. Old + Rollo is always grumbling at being kept at the work, and his cooking gets + worse and worse. I could not get my jaws into the meat this morning.” + </p> + <p> + A murmur of agreement was raised by the other horsemen. + </p> + <p> + “So be it,” the leader said. “Dost hear, lad? You have the choice whether + you will be cook to a band of honourable gentlemen or be shot at once.” + </p> + <p> + “The choice pleases me not,” Malcolm replied. “Still, if it must needs be, + I would prefer for a time the post of cook to the other alternative.” + </p> + <p> + “And mind you,” the leader said sharply, “at the first attempt to escape + we string you up to the nearest bough. Carl, do you lead him back and set + him to work, and tell the men there to keep a sharp watch upon him.” + </p> + <p> + One of the men turned his horse, and, with Malcolm walking by his side, + left the party. They soon turned aside from the road, and after a ride of + five miles across a rough and broken country entered a wood. Another half + mile and they reached the foot of an eminence, on the summit of which + stood a ruined castle. Several horses were picketed among the trees at the + foot of the hill, and two men were sitting near them cleaning their arms. + The sight of these deterred Malcolm from carrying into execution the plan + which he had formed—namely, to strike down his guard with his club + as he dismounted, to leap on his horse, and ride off. + </p> + <p> + “Who have you there, Carl?” one of the men asked as they rose and + approached the newcomers. + </p> + <p> + “A prisoner,” Carl said, “whom the captain has appointed to the honourable + office of cook instead of old Rollo, whose food gets harder and tougher + every day. You are to keep a sharp eye over the lad, who says he is a + Scotch officer of the Swedes, and to shoot him down if he attempts to + escape.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, I thought those Scots were very devils to fight,” one of the men + said, “and this is but a boy. How comes he here?” + </p> + <p> + “He told the captain his story, and he believed it,” Carl said carelessly, + “and the captain is not easily taken in. He was captured by Tilly at New + Brandenburg, which town we heard yesterday he assaulted and sacked, + killing every man of the garrison; but it seems this boy put on a + disguise, and being but a boy I suppose passed unnoticed, and was taken + off as a teamster with Tilly's army. He gave them the slip, but as he has + managed to fall into our hands I don't know that he has gained much by the + exchange. Now, youngster, go up to the castle.” + </p> + <p> + Having picketed his horse the man led the way up the steep hill. When they + reached the castle Malcolm saw that it was less ruined than it had + appeared to be from below. The battlements had indeed crumbled away, and + there were cracks and fissures in the upper parts of the walls, but below + the walls were still solid and unbroken, and as the rock was almost + precipitous, save at the point at which a narrow path wound up to the + entrance, it was still capable of making a stout defence against attack. + </p> + <p> + A strong but roughly made gate, evidently of quite recent make, hung on + the hinges, and passing through it Malcolm found himself in the courtyard + of the castle. Crossing this he entered with his guide what had once been + the principal room of the castle. A good fire blazed in the centre; around + this half a dozen men were lying on a thick couch of straw. Malcolm's + guide repeated the history of the newcomer, and then passed through with + him into a smaller apartment, where a man was attending to several sauce + pans over a fire. + </p> + <p> + “Rollo,” he said, “I bring you a substitute. You have been always + grumbling about being told off for the cooking, just because you happened + to be the oldest of the band. Here is a lad who will take your place, and + tomorrow you can mount your horse and ride with the rest of us.” + </p> + <p> + “And be poisoned, I suppose, with bad food when I return,” the man + grumbled—“a nice lookout truly.” + </p> + <p> + “There's one thing, you old grumbler, it is quite certain he cannot do + worse than you do. My jaws ache now with trying to eat the food you gave + us this morning. Another week and you would have starved the whole band to + death.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” the man said surlily; “we will see whether you have gained by + the exchange. What does this boy know about cooking?” + </p> + <p> + “Very little, I am afraid,” Malcolm said cheerfully; “but at least I can + try. If I must be a cook I will at least do my best to be a good one. Now, + what have you got in these pots?” + </p> + <p> + Rollo grumblingly enumerated their contents, and then putting on his + doublet went out to join his comrades in the hall, leaving Malcolm to his + new duties. + </p> + <p> + The latter set to work with a will. He saw that it was best to appear + contented with the situation, and to gain as far as possible the goodwill + of the band by his attention to their wants. In this way their vigilance + would become relaxed, and some mode of escape might open itself to him. At + dusk the rest of the band returned, and Malcolm found that those who had + met him with the captain were but a portion of the party, as three other + companies of equal strength arrived at about the same time, the total + number mounting up to over thirty. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm was conscious that the supper was far from being a success; but + for this he was not responsible, as the cooking was well advanced when he + undertook it; however the band were not dissatisfied, for it was much + better than they had been accustomed to, as Malcolm had procured woodwork + from the disused part of the castle, and had kept the fire briskly going; + whereas his predecessor in the office had been too indolent to get + sufficient wood to keep the water on the boil. + </p> + <p> + In the year which Malcolm had spent in camp he had learned a good deal of + rough cookery, for when on active duty the officers had often to shift for + themselves, and consequently next day he was able to produce a dinner so + far in advance of that to which the band was accustomed that their + approbation was warmly and loudly expressed. + </p> + <p> + The stew was juicy and tender, the roast done to a turn, and the bread, + baked on an iron plate, was pronounced to be excellent. The band declared + that their new cook was a treasure. Malcolm had already found that though + he could move about the castle as he chose, one of the band was now always + stationed at the gate with pike and pistols, while at night the door + between the room in which he cooked and the hall was closed, and two or + three heavy logs thrown against it. + </p> + <p> + Under the pretence of getting wood Malcolm soon explored the castle. The + upper rooms were all roofless and open to the air. There were no windows + on the side upon which the path ascended, and by which alone an attack + upon the castle was possible. Here the walls were pierced only by narrow + loopholes for arrows or musketry. On the other sides the windows were + large, for here the steepness of the rock protected the castle from + attack. + </p> + <p> + The kitchen in which he cooked and slept had no other entrance save that + into the hall, the doorway into the courtyard being closed by a heap of + fallen stones from above. Two or three narrow slits in the wall allowed + light and air to enter. Malcolm saw that escape at night, after he had + once been shut in, was impossible, and that in the daytime he could not + pass out by the gate; for even if by a sudden surprise he overpowered the + sentry there, he would be met at the bottom of the path by the two men who + were always stationed as guards to the horses, and to give notice of the + approach of strangers. + </p> + <p> + The only chance of escape, therefore, was by lowering himself from one of + the windows behind, down the steep rock. To do this a rope of some seventy + feet long was necessary, and after a careful search through the ruins he + failed to discover even the shortest piece of rope. + </p> + <p> + That afternoon some of the band on their return from foraging drove in + half a dozen cattle, and one of these was with much difficulty compelled + to climb up the path to the castle, and was slaughtered in the yard. + </p> + <p> + “There, Scot, are victuals for the next week; cut it up, and throw the + head and offal down the rock behind.” + </p> + <p> + As Malcolm commenced his unpleasant task a thought suddenly struck him, + and he laboured away cheerfully and hopefully. After cutting up the animal + into quarters he threw the head, the lower joints of the legs, and the + offal, from the window. The hide he carried, with the four quarters, into + his kitchen, and there concealed it under the pile of straw which served + for his bed. + </p> + <p> + When the dinner was over, and the usual carousal had begun, and he knew + there was no chance of any of the freebooters coming into the room, he + spread out the hide on the floor, cut off the edges, and trimmed it up + till it was nearly circular in form, and then began to cut a strip two + inches wide round and round till he reached the centre. This gave him a + thong of over a hundred feet long. Tying one end to a ring in the wall he + twisted the long strip until it assumed the form of a rope, which was, he + was sure, strong enough to bear many times his weight. + </p> + <p> + This part of the work was done after the freebooters had retired to rest. + When he had finished cutting the hide he went in as usual and sat down + with them as they drank, as he wished to appear contented with his + position. The freebooters were discussing an attack upon a village some + thirty miles away. It lay in a secluded position, and had so far escaped + pillage either by the armies or wandering bands. The captain said he had + learned that the principal farmer was a well-to-do man with a large herd + of cattle, some good horses, and a well stocked house. It was finally + agreed that the band should the next day carry out another raid which had + already been decided upon, and that they should on the day following that + sack and burn Glogau. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the majority of the band had started in the morning Malcolm + made his way with his rope to the back of the castle, fastened it to the + window, and launched himself over the rock, which, although too steep to + climb, was not perpendicular; and holding by the rope Malcolm had no + difficulty in lowering himself down. He had before starting taken a brace + of pistols and a sword from the heap of weapons which the freebooters had + collected in their raids, and as soon as he reached the ground he struck + off through the wood. + </p> + <p> + Enough had been said during the conversation the night before to indicate + the direction in which Glogau lay, and he determined, in the first place, + to warn the inhabitants of the village of the fate which the freebooters + intended for them. + </p> + <p> + He walked miles before seeing a single person in the deserted fields. He + had long since left the wood, and was now traversing the open country, + frequently turning round to examine the country around him, for at any + moment after he had left, his absence from the castle might be discovered, + and the pursuit begun. He hoped, however, that two or three hours at least + would elapse before the discovery was made. + </p> + <p> + He had, before starting, piled high the fire in the hall, and had placed + plenty of logs for the purpose of replenishing it close at hand. He put + tankards on the board, and with them a large jug full of wine, so that the + freebooters would have no occasion to call for him, and unless they wanted + him they would be unlikely to look into the kitchen. Except when + occasionally breaking into a walk to get breath, he ran steadily on. It + was not until he had gone nearly ten miles that he saw a goatherd tending + a few goats, and from him he learned the direction of Glogau, and was glad + to find he had not gone very far out of the direct line. At last, after + asking the way several times, he arrived within a short distance of the + village. The ground had now become undulating, and the slopes were covered + with trees. The village lay up a valley, and it was evident that the road + he was travelling was but little frequented, ending probably at the + village itself. Proceeding for nearly two miles through a wood he came + suddenly upon Glogau. + </p> + <p> + It stood near the head of the valley, which was here free of trees, and + some cultivated fields lay around it. The houses were surrounded by fruit + trees, and an air of peace and tranquillity prevailed such as Malcolm had + not seen before since he left his native country. One house was much + larger than the rest; several stacks stood in the rick yard, and the large + stables and barns gave a proof of the prosperity of its owner. The war + which had already devastated a great part of Germany had passed by this + secluded hamlet. + </p> + <p> + No signs of work were to be seen, the village was as still and quiet as if + it was deserted. Suddenly Malcolm remembered that it was the Sabbath, + which, though always kept strictly by the Scotch and Swedish soldiers when + in camp, for the most part passed unobserved when they were engaged in + active service. Malcolm turned his steps towards the house; as he neared + it he heard the sound of singing within. The door was open, and he entered + and found himself on the threshold of a large apartment in which some + twenty men and twice as many women and children were standing singing a + hymn which was led by a venerable pastor who stood at the head of the + room, with a powerfully built elderly man, evidently the master of the + house, near him. + </p> + <p> + The singing was not interrupted by the entrance of the newcomer. Many eyes + were cast in his direction, but seeing that their leaders went on unmoved, + the little congregation continued their hymn with great fervour and force. + When they had done the pastor prayed for some time, and then dismissed the + congregation with his blessing. They filed out in a quiet and orderly way, + but not until the last had left did the master of the house show any sign + of observing Malcolm, who had taken his place near the door. + </p> + <p> + Then he said gravely, “Strangers do not often find their way to Glogau, + and in truth we can do without them, for a stranger in these times too + often means a foe; but you are young, my lad, though strong enough to bear + weapons, and can mean us no ill. What is it that brings you to our quiet + village?” + </p> + <p> + “I have, sir, but this morning escaped from the hands of the freebooters + at Wolfsburg, and I come to warn you that last night I heard them agree to + attack and sack your village tomorrow; therefore, before pursuing my own + way, which is to the camp of the Swedish king, in whose service I am, I + came hither to warn you of their intention.” + </p> + <p> + Exclamations of alarm arose from the females of the farmer's family, who + were sitting at the end of the room. The farmer waved his hand and the + women were instantly silent. + </p> + <p> + “This is bad news, truly,” he said gravely; “hitherto God has protected + our village and suffered us to worship Him in our own way in peace and in + quiet in spite of the decrees of emperors and princes. This gang of + Wolfsburg have long been a scourge to the country around it, and terrible + are the tales we have heard of their violence and cruelty. I have for + weeks feared that sooner or later they would extend their ravages even to + this secluded spot.” + </p> + <p> + “And, indeed, I thank you, brave youth, for the warning you have given us, + which will enable us to send our womenkind, our cattle and horses, to a + place of safety before these scourges of God arrive here. Gretchen, place + food and wine before this youth who has done us so great a service; + doubtless he is hungry and thirsty, for 'tis a long journey from Wolfsburg + hither.” + </p> + <p> + “What think you, father, shall I warn the men at once of the coming + danger, or shall I let them sleep quietly this Sabbath night for the last + time in their old homes?” + </p> + <p> + “What time, think you, will these marauders leave their hold?” the pastor + asked Malcolm. + </p> + <p> + “They will probably start by daybreak,” Malcolm said, “seeing that the + journey is a long one; but this is not certain, as they may intend to + remain here for the night, and to return with their plunder on the + following day to the castle.” + </p> + <p> + “But, sir,” he went on, turning to the farmer, “surely you will not + abandon your home and goods thus tamely to these freebooters. You have + here, unless I am mistaken, fully twenty stout men capable of bearing + arms; the marauders number but thirty in all, and they always leave at + least five to guard the castle and two as sentries over the horses; thus + you will not have more than twenty-three to cope with. Had they, as they + expected, taken you by surprise, this force would have been ample to put + down all resistance here; but as you will be prepared for them, and will, + therefore, take them by surprise, it seems to me that you should be able + to make a good fight of it, stout men-at-arms though the villains be.” + </p> + <p> + “You speak boldly, sir, for one but a boy in years,” the pastor said; “it + is lawful, nay it is right to defend one's home against these lawless + pillagers and murderers, but as you say, evil though their ways are, these + freebooters are stout men-at-arms, and we have heard that they have taken + a terrible vengeance on the villages which have ventured to oppose them.” + </p> + <p> + “I am a Scottish officer in the King of Sweden's army,” Malcolm said, “and + fought at Schiefelbrune and New Brandenburg, and in the fight when the + Imperialists tried to relieve Colberg, and having, I hope, done my duty in + three such desperate struggles against the Imperialist veterans, I need + not shrink from an encounter with these freebooters. If you decide to + defend the village I am ready to strike a blow at them, for they have held + me captive for five days, and have degraded me by making me cook for + them.” + </p> + <p> + A slight titter was heard among the younger females at the indignant tone + in which Malcolm spoke of his enforced culinary work. + </p> + <p> + “And you are truly one of those Scottish soldiers of the Swedish hero who + fight so stoutly for the Faith and of whose deeds we have heard so much!” + the pastor said. “Truly we are glad to see you. Our prayers have not been + wanting night and morning for the success of the champions of the Reformed + Faith. What say you, my friend? Shall we take the advice of this young + soldier and venture our lives for the defence of our homes?” + </p> + <p> + “That will we,” the farmer said warmly. “He is used to war, and can give + us good advice. As far as strength goes, our men are not wanting. Each has + his sword and pike, and there are four or five arquebuses in the village. + Yes, if there be a chance of success, even of the slightest, we will do + our best as men in defence of our homes.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI THE ATTACK ON THE VILLAGE + </h2> + <p> + “And now,” the farmer said to Malcolm, “what is your advice? That we will + fight is settled. When, where, and how? This house is strongly built, and + we could so strengthen its doors and windows with beams that we might hold + out for a long time against them.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” Malcolm said, “that would not be my advice. Assuredly we might + defend the house; but in that case the rest of the village, the herds and + granaries, would fall into their hands. To do any good, we must fight them + in the wood on their way hither. But although I hope for a favourable + issue, I should strongly advise that you should have the herds and horses + driven away. Send off all your more valuable goods in the wagons, with + your women and children, to a distance. We shall fight all the better if + we know that they are all in safety. Some of the old men and boys will + suffice for this work. And now, methinks, you had best summon the men, for + there will be work for them tonight.” + </p> + <p> + The bell which was used to call the hands from their work in the fields + and woods at sunset soon sounded, and the men in surprise came trooping in + at the summons. When they were assembled the farmer told them the news he + had heard, and the determination which had been arrived at to defend the + village. + </p> + <p> + After the first movement of alarm caused by the name of the dreaded band + of the Wolfsburg had subsided Malcolm was glad to see an expression of + stout determination come over the faces of the assemblage, and all + declared themselves ready to fight to the last. Four of the elder men were + told off at once to superintend the placing of the more movable household + goods of the village in wagons, which were to set out at daybreak with the + cattle and families. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” Malcolm said, “I want the rest to bring mattocks and shovels and to + accompany me along the road. There is one spot which I marked as I came + along as being specially suited for defence.” + </p> + <p> + This was about half a mile away, and as darkness had now set in the men + lighted torches, and with their implements followed him. At the spot which + he had selected there was for the distance of a hundred yards a thick + growth of underwood bordering the track on either side. Across the road, + at the end of the passage nearest to the farm, Malcolm directed ten of the + men to dig a pit twelve feet wide and eight feet deep. The rest of the men + he set to work to cut nearly through the trunks of the trees standing + nearest the road until they were ready to fall. + </p> + <p> + Ten trees were so treated, five on either side of the road. Standing, as + they did, among the undergrowth, the operation which had been performed on + them was invisible to any one passing by. Ropes were now fastened to the + upper part of the trees and carried across the road, almost hidden from + sight by the foliage which met over the path. When the pit was completed + the earth which had been taken from it was scattered in the wood out of + sight. Light boughs were then placed over the hole. These were covered + with earth and sods trampled down until the break in the road was not + perceptible to a casual eye. + </p> + <p> + This was done by Malcolm himself, as the lightest of the party, the boughs + sufficing to bear his weight, although they would give way at once beneath + that of a horse. The men all worked with vigour and alacrity as soon as + they understood Malcolm's plans. Daylight was breaking when the + preparations were completed. Malcolm now divided the party, and told them + off to their respective posts. They were sixteen in all, excluding the + pastor. + </p> + <p> + Eight were placed on each side of the road. Those on one side were + gathered near the pit which had been dug, those on the other were opposite + to the tree which was farthest down the valley. The freebooters were to be + allowed to pass along until the foremost fell into the pit. The men + stationed there were at once to haul upon the rope attached to the tree + near it and to bring it down. Its fall would bar the road and prevent the + horsemen from leaping the pit. Those in the rear were, if they heard the + crash before the last of the marauders had passed through, to wait until + they had closed up, which they were sure to do when the obstacle was + reached, and then to fell the tree to bar their retreat. + </p> + <p> + The instant this was done both parties were to run to other ropes and to + bring down the trees upon the horsemen gathered on the road, and were then + to fall upon them with axe, pike, and arquebus. + </p> + <p> + “If it works as well as I expect,” Malcolm said, “not one of them will + escape from the trap.” + </p> + <p> + Soon after daybreak bowls of milk and trays of bread and meat were brought + down to the workers by some of the women. As there was no immediate + expectation of attack, the farmer himself, with the pastor, went back to + the village to cheer the women before their departure. + </p> + <p> + “You need not be afraid, wife,” the farmer said. “I shall keep to my + plans, because when you have once made a plan it is foolish to change it; + but I deem not that there is any real need for sending you and the wagons + and beasts away. This young Scotch lad seems made for a commander, and + truly, if all his countrymen are like himself, I wonder no longer that the + Poles and Imperialists have been unable to withstand them. Truly he has + constructed a trap from which this band of villains will have but little + chance of escape, and I trust that we may slay them without much loss to + ourselves. What rejoicings will there not be in the fifty villages when + the news comes that their oppressors have been killed! The good God has + assuredly sent this youth hither as His instrument in defeating the + oppressors, even as He chose the shepherd boy David out of Israel to be + the scourge of the Philistines.” + </p> + <p> + By this time all was ready for a start, and having seen the wagons fairly + on their way the farmer returned to the wood, the pastor accompanying the + women. Three hours passed before there were any signs of the marauders, + and Malcolm began to think that the idea might have occurred to them that + he had gone to Glogau, and that they might therefore have postponed their + raid upon that village until they could make sure of taking it by + surprise, and so capturing all the horses and valuables before the + villagers had time to remove them. Glogau was, however, quite out of + Malcolm's direct line for the Swedish camp, and it was hardly likely that + the freebooters would think that their late captive would go out of his + way to warn the village, in which he had no interest whatever; indeed they + would scarcely be likely to recall the fact that he had been present when + they were discussing their proposed expedition against it. + </p> + <p> + All doubts were, however, set at rest when a boy who had been stationed in + a high tree near the edge of the wood ran in with the news that a band of + horsemen were riding across the plain, and would be there in a few + minutes. Every one fell into his appointed place. The farmer himself took + the command of the party on one side of the road, Malcolm of that on the + other. Matches were blown, and the priming of the arquebuses looked to; + then they gathered round the ropes, and listened for the tramp of horses. + </p> + <p> + Although it was but a few minutes before it came, the time seemed long to + those waiting; but at last a vague sound was heard, which rapidly rose + into a loud trampling of horses. The marauders had been riding quietly + until they neared the wood, as speed was no object; but as they wished to + take the village by surprise—and it was just possible that they + might have been seen approaching—they were now riding rapidly. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly the earth gave way under the feet of the horses of the captain + and his lieutenant, who were riding at the head of the troop, and men and + animals disappeared from the sight of those who followed. The two men + behind them pulled their horses back on their haunches, and checked them + at the edge of the pit into which their leaders had fallen. + </p> + <p> + As they did so a loud crack was heard, and a great tree came crashing + down, falling directly upon them, striking them and their horses to the + ground. A loud cry of astonishment and alarm rose from those behind, + followed by curses and exclamations of rage. A few seconds after the fall + of the tree there was a crash in the rear of the party, and to their + astonishment the freebooters saw that another tree had fallen there, and + that a barricade of boughs and leaves closed their way behind as in front. + Deprived of their leaders, bewildered and alarmed at this strange and + unexpected occurrence, the marauders remained irresolute. Two or three of + those in front got off their horses and tried to make their way to the + assistance of their comrades who were lying crushed under the mass of + foliage, and of their leaders in the pit beyond. + </p> + <p> + But now almost simultaneously two more crashes were heard, and a tree from + each side fell upon them. Panic stricken now the horsemen strove to dash + through the underwood, but their progress was arrested, for among the + bushes ropes had been fastened from tree to tree; stakes had been driven + in, and the bushes interlaced with cords. The trees continued to fall till + the portion of the road occupied by the troop was covered by a heap of + fallen wood and leaf. Then for the first time the silence in the wood + beyond them was broken, the flashes of firearms darted out from the + brushwood, and then with a shout a number of men armed with pikes and axes + sprang forward to the attack. + </p> + <p> + A few only of the marauders were in a position to offer any resistance + whatever. The greater portion were buried under the mass of foliage. Many + had been struck down by the trunks or heavy arms of the trees. All were + hampered and confused by the situation in which they found themselves. + Under such circumstances it was a massacre rather than a fight. Malcolm, + seeing the inability of the freebooters to oppose any formidable + resistance, sheathed his sword, and left it to the peasants to avenge the + countless murders which the band had committed, and the ruin and misery + which they had inflicted upon the country. + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes all was over. The brigands were shot down, piked, or + slain by the heavy axes through the openings in their leafy prison. + Quarter was neither asked for nor given. The freebooters knew that it + would be useless, and died cursing their foes and their own fate in being + thus slaughtered like rats in a trap. Two or three of the peasants were + wounded by pistol shots, but this was all the injury that their success + cost them. + </p> + <p> + “The wicked have digged a pit, and they have fallen into it themselves,” + the farmer said as he approached the spot where Malcolm was standing, some + little distance from the scene of slaughter. “Verily the Lord hath + delivered them into our hands. I understand, my young friend, why you as a + soldier did not aid in the slaughter of these villains. It is your trade + to fight in open battle, and you care not to slay your enemies when + helpless; but with us it is different. We regard them as wild beasts, + without heart or pity, as scourges to be annihilated when we have the + chance; just as in winter we slay the wolves who come down to attack our + herds.” + </p> + <p> + “I blame you not,” Malcolm said. “When men take to the life of wild beasts + they must be slain as such. Now my task is done, and I will journey on at + once to join my countrymen; but I will give you one piece of advice before + I go. + </p> + <p> + “In the course of a day or two the party left at Wolfsburg will grow + uneasy, and two of their number are sure to ride hither to inquire as to + the tarrying of the band. Let your men with arquebuses keep watch night + and day and shoot them down when they arrive. Were I in your place I would + then mount a dozen of your men and let them put on the armour of these + dead robbers and ride to Wolfsburg, arriving there about daybreak. If they + see you coming they will take you to be the band returning. The two men + below you will cut down without difficulty, and there will then be but + three or four to deal with in the castle. + </p> + <p> + “I recommend you to make a complete end of them; and for this reason: if + any of the band survive they will join themselves with some other party + and will be sure to endeavour to get them to avenge this slaughter; for + although these bands have no love for each other, yet they would be ready + enough to take up each other's quarrel as against country folk, especially + when there is a hope of plunder. Exterminate them, then, and advise your + men to keep their secret. Few can have seen the brigands riding hither + today. When it is found that the band have disappeared the country around + will thank God, and will have little curiosity as to how they have gone. + You will of course clear the path again and bury their bodies; and were I + you I would prepare at once another ambush like that into which they have + fallen, and when a second band of marauders comes into this part of the + country set a watch night and day. Your men will in future be better armed + than hitherto, as each of those freebooters carries a brace of pistols. + And now, as I would fain be off as soon as possible, I would ask you to + let your men set to work with their axes and cut away the boughs and to + get me out a horse. Several of them must have been killed by the falling + trees, and some by the fire of the arquebuses; but no doubt there are some + uninjured.” + </p> + <p> + In a quarter of an hour a horse was brought up, together with the helmet + and armour worn by the late captain of the band. + </p> + <p> + As Malcolm mounted, the men crowded round him and loaded him with thanks + and blessings for the danger from which he had delivered them, their wives + and families. + </p> + <p> + When the fugitives had left the village a store of cooked provisions had + been left behind for the use of the defenders during the day. As the women + could not be fetched back before nightfall, the farmer had despatched a + man for some of this food and the wallets on the saddle were filled with + sufficient to last Malcolm for three or four days. + </p> + <p> + A brace of pistols were placed in the holsters, and with a last farewell + to the farmer Malcolm gave the rein to his horse and rode away from the + village. He travelled fast now and without fear of interruption. The sight + of armed men riding to join one or other of the armies was too common to + attract any attention, and avoiding large towns Malcolm rode unmolested + across the plain. + </p> + <p> + He presently heard the report that the Swedes had captured + Frankfort-on-the-Oder, and as he approached that town, after four days' + riding, heard that they had moved towards Landsberg. Thither he followed + them, and came up to them outside the walls of that place six days after + leaving Glogau. The main body of the Swedish army had remained in and + around Frankfort, Gustavus having marched against Landsberg with only 3200 + musketeers, 12 pieces of cannon, and a strong body of horse. Hepburn and + Reay's Scotch regiments formed part of the column, and Malcolm with + delight again saw the green scarves and banners. + </p> + <p> + As he rode into the camp of his regiment he was unnoticed by the soldiers + until he reached the tents of the officers, before which Colonel Munro was + standing talking with several others. On seeing an officer approach in + full armour they looked up, and a cry of astonishment broke from them on + recognizing Malcolm. + </p> + <p> + “Is it you, Malcolm Graheme, or your wraith?” Munro exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + “It is I in the flesh, colonel, sound and hearty.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, my dear lad,” Munro exclaimed, holding out his hand, “we thought you + had fallen at the sack of New Brandenburg. Innes and Lumsden were believed + to be the only ones who had escaped.” + </p> + <p> + “I have come through it, nevertheless,” Malcolm said; “but it is a long + story, colonel, and I would ask you first if the king has learned what + Tilly is doing.” + </p> + <p> + “No, he has received no news whatever of him since he heard of the affair + at New Brandenburg, and is most anxious lest he should fall upon the army + at Frankfort while we are away. Do you know aught about him?” + </p> + <p> + “Tilly marched west from New Brandenburg,” Malcolm said, “and is now + besieging Magdeburg.” + </p> + <p> + “This is news indeed,” Munro said; “you must come with me at once to the + king.” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm followed Colonel Munro to the royal tent, which was but a few + hundred yards away. Gustavus had just returned after visiting the advanced + lines round the city. On being told that Colonel Munro wished to speak to + him on important business, he at once came to the entrance of his tent. + </p> + <p> + “Allow me to present to you, sire, Malcolm Graheme, a very gallant young + officer of my regiment. He was at New Brandenburg, and I deemed that he + had fallen there; how he escaped I have not yet had time to learn, seeing + that he has but now ridden into the camp; but as he is bearer of news of + the whereabouts of Tilly and his army, I thought it best to bring him + immediately to you.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir,” Gustavus said anxiously to Malcolm, “what is your news?” + </p> + <p> + “Tilly is besieging Magdeburg, sire, with his whole strength.” + </p> + <p> + “Magdeburg!” Gustavus exclaimed incredulously. “Are you sure of your news? + I deemed him advancing upon Frankfort.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite sure, sire, for I accompanied his column to within two marches of + the city, and there was no secret of his intentions. He started for that + town on the very day after he had captured New Brandenburg.” + </p> + <p> + “This is important, indeed,” Gustavus said; “follow me,” and he turned and + entered the tent. Spread out on the table was a large map, which the king + at once consulted. + </p> + <p> + “You see, Colonel Munro, that to relieve Magdeburg I must march through + Kustrin, Berlin, and Spandau, and the first and last are strong + fortresses. I can do nothing until the Elector of Brandenburg declares for + us, and gives us leave to pass those places, for I dare not march round + and leave them in my rear until sure that this weak prince will not take + sides with the Imperialists. I will despatch a messenger tonight to him at + Berlin demanding leave to march through his territory to relieve + Magdeburg. In the meantime we will finish off with this place, and so be + in readiness to march west when his answer arrives. And now, sir,” he went + on, turning to Malcolm, “please to give me the account of how you escaped + first from New Brandenburg, and then from Tilly.” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm related briefly the manner of his escape from the massacre at New + Brandenburg, and how, after accompanying Tilly's army as a teamster for + two days, he had made his escape. He then still more briefly related how + he had been taken prisoner by a band of freebooters, but had managed to + get away from them, and had drawn them into an ambush by peasants, where + they had been slain, by which means he had obtained a horse and ridden + straight to the army. + </p> + <p> + Gustavus asked many questions, and elicited many more details than Malcolm + had deemed it necessary to give in his first recital. + </p> + <p> + “You have shown great prudence and forethought,” the king said when he had + finished, “such as would not be looked for in so young a soldier.” + </p> + <p> + “And he behaved, sire, with distinguished gallantry and coolness at + Schiefelbrune, and in the destructive fight outside Colberg,” Colonel + Munro put in. “By the slaughter on the latter day he would naturally have + obtained his promotion, but he begged to be passed over, asserting that it + was best that at his age he should remain for a time an ensign.” + </p> + <p> + “Such modesty is unusual,” the king said, “and pleases me; see the next + time a step is vacant, colonel, that he has it. Whatever his age, he has + shown himself fit to do man's work, and years are of no great value in a + soldier; why, among all my Scottish regiments I have scarcely a colonel + who is yet thirty years old.” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm now returned with Colonel Munro to the regiment, and there had to + give a full and minute account of his adventures, and was warmly + congratulated by his fellow officers on his good fortune in escaping from + the dangers which had beset him. The suit of armour was a handsome one, + and had been doubtless stripped off from the body of some knight or noble + murdered by the freebooters. The leg pieces Malcolm laid aside, retaining + only a cuirass, back piece, and helmet, as the full armour was too heavy + for service on foot. + </p> + <p> + Two days later the king gave orders that the assault upon Landsberg was to + be made that night. The place was extremely strong, and Gustavus had in + his previous campaign twice failed in attempts to capture it. Since that + time the Imperialists had been busy in strengthening the fortification, + and all the peasantry for ten miles round had been employed in throwing up + earthworks; but its principal defence was in the marsh which surrounded + it, and which rendered the construction of approaches by besiegers almost + impossible. Its importance consisted in the fact that from its great + strength its garrison dominated the whole district known as the Marc of + Brandenburg. It was the key to Silesia, and guarded the approaches to + Pomerania, and its possession was therefore of supreme importance to + Gustavus. The garrison consisted of five thousand Imperialist infantry and + twelve troops of horse, the whole commanded by Count Gratz. The principal + approach to the town was guarded by a strong redoubt armed with numerous + artillery. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Munro had advanced his trenches to within a short distance of this + redoubt, and had mounted the twelve pieces of cannon to play upon it, but + so solid was the masonry of the fort that their fire produced but little + visible effect. Gustavus had brought from Frankfort as guide on the march + a blacksmith who was a native of Landsberg, and this man had informed him + of a postern gate into the town which would not be likely to be defended, + as to reach it it would be necessary to cross a swamp flanked by the + advanced redoubt and covered with water. + </p> + <p> + For two days previous to the assault the troops had been at work cutting + bushes and trees, and preparing the materials for constructing a floating + causeway across the mud and water. As soon as night fell the men were set + to work laying down the causeway, and when this was finished the column + advanced to the attack. It consisted of 250 pikemen under Colonel Munro, + and the same number of the dragoons under Colonel Deubattel. Hepburn with + 1000 musketeers followed a short distance behind them. + </p> + <p> + The pikemen led the way, and passed along the floating causeway without + difficulty, but the causeway swayed and often sank under the feet of the + cavalry behind them. These, however, also managed to get across. Their + approach was entirely unobserved, and they effected an entrance into the + town. + </p> + <p> + Scarcely had they done so when they came upon a body of three hundred + Imperialists who were about to make a sally under Colonel Gratz, son of + the governor. The pikemen at once fell upon them. Taken by surprise the + Imperialists fought nevertheless stoutly, and eighty of the Scots fell + under the fire of their musketry. But the pikemen charged home; Colonel + Gratz was killed, with many of his men, and the rest taken prisoners. + Hepburn marching on behind heard the din of musketry and pressed forward; + before reaching the town he found a place in the swamp sufficiently firm + to enable his men to march across it, and, turning off, he led his troops + between the town and the redoubt, and then attacked the latter in the rear + where its defences were weak, and after three minutes' fighting with its + surprised and disheartened garrison the latter surrendered. + </p> + <p> + The redoubt having fallen, and Munro's men having effected a lodgment in + the town, while the retreat on one side was cut off by the force of + Gustavus, and on the other by a strong body of cavalry under Marshal Horn, + the governor sent a drummer to Colonel Munro to say that he was ready to + surrender, and to ask for terms. The drummer was sent to Gustavus, who + agreed that the garrison should be allowed to march away with the honours + of war, taking their baggage and effects with them. Accordingly at eight + o'clock the Count of Gratz at the head of his soldiers marched out with + colours flying and drums beating, and retired into Silesia. A garrison was + placed in Landsberg, and the blacksmith appointed burgomaster of the town. + Landsberg fell on the 15th of April, and on the 18th the force marched + back to Frankfort. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII A QUIET TIME + </h2> + <p> + In spite of the urgent entreaties of Gustavus and the pressing peril of + Magdeburg, the wavering Duke of Brandenburg could not bring himself to + join the Swedes. He delivered Spandau over to them, but would do no more. + The Swedish army accordingly marched to Berlin and invested his capital. + The duke sent his wife to Gustavus to beseech him to draw off his army and + allow him to remain neutral; but Gustavus would not listen to his + entreaties, and insisted, as the only condition upon which he would raise + the siege, that the duke should ally himself with him, and that the troops + of Brandenburg should join his army. + </p> + <p> + These conditions the duke was obliged to accept, but in the meantime his + long hesitation and delay had caused the loss of Magdeburg, which after a + gallant defence was stormed by the troops of Pappenheim and Tilly on the + 10th of May. The ferocious Tilly had determined upon a deed which would, + he believed, frighten Germany into submission; he ordered that no quarter + should be given, and for five days the city was handed over to the troops. + </p> + <p> + History has no record since the days of Attila of so frightful a massacre. + Neither age nor sex was spared, and 30,000 men, women, and children were + ruthlessly massacred. The result for a time justified the anticipations of + the ferocious leader. The terrible deed sent a shudder of horror and + terror through Protestant Germany. It seemed, too, as if the catastrophe + might have been averted had the Swedes shown diligence and marched to the + relief of the city; for in such a time men were not inclined to discuss + how much of the blame rested upon the shoulders of the Duke of + Brandenburg, who was, in fact, alone responsible for the delay of the + Swedes. + </p> + <p> + Many of the princes and free towns which had hitherto been staunch to the + cause of Protestantism at once hastened to make their peace with the + emperor. For a time the sack of Magdeburg greatly strengthened the + Imperialist cause. No sooner did the news reach the ears of the Duke of + Brandenburg than his fears overcame him, and he wrote to Gustavus + withdrawing from the treaty he had made, and saying that as Spandau had + only been delivered to him in order that he might march to the relief of + Magdeburg he was now bound in honour to restore it. + </p> + <p> + Gustavus at once ordered Spandau to be evacuated by his troops, and again + marched with the army against Berlin, which he had but a few days before + left. Here he again dictated terms, which the duke was forced to agree to. + </p> + <p> + The Swedish army now marched to Old Brandenburg, thirty-four miles west of + Berlin, and there remained for some time waiting until some expected + reinforcements should reach it. + </p> + <p> + The place was extremely unhealthy, and great numbers died from malaria and + fever, thirty of Munro's musketeers dying in a single week. During this + time the king was negotiating with the Elector of Saxony and the Landgrave + of Hesse. These were the two most powerful of the Protestant princes in + that part of Germany, and Tilly resolved to reduce them to obedience + before the army of Gustavus was in a position to move forward, for at + present his force was too small to enable him to take the field against + the united armies of Tilly and Pappenheim. + </p> + <p> + He first fell upon the Landgrave of Hesse, and laid Thuringen waste with + fire and sword. Frankenhausen was plundered and burned to the ground. + Erfurt saved itself from a similar fate by the payment of a large sum of + money, and by engaging to supply great stores of provisions for the use of + the Imperial army. The Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel was next summoned by + Tilly, who threatened to carry fire and sword through his dominions unless + he would immediately disband his troops, pay a heavy contribution and + receive the Imperial troops into his cities and fortresses; but the + landgrave refused to accept the terms. + </p> + <p> + Owing to the unhealthiness of the district round Old Brandenburg, Gustavus + raised his camp there, and marched forward to Werben near the junction of + the Elbe with the Havel. He was joined there by his young queen, Maria + Eleonora, with a reinforcement of 8000 men, and by the Marquis of Hamilton + with 6200, for the most part Scotch, who had been raised by him with the + consent of Charles I, to whom the marquis was master of the horse. + </p> + <p> + Werben was distant but a few miles from Magdeburg, and Pappenheim, who + commanded the troops in that neighbourhood, seeing that Gustavus was now + in a position to take the field against him, sent an urgent message to + Tilly for assistance; and the Imperial general, who was on the point of + attacking the Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel, at once marched with his army and + effected a junction with Pappenheim, their combined force being greatly + superior to that of Gustavus even after the latter had received his + reinforcements. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm had not accompanied the army in its march from Old Brandenburg. He + had been prostrated by fever, and although he shook off the attack it left + him so weak and feeble that he was altogether unfit for duty. The army was + still lying in its swampy quarters, and the leech who had attended him + declared that he could never recover his strength in such an unhealthy + air. Nigel Graheme, who had now rejoined the regiment cured of his wound, + reported the surgeon's opinion to Munro. + </p> + <p> + “I am not surprised,” the colonel said, “and there are many others in the + same state; but whither can I send them? The Elector of Brandenburg is so + fickle and treacherous that he may at any moment turn against us.” + </p> + <p> + “I was speaking to Malcolm,” Nigel replied, “and he said that he would he + could go for a time to recruit his health in that village among the hills + where he had the fight with the freebooters who made him captive. He said + he was sure of a cordial welcome there, and it is but three days' march + from here.” + </p> + <p> + “'Tis an out-of-the-way place,” Munro said, “and if we move west we shall + be still further removed from it. There are Imperial bands everywhere + harrying the country unguarded by us, and one of these might at any moment + swoop down into that neighbourhood.” + </p> + <p> + “That is true; but, after all, it would be better that he should run that + risk than sink from weakness as so many have done here after getting + through the first attack of fever.” + </p> + <p> + “That is so, Nigel, and if you and Malcolm prefer that risk to the other I + will not say you nay; but what is good for him is good for others, and I + will ask the surgeon to make me a list of twenty men who are strong enough + to journey by easy stages, and who yet absolutely require to get out of + this poisonous air to enable them to effect their recovery. We will + furnish them with one of the baggage wagons of the regiment, so that they + can ride when they choose. Tell the paymaster to give each man in advance + a month's pay, that they may have money to pay what they need. Horses are + scarce, so we can give them but two with the wagon, but that will be + sufficient as they will journey slowly. See that a steady and experienced + driver is told off with them. They had best start at daybreak tomorrow + morning.” + </p> + <p> + At the appointed time the wagon was in readiness, and those who had to + accompany Malcolm gathered round, together with many of their comrades who + had assembled to wish them Godspeed. The pikes and muskets, helmets and + breast pieces were placed in the wagon, and then the fever stricken band + formed up before it. + </p> + <p> + Munro, Nigel, and most of the officers came down to bid farewell to + Malcolm, and to wish him a speedy return in good health. Then he placed + himself at the head of the band and marched off, the wagon following in + the rear. Before they had been gone a mile several of the men had been + compelled to take their places in the wagon, and by the time three miles + had been passed the rest had one by one been forced to give in. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm was one of the last. He took his seat by the driver, and the now + heavily freighted wagon moved slowly across the country. A store of + provisions sufficient for several days had been placed in the wagon, and + after proceeding fifteen miles a halt was made at a deserted village, and + two of the houses in the best condition were taken possession of, Malcolm + and the sergeant of the party, a young fellow named Sinclair, occupying + the one, and the men taking up their quarters in another. + </p> + <p> + The next morning the benefit of the change and the removal from the fever + tainted air made itself already apparent. The distance performed on foot + was somewhat longer than on the preceding day; the men were in better + spirits, and marched with a brisker step than that with which they had + left the camp. At the end of the fourth day they approached the wood in + which the village was situated. + </p> + <p> + “I will go on ahead,” Malcolm said. “Our approach will probably have been + seen, and unless they know who we are we may meet with but a rough + welcome. Halt the wagon here until one returns with news that you may + proceed, for there may be pitfalls in the road.” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm had kept the horse on which he had ridden to Landsberg, and it had + been tied behind the wagon. During the last day's march he had been strong + enough to ride it. He now dismounted, and taking the bridle over his arm + he entered the wood. He examined the road cautiously as he went along. He + had gone about half way when the farmer with four of his men armed with + pikes suddenly appeared in the road before him. + </p> + <p> + “Who are you,” the farmer asked, “and what would you here?” + </p> + <p> + “Do you not remember me?” Malcolm said. “It is but three months since I + was here.” + </p> + <p> + “Bless me, it is our Scottish friend! Why, lad, I knew you not again, so + changed are you. Why, what has happened to you?” + </p> + <p> + “I have had the fever,” Malcolm said, “and have been like to die; but I + thought that a change to the pure air of your hills and woods here would + set me up. So I have travelled here to ask your hospitality.” + </p> + <p> + By this time the farmer had come up and had grasped Malcolm's hand. + </p> + <p> + “All that I have is yours,” he said warmly. “The lookout saw a wagon + coming across the plain with three or four men walking beside it, and he + thought that many more were seated in it; so thinking that this might be a + ruse of some freebooting band, I had the alarm bell rung, and prepared to + give them a hot reception.” + </p> + <p> + “I have brought some sick comrades with me,” Malcolm said. “I have no + thought of quartering them on you. That would be nigh as bad as the + arrival of a party of marauders, for they are getting strength, and will, + I warrant you, have keen appetites ere long; but we have brought tents, + and will pay for all we have.” + </p> + <p> + “Do not talk of payment,” the farmer said heartily. “As long as there is + flour in the storehouse and bacon on the beams, any Scottish soldier of + Gustavus is welcome to it, still more if they be comrades of thine.” + </p> + <p> + “Thanks, indeed,” Malcolm replied. “I left them at the edge of the wood, + for I knew not what welcome you might have prepared here; and seeing so + many men you might have shot at them before waiting to ask a question.” + </p> + <p> + “That is possible enough,” the farmer said, “for indeed we could hardly + look for friends. The men are all posted a hundred yards further on.” + </p> + <p> + The farmer ordered one of his men to go on and bring up the wagon, and + then with Malcolm walked on to the village. A call that all was right + brought out the defenders of the ambush. It had been arranged similarly to + that which had been so successful before, except that instead of the pit, + several strong ropes had been laid across the road, to be tightened breast + high as soon as an enemy came close to them. + </p> + <p> + “These are not as good as the pit,” the farmer said as they passed them; + “but as we have to use the road sometimes we could not keep a pit here, + which, moreover, might have given way and injured any one from a + neighbouring village who might be riding hither. We have made a strong + stockade of beams among the underwood on either side, so that none could + break through into the wood from the path.” + </p> + <p> + “That is good,” Malcolm said; “but were I you I would dig a pit across the + road some twelve feet wide, and would cover it with a stout door with a + catch, so that it would bear wagons crossing, but when the catch is drawn + it should rest only on some light supports below, and would give way at + once if a weight came on it. It would, of course, be covered over with + turf. It will take some time to make, but it will add greatly to your + safety.” + </p> + <p> + “It shall be done,” the farmer said. “Wood is in plenty, and some of my + men are good carpenters. I will set about it at once.” + </p> + <p> + On arriving at the village Malcolm was cordially welcomed by the farmer's + wife and daughters. The guest chamber was instantly prepared for him and + refreshments laid on the table, while the maids, under the direction of + the farmer's wife, at once began to cook a bounteous meal in readiness for + the arrival of the soldiers. A spot was chosen on some smooth turf under + the shade of trees for the erection of the tents, and trusses of clean + straw carried there for bedding. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm as he sat in the cool chamber in the farm house felt the change + delightful after the hot dusty journey across the plain. There was quite + an excitement in the little village when the wagon drove up. The men + lifted the arms and baggage from the wagon. The women offered fruit and + flagons of wine, and fresh cool water, to the soldiers. There was not only + general pleasure throughout the village caused by the novelty of the + arrival of the party from the outer world, but a real satisfaction in + receiving these men who had fought so bravely against the oppressors of + the Protestants of Germany. There was also the feeling that so long as + this body of soldiers might remain in the village they would be able to + sleep in peace and security, safe from the attacks of any marauding band. + The tents were soon pitched by the peasants under the direction of + Sergeant Sinclair, straw was laid down in them, and the canvas raised to + allow the air to sweep through them. + </p> + <p> + Very grateful were the weary men for the kindness with which they were + received, and even the weakest felt that they should soon recover their + strength. + </p> + <p> + In an hour two men came up from the farm house carrying a huge pot filled + with strong soup. Another brought a great dish of stew. Women carried + wooden platters, bowls of stewed fruit, and loaves of bread; and the + soldiers, seated upon the grass, fell to with an appetite such as they had + not experienced for weeks. With the meal was an abundant supply of the + rough but wholesome wine of the country. + </p> + <p> + To the Scottish soldiers after the hardships they had passed through, this + secluded valley seemed a perfect paradise. They had nought to do save to + eat their meals, to sleep on the turf in the shade, or to wander in the + woods and gardens free to pick what fruit they fancied. Under these + circumstances they rapidly picked up strength, and in a week after their + arrival would hardly have been recognized as the feeble band who had left + the Swedish camp at Old Brandenburg. + </p> + <p> + On Sunday the pastor arrived. He did not live permanently at the village, + but ministered to the inhabitants of several villages scattered among the + hills, holding services in them by turns, and remaining a few days in + each. As the congregation was too large for the room in the farm house the + service was held in the open air. The Scotch soldiers were all present, + and joined heartily in the singing, although many of them were ignorant of + the language, and sang the words of Scotch hymns to the German tunes. + </p> + <p> + Even the roughest of them, and those who had been longest away from their + native country, were much moved by the service. The hush and stillness, + the air of quiet and peace which prevailed, the fervour with which all + joined in the simple service, took them back in thought to the days of + their youth in quiet Scottish glens, and many a hand was passed hastily + across eyes which had not been moistened for many a year. + </p> + <p> + The armour and arms were now cleaned and polished, and for a short time + each day Malcolm exercised them. The martial appearance and perfect + discipline of the Scots struck the villagers with admiration the first + time they saw them under arms, and they earnestly begged Malcolm that they + might receive from him and Sergeant Sinclair some instruction in drill. + </p> + <p> + Accordingly every evening when work was done the men of the village were + formed up and drilled. Several of the soldiers took their places with them + in the ranks in order to aid them by their example. After the drill there + was sword and pike exercise, and as most of the men had already some + knowledge of the use of arms they made rapid progress, and felt an + increased confidence in their power to defend the village against the + attacks of any small bands of plunderers. To Malcolm the time passed + delightfully. His kind hosts vied with each other in their efforts to make + him comfortable, and it was in vain that he assured them that he no longer + needed attention and care. A seat was always placed for him in the coolest + nook in the room, fresh grapes and other fruit stood in readiness on a + table hard by. The farmer's daughters, busy as they were in their + household avocations, were always ready to sit and talk with him when he + was indoors, and of an evening to sing him the country melodies. + </p> + <p> + At the end of a fortnight the men were all fit for duty again, but the + hospitable farmer would not hear of their leaving, and as news from time + to time reached them from the outer world, and Malcolm learned that there + was no chance of any engagement for a time between the hostile armies, he + was only too glad to remain. + </p> + <p> + Another fortnight passed, and Malcolm reluctantly gave the word that on + the morrow the march must be recommenced. A general feeling of sorrow + reigned in the village when it was known that their guests were about to + depart, for the Scottish soldiers had made themselves extremely popular. + They were ever ready to assist in the labours of the village. They helped + to pick the apples from the heavily laden trees, they assisted to thrash + out the corn, and in every way strove to repay their entertainers for the + kindness they had shown them. + </p> + <p> + Of an evening their camp had been the rendezvous of the whole village. + There alternately the soldiers and the peasants sang their national songs, + and joined in hearty choruses. Sometimes there were dances, for many of + the villagers played on various instruments; and altogether Glogau had + never known such a time of festivity and cheerfulness before. + </p> + <p> + Late in the evening of the day before they had fixed for their departure + the pastor rode into the village. + </p> + <p> + “I have bad news,” he said. “A party of Pappenheim's dragoons, three + hundred strong, are raiding in the district on the other side of the + hills. A man came in just as I mounted my horse, saying that it was + expected they would attack Mansfeld, whose count is a sturdy Protestant. + The people were determined to resist to the last, in spite of the fate of + Magdeburg and Frankenhausen, but I fear that their chance of success is a + small one; but they say they may as well die fighting as be slaughtered in + cold blood.” + </p> + <p> + “Is Mansfeld fortified?” Malcolm asked. + </p> + <p> + “It has a wall,” the pastor replied, “but of no great strength. The + count's castle, which stands on a rock adjoining it, might defend itself + for some time, but I question whether it can withstand Pappenheim's + veterans. + </p> + <p> + “Mansfeld itself is little more than a village. I should not say it had + more than a thousand inhabitants, and can muster at best about two hundred + and fifty men capable of bearing arms.” + </p> + <p> + “How far is it from here?” Malcolm asked after a pause. + </p> + <p> + “Twenty-four miles by the bridle path across the hills.” + </p> + <p> + “When were the Imperialists expected to arrive?” + </p> + <p> + “They were ten miles away this morning,” the pastor replied; “but as they + were plundering and burning as they went they will not probably arrive + before Mansfeld before the morning. Some of the more timid citizens were + leaving, and many were sending away their wives and families.” + </p> + <p> + “Then,” Malcolm said, “I will march thither at once. Twenty good soldiers + may make all the difference, and although I have, of course, no orders for + such an emergency, the king can hardly blame me even if the worst happens + for striking a blow against the Imperialists here. Will you give me a + man,” he asked the farmer, “to guide us across the hills?” + </p> + <p> + “That will I right willingly,” the farmer said; “but it seems to me a + desperate service to embark in. These townspeople are of little good for + fighting, and probably intend only to make a show of resistance in order + to procure better terms. The count himself is a brave nobleman, but I fear + that the enterprise is a hopeless one.” + </p> + <p> + “Hopeless or not,” Malcolm said, “I will undertake it, and will at once + put the men under arms. The wagon and horses with the baggage I will leave + here till I return, that is if we should ever come back again.” + </p> + <p> + A tap of the drum and the soldiers came running in hastily from various + cottages where they were spending their last evening with their village + friends, wondering at the sudden summons to arms. As soon as they had + fallen in, Malcolm joined them. + </p> + <p> + “Men,” he said, “I am sorry to disturb you on your last evening here, but + there is business on hand. A party of Pappenheim's dragoons are about to + attack the town of Mansfeld, where the people are of the Reformed + Religion. The siege will begin in the morning, and ere that time we must + be there. We have all got fat and lazy, and a little fighting will do us + good.” + </p> + <p> + The thought of a coming fray reconciled the men to their departure from + their quiet and happy resting place. Armour was donned, buckles fastened, + and arms inspected, and in half an hour, after a cordial adieu from their + kind hosts, the detachment marched off, their guide with a lighted torch + leading the way. The men were in light marching order, having left + everything superfluous behind them in the wagon; and they marched briskly + along over hill and through forest without a halt, till at three o'clock + in the morning the little town of Mansfeld, with its castle rising above + it, was visible before them in the first light of morning. + </p> + <p> + As they approached the walls a musketoon was fired, and the alarm bell of + the church instantly rang out. Soon armed men made their appearance on the + walls. Fearing that the burghers might fire before waiting to ascertain + who were the newcomers, Malcolm halted his band, and advanced alone + towards the walls. + </p> + <p> + “Who are you who come in arms to the peaceful town of Mansfeld?” an + officer asked from the wall. + </p> + <p> + “I am an officer of his Swedish Majesty, Gustavus, and hearing that the + town was threatened with attack by the Imperialists, I have marched hither + with my detachment to aid in the defence.” + </p> + <p> + A loud cheer broke from the walls. Not only was the reinforcement a most + welcome one, small as it was, for the valour of the Scottish soldiers of + the King of Sweden was at that time the talk of all Germany, but the fact + that a detachment of these redoubted troops had arrived seemed a proof + that the main army of the Swedish king could not be far away. The gates + were at once opened, and Malcolm with his band marched into Mansfield. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII THE SIEGE OF MANSFELD + </h2> + <p> + “Will it please your worship at once to repair to the castle?” the leader + of the townspeople said. “The count has just sent down to inquire into the + reason of the alarm.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” Malcolm replied, “I will go at once. In the meantime, sir, I pray + you to see to the wants of my soldiers, who have taken a long night march + and will be none the worse for some refreshment. Hast seen aught of the + Imperialists?” + </p> + <p> + “They are at a village but a mile distant on the other side of the town,” + the citizen said. “Yesterday we counted eighteen villages in flames, and + the peasants who have come in say that numbers have been slain by them.” + </p> + <p> + “There is little mercy to be expected from the butchers of Magdeburg,” + Malcolm replied; “the only arguments they will listen to are steel and + lead, and we will not be sparing of these.” + </p> + <p> + A murmur of assent rang through the townsfolk who had gathered round, and + then the burgomaster himself led Malcolm up the ascent to the castle. The + news that the newcomers were a party of Scots had already been sent up to + the castle, and as Malcolm entered the gateway the count came forward to + welcome him. + </p> + <p> + “You are welcome indeed, fair sir,” he said. “It seems almost as if you + had arrived from the clouds to our assistance, for we had heard that the + Swedish king and his army were encamped around Old Brandenburg. + </p> + <p> + “His majesty has moved west, I hear,” Malcolm said; “but we have been a + month away from the camp. My detachment consisted of a body of invalids + who came up among the hills to get rid of the fever which was playing such + havoc among our ranks. I am glad to say that all are restored, and fit as + ever for a meeting with the Imperialists. I heard but yestereven that you + were expecting an attack, and have marched all night to be here in time. + My party is a small one, but each man can be relied upon; and when it + comes to hard fighting twenty in good soldiers may turn the day.” + </p> + <p> + “You are heartily welcome, sir, and I thank you much for coming to our + aid. The townspeople are determined to do their best, but most of them + have little skill in arms. I have a score or two of old soldiers here in + the castle, and had hoped to be able to hold this to the end; but truly I + despaired of a successful defence of the town. But enter, I pray you; the + countess will be glad to welcome you.” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm accompanied the count to the banquet hall of the castle. The + countess, a gentle and graceful woman, was already there; for indeed but + few in Mansfeld had closed an eye that night, for it was possible that the + Imperialists might attack without delay. By her side stood her daughter, a + girl of about fourteen years old. Malcolm had already stated his name to + the count, and the latter now presented him to his wife. + </p> + <p> + “We have heard so much of the Scottish soldiers,” she said as she held out + her hand, over which Malcolm bent deeply, “that we have all been curious + to see them, little dreaming that a band of them would appear here like + good angels in our hour of danger.” + </p> + <p> + “It was a fortunate accident which found me within reach when I heard of + the approach of the Imperialists. The names of the Count and Countess of + Mansfeld are so well known and so highly esteemed through Protestant + Germany that I was sure that the king would approve of my hastening to + lend what aid I might to you without orders from him.” + </p> + <p> + “I see you have learned to flatter,” the countess said smiling. “This is + my daughter Thekla.” + </p> + <p> + “I am glad to see you,” the girl said; “but I am a little disappointed. I + had thought that the Scots were such big fierce soldiers, and you are not + very big—not so tall as papa; and you do not look fierce at all—not + half so fierce as my cousin Caspar, who is but a boy.” + </p> + <p> + “That is very rude, Thekla,” her mother said reprovingly, while Malcolm + laughed gaily. + </p> + <p> + “You are quite right, Fraulein Thekla. I know I do not look very fierce, + but I hope when my moustache grows I shall come up more nearly to your + expectations. As to my height, I have some years to grow yet, seeing that + I am scarce eighteen, and perhaps no older than your cousin.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you recently joined, sir?” the countess asked. + </p> + <p> + “I have served through the campaign,” Malcolm replied, “and have seen some + hard knocks given, as you may imagine when I tell you that I was at the + siege of New Brandenburg.” + </p> + <p> + “When your soldiers fought like heroes, and, as I heard, all died sword in + hand save two or three officers who managed to escape.” + </p> + <p> + “I was one of the three, countess; but the tale is a long one, and can be + told after we have done with the Imperialists. Now, sir,” he went on, + turning to the count, “I am at your orders, and will take post with my men + at any point that you may think fit.” + </p> + <p> + “Before doing that,” the count said, “you must join us at breakfast. You + must be hungry after your long march, and as I have been all night in my + armour I shall do justice to it myself. You will, of course, take up your + abode here. As to other matters I have done my best, and the townspeople + were yesterday all told off to their places on the walls. I should think + it were best that your band were stationed in the marketplace as a + reserve, they could then move to any point which might be seriously + threatened. Should the Imperialists enter the town the citizens have + orders to fall back here fighting. All their most valuable goods were sent + up here yesterday, together with such of their wives and families as have + not taken flight, so that there will be nothing to distract them from + their duty.” + </p> + <p> + “That is good,” Malcolm said. “The thought that one is fighting for home + and family must nerve a man in the defence, but when the enemy once breaks + in he would naturally think of home first and hasten away to defend it to + the last, instead of obeying orders and falling back with his comrades in + good order and discipline.” + </p> + <p> + The meal was a cheerful one. Malcolm related more in detail how he and his + detachment happened to be so far removed from the army. + </p> + <p> + Just as the meal came to an end a drum beat in the town and the alarm + bells began to ring. The count and Malcolm sallied out at once to the + outer wall, and saw a small party of officers riding from the village + occupied by the Imperialists towards the town. + </p> + <p> + “Let us descend,” the count said. “I presume they are going to demand our + surrender.” + </p> + <p> + They reached the wall of the town just as the Imperialist officers + approached the gate. + </p> + <p> + “In the name of his majesty the emperor,” one of them cried out, “I + command you to open the gate and to surrender to his good will and + pleasure.” + </p> + <p> + “The smoking villages which I see around me,” Count Mansfeld replied, “are + no hopeful sign of any good will or pleasure on the part of his majesty + towards us. As to surrendering, we will rather die. But I am willing to + pay a fair ransom for the town if you will draw off your troops and march + away.” + </p> + <p> + “Beware, sir!” the officer said. “I have a force here sufficient to compel + obedience, and I warn you of the fate which will befall all within these + walls if you persist in refusing to admit us.” + </p> + <p> + “I doubt not as to their fate,” the count replied; “there are plenty of + examples before us of the tender mercy which your master's troops show + towards the towns you capture. + </p> + <p> + “Once again I offer you a ransom for the town. Name the sum, and if it be + in reason such as I and the townspeople can pay, it shall be yours; but + open the gates to you we will not.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” the officer said; “then your blood be on your own heads.” And + turning his horse he rode with his companions back towards the village. + </p> + <p> + On their arrival there a bustle was seen to prevail. A hundred horsemen + rode off and took post on an eminence near the town, ready to cut off the + retreat of any who might try to escape, and to enter the town when the + gates were forced open. The other two hundred men advanced on foot in a + close body towards the principal gate. + </p> + <p> + “They will try and blow it open with petards,” Malcolm said. “Half of my + men are musketeers and good shots, and I will, with your permission, place + them on the wall to aid the townsfolk there, for if the gate is blown open + and the enemy force their way in it will go hard with us.” + </p> + <p> + The count assented, and Malcolm posted his musketeers on the wall, + ordering Sergeant Sinclair with the remainder to set to work to erect + barricades across the street leading from the gate, so that, in case this + were blown in, such a stand might be made against the Imperialists as + would give the townspeople time to rally from the walls and to gather + there. + </p> + <p> + The Imperialists heralded their advance by opening fire with pistols and + musketoons against the wall, and the defenders at once replied. So heavy + was the fire that the head of the column wavered, many of the leading + files being at once shot down, but, encouraged by their officers, they + rallied, and pushed forward at a run. The fire of the townspeople at once + became hurried and irregular, but the Scots picked off their men with + steady aim. The leader of the Imperialists, who carried a petard, advanced + boldly to the edge of the ditch. The fosse was shallow and contained but + little water, and he at once dashed into it and waded across, for the + drawbridge had, of course, been raised. He climbed up the bank, and was + close to the gate, when Malcolm, leaning far over the wall, discharged his + pistol at him. The ball glanced from the steel armour. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm drew his other pistol and again fired, this time more effectually, + for the ball struck between the shoulder and the neck at the junction of + the breast and back pieces, and passed down into the body of the Austrian, + who, dropping the petard, fell dead; but a number of his men were close + behind him. + </p> + <p> + “Quick, lads!” Malcolm cried. “Put your strength to this parapet. It is + old and rotten. Now, all together! Shove!” + </p> + <p> + The soldiers bent their strength against the parapet, while some of the + townspeople, thrusting their pikes into the rotten mortar between the + stones, prised them up with all their strength. The parapet tottered, and + then with a tremendous crash fell, burying five or six of the Imperialists + and the petard beneath the ruins. + </p> + <p> + A shout of exultation rose from the defenders, and the Imperialists at + once withdrew at full speed. They halted out of gunshot, and then a number + of men were sent back to the village, whence they returned carrying + ladders, some of which had been collected the day before from the + neighbouring villages and others manufactured during the night. The enemy + now divided into three parties, which advanced simultaneously against + different points of the wall. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding the storm of shot poured upon them as they advanced, they + pressed forward until they reached the wall and planted their ladders, and + then essayed to climb; but at each point the stormers were stoutly met + with pike and sword, while the musketeers from the flanking towers poured + their bullets into them. + </p> + <p> + The troops proved themselves worthy of their reputation, for it was not + until more than fifty had fallen that they desisted from the attempt and + drew off. + </p> + <p> + “Now we shall have a respite,” Malcolm said. “If there are no more of them + in the neighbourhood methinks they will retire altogether, but if they + have any friends with cannon anywhere within reach they will probably send + for them and renew the attack.” + </p> + <p> + The day passed quietly. Parties of horsemen were seen leaving the village + to forage and plunder the surrounding country, but the main body remained + quietly there. The next day there was still no renewal of the attack, but + as the enemy remained in occupation of the village Malcolm guessed that + they must be waiting for the arrival of reinforcements. The following + afternoon a cloud of dust was seen upon the plain, and presently a column + of infantry some four hundred strong, with three cannon, could be made + out. The townspeople now wavered in their determination. A few were still + for resistance, but the majority held that they could not attempt to + withstand an assault by so strong a force, and that it was better to make + the best terms they could with the enemy. + </p> + <p> + A parlementaire was accordingly despatched to the Imperialists asking what + terms would be granted should the place surrender. + </p> + <p> + “We will grant no terms whatever,” the colonel in command of the + Imperialists said. “The town is at our mercy, and we will do as we will + with it and all within it; but tell Count Mansfeld that if he will + surrender the castle as well as the town at once, and without striking + another blow, his case shall receive favourable consideration.” + </p> + <p> + “That will not do,” the count said. “They either guarantee our lives or + they do not. I give not up my castle on terms like these, but I will + exercise no pressure on the townspeople. If they choose to defend + themselves till the last I will fight here with them; if they choose to + surrender they can do so; and those who differ from their fellows and put + no faith in Tilly's wolves can enter the castle with me.” + </p> + <p> + The principal inhabitants of the town debated the question hotly. Malcolm + lost patience with them, and said: “Are you mad as well as stupid? Do you + not see the smoking villages round you? Do you not remember the fate of + Magdeburg, New Brandenburg, and the other towns which have made a + resistance? You have chosen to resist. It was open to you to have fled + when you heard the Imperialists were coming. You could have opened the + gates then with some hope at least of your lives; but you decided to + resist. You have killed some fifty or sixty of their soldiers. You have + repulsed them from a place which they thought to take with scarce an + effort. You have compelled them to send for reinforcements and guns. And + now you are talking of opening the gates without even obtaining a promise + that your lives shall be spared. This is the extremity of folly, and all I + can say is, if you take such a step you will well deserve your fate.” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm's indignant address had its effect, and after a short discussion + the townspeople again placed themselves at the count's disposal, and said + that they would obey his orders. + </p> + <p> + “I will give no orders,” the count said. “My Scottish friend here agrees + with me that it is useless to try to defend the town. We might repulse + several attacks, but in the end they would surely break in, for the walls + are old and weak, and will crumble before their cannon. Were there any + hope of relief one would defend them to the last, but as it is it would be + but a waste of blood, for many would be slain both in the defence and + before they could retreat to the castle; therefore we propose at once to + withdraw. We doubt not that we can hold the castle. Any who like to remain + in their houses and trust to the tender mercy of Tilly's wolves can do + so.” + </p> + <p> + There was no more hesitation, and a cannonball, the first which the + Imperialists had fired, at that moment crashed into a house hard by, and + sharpened their decision wonderfully. + </p> + <p> + “I have no great store of provisions in the castle,” the count said, “and + although I deem it not likely that we shall have to stand a long siege we + must be prepared for it. There are already more than 700 of your wives and + children there, therefore while half of the force continue to show + themselves upon the walls, and so deter the enemy from attempting an + assault until they have opened some breaches, let the rest carry up + provisions to the castle. Any houses from which the women have fled are at + once to be broken open. All that we leave behind the enemy will take, and + the less we leave for them the better; therefore all stores and magazines + of food and wine must be considered as public property. Let the men at + once be divided into two bodies—the one to guard the walls, the + other to search for and carry up provisions. They can be changed every + three or four hours.” + </p> + <p> + The resolution was taken and carried into effect without delay. Most of + the horses and carts in the town had left with the fugitives, those that + remained were at once set to work. The carts were laden with large barrels + of wine and sacks of flour, while the men carried sides of bacon, kegs of + butter, and other portable articles on their heads. The Imperialists, + seeing the movement up the steep road to the castle gate, opened fire with + their arquebuses, but the defenders of the wall replied so hotly that they + were forced to retire out of range. The cannon played steadily all day, + and by nightfall two breaches had been effected in the wall and the gate + had been battered down. + </p> + <p> + But by this time an ample store of provisions had been collected in the + castle and as the Imperialists were seen to form up for the assault the + trumpet was sounded, and at the signal the whole of the defenders of the + walls left their posts and fell back to the castle, leaving the deserted + town at the mercy of the enemy. The Imperialists raised a shout of triumph + as they entered the breaches and found them undefended, and when once + assured that the town was deserted they broke their ranks and scattered to + plunder. + </p> + <p> + It was now quite dark, and many of them dragging articles of furniture + into the streets made great bonfires to light them at their work of + plunder. But they had soon reason to repent having done so, for + immediately the flames sprang up and lighted the streets, flashes ran + round the battlements of the castle, and a heavy fire was opened into the + streets, killing many of the soldiers. Seeing the danger of thus exposing + the men to the fire from the castle, the Imperialist commander issued + orders at once that all fires should be extinguished, that anyone setting + fire to a house should be instantly hung, and that no lights were to be + lit in the houses whose windows faced the castle. + </p> + <p> + Foreseeing the possibility of an attack from the castle, the Austrians + placed a hundred men at the foot of the road leading up to it, and laid + their three cannon loaded to the muzzle to command it. + </p> + <p> + “Have you not,” Malcolm asked the count, “some means of exit from the + castle besides the way into the town?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” the count said, “there is a footpath down the rock on the other + side.” + </p> + <p> + “Then,” Malcolm said, “as soon as they are fairly drunk, which will be + before midnight, let us fall upon them from the other side. Leave fifty of + your oldest men with half a dozen veteran soldiers to defend the gateway + against a sudden attack; with the rest we can issue out, and marching + round, enter by the gate and breaches, sweeping the streets as we go, and + then uniting, burst through any guard they may have placed to prevent a + sortie, and so regain the castle.” + </p> + <p> + The count at once assented. In a short time shouts, songs, the sound of + rioting and quarrels, arose from the town, showing that revelry was + general. At eleven o'clock the men in the castle were mustered, fifty were + told off to the defence with five experienced soldiers, an officer of the + count being left in command. The rest sallied through a little door at the + back of the castle and noiselessly descended the steep path. On arriving + at the bottom they were divided into three bodies. Malcolm with his Scots + and fifty of the townspeople formed one. Count Mansfeld took the command + of another, composed of his own soldiers and fifty more of the + townspeople. The third consisted of eighty of the best fighting men of the + town under their own leaders. These were to enter by the gate, while the + other two parties came in by the breaches. The moment the attack began the + defenders of the castle were to open as rapid a fire as they could upon + the foot of the road so as to occupy the attention of the enemy's force + there, and to lead them to anticipate a sortie. + </p> + <p> + The breach by which Malcolm was to enter was the farthest from the castle, + and his command would, therefore, be the last in arriving at its station. + When he reached it he ordered the trumpeters who accompanied him to sound, + and at the signal the three columns rushed into the town uttering shouts + of “Gustavus! Gustavus!” + </p> + <p> + The Imperialists in the houses near were slaughtered with scarcely any + resistance. They were for the most part intoxicated, and such as retained + their senses were paralysed at the sudden attack, and panic stricken at + the shouts, which portended the arrival of a relieving force from the army + of the King of Sweden. As the bands pressed forward, slaying all whom they + came upon, the resistance became stronger; but the three columns were all + headed by parties of pikemen who advanced steadily and in good order, + bearing down all opposition, and leaving to those behind them the task of + slaying all found in the houses. + </p> + <p> + Lights flashed from the windows and partly lit up the streets, and the + Imperialist officers attempted to rally their men; but the Scottish + shouts, “A Hepburn! A Hepburn!” and the sight of their green scarves added + to the terror of the soldiers, who were convinced that the terrible Green + Brigade of the King of Sweden was upon them. + </p> + <p> + Hundreds were cut down after striking scarce a blow in their defence, + numbers fled to the walls and leapt over. The panic communicated itself to + the party drawn up to repel a sortie. Hearing the yells, screams, and + shouts, accompanied by the musketry approaching from three different + quarters of the town, while a steady fire from the castle indicated that + the defenders there might, at any moment, sally out upon them, they stood + for a time irresolute; but as the heads of the three columns approached + they lost heart, quitted their station, and withdrew in a body by a street + by which they avoided the approaching columns. On arriving at the spot + Malcolm found the guns deserted. + </p> + <p> + “The town is won now,” he said. “I will take my post here with my men in + case the Austrians should rally; do you with the rest scatter over the + town and complete the work, but bid them keep together in parties of + twenty.” + </p> + <p> + The force broke up and scattered through the town in their work of + vengeance. House after house was entered and searched, and all who were + found there put to the sword; but by this time most of those who were not + too drunk to fly had already made for the gates. + </p> + <p> + In half an hour not an Imperialist was left alive in the town. Then guards + were placed at the gate and breaches, and they waited till morning. Not a + sign of an Imperialist was to be seen on the plain, and parties sallying + out found that they had fled in the utmost disorder. Arms, accoutrements, + and portions of plunder lay scattered thickly about, and it was clear that + in the belief that the Swedish army was on them, the Imperialists had fled + panic stricken, and were now far away. Upwards of two hundred bodies were + found in the streets and houses. + </p> + <p> + A huge grave was dug outside the walls, and here the fallen foes were + buried. Only three or four of the defenders of the town were killed and a + score or so wounded in the whole affair. Although there was little fear of + a return, as the Imperialists would probably continue their headlong + flight for a long distance, and would then march with all haste to rejoin + their main army with the news that a strong Swedish force was at Mansfeld, + the count set the townspeople at once to repair the breaches. + </p> + <p> + The people were overjoyed with their success, and delighted at having + preserved their homes from destruction, for they knew that the + Imperialists would, if unsuccessful against the castle, have given the + town to the flames before retiring. The women and children flocked down to + their homes again, and although much furniture had been destroyed and + damage done, this was little heeded when so much was saved. + </p> + <p> + All vied in the expression of gratitude towards Malcolm and his Scots, but + Malcolm modestly disclaimed all merit, saying that he and his men had + scarcely struck a blow. + </p> + <p> + “It is not so much the fighting,” the count said, “as the example which + you set the townsmen, and the spirit which the presence of you and your + men diffused among them. Besides, your counsel and support to me have been + invaluable; had it not been for you the place would probably have been + carried at the first attack, and if not the townspeople would have + surrendered when the enemy's reinforcements arrived; and in that case, + with so small a force at my command I could not have hoped to defend the + castle successfully. Moreover, the idea of the sortie which has freed us + of them and saved the town from destruction was entirely yours. No, my + friend, say what you will I feel that I am indebted to you for the safety + of my wife and child, and so long as I live I shall be deeply your + debtor.” + </p> + <p> + The following day Malcolm with his party marched away. The count had + presented him with a suit of magnificent armour, and the countess with a + gold chain of great value. Handsome presents were also made to Sergeant + Sinclair, who was a cadet of good family, and a purse of gold was given to + each of the soldiers, so in high spirits the band marched away over the + mountains on their return to the village. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX THE BATTLE OF BREITENFELD + </h2> + <p> + Great joy was manifested as Malcolm's band marched into the village and it + was found that they had accomplished the mission on which they went, had + saved Mansfeld, and utterly defeated the Imperialists, and had returned in + undiminished numbers, although two or three had received wounds more or + less serious, principally in the first day's fighting. They only remained + one night in the village. + </p> + <p> + On the following morning the baggage was placed in the wagons with a store + of fruit and provisions for their march, and after another hearty adieu + the detachment set out in high spirits. After marching for two days they + learned that the Swedish army had marched to Werben, and that Tilly's army + had followed it there. + </p> + <p> + After the receipt of this news there was no more loitering; the marches + were long and severe, and after making a detour to avoid the Imperialists + the detachment entered the royal camp without having met with any + adventure on the way. His fellow officers flocked round Malcolm to + congratulate him on his safe return and on his restored health. + </p> + <p> + “The change has done wonders for you, Malcolm,” Nigel Graheme said. “Why, + when you marched out you were a band of tottering scarecrows, and now your + detachment looks as healthy and fresh as if they had but yesterday left + Scotland; but come in, the bugle has just sounded to supper, and we are + only waiting for the colonel to arrive. He is at present in council with + the king with Hepburn and some more. Ah! here he comes.” + </p> + <p> + Munro rode up and leapt from his horse, and after heartily greeting + Malcolm led the way into the tent where supper was laid out. Malcolm was + glad to see by the faces of his comrades that all had shaken off the + disease which had played such havoc among them at Old Brandenburg. + </p> + <p> + “Is there any chance of a general engagement?” he asked Nigel. + </p> + <p> + “Not at present,” Nigel said. “We are expecting the reinforcements up in a + few days. As you see we have fortified the camp too strongly for Tilly to + venture to attack us here. Only yesterday he drew up his army and offered + us battle; but the odds were too great, and the king will not fight till + his reinforcements arrive. Some of the hotter spirits were sorry that he + would not accept Tilly's invitation, and I own that I rather gnashed my + teeth myself; but I knew that the king was right in not risking the whole + cause rashly when a few days will put us in a position to meet the + Imperialists on something like equal terms. Is there any news, colonel?” + he asked, turning to Munro. + </p> + <p> + “No news of importance,” the colonel replied; “but the king is rather + puzzled. A prisoner was taken today—one of Pappenheim's horsemen—and + he declares that a force of horse and foot have been defeated at Mansfeld + by a Swedish army with heavy loss. He avers that he was present at the + affair, and arrived in camp with the rest of the beaten force only + yesterday. We cannot make it out, as we know that there are no Swedish + troops anywhere in that direction.” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm burst into a hearty laugh, to the surprise of his fellow officers. + </p> + <p> + “I can explain the matter, colonel,” he said. “It was my detachment that + had the honour of representing the Swedish army at Mansfeld.” + </p> + <p> + “What on earth do you mean, Malcolm?” the colonel asked. + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, as you know I went with a detachment to the village where I + had before been well treated, and had earned the gratitude of the people + by teaching them how to destroy a party of marauders. After having been + there for a month I was on the point of marching, for the men were all + perfectly restored to health; and indeed I know I ought to have returned + sooner, seeing that the men were fit for service; but as I thought you + were still at Old Brandenburg, and could well dispense with our services, + I lingered on to the last. But just as I was about to march the news came + that a party of Imperialist horse, three hundred strong, was about to + attack Mansfeld, a place of whose existence I had never heard; but hearing + that its count was a staunch Protestant, and that the inhabitants intended + to make a stout defence, I thought that I could not be doing wrong in the + service of the king by marching to aid them, the place being but + twenty-four miles away across the hills. We got there in time, and aided + the townspeople to repulse the first assault. After two days they brought + up a reinforcement of four hundred infantry and some cannon. As the place + is a small one, with but about two hundred and fifty fighting men of all + ages, we deemed it impossible to defend the town, and while they were + breaching the walls fell back to the castle. The Imperialists occupied it + at sunset, and at night, leaving a party to hold the castle, we sallied + out from the other side, and marching round, entered by the breaches, and, + raising the Swedish war cry fell upon the enemy, who were for the most + part too drunk to offer any serious resistance. We killed two hundred and + fifty of them, and the rest fled in terror, thinking they had the whole + Swedish army upon them. The next day I started on my march back here, and + though we have not spared speed, it seems that the Imperialists have + arrived before us.” + </p> + <p> + A burst of laughter and applause greeted the solution of the mystery. + </p> + <p> + “You have done well, sir,” Munro said cordially, “and have rendered a + great service not only in the defeat of the Imperialists, but in its + consequences here, for the prisoner said that last night five thousand men + were marched away from Tilly's army to observe and make head against this + supposed Swedish force advancing from the east. When I have done my meal I + will go over to the king with the news, for his majesty is greatly + puzzled, especially as the prisoner declared that he himself had seen the + Scots of the Green Brigade in the van of the column, and had heard the war + cry, 'A Hepburn! A Hepburn!' + </p> + <p> + “Hepburn himself could make neither head nor tail of it, and was half + inclined to believe that this avenging force was led by the ghosts of + those who had been slain at New Brandenburg. Whenever we can't account for + a thing, we Scots are inclined to believe it's supernatural. + </p> + <p> + “Now tell me more about the affair, Malcolm. By the way do you know that + you are a lieutenant now? Poor Foulis died of the fever a few days after + you left us, and as the king had himself ordered that you were to have the + next vacancy, I of course appointed you at once. We must drink tonight to + your promotion.” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm now related fully the incidents of the siege. + </p> + <p> + “By my faith, Malcolm Graheme,” Munro said when he had finished, “you are + as lucky as you are brave. Mansfeld is a powerful nobleman, and has large + possessions in various parts of Germany and much influence, and the king + will be grateful that you have thus rendered him such effective assistance + and so bound him to our cause. I believe he has no children.” + </p> + <p> + “He has a daughter,” Malcolm said, “a pretty little maid some fourteen + years old.” + </p> + <p> + “In faith, Malcolm, 'tis a pity that you and she are not some four or five + years older. What a match it would be for you, the heiress of Mansfeld; + she would be a catch indeed! Well, there's time enough yet, my lad, for + there is no saying how long this war will last.” + </p> + <p> + There was a general laugh, and the colonel continued: + </p> + <p> + “Malcolm has the grace to colour, which I am afraid the rest of us have + lost long ago. Never mind, Malcolm, there are plenty of Scotch cadets have + mended their fortune by means of a rich heiress before now, and I hope + there will be many more. I am on the lookout for a wealthy young countess + myself, and I don't think there is one here who would not lay aside his + armour and sword on such inducement. And now, gentlemen, as we have all + finished, I will leave you to your wine while I go across with our young + lieutenant to the king. I must tell him tonight, or he will not sleep with + wondering over the mystery. We will be back anon and will broach a cask of + that famous wine we picked up the other day, in honour of Malcolm + Graheme's promotion.” + </p> + <p> + Sir John Hepburn was dining with Gustavus, and the meal was just concluded + when Colonel Munro was announced. + </p> + <p> + “Well, my brave Munro, what is it?” the king said heartily, “and whom have + you here? The young officer who escaped from New Brandenburg and Tilly, + unless I am mistaken.” + </p> + <p> + “It is, sir, but I have to introduce him in a new character tonight, as + the leader of your majesty's army who have defeated the Imperialists at + Mansfeld.” + </p> + <p> + “Say you so?” exclaimed the king. “Then, though I understand you not, we + shall hear a solution of the mystery which has been puzzling us. Sit down, + young sir; fill yourself a flagon of wine, and expound this riddle to us.” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm repeated the narrative as he had told it to his colonel, and the + king expressed his warm satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + “You will make a great leader some day if you do not get killed in one of + these adventures, young sir. Bravery seems to be a common gift of the men + of your nation; but you seem to unite with it a surprising prudence and + sagacity, and, moreover, this march of yours to Mansfeld shows that you do + not fear taking responsibility, which is a high and rare quality. You have + done good service to the cause, and I thank you, and shall keep my eye + upon you in the future.” + </p> + <p> + The next day Malcolm went round the camp, and was surprised at the + extensive works which had been erected. Strong ramparts and redoubts had + been thrown up round it, faced with stone, and mounted with 150 pieces of + cannon. In the centre stood an inner entrenchment with earthworks and a + deep fosse. In this stood the tents of the king and those of his principal + officers. The Marquis of Hamilton had, Malcolm heard, arrived and gone. He + had lost on the march many of the soldiers he had enlisted in England, who + had died from eating German bread, which was heavier, darker coloured, and + more sour than that of their own country. This, however, did not disagree + with the Scotch, who were accustomed to black bread. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder,” Malcolm said to Nigel Graheme, “that when the king has in face + of him a force so superior to his own he should have sent away on detached + service the four splendid regiments which they say the marquis brought.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, the fact was,” Nigel said laughing, “Hamilton was altogether too + grand for us here. We all felt small and mean so long as he remained. + Gustavus himself, who is as simple in his tastes as any officer in the + army, and who keeps up no ostentatious show, was thrown into the shade by + his visitor. Why, had he been the Emperor of Germany or the King of France + he could not have made a braver show. His table was equipped and furnished + with magnificence; his carriages would have created a sensation in Paris; + the liveries of his attendants were more splendid than the uniforms of + generals; he had forty gentlemen as esquires and pages, and 200 yeomen, + splendidly mounted and armed, rode with him as his bodyguard. + </p> + <p> + “Altogether he was oppressive; but the Hamiltons have ever been fond of + show and finery. So Gustavus has sent him and his troops away to guard the + passages of the Oder and to cover our retreat should we be forced to fall + back.” + </p> + <p> + Tilly, finding that the position of Gustavus was too strong to be forced, + retired to Wolmirstadt, whence he summoned the Elector of Saxony to admit + his army into his country, and either to disband the Saxon army or to + unite it to his own. Hitherto the elector had held aloof from Gustavus, + whom he regarded with jealousy and dislike, and had stood by inactive + although the slightest movement of his army would have saved Magdeburg. To + disband his troops, however, and to hand over his fortresses to Tilly, + would be equivalent to giving up his dominions to the enemy; rather than + do this he determined to join Gustavus, and having despatched Arnheim to + treat with the King of Sweden for alliance, he sent a point blank refusal + to Tilly. + </p> + <p> + The Imperialist general at once marched towards Leipzig, devastating the + country as he advanced. Terms were soon arranged between the elector and + Gustavus, and on the 3d of September, 1631, the Swedish army crossed the + Elbe, and the next day joined the Saxon army at Torgau. By this time Tilly + was in front of Leipzig, and immediately on his arrival burned to the + ground Halle, a suburb lying beyond the wall, and then summoned the city + to surrender. + </p> + <p> + Alarmed at the sight of the conflagration of Halle, and with the fate of + Magdeburg in their minds, the citizens of Leipzig opened their gates at + once on promise of fair treatment. The news of this speedy surrender was a + heavy blow to the allies, who, however, after a council of war, determined + at once to march forward against the city, and to give battle to the + Imperialists on the plain around it. + </p> + <p> + Leipzig stands on a wide plain which is called the plain of Breitenfeld, + and the battle which was about to commence there has been called by the + Germans the battle of Breitenfeld, to distinguish it from the even greater + struggles which have since taken place under the walls of Leipzig. + </p> + <p> + The baggage had all been left behind, and the Swedish army lay down as + they stood. The king occupied his travelling coach, and passed the night + chatting with Sir John Hepburn, Marshal Horn, Sir John Banner, Baron + Teuffel, who commanded the guards, and other leaders. The lines of red + fires which marked Tilly's position on the slope of a gentle eminence to + the southwest were plainly to be seen. The day broke dull and misty on the + 7th of September, and as the light fog gradually rose the troops formed up + for battle. Prayers were said in front of every regiment, and the army + then moved forward. Two Scottish brigades had the places of honour in the + van, where the regiments of Sir James Ramsay, the Laird of Foulis, and Sir + John Hamilton were posted, while Hepburn's Green Brigade formed part of + the reserve—a force composed of the best troops of the army, as on + them the fate of the battle frequently depends. The Swedish cavalry were + commanded by Field Marshal Horn, General Banner, and Lieutenant General + Bauditzen. + </p> + <p> + The king and Baron Teuffel led the main body of infantry; the King of + Saxony commanded the Saxons, who were on the Swedish left. The armies were + not very unequal in numbers, the allies numbering 35,000, of whom the + Swedes and Scots counted 20,000, the Saxons 15,000. The Imperialists + numbered about 40,000. Tilly was fighting unwillingly, for he had wished + to await the arrival from Italy of 12,000 veterans under General + Altringer, and who were within a few days' march; but he had been induced, + against his own better judgment, by the urgency of Pappenheim, + Furstenberg, and the younger generals, to quit the unassailable post he + had taken up in front of Leipzig, and to move out on to the plain of + Breitenfeld to accept the battle which the Swedes offered. + </p> + <p> + A short distance in his front was the village of Podelwitz. Behind his + position were two elevations, on which he placed his guns, forty in + number. In rear of these elevations was a very thick wood. The Imperialist + right was commanded by Furstenberg, the left by Pappenheim, the centre by + Tilly himself. Although he had yielded to his generals so far as to take + up a position on the plain, Tilly was resolved, if possible, not to fight + until the arrival of the reinforcements; but the rashness of Pappenheim + brought on a battle. To approach the Austrian position the Swedes had to + cross the little river Loder, and Pappenheim asked permission of Tilly to + charge them as they did so. Tilly consented on condition that he only + charged with two thousand horse and did not bring on a general engagement. + Accordingly, as the Scottish brigade under Sir James Ramsay crossed the + Loder, Pappenheim swept down upon them. + </p> + <p> + The Scots stood firm, and with pike and musket repelled the attack; and + after hard fighting Pappenheim was obliged to fall back, setting fire as + he retired to the village of Podelwitz. The smoke of the burning village + drifted across the plain, and was useful to the Swedes, as under its cover + the entire army passed the Loder, and formed up ready for battle facing + the Imperialists position, the movement being executed under a heavy fire + from the Austrian batteries on the hills. + </p> + <p> + The Swedish order of battle was different from that of the Imperialists. + The latter had their cavalry massed together in one heavy, compact body, + while the Swedish regiments of horse were placed alternately with the + various regiments or brigades of infantry. The Swedish centre was composed + of four brigades of pikemen. Guns were behind the first line, as were the + cavalry supporting the pikemen. The regiments of musketeers were placed at + intervals among the brigades of pikemen. + </p> + <p> + Pappenheim on his return to the camp ordered up the whole of his cavalry, + and charged down with fury upon the Swedes, while at the same moment + Furstenberg dashed with seven regiments of cavalry on the Saxons. Between + these and the Swedes there was a slight interval, for Gustavus had doubts + of the steadiness of his allies, and was anxious that in case of their + defeat his own troops should not be thrown into confusion. The result + justified his anticipations. + </p> + <p> + Attacked with fury on their flank by Furstenberg's horse, while his + infantry and artillery poured a direct fire into their front, the Saxons + at once gave way. Their elector was the first to set the example of + flight, and, turning his horse, galloped without drawing rein to Torgau, + and in twenty minutes after the commencement of the fight the whole of the + Saxons were in utter rout, hotly pursued by Furstenberg's cavalry. + </p> + <p> + Tilly now deemed the victory certain, for nearly half of his opponents + were disposed of, and he outnumbered the remainder by two to one; but + while Furstenberg had gained so complete a victory over the Saxons, + Pappenheim, who had charged the Swedish centre, had met with a very + different reception. + </p> + <p> + In vain he tried to break through the Swedish spears. The wind was blowing + full in the faces of the pikemen, and the clouds of smoke and dust which + rolled down upon them rendered it impossible for them to see the heavy + columns of horse until they fell upon them like an avalanche, yet with + perfect steadiness they withstood the attacks. + </p> + <p> + Seven times Pappenheim renewed his charge; seven times he fell back broken + and disordered. + </p> + <p> + As he drew off for the last time Gustavus, seeing the rout of the Saxons, + and knowing that he would have the whole of Tilly's force upon him in a + few minutes, determined to rid himself altogether of Pappenheim, and + launched the whole of his cavalry upon the retreating squadrons with + overwhelming effect. Thus at the end of half an hour's fighting Tilly had + disposed of the Saxons, and Gustavus had driven Pappenheim's horse from + the field. + </p> + <p> + Three of the Scottish regiments were sent from the centre to strengthen + Horn on the left flank, which was now exposed by the flight of the Saxons. + Scarcely had the Scottish musketeers taken their position when + Furstenberg's horse returned triumphant from their pursuit of the Saxons, + and at once fell upon Horn's pikemen. These, however, stood as firmly as + their comrades in the centre had done; and the Scottish musketeers, six + deep, the three front ranks kneeling, the three in rear standing, poured + such heavy volleys into the horsemen that these fell back in disorder; the + more confused perhaps, since volley firing was at that time peculiar to + the Swedish army, and the crashes of musketry were new to the + Imperialists. + </p> + <p> + As the cavalry fell back in disorder, Gustavus led his horse, who had just + returned from the pursuit of Pappenheim, against them. The shock was + irresistible, and Furstenberg's horse were driven headlong from the field. + But the Imperialist infantry, led by Tilly himself, were now close at + hand, and the roar of musketry along the whole line was tremendous, while + the artillery on both sides played unceasingly. + </p> + <p> + Just as the battle was at the hottest the Swedish reserve came up to the + assistance of the first line, and Sir John Hepburn led the Green Brigade + through the intervals of the Swedish regiments into action. Lord Reay's + regiment was in front, and Munro, leading it on, advanced against the + solid Imperialist columns, pouring heavy volleys into them. When close at + hand the pikemen passed through the intervals of the musketeers and + charged furiously with levelled pikes, the musketeers following them with + clubbed weapons. + </p> + <p> + The gaps formed by the losses of the regiment at New Brandenburg and the + other engagements had been filled up, and two thousand strong they fell + upon the Imperialists. For a few minutes there was a tremendous + hand-to-hand conflict, but the valour and strength of the Scotch + prevailed, and the regiment was the first to burst its way through the + ranks of the Imperialists, and then pressed on to attack the trenches + behind, held by the Walloon infantry. While the battle was raging in the + plain the Swedish cavalry, after driving away Furstenberg's horse, swept + round and charged the eminence in the rear of the Imperialists, cutting + down the artillerymen and capturing the cannon there. + </p> + <p> + These were at once turned upon the masses of Imperialist infantry, who + thus, taken between two fires—pressed hotly by the pikemen in front, + mown down by the cannon in their rear—lost heart and fled + precipitately, four regiments alone, the veterans of Furstenberg's + infantry, holding together and cutting their way through to the woods in + the rear of their position. + </p> + <p> + The slaughter would have been even greater than it was, had not the cloud + of dust and smoke been so thick that the Swedes were unable to see ten + yards in front of them. The pursuit was taken up by their cavalry, who + pressed the flying Imperialists until nightfall. So complete was the + defeat that Tilly, who was badly wounded, could only muster 600 men to + accompany him in his retreat, and Pappenheim could get together but 1400 + of his horsemen. Seven thousand of the Imperialists were killed, 5000 were + wounded or taken prisoners. The Swedes lost but 700 men, the Saxons about + 2000. + </p> + <p> + The Swedes that night occupied the Imperial tents, making great bonfires + of the broken wagons, pikes, and stockades. A hundred standards were + taken. Tilly had fought throughout the battle with desperate valour. He + was ever in the van of his infantry, and three times was wounded by + bullets and once taken prisoner, and only rescued after a desperate + conflict. + </p> + <p> + At the conclusion of the day Cronenberg with 600 Walloon cavalry threw + themselves around him and bore him from the field. The fierce old soldier + is said to have burst into a passion of tears on beholding the slaughter + and defeat of his infantry. Hitherto he had been invincible, this being + the first defeat he had suffered in the course of his long military + career. Great stores of provision and wine had been captured, and the + night was spent in feasting in the Swedish camp. + </p> + <p> + The next morning the Elector of Saxony rode on to the field to + congratulate Gustavus on his victory. The latter was politic enough to + receive him with great courtesy and to thank him for the services the + Saxons had rendered. He intrusted to the elector the task of recapturing + Leipzig, while he marched against Merseburg, which he captured with its + garrison of five hundred men. + </p> + <p> + After two or three assaults had been made on Leipzig the garrison + capitulated to the Saxons, and on the 11th of September the army was drawn + up and reviewed by Gustavus. When the king arrived opposite the Green + Brigade he dismounted and made the soldiers an address, thanking them for + their great share in winning the battle of Leipzig. + </p> + <p> + Many of the Scottish officers were promoted, Munro being made a full + colonel, and many others advanced a step in rank. The Scottish brigade + responded to the address of the gallant king with hearty cheers. Gustavus + was indeed beloved as well as admired by his soldiers. Fearless himself of + danger, he ever recognized bravery in others, and was ready to take his + full share of every hardship as well as every peril. + </p> + <p> + He had ever a word of commendation and encouragement for his troops, and + was regarded by them as a comrade as well as a leader. In person he was + tall and rather stout, his face was handsome, his complexion fair, his + forehead lofty, his hair auburn, his eyes large and penetrating, his + cheeks ruddy and healthy. He had an air of majesty which enabled him to + address his soldiers in terms of cheerful familiarity without in the + slightest degree diminishing their respect and reverence for him as their + monarch. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X THE PASSAGE OF THE RHINE + </h2> + <p> + “I suppose,” Nigel Graheme said, as the officers of the regiment assembled + in one of the Imperialist tents on the night after the battle of Leipzig, + “we shall at once press forward to Vienna;” and such was the general + opinion throughout the Swedish army; but such was not the intention of + Gustavus. Undoubtedly the temptation to press forward and dictate peace in + Vienna was strong, but the difficulties and disadvantages of such a step + were many. He had but 20,000 men, for the Saxons could not be reckoned + upon; and indeed it was probable that their elector, whose jealousy and + dislike of Gustavus would undoubtedly be heightened by the events of the + battle of Breitenfeld, would prove himself to be a more than a doubtful + ally were the Swedish army to remove to a distance. + </p> + <p> + Tilly would soon rally his fugitives, and, reinforced by the numerous + Imperialist garrisons from the towns, would be able to overrun North + Germany in his absence, and to force the Saxons to join him even if the + elector were unwilling to do so. Thus the little Swedish force would be + isolated in the heart of Germany; and should Ferdinand abandon Vienna at + his approach and altogether refuse to treat with him—which his + obstinacy upon a former occasion when in the very hands of his enemy + rendered probable—the Swedes would find themselves in a desperate + position, isolated and alone in the midst of enemies. + </p> + <p> + There was another consideration. An Imperialist diet was at that moment + sitting at Frankfort, and Ferdinand was using all his influence to compel + the various princes and representatives of the free cities to submit to + him. It was of the utmost importance that Gustavus should strengthen his + friends and overawe the waverers by the approach of his army. Hitherto + Franconia and the Rhine provinces had been entirely in the hands of the + Imperialists, and it was needful that a counterbalancing influence should + be exerted. These considerations induced Gustavus to abandon the tempting + idea of a march upon Vienna. The Elector of Saxony was charged with + carrying the war into Silesia and Bohemia, the Electors of Hesse and + Hesse-Cassel were to maintain Lower Saxony and Westphalia, and the Swedish + army turned its face towards the Rhine. + </p> + <p> + On the 20th of September it arrived before Erfurt, an important fortified + town on the Gera, which surrendered at discretion. Gustavus granted the + inhabitants, who were for the most part Catholics, the free exercise of + their religion, and nominated the Duke of Saxe-Weimar to be governor of + the district and of the province of Thuringen, and the Count of Lowenstein + to be commander of the garrison, which consisted of Colonel Foulis's + Scottish regiment, 1500 strong. + </p> + <p> + Travelling by different routes in two columns the army marched to + Wurtzburg, the capital of Franconia, a rich and populous city, the + Imperialist garrison having withdrawn to the strong castle of Marienburg, + on a lofty eminence overlooking the town, and only separated from it by + the river Maine. The cathedral at Wurtzburg is dedicated to a Scottish + saint, St. Kilian, a bishop who with two priests came from Scotland in the + year 688 to convert the heathen of Franconia. They baptized many at + Wurtzburg, among them Gospert, the duke of that country. This leader was + married to Geilana, the widow of his brother; and Kilian urging upon him + that such a marriage was contrary to the laws of the Christian church, the + duke promised to separate from her. Geilana had not, like her lord, + accepted Christianity, and, furious at this interference of Kilian, she + seized the opportunity when the latter had gone with his followers on an + expedition against the pagan Saxons to have Kilian and his two companions + murdered. + </p> + <p> + The cathedral was naturally an object of interest to the Scotch soldiers + in the time of Gustavus, and there was an animated argument in the + quarters of the officers of Munro's regiment on the night of their arrival + as to whether St. Kilian had done well or otherwise in insisting upon his + new convert repudiating his wife. The general opinion, however, was + against the saint, the colonel summing up the question. + </p> + <p> + “In my opinion,” he said, “Kilian was a fool. Here was no less a matter at + stake than the conversion of a whole nation, or at least of a great tribe + of heathens, and Kilian imperilled it all on a question of minor + importance; for in the first place, the Church of Rome has always held + that the pope could grant permission for marriage within interdicted + degrees; in the second place, the marriage had taken place before the + conversion of the duke to Christianity, and they were therefore innocently + and without thought of harm bona fide man and wife. Lastly, the Church of + Rome is opposed to divorce; and Kilian might in any case have put up with + this small sin, if sin it were, for the sake of saving the souls of + thousands of pagans. My opinion is that St. Kilian richly deserved the + fate which befell him. And now to a subject much more interesting to us—viz, + the capture of Marienburg. + </p> + <p> + “I tell you, my friends, it is going to be a warm business; the castle is + considered impregnable, and is strong by nature as well as art, and + Captain Keller is said to be a stout and brave soldier. He has 1000 men in + the garrison, and all the monks who were in the town have gone up and + turned soldiers. But if the task is a hard one the reward will be rich; + for as the Imperialists believe the place cannot be taken, the treasures + of all the country round are stored up there. And I can tell you more, in + the cellars are sixty gigantic tuns of stone, the smallest of which holds + twenty-five wagon loads of wine, and they say some of it is a hundred + years old. With glory and treasure and good wine to be won we will outdo + ourselves tomorrow; and you may be sure that the brunt of the affair will + fall upon the Scots.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, there is one satisfaction,” said Nigel Graheme—who after + Leipzig had been promoted to the rank of major—“if we get the lion's + share of the fighting, we shall have the lion's share of the plunder and + wine.” + </p> + <p> + “For shame, Graheme! You say nothing of the glory.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! well,” Graheme laughed, “we have already had so large share of that, + that I for one could do without winning any more just at present. It's a + dear commodity to purchase, and neither fills our belly nor our pockets.” + </p> + <p> + “For shame, Graheme! for shame!” Munro said laughing. “It is a scandal + that such sentiments should be whispered in the Scottish brigade; and now + to bed, gentlemen, for we shall have, methinks, a busy day tomorrow.” + </p> + <p> + Sir James Ramsay was appointed to command the assault. The river Maine had + to be crossed, and he sent off Lieutenant Robert Ramsay of his own + regiment to obtain boats from the peasantry. The disguise in which he went + was seen through, and he was taken prisoner and carried to the castle. A + few boats were, however, obtained by the Swedes. + </p> + <p> + The river is here 300 yards wide, and the central arch of the bridge had + been blown up by the Imperialists, a single plank remaining across the + chasm over the river 48 feet below. The bridge was swept by the heaviest + cannon in the fortress, and a passage appeared well nigh hopeless. On the + afternoon of the 5th of October the party prepared to pass, some in boats, + others by the bridge. A tremendous fire was opened by the Imperialists + from cannon and musketry, sweeping the bridge with a storm of missiles and + lashing the river to foam around the boats. The soldiers in these returned + the fire with their muskets, and the smoke served as a cover to conceal + them from the enemy. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime Major Bothwell of Ramsay's regiment led a company across + the bridge. These, in spite of the fire, crossed the plank over the broken + arch and reached the head of the bridge, from whence they kept up so heavy + a fire upon the gunners and musketeers in the lower works by the river + that they forced them to quit their posts, and so enabled Sir James Ramsay + and Sir John Hamilton to effect a landing. + </p> + <p> + Major Bothwell, his brother, and the greater part of his followers were, + however, slain by the Imperialists' fire from above. The commandant of the + castle now sallied out and endeavoured to recapture the works by the + water, but the Scotch repelled the attack and drove the enemy up the hill + to the castle again. The Scottish troops having thus effected a lodgment + across the river, and being protected by the rocks from the enemy's fire, + lay down for the night in the position they had won. + </p> + <p> + Gustavus during the night caused planks to be thrown across the broken + bridge and prepared to assault at daybreak. Just as morning was breaking, + a Swedish officer with seven men climbed up the hill to reconnoitre the + castle, and found to his surprise that the drawbridge was down, but a + guard of 200 men were stationed at the gate. He was at once challenged, + and, shouting “Sweden!” sprang with his men on to the end of the + drawbridge. The Imperialists tried in vain to raise it; before they could + succeed some companions of the Swedes ran up, and, driving in the guard, + took possession of the outer court. + </p> + <p> + Almost at the same moment Ramsay's and Hamilton's regiments commenced + their assault on a strong outwork of the castle, which, after two hours' + desperate fighting, they succeeded in gaining. They then turned its guns + upon the gate of the keep, which they battered down, and were about to + charge in when they received orders from the king to halt and retire, + while the Swedish regiment of Axel-Lilly and the Blue Brigade advanced to + the storm. + </p> + <p> + The Scottish regiments retired in the deepest discontent, deeming + themselves affronted by others being ordered to the post of honour after + they had by their bravery cleared the way. The Swedish troops forced their + way in after hard fighting; and the Castle of Marienburg, so long deemed + impregnable, was captured after a few hours' fighting. The quantity of + treasure found in it was enormous, and there were sufficient provisions to + have lasted its garrison for twenty years. + </p> + <p> + Immediately the place was taken, Colonel Sir John Hamilton advanced to + Gustavus and resigned his commission on the spot; nor did the assurances + of the king that he intended no insult to the Scotch soldiers mollify his + wrath, and quitting the Swedish service he returned at once to Scotland. + Munro's regiment had taken no part in the storming of Marienburg, but was + formed up on the north side of the river in readiness to advance should + the first attack be repelled, and many were wounded by the shot of the + enemy while thus inactive. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm while binding up the arm of his sergeant who stood next to him + felt a sharp pain shoot through his leg, and at once fell to the ground. + He was lifted up and carried to the rear, where his wound was examined by + the doctor to the regiment. + </p> + <p> + “Your luck has not deserted you,” he said after probing the wound. “The + bullet has missed the bone by half an inch, and a short rest will soon put + you right again.” + </p> + <p> + Fortunately for a short time the army remained around Wurtzburg. Columns + scoured the surrounding country, capturing the various towns and + fortresses held by the Imperialists, and collecting large quantities of + provisions and stores. Tilly's army lay within a few days' march; but + although superior in numbers to that of Gustavus, Tilly had received + strict orders not to risk a general engagement as his army was now almost + the only one that remained to the Imperialists, and should it suffer + another defeat the country would lie at the mercy of the Swedes. + </p> + <p> + One evening when Malcolm had so far recovered as to be able to walk for a + short distance, he was at supper with Colonel Munro and some other + officers, when the door opened and Gustavus himself entered. All leapt to + their feet. + </p> + <p> + “Munro,” he said, “get the musketeers of your brigade under arms with all + haste, form them up in the square before the town hall, and desire Sir + John Hepburn to meet me there.” + </p> + <p> + The drum was at once beaten, and the troops came pouring from their + lodgings, and in three or four minutes the musketeers, 800 strong, were + formed up with Hepburn and Munro at their head. Malcolm had prepared to + take his arms on the summons, but Munro said at once: + </p> + <p> + “No, Malcolm, so sudden a summons augurs desperate duty, maybe a long + night march; you would break down before you got half a mile; besides, as + only the musketeers have to go, half the officers must remain here.” + </p> + <p> + Without a word the king placed himself at the head of the men, and through + the dark and stormy night the troops started on their unknown mission. + Hepburn and Munro were, like their men, on foot, for they had not had time + to have their horses saddled. + </p> + <p> + After marching two hours along the right bank of the Maine the tramp of + horses was heard behind them, and they were reinforced by eighty troopers + whom Gustavus before starting had ordered to mount and follow. Hitherto + the king had remained lost in abstraction, but he now roused himself. + </p> + <p> + “I have just received the most serious news, Hepburn. Tilly has been + reinforced by 17,000 men under the Duke of Lorraine, and is marching with + all speed against me. Were my whole army collected here he would outnumber + us by two to one, but many columns are away, and the position is well nigh + desperate. + </p> + <p> + “I have resolved to hold Ochsenfurt. The place is not strong, but it lies + in a sharp bend of the river and may be defended for a time. If any can do + so it is surely you and your Scots. Tilly is already close to the town; + indeed the man who brought me the news said that when he left it his + advanced pickets were just entering, hence the need for this haste. + </p> + <p> + “You must hold it to the last, Hepburn, and then, if you can, fall back to + Wurtzburg; even a day's delay will enable me to call in some of the + detachments and to prepare to receive Tilly.” + </p> + <p> + Without halting, the little column marched sixteen miles, and then, + crossing the bridge over the Maine, entered Ochsenfurt. + </p> + <p> + It was occupied by a party of fifty Imperialist arquebusiers, but these + were driven headlong from it. The night was extremely dark, all were + ignorant of the locality, and the troops were formed up in the marketplace + to await either morning or the attack of Tilly. Fifty troopers were sent + half a mile in advance to give warning of the approach of the enemy. They + had scarcely taken their place when they were attacked by the + Imperialists, who had been roused by the firing in the town. The incessant + flash of fire and the heavy rattle of musketry told Gustavus that they + were in force, and a lieutenant of Lumsden's regiment with fifty + musketeers was sent off to reinforce the cavalry. The Imperialists were, + however, too strong to be checked, and horse and foot were being driven in + when Colonel Munro sallied out with a hundred of his own regiment, and the + Imperialists after a brisk skirmish, not knowing what force they had to + deal with, fell back. + </p> + <p> + As soon as day broke the king and Hepburn made a tour of the walls, which + were found to be in a very bad condition and ill calculated to resist an + assault. The Imperialists were not to be seen, and the king, fearing they + might have marched by some other route against Wurtzburg, determined to + return at once, telling Hepburn to mine the bridge, and to blow it up if + forced to abandon the town. + </p> + <p> + Hepburn at once set to work to strengthen the position, to demolish all + the houses and walls outside the defences, cut down and destroy all trees + and hedges which might shelter an enemy, and to strengthen the walls with + banks of earth and platforms of wood. For three days the troops laboured + incessantly; on the third night the enemy were heard approaching. The + advanced troopers and a half company of infantry were driven in, + contesting every foot of the way. When they reached the walls heavy + volleys were poured in by the musketeers who lined them upon the + approaching enemy, and Tilly, supposing that Gustavus must have moved + forward a considerable portion of his army, called off his troops and + marched away to Nuremberg. Two days later Hepburn was ordered to return + with his force to Wurtzburg. + </p> + <p> + The king now broke up his camp near Wurtzburg, and leaving a garrison in + the castle of Marienburg and appointing Marshal Horn to hold Franconia + with 8000 men, he marched against Frankfort-on-the-Maine, his troops + capturing all the towns and castles on the way, levying contributions, and + collecting great booty. Frankfort opened its gates without resistance, and + for a short time the army had rest in pleasant quarters. + </p> + <p> + The regiments were reorganized, in some cases two of those which had + suffered most being joined into one. Gustavus had lately been strengthened + by two more Scottish regiments under Sir Frederick Hamilton and Alexander + Master of Forbes, and an English regiment under Captain Austin. He had now + thirteen regiments of Scottish infantry, and the other corps of the army + were almost entirely officered by Scotchmen. He had five regiments of + English and Irish, and had thus eighteen regiments of British infantry. + </p> + <p> + At Frankfort he was joined by the Marquis of Hamilton, who had done + splendid service with the troops under his command. He had driven the + Imperialists out of Silesia, and marching south, struck such fear into + them that Tilly was obliged to weaken his army to send reinforcements to + that quarter. By the order of Gustavus he left Silesia and marched to + Magdeburg. He had now but 3500 men with him, 2700 having died from + pestilence, famine, and disease. He assisted General Banner in blockading + the Imperialist garrison of Magdeburg, and his losses by fever and + pestilence thinned his troops down to two small regiments; these were + incorporated with the force of the Duke of Saxe-Weimar, and the Marquis of + Hamilton joined the staff of Gustavus as a simple volunteer. + </p> + <p> + The king now determined to conquer the Palatinate, which was held by a + Spanish army. He drove them before him until he reached the Rhine, where + they endeavoured to defend the passage by burning every vessel and boat + they could find, and for a time the advance of the Swedes was checked. It + was now the end of November, the snow lay thick over the whole country, + and the troops, without tents or covering, were bivouacked along the side + of the river, two miles below Oppenheim. The opposite bank was covered + with bushes to the water's edge, and on an eminence a short distance back + could be seen the tents of the Spaniards. + </p> + <p> + “If it were summer we might swim across,” Nigel Graheme said to Malcolm; + “the river is broad, but a good swimmer could cross it easily enough.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” Malcolm agreed, “there would be no difficulty in swimming if + unencumbered with arms and armour, but there would be no advantage in + getting across without these; if we could but get hold of a boat or two, + we would soon wake yonder Spaniards up.” + </p> + <p> + The next morning Malcolm wandered along the bank closely examining the + bushes as he went, to see if any boats might be concealed among them, for + the fishermen and boatmen would naturally try to save their craft when + they heard that the Imperialists were destroying them. He walked three + miles up the river without success. As he returned he kept his eyes fixed + on the bushes on the opposite bank. When within half a mile of the camp he + suddenly stopped, for his eye caught something dark among them. He went to + the water's edge and stooped, the better to see under the bushes, and saw + what he doubted not to be the stern of a boat hauled up and sheltered + beneath them. He leapt to his feet with a joyful exclamation. Here was the + means of crossing the river; but the boat had to be brought over. Once + afloat this would be easy enough, but he was sure that his own strength + would be insufficient to launch her, and that he should need the aid of at + least one man. On returning to camp he called aside the sergeant of his + company, James Grant, who was from his own estate in Nithsdale, and whom + he knew to be a good swimmer. + </p> + <p> + “Sergeant,” he said, “I want you to join me in an enterprise tonight. I + have found a boat hauled up under the bushes on the opposite shore, and we + must bring her across. I cannot make out her size; but from the look of + her stern I should say she was a large boat. You had better therefore + borrow from the artillerymen one of their wooden levers, and get a stout + pole two or three inches across, and cut half a dozen two foot lengths + from it to put under her as rollers. Get also a plank of four inches wide + from one of the deserted houses in the village behind us, and cut out two + paddles; we may find oars on board, but it is as well to be prepared in + case the owner should have removed them.” + </p> + <p> + “Shall I take my weapons, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “We can take our dirks in our belts, sergeant, and lash our swords to the + wooden lever, but I do not think we shall have any fighting. The night + will be dark, and the Spaniards, believing that we have no boats, will not + keep a very strict watch. The worst part of the business is the swim + across the river, the water will be bitterly cold; but as you and I have + often swum Scotch burns when they were swollen by the melting snow I think + that we may well manage to get across this sluggish stream.” + </p> + <p> + “At what time will we be starting, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “Be here at the edge of the river at six o'clock, sergeant. I can get away + at that time without exciting comment, and we will say nothing about it + unless we succeed.” + </p> + <p> + Thinking it over, however, it occurred to Malcolm that by this means a day + would be lost—and he knew how anxious the king was to press forward. + He therefore abandoned his idea of keeping his discovery secret, and going + to his colonel reported that he had found a boat, and could bring it + across from the other side by seven o'clock. + </p> + <p> + The news was so important that Munro at once went to the king. Gustavus + ordered three hundred Swedes and a hundred Scots of each of the regiments + of Ramsay, Munro, and the Laird of Wormiston, the whole under the command + of Count Brahe, to form up after dark on the river bank and prepare to + cross, and he himself came down to superintend the passage. By six it was + perfectly dark. During the day Malcolm had placed two stones on the edge + of the water, one exactly opposite the boat, the other twenty feet behind + it in an exact line. When Gustavus arrived at the spot where the troops + were drawn up, Malcolm was taken up to him by his colonel. + </p> + <p> + “Well, my brave young Graheme,” the king said, “so you are going to do us + another service; but how will you find the boat in this darkness? Even + were there no stream you would find it very difficult to strike the exact + spot on a dark night like this.” + </p> + <p> + “I have provided against that, sir, by placing two marks on the bank. When + we start lanterns will be placed on these. We shall cross higher up so as + to strike the bank a little above where I believe the boat to be, then we + shall float along under the bushes until the lanterns are in a line one + with another, and we shall know then that we are exactly opposite the + boat.” + </p> + <p> + “Well thought of!” the king exclaimed. “Munro, this lieutenant of yours is + a treasure. And now God speed you, my friend, in your cold swim across the + stream!” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm and the sergeant now walked half a mile up the river, a distance + which, judging from the strength of the current and the speed at which + they could swim, would, they thought, take them to the opposite bank at + about the point where the boat was lying. Shaking hands with Colonel + Munro, who had accompanied them, Malcolm entered the icy cold water + without delay. Knowing that it was possible that their strength might give + out before they reached the opposite side, Malcolm had had two pairs of + small casks lashed two feet apart. These they fastened securely, so that + as they began to swim the casks floated a short distance behind each + shoulder, giving them perfect support. The lever and paddles were towed + behind them. The lights in the two camps afforded them a means of + directing their way. The water was intensely cold, and before they were + halfway across Malcolm congratulated himself upon having thought of the + casks. Had it not been for them he would have begun to doubt his ability + to reach the further shore, for although he would have thought nothing of + the swim at other times his limbs were fast becoming numbed with the + extreme cold. The sergeant kept close to him, and a word or two was + occasionally exchanged. + </p> + <p> + “I think it is colder than our mountain streams, Grant?” + </p> + <p> + “It's no colder, your honour, but the water is smooth and still, and we do + not have to wrestle with it as with a brook in spate. It's the stillness + which makes it feel so cold. The harder we swim the less we will feel it.” + </p> + <p> + It was with a deep feeling of relief that Malcolm saw something loom just + in front of him from the darkness, and knew that he was close to the land. + A few more strokes and he touched the bushes. Looking back he saw that the + two lights were nearly in a line. Stopping swimming he let the stream + drift him down. Two or three minutes more and one of the tiny lights + seemed exactly above the other. + </p> + <p> + “This is the spot, Grant,” he said in a low voice; “land here as quietly + as you can.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI THE CAPTURE OF OPPENHEIM + </h2> + <p> + The two swimmers dragged themselves on shore, but for a minute or two + could scarce stand, so numbed were their limbs by the cold. Malcolm took + from his belt a flask of brandy, took a long draught, and handed it to his + companion, who followed his example. + </p> + <p> + The spirit sent a glow of warmth through their veins, and they began to + search among the bushes for the boat, one proceeding each way along the + bank. They had not removed their leathern doublets before entering the + water, as these, buoyed up as they were, would not affect their swimming, + and would be a necessary protection when they landed not only against the + cold of the night air but against the bushes. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm's beacon proved an accurate guide, for he had not proceeded twenty + yards before he came against a solid object which he at once felt to be + the boat. A low whistle called the sergeant to his side, bringing with him + the rollers and paddles from the spot where they had landed. They soon + felt that the boat was a large one, and that their strength would have + been wholly insufficient to get her into the water without the aid of the + lever and rollers. Taking the former they placed its end under the stern + post, and placing a roller under its heel to serve as a pivot they threw + their weight on the other end of the lever and at once raised the boat + some inches in the air. + </p> + <p> + Grant held the lever down and Malcolm slid a roller as far up under the + keel as it would go; the lever was then shifted and the boat again raised, + and the process was continued until her weight rested upon three rollers. + She was now ready to be launched, and as the bank was steep they had no + doubt of their ability to run her down. An examination had already shown + that their paddles would be needless, as the oars were inside her. They + took their places one on each side of the bow, and applying their strength + the boat glided rapidly down. + </p> + <p> + “Gently, Grant,” Malcolm said, “don't let her go in with a splash. There + may be some sentries within hearing.” + </p> + <p> + They continued their work cautiously, and the boat noiselessly entered the + water. Getting out the oars they gave her a push, and she was soon + floating down the stream. The rowlocks were in their places, and rowing + with extreme care so as to avoid making the slightest sound they made + their way across the river. They were below the camp when they landed, but + there were many men on the lookout, for the news of the attempt had spread + rapidly. + </p> + <p> + Leaping ashore amidst a low cheer from a group of soldiers, Malcolm + directed them to tow the boat up at once to the place where the troops + were formed ready for crossing, while he and the sergeant, who were both + chilled to the bone, for their clothes had frozen stiff upon them, hurried + to the spot where the regiment was bivouacked. Here by the side of a + blazing fire they stripped, and were rubbed with cloths by their comrades + till a glow of warmth again began to be felt, the external heat and + friction being aided by the administration of two steaming flagons of + spiced wine. Dry clothes were taken from their knapsacks and warmed before + the fire, and when these were put on they again felt warm and comfortable. + </p> + <p> + Hurrying off now to the spot where the troops were drawn up, they found + that the boat had already made two passages. She rowed four oars, and + would, laden down to the water's edge, carry twenty-five men. The oars had + been muffled with cloths so as to make no sound in the rowlocks. A party + of Munro's Scots had first crossed, then a party of Swedes. Malcolm and + the sergeant joined their company unnoticed in the darkness. Each + detachment sent over a boat load in turns, and when six loads had crossed + it was again the turn of the men of Munro's regiment, and Malcolm entered + the boat with the men. The lights still burned as a signal, enabling the + boat to land each party almost at the same spot. Malcolm wondered what was + going on. A perfect stillness reigned on the other side, and it was + certain that the alarm had not yet been given. + </p> + <p> + On ascending the bank he saw in front of him some dark figures actively + engaged, and heard dull sounds. On reaching the spot he found the parties + who had preceded him hard at work with shovels throwing up an + intrenchment. In the darkness he had not perceived that each of the + soldiers carried a spade in addition to his arms. The soil was deep and + soft, and the operations were carried on with scarce a sound. As each + party landed they fell to work under the direction of their officers. All + night the labour continued, and when the dull light of the winter morning + began to dispel the darkness a solid rampart of earth breast high rose in + a semicircle, with its two extremities resting on the riverbank. + </p> + <p> + The last boat load had but just arrived across, and the 600 men were now + gathered in the work, which was about 150 feet across, the base formed by + the river. The earth forming the ramparts had been taken from the outside, + and a ditch 3 feet deep and 6 feet wide had been thus formed. + </p> + <p> + The men, who, in spite of the cold were hot and perspiring from their + night's work, now entered the intrenched space, and sat down to take a + meal, each man having brought two days' rations in his havresack. It grew + rapidly lighter, and suddenly the sound of a trumpet, followed by the + rapid beating of drums, showed that the Spaniards had, from their camp on + the eminence half a mile away, discovered the work which had sprung up + during the night as if by magic on their side of the river. + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes a great body of cavalry was seen issuing from the Spanish + camp, and fourteen squadrons of cuirassiers trotted down towards the + intrenchments. Soon the word was given to charge, and, like a torrent, the + mass of cavalry swept down upon it. + </p> + <p> + Two-thirds of those who had crossed were musketeers, the remainder + pikemen. The latter formed the front line behind the rampart, their spears + forming a close hedge around it, while the musketeers prepared to fire + between them. By the order of Count Brahe not a trigger was pulled until + the cavalry were within fifty yards, then a flash of flame swept round the + rampart, and horses and men in the front line of the cavalry tumbled to + the ground. But half the musketeers had fired, and a few seconds later + another volley was poured into the horsemen. The latter, however, although + many had fallen, did not check their speed, but rode up close to the + rampart, and flung themselves upon the hedge of spears. + </p> + <p> + Nothing could exceed the gallantry with which the Spaniards fought. Some + dismounted, and, leaping into the ditch, tried to climb the rampart; + others leapt the horses into it, and standing up in their saddles, cut at + the spearmen with their swords, and fired their pistols among them. Many, + again, tried to leap their horses over ditch and rampart, but the pikemen + stood firm, while at short intervals withering volleys tore into the + struggling mass. + </p> + <p> + For half an hour the desperate fight continued, and then, finding that the + position could not be carried by horsemen, the Spanish commander drew off + his men, leaving no less than 600 lying dead around the rampart of earth. + There were no Spanish infantry within some miles of the spot, and the + cavalry rode away, some to Maintz, but the greater part to Oppenheim, + where there was a strong garrison of 1000 men. + </p> + <p> + A careful search among the bushes brought three more boats to light, and a + force was soon taken across the river sufficient to maintain itself + against any attack. Gustavus himself was in one of the first boats that + crossed. + </p> + <p> + “Well done, my brave hearts!” he said as he landed, just as the Spanish + horsemen had ridden away. “You have fought stoutly and well, and our way + is now open to us. Where are Lieutenant Graheme and the sergeant who swam + across with him?” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm and his companion soon presented themselves. + </p> + <p> + “I sent for you to your camp,” the king said, “but found that you but + waited to change your clothes, and had then joined the force crossing. You + had no orders to do so.” + </p> + <p> + “We had no orders not to do so, sire, but having begun the affair it was + only natural that we should see the end of it.” + </p> + <p> + “You had done your share and more,” the king said, “and I thank you both + heartily for it, and promote you, Graheme, at once to the rank of captain, + and will request Colonel Munro to give you the first company which may + fall vacant in his regiment. If a vacancy should not occur shortly I will + place you in another regiment until one may happen in your own corps. To + you, sergeant, I give a commission as officer. You will take that rank at + once, and will be a supernumerary in your regiment till a vacancy occurs. + Such promotion has been well and worthily won by you both.” + </p> + <p> + Without delay an advance was ordered against Oppenheim. It lay on the + Imperialist side of the Rhine. Behind the town stood a strong and well + fortified castle upon a lofty eminence. Its guns swept not only the + country around it, but the ground upon the opposite side of the river. + There, facing it, stood a strong fort surrounded by double ditches, which + were deep and broad and full of water. They were crossed only by a + drawbridge on the side facing the river, and the garrison could therefore + obtain by boats supplies or reinforcements as needed from the town. + </p> + <p> + The Green and Blue Brigades at once commenced opening trenches against + this fort, and would have assaulted the place without delay had not a + number of boats been brought over by a Protestant well wisher of the + Swedes from the other side of the river. The assault was therefore delayed + in order that the attack might be delivered simultaneously against the + positions on both sides of the river. The brigade of guards and the White + Brigade crossed in the boats at Gernsheim, five miles from the town, and + marched against it during the night. + </p> + <p> + The Spaniards from their lofty position in the castle of Oppenheim saw the + campfires of the Scots around their fort on the other side of the river, + and opened a heavy cannonade upon them. The fire was destructive, and many + of the Scots were killed, Hepburn and Munro having a narrow escape, a + cannonball passing just over their heads as they were sitting together by + a fire. + </p> + <p> + The defenders of the fort determined to take advantage of the fire poured + upon their assailants, and two hundred musketeers made a gallant sortie + upon them; but Hepburn led on his pikemen who were nearest at hand, and, + without firing a shot, drove them back again into the fort. At daybreak + the roar of cannon on the opposite side of the river commenced, and showed + that the king with the divisions which had crossed had arrived at their + posts. The governor of the fort, seeing that if, as was certain, the lower + town were captured by the Swedes, he should be cut off from all + communication with the castle and completely isolated, surrendered to Sir + John Hepburn. + </p> + <p> + The town had, indeed, at once opened its gates, and two hundred men of Sir + James Ramsay's regiment were placed there. Hepburn prepared to cross the + river with the Blue and Green Brigades to aid the king in reducing the + castle—a place of vast size and strength—whose garrison + composed of Spaniards and Italians were replying to the fire of Gustavus. + A boat was lying at the gate of the fort. + </p> + <p> + “Captain Graheme,” Hepburn said to Malcolm, “take with you two lieutenants + and twenty men in the boat and cross the river; then send word by an + officer to the king that the fort here has surrendered, and that I am + about to cross, and let the men bring over that flotilla of boats which is + lying under the town wall.” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm crossed at once. After despatching the message to the king and + sending the officer back with the boats he had for the moment nothing to + do, and made his way into the town to inquire from the officers of + Ramsay's detachment how things were going. He found the men drawn up. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! Malcolm Graheme,” the major in command said, “you have arrived in the + very nick of time to take part in a gallant enterprise.” + </p> + <p> + “I am ready,” Malcolm said; “what is to be done?” + </p> + <p> + “We are going to take the castle, that is all,” the major said. + </p> + <p> + “You are joking,” Malcolm laughed, looking at the great castle and the + little band of two hundred men. + </p> + <p> + “That am I not,” the major answered; “my men have just discovered a + private passage from the governor's quarters here up to the very gate of + the outer wall. As you see we have collected some ladders, and as we shall + take them by surprise, while they are occupied with the king, we shall + give a good account of them.” + </p> + <p> + “I will go with you right willingly,” Malcolm said; but he could not but + feel that the enterprise was a desperate one, and wished that the major + had waited until a few hundred more men had crossed. Placing himself + behind the Scottish officer, he advanced up the passage which had been + discovered. Ascending flight after flight of stone stairs, the column + issued from the passage at the very foot of the outer wall before the + garrison stationed there were aware of their approach. The ladders were + just placed when the Italians caught sight of them and rushed to the + defence, but it was too late. The Scotch swarmed up and gained a footing + on the wall. + </p> + <p> + Driving the enemy before them they cleared the outer works, and pressed so + hotly upon the retiring Imperialists that they entered with them into the + inner works of the castle, crossing the drawbridge over the moat which + separated it from its outer works before the garrison had time to raise + it. + </p> + <p> + Now in the very heart of the castle a terrible encounter took place. The + garrison, twelve hundred strong, ran down from their places on the wall, + and seeing how small was the force that had entered fell upon them with + fury. It was a hand to hand fight. Loud rose the war cries of the Italian + and Spanish soldiers, and the answering cheers of the Scots mingled with + the clash of sword on steel armour and the cries of the wounded, while + without the walls the cannon of Gustavus thundered incessantly. + </p> + <p> + Not since the dreadful struggle in the streets of New Brandenburg had + Malcolm been engaged in so desperate a strife. All order and regularity + was lost, and man to man they fought with pike, sword, and clubbed musket. + There was no giving of orders, for no word could be heard in such a din, + and the officers with their swords and half pikes fought desperately in + the melee with the rest. + </p> + <p> + Gradually, however, the strength and endurance of Ramsay's veterans + prevailed over numbers. Most of the officers of the Imperialists had been + slain, as well as their bravest men, and the rest began to draw off and to + scatter through the castle, some to look for hiding places, many to jump + over the walls rather than fall into the hands of the terrible Scots. + </p> + <p> + The astonishment of Gustavus and of Hepburn, who was now marching with his + men towards the castle, at hearing the rattle of musketry and the din of + battle within the very heart of the fortress was great indeed, and this + was heightened when, a few minutes later, the soldiers were seen leaping + desperately from the walls, and a great shout arose from the troops as the + Imperial banner was seen to descend from its flagstaff on the keep. + Gustavus with his staff rode at once to the gate, which was opened for + him; and on entering he found Ramsay's little force drawn up to salute him + as he entered. It was reduced nearly half in strength, and not a man but + was bleeding from several wounds, while cleft helms and dinted armour + showed how severe had been the fray. + </p> + <p> + “My brave Scots,” he exclaimed, “why were you too quick for me?” + </p> + <p> + The courtyard of the castle was piled with slain, who were also scattered + in every room throughout it, five hundred having been slain there before + the rest threw down their arms and were given quarter. This exploit was + one of the most valiant which was performed during the course of the whole + war. Four colours were taken, one of which was that of the Spanish + regiment, this being the first of that nationality which had ever been + captured by Gustavus. + </p> + <p> + After going over the castle, whose capture would have tasked his resources + and the valour of his troops to the utmost had he been compelled to attack + it in the usual way, Gustavus sent for the officers of Ramsay's companies + and thanked them individually for their capture. + </p> + <p> + “What! you here, Malcolm Graheme!” Gustavus said as he came in at the rear + of Ramsay's officers. “Why, what had you to do with this business?” + </p> + <p> + “I was only a volunteer, sire,” Malcolm said. “I crossed with the parties + who fetched the boats; but as my instructions ended there I had nought to + do, and finding that Ramsay's men were about to march up to the attack of + the castle, I thought it best to join them, being somewhat afraid to stop + in the town alone.” + </p> + <p> + “And he did valiant service, sire,” the major said. “I marked him in the + thick of the fight, and saw more than one Imperialist go down before his + sword.” + </p> + <p> + “You know the story of the pitcher and the well, Captain Graheme,” the + king said, smiling. “Some day you will go once too often, and I shall have + to mourn the loss of one of the bravest young officers in my army.” + </p> + <p> + There was no rest for the soldiers of Gustavus, and no sooner had + Oppenheim fallen than the army marched against Maintz. This was defended + by two thousand Spanish troops under Don Philip de Sylvia, and was a place + of immense strength. It was at once invested, and trenches commenced on + all sides, the Green Brigade as usual having the post of danger and honour + facing the citadel. The investment began in the evening, but so vigorously + did the Scotch work all night in spite of the heavy musketry and artillery + fire with which the garrison swept the ground that by morning the first + parallel was completed, and the soldiers were under shelter behind a thick + bank of earth. + </p> + <p> + All day the Imperialists kept up their fire, the Scots gradually pushing + forward their trenches. In the evening Colonel Axel Lily, one of the + bravest of the Swedish officers, came into the trenches to pay a visit to + Hepburn. He found him just sitting down to dinner with Munro by the side + of a fire in the trench. They invited him to join them, and the party were + chatting gaily when a heavy cannonball crashed through the earthen rampart + behind them, and, passing between Hepburn and Munro, carried off the leg + of the Swedish officer. + </p> + <p> + Upon the following day the governor, seeing that the Swedes had erected + several strong batteries, and that the Green Brigade, whose name was a + terror to the Imperialists, was preparing to storm, capitulated, and his + soldiers were allowed to march out with all their baggage, flying colours, + and two pieces of cannon. Eighty pieces of cannon fell into the hands of + the Swedes. The citizens paid 220,000 dollars as the ransom of their city + from pillage, and the Jews 180,000 for the protection of their quarters + and of their gorgeous synagogue, whose wealth and magnificence were + celebrated; and on the 14th of December, 1631, on which day Gustavus + completed his thirty-seventh year, he entered the city as conqueror. + </p> + <p> + Here he kept Christmas with great festivity, and his court was attended by + princes and nobles from all parts of Germany. Among them were six of the + chief princes of the empire and twelve ambassadors from foreign powers. + Among the nobles was the Count of Mansfeld, who brought with him his wife + and daughter. Three days before Christmas Hepburn's brigade had been moved + in from their bivouac in the snow covered trenches, and assigned quarters + in the town, and the count, who arrived on the following day, at once + repaired to the mansion inhabited by the colonel and officers of Munro's + regiment, and inquired for Malcolm Graheme. + </p> + <p> + “You will find Captain Graheme within,” the Scottish soldier on sentry + said. + </p> + <p> + “It is not Captain Graheme I wish to see,” the count said, “but Malcolm + Graheme, a very young officer.” + </p> + <p> + “I reckon that it is the captain,” the soldier said; “he is but a boy; but + in all the regiment there is not a braver soldier; not even the colonel + himself. Donald,” he said, turning to a comrade, “tell Captain Graheme + that he is wanted here.” + </p> + <p> + In a short time Malcolm appeared at the door. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! it is you, my young friend!” the count exclaimed; “and you have won + the rank of captain already by your brave deeds! Right glad am I to see + you again. I have come with my wife, to attend the court of this noble + king of yours. Can you come with me at once? The countess is longing to + see you, and will be delighted to hear that you have passed unscathed + through all the terrible contests in which you have been engaged. My + daughter is here too; she is never tired of talking about her young + Scottish soldier; but now that you are a captain she will have to be grave + and respectful.” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm at once accompanied the count to his house, and was most kindly + received by the countess. + </p> + <p> + “It is difficult to believe,” she said, “that 'tis but four months since + we met, so many have been the events which have been crowded into that + time. Scarce a day has passed but we have received news of some success + gained, of some town or castle captured, and your Green Brigade has always + been in the van. We have been constantly in fear for you, and after that + terrible battle before Leipzig Thekla scarcely slept a wink until we + obtained a copy of the Gazette with the names of the officers killed.” + </p> + <p> + “You are kind indeed to bear me so in remembrance,” Malcolm said, “and I + am indeed grateful for it. I have often wondered whether any fresh danger + threatened you; but I hoped that the advance of the Marquis of Hamilton's + force would have given the Imperialists too much to do for them to disturb + you.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, we have had no more trouble,” the countess replied. “The villages + which the Imperialists destroyed are rising again; and as after the flight + of the enemy the cattle and booty they had captured were all left behind, + the people are recovering from their visit. What terrible havoc has the + war caused! Our way here led through ruined towns and villages, the + country is infested by marauders, and all law and order is at an end save + where there are strong bodies of troops. We rode with an escort of twenty + men; but even then we did not feel very safe until we were fairly through + Franconia. And so you have passed unwounded through the strife?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, countess,” Malcolm replied. “I had indeed a ball through my leg at + Wurtzburg; but as it missed the bone, a trifle like that is scarcely worth + counting. I have been most fortunate indeed.” + </p> + <p> + “He is a captain now,” the count said, “and to obtain such promotion he + must have greatly distinguished himself. I do not suppose that he will + himself tell us his exploits; but I shall soon learn all about them from + others. I am to meet his colonel this evening at a dinner at the palace, + and shall be able to give you the whole history tomorrow.” + </p> + <p> + “But I want the history now,” Thekla said. “It is much nicer to hear a + thing straight from some one who has done it, than from any one else.” + </p> + <p> + “There is no story to tell,” Malcolm said. “I had been promised my + lieutenancy at the first vacancy before I was at Mansfeld, and on my + return found that the vacancy had already occurred, and I was appointed. I + got my company the other day for a very simple matter, namely, for + swimming across the Rhine with a barrel fixed on each side of me to + prevent my sinking. Nothing very heroic about that, you see, young lady.” + </p> + <p> + “For swimming across the Rhine!” the count said. “Then you must have been + the Scottish officer who with a sergeant swam and fetched the boat across + which enabled the Swedes to pass a body of troops over, and so open the + way into the Palatinate. I heard it spoken of as a most gallant action.” + </p> + <p> + “I can assure you,” Malcolm said earnestly, “that there was no gallantry + about it. It was exceedingly cold, I grant, but that was all.” + </p> + <p> + “Then why should the king have made you a captain for it? You can't get + over that.” + </p> + <p> + “That was a reward for my luck,” Malcolm laughed. “'Tis better to be lucky + than to be rich, it is said, and I had the good luck to discover a boat + concealed among the bushes just at the time when a boat was worth its + weight in gold.” + </p> + <p> + For an hour Malcolm sat chatting, and then took his leave, as he was going + on duty, promising to return the next day, and to spend as much of his + time as possible with them while they remained in the city. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII THE PASSAGE OF THE LECH + </h2> + <p> + For the next two months the Green Brigade remained quietly at Maintz, a + welcome rest after their arduous labours. The town was very gay, and every + house was occupied either by troops or by the nobles and visitors from all + parts of Northern Europe. Banquets and balls were of nightly occurrence; + and a stranger who arrived in the gay city would not have dreamt that a + terrible campaign had just been concluded, and that another to the full as + arduous was about to commence. + </p> + <p> + During this interval of rest the damages which the campaign had effected + in the armour and accoutrements of men and officers were repaired, the + deep dents effected by sword, pike, and bullet were hammered out, the rust + removed, and the stains of blood and bivouac obliterated; fresh doublets + and jerkins were served out from the ample stores captured from the enemy, + and the army looked as gay and brilliant as when it first landed in North + Germany. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm spent much of his spare time with the Count and Countess of + Mansfeld, who, irrespective of their gratitude for the assistance he had + rendered them in time of need, had taken a strong liking to the young + Scotchman. + </p> + <p> + “You are becoming quite a court gallant, Graheme,” one of his comrades + said at a court ball where Malcolm had been enjoying himself greatly, + having, thanks to the Countess of Mansfeld, no lack of partners, while + many of the officers were forced to look on without taking part in the + dancing, the number of ladies being altogether insufficient to furnish + partners to the throng of officers, Swedish, German, and Scottish. Beyond + the scarf and feathers which showed the brigade to which officers + belonged, there was, even when in arms, but slight attempt at uniformity + in their attire, still less so when off duty. The scene at these balls was + therefore gay in the extreme, the gallants being all attired in silk, + satin, or velvet of brilliant colours slashed with white or some + contrasting hue. The tailors at Maintz had had a busy time of it, for in + so rapid a campaign much baggage had been necessarily lost, and many of + the officers required an entirely new outfit before they could take part + in the court festivities. + </p> + <p> + There was, however, no lack of money, for the booty and treasure captured + had been immense, and each officer having received a fixed share, they + were well able to renew their wardrobes. Some fresh reinforcements arrived + during their stay here, and the vacancies which battle and disease had + made in the ranks were filled up. + </p> + <p> + But although the Green Brigade did not march from Maintz till the 5th of + March, 1632, the whole army did not enjoy so long a rest. In February + Gustavus despatched three hundred of Ramsay's regiment under Lieutenant + Colonel George Douglas against the town of Creutzenach, together with a + small party of English volunteers under Lord Craven. Forty-seven of the + men were killed while opening the trenches, but the next day they stormed + one of the gates and drove the garrison, which was composed of six hundred + Walloons and Burgundians, out of the town into the castle of Kausemberg, + which commanded it. Its position was extremely strong, its walls and + bastions rising one behind another, and their aspect was so formidable + that they were popularly known as the “Devil's Works.” From these the + garrison opened a very heavy fire into the town, killing many of the + Scots. Douglas, however, gave them but short respite, for gathering his + men he attacked the castle and carried bastion after bastion by storm + until the whole were taken. + </p> + <p> + About the same time the important town of Ulm on the Danube opened its + gates to the Swedes, and Sir Patrick Ruthven was appointed commandant with + 1200 Swedes as garrison, Colonel Munro with two companies of musketeers + marched to Coblentz and aided Otto Louis the Rhinegrave, who with a + brigade of twenty troops of horse was expecting to be attacked by 10,000 + Spaniards and Walloons from Spires. Four regiments of Spanish horse + attacked the Rhinegrave's quarters, but were charged so furiously by four + troops of Swedish dragoons under Captain Hume that 300 of them were killed + and the Elector of Nassau taken prisoner; after this the Spaniards retired + beyond the Moselle. + </p> + <p> + In other parts of Germany the generals of Gustavus were equally + successful. General Horn defeated the Imperialists at Heidelberg and + Heilbronn. General Lowenhausen scoured all the shores of the Baltic, and + compelled Colonel Graham, a Scotch soldier in the Imperial service, to + surrender the Hanse town of Wismar. Graham marched out with his garrison, + 3000 strong, with the honours of war en route for Silesia, but having, + contrary to terms, spiked the cannon, plundered the shipping, and slain a + Swedish lieutenant, Lowenhausen pursued him, and in the battle which + ensued 500 of Graham's men were slain and the colonel himself with 2000 + taken prisoner. + </p> + <p> + General Ottentodt was moving up the Elbe carrying all before him with a + force of 14,000 men, among whom were five battalions of Scots and one of + English. This force cleared the whole duchy of Mecklenburg, capturing all + the towns and fortresses in rapid succession. Sir Patrick Ruthven advanced + along the shores of Lake Constance, driving the Imperialists before him + into the Tyrol. Magdeburg was captured by General Banner, the Landgrave of + Hesse-Cassel reduced all Fulda-Paderborn and the adjacent districts, the + Elector of Saxony overran Bohemia, and Sir Alexander Leslie threatened the + Imperialists in Lower Saxony. + </p> + <p> + Thus the campaign of 1632 opened under the most favourable auspices. The + Green Brigade marched on the 5th of March to Aschaffenburg, a distance of + more than thirty miles, a fact which speaks volumes for the physique and + endurance of the troops, for this would in the present day be considered + an extremely long march for troops, and the weight of the helmet and + armour, musket and accoutrements, of the troops of those days was fully + double that now carried by European soldiers. Here they were reviewed by + the king. + </p> + <p> + By the 10th the whole army, 23,000 strong, were collected at Weinsheim and + advanced towards Bavaria, driving before them the Imperialists under the + Count de Bucquio. The Chancellor Oxenstiern had been left by the king with + a strong force to guard his conquests on the Rhine. + </p> + <p> + No sooner had the king marched than the Spaniards again crossed the + Moselle. The chancellor and the Duke of Weimar advanced against them. The + Dutch troops, who formed the first line of the chancellor's army, were + unable to stand the charge of the Spanish and fled in utter confusion; but + the Scottish regiment of Sir Roderick Leslie, who had succeeded Sir John + Hamilton on his resignation, and the battalion of Sir John Ruthven, + charged the Spaniards with levelled pikes so furiously that these in turn + were broken and driven off the field. + </p> + <p> + On the 26th of March Gustavus arrived before the important town and + fortress of Donauworth, being joined on the same day by the Laird of + Foulis with his two regiments of horse and foot. Donauworth is the key to + Swabia; it stands on the Danube, and was a strongly fortified place, its + defences being further covered by fortifications upon a lofty eminence + close by, named the Schellemberg. It was held by the Duke of + Saxe-Lauenburg with two thousand five hundred men. The country round + Donauworth is fertile and hilly, and Gustavus at once seized a height + which commanded the place. The Bavarians were at work upon entrenchments + here as the Swedes advanced, but were forced to fall back into the town. + From the foot of the hill a suburb extended to the gates of the city. This + was at once occupied by five hundred musketeers, who took up their post in + the houses along the main road in readiness to repel a sortie should the + garrison attempt one; while the force on the hillside worked all night, + and by daybreak on the 27th had completed and armed a twenty gun battery. + </p> + <p> + In this was placed a strong body of infantry under Captain Semple, a + Scotchman. As this battery commanded the walls of the town, and flanked + the bridge across the Danube, the position of the defenders was now + seriously menaced, but the Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg refused the demand of + Gustavus to surrender. The battery now opened fire, first demolishing a + large stone building by the river occupied by a force of Imperialists, and + then directing its fire upon the city gates. + </p> + <p> + The cannonade continued after nightfall, but in the darkness a body of + Imperialist horsemen under Colonel Cronenberg dashed out at full speed + through the gate, cut a passage through the musketeers in the suburb, + galloped up the hill, and fell upon the infantry and artillery in the + battery. So furious was their charge that the greater part of the + defenders of the battery were cut down. The guns were spiked, and the + cavalry, having accomplished their purpose, charged down the hill, cut + their way through the suburb, and regained the town. + </p> + <p> + This gallant exploit deranged the plans of the Swedes. Gustavus + reconnoitred the town accompanied by Sir John Hepburn, and by the advice + of that officer decided upon a fresh plan of operations. Hepburn pointed + out to him that by taking possession of the angle formed by the confluence + of the Wermitz and Danube to the west of the town the bridge crossing from + Donauworth into Bavaria would be completely commanded, and the garrison + would be cut off from all hope of escape and of receiving relief from + Bavaria. + </p> + <p> + The plan being approved, Hepburn drew off his brigade with its artillery, + and marching five miles up the Danube crossed the river at the bridge of + Hassfurt, and descended the opposite bank until he faced Donauworth. He + reached his position at midnight, and placed his cannon so as to command + the whole length of the bridge, and then posted his musketeers in the + gardens and houses of a suburb on the river, so that their crossfire also + swept it. + </p> + <p> + The pikemen were drawn up close to the artillery at the head of the + bridge. Quietly as these movements were performed the garrison took the + alarm, and towards morning the duke, finding his retreat intercepted, + sallied out at the head of eight hundred musketeers to cut his way + through; but as the column advanced upon the bridge the Green Brigade + opened fire, the leaden hail of their musketeers smote the column on both + sides, while the cannon ploughed lanes through it from end to end. So + great was the destruction that the Bavarians retreated in confusion back + into the town again, leaving the bridge strewn with their dead. + </p> + <p> + Alone the gallant Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg charged through the hail of fire + across the bridge, fell upon the pikemen sword in hand, and cutting his + way through them rode away, leaving his garrison to their fate. The roar + of artillery informed Gustavus what was going on, and he immediately + opened fire against the other side of the town and led his men to the + assault of the gate. + </p> + <p> + The instant the Scotch had recovered from their surprise at the desperate + feat performed by the duke, Hepburn, calling them together, placed himself + at their head and led them across the bridge. The panic stricken fugitives + had omitted to close the gate, and the Scotch at once entered the town. + Here the garrison resisted desperately; their pikemen barred the streets, + and from every window and roof their musketeers poured their fire upon the + advancing column. + </p> + <p> + The day was breaking now, and the roar of battle in the city mingled with + that at the gates, where the Swedes were in vain striving to effect an + entrance. Gradually the Scotch won their way forward; 500 of the Bavarians + were killed, in addition to 400 who had fallen on the bridge. The rest now + attempted to fly. Great numbers were drowned in the Danube, and the + remainder were taken prisoners. The streets were encumbered by the heavily + laden baggage wagons, and a vast amount of booty fell into the hands of + the Scotch, who thus became masters of the town before Gustavus and his + Swedes had succeeded in carrying the gate. + </p> + <p> + The king now entered the town, and as soon as order was restored Hepburn's + brigade recrossed the Danube and threw up a strong work on the other side + of the bridge; for Tilly was on the Lech, but seven miles distant, and + might at any moment return. He had just struck a severe blow at Marshal + Horn, who had recently taken Bamberg. His force, 9000 strong, had been + scattered to put down a rising of the country people, when Tilly with + 16,000 fell upon them. + </p> + <p> + A column under Bauditzen was attacked and defeated, and Tilly's horsemen + pursued them hotly to the bridge leading to the town. Marshal Horn threw a + barricade across this and defended it until nightfall. Tilly had then + fallen back before the advance of Gustavus to a very strong position on + the Lech. This was an extremely rapid river, difficult to cross and easily + defensible. Tilly had broken down the bridges, and was prepared to dispute + till the last the further advance of the Swedes. He placed his army + between Rain, where the Lech falls into the Danube, and Augsburg, a + distance of sixteen miles—all the assailable points being strongly + occupied, with small bodies of cavalry in the intervals to give warning of + the approach of the enemy. He had been joined by Maximilian of Bavaria, + and his force amounted to 40,000 men. + </p> + <p> + Gustavus gave his army four days' rest at Donauworth, and then advanced + with 32,000 men against the Lech. His dragoons, who had been pushed + forward, had found the bridges destroyed. He first attempted to repair + that at Rain, but the fire of the artillery and musketry was so heavy that + he was forced to abandon the idea. He then made a careful reconnaissance + of the river, whose course was winding and erratic. + </p> + <p> + Finding that at every point at which a crossing could be easily effected + Tilly's batteries and troops commanded the position, he determined to make + his attack at a point where the river made a sharp bend in the form of a + semicircle, of which he occupied the outer edge. He encamped the bulk of + his army at the village of Nordheim, a short distance in the rear, and + erected three powerful batteries mounting seventy-two guns. One of these + faced the centre of the loop, the others were placed opposite the sides. + </p> + <p> + The ground on the Swedish bank of the river was higher than that facing + it; and when the Swedish batteries opened they so completely swept the + ground inclosed by the curve of the river that the Imperialists could not + advance across it, and were compelled to remain behind a rivulet called + the Ach, a short distance in the rear of the Lech. They brought up their + artillery, however, and replied to the cannonade of the Swedes. + </p> + <p> + For four days the artillery duel continued, and while it was going on a + considerable number of troops were at work in the village of Oberndorf, + which lay in a declivity near the river, hidden from the sight of the + Imperialists, constructing a bridge. For that purpose a number of strong + wooden trestles of various heights and with feet of unequal length for + standing in the bed of the river were prepared, together with a quantity + of piles to be driven in among and beside them to enable them to resist + the force of the current. + </p> + <p> + On the night of the fourth day the king caused a number of fires to be + lighted near the river, fed with green wood and damp straw. A favourable + wind blew the smoke towards the enemy, and thus concealed the ground from + them. At daybreak on the 5th of April, a thousand picked men crossed the + river in two boats, and having reached the other side at once proceeded to + throw up intrenchments to cover the head of the bridge, while at the same + time the workmen began to place the trestles in position. + </p> + <p> + As soon as day broke Tilly became aware of what was being done, and two + batteries opened fire upon the work at the head of the bridge and against + the bridge itself; but the low and swampy nature of the ground on the + Imperialist side of the river prevented his placing the batteries in a + position from which they could command the works, and their fire proved + ineffective in preventing the construction of the bridge. Seeing this, + Tilly at once commenced preparations for arresting the further advance of + the Swedes. + </p> + <p> + To reach his position they would be obliged to cross the swampy ground + exposed to the fire of his troops, and to render their progress still more + difficult he proceeded to cut down large trees, lopping and sharpening + their branches to form a chevaux-de-frise before his troops. All the + morning a heavy cannonade was kept up on both sides, but by noon the + bridge was completed and the advance guard of the Swedes, led by Colonels + Wrandel and Gassion, advanced across it. As the other brigades were + following, Tilly directed General Altringer to lead his cavalry against + them. + </p> + <p> + Altringer led his troops round the end of the marsh and charged with great + bravery down upon the Swedes. These, however, had time to form up, and a + tremendous fire of musketry was poured into the Imperialist horse, while + the round shot from the three Swedish batteries ploughed their ranks in + front and on both flanks. Under such circumstances, although fighting with + reckless bravery, the Imperialist cavalry were repulsed. Altringer, + however, rallied them and led them back again to the charge, but a + cannonball grazed his temple and he was carried senseless from the field. + His men, shaken by the tremendous fire and deprived of their leader, fell + back in confusion. + </p> + <p> + Tilly at once placed himself at the head of a chosen body of troops and + advanced to the attack, fighting with the ardour and bravery which always + distinguished him. He was short in stature and remarkable for his ugliness + as well as his bravery. Lean and spare in figure, he had hollow cheeks, a + long nose, a broad wrinkled forehead, heavy moustaches, and a sharp + pointed chin. He had from his boyhood been fighting against the + Protestants. He had learned the art of war under the cruel and pitiless + Spanish general Alva in the Netherlands, of which country he was a native, + and had afterwards fought against them in Bavaria, in Bohemia, and the + Palatinate, and had served in Hungary against the Turks. + </p> + <p> + Until he met Gustavus at Breitenfeld he had never known a reverse. A + bigoted Catholic, he had never hesitated at any act of cruelty which might + benefit the cause for which he fought, or strike terror into the + Protestants; and the singularity of his costume and the ugliness of his + appearance heightened the terror which his deeds inspired among them. When + not in armour his costume was modelled upon that of the Duke of Alva, + consisting of a slashed doublet of green silk, with an enormously + wide-brimmed and high conical hat adorned with a large red ostrich + feather. In his girdle he carried a long dagger and a Toledo sword of + immense length. His personal bravery was famous, and never did he fight + more gallantly than when he led his veterans to the attack of the Swedes. + </p> + <p> + For twenty minutes a furious hand to hand conflict raged, and the result + was still uncertain when a shot from a falconet struck Tilly on the knee + and shattered the bone, and the old general fell insensible to the ground. + He was carried off the field, and his troops, now without a leader, gave + way, the movement being hastened by two bodies of Swedish horse, who, + eager for action, swam their horses across the river and threatened to cut + off the retreat. By this time evening was at hand. The Swedes had secured + the passage of the river, but the Imperialist army still held its + intrenched position in the wood behind the Lech. Gustavus brought the rest + of his army across and halted for the night. + </p> + <p> + The Imperialist position was tremendously strong, being unassailable on + the right and covered in the front by the marshy ground. It could still + have been defended with every prospect of success by a determined general, + but the two best Imperialist commanders were hors de combat, and + Maximilian of Bavaria, the nominal generalissimo, had no military + experience. The army, too, was disheartened by the first success of the + Swedes and by the loss of the general whom they regarded as well nigh + invincible. + </p> + <p> + Tilly had now recovered his senses, but was suffering intense agony from + his wound, and on being consulted by Maximilian he advised him to fall + back, as the destruction of his army would leave the whole country open to + the Swedes. + </p> + <p> + The Imperialists accordingly evacuated their position and fell back in + good order during the night on Neuberg, and then to Ingolstadt. Rain and + Neuberg were occupied the next day by the Swedes. Gustavus despatched + Marshal Horn to follow the retreating enemy to Ingolstadt, and he himself + with the rest of his army marched up the Lech to Augsburg, which was held + by Colonel Breda with four thousand five hundred men. + </p> + <p> + The Imperialists had broken down the bridge, but Gustavus immediately + built two others, one above and the other below the city, and summoned it + to surrender. Breda, hearing that Tilly was dying, Altringer severely + wounded, and that no help was to be expected from Maximilian, considered + it hopeless to resist, and surrendered the town, which Gustavus, attended + by the titular King of Bohemia and many other princes, entered in triumph + on the following day, April 14th. The capture of Augsburg was hailed with + peculiar satisfaction, as the city was regarded as the birthplace of the + Reformation in Germany. Leaving a garrison there the king retraced his + steps along the Lech to Neuberg, and marched thence to join Marshal Horn + in front of Ingolstadt. + </p> + <p> + This town was one of the strongest places in Germany and had never been + captured. It was now held by a formidable garrison, and the Imperialist + army covered it on the north. Tilly had implored Maximilian to defend it + and Ratisbon at all hazards, as their possession was a bar to the further + advance of Gustavus. + </p> + <p> + The king arrived before it on the 19th, and on the following day advanced + to reconnoitre it closely. The gunners of the town, seeing a number of + officers approaching, fired, and with so good an aim that a cannonball + carried off the hindquarters of the horse the king was riding. A cry of + alarm and consternation burst from the officers, but their delight was + great when the king rose to his feet, covered with dust and blood indeed, + but otherwise unhurt. + </p> + <p> + On the following day a cannonball carried off the head of the Margrave of + Baden-Durlach, and on the same day Tilly expired. With his last breath he + urged Maximilian never to break his alliance with the emperor, and to + appoint Colonel Cratz, an officer of great courage and ability, to the + command of his army. + </p> + <p> + Gustavus remained eight days before Ingolstadt, and then, finding that the + reduction of the place could not be effected without the loss of much + valuable time, he raised the siege. On his march he took possession of + Landshut and forced it to pay a ransom of 100,000 thalers and to receive a + garrison, and then continued his way to Munich. + </p> + <p> + The Bavarian capital surrendered without a blow on the 17th of May. + Gustavus made a triumphal entry into the town, where he obtained + possession of a vast quantity of treasure and stores. Here he remained + some little time reducing the country round and capturing many cities and + fortresses. The Green Brigade had suffered severely at Ingolstadt. On the + evening of the 19th of April the king, expecting a sally, had ordered + Hepburn to post the brigade on some high ground near the gate and the + soldiers remained under arms the whole night. + </p> + <p> + The glow of their matches enabled the enemy to fire with precision, and a + heavy cannonade was poured upon them throughout the whole night. Three + hundred men were killed as they stood, Munro losing twelve men by one + shot; but the brigade stood their ground unflinchingly, and remained until + morning in steady line in readiness to repel any sortie of the enemy. + </p> + <p> + The army suffered greatly on the march from the Lech to Ingolstadt, and + thence to Munich, from the attacks of the country people, who were excited + against them by the priests. Every straggler who fell into their hands was + murdered with horrible cruelty, the hands and feet being cut off, and + other savage mutilations being performed upon them, in revenge for which + the Swedes and Scots shot all the Bavarians who fell into their hands, and + burned two hundred towns and villages. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII CAPTURED BY THE PEASANTS + </h2> + <p> + Malcolm Graheme was not present at the siege of Ingolstadt. The orders + after crossing the Lech had been very strict against straggling, so soon + as the disposition of the country people was seen; but it is not easy to + keep a large column of troops in a solid body. The regiments in the march + indeed, under the eye of the officers, can be kept in column, but a + considerable number of troops are scattered along the great convoy of + wagons containing the tents, stores, and ammunition of the army, and which + often extends some miles in length. Even if the desire for plunder does + not draw men away, many are forced to fall behind either from sickness, + sore feet, or other causes. + </p> + <p> + The number of these was comparatively small in the army of Gustavus, for + discipline was strict and the spirit of the troops good. As soon, however, + as it was found that every straggler who fell into the hands of the + peasantry was murdered under circumstances of horrible atrocity it became + very difficult for the officers to keep the men together, so intense was + their fury and desire for vengeance against the savage peasantry, and on + every possible occasion when a village was seen near the line of march men + would slip away and slay, plunder, and burn. + </p> + <p> + Gustavus endeavoured to repress these proceedings. He shared the + indignation of his troops at the barbarous conduct of the peasantry, but + throughout the war he always tried to carry on hostilities so as to + inflict as little loss and suffering as possible upon noncombatants. This + state of warfare too between his troops and the country people added to + his difficulties, for the peasantry drove off their cattle and burned + their stacks, and rendered it necessary for provisions and forage to be + carried with the army. Parties were therefore sent out on the flanks of + the column for the double purpose of preventing soldiers stealing off to + plunder and burn, and of picking up stragglers and saving them from the + fury of the peasants. + </p> + <p> + A strong rear guard followed a short distance behind the army. It was + accompanied by some empty wagons, in which those who fell out and were + unable to keep up with the march were placed. Two days after the advance + from the Lech, Malcolm was in charge of a small party on the right flank + of the column. There was no fear of an attack from the enemy, for the + Swedish horsemen were out scouring the country, and the Imperialists were + known to have fallen back to Ingolstadt. The villages were found deserted + by the male inhabitants, the younger women too had all left, but a few old + crones generally remained in charge. These scowled at the invaders, and + crossing themselves muttered curses beneath their breath upon those whom + their priests had taught them to regard as devils. There was nothing to + tempt the cupidity of the soldiers in these villages. Malcolm's duty was + confined to a casual inspection, to see that no stragglers had entered for + the purpose of procuring wine. + </p> + <p> + The day's march was nearly over when he saw some flames rise from a + village a short distance away. Hurrying forward with his men he found a + party of ten of the Swedish soldiers who had stolen away from the baggage + guard engaged in plundering. Two peasants lay dead in the street, and a + house was in flames. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm at once ordered his detachment, who were twenty strong, to arrest + the Swedes and to march them back to the columns. While they were doing + this he went from house to house to see that none of the party were + lurking there. At the door of the last house of the village three women + were standing. + </p> + <p> + “Are any of the soldiers here?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + The women gave him an unintelligible answer in the country patois, and + passing between them he entered the cottage. On the table stood a large + jug of water, and lifting it he took a long draught. There was a sudden + crash, and he fell heavily, struck down from behind with a heavy mallet by + one of the women. He was stunned by the blow, and when he recovered his + senses he found that he was bound hand and foot, a cloth had been stuffed + tightly into his mouth, and he was covered thickly with a heap of straw + and rubbish. He struggled desperately to free himself, but so tightly were + the cords bound that they did not give in the slightest. + </p> + <p> + A cold perspiration broke out on his forehead as he reflected that he was + helpless in the power of these savage peasants, and that he should + probably be put to death by torture. Presently he could hear the shouts of + his men, who, on finding that he did not return, had scattered through the + village in search of him. He heard the voice of his sergeant. + </p> + <p> + “These old hags say they saw an officer walk across to the left. The + captain may have meant us to march the prisoners at once to the column, + and be waiting just outside the village for us, but it is not likely. At + any rate, lads, we will search every house from top to bottom before we + leave. So set to work at once; search every room, cupboard, and shed. + There may be foul play; though we see no men about, some may be in + hiding.” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm heard the sound of footsteps, and the crashing of planks as the + men searched the cottages, wrenched off the doors of cupboards, and + ransacked the whole place. Gradually the sound ceased, and everything + became quiet. Presently he heard the sound of drums, and knew that the + regiment which formed the rear guard was passing. + </p> + <p> + It was bitterness indeed to know that his friends were within sound of a + call for aid, and that he was bound and helpless. The halting place for + the night was, he knew, but a mile or two in advance, and his only hope + was that some band of plunderers might in the night visit the village; but + even then his chances of being discovered were small indeed, for even + should they sack and burn it he would pass unnoticed lying hidden in the + straw yard. His captors were no doubt aware of the possibility of such a + visit, for it was not until broad daylight, when the army would again be + on its forward march, that they uncovered him. + </p> + <p> + Brave as Malcolm was he could scarce repress a shudder as he looked at the + band of women who surrounded him. All were past middle age, some were old + and toothless, but all were animated by a spirit of ferocious triumph. + Raising him into a sitting position, they clustered round him, some shook + their skinny hands in his face, others heaped curses upon him, some of the + most furious assailed him with heavy sticks, and had he not still been + clothed in his armour, would then and there have killed him. + </p> + <p> + This, however, was not their intention, for they intended to put him to + death by slow torture. He was lifted and carried into the cottage. There + the lacings of his armour were cut, the cords loosened one by one, + sufficient to enable them to remove the various pieces of which it was + composed, then he was left to himself, as the hags intended to postpone + the final tragedy until the men returned from the hills. + </p> + <p> + This might be some hours yet, as the Swedish cavalry would still be + scouring the country, and other bodies of troops might be marching up. + From the conversation of the women, which he understood but imperfectly, + Malcolm gathered that they thought the men would return that night. Some + of the women were in favour of executing the vengeance themselves, but the + majority were of opinion that the men should have their share of the + pleasure. + </p> + <p> + All sorts of fiendish propositions were made as to the manner in which his + execution should be carried out, but even the mildest caused Malcolm to + shudder in anticipation. His arms were bound tightly to his side at the + elbows, and the wrists were fastened in front of him, his legs were tied + at the knees and ankles. Sometimes he was left alone as the women went + about their various avocations in the village, but he was so securely + bound that to him as to them his escape appeared altogether impossible. + The day passed heavily and slowly. The cloth had been removed from his + mouth, but he was parched with thirst, while the tightly bound cords cut + deeply into his flesh. + </p> + <p> + He had once asked for water, but his request had been answered with such + jeers and mockery that he resolved to suffer silently until the last. At + length the darkness of the winter evening began to fall when a thought + suddenly struck him. On the hearth a fire was burning; he waited until the + women had again left the hut. He could hear their voices without as they + talked with those in the next cottage. They might at any moment return, + and it was improbable that they would again go out, for the cold was + bitter, and they would most likely wait indoors for the return of the men. + </p> + <p> + This then was his last opportunity. He rolled himself to the fire, and + with his teeth seized the end of one of the burning sticks. He raised + himself into a sitting position, and with the greatest difficulty laid the + burning end of the stick across the cords which bound his wrists. It + seemed to him that they would never catch fire. The flesh scorched and + frizzled, and the smoke rose up with that of the burning rope. The agony + was intense, but it was for life, and Malcolm unflinchingly held the + burning brand in its place until the cords flew asunder and his hands were + free. Although almost mad with the pain, Malcolm set to work instantly to + undo the other ropes. As soon as one of his arms was free he seized a + hatchet, which lay near him, and rapidly cut the rest. He was not a moment + too soon, for as he cut the last knot he heard the sound of steps, and two + women appeared at the door. + </p> + <p> + On seeing their prisoner standing erect with an axe in his hand they + turned and fled shrieking loudly. It was well for Malcolm that they did + so, for so stiff and numbed were his limbs that he could scarcely hold the + axe, and the slightest push would have thrown him to the ground. + </p> + <p> + Some minutes passed before, by stamping his feet and rubbing his legs he + restored circulation sufficiently to totter across the room. Then he + seized a brand and thrust it into the thatch of the house, having first + put on his helmet and placed his sword and pistols in his belt. His hands + were too crippled and powerless to enable him to fasten on the rest of his + armour. He knew that he had no time to lose. Fortunately the women would + not know how weak and helpless he was, for had they returned in a body + they could easily have overpowered him; but at any moment the men might + arrive, and if he was found there by them his fate was sealed. + </p> + <p> + Accordingly as soon as he had fired the hut he made his way from the + village as quickly as he could crawl along. He saw behind him the flames + rising higher and higher. The wind was blowing keenly, and the fire spread + rapidly from house to house, and by the time he reached the road along + which the army had travelled the whole village was in flames. He felt that + he could not travel far, for the intense sufferings which he had endured + for twenty-four hours without food or water had exhausted his strength. + </p> + <p> + His limbs were swollen and bruised from the tightness of the cords, the + agony of his burned wrists was terrible, and after proceeding slowly for + about a mile he drew off from the broad trampled track which the army had + made in passing, and dragging himself to a clump of trees a short distance + from the road, made his way through some thick undergrowth and flung + himself down. The night was intensely cold, but this was a relief to him + rather than otherwise, for it alleviated the burning pain of his limbs + while he kept handfuls of snow applied to his wrists. + </p> + <p> + Two hours after he had taken refuge he heard a number of men come along + the road at a run. Looking through the bushes he could see by their + figures against the snow that they were peasants, and had no doubt that + they were the men of the village who had returned and at once started in + pursuit of him. + </p> + <p> + An hour later, feeling somewhat relieved, he left his hiding place and + moved a mile away from the road, as he feared that the peasants, failing + to overtake him, might, as they returned, search every possible hiding + place near it. He had no fear of the track being noticed, for the surface + of the snow was everywhere marked by parties going and returning to the + main body. He kept on until he saw a small shed. The door was unfastened; + opening it he found that the place was empty, though there were signs that + it was usually used as a shelter for cattle. + </p> + <p> + A rough ladder led to a loft. This was nearly full of hay. Malcolm threw + himself down on this, and covering himself up thickly, felt the blood + again begin to circulate in his limbs. It brought, however, such a renewal + of his pain, that it was not until morning that fatigue overpowered his + sufferings and he fell asleep. + </p> + <p> + It was late in the afternoon when he woke at the sound of shouts and + holloaing. Springing to his feet he looked out between the cracks in the + boards and saw a party of forty or fifty peasants passing close by the + shed. They were armed with hatchets, scythes, and pikes. On the heads of + four of the pikes were stuck gory heads, and in the centre of the party + were three prisoners, two Swedes and a Scot. These were covered with + blood, and were scarcely able to walk, but were being urged forward with + blows and pike thrusts amid the brutal laughter of their captors. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm retired to his bed full of rage and sorrow. It would have been + madness to have followed his first impulse to sally out sword in hand and + fall upon the ruffians, as such a step would only have ensured his own + death without assisting the captives. + </p> + <p> + “Hitherto,” he said to himself, “I have ever restrained my men, and have + endeavoured to protect the peasants from violence; henceforward, so long + as we remain in Bavaria, no word of mine shall be uttered to save one of + these murderous peasants. However, I am not with my company yet. The army + is two marches ahead, and must by this time be in front of Ingolstadt. I + have been two days without food, and see but little chance of getting any + until I rejoin them, and the whole country between us is swarming with an + infuriated peasantry. The prospect is certainly not a bright one. I would + give a year's pay to hear the sound of a Swedish trumpet.” + </p> + <p> + When darkness had fairly set in Malcolm started on his way again. Although + his limbs still smarted from the weals and sores left by the cords they + had now recovered their lissomeness; but he was weak from want of food, + and no longer walked with the free elastic stride which distinguished the + Scottish infantry. His wrists gave him great pain, being both terribly + burned, and every movement of the hand sent a thrill of agony up the arm. + He persisted, however, in frequently opening and clenching his hands, + regardless of the pain, for he feared that did he not do so they would + stiffen and he would be unable to grasp a sword. Fortunately the wounds + were principally on the upper side of the thumbs, where the flesh was + burned away to the bone, but the sinews and muscles of the wrists had to a + great extent escaped. + </p> + <p> + He had not journeyed very far when he saw a light ahead and presently + perceived the houses of a village. A fire was lit in the centre, and a + number of figures were gathered round it. + </p> + <p> + “Something is going on,” Malcolm said to himself; “as likely as not they + have got some unfortunate prisoner. Whatever it be, I will steal in and + try to get some food. I cannot go much further without it; and as their + attention is occupied, I may find a cottage empty.” + </p> + <p> + Making his way round to the back of the houses, he approached one of the + cottages in the rear. He lifted the latch of the door and opened it a + little. All was still. With his drawn sword he entered. The room was + empty; a fire burned on the hearth, and on the table were some loaves + which had evidently been just baked. Malcolm fell upon one of them and + speedily devoured it, and, taking a long draught of rough country wine + from a skin hanging against the wall, he felt another man. + </p> + <p> + He broke another loaf in two and thrust the pieces into his doublet, and + then sallied out from the cottage again. Still keeping behind the houses + he made his way until he got within view of the fire. Here he saw a sight + which thrilled him with horror. Some eight or ten peasants and forty or + fifty women were yelling and shouting. Fastened against a post in front of + the fire were the remains of a prisoner. He had been stripped, his ears, + nose, hands, and feet cut off, and he was slowly bleeding to death. + </p> + <p> + Four other men, bound hand and foot, lay close to the fire. By its flames + Malcolm saw the green scarves that told they were Scotchmen of his own + brigade, and he determined at once to rescue them or die in the attempt. + He crept forward until he reached the edge of the road; then he raised a + pistol and with a steady aim fired at one of the natives, who fell dead + across the fire. + </p> + <p> + Another shot laid another beside him before the peasants recovered from + their first surprise. Then with a loud shout in German, “Kill—kill! + and spare none!” Malcolm dashed forward. The peasants, believing that they + were attacked by a strong body, fled precipitately in all directions. + Malcolm, on reaching the prisoners, instantly severed their bonds. + </p> + <p> + “Quick, my lads!” he exclaimed; “we shall have them upon us again in a + minute.” + </p> + <p> + The men in vain tried to struggle to their feet—their limbs were too + numbed to bear them. + </p> + <p> + “Crawl to the nearest cottage!” Malcolm exclaimed; “we can hold it until + your limbs are recovered.” + </p> + <p> + He caught up from the ground some pikes and scythes which the peasants had + dropped in their flight, and aided the men to make their way to the + nearest cottage. They were but just in time; for the peasants, finding + they were not pursued, had looked round, and seeing but one opponent had + gained courage and were beginning to approach again. Malcolm barred the + door, and then taking down a skin of wine bade his companions take a + drink. There were loaves on the shelves, and these he cut up and handed to + them. + </p> + <p> + “Quick, lads!” he said; “stamp your legs and swing your arms, and get the + blood in motion. I will keep these fellows at bay a few minutes longer.” + </p> + <p> + He reloaded his pistols and fired through the door, at which the peasants + were now hewing with axes. A cry and a heavy fall told him that one of the + shots had taken effect. Suddenly there was a smell of smoke. + </p> + <p> + “They have fired the roof,” Malcolm said. “Now, lads, each of you put a + loaf of bread under his jerkin. There is no saying when we may get more. + Now get ready and sally out with me. There are but six or eight men in the + village, and they are no match for us. They only dared to attack us + because they saw that you couldn't walk.” + </p> + <p> + The door was opened, and headed by Malcolm the four Scotchmen dashed out. + They were assailed by a shower of missiles by the crowd as they appeared, + but as soon as it was seen that the men were on foot again the peasants + gave way. Malcolm shot one and cut down another, and the rest scattered in + all directions. + </p> + <p> + “Now, lads, follow me while we may,” and Malcolm again took to the fields. + The peasants followed for some distance, but when the soldiers had quite + recovered the use of their limbs Malcolm suddenly turned on his pursuers, + overtaking and killing two of them. Then he and his men again continued + their journey, the peasants no longer following. When at some distance + from the village he said: + </p> + <p> + “We must turn and make for the Lech again. It is no farther than it is to + Ingolstadt, and we shall find friends there. These peasants will go on + ahead and raise all the villagers against us, and we should never get + through. What regiment do you belong to, lads?” for in the darkness he had + been unable to see their faces. + </p> + <p> + “Your own, Captain Graheme. We were in charge of one of the wagons with + sick. The wheel came off, and we were left behind the convoy while we were + mending it. As we were at work, our weapons laid on the ground, some + twenty men sprang out from some bushes hard by and fell upon us. We killed + five or six of them, but were beaten down and ten of our number were + slain. They murdered all the sick in the wagons and marched us away, + bound, to this village where you found us. Sandy McAlister they had + murdered just as you came up, and we should have had a like horrible fate + had you been a few minutes later. Eh, sir! but it's an awful death to be + cut in pieces by these devils incarnate!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, lads,” Malcolm said, “we will determine that they shall not take us + alive again. If we are overtaken or met by any of these gangs of peasants + we will fight till we die. None of us, I hope, are afraid of death in fair + strife, but the bravest might well shrink from such a death as that of + your poor comrade. Now let us see what arms we have between us.” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm had his sword and pistols, two of the men had pikes, the other two + scythes fastened to long handles. + </p> + <p> + “These are clumsy weapons,” Malcolm said. “You had best fit short handles + to them, so as to make them into double handed swords.” + </p> + <p> + They were unable to travel far, for all were exhausted with the sufferings + they had gone through, but they kept on until they came upon a village + which had been fired when the troops marched through. The walls of a + little church were alone standing. It had, like the rest of the village, + been burned, but the shell still remained. + </p> + <p> + “So far as I can see,” Malcolm said, “the tower has escaped. Had it been + burned we should see through the windows. We may find shelter in the + belfry.” + </p> + <p> + On reaching the church they found that the entrance to the belfry tower + was outside the church, and to this, no doubt, it owed its escape from the + fire which had destroyed the main edifice. The door was strong and defied + their efforts to break it in. + </p> + <p> + “I must fire my pistol through the lock,” Malcolm said. “I do not like + doing so, for the sound may reach the ears of any peasants in the + neighbourhood; but we must risk it, for the cold is extreme, and to lie + down in the snow would be well nigh certain death.” + </p> + <p> + He placed his pistol to the keyhole and fired. The lock at once yielded + and the party entered the door. + </p> + <p> + “Before we mount,” Malcolm said, “let each pick up one of these blocks of + stone which have fallen from the wall. We will wedge the door from behind, + and can then sleep secure against a surprise.” + </p> + <p> + When the door was closed one of the men, who was a musketeer, struck some + sparks from a flint and steel on to a slow match which he carried in his + jerkin, and by its glow they were enabled to look around them. The stone + steps began to ascend close to the door, and by laying the stones between + the bottom step and the door they wedged the latter firmly in its place. + They then ascended the stairs, and found themselves in a room some ten + feet square, in which hung the bell which had called the village to + prayers. It hung from some beams which were covered with a boarded floor, + and a rough ladder led to a trapdoor, showing that there was another room + above. The floor of the room in which they stood was of stone. + </p> + <p> + “Now, lads,” Malcolm said, “two of you make your way up that ladder and + rip up some of the planks of the flooring. See if there are any windows or + loopholes in the chamber above, and if so stuff your jerkins into them; we + will close up those here. In a few minutes we will have a roaring fire; + but we must beware lest a gleam of light be visible without, for this + belfry can be seen for miles round.” + </p> + <p> + Some of the boards were soon split up into fragments; but before the light + was applied to them Malcolm carefully examined each window and loophole to + be sure that they were perfectly stopped. Then the slow match was placed + in the centre of a number of pieces of dry and rotten wood. One of the men + kneeling down blew lustily, and in a few seconds a flame sprang up. The + wood was now heaped on, and a bright fire was soon blazing high. + </p> + <p> + A trapdoor leading out on to the flat top of the tower was opened for the + escape of the smoke, and the party then seated themselves round the fire, + under whose genial warmth their spirits speedily rose. They now took from + their wallets the bread which they had brought away with them. + </p> + <p> + “If we had,” one of the soldiers said, “but a few flasks of Rhine wine + with us we need not envy a king.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” Malcolm replied, “we are better off at present than our comrades who + are sleeping in the snow round the watchfires; but for all that I would + that we were with them, for we have a long and dangerous march before us. + And now, lads, you can sleep soundly. There will be no occasion to place a + watch, for the door is securely fastened; but at the first dawn of light + we must be on our feet; for although I do not mean to march until + nightfall, we must remove the stoppings from the windows, for should the + eye of any passing peasant fall upon them, he will guess at once that some + one is sheltering here, and may proceed to find out whether it be friend + or foe.” + </p> + <p> + Having finished half their bread, for Malcolm had warned them to save the + other half for the next day, the men lay down round the fire, and soon all + were sound asleep. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV IN THE CHURCHTOWER + </h2> + <p> + Malcolm was the first to awake, and was vexed to find by a stream of light + pouring down through the half open trapdoor above that it was broad day. + He roused the men, and the stoppings were at once removed from the + loopholes. The sun was already high, for the party, overpowered with + fatigue, had slept long and soundly. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm looked cautiously from the window; no one was in sight, and the + ruins of the village below lay black and deserted. The men resumed the + clothes which had been used for blocking the loopholes, and sat down to + pass the long hours which would elapse before the time for action arrived. + It was exceedingly cold, for there were loopholes on each side of the + chamber, and the wind blew keenly through. + </p> + <p> + “Sergeant,” Malcolm said, “we will risk a bit of fire again, for the cold + pierces to the bone; only be sure that you use perfectly dry wood. Examine + each piece to see that no drip from the roof has penetrated it. If it is + dry it will give but little smoke, and a slight vapour is not likely to be + observed rising from the top of the tower.” + </p> + <p> + The fire was again lighted, and the smoke was so slight that Malcolm had + little fear of its being observed. + </p> + <p> + An hour later, as the men were talking, Malcolm suddenly held up his hand + for silence, and the murmur of voices was heard without. Malcolm rose to + his feet to reconnoitre, standing far back from the loophole as he did so. + A group of some eight or ten peasants were standing looking at the tower, + while a woman was pointing to it and talking eagerly. + </p> + <p> + It was towards the windows that she was pointing, and Malcolm guessed at + once that, having returned in the early morning to see what remained of + her home, she had happened to notice the garments stuffed in the windows, + and had carried the news to some of her companions. Malcolm regretted + bitterly now that he had not set a watch, so that at the first gleam of + daylight the windows might have been unblocked; but it was now too late. + </p> + <p> + “We shall have to fight for it, lads,” he said, turning round. “Our + clothes must have been seen early this morning, and there is a party of + peasants watching the tower. Of course they cannot know at present whether + we are friends or foes; but no doubt the news of last evening's doings has + travelled through the country, and the peasants are on the lookout for us, + so they may well guess that we are here. However, we shall soon see. + Sergeant, place one of your men on sentry at the foot of the stairs, but + do not let him speak or give any signs of his presence if the door is + tried.” + </p> + <p> + One of the soldiers was placed on guard. Scarcely had he taken his station + when there was a knocking at the door, and shouts were heard outside from + the peasants calling on those within, if they were friends, to come out. + No answer was returned. + </p> + <p> + “It's fortunate for you,” Malcolm muttered, “that we don't come out, or we + should make short work of you; but I know you would fly like hares if you + saw us, and would bring the whole country down on us. No; we must hold out + here. Our only hope is to escape at night, or to hold this place till some + of our troops come along. At any moment some regiments from the Lech may + be marching forward to join the king. + </p> + <p> + “We must make our bread last, lads,” he said cheerfully to the men, “for + we may have to stand a long siege. Methinks we can hold this stone + staircase against all the peasants of this part of Bavaria; and we must do + so until we hear the sound of the Swedish drums; they may come along at + any time. If the worst comes to the worst one of us must start at night + and carry news of our peril to the Lech. We made a good supper last night, + and can fast for a bit. If we cut our bread up into small portions we can + hold out for days. There should be snow enough on the tower top to furnish + us with drink.” + </p> + <p> + After hammering at the door for some time, the peasants retired convinced + that there were none of their own people within the tower, and that those + who had slept there were the fugitives of whom they had been in search + during the night. These might, indeed, have departed in the interval + between the time when the woman first saw the traces of their presence and + her return with them; but they did not think that this was so, for in that + case they could not have fastened the door behind them. The peasants + accordingly withdrew a short distance from the church, and three of their + number were sent off in different directions to bring up reinforcements. + As soon as Malcolm saw this movement he knew that concealment was useless, + and began to make preparations for the defence. First, he with the + sergeant ascended to the roof of the tower. To his disappointment he saw + that the heat of the flames had melted the snow, and that most of the + water had run away. Some, however, stood in the hollows and inequalities + of the stone platform, where it had again frozen into ice. + </p> + <p> + As the supply would be very precious, Malcolm directed that before any + moved about on the platform every piece of ice should be carefully taken + up and carried below. Here it was melted over the fire in one of the iron + caps, and was found to furnish three quarts of water. The appearance of + Malcolm and his companion on the tower had been hailed by a shout of + hatred and exultation by the peasants; but the defenders had paid no + attention to the demonstration, and had continued their work as if + regardless of the presence of their enemies. + </p> + <p> + On his return to the platform Malcolm found, looking over the low parapet, + that on the side farthest from the church great icicles hung down from the + mouth of the gutter, the water having frozen again as it trickled from the + platform. These icicles were three or four inches in diameter and many + feet in length. They were carefully broken off, and were laid down on the + platform where they would remain frozen until wanted. Malcolm now felt + secure against the attacks of thirst for some days to come. The stones of + the parapet were next tried, and were without much trouble moved from + their places, and were all carried to the side in which the door was + situated, in readiness to hurl down upon any who might assault it. Some of + the beams of the upper flooring were removed from their places, and being + carried down, were wedged against the upper part of the door, securing it + as firmly as did the stones below. These preparations being finished, + Malcolm took a survey of the situation outside. + </p> + <p> + The group of peasants had increased largely, some thirty or forty men + armed with pikes, bills, and scythes being gathered in a body, while many + more could be seen across the country hurrying over the white plain + towards the spot. The windows of the lower apartment had been barricaded + with planks, partly to keep out missiles, partly for warmth. A good fire + now blazed in the centre, and the soldiers, confident in themselves and + their leader, cracked grim jokes as, their work being finished, they sat + down around it and awaited the attack, one of their number being placed on + the summit of the tower to give warning of the approach of the enemy. + </p> + <p> + “I would that we had a musket or two,” Malcolm said; “for we might then + keep them from the door. I have only some twenty charges for my pistols, + and the most of these, at any rate, I must keep for the defence of the + stairs.” + </p> + <p> + Presently the sentry from above called out that the peasants were moving + forward to the attack. + </p> + <p> + “Sergeant,” Malcolm said, “do you fasten my green scarf to a long strip of + plank and fix it to the top of the tower. We cannot fight under a better + banner. Now let us mount to the roof and give them a warm reception.” + </p> + <p> + “Look out, sir,” the sentry exclaimed as Malcolm ascended the stair, + “three or four of them have got muskets.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we must be careful,” Malcolm said. “I don't suppose they are much of + marksmen, but even a random shot will tell at times, and I want to take + you all back safe with me; so keep low when you get on the roof, lads, and + don't show your heads more than you can help.” + </p> + <p> + Heralding their attack by a discharge from their muskets, whose balls + whistled harmlessly round the tower, the peasants rushed forward to the + door and commenced an assault upon it with hatchets and axes. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm and his men each lifted a heavy stone and rolled it over the + parapet, the five loosing the missiles simultaneously. There was a dull + crash, and with a terrible cry the peasants fled from the door. Looking + over, Malcolm saw that six or seven men had been struck down. Five of + these lay dead or senseless; two were endeavouring to drag themselves + away. + </p> + <p> + “That is lesson number one,” he said. “They will be more prudent next + time.” + </p> + <p> + The peasants, after holding a tumultuous council, scattered, most of them + making for a wood a short distance off. + </p> + <p> + “They are going to cut down a tree and use it as a battering ram,” Malcolm + observed. “They know that these large stones are too heavy for us to cast + many paces from the foot of the wall. We must get to work and break some + of them up. That will not be difficult, for the wind and weather have + rotted many of them half through.” + </p> + <p> + The stones were for the most part from two to three feet long and nine or + ten inches square. Two were laid down on the platform some eighteen inches + apart and another placed across them. The four men then lifted another + stone, and holding it perpendicularly brought it down with all their + strength upon the unsupported centre of the stone, which broke in half at + once. To break it again required greater efforts, but it yielded to the + blows. Other stones were similarly treated, until a large pile was formed + of blocks of some ten inches each way, besides a number of smaller + fragments. + </p> + <p> + In half an hour the peasants reappeared with a slight well grown tree some + forty feet long which had been robbed of its branches. It was laid down + about fifty yards from the church, and then twenty men lifted it near the + butt and advanced to use it as a battering ram, with the small end + forward; but before they were near enough to touch the door the bearers + were arrested by a cry from the crowd as the defenders appeared on the + tower, and poising their blocks of stone above their heads, hurled them + down. Three of them flew over the heads of the peasants, but the others + crashed down among them, slaying and terribly mutilating two of the + bearers of the tree and striking several others to the ground. The + battering ram was instantly dropped, and before the Scotchmen had time to + lift another missile the peasants were beyond their reach. + </p> + <p> + “Lesson number two,” Malcolm said. “What will our friends do next, I + wonder?” + </p> + <p> + The peasants were clearly at a loss. A long consultation was held, but + this was not followed by any renewal of the attack. + </p> + <p> + “I think they must have made up their minds to starve us out, sir,” the + sergeant remarked as the hours went slowly by without any renewal of the + attack. + </p> + <p> + “Yes; either that, sergeant, or a night attack. In either case I consider + that we are safe for a time, but sooner or later our fate is sealed unless + aid comes to us, and therefore I propose that one of you should tonight + try and bear a message to the Lech. We can lower him down by the bell rope + from this window in the angle where the tower touches the church. Keeping + round by the church he will be in deep shadow until he reaches the other + end, and will then be close to the ruins of the village. Before morning he + could reach our camp.” + </p> + <p> + “I will undertake it myself, sir, if you will allow me,” the sergeant + said, while the other men also volunteered for the duty. + </p> + <p> + “You shall try first, sergeant,” Malcolm said. “It will be dangerous work, + for as the news of our being here spreads the peasants will be coming in + from all quarters. Their numbers are already greatly increased since they + commenced the attack, and there must be at least three or four hundred men + around us. They will be sure to keep a sharp lookout against our escaping, + and it will need all your care and caution to get through them.” + </p> + <p> + “Never fear, sir,” the man replied confidently. “I have stalked the deer + scores of times, and it will be hard if I cannot crawl through a number of + thick witted Bavarian peasants.” + </p> + <p> + “Even beyond the village you will have to keep your eyes open, as you may + meet parties of peasants on their way here. Fortunately you will have no + difficulty in keeping the road, so well beaten is it by the march of the + army. If by tomorrow night no rescue arrives I shall consider that you + have been taken or killed, and shall try with the others to make my way + through. It would be better to die sword in hand while we have still the + strength to wield our arms than to be cooped up here until too weak any + longer to defend ourselves, and then to be slowly tortured to death.” + </p> + <p> + As soon as it was dusk a sentry was placed on the top of the tower, with + orders to report the slightest sound or stir. During the day this had not + been necessary, for a view could be obtained from the windows, and the men + with firearms, who had now considerably increased in numbers, kept up a + constant fire at the tower. + </p> + <p> + An hour later the sentry reported that he could hear the sound of many + feet in the darkness, with the occasional snapping as of dry twigs. + </p> + <p> + “They are going to burn down the door,” Malcolm said. “That is what I + expected. Now, sergeant, is your time. They are all busy and intent upon + their purpose. You could not have a better time.” + </p> + <p> + The rope was fastened round the sergeant's waist, and with some difficulty + he squeezed himself through the narrow window, after listening attentively + to discover if any were below. + </p> + <p> + All seemed perfectly still on this side, and he was gradually and steadily + lowered down. Presently those above felt the rope slack. Another minute + and it swung loosely. It was drawn up again, and Malcolm, placing one of + the men at the loophole, with instructions to listen intently for any + sound of alarm or conflict, turned his attention to the other side. + </p> + <p> + Soon he saw a number of dark figures bearing on their heads great bundles + which he knew to be faggots approaching across the snow. + </p> + <p> + As they approached a brisk fire suddenly opened on the tower. Malcolm at + once called the sentry down. + </p> + <p> + “It is of no use exposing yourself,” he said, “and we could not do much + harm to them did we take to stoning them again. We have nothing to do now + but to wait.” + </p> + <p> + Soon a series of dull heavy crashes were heard as the faggots were thrown + down against the door. Malcolm descended the stairs until he reached the + lowest loophole which lighted them, and which was a few feet above the top + of the door. He took one of the men with him. + </p> + <p> + “Here are my flask and bullet pouch,” he said. “Do you reload my pistols + as I discharge them.” + </p> + <p> + For some minutes the sound of the faggots being thrown down continued, + then the footsteps were heard retreating, and all was quiet again. + </p> + <p> + “Now it is our turn again,” Malcolm said. “It is one thing to prepare a + fire and another to light it, my fine fellows. I expect that you have + forgotten that there are firearms here.” + </p> + <p> + Presently a light was seen in the distance, and two men with blazing + brands approached. They advanced confidently until within twenty yards of + the tower, then there was the sharp crack of a pistol, and one of them + fell forward on his face, the other hesitated and stood irresolute, then, + summoning up courage, he sprang forward. + </p> + <p> + As he did so another shot flashed out, and he, too, fell prostrate, the + brand hissing and spluttering in the snow a few feet from the pile of + brushwood. A loud yell of rage and disappointment arose on the night air, + showing how large was the number of peasants who were watching the + operations. Some time elapsed before any further move was made on the part + of the assailants, then some twenty points of light were seen approaching. + </p> + <p> + “Donald,” Malcolm said to the soldier, “go up to the top of the tower with + your comrades. They are sure to light the pile this time, but if it is + only fired in one place you may possibly dash out the light with a stone.” + </p> + <p> + The lights rapidly approached, but when the bearers came within forty + yards they stopped. They were a wild group, as, with their unkempt hair + and beards, and their rough attire, they stood holding the lighted brands + above their heads. A very tall and powerful man stood at their head. + </p> + <p> + “Come on,” he said, “why do you hesitate? Let us finish with them.” And he + rushed forward. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm had his pistol lying on the sill of the loophole covering him, and + when the peasant had run ten paces he fired, and the man fell headlong. + The others stopped, and a second shot took effect among them. With a yell + of terror they hurled the brands towards the pile and fled. Most of the + brands fell short, others missed their aim, but from his loophole Malcolm + saw that one had fallen on to the outside faggot of the pile. + </p> + <p> + Almost instantly a heavy stone fell in the snow close by, another, and + another. Malcolm stood with his eyes fixed on the brand. The twigs against + which it leaned were catching, and the flames began to shoot up. Higher + and higher they rose, and a shout of triumph from the peasants told how + keenly they were also watching. Still the heavy stones continued to fall. + The flames rose higher, and half the faggot was now alight. Another minute + and the fire would communicate with the pile. Then there was a crash. A + shower of sparks leapt up as the faggot, struck by one of the heavy + stones, was dashed from its place and lay blazing twenty feet distant from + the pile. There it burnt itself out, and for a time the tower was safe. + </p> + <p> + For an hour the defenders watched the peasants, who had now lighted great + fires just out of pistol shot from the tower, and were gathered thickly + round them, the light flashing redly from pike head and scythe. + </p> + <p> + The uproar of voices was loud; but though the defenders guessed that they + were discussing the next plan of attack they could catch no meaning from + such words as reached them, for the patois of the Bavarian peasants was + unintelligible. At last a large number seized brands, some approached as + before towards the pile, the others scattered in various directions, while + the men with muskets again opened fire at the top of the tower. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm took his post at the loophole awaiting attack, but the men in + front of him did not advance. Suddenly a light sprang up beneath him. + There was a sound of falling stones, but the light grew brighter and + brighter, and he knew that this time the pile had been fired. As he ran + upstairs he was met by one of the soldiers from above. + </p> + <p> + “They crept round by the back of the church, sir, and round at the foot of + the tower, and they had fired the pile before we saw that they were + there.” + </p> + <p> + “It cannot be helped,” Malcolm said, “they were sure to succeed sooner or + later. Call the others down from the roof.” + </p> + <p> + The door at the top of the stairs was now closed, and the crevices were + stuffed tightly with strips torn from the men's clothes so as to prevent + the smoke from entering when the door below gave way to the flames. A + broad glare of light now lit up the scene, and showers of sparks, and an + occasional tongue of flame were visible through the window. + </p> + <p> + “Shut down the trapdoor in the roof,” Malcolm said, “that will check the + draught through the windows.” + </p> + <p> + The wood was dry, and what smoke made its way in through the window found + its way out through the loopholes of the upper chamber without seriously + incommoding those below. + </p> + <p> + “We can take it easy, now,” Malcolm said as he set the example by sitting + down against the wall. “It will be hours before the stonework below will + be cool enough to permit them to attack.” + </p> + <p> + “They are lighting a circle of fires all round the church,” one of the + soldiers said looking out. + </p> + <p> + “They think we shall be trying to escape, now that our door is burned. + They are too late; I trust our messenger is miles away by this time.” + </p> + <p> + In half an hour the flames died away, but a deep red glow showed that the + pile of embers was still giving out an intense heat. One of the men was + now placed on the top of the tower again, as a measure of precaution, but + it was certain that hours would elapse before an attack could be made. The + peasants, indeed, secure of their prey, evinced no hurry to commence the + attack, but spent the night in shouting and singing round their fires, + occasionally yelling threats of the fate which awaited them against the + defenders of the tower. + </p> + <p> + Towards daylight Malcolm commenced his preparations for defence. The door + was taken off its hinges and was laid on the stone stairs. These were but + two feet wide, the door itself being some three inches less. The rope was + fastened round its upper end to prevent it from sliding down. + </p> + <p> + “I wish we had some grease to pour over it,” Malcolm said, “but dry as it + is it will be next to impossible for anyone to walk up that sharp incline, + and we four should be able to hold it against the peasants till doomsday.” + </p> + <p> + It was not until broad daylight that the peasants prepared for the attack. + So long as the operation had been a distant one it had seemed easy enough, + but as in a confused mass they approached the open doorway they realized + that to ascend the narrow staircase, defended at the top by desperate men, + was an enterprise of no common danger, and that the work which they had + regarded as finished was in fact scarcely begun. + </p> + <p> + The greater part then hung back, but a band of men, who by their blackened + garments and swarthy faces Malcolm judged to be charcoal burners, armed + with heavy axes, advanced to the front, and with an air of dogged + resolution approached the door. The defenders gave no sign of their + presence, no pistol flashed out from window or loophole. + </p> + <p> + Striding through the still hot ashes the leader of the woodmen passed + through the doorway and advanced up the stairs. These ran in short + straight flights round the tower, lighted by narrow loopholes. No + resistance was encountered until he reached the last turning, where a + broader glare of light came from the open doorway, where two of the + soldiers, pike in hand, stood ready to repel them. With a shout to his + followers to come on, the peasant sprang forward. He ascended three steps, + and then, as he placed his foot upon the sharply inclined plane of the + door, which he had not noticed, he stumbled forward. His companions, + supposing he had been pierced with a spear, pressed on after him, but each + fell when they trod upon the door until a heap of men cumbered the stair. + These were not unharmed, for with their long pikes the Scottish spearmen + ran them through and through as they lay. + </p> + <p> + Their bodies afforded a foothold to those who followed, but these could + make but little way, for as but one could advance at a time, each as he + came on was slain by the pikes. Finding that two were well able to hold + the door, Malcolm with the other ran up to the top of the tower, and + toppled over the stones of the parapet upon the mass gathered around the + door. These at once scattered, and those on the stairs, finding themselves + unable to get forward, for the narrow passage was now completely choked + with the dead, made their way out again and rejoined their comrades. + </p> + <p> + “I expect they will send their musketeers first next time,” Malcolm said + as he rejoined those below, leaving the soldier on the watch. “Now let us + get the door up again, and bring the dead here; we can form a barrier with + them breast high.” + </p> + <p> + The door was quickly shifted on one side, and then the troopers brought up + the dead, who were eleven in number. + </p> + <p> + “Now replace the door,” Malcolm ordered; “fill your iron caps with blood—there + is plenty flowing from these fellows—and pour it over the door, it + will be as good as oil.” + </p> + <p> + This was done, and the bodies were then piled shoulder high across the + door. + </p> + <p> + “They can fire as much as they like now,” Malcolm said, “they will be no + nearer, and I defy anyone to climb up that door now.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV A TIMELY RESCUE + </h2> + <p> + Although unaware how much more formidable the task before them had become, + the peasants were disheartened by their defeat, and even the boldest + hesitated at the thought of again attacking foes so formidably posted. + None of those who had returned were able to explain what was the obstacle + which had checked their advance. All that they could tell was, that those + before them had fallen, in some cases even before they were touched by the + spears of the defenders. This mystery added to the dread which the assault + of so difficult a position naturally inspired, and some hours were spent + in discussing how the next attack should be made. Many indeed were + strongly in favour of remaining quietly around the tower and starving its + defenders into surrendering. + </p> + <p> + Others advocated an attempt to stifle them by heaping green wood and damp + straw round the tower; but the more timid pointed out that many would be + killed in carrying out the task by the firearms of the besieged, and that + even were the combustibles placed in position and lighted the success of + the experiment would be by no means certain, as the besieged might stuff + up all the orifices, or at the worst might obtain sufficient fresh air on + the top of the tower to enable them to breathe. + </p> + <p> + “You are forgetting,” one of the peasants exclaimed, “the powder wagon + which broke down as Count Tilly retreated from the Lech. Did we not carry + off the powder barrels and hide them, partly to prevent them falling into + the hands of these accursed Swedes, partly because the powder would last + us for years for hunting the wolf and wild boar? We have only to stow + these inside the tower to blow it into the air.” + </p> + <p> + The idea was seized with shouts of acclamation. Most of the peasants who + had assisted in carrying off the contents of the wagon were present, and + these started instantly to dig up the barrels which they had taken as + their share of the booty. The shouts of satisfaction and the departure of + forty or fifty men at full speed in various directions did not pass + unnoticed by the garrison of the tower. + </p> + <p> + “They have got a plan of some sort,” Malcolm said; “what it is I have no + idea, but they certainly seem confident about it. Look at those fellows + throwing up their caps and waving their arms. I do not see how we can be + attacked, but I do not like these signs of confidence on their part, for + they know now how strong our position is. It seems to me that we are + impregnable except against artillery.” + </p> + <p> + Unable to repress his uneasiness Malcolm wandered from window to window + watching attentively what was going on without, but keeping himself as far + back as possible from the loopholes; for the men with muskets kept up a + dropping fire at the openings, and although their aim was poor, bullets + occasionally passed in and flattened themselves against the opposite + walls. + </p> + <p> + “There is a man returning,” he said in about half an hour; “he is carrying + something on his shoulder, but I cannot see what it is.” + </p> + <p> + In another ten minutes the man had reached the group of peasants standing + two or three hundred yards from the church, and was greeted with cheers + and waving of hats. + </p> + <p> + “Good heavens!” Malcolm exclaimed suddenly, “it is a barrel of powder. + They must have stripped some broken down ammunition wagon. This is a + danger indeed.” + </p> + <p> + The men grasped their weapons and rose to their feet at the news, prepared + to take any steps which their young officer might command, for his + promptitude and ingenuity had inspired them with unbounded confidence in + him. + </p> + <p> + “We must at all hazards,” he said after a few minutes thought, “prevent + them from storing these barrels below. Remove the barricade of bodies and + then carry the door down the stairs. We must fix it again on the bottom + steps. The bottom stair is but a foot or two inside the doorway; if you + place it there it will hinder their rushing up to attack you, and your + pikes, as you stand above it, will prevent any from placing their barrels + inside. + </p> + <p> + “I will take my place at the loophole as before. We cannot prevent their + crawling round from behind as they did to light the faggots; but if they + pile them outside, they may blow in a hole in the wall of the tower, but + it is possible that even then it may not fall. Two will be sufficient to + hold the stairs, at any rate for the present. Do you, Cameron, take your + place on the tower, and drop stones over on any who may try to make their + way round from behind; even if you do no harm you will make them careful + and delay the operation, and every hour now is of consequence.” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm's instructions were carried out, and all was in readiness before + the peasants, some of whom had to go considerable distances, had returned + with the powder. + </p> + <p> + The lesson of the previous evening had evidently not been lost upon the + peasants, for Malcolm saw a tall man who was acting as their leader wave + his hand, and those who had brought the powder started to make a detour + round the church. Malcolm, finding that no movement was being made towards + the front, and that at present he could do nothing from his loophole, ran + up to the top of the tower and took his place by the soldier who was lying + down on the roof and looking over the edge. + </p> + <p> + Presently the first of the peasants appeared round the corner of the main + building, and dashed rapidly across to the angle of the tower. Two heavy + stones were dropped, but he had passed on long before they had reached the + bottom. Man after man followed, and Malcolm, seeing that he could do + nothing to stop them, again ran down. As he did so he heard a scream of + agony. The leading peasants had reached the doorway, but as they dashed in + to place their barrels of powder they were run through and through by the + spears of the pikemen. They fell half in and half out of the doorway, and + the barrels rolled some distance away. Those behind them stopped panic + stricken at their sudden fall. Several of them dropped their barrels and + fled, while others ran round the angle of the tower again, coming in + violent contact with those following them; all then hurried round behind + the church. Malcolm stamped his feet with vexation. + </p> + <p> + “What a fool I am,” he muttered, “not to have thought of a sortie! If we + had all held ourselves in readiness to spring out, we might have cut down + the whole of them; at any rate none would have got off with their + barrels.” + </p> + <p> + This unexpected failure greatly damped the spirit of the peasants, and + there was much consultation among them before any fresh move was made. As + he saw that they were fully occupied, and paying no heed to the tower, + Malcolm said to his men: + </p> + <p> + “I am going outside; prepare to help me up over the door again quickly if + necessary.” + </p> + <p> + Leaving his sword behind him, he took a leap from the step above the + inclined plane and landed at the bottom, and at once threw himself down + outside. With his dagger he removed the hoops of one of the barrels, and + scattered the contents thickly along the front of the tower. None of the + peasants perceived him, for there were many bodies lying round the foot of + the tower; and even had any looked that way they would not have noticed + that one prone figure had been added to the number. + </p> + <p> + Crawling cautiously along Malcolm pushed two other barrels before him, and + opening them as before, spread the contents of one upon the ground near + the side of the tower, and the other by the hinder face. The thick black + layer on the snow would have told its tale instantly to a soldier, but + Malcolm had little fear of the peasants in their haste paying attention to + it. When his task was completed he crawled back again to the door and laid + a train from the foot of the slide to the powder without. + </p> + <p> + “I will remain here,” he said, “for the present. Do one of you take your + place in the belfry. Tell Cameron to shout down to you what is passing + behind, and do you run instantly down the stairs to tell me.” + </p> + <p> + The peasants advanced next time accompanied by a strong force of their + armed comrades. As before they came round from behind, intending to stack + their barrels in the angle there. As the bearers of the first two or three + powder barrels came round the corner Cameron shouted the news, and the + soldier below ran down to Malcolm, who fired his pistol into the train. A + broad flash of fire rose round the tower followed instantaneously by two + heavy explosions. There was silence for an instant, and then a chorus of + shrieks and yells. + </p> + <p> + The powder barrels borne by the two first men had exploded, their heads + having been knocked in previously to admit of their ignition. Some thirty + of the peasants were killed or terribly mutilated by the explosion, and + the rest took to their heels in terror, leaving their wounded comrades on + the ground. + </p> + <p> + The echoes of the explosion had scarce died away when a shout of terror + broke from the main body of peasants, and Malcolm saw them flying in all + directions. An instant afterwards the ringing sound of the Swedish + trumpets was heard, and a squadron of horse galloped down full speed. The + peasants attempted no resistance, but fled in all directions, hotly + pursued by the Swedes, who broke up into small parties and followed the + fugitives cross the country cutting down great numbers of them. The + Swedish leader at once rode up to the foot of the tower, where Malcolm had + already sallied out. + </p> + <p> + “I am glad indeed I am in time, Captain Graheme; we have ridden without + drawing rein since your messenger arrived at four o'clock this morning.” + </p> + <p> + “Thanks indeed, Captain Burgh,” Malcolm replied. “Your coming is most + welcome; though I think we have given the peasants so hot a lesson that + they would not have attacked us again, and by tightening our waistbelts we + could have held on for another three or four days.” + </p> + <p> + “I see that you have punished them heavily,” the Swedish officer said, + looking round at the bodies; “but what was the explosion I heard?” + </p> + <p> + “You will see its signs behind the tower,” Malcolm said as he led the way + there. “They tried to blow us up, but burnt their own fingers.” + </p> + <p> + The scene behind the tower was ghastly. Some thirty peasants lay with + their clothes completely burned from their bodies, the greater portion of + them dead, but some still writhing in agony. Malcolm uttered an + exclamation of horror. + </p> + <p> + “It were a kindness to put these wretches out of their misery,” the Swede + said, and dismounting he passed his sword through the bodies of the + writhing men. “You know I am in favour of carrying on the war as + mercifully as may be,” he continued turning to Malcolm, “for we have + talked the matter over before now; and God forbid that I should strike a + fallen foe; but these poor wretches were beyond help, and it is true mercy + to end their sufferings.” + </p> + <p> + “They have had a heavy lesson,” Malcolm said; “there are eleven more dead + up in the belfry, which they tried to carry by storm, and a dozen at least + crushed by stones. + </p> + <p> + “You and your three men have indeed given a good account of yourselves,” + Captain Burgh exclaimed; “but while I am talking you are fasting. Here is + a bottle of wine, a cold chicken, and a manchet of bread which I put in my + wallet on starting; let us breakfast, for though I do not pretend to have + been fasting as you have, the morning ride has given me an appetite. I see + your fellows are hard at work already on the viands which my orderly + brought for them in his havresack; but first let us move away to the tree + over yonder, for verily the scent of blood and of roasted flesh is enough + to take away one's appetite, little squeamish as these wars have taught us + to be.” + </p> + <p> + Captain Burgh asked no questions until Malcolm had finished his meal. “I + have plenty more food,” he said, “for we have brought three led horses + well laden; but it were better that you eat no more at present, tis ill + overloading a fasting stomach. My men will not be back from the pursuit + for a couple of hours yet, for they will not draw rein so long as their + horses can gallop, so excited are they over the tales of the horrible + cruelties which have been perpetrated on all our men who have fallen into + the hands of the peasants, so now you can tell me in full the tale of your + adventures. I had no time to ask any questions of your sergeant, for we + were called up and sent off five minutes after he arrived with the news + that you with three men were beleaguered here by a party of peasants.” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm related the whole incidents which had befallen him since he had + been suddenly felled and made captive by the women in the hut in the + village. The Swede laughed over this part of the adventure. + </p> + <p> + “To think,” he said, “of you, a dashing captain of the Green Brigade, + being made captive by a couple of old women. There is more than one + gallant Scot, if reports be true, has fallen a captive to German maidens, + but of another sort; to be taken prisoner and hid in a straw yard is too + good.” + </p> + <p> + “It was no laughing matter, I can tell you,” Malcolm said, “though + doubtless it will serve as a standing jest against me for a long time; + however, I am so thankful I have got out of the scrape that those may + laugh who will.” + </p> + <p> + When Malcolm finished his story Captain Burgh said: “You have managed + marvellously well indeed, Graheme, and can well afford to put up with a + little laughter anent that matter of the women, for in truth there are few + who would with three men have held a post against four or five hundred, as + you have done—ay, and fairly defeated them before I came on the + scene. That thought of yours of laying the door upon the stairs was a + masterly one, and you rarely met and defeated every device of the enemy. + </p> + <p> + “Now, if you will, I will mount this stronghold of yours with you, and see + exactly how it stands, for I shall have to tell the tale a score of times + at least when I get back to camp, and I can do it all the better after I + have seen for myself the various features of the place.” + </p> + <p> + By the time they had mounted the top of the tower and Captain Burgh had + fully satisfied himself as to the details of the defence the troopers + began to return. Their horses were far too fatigued with the long ride + from the camp and the subsequent pursuit to be able to travel farther. + Fires were accordingly lit, rations distributed, and a halt ordered till + the following morning, when, at daybreak, they returned to the Lech. + </p> + <p> + Two days later Malcolm and his men marched forward with a brigade which + was advancing to reinforce the army under Gustavus, and reached Ingolstadt + on the day when the king raised the siege, and accompanied him on his + march to Munich. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm on rejoining was greeted with great pleasure by his comrades, who + had made up their minds that he had in some way fallen a victim to the + peasants. The noncommissioned officers and men of his party had been + severely reprimanded for leaving the village without finding him. In their + defence they declared that they had searched every house and shed, and, + having found no sign of him, or of any struggle having taken place, they + supposed that he must have returned alone. But their excuses were not held + to be valid, the idea of Malcolm having left his men without orders being + so preposterous that it was held it should never have been entertained for + a moment by them. + </p> + <p> + “I shall never be anxious about you again,” Nigel Graheme said, when + Malcolm finished the narrative of his adventures to the officers of his + regiment as they sat round the campfire on the evening when he rejoined + them. “This is the third or fourth time that I have given you up for dead. + Whatever happens in the future, I shall refuse to believe the possibility + of any harm having come to you, and shall be sure that sooner or later you + will walk quietly into camp with a fresh batch of adventures to tell us. + Whoever of us may be doomed to lay our bones in this German soil, it will + not be you. Some good fairy has distinctly taken charge of you, and there + is no saying what brilliant destiny may await you.” + </p> + <p> + “But he must keep clear of the petticoats, Graheme,” Colonel Munro + laughed; “evidently danger lurks for him there, and if he is caught + napping again some Delilah will assuredly crop the hair of this young + Samson of ours.” + </p> + <p> + “There was not much of Delilah in that fury who felled me with a mallet, + colonel,” Malcolm laughed; “however, I will be careful in future, and will + not give them a chance.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! it may come in another form next time, Malcolm,” Munro said; “this + time it was an old woman, next time it may be a young one. Beware, my boy! + they are far the most dangerous, innocent though they may look.” + </p> + <p> + A laugh ran round the circle. + </p> + <p> + “Forewarned forearmed, colonel,” Malcolm said sturdily, “I will be on my + guard against every female creature, young or old, in future. But I don't + think that in this affair the woman has had much to boast about—she + and her friends had best have left me alone.” + </p> + <p> + “That is so, Malcolm,” the colonel said warmly. “You have borne yourself + well and bravely, and you have got an old head on those young shoulders of + yours. You are as full of plans and stratagems as if you had been a + campaigner for the last half century; and no man, even in the Green + Brigade, no, not Hepburn himself, could have held that church tower more + ably than you did. It will be a good tale to tell the king as we ride on + the march tomorrow, for he loves a gallant deed, and the more so when + there is prudence and good strategy as well as bravery. He has more than + once asked if you have been getting into any new adventures, and seemed + almost surprised when I told him that you were doing your duty with your + company. He evidently regards it as your special mission to get into + harebrained scrapes. He regards you, in fact, as a pedagogue might view + the pickle of the school.” + </p> + <p> + There was a general laugh at Malcolm's expense. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know how it is I am always getting into scrapes,” the lad said + half ruefully when the laugh subsided. “I am sure I don't want to get into + them, colonel, and really I have never gone out of my way to do so, unless + you call my march to help the Count of Mansfeld going out of my way. All + the other things have come to me without any fault of my own.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite so, Graheme,” the colonel said smiling; “that's always the excuse + of the boy who gets into scrapes. The question is, Why do these things + always happen to you and to nobody else? If you can explain that your + whole case is made out. But don't take it seriously, Malcolm,” he + continued, seeing that the lad looked really crestfallen. + </p> + <p> + “You know I am only laughing, and there is not a man here, including + myself, who does not envy you a little for the numerous adventures which + have fallen to your lot, and for the courage and wisdom which you have + shown in extricating yourself from them.” + </p> + <p> + “And now, please, will you tell me, colonel,” Malcolm said more + cheerfully, “why we are turning our backs upon Ingolstadt and are marching + away without taking it? I have been away for ten days, you know, and it is + a mystery to me why we are leaving the only enemy between us and Vienna, + after having beaten him so heartily a fortnight since, without making an + effort to rout him thoroughly.” + </p> + <p> + “Maximilian's position is a very strong one, my lad, and covered as he is + by the guns of Ingolstadt it would be even a harder task to dislodge him + than it was to cross the Lech in his teeth. But you are wrong; his is not + the only army which stands between us and Vienna. No sooner is old Tilly + dead than a greater than Tilly appears to oppose us. Wallenstein is in the + field again. It has been known that he has for some time been negotiating + with the emperor, who has been imploring him to forgive the slight that + was passed upon him before, and to again take the field. + </p> + <p> + “Wallenstein, knowing that the game was in his hands, and that the emperor + must finally agree to any terms which he chose to dictate, has, while he + has been negotiating, been collecting an army; and when the emperor + finally agreed to his conditions, that he was at the conclusion of the + peace to be assured a royal title and the fief of a sovereign state, he + had an army ready to his hand, and is now on the point of entering Bohemia + with 40,000 men.” + </p> + <p> + “What his plans may be we cannot yet say, but at any rate it would not do + to be delaying here and leaving Germany open to Wallenstein to operate as + he will. It was a stern day at Leipzig, but, mark my words, it will be + sterner still when we meet Wallenstein; for, great captain as Tilly + undoubtedly was, Wallenstein is far greater, and Europe will hold its + breath when Gustavus and he, the two greatest captains of the age, meet in + a pitched battle.” + </p> + <p> + At Munich the regiments of Munro and Spynie were quartered in the + magnificent Electoral Palace, where they fared sumptuously and enjoyed not + a little their comfortable quarters and the stores of old wines in the + cellar. Sir John Hepburn was appointed military governor of Munich. + </p> + <p> + In the arsenal armour, arms, and clothing sufficient for 10,000 infantry + were found, and a hundred and forty pieces of cannon were discovered + buried beneath the floors of the palace. Their carriages were ready in the + arsenal, and they were soon put in order for battle. For three weeks the + army remained at Munich, Gustavus waiting to see what course Wallenstein + was taking. The Imperialist general had entered Bohemia, had driven + thence, with scarcely an effort, Arnheim and the Saxons, and formed a + junction near Eger with the remnants of the army which had been beaten on + the Lech; then, leaving a strong garrison in Ratisbon, he had marched on + with an army of sixty thousand men. + </p> + <p> + He saw that his best plan to force Gustavus to loose his hold of Bavaria + was to march on some important point lying between him and North Germany. + He therefore selected a place which Gustavus could not abandon, and so + would be obliged to leave Bavaria garrisoned only by a force insufficient + to withstand the attacks of Pappenheim, who had collected a considerable + army for the recovery of the territories of Maximilian. Such a point was + Nuremberg, the greatest and strongest of the free cities, and which had + been the first to open its gates to Gustavus. The Swedish king could + hardly abandon this friendly city to the assaults of the Imperialists, and + indeed its fall would have been followed by the general defection from his + cause of all that part of Germany, and he would have found himself + isolated and cut off from the North. + </p> + <p> + As soon as Gustavus perceived that Nuremberg was the point towards which + Wallenstein was moving, he hastened at once from Munich to the assistance + of the threatened city. The forces at his disposal had been weakened by + the despatch of Marshal Horn to the Lower Palatinate, and by the garrisons + left in the Bavarian cities, and he had but 17,000 men disposable to meet + the 60,000 with whom Wallenstein was advancing. He did not hesitate, + however, but sent off messengers at once to direct the corps in Swabia + under General Banner, Prince William of Weimar, and General Ruthven, to + join him, if possible, before Nuremberg. + </p> + <p> + Marching with all haste he arrived at Nuremberg before Wallenstein reached + it, and prepared at once for the defence of the city. He first called + together the principal citizens of Nuremberg and explained to them his + position. He showed them that were he to fall back with his army he should + be able to effect a junction with the troops under his generals, and would + ere long be in a position to offer battle to Wallenstein upon more equal + terms, but that were he to do so he would be forced to abandon the city to + the vengeance of the Imperialists. He told them that did he remain before + the city he must to a great extent be dependent upon them for food and + supplies, as he would be beleaguered by Wallenstein, and should be unable + to draw food and forage from the surrounding country; he could therefore + only maintain himself by the aid of the cordial goodwill and assistance of + the citizens. + </p> + <p> + The people of Nuremberg were true to the side they had chosen, and placed + the whole of their resources at his disposal. Gustavus at once set his + army to work to form a position in which he could confront the + overwhelming forces of the enemy. Round the city, at a distance of about + thirteen hundred yards from it, he dug a ditch, nowhere less than twelve + feet wide and eight deep, but, where most exposed to an attack, eighteen + feet wide and twelve deep. Within the circuit of this ditch he erected + eight large forts and connected them with a long and thick earthen parapet + strengthened with bastions. On the ramparts and forts three hundred + cannon, for the most part supplied by the city of Nuremberg, were placed + in position. As the camp between the ramparts and the town was traversed + by the river Pegnitz numerous bridges were thrown across it, so that the + whole force could concentrate on either side in case of attack. So + vigorously did the army, assisted by the citizens, labour at these works, + that they were completed in fourteen days after Gustavus reached + Nuremberg. + </p> + <p> + It was on the 19th of June that the Swedish army arrived there, and on the + 30th Wallenstein and Maximilian of Bavaria appeared before it with the + intention of making an immediate assault. The works, however, although not + yet quite completed, were so formidable that Wallenstein saw at once that + the success of an assault upon them would be extremely doubtful, and, in + spite of the earnest entreaties of Maximilian to lead his army to the + assault, he decided to reduce the place by starvation. This method + appeared at once easy and certain. The whole of the surrounding country + belonged to the Bishop of Bamberg, who was devoted to the Imperialist + cause, and he possessed all the towns, and strong places in the circle of + country around Nuremberg. Wallenstein had brought with him vast stores of + provisions, and could draw upon the surrounding country for the further + maintenance of his army. It was only necessary then to place himself in a + position where the Swedes could not attack him with a hope of success. + </p> + <p> + Such a position lay at a distance of three miles from Nuremberg, where + there was a wooded hill known as the Alte Veste. Round this Wallenstein + threw up a circle of defences, consisting of a ditch behind which was an + interlacement of forest trees, baggage wagons, and gabions, forming an + almost insurpassable obstacle to an attacking force. Within this circle he + encamped his army, formed into eight divisions, each about seven thousand + strong, while two considerable bodies of troops in the diocese of Bamberg + and the Upper Palatinate prepared to oppose any forces approaching to the + aid of Nuremberg, and the Croats, horse and foot, scoured the country day + and night to prevent any supplies entering the city. Having thus adopted + every means for starving out the beleaguered army and city, Wallenstein + calmly awaited the result. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI THE SIEGE OF NUREMBERG + </h2> + <p> + Drearily passed the days in the beleaguered camp, varied only by an + occasional raid by small parties to drive in cattle from the surrounding + country, or to intercept convoys of provisions on their way to the + Imperialists' camp. So active and watchful were the Croats that these + enterprises seldom succeeded, although, to enable his men to move with + celerity, Gustavus mounted bodies of infantry on horseback. Thus they were + enabled to get over the ground quickly, and if attacked they dismounted + and fought on foot. + </p> + <p> + To these mounted infantry the name of dragoons was given, and so useful + were they found that the institution was adopted in other armies, and + dragoons became a recognized portion of every military force. In time the + custom of dismounting and fighting on foot was gradually abandoned, and + dragoons became regular cavalry; but in modern times the utility of + Gustavus's invention of mounted infantry has been again recognized, and in + all the small wars in which England has been engaged bodies of mounted + infantry have been organized. Ere long mounted infantry will again become + a recognized arm of the service. + </p> + <p> + But these raids in search of provisions occupied but a small portion of + the army. The rest passed their time in enforced idleness. There was + nothing to be done save to clean and furbish their arms and armour; to + stand on the ramparts and gaze on the distant heights of the Alte Veste, + to watch the solid columns of the Imperial army, which from time to time + Wallenstein marched down from his stronghold and paraded in order of + battle, as a challenge to the Swedes to come out and fight, or to loiter + through the narrow streets of Nuremberg, and to talk to the citizens, + whose trade and commerce were now entirely at a standstill. Malcolm, with + the restlessness of youth, seldom stayed many hours quiet in camp. He did + not care either for drinking or gambling; nor could he imitate the passive + tranquillity of the old soldiers, who were content to sleep away the + greater part of their time. He therefore spent many hours every day in the + city, where he speedily made many acquaintances. + </p> + <p> + In the city of Nuremberg time dragged as slowly as it did in the camp. At + ordinary times the centre of a quiet and busy trade, the city was now cut + off from the world. The shops were for the most part closed; the artisans + stood idle in the streets, and the townsfolk had nought to do, save to + gather in groups and discuss the times, or to take occasional excursions + beyond the gates into the camp of their allies. The advances then of the + young Scottish officer were willingly responded to, and he soon became + intimate in the houses of all the principal citizens; and while the + greater part of his comrades spent their evenings in drinking and + gambling, he enjoyed the hours in conversation and music in the houses of + the citizens of Nuremberg. + </p> + <p> + The long inaction brought its moral consequences, and the troops became + demoralized and insubordinate from their enforced idleness. Plundering and + acts of violence became so common that Gustavus was obliged to issue the + most stringent ordinances to restore discipline; and an officer and many + men had to be executed before the spirit of insubordination was quelled. + In order to pass some of the hours of the days Malcolm obtained leave from + one of the great clockmakers of the town—for Nuremberg was at that + time the centre of the craft of clockmaking—to allow him to work in + his shop, and to learn the mysteries of his trade. + </p> + <p> + Most of the establishments were closed, but Malcolm's acquaintance was one + of the wealthiest of the citizens, and was able to keep his craftsmen at + work, and to store the goods he manufactured until better times should + return. Malcolm began the work purely to occupy his time, but he presently + came to take a lively interest in it, and was soon able to take to pieces + and put together again the cumbrous but simple machines which constituted + the clocks of the period. + </p> + <p> + Workshops were not in those days factories. The master of a craft worked, + surrounded by his craftsmen and apprentices. Every wheel and spring were + made upon the premises, fashioned and finished with chisel and file; and + there was an interest in the work far beyond any which it possesses in the + present day, when watches are turned out wholesale, the separate parts + being prepared by machinery, and the work of the artisan consisting solely + in the finishing and putting them together. + </p> + <p> + Laying aside his armour and gay attire, and donning a workman's apron, + Malcolm sat at the bench by the side of the master, shaping and filing, + and listening to his stories connected with the trade and history of + Nuremberg. He anticipated no advantage from the knowledge he was gaining, + but regarded it simply as a pleasant way of getting through a portion of + the day. + </p> + <p> + Thus for three months the armies confronted each other. Provisions were + becoming terribly scarce, the magazines of the city were emptying fast, + and although working night and day, the mills of the place did not suffice + to grind flour for the needs of so many mouths. The population of the city + itself was greatly swollen by the crowds of Protestant fugitives who had + fled there for refuge on the approach of the Imperialists, and the + magazines of the city dwindled fast under the demands made upon them by + this addition, and that of the Swedish army, to the normal population. + Fever broke out in the city and camp. The waters of the Pegnitz were + tainted by the carcasses of dead horses and other animals. The supplies of + forage had long since been exhausted, and the baggage and troop animals + died in vast numbers. + </p> + <p> + Still there was no sign of a change. Wallenstein would not attack, + Gustavus could not. The Swedish king waited to take advantage of some + false move on the part of the Imperial commander; but Wallenstein was as + great a general as himself, and afforded him no opening, turning a deaf + ear to the entreaties and importunities of Maximilian that he would end + the tedious siege by an attack upon the small and enfeebled army around + Nuremberg. + </p> + <p> + All this time Gustavus was in constant communication with his generals + outside, his messengers making their way by speed or stratagem through the + beleaguering Croats, and kept up the spirits of his men by daily reviews + and by the cheerful countenance which he always wore. + </p> + <p> + The Swedish columns were gradually closing in towards Nuremberg. One was + led by the chancellor Oxenstiern, to whom had been committed the care of + the Middle Rhine and the Lower Palatinate, where he had been confronted by + the Spanish troops under Don Philip de Sylva. + </p> + <p> + On the 11th July, leaving Horn with a small force to oppose the Spaniards, + the chancellor set out to join his master. On the way he effected a + junction with the forces of the Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel. This general + had been opposed in Westphalia by Pappenheim, but he seized the + opportunity when the latter had marched to relieve Maestricht, which was + besieged by Frederic of Nassau, to march away and join Oxenstiern. + </p> + <p> + The Scotch officers Ballandine and Alexander Hamilton were with their + regiment in the Duchy of Magdeburg. When the news of the king's danger + reached them without waiting for instructions they marched to Halle and + joining a portion of the division of the Duke of Saxe-Weimar, to which + they were attached, pushed on to Zeitz, and were there joined by the duke + himself, who had hurried on from the Lake of Constance, attended only by + his guards, but, picking up five Saxon regiments in Franconia. Together + they passed on to Wurtzburg, where they joined Oxenstiern and the + Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel. General Banner, with the fourth corps, was at + Augsburg, opposed to Cratz, who was at the head of the remains of Tilly's + old army. + </p> + <p> + Slipping away from his foes he marched to Windsheim, and was there joined + by a body of troops under Bernhard of Weimar. The force from Wurtzburg + soon afterwards came up, and the whole of the detached corps, amounting to + 49,000 men, being now collected, they marched to Bruck, ten miles north of + Nuremberg. Three days later, on the 16th of August, Gustavus rode into + their camp, and on the 21st marched at their head into Nuremberg, + unhindered by the Imperialists. + </p> + <p> + Gustavus probably calculated that the Imperialists would now move down and + offer battle; but Wallenstein, who had detached 10,000 men to bring up + supplies, could not place in the field a number equal to those of the + reinforcements, and preferred to await an attack in the position which he + had prepared with such care. He knew the straits to which Nuremberg and + its defenders were reduced, and the impossibility there would be of + feeding the new arrivals. + </p> + <p> + The country round for a vast distance had been long since stripped of + provisions, and Gustavus had no course open to him but to march away with + his army and leave the city to its fate, or to attack the Imperialists in + their stronghold. + </p> + <p> + On the day after his arrival, the 21st of August, Gustavus marched out and + opened a cannonade upon the Imperialists' position, in order to induce + Wallenstein to come down and give battle. Wallenstein was not, however, to + be tempted, but kept his whole army busy with the spade and axe further + intrenching his position. The next day the king brought his guns nearer to + the enemy's camp, and for twenty-four hours kept up a heavy fire. The only + result, however, was that Wallenstein fell back a few hundred yards on to + two ridges, on one of which was the ruined castle called the Alte Veste; + the other was known as the Altenburg. The ascent to these was steep and + craggy, and they were covered by a thick forest. Here Wallenstein formed + in front of his position a threefold barrier of felled trees woven and + interlaced with each other, each barrier rising in a semicircle one above + the other. Before the Swedish cannon ceased to fire the new position of + the Imperialists had been made impregnable. + </p> + <p> + Unfortunately for Gustavus he had at this moment lost the services of the + best officer in his army, Sir John Hepburn, whom he had always regarded as + his right hand. The quarrel had arisen from some trifling circumstance, + and Gustavus in the heat of the moment made some disparaging allusion to + the religion of Hepburn, who was a Catholic and also to that officer's + love of dress and finery. The indignant Hepburn at once resigned his + commission and swore never again to draw his sword in the service of the + king—a resolution to which he adhered, although Gustavus, when his + anger cooled, endeavoured in every way to appease the angry soldier. + </p> + <p> + As he persisted in his resolution Colonel Munro was appointed to the + command of the Green Brigade. It is probable that the quarrel was the + consummation of a long standing grievance. Hepburn as well as the other + Scottish officers had shared the indignation of Sir John Hamilton when the + latter resigned in consequence of the Swedish troop being placed in the + post of honour at the storm of the castle of Marienburg after the Scots + had done all the work. There had, too, been much discontent among them + concerning the Marquis of Hamilton, whom they considered that Gustavus had + treated ungenerously; and still more concerning Lieutenant Colonel + Douglas, whom Gustavus had committed to a common prison for a slight + breach of etiquette, a punishment at which the English ambassador, Sir + Harry Vane, remonstrated, and which the whole Scottish officers considered + an insult to them and their country. + </p> + <p> + There were probably faults on both sides. The Scottish troops were the + backbone of the Swedish army, and to them were principally due almost the + whole of the successes which Gustavus had gained. Doubtless they presumed + upon the fact, and although Gustavus recognized his obligations, as is + shown by the immense number of commands and governorships which he + bestowed upon his Scottish officers, he may well have been angered and + irritated by the insistance with which they asserted their claims and + services. It was, however, a most unfortunate circumstance that just at + this critical moment he should have lost the services of an officer whose + prudence was equal to his daring, and who was unquestionably one of the + greatest military leaders of his age. + </p> + <p> + It is probable that had Hepburn remained by his side the king would not + have undertaken the attack upon the impregnable position of the + Imperialists. Deprived of the counsellor upon whose advice he had hitherto + invariably relied, Gustavus determined to attempt to drive Wallenstein + from his position, the decision being finally induced by a ruse of the + Imperialist commander, who desired nothing so much as that the Swedes + should dash their forces against the terrible position he had prepared for + them. Accordingly on the 24th of August he directed a considerable portion + of his force to march away from the rear of his position as if, alarmed at + the superior strength of the Swedes, he had determined to abandon the + heights he had so long occupied and to march away. + </p> + <p> + Gustavus fell into the trap, and prepared at once to assault the position. + Two hundred pieces of artillery heralded the advance, which was made by + the whole body of the musketeers of the army, drafted from the several + brigades and divided into battalions 500 strong, each commanded by a + colonel. It was a terrible position which they were advancing to storm. + Each of the lines of intrenchments was surmounted by rows of polished + helmets, while pikes and arquebuses glittered in the sunshine; but it was + not long that the scene was visible, for as the battalions approached the + foot of the Altenburg 80 pieces of artillery opened from its summit and + from the ridge of the Alte Veste, while the smoke of the arquebuses + drifted up in a cloud from the lines of intrenchments. + </p> + <p> + Steadily and in good order the Scotch and Swedish infantry pressed + forward, and forcing the lower ditch strove to climb the rocky heights; + but in vain did they strive. Over and over again they reached the + intrenchments, but were unable to force their way through the thickly + bound fallen trees, while their lines were torn with a storm of iron and + lead. Never did the Scottish soldiers of Gustavus fight with greater + desperation and valour. Scores of them rolled lifeless down the slope, but + fresh men took their places and strove to hack their way through the + impenetrable screen through which the Imperialist bullets whistled like + hail. + </p> + <p> + At last, when nigh half their number had fallen, the rest, exhausted, + broken, and in disorder, fell suddenly back. Gustavus in person then led + on his Finlanders, but these, after a struggle as obstinate and heroic as + that of their predecessors, in their turn fell back baffled. The Livonians + next made the attempt, but in vain. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime a sharp conflict had taken place between the Imperial + cavalry and the Swedish left wing. Wallenstein's cuirassiers, hidden by + the smoke, charged right through a column of Swedish infantry; but this + success was counterbalanced by the rout of Cronenberg's Invincibles, a + magnificent regiment of 1500 horsemen, by 200 Finland troopers. The troops + of Duke Bernhard of Weimar, among whom were still the Scottish regiments + of Hamilton and Douglas, marched against the heights which commanded the + Alte Veste, and drove back the Imperialists with great loss. Five hundred + musketeers of the Green Brigade under Colonel Munro then pushed gallantly + forward and posted themselves far in advance, resisting all attempts of + the Imperialists to drive them back, until Lieutenant Colonel Sinclair, + who was now in command of Munro's own regiment, brought it forward to his + assistance. Until the next morning this body of one thousand men + maintained the ground they had won in spite of all the efforts of the + Imperialists to dislodge them. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Munro was severely wounded in the left side. Lieutenant Colonel + Maken, Capt. Innis, and Capt. Traill were killed, and an immense number of + other Scottish officers were killed and wounded. The news was brought down + to Gustavus of the advantage gained by Duke Bernhard, but he was unable to + take advantage of it by moving his army round to that position, as he + would have exposed himself to a counter attack of the enemy while doing + so. He therefore launched a fresh column of attack against the Alte Veste. + </p> + <p> + This was followed by another and yet another, until every regiment in the + army had in its turn attempted to storm the position, but still without + success. + </p> + <p> + The battle had now raged for ten hours, and nightfall put an end to the + struggle. Hepburn had all day ridden behind the king as a simple cavalier, + and had twice carried messages through the thick of the fire when there + were no others to bear them, so great had been the slaughter round the + person of the king. + </p> + <p> + It was the first time that Gustavus had been repulsed, and he could hardly + yet realize the fact; but as messenger after messenger came in from the + different divisions he discovered how terrible had been his loss. Most of + his generals and superior officers had been killed or wounded, 2000 men + lay dead on the field, and there were nigh three times that number of + wounded. + </p> + <p> + The Imperialists on their side lost 1000 killed and 1500 wounded; but the + accounts of the losses on both sides differ greatly, some placing the + Imperial loss higher than that of the Swedes, a palpably absurd estimate, + as the Imperialists, fighting behind shelter, could not have suffered + anything like so heavily as their assailants, who were exposed to their + fire in the open. + </p> + <p> + Hepburn bore the order from the king for Munro's troops and those of Duke + Bernhard to retire from the position they had won, as they were entirely + cut off from the rest of the army, and would at daylight have had the + whole of the Imperialists upon them. The service was one of great danger, + and Hepburn had to cut his way sword in hand through the Croats who + intervened between him and his comrades of the Green Brigade. He + accomplished his task in safety, and before daylight Munro's men and the + regiments of Duke Bernhard rejoined the army in the plain. But though + repulsed Gustavus was not defeated. He took up a new position just out of + cannon shot of the Altenburg, and then offered battle to Wallenstein, the + latter, however, well satisfied with his success, remained firm in his + policy of starving out the enemy, and resisted every device of the king to + turn him from his stronghold. + </p> + <p> + For fourteen days Gustavus remained in position. Then he could hold out no + longer. The supplies were entirely exhausted. The summer had been + unusually hot. The shrunken waters of the Pegnitz were putrid and + stinking, the carcasses of dead horses poisoned the air, and fever and + pestilence raged in the camp. Leaving, then, Kniphausen with eight + thousand men to aid the citizens of Nuremberg to defend the city should + Wallenstein besiege it, Gustavus marched on the 8th of September by way of + Neustadt to Windsheim, and there halted to watch the further movements of + the enemy. + </p> + <p> + Five days later Wallenstein quitted his camp and marched to Forsheim. So + far the advantage of the campaign lay with him. His patience and iron + resolution had given the first check to the victorious career of the Lion + of the North. + </p> + <p> + Munro's regiment, as it was still called—for he was now its full + colonel, although Lieutenant Colonel Sinclair commanded it in the field—had + suffered terribly, but less, perhaps, than some of those who had in vain + attempted to force their way up the slopes of the Alte Veste; and many an + eye grew moist as at daybreak the regiment marched into its place in the + ranks of the brigade and saw how terrible had been the slaughter among + them. Munro's soldiers had had but little of that hand to hand fighting in + which men's blood becomes heated and all thought of danger is lost in the + fierce desire to kill. Their losses had been caused by the storm of + cannonball and bullet which had swept through them, as, panting and + breathless, they struggled up the steep slopes, incapable of answering the + fire of the enemy. They had had their triumph, indeed, as the Imperial + regiments broke and fled before their advance; but although proud that + they at least had succeeded in a day when failure was general, there was + not a man but regretted that he had not come within push of pike of the + enemy. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm Graheme had passed scatheless through the fray—a good + fortune that had attended but few of his brother officers. His uncle was + badly wounded, and several of his friends had fallen. Of the men who had + marched from Denmark but a year before scarce a third remained in the + ranks, and although the regiment had been strengthened by the breaking up + of two or three of the weaker battalions and their incorporation with the + other Scottish regiments, it was now less than half its former strength. + While Gustavus and Wallenstein had been facing each other at Nuremberg the + war had continued without interruption in other parts, and the Swedes and + their allies had gained advantages everywhere except in Westphalia and + Lower Saxony, where Pappenheim had more than held his own against + Baudissen, who commanded for Gustavus; and although Wallenstein had + checked the king he had gained no material advantages and had wrested no + single town or fortress from his hands. Gustavus was still in Bavaria, + nearer to Munich than he was, his garrisons still holding Ulm, Nordlingen, + and Donauworth, its strongest fortresses. + </p> + <p> + He felt sure, however, that it would be impossible for Gustavus to + maintain at one spot the army which he had at Windsheim, and that with so + many points to defend he would soon break it up into separate commands. He + resolved then to wait until he did so, and then to sweep down upon + Northern Germany, and so by threatening the king's line of retreat to + force him to abandon Bavaria and the south and to march to meet him. + </p> + <p> + At present he was in no position to risk a battle, for he had already + detached 4000 men to reinforce Holk, whom he had sent with 10,000 to + threaten Dresden. The 13,000 Bavarians who were with him under Maximilian + had separated from him on his way to Forsheim, and on arriving at that + place his army numbered but 17,000 men, while Gustavus had more than + 40,000 gathered at Windsheim. + </p> + <p> + Gustavus, on his part, determined to carry out his former projects, to + march against Ingolstadt, which he had before failed to capture, and + thence to penetrate into Upper Austria. But fearful lest Wallenstein, + released from his presence, should attempt to recover the fortresses in + Franconia, he despatched half his force under Duke Bernhard to prevent the + Imperial general from crossing the Rhine. Could he succeed in doing this + he would be in a position to dictate terms to the emperor in Vienna. + </p> + <p> + On the 12th of October he reached Neuberg, on the Danube, and halted + there, awaiting the arrival of his siege train from Donauworth. While + making the most vigorous exertions to press on the necessary arrangements + for his march against Vienna he received the most urgent messages to + return to Saxony. Not only, as he was told, had Wallenstein penetrated + into that province, but he was employing all his influence to detach its + elector from the Protestant cause, and there was great fear that the weak + prince would yield to the solicitations of Wallenstein and to his own + jealousy of the King of Sweden. + </p> + <p> + No sooner, in fact, had Gustavus crossed the Danube than Wallenstein moved + towards Schweinfurt, and by so doing drew to that place the Swedish army + under the command of Duke Bernhard. He then suddenly marched eastward at + full speed, capturing Bamberg, Baireuth, and Culmbach, and pushed on to + Colberg. + </p> + <p> + The town was captured, but the Swedish Colonel Dubatel, who was really a + Scotchman, by name M'Dougal, a gallant and brilliant officer, threw + himself with his dragoons into the castle, which commanded the town, and + defended it so resolutely against the assaults of Wallenstein that Duke + Bernhard had time to march to within twenty miles of the place. + Wallenstein then raised the siege, marched east to Kronach, and then north + to Weida, on the Elster. Thence he pressed on direct to Leipzig, which he + besieged at once; and while the main body of his troops were engaged + before the city, others took possession of the surrounding towns and + fortresses. + </p> + <p> + Leipzig held out for only two days, and after its capture Wallenstein + marched to Merseburg, where he was joined by the army under Pappenheim. + Thus reinforced he was in a position to capture the whole of Saxony. The + elector, timid and vacillating, was fully conscious of his danger and the + solicitations of Wallenstein to break off from his alliance with the King + of Sweden and to join the Imperialists were strongly seconded by Marshal + Von Arnheim, his most trusted councillor, who was an intimate friend of + the Imperialist general. + </p> + <p> + It was indeed a hard decision which Gustavus was called upon to make. On + the one hand Vienna lay almost within his grasp, for Wallenstein was now + too far north to interpose between him and the capital. On the other hand, + should the Elector of Saxony join the Imperialists, his position after the + capture of Vienna would be perilous in the extreme. The emperor would + probably leave his capital before he arrived there, and the conquest + would, therefore, be a barren one. Gustavus reluctantly determined to + abandon his plan, and to march to the assistance of Saxony. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII THE DEATH OF GUSTAVUS + </h2> + <p> + The determination of Gustavus to march to the assistance of Saxony once + taken, he lost not a moment in carrying it into effect. General Banner, + whom he greatly trusted, was unfortunately suffering from a wound, and + until he should recover he appointed the Prince Palatine of Burkenfeldt to + command a corps 12,000 strong which he determined to leave on the Danube; + then strengthening the garrisons of Augsburg, Rain, and Donauworth, he set + out with the remainder of his army on his march to Saxony. + </p> + <p> + From Donauworth he marched to Nuremberg, stayed there forty-eight hours to + recover the fortress of Lauf, and, having forced the garrison of that + place to surrender at discretion, pushed on with all possible speed to + Erfurt, which he had fixed upon as the point of junction for his several + corps. The Green Brigade formed a portion of the force which Gustavus left + behind him in Bavaria under the Prince Palatine. So terribly weakened were + the Scottish regiments by the various battles of the campaign, in all of + which they had borne the brunt of the fighting, that Gustavus determined + reluctantly to leave them behind for rest and reorganization. + </p> + <p> + Hepburn, Sir James Hamilton, Sir James Ramsay, and the Marquis of + Hamilton, who like Hepburn had quarrelled with Gustavus, left the Swedish + army the day after they arrived at Neustadt, after marching away from + Nuremberg. All the Scottish officers in the Swedish army accompanied + Hepburn and his three companions along the road for a long German mile + from Neustadt, and then parted with great grief from the gallant cavalier + who had led them so often to victory. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm Graheme did not remain behind in Bavaria with his comrades of the + Green Brigade. Gustavus, who had taken a great fancy to the young Scotch + officer, whose spirit of adventure and daring were in strong harmony with + his own character, appointed him to ride on his own personal staff. + Although he parted with regret from his comrades, Malcolm was glad to + accompany the king on his northward march, for there was no probability of + any very active service in Bavaria, and it was certain that a desperate + battle would be fought when Gustavus and Wallenstein met face to face in + the open field. + </p> + <p> + At Erfurt Gustavus was joined by Duke Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar with his + force, which raised his army to a strength of 20,000. The news of his + approach had again revived the courage of the Elector of Saxony, who had + occupied the only towns where the Elbe could be crossed, Dresden, Torgau, + and Wittenberg—he himself, with his main army of 15,000 men, lying + at Torgau. From him Gustavus learned that the Imperial army was divided + into three chief corps—that of Wallenstein 12,000 strong, that of + Pappenheim 10,000, those of Gallas and Holk united 16,000, making a total + of 38,000 men. + </p> + <p> + So great was the speed with which Gustavus had marched to Erfurt that + Wallenstein had received no notice of his approach; and believing that for + some time to come he should meet with no serious opposition, he had on the + very day after the Swedes reached Erfurt despatched Gallas with 12,000 men + into Bohemia. A division of his troops was at the same time threatening + Naumburg, whose possession would enable him to block the only easy road + with which Gustavus could enter the country held by him. + </p> + <p> + But Gustavus at Erfurt learned that Naumburg had not yet fallen, and + marching with great rapidity reached the neighbourhood of that town before + the Imperialists were aware that he had quitted Erfurt, and cutting up a + small detachment of the enemy who lay in his way, entered the town and at + once began to intrench it. Wallenstein first learned from the fugitives of + the beaten detachment that Gustavus had arrived at Naumburg, but as his + own position lay almost centrally between Naumburg and Torgau, so long as + he could prevent the Swedes and Saxons from uniting, he felt safe; for + although together they would outnumber him, he was superior in strength to + either if alone. The Imperialist general believed that Gustavus intended + to pass the winter at Naumburg, and he had therefore no fear of an + immediate attack. + </p> + <p> + In order to extend the area from which he could draw his supplies + Wallenstein despatched Pappenheim to secure the fortress of Halle; for + although that town had been captured the fortress held out, and barred the + main road to the north. From Halle Pappenheim was to proceed to the relief + of Cologne, which was menaced by the enemy. + </p> + <p> + Having done this, Wallenstein withdrew from the line of the Saale and + prepared to distribute his army in winter quarters in the towns of the + district, he himself with a portion of the force occupying the little town + of Lutzen. But Gustavus had no idea of taking up his quarters for the + winter at Naumburg; and he proposed to the Elector of Saxony that if he + would march to Eilenberg, midway to Leipzig, he himself would make a + detour to the south round Wallenstein's position and join him there. + Without waiting to receive the answer of the elector, Gustavus, leaving a + garrison in Naumburg, set out at one o'clock in the morning on the 5th of + November on his march; but before he had proceeded nine miles he learned + from a number of gentlemen and peasants favourable to the cause that + Pappenheim had started for Halle, that the remainder of the Imperial army + lay dispersed among the towns and villages of the neighbourhood, and that + Wallenstein himself was at Lutzen. + </p> + <p> + Gustavus called his generals together and informed them of the news. + Learning that Lutzen was but five miles distant—as it turned out, a + mistaken piece of information, as it was nearly twice as far—he + ordered that the men should take some food, and then wheeling to the left, + push on towards Lutzen. + </p> + <p> + It was not until some time later that Wallenstein learned from the + Imperial scouts that Gustavus was upon him. It was then nearly five + o'clock in the evening, and darkness was at hand. Considering the heavy + state of the roads, and the fact that Gustavus would have in the last + three miles of his march to traverse a morass crossed by a bridge over + which only two persons could pass abreast, he felt confident that the + attack could not be made until the following morning. + </p> + <p> + Mounted messengers were sent in all directions to bring up his troops from + the villages in which they were posted, and in the meantime the troops + stationed around Lutzen were employed in preparing obstacles to hinder the + advance of the Swedes. On either side of the roads was a low swampy + country intersected with ditches, and Wallenstein at once set his men to + work to widen and deepen these ditches, which the troops as they arrived + on the ground were to occupy. All night the troops laboured at this task. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime Gustavus had found the distance longer and the + difficulties greater than he had anticipated; the roads were so heavy that + it was with difficulty that the artillery and ammunition wagons could be + dragged along them, and the delay caused by the passage of the morass was + very great. + </p> + <p> + Indeed the passage would have been scarcely possible had the men of an + Imperial regiment of cuirassiers and a battalion of Croats, who were + posted in a village on the further side of the morass, defended it; but + instead of doing so they fell back to an eminence in the rear of the + village, and remained there quietly until, just as the sun set, the whole + Swedish army got across. The cuirassiers and Croats were at once attacked + and put to flight; but as darkness was now at hand it was impossible for + Gustavus to make any further advance, and the army was ordered to bivouac + as it stood. The state of the roads had defeated the plans of Gustavus. + Instead of taking the enemy by surprise, as he had hoped, and falling upon + them scattered and disunited, the delays which had occurred had given + Wallenstein time to bring up all his forces, and at daybreak Gustavus + would be confronted by a force nearly equal to his own, and occupying a + position very strongly defended by natural obstacles. + </p> + <p> + Before the day was won, Pappenheim, for whom Wallenstein would have sent + as soon as he heard of the Swedish advance, might be on the field, and in + that case the Imperialists would not only have the advantage of position + but also that of numbers. It was an anxious night, and Gustavus spent the + greater part of it in conversation with his generals, especially + Kniphausen and Duke Bernhard. + </p> + <p> + The former strongly urged that the army should repass the morass and + march, as originally intended, to effect a junction with the Saxons. He + pointed out that the troops were fatigued with their long and weary march + during the day, and would have to fight without food, as it had been found + impossible to bring up the wagons with the supplies; he particularly urged + the point that Pappenheim would arrive on the field before the victory + could be won. But Gustavus was of opinion that the disadvantages of + retreat were greater than those of action. The troops, hungry, weary, and + dispirited, would be attacked as they retired, and he believed that by + beginning the action early the Imperialists could be defeated before + Pappenheim could return from Halle. + </p> + <p> + Gustavus proposed to move forward at two o'clock in the morning; but fate + was upon this occasion against the great Swedish leader. Just as on the + previous day the expected length of the march and the heavy state of the + roads had prevented him from crushing Wallenstein's scattered army, so now + a thick fog springing up, making the night so dark that a soldier could + not see the man standing next to him, prevented the possibility of + movement, and instead of marching at two o'clock in the morning it was + nine before the sun cleared away the fog sufficiently to enable the army + to advance. Then, after addressing a few stirring words to his men, + Gustavus ordered the advance towards Chursitz, the village in front of + them. + </p> + <p> + The king himself led the right wing, consisting of six regiments of + Swedes, supported by musketeers intermingled with cavalry. The left, + composed of cavalry and infantry intermixed, was commanded by Duke + Bernhard. The centre, consisting of four brigades of infantry supported by + the Scottish regiments under Henderson, was commanded by Nicholas Brahe, + Count of Weissenburg. + </p> + <p> + The reserves behind each of these divisions were formed entirely of + cavalry, commanded on the right by Bulach, in the centre by Kniphausen, + and on the left by Ernest, Prince of Anhalt. The field pieces, twenty in + number, were disposed to the best advantage between the wings. Franz + Albert of Lauenburg, who had joined the army the day before, rode by the + king. A short halt was made at Chursitz, where the baggage was left + behind, and the army then advanced against the Imperialists, who at once + opened fire. + </p> + <p> + Wallenstein had posted his left so as to be covered by a canal, while his + right was protected by the village of Lutzen. On some rising ground to the + left of that village, where there were several windmills, he planted + fourteen small pieces of cannon, while to support his front, which was + composed of the musketeers in the ditches on either side of the road, he + planted a battery of seven heavy pieces of artillery. + </p> + <p> + The main body of his infantry he formed into four massive brigades, which + were flanked on both sides by musketeers intermixed with cavalry. Count + Coloredo commanded on the left, Holk on the right, Terzky in the centre. + </p> + <p> + As the Swedish army advanced beyond Chursitz the seven heavy pieces of + artillery on the side of the road opened upon them, doing much execution, + while their own lighter guns could not reply effectively. The Swedes + pressed forward to come to close quarters. The left wing, led by Duke + Bernhard, was the first to arrive upon the scene of action. Gallantly led + by the duke his men forced the ditches, cleared the road, charged the + deadly battery, killed or drove away the gunners, and rushed with fury on + the Imperialist right. + </p> + <p> + Holk, a resolute commander, tried in vain to stem the assault; the ardour + of the Swedes was irresistible, and they scattered, one after the other, + his three brigades. The battle seemed already lost when Wallenstein + himself took his place at the head of the fourth brigade, and fell upon + the Swedes, who were disordered by the rapidity and ardour of their + charge, while at the same moment he launched three regiments of cavalry on + their flanks. + </p> + <p> + The Swedes fought heroically but in vain; step by step they were driven + back, the battery was recaptured, and the guns, which in the excitement of + the advance the captors had omitted to spike, were retaken by the + Imperialists. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime on the right the king had also forced the road, and had + driven from the field the Croats and Poles opposed to him, and he was on + the point of wheeling his troops to fall on the flank of the Imperialist + centre when one of Duke Bernhard's aides-de-camp dashed up with the news + that the left wing had fallen back broken and in disorder. + </p> + <p> + Leaving to Count Stalhaus to continue to press the enemy, Gustavus, + accompanied by his staff, rode at full gallop to the left at the head of + Steinboch's regiment of dragoons. Arrived on the spot he dashed to the + front at a point where his men had not yet been forced back across the + road, and riding among them roused them to fresh exertions. By his side + were Franz Albert of Lauenberg and a few other followers. But his pace had + been so furious that Steinboch's dragoons had not yet arrived. As he urged + on his broken men Gustavus was struck in the shoulder by a musketball. He + reeled in his saddle, but exclaimed, “It is nothing,” and ordered them to + charge the enemy with the dragoons. Malcolm Graheme and others on his + staff hesitated, but the king exclaimed, “Ride all, the duke will see to + me.” The cavalry dashed forward, and the king, accompanied only by Franz + Albert, Duke of Lauenberg, turned to leave the field, but he had scarcely + moved a few paces when he received another shot in the back. Calling out + to Franz Albert that it was all over with him, the mortally wounded king + fell to the ground. + </p> + <p> + Franz Albert, believing the battle lost, galloped away; the king's page + alone remained with the dying man. A minute later three Austrian + cuirassiers rode up, and demanded the name of the dying man. The page + Leubelfing refused to give it, and firing their pistols at him they + stretched him mortally wounded beside the dying king. Gustavus then, but + with difficulty, said who he was. The troopers leapt from their horses and + stripped his rich armour from him, and then, as they saw Steinboch's + dragoons returning from their charge, they placed their pistols close to + the king's head and fired, and then leaping on their horses fled. + </p> + <p> + Great was the grief when Malcolm, happening to ride near the body, + recognized it as that of the king. An instant later a regiment of + Imperialist cavalry charged down, and a furious fight took place for some + minutes over the king's body. It was, however, at last carried off by the + Swedes, so disfigured by wounds and by the trampling of the horses in the + fray as to be unrecognizable. + </p> + <p> + The news of the fall of their king, which spread rapidly through the + ranks, so far from discouraging the Swedes, inspired them with a desperate + determination to avenge his death, and burning with fury they advanced + against the enemy, yet preserving the most perfect steadiness and order in + their ranks. + </p> + <p> + In vain did Wallenstein and his officers strive to stem the attack of the + left wing, their bravery and skill availed nothing to arrest that furious + charge. Regiment after regiment who strove to bar their way were swept + aside, the guns near the windmills were captured and turned against the + enemy. Step by step the Imperial right wing was forced back, and the + centre was assailed in flank by the guns from the rising ground, while + Stalhaus with the right wing of the Swedes attacked them on their left. + </p> + <p> + Hopeless of victory the Imperialist centre was giving way, when the + explosion of one of their powder wagons still further shook them. Attacked + on both flanks and in front the Imperialist centre wavered, and in a few + minutes would have been in full flight. The Swedish victory seemed + assured, when a mighty trampling of horse was heard, and emerging from the + smoke Pappenheim with eight regiments of Imperial cavalry dashed into the + fray. + </p> + <p> + Pappenheim had already captured the citadel of Halle when Wallenstein's + messenger reached him. To wait until his infantry, who were engaged in + plundering, could be collected, and then to proceed at their pace to the + field of battle, would be to arrive too late to be of service, and + Pappenheim instantly placed himself at the head of his eight regiments of + magnificent cavalry, and galloped at full speed to the battlefield + eighteen miles distant. On the way he met large numbers of flying Poles + and Croats, the remnants of the Austrian left, who had been driven from + the field by Gustavus; these he rallied, and with them dashed upon the + troops of Stalhaus who were pursuing them, and forced them backward. The + relief afforded to the Imperialists by this opportune arrival was immense, + and leaving Pappenheim to deal with the Swedish right, Wallenstein rallied + his own right on the centre, and opposed a fresh front to the advancing + troops of Duke Bernhard and Kniphausen. Inspirited by the arrival of the + reinforcements, and burning to turn what had just appeared a defeat into a + victory, the Imperialists advanced with such ardour that the Swedes were + driven back, the guns on the hills recaptured, and it seemed that in this + terrible battle victory was at last to declare itself in favour of the + Imperialists. + </p> + <p> + It needed only the return of Pappenheim from the pursuit of the Swedish + right to decide the day, but Pappenheim was not to come. Though driven + back by the first impetuous charge of the Imperial cavalry, the Swedes + under Stalhaus, reinforced by the Scottish regiments under Henderson, + stubbornly opposed their further attacks. + </p> + <p> + While leading his men forward Pappenheim fell with two musketballs through + his body. While lying there the rumour for the first time reached him that + Gustavus had been killed. When upon inquiry the truth of the rumour was + confirmed, the eyes of the dying man lighted up. + </p> + <p> + “Tell Wallenstein,” he said to the officer nearest to him, “that I am + lying here without hope of life, but I die gladly, knowing, as I now know, + that the irreconcilable enemy of my faith has fallen on the same day.” + </p> + <p> + The Imperialists, discouraged by the fall of their general, could not + withstand the ardour with which the Swedes and Scottish infantry attacked + them, and the cavalry rode from the field. Elsewhere the battle was still + raging. Wallenstein's right and centre had driven Count Bernhard, the Duke + of Brahe, and Kniphausen across that desperately contested road, but + beyond this they could not force them, so stubbornly and desperately did + they fight. But Stalhaus and his men, refreshed and invigorated by their + victory over Pappenheim's force, again came up and took their part in the + fight. Wallenstein had no longer a hope of victory, he fought now only to + avoid defeat. The sun had already set, and if he could but maintain his + position for another half hour darkness would save his army. + </p> + <p> + He fell back across the road again, fighting stubbornly and in good order, + and extending his line to the left to prevent Stalhaus from turning his + flank; and in this order the terrible struggle continued till nightfall. + Both sides fought with splendid bravery. The Swedes, eager for the victory + once again apparently within their grasp, pressed on with fury, while the + Imperialists opposed them with the most stubborn obstinacy. + </p> + <p> + Seven times did Piccolomini charge with his cavalry upon the advancing + Swedes. Seven times was his horse shot under him, but remounting each + time, he drew off his men in good order, and in readiness to dash forward + again at the first opportunity. The other Imperialist generals fought with + equal courage and coolness, while Wallenstein, present wherever the danger + was thickest, animated all by his courage and coolness. Though forced step + by step to retire, the Imperialists never lost their formation, never + turned their backs to the foe; and thus the fight went on till the + darkness gathered thicker and thicker, the combatants could no longer see + each other, and the desperate battle came to an end. + </p> + <p> + In the darkness, Wallenstein drew off his army and fell back to Leipzig, + leaving behind him his colours and all his guns. In thus doing he threw + away the opportunity of turning what his retreat acknowledged to be a + defeat into a victory on the following morning, for scarcely had he left + the field when the six regiments of Pappenheim's infantry arrived from + Halle. Had he held his ground he could have renewed the battle in the + morning, with the best prospects of success, for the struggle of the + preceding day had been little more than a drawn battle, and the accessions + of fresh troops should have given him a decided advantage over the weary + Swedes. The newcomers, finding the field deserted, and learning from the + wounded lying thickly over it that Wallenstein had retreated, at once + marched away. + </p> + <p> + In the Swedish camp there was no assurance whatever that a victory had + been gained, for nightfall had fallen on the Imperialists fighting as + stubbornly as ever. The loss of the king, the master spirit of the war, + dispirited and discouraged them, and Duke Bernhard and Kniphausen held in + the darkness an anxious consultation as to whether the army should not at + once retreat to Weissenburg. The plan was not carried out, only because it + was considered that it was impracticable—as the army would be + exposed to destruction should the Imperialists fall upon them while + crossing the terrible morass in their rear. + </p> + <p> + The morning showed them that the Imperialists had disappeared, and that + the mighty struggle had indeed been a victory for them—a victory won + rather by the superior stubbornness with which the Swedish generals held + their ground during the night, while Wallenstein fell back, than to the + splendid courage with which the troops had fought on the preceding day. + But better far would it have been for the cause which the Swedes + championed, that they should have been driven a defeated host from the + field of Lutzen, than that they should have gained a barren victory at the + cost of the life of their gallant monarch—the soul of the struggle, + the hope of Protestantism, the guiding spirit of the coalition against + Catholicism as represented by Ferdinand of Austria. + </p> + <p> + The losses in the battle were about equal, no less than 9000 having fallen + upon each side—a proportion without precedent in any battle of + modern times, and testifying to the obstinacy and valour with which on + both sides the struggle was maintained from early morning until night + alone terminated it. + </p> + <p> + It is said, indeed, that every man, both of the yellow regiments of + Swedish guards and of the blue regiments, composed entirely of English and + Scotchmen, lay dead on the field. On both sides many men of high rank were + killed. On the Swedish side, besides Gustavus himself, fell Count Milo, + the Count of Brahe, General Uslar, Ernest Prince of Anhalt, and Colonels + Gersdorf and Wildessein. On the Imperialist side Pappenheim, Schenk, + Prince and Abbot of Fulda, Count Berthold Wallenstein, General Brenner, + Issolani, general of the Croats, and six colonels were killed. Piccolomini + received ten wounds, but none of them were mortal. + </p> + <p> + Holk was severely wounded, and, indeed, so close and desperate was the + conflict, that it is said there was scarcely a man in the Imperial army + who escaped altogether without a wound. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII WOUNDED + </h2> + <p> + A controversy, which has never been cleared up, has long raged as to the + death of Gustavus of Sweden; but the weight of evidence is strongly in + favour of those who affirm that he received his fatal wound, that in the + back, at the hand of Franz Albert of Lauenburg. The circumstantial + evidence is, indeed, almost overwhelming. By birth the duke was the + youngest of four sons of Franz II, Duke of Lauenburg. On his mother's side + he was related to the Swedish royal family, and in his youth lived for + some time at the court of Stockholm. + </p> + <p> + Owing to some impertinent remarks in reference to Gustavus he fell into + disfavour with the queen, and had to leave Sweden. On attaining manhood he + professed the Catholic faith, entered the Imperial army, obtained the + command of a regiment, attached himself with much devotion to Wallenstein, + and gained the confidence of that general. While the negotiations between + the emperor and Wallenstein were pending Franz Albert was employed by the + latter in endeavouring to bring about a secret understanding with the + court of Dresden. + </p> + <p> + When Gustavus was blockaded in Nuremberg by Wallenstein Franz Albert left + the camp of the latter and presented himself in that of Gustavus as a + convert to the Reformed Religion and anxious to serve as a volunteer under + him. No quarrel or disagreement had, so far as is known, taken place + between him and Wallenstein, nor has any explanation ever been given for + such an extraordinary change of sides, made, too, at a moment when it + seemed that Gustavus was in a position almost desperate. By his profession + of religious zeal he managed to win the king's heart, but Oxenstiern, when + he saw him, entertained a profound distrust of him, and even warned the + king against putting confidence in this sudden convert. + </p> + <p> + Gustavus, however, naturally frank and open in disposition, could not + believe that treachery was intended, and continued to treat him with + kindness. After the assault made by Gustavus upon Wallenstein's position + Franz Albert quitted his camp, saying that he was desirous of raising some + troops for his service in his father's territory. He rejoined him, + however, with only his personal followers, on the very day before the + battle of Lutzen, and was received by Gustavus with great cordiality, + although the absence of his retainers increased the general doubts as to + his sincerity. + </p> + <p> + He was by the king's side when Gustavus received his first wound. He was + riding close behind him when the king received his second and fatal wound + in the back, and the moment the king had fallen he rode away from the + field, and it is asserted that it was he who brought the news of the + king's death to Wallenstein. + </p> + <p> + Very soon after the battle he exchanged the Swedish service for the Saxon, + and some eighteen months later he re-embraced the Roman Catholic faith and + re-entered the Imperial army. + </p> + <p> + A stronger case of circumstantial evidence could hardly be put together, + and it would certainly seem as if Lauenburg had entered the Swedish + service with the intention of murdering the king. That he did not carry + out his purpose during the attack on the Altenburg was perhaps due to the + fact that Gustavus may not have been in such a position as to afford him + an opportunity of doing so with safety to himself. + </p> + <p> + It is certainly curious that after that fight he should have absented + himself, and only rejoined on the eve of the battle of Lutzen. The only + piece of evidence in his favour is that of Truchsess, a chamberlain of the + king, who, affirmed that he saw the fatal shot fired at a distance of ten + paces from the king by an Imperial officer, Lieutenant General Falkenberg, + who at once turned and fled, but was pursued and cut down by Luckau, + master of horse of Franz Albert. + </p> + <p> + The general opinion of contemporary writers is certainly to the effect + that the King of Sweden was murdered by Franz Albert; but the absolute + facts must ever remain in doubt. + </p> + <p> + On the morning after the battle Wallenstein, having been joined by + Pappenheim's infantry, sent a division of Croats back to the battlefield + to take possession of it should they find that the Swedes had retired; but + on their report that they still held the ground he retired at once from + Leipzig, and, evacuating Saxony, marched into Bohemia, leaving the Swedes + free to accomplish their junction with the army of the Elector, thus + gaining the object for which they had fought at Lutzen. + </p> + <p> + After the death of the king, Malcolm Graheme, full of grief and rage at + the loss of the monarch who was loved by all his troops, and had treated + him with special kindness, joined the soldiers of Duke Bernhard, and took + part in the charge which swept back the Imperialists and captured the + cannon on the hill. At the very commencement of the struggle his horse + fell dead under him, and he fought on foot among the Swedish infantry; but + when the arrival of Pappenheim on the field enabled the Imperialists again + to assume the offensive, Malcolm, having picked up a pike from the hands + of a dead soldier, fought shoulder to shoulder in the ranks as the Swedes, + contesting stubbornly every foot of the ground, were gradually driven back + towards the road. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly a shot struck him; he reeled backwards a few feet, strove to + steady himself and to level his pike, and then all consciousness left him, + and he fell prostrate. Again and again, as the fortune of the desperate + fray wavered one way or the other, did friend and foe pass over the place + where he lay. + </p> + <p> + So thickly strewn was the field with dead that the combatants in their + desperate struggle had long ceased to pick their way over the fallen, but + trampled ruthlessly upon and over them as, hoarsely shouting their battle + cry, they either pressed forward after the slowly retreating foe or with + obstinate bravery strove to resist the charges of the enemy. When Malcolm + recovered his consciousness all was still, save that here and there a + faint moan was heard from others who like himself lay wounded on the + battlefield. The night was intensely dark, and Malcolm's first sensation + was that of bitter cold. + </p> + <p> + It was indeed freezing severely, and great numbers of the wounded who + might otherwise have survived were frozen to death before morning; but a + few, and among these were Malcolm, were saved by the frost. Although + unconscious of the fact, he had been wounded in two places. The first ball + had penetrated his breastpiece and had entered his body, and a few seconds + later another ball had struck him in the arm. It was the first wound which + had caused his insensibility; but from the second, which had severed one + of the principal veins in the arm, he would have bled to death had it not + been for the effects of the cold. For a time the life blood had flowed + steadily away; but as the cold increased it froze and stiffened on his + jerkin, and at last the wound was staunched. + </p> + <p> + It was none too soon, for before it ceased to flow Malcolm had lost a vast + quantity of blood. It was hours before nature recovered from the drain. + Gradually and slowly he awoke from his swoon. It was some time before he + realized where he was and what had happened, then gradually his + recollection of the fight returned to him. + </p> + <p> + “I remember now,” he murmured to himself, “I was fighting with the Swedish + infantry when a shot struck me in the body, I think, for I seemed to feel + a sudden pain like a red hot iron. Who won the day, I wonder? How bitterly + cold it is! I feel as if I were freezing to death.” + </p> + <p> + So faint and stiff was he, partly from loss of blood, partly from being + bruised from head to foot by being trampled on again and again as the + ranks of the combatants swept over him, that it was some time before he + was capable of making the slightest movement. His left arm was, he found, + entirely useless; it was indeed firmly frozen to the ground; but after + some difficulty he succeeded in moving his right, and felt for the flask + which had hung from his girdle. + </p> + <p> + So frozen and stiff were his fingers that he was unable to unbuckle the + strap which fastened it; but, drawing his dagger, he at last cut through + this, and removing the stopper of the flask, took a long draught of the + wine with which it was filled. The relief which it afforded him was almost + instantaneous, and he seemed to feel life again coursing in his veins. + </p> + <p> + After a while he was sufficiently restored to be enabled to get from his + havresack some bread and meat which he had placed there after finishing + his breakfast on the previous morning. He ate a few mouthfuls, took + another long draught of wine, and then felt that he could hope to hold on + until morning. He was unable to rise even into a sitting position, nor + would it have availed him had he been able to walk, for he knew not where + the armies were lying, nor could he have proceeded a yard in any direction + without falling over the bodies which so thickly strewed the ground around + him. + </p> + <p> + Though in fact it wanted but two hours of daylight when he recovered + consciousness, the time appeared interminable; but at last, to his + delight, a faint gleam of light spread across the sky. Stronger and + stronger did it become until the day was fairly broken. It was another + hour before he heard voices approaching. Almost holding his breath he + listened as they approached, and his heart gave a throb of delight as he + heard that they were speaking in Swedish. A victory had been won, then, + for had it not been so, it would have been the Imperialists, not the + Swedes, who would have been searching the field of battle. + </p> + <p> + “There are but few alive,” one voice said, “the cold has finished the work + which the enemy began.” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm, unable to rise, lifted his arm and held it erect to call the + attention of the searchers; it was quickly observed. + </p> + <p> + “There is some one still alive,” the soldier exclaimed, “an officer, too; + by his scarf and feathers he belongs to the Green Brigade.” + </p> + <p> + “These Scotchmen are as hard as iron,” another voice said; “come, bring a + stretcher along.” + </p> + <p> + They were soon by the side of Malcolm. + </p> + <p> + “Drink this, sir,” one said, kneeling beside him and placing a flask of + spirits to his lips; “that will warm your blood, I warrant, and you must + be well nigh frozen.” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm took a few gulps at the potent liquor, then he had strength to + say: + </p> + <p> + “There is something the matter with my left arm, I can't move it, and I + think I am hit in the body.” + </p> + <p> + “You are hit in the body, sure enough,” the man said, “for there is a + bullet hole through your cuirass, and your jerkin below it is all stained + with blood. You have been hit in the left arm too, and the blood is frozen + to the ground; but we will soon free that for you. But before trying to do + that we will cut open the sleeve of your jerkin and bandage your arm, or + the movement may set it off bleeding again, and you have lost a pool of + blood already.” + </p> + <p> + Very carefully the soldiers did their work, and then placing Malcolm on + the stretcher carried him away to the camp. Here the surgeons were all + hard at work attending to the wounded who were brought in. They had + already been busy all night, as those whose hurts had not actually + disabled them found their way into the camp. As he was a Scotch officer he + was carried to the lines occupied by Colonel Henderson with his Scotch + brigade. He was known to many of the officers personally, and no time was + lost in attending to him. He was nearly unconscious again by the time that + he reached the camp, for the movement had caused the wound in his body to + break out afresh. + </p> + <p> + His armour was at once unbuckled, and his clothes having been cut the + surgeons proceeded to examine his wounds. They shook their heads as they + did so. Passing a probe into the wound they found that the ball, breaking + one of the ribs in its course, had gone straight on. They turned him + gently over. + </p> + <p> + “Here it is,” the surgeon said, producing a flattened bullet. The missile + indeed had passed right through the body and had flattened against the + back piece, which its force was too far spent to penetrate. + </p> + <p> + “Is the case hopeless, doctor?” one of the officers who was looking on + asked. + </p> + <p> + “It is well nigh hopeless,” the doctor said, “but it is just possible that + it has not touched any vital part. The lad is young, and I judge that he + has not ruined his constitution, as most of you have done, by hard + drinking, so that there is just a chance for him. There is nothing for me + to do but to put a piece of lint over the two holes, bandage it firmly, + and leave it to nature. Now let me look at his arm. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” he went on as he examined the wound, “he has had a narrow escape + here. The ball has cut a vein and missed the principal artery by an eighth + of an inch. If that had been cut he would have bled to death in five + minutes. Evidently the lad has luck on his side, and I begin to think we + may save him if we can only keep him quiet.” + </p> + <p> + At the earnest request of the surgeons tents were brought up and a + hospital established on some rising ground near the field of battle for + the serious cases among the wounded, and when the army marched away to + join the Saxons at Leipzig a brigade was left encamped around the + hospital. + </p> + <p> + Here for three weeks Malcolm lay between life and death. The quantity of + blood he had lost was greatly in his favour, as it diminished the risk of + inflammation, while his vigorous constitution and the life of fatigue and + activity which he had led greatly strengthened his power. By a miracle the + bullet in its passage had passed through without injuring any of the vital + parts; and though his convalescence was slow it was steady, and even at + the end of the first week the surgeons were able to pronounce a confident + opinion that he would get over it. + </p> + <p> + But it was not until the end of the month that he was allowed to move from + his recumbent position. A week later and he was able to sit up. On the + following day, to his surprise, the Count of Mansfeld strode into his + tent. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! my young friend,” he exclaimed, “I am glad indeed to see you so far + recovered. I came to Leipzig with the countess and my daughter; for + Leipzig at present is the centre where all sorts of political combinations + are seething as in a cooking pot. It is enough to make one sick of + humanity and ashamed of one's country when one sees the greed which is + displayed by every one, from the highest of the princes down to petty + nobles who can scarce set twenty men in the field. + </p> + <p> + “Each and all are struggling to make terms by which he may better himself, + and may add a province or an acre, as the case may be, to his patrimony at + the expense of his neighbours. Truly I wonder that the noble Oxenstiern, + who represents Sweden, does not call together the generals and troops of + that country from all parts and march away northward, leaving these greedy + princes and nobles to fight their own battles, and make the best terms + they may with their Imperial master. + </p> + <p> + “But there, all that does not interest you at present; but I am so full of + spleen and disgust that I could not help letting it out. We arrived there + a week since, and of course one of our first inquiries was for you, and we + heard to our grief that the Imperialists had shot one of their bullets + through your body and another through your arm. This, of course, would + have been sufficient for any ordinary carcass; but I knew my Scotchman, + and was not surprised when they told me you were mending fast. + </p> + <p> + “I had speech yesterday with an officer who had ridden over from this + camp, and he told me that the doctors said you were now convalescent, but + would need repose and quiet for some time before you could again buckle on + armour. The countess, when I told her, said at once, 'Then we will take + him away back with us to Mansfeld.' Thekla clapped her hands and said, + 'That will be capital! we will look after him, and he shall tell us + stories about the wars.' + </p> + <p> + “So the thing was settled at once. I have brought over with me a horse + litter, and have seen your surgeon, who says that although it will be some + weeks before you can sit on a horse without the risk of your wound + bursting out internally, there is no objection to your progression in a + litter by easy stages; so that is settled, and the doctor will write to + your colonel saying that it will be some months before you are fit for + duty, and that he has therefore ordered you change and quiet. + </p> + <p> + “You need not be afraid of neglecting your duty or of getting out of the + way of risking your life in harebrained ventures, for there will be no + fighting till the spring. Everyone is negotiating at present, and you will + be back with your regiment before fighting begins again. Well, what do you + say?” + </p> + <p> + “I thank you, indeed,” Malcolm replied. “It will of all things be the most + pleasant; the doctor has told me that I shall not be fit for duty until + the spring, and I have been wondering how ever I should be able to pass + the time until then.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we will be off without a minute's delay,” the count said. “I sent + off the litter last night and started myself at daybreak, promising the + countess to be back with you ere nightfall, so we have no time to lose.” + </p> + <p> + The news soon spread that Malcolm Graheme was about to leave the camp, and + many of the Scottish officers came in to say adieu to him; but time + pressed, and half an hour after the arrival of the count he started for + Leipzig with Malcolm in a litter swung between two horses. As they + travelled at a foot pace Malcolm did not find the journey uneasy, but the + fresh air and motion soon made him drowsy, and he was fast asleep before + he had left the camp an hour, and did not awake until the sound of the + horses' hoofs on stone pavements told him that they were entering the town + of Leipzig. + </p> + <p> + A few minutes later he was lying on a couch in the comfortable apartments + occupied by the count, while the countess with her own hands was + administering refreshments to him, and Thekla was looking timidly on, + scarce able to believe that this pale and helpless invalid was the + stalwart young Scottish soldier of whose adventures she was never weary of + talking. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX A PAUSE IN HOSTILITIES + </h2> + <p> + Never had Malcolm Graheme spent a more pleasant time than the two months + which he passed at Mansfeld. Travelling by very easy stages there he was + so far convalescent upon his arrival that he was able to move about freely + and could soon ride on horseback. For the time the neighbourhood of + Mansfeld was undisturbed by the peasants or combatants on either side, and + the count had acted with such vigour against any parties of brigands and + marauders who might approach the vicinity of Mansfeld, or the country + under his control, that a greater security of life and property existed + than in most other parts of Germany. The ravages made by war were speedily + effaced, and although the peasants carried on their operations in the + fields without any surety as to who would gather the crops, they worked + free from the harassing tyranny of the petty bands of robbers. + </p> + <p> + As soon as he was strong enough Malcolm rode with the count on his visits + to the different parts of his estates, joined in several parties got up to + hunt the boar in the hills, or to make war on a small scale against the + wolves which, since the outbreak of the troubles, had vastly increased in + number, committing great depredations upon the flocks and herds, and + rendering it dangerous for the peasants to move between their villages + except in strong parties. + </p> + <p> + The evenings were passed pleasantly and quietly. The countess would read + aloud or would play on the zither, with which instrument she would + accompany herself while she sang. Thekla would sit at her embroidery and + would chat merrily to Malcolm, and ask many questions about Scotland and + the life which the ladies led in that, as she asserted, “cold and desolate + country.” Sometimes the count's chaplain would be present and would + gravely discuss theological questions with the count, wearying Malcolm and + Thekla so excessively, that they would slip away from the others and play + checkers or cards on a little table in a deep oriel window where their low + talk and laughter did not disturb the discussions of their elders. + </p> + <p> + Once Malcolm was absent for two days on a visit to the village in the + mountains he had so much aided in defending. Here he was joyfully + received, and was glad to find that war had not penetrated to the quiet + valley, and that prosperity still reigned there. Malcolm lingered at + Mansfeld for some time after he felt that his strength was sufficiently + restored to enable him to rejoin his regiment; but he knew that until the + spring commenced no great movement of troops would take place, and he was + so happy with his kind friends, who treated him completely as one of the + family, that he was loath indeed to tear himself away. At last he felt + that he could no longer delay, and neither the assurances of the count + that the Protestant cause could dispense with his doughty services for a + few weeks longer, or the tears of Thekla and her insistance that he could + not care for them or he would not be in such a hurry to leave, could + detain him longer, and mounting a horse with which the count had presented + him he rode away to rejoin his regiment. + </p> + <p> + No military movements of importance had taken place subsequent to the + battle of Lutzen. Oxenstiern had laboured night and day to repair as far + as possible the effects of the death of Gustavus. He had been left by the + will of the king regent of Sweden until the king's daughter, now a child + of six years old, came of age, and he at once assumed the supreme + direction of affairs. It was essential to revive the drooping courage of + the weaker states, to meet the secret machinations of the enemy, to allay + the jealousy of the more powerful allies, to arouse the friendly powers, + France in particular, to active assistance, and above all to repair the + ruined edifice of the German alliance and to reunite the scattered + strength of the party by a close and permanent bond of union. + </p> + <p> + Had the emperor at this moment acted wisely Oxenstiern's efforts would + have been in vain. Wallenstein, farseeing and broad minded, saw the proper + course to pursue, and strongly urged upon the emperor the advisability of + declaring a universal amnesty, and of offering favourable conditions to + the Protestant princes, who, dismayed at the loss of their great champion, + would gladly accept any proposals which would ensure the religious liberty + for which they had fought; but the emperor, blinded by this unexpected + turn of fortune and infatuated by Spanish counsels, now looked to a + complete triumph and to enforce his absolute will upon the whole of + Germany. + </p> + <p> + Instead, therefore, of listening to the wise counsels of Wallenstein he + hastened to augment his forces. Spain sent him considerable supplies, + negotiated for him with the ever vacillating Elector of Saxony, and levied + troops for him in Italy. The Elector of Bavaria increased his army, and + the Duke of Lorraine prepared again to take part in the struggle which now + seemed to offer him an easy opportunity of increasing his dominions. For a + time the Elector of Saxony, the Duke of Brunswick, and many others of the + German princes wavered; but when they saw that Ferdinand, so far from + being disposed to offer them favourable terms to detach them from the + league, was preparing with greater vigour than ever to overwhelm them, + they perceived that their interest was to remain faithful to their ally, + and at a great meeting of princes and deputies held at Heilbronn the + alliance was re-established on a firmer basis. + </p> + <p> + Before, however, the solemn compact was ratified scarce one of the German + princes and nobles but required of Oxenstiern the gratification of private + greed and ambition, and each bargained for some possession either already + wrested or to be afterwards taken from the enemy. To the Landgrave of + Hesse the abbacies of Paderborn, Corvey, Munster, and Fulda were promised, + to Duke Bernhard of Weimar the Franconian bishoprics, to the Duke of + Wurtemburg the ecclesiastical domains and the Austrian counties lying + within his territories, all to be held as fiefs of Sweden. + </p> + <p> + Oxenstiern, an upright and conscientious man, was disgusted at the greed + of these princes and nobles who professed to be warring solely in defence + of their religious liberties, and he once exclaimed that he would have it + entered in the Swedish archives as an everlasting memorial that a prince + of the German empire made a request for such and such territory from a + Swedish nobleman, and that the Swedish noble complied with the request by + granting him German lands. However, the negotiations were at last + completed, the Saxons marched towards Lusatia and Silesia to act in + conjunction with Count Thurn against the Austrians in that quarter, a part + of the Swedish army was led by the Duke of Weimar into Franconia, and the + other by George, Duke of Brunswick, into Westphalia and Lower Saxony. + </p> + <p> + When Gustavus had marched south from Ingolstadt on the news of + Wallenstein's entry into Saxony he had left the Count Palatine of + Birkenfeld and General Banner to maintain the Swedish conquests in + Bavaria. These generals had in the first instance pressed their conquests + southward as far as Lake Constance; but towards the end of the year the + Bavarian General Altringer pressed them with so powerful an army that + Banner sent urgent requests to Horn to come to his assistance from Alsace, + where he had been carrying all before him. Confiding his conquests to the + Rhinegrave Otto Ludwig, Horn marched at the head of seven thousand men + towards Swabia. Before he could join Banner, however, Altringer had forced + the line of the Lech, and had received reinforcements strong enough to + neutralize the aid brought to Banner by Horn. Deeming it necessary above + all things to bar the future progress of the enemy, Horn sent orders to + Otto Ludwig to join him with all the troops still remaining in Alsace; but + finding himself still unable to resist the advance of Altringer, he + despatched an urgent request to Duke Bernhard, who had captured Bamberg + and the strong places of Kronach and Hochstadt in Franconia, to come to + his assistance. The duke at once quitted Bamberg and marched southward, + swept a strong detachment of the Bavarian army under John of Werth from + his path, and pressing on reached Donauwurth in March 1633. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm had rejoined his regiment, which was with Duke Bernhard, just + before it advanced from Bamberg and was received with a hearty welcome by + his comrades, from whom he had been separated nine months, having quitted + them three months before the battle of Lutzen. + </p> + <p> + The officers were full of hope that Duke Bernhard was going to strike a + great blow. Altringer was away on the shore of Lake Constance facing Horn, + Wallenstein was in Bohemia. Between Donauworth and Vienna were but the + four strong places of Ingolstadt, Ratisbon, Passau, and Linz. Ingolstadt + was, the duke knew, commanded by a traitor who was ready to surrender. + Ratisbon had a Protestant population who were ready to open their gates. + It seemed that the opportunity for ending the war by a march upon Vienna, + which had been snatched by Wallenstein from Gustavus just when it appeared + in his grasp, was now open to Duke Bernhard. But the duke was ambitious, + his demands for Franconia had not yet been entirely complied with by + Oxenstiern, and he saw an opportunity to obtain his own terms. The troops + under his orders were discontented, owing to the fact that their pay was + many months in arrear, and private agents of the duke fomented this + feeling by assuring the men that their general was with them and would + back their demands. Accordingly they refused to march further until their + demands were fully satisfied. The Scotch regiments stood apart from the + movement, though they too were equally in arrear with their pay. Munro and + the officers of the Brigade chafed terribly at this untimely mutiny just + when the way to Vienna appeared open to them. Duke Bernhard forwarded the + demands of the soldiers to Oxenstiern, sending at the same time a demand + on his own account, first that the territory of the Franconian bishoprics + should at once be erected into a principality in his favour, and secondly, + that he should be nominated commander-in-chief of all the armies fighting + in Germany for the Protestant cause with the title of generalissimo. + </p> + <p> + Oxenstiern was alarmed by the receipt of the mutinous demands of the + troops on the Danube, and was disgusted when he saw those demands + virtually supported by their general. His first thought was to dismiss + Duke Bernhard from the Swedish service; but he saw that if he did so the + disaffection might spread, and that the duke might place himself at the + head of the malcontents and bring ruin upon the cause. He therefore agreed + to bestow at once the Franconian bishoprics upon him, and gave a pledge + that Sweden would defend him in that position. + </p> + <p> + He declined to make him generalissimo of all the armies, but appointed him + commander-in-chief of the forces south of the Maine. The duke accepted + this modification, and had no difficulty in restoring order in the ranks + of his army. But precious months had been wasted before this matter was + brought to a conclusion, and the month of October arrived before the duke + had completed all his preparations and was in a position to move forward. + </p> + <p> + While the delays had been going on Altringer, having been joined by the + army of the Duke of Feria, quitted the line of the Danube, in spite of + Wallenstein's absolute order not to do so, and, evading Horn and + Birkenfeldt, marched into Alsace. The Swedish generals, however, pressed + hotly upon him, and finally drove him out of Alsace. Ratisbon being left + open by Altringer's disobedience to Wallenstein's orders, Duke Bernhard + marched upon that city without opposition, and laid siege to it. + Maximilian of Bavaria was himself there with a force sufficient to defend + the city had he been supported by the inhabitants; but a large majority of + the people were Protestants, and, moreover, bitterly hated the Bavarians, + who had suppressed their rights as a free city. + </p> + <p> + Maximilian wrote urgently to the emperor and to Wallenstein, pledging + himself to maintain Ratisbon if he could receive a reinforcement of 5000 + men. The emperor was powerless; he had not the men to send, but he + despatched to Wallenstein, one after another, seven messengers, urging him + at all hazards to prevent the fall of so important a place. Wallenstein + replied to the order that he would do all in his power, and in presence of + the messengers ordered the Count of Gallas to march with 12,000 men on + Ratisbon, but privately furnished the general with absolute orders, + forbidding him on any account to do anything which might bring on an + action with the duke. + </p> + <p> + Wallenstein's motives in so acting were, as he afterwards assured the + emperor, that he was not strong enough to divide his army, and that he + could best cover Vienna by maintaining a strong position in Bohemia, a + policy which was afterwards justified by the event. Ratisbon resisted for + a short time; but, finding that the promised relief did not arrive, it + capitulated on the 5th of November, Maximilian having left the town before + the surrender. + </p> + <p> + The duke now pushed on towards Vienna, and captured Straubing and + Plattling. John of Werth, who was posted here, not being strong enough to + dispute the passage of the Isar, fell back towards the Bohemian frontier, + hoping to meet the troops which the emperor had urged Wallenstein to send + to his aid, but which never came. Duke Bernhard crossed the Isar + unopposed, and on the 12th came within sight of Passau. + </p> + <p> + So far Wallenstein had not moved; he had seemed to comply with the + emperor's request to save Ratisbon, but had seemed only, and had not set a + man in motion to reinforce John of Werth. He refused, in fact, to fritter + away his army. Had he sent Gallas with 12,000 men to join John of Werth, + and had their united forces been, as was probable, attacked and defeated + by the Swedes, Wallenstein would have been too weak to save the empire. + Keeping his army strong he had the key of the position in his hands. + </p> + <p> + He had fixed upon Passau as the point beyond which Duke Bernhard should + not be allowed to advance, and felt that should he attack that city he and + his army were lost. In front of him was the Inn, a broad and deep river + protected by strongly fortified places; behind him John of Werth, a + bitterly hostile country, and the river Isar. On his left would be + Wallenstein himself marching across the Bohemian forest. When, therefore, + he learned that Duke Bernhard was hastening on from the Isar towards + Passau he put his army in motion and marched southward, so as to place + himself in the left rear of the duke. This movement Duke Bernhard heard of + just when he arrived in sight of Passau, and he instantly recognized the + extreme danger of his position, and perceived with his usual quickness of + glance that to be caught before Passau by Wallenstein and John of Werth + would be absolute destruction. A moment's hesitation and the Swedish army + would have been lost. Without an hour's delay he issued the necessary + orders, and the army retraced its steps with all speed to Ratisbon, and + not stopping even there marched northward into the Upper Palatinate, to + defend that conquered country against Wallenstein even at the cost of a + battle. + </p> + <p> + But Wallenstein declined to fight a battle there. He had but one army, and + were that army destroyed, Duke Bernhard, with the prestige of victory upon + him, could resume his march upon Vienna, which would then be open to him. + Therefore, having secured the safety of the capital, he fell back again + into winter quarters in Bohemia. Thus Ferdinand again owed his safety to + Wallenstein, and should have been the more grateful since Wallenstein had + saved him in defiance of his own orders. + </p> + <p> + At the time he fully admitted in his letters to Wallenstein that the + general had acted wisely and prudently, nevertheless he was continually + listening to the Spaniards, the Jesuits, and the many envious of + Wallenstein's great position, and hoping to benefit by his disgrace, and, + in spite of all the services his great general had rendered him, was + preparing to repeat the humiliation which he had formerly laid upon him + and again to deprive him of his command. + </p> + <p> + Wallenstein was not ignorant of the intrigue against him. Vast as were his + possessions, his pride and ambition were even greater. A consciousness of + splendid services rendered and of great intellectual power, a belief that + the army which had been raised by him and was to a great extent paid out + of his private funds, and which he had so often led to victory, was + devoted to him, and to him alone, excited in his mind the determination to + resist by force the intriguers who dominated the bigoted and narrow minded + emperor, and, if necessary, to hurl the latter from his throne. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX FRIENDS IN TROUBLE + </h2> + <p> + One day in the month of December, when Malcolm Graheme was with his + regiment on outpost duty closely watching the Imperialists, a countryman + approached. + </p> + <p> + “Can you direct me to Captain Malcolm Graheme, who, they tell me, belongs + to this regiment?” + </p> + <p> + “You have come to the right man,” Malcolm said. “I am Captain Graheme—what + would you with me?” + </p> + <p> + “I am the bearer of a letter to you,” the man said, and taking off his cap + he pulled out the lining and brought out a letter hidden beneath it. + </p> + <p> + “I am to ask for some token from you by which it may be known that it has + been safely delivered.” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm cut with his dagger the silk with which the letter was fastened. + It began: + </p> + <p> + “From the Lady Hilda, Countess of Mansfeld, to Captain Malcolm Graheme of + Colonel Munro's Scottish regiment.—My dear friend,—I do not + know whether you have heard the misfortune which has fallen upon us. The + town and castle of Mansfeld were captured two months since by a sudden + assault of the Imperialists, and my dear husband was grievously wounded in + the defence. He was brought hither a prisoner, and Thekla and I also + carried here. As the count still lies ill with his wounds he is not placed + in a prison, but we are treated as captives and a close watch is kept upon + us. The count is threatened with the forfeiture of all his possessions + unless he will change sides and join the Imperialists, and some of his + estates have been already conferred upon other nobles as a punishment for + the part he has taken. + </p> + <p> + “Were my husband well and free he would treat the offers with scorn, + believing that the tide will turn and that he will recover his + possessions. Nor even were he certain of their perpetual forfeiture would + he desert the cause of Protestantism. Moreover, the estates which I + brought him in marriage lie in the north of Pomerania, and the income + there from is more than ample for our needs. But the emperor has ordered + that if the count remain contumacious Thekla shall be taken from us and + placed in a convent, where she will be forced to embrace Catholicism, and + will, when she comes of age, be given in marriage to some adherent of the + emperor, who will with her receive the greater portion of her father's + lands. + </p> + <p> + “She is now sixteen years old, and in another year will be deemed + marriageable. My heart is broken at the thought, and I can scarce see the + paper on which I write for weeping. I know not why I send to you, nor does + the count know that I am writing, nor does it seem possible that any aid + can come to us, seeing that we are here in the heart of Bohemia, and that + Wallenstein's army lies between us and you. But somehow in my heart I have + a hope that you may aid us, and at any rate I know that you will + sympathize with us greatly. I feel sure that if there be any mode in which + we may be aided it will be seized by your ready wit. And now adieu! This + letter will be brought to you by a messenger who will be hired by a woman + who attends us, and who has a kind heart as well as an eye to her own + interests. Send back by the messenger some token which she may pass on to + me, that I may know that you have received it. Send no written answer, for + the danger is too great.” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm twisted off two or three links of the chain which had long before + been presented to him by the count, and then, until relieved from duty, + paced up and down, slowly revolving in his mind what could best be done to + aid his friends. His mind was at last made up, and when his company was + called in he went to his colonel and asked for leave of absence, stating + his reasons for wishing to absent himself from the regiment. + </p> + <p> + “It is a perilous business, Malcolm,” Colonel Munro said. “I have scarce a + handful of the friends with whom I joined Gustavus but three years and a + half ago remaining, and I can ill spare another; nevertheless I will not + stay you in your enterprise. The Count of Mansfeld has been a steady ally + of ours, and is one of the few who has appeared to have at heart the cause + of Protestantism rather than of personal gain. + </p> + <p> + “Moreover, he is as you say a friend of yours, and has shown you real + kindness in time of need. Therefore go, my boy, and Heaven be with you! It + is not likely that there will be any more serious fighting this year. + Wallenstein lies inactive, negotiating now with Saxony, now with + Oxenstiern. What are his aims and plans Heaven only knows; but at any rate + we have no right to grumble at the great schemer, for ever since Lutzen he + has kept the emperor's best army inactive. Make it a point, Malcolm, to + find out, so far as you can, what is the public opinion in Bohemia as to + his real intentions. If you can bring back any information as to his plans + you will have done good service to the cause, however long your absence + from the camp may be.” + </p> + <p> + That evening Malcolm packed up his armour, arms, court suits, and + valuables, and sent them away to the care of his friend the syndic of the + clockmakers of Nuremberg, with a letter requesting him to keep them in + trust for him until he returned; and in the event of his not arriving to + claim them in the course of six months, to sell them, and to devote the + proceeds to the assistance of sick or wounded Scottish soldiers. Then he + purchased garments suitable for a respectable craftsman, and having + attired himself in these, with a stout sword banging from his leathern + belt, a wallet containing a change of garments and a number of light tools + used in clockmaking, with a long staff in his hand, and fifty ducats sewed + in the lining of the doublet, he set out on foot on his journey. + </p> + <p> + It was nigh three weeks from the time when he started before he arrived at + Prague, for not only had he to make a very long detour to avoid the + contending armies, but he was forced to wait at each considerable town + until he could join a company of travellers going in the same direction, + for the whole country so swarmed with disbanded soldiers, plunderers, and + marauding bands that none thought of traversing the roads save in parties + sufficiently strong to defend themselves and their property. None of those + with whom he journeyed suspected Malcolm to be aught but what he professed + himself—a craftsman who had served his time at a clockmaker's in + Nuremberg, and who was on his way to seek for employment in Vienna. + </p> + <p> + During his three years and a half residence in Germany he had come to + speak the language like a native, and, indeed, the dialect of the + different provinces varied so widely, that, even had he spoken the + language with less fluency, no suspicion would have arisen of his being a + foreigner. Arrived at Prague, his first care was to hire a modest lodging, + and he then set to work to discover the house in which the Count of + Mansfeld was lying as a prisoner. + </p> + <p> + This he had no difficulty in doing without exciting suspicion, for the + count was a well known personage, and he soon found that he and his family + had apartments in a large house, the rest of which was occupied by + Imperialist officers and their families. There was a separate entrance to + the portion occupied by the count, and a sentry stood always at the door. + </p> + <p> + The day after his arrival Malcolm watched the door from a distance + throughout the whole day, but none entered or came out. The next morning + he resumed his watch at a much earlier hour, and presently had the + satisfaction of seeing a woman in the attire of a domestic issue from the + door. She was carrying a basket, and was evidently bent upon purchasing + the supplies for the day. He followed her to the market, and, after + watching her make her purchases, he followed her until, on her return, she + entered a street where but few people were about. There he quickened his + pace and overtook her. + </p> + <p> + “You are the attendant of the Countess of Mansfeld, are you not?” he said. + </p> + <p> + “I am,” she replied; “but what is that to you?” + </p> + <p> + “I will tell you presently,” Malcolm replied, “but in the first place + please inform me whether you are her only attendant, and in the next place + how long you have been in her service. I can assure you,” he went on, as + the woman, indignant at thus being questioned by a craftsman who was a + stranger to her, tossed her head indignantly, and was about to move on, + “that I ask not from any impertinent curiosity. Here is a ducat as a proof + that I am interested in my questions.” + </p> + <p> + The woman gave him a quick and searching glance; she took the piece of + money, and replied more civilly. “I am the only attendant on the countess. + I cannot be said to be in her service, since I have been placed there by + the commandant of the prison, whither the count will be moved in a few + days, but I have been with them since their arrival there, nigh three + months since.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you are the person whom I seek. I am he to whom a certain letter + which you wot of was sent, and who returned by the messenger as token that + he received it two links of this chain.” + </p> + <p> + The woman started as he spoke, and looked round anxiously to see that they + were not observed; then she said hurriedly: + </p> + <p> + “For goodness sake, sir, if you be he, put aside that grave and earnest + look, and chat with me lightly and laughingly, so that if any observe us + speaking they will think that you are trying to persuade me that my face + has taken your admiration. Not so very difficult a task, methinks,” she + added coquettishly, acting the part she had indicated. + </p> + <p> + “By no means,” Malcolm replied laughing, for the girl was really good + looking, “and were it not that other thoughts occupy me at present you + might well have another captive to look after; and now tell me, how is it + possible for me to obtain an interview with the count?” + </p> + <p> + “And the countess, and the Fraulein Thekla,” the girl said laughing, “for + I suppose you are the young Scottish officer of whom the young countess is + always talking. I don't see that it is possible.” + </p> + <p> + “Twenty ducats are worth earning,” Malcolm said quietly. + </p> + <p> + “Very well worth earning,” the woman replied, “but a costly day's work if + they lead to a prison and flogging, if not to the gallows.” + </p> + <p> + “But we must take care that you run no risk,” Malcolm said. “Surely such a + clever head as I see you have can contrive some way for me to get in.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; it might be managed,” the girl said thoughtfully. “The orders were + strict just at first, but seeing that the count cannot move from his + couch, and that the countess and the fraulein have no motive in seeking to + leave him, the strictness has been relaxed. The orders of the sentry are + stringent that neither of the ladies shall be allowed to set foot outside + the door, but I do not think they have any orders to prevent others from + going in and out had they some good excuse for their visit.” + </p> + <p> + “Then it is not so impossible after all,” Malcolm said with a smile, “for + I have an excellent excuse. + </p> + <p> + “What is that?” the woman asked. + </p> + <p> + “The clock in the count's chamber has stopped, and it wearies him to lie + there and not know how the time passes, so he has requested you to fetch + in a craftsman to set it going again.” + </p> + <p> + “A very good plan,” the girl said. “There is a clock, and it shall stop + this afternoon. I will find out from the sentry as I go in whether he has + any orders touching the admission of strangers. If he has I will go across + to the prison and try and get a pass for you. I shall come to market in + the morning.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, with a wave of her hand she tripped on towards the house, which + was now near at hand, leaving Malcolm to arrange his plans for next day. + His first care was to purchase a suit of clothes such as would be worn by + a boy of the class to which he appeared to belong. Then he went to one of + the small inns patronized by the peasants who brought their goods into + market, and without difficulty bargained with one of them for the purchase + of a cart with two oxen, which were to remain at the inn until he called + for them. Then he bought a suit of peasant's clothes, after which, well + satisfied with the day's work, he returned to his lodging. In the morning + he again met the servant. + </p> + <p> + “It was well I asked,” she said, “for the sentry had orders to prevent + any, save nobles and officers, from passing in. However, I went to the + prison, and saw one of the governor's deputies, and told him that the + count was fretting because his clock had stopped, and, as while I said so + I slipped five ducats the countess had given me for the purpose into his + hand, he made no difficulty about giving me the pass. Here it is. Now,” + she said, “I have earned my twenty ducats.” + </p> + <p> + “You have earned them well,” Malcolm replied, handing them to her. + </p> + <p> + “Now mind,” she said, “you must not count on me farther. I don't know what + you are going to do, and I don't want to know. I have run quite a risk + enough as it is, and mean, directly the count is lodged in the prison, to + make my way home, having collected a dowry which will enable me to buy a + farm and marry my bachelor, who has been waiting for me for the last three + years. His father is an old curmudgeon, who has declared that his son + shall never marry except a maid who can bring as much money as he will + give him. I told Fritz that if he would trust to my wits and wait I would + in five years produce the dowry. Now I have treble the sum, and shall go + off and make Fritz happy.” + </p> + <p> + “He is a lucky fellow,” Malcolm said laughing. “It is not every one who + gets beauty, wit, and wealth all together in a wife.” + </p> + <p> + “You are a flatterer,” the girl laughed; “but for all that I think myself + that Fritz is not unfortunate.” + </p> + <p> + “And now tell me,” Malcolm asked, “at what time is the sentry generally + changed?” + </p> + <p> + “At sunrise, at noon, at sunset, and at midnight,” the girl replied; “but + what is that to you?” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind;” Malcolm laughed; “you know you don't want to be told what + I'm going to do. I will tell you if you like.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no,” the girl replied hurriedly. “I would rather be able to always + take my oath on the holy relics that I know nothing about it.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” Malcolm replied; “then this afternoon I will call.” + </p> + <p> + Having hidden away under his doublet the suit of boy's clothes, and with + the tools of his trade in a small basket in his hand, Malcolm presented + himself at three o'clock in the afternoon to the sentry at the door + leading to the count's apartments. The soldier glanced at the pass and + permitted him to enter without remark. + </p> + <p> + The waiting maid met him inside and conducted him upstairs, and ushered + him into a spacious apartment, in which the count was lying on a couch, + while the countess and Thekla sat at work beside him. She then retired and + closed the door after her. The count and Thekla looked with surprise at + the young artisan, but the countess ran to meet him, and threw her arms + round his neck as if she had been his mother, while Thekla gave a cry of + delight as she recognized him. + </p> + <p> + “Welcome a thousand times! Welcome, my brave friend!” the countess + exclaimed. “What dangers must you not have encountered on your way hither + to us! The count and Thekla knew not that I had written to you, for I + feared a failure; and when I learned yesterday that you had arrived I + still kept silence, partly to give a joyful surprise to my lord today, + partly because, if the governor called, I was sure that this child's + telltale face would excite his suspicion that something unusual had + happened.” + </p> + <p> + “How imprudent!” the count said, holding out his hand to Malcolm. “Had I + known that my wife was sending to you I would not have suffered her to do + so, for the risk is altogether too great, and yet, indeed, I am truly glad + to see you again.” + </p> + <p> + Thekla gave Malcolm her hand, but said nothing. She had now reached an age + when girls feel a strange shyness in expressing their feelings; but her + hand trembled with pleasure as she placed it in Malcolm's, and her cheek + flushed hotly as, in accordance with the custom of the times, she + presented it to his kiss. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” the count said, “do not let us waste time; tell us quickly by what + miracle you have arrived here, and have penetrated to what is really my + prison. You must be quick, for we have much to say, and your visit must be + a short one for every third day the governor of the prison pays me a visit + to see how I am getting on, and I expect that he will be here ere long.” + </p> + <p> + “Then,” Malcolm said, “I had best prepare for his coming, for assuredly I + am not going to hurry away.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, he lifted down the great clock which stood on a bracket on the + wall, and placed it on a side table. “I am a clockmaker,” he said, “and am + come to put this machine, whose stopping has annoyed you sadly, into + order.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, he took some tools from his basket, removed the works of the + clock, and, taking them in pieces, laid them on the table. + </p> + <p> + “I spent much of my time at Nuremberg,” he said, in answer to the + surprised exclamations of the count, “in learning the mysteries of + horology, and can take a clock to pieces and can put it together again + with fair skill. There, now, I am ready, and if the governor comes he will + find me hard at work. And now I will briefly tell you how I got here; then + I will hear what plans you may have formed, and I will tell you mine.” + </p> + <p> + “For myself, I have no plans,” the count said. “I am helpless, and must + for the present submit to whatever may befall me. That I will not renounce + the cause of my religion you may be sure; as for my wife, we know not yet + whether, when they remove me to the fortress, they will allow her to + accompany me or not. If they do, she will stay with me, but it is more + likely that they will not. The emperor is merciless to those who oppose + him. They will more likely keep her under their eye here or in Vienna. But + for ourselves we care little; our anxiety is for Thekla. It is through her + that they are striking us. You know what they have threatened if I do not + abandon the cause of Protestantism. Thekla is to be placed in a convent, + forced to become a Catholic, and married to the man on whom the emperor + may please to bestow my estates.” + </p> + <p> + “I would rather die, father, than become a Catholic,” Thekla exclaimed + firmly. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, dear!” the count said gently, “but it is not death you have to face; + with a fresh and unbroken spirit, it were comparatively easy to die, but + it needs an energy and a spirit almost superhuman to resist the pressure + which may be placed on those who are committed to a convent. The + hopelessness, the silence, the gloom, to say nothing of threats, menaces, + and constant and unremitting pressure, are sufficient to break down the + firmest resolution. The body becomes enfeebled, the nerves shattered, and + the power of resistance enfeebled. No, my darling, brave as you are in + your young strength, you could not resist the influence which would be + brought to bear upon you.” + </p> + <p> + “Then it is clear,” Malcolm said cheerfully, “that we must get your + daughter out of the clutches of the emperor and the nuns.” + </p> + <p> + “That is what I have thought over again and again as I have lain here + helpless, but I can see no means of doing so. We have no friends in the + city, and, could the child be got safely out of this place, there is + nowhere whither she could go.” + </p> + <p> + “And it is for that I have sent for you,” the countess said. “I knew that + if it were in any way possible you would contrive her escape and aid her + to carry it out.” + </p> + <p> + “Assuredly I will, my dear countess,” Malcolm said. “You only wanted a + friend outside, and now you have got one. I see no difficulty about it.” + </p> + <p> + At this moment the door suddenly opened; the waiting maid put in her head + and exclaimed, “The governor is alighting at the door.” Malcolm at once + seated himself at the side table and began oiling the wheels of the clock, + while the countess and Thekla took up their work again and seated + themselves, as before, by the couch of the count. A moment later the + attendant opened the door and in a loud voice announced the Baron of + Steinburg. + </p> + <p> + The governor as he entered cast a keen glance at Malcolm, and then bowing + ceremoniously approached the count and inquired after his health, and paid + the usual compliments to the countess. The count replied languidly that he + gained strength slowly, while the countess said quietly that he had slept + but badly and that his wound troubled him much. It was well for Thekla + that she was not obliged to take part in the conversation, for she would + have found it impossible to speak quietly and indifferently, for every + nerve was tingling with joy at Malcolm's last words. The prospect had + seemed so hopeless that her spirits had sunk to the lowest ebb. Her mother + had done her best to cheer her, but the count, weakened by pain and + illness, had all along taken the most gloomy view. He had told himself + that it was better for the girl to submit to her fate than to break her + heart like a wild bird beating out its life against the bars of its cage, + and he wished to show her that neither he nor the world would blame her + for yielding to the tremendous pressure which would be put upon her. + </p> + <p> + For himself, he would have died a thousand times rather than renounce his + faith; but he told himself that Thekla was but a child, that women cared + little for dogmas, and that she would learn to pray as sincerely in a + Catholic as in a Protestant church, without troubling her mind as to + whether there were gross abuses in the government of the church, in the + sale of absolutions, or errors in abstruse doctrines. But to Thekla it had + seemed impossible that she could become a Catholic. + </p> + <p> + The two religions stood in arms against each other; Catholics and + Protestants differed not only in faith but in politics. In all things they + were actively and openly opposed to each other, and the thought that she + might be compelled to abjure her faith was most terrible to the girl; and + she was firmly resolved that, so long as her strength lasted and her mind + was unimpaired, she would resist whatever pressure might be placed upon + her, and would yield neither to menaces, to solitary confinement, or even + to active cruelty. The prospect, however; had weighed heavily upon her + mind. Her father had appeared to consider any escape impossible; her + mother had said nothing of her hopes; and the words which Malcolm had + spoken, indicating something like a surety of freeing her from her + terrible position, filled her with surprise and delight. + </p> + <p> + “Whom have you here?” the governor asked, indicating Malcolm by a motion + of the head. + </p> + <p> + “It is a craftsman from Nuremberg. The clock had stopped, and the count, + with whom the hours pass but slowly, fretted himself at not being able to + count them; so I asked our attendant to bring hither a craftsman to put it + in order, first sending her with a note to you asking for permission for + him to come; as you were out your deputy signed the order.” + </p> + <p> + “He should not have done so,” the baron said shortly, “for the orders are + strict touching the entry of any here. However, as he has taken the clock + to pieces, he can put it together again.” So saying he went over to the + table where Malcolm was at work and stood for a minute or two watching + him. The manner in which Malcolm fitted the wheels into their places, + filing and oiling them wherever they did not run smoothly, satisfied him + that the youth was what he seemed. + </p> + <p> + “You are young to have completed your apprenticeship,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “It is expired but two months, sir,” Malcolm said, standing up + respectfully. + </p> + <p> + “Under whom did you learn your trade?” the governor asked; “for I have + been in Nuremberg and know most of the guild of clockmakers by name.” + </p> + <p> + “Under Jans Boerhoff, the syndic of the guild,” Malcolm replied. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” the baron said shortly; “and his shop is in—” + </p> + <p> + “The Cron Strasse,” Malcolm said promptly in answer to the implied + question. + </p> + <p> + Quite satisfied now, the baron turned away and conversed a few minutes + with the count, telling him that as the surgeon said he could now be + safely removed he would in three days be transferred to an apartment in + the fortress. + </p> + <p> + “Will the countess be permitted to accompany me?” the count asked. + </p> + <p> + “That I cannot tell you,” the baron replied. “We are expecting a messenger + with his majesty's orders on the subject tomorrow or next day. I have + already informed you that, in his solicitude for her welfare, his majesty + has been good enough to order that the young countess shall be placed in + the care of the lady superior of the Convent of St. Catherine.” + </p> + <p> + A few minutes later he left the room. Not a word was spoken in the room + until the sound of horse's hoofs without told that he had ridden off. + </p> + <p> + As the door closed the countess and Thekla had dropped their work and sat + anxiously awaiting the continuance of the conversation. The count was the + first to speak. + </p> + <p> + “How mean you, Malcolm? How think you it possible that Thekla can escape, + and where could she go?” + </p> + <p> + “I like not to make the proposal,” Malcolm said gravely, “nor under any + other circumstances should I think of doing so; but in a desperate + position desperate measures must be adopted. It is impossible that in your + present state you can escape hence, and the countess will not leave you; + but what is absolutely urgent is that your daughter should be freed from + the strait. Save myself you have no friends here; and therefore, count, if + she is to escape it must be through my agency and she must be committed + wholly to my care. I know it is a great responsibility; but if you and the + countess can bring yourselves to commit her to me I swear to you, as a + Scottish gentleman and a Protestant soldier, that I will watch over her as + a brother until I place her in all honour in safe hands.” + </p> + <p> + The count looked at the countess and at Thekla, who sat pale and still. + </p> + <p> + “We can trust you, Malcolm Graheme,” he said after a pause. “There are + few, indeed, into whose hands we would thus confide our daughter; but we + know you to be indeed, as you say, a Scottish gentleman and a Protestant + soldier. Moreover, we know you to be faithful, honourable, and true. + Therefore we will, seeing that there is no other mode of escape from the + fate which awaits her, confide her wholly to you. And now tell us what are + your plans?” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI FLIGHT + </h2> + <p> + “I THANK you, count, and you, dear lady,” Malcolm said gratefully, “for + the confidence you place in me, and will carry out my trust were it to + cost me my life. My plan is a simple one. The guard will be changed in + half an hour's time. I have brought hither a suit of boy's garments, which + I must pray the Countess Thekla to don, seeing that it will be impossible + for her to sally out in her own garb. I show my pass to the sentry, who + will deem that my companion entered with me, and is my apprentice, and + will suppose that, since the sentry who preceded him suffered him to enter + with me he may well pass him out without question. In the town I have a + wagon in readiness, and shall, disguised as a peasant, start with it this + evening. Thekla will be in the bottom covered with straw. We shall travel + all night. + </p> + <p> + “Tomorrow, when your attendant discovers that your daughter has escaped, + she will at once take the news to the governor. The sentries will all be + questioned, and it will be found that, whereas but one clockmaker came in + two went out. The city will be searched and the country round scoured but + if the horsemen overtake me they will be looking for a craftsman and his + apprentice, and will not suspect a solitary peasant with a wagon. + </p> + <p> + “The first danger over I must be guided by circumstances; but in any case + Thekla must travel as a boy to the end of the journey, for in such + troubled times as these it were unsafe indeed for a young girl to travel + through Germany except under a strong escort of men-at-arms. I design to + make my way to Nuremberg, and shall then place her in the hands of my good + friend Jans Boerhoff, whose wife and daughters will, I am sure, gladly + receive and care for her until the time, which I hope is not far off, that + peace be made and you can again rejoin her.” + </p> + <p> + “The plan is a good one,” the count said when Malcolm had concluded, “and + offers every prospect of success. 'Tis hazardous, but there is no escape + from such a strait as ours without risk. What say you, wife?” + </p> + <p> + “Assuredly I can think of nothing better. But what say you, Thekla? Are + you ready to run the risks, the danger, and the hardships of such a + journey under the protection only of this brave Scottish gentleman?” + </p> + <p> + “I am ready, mother,” Thekla said quickly, “but I wish—I wish”—and + she hesitated. + </p> + <p> + “You wish you could go in your own garments, Thekla, with jewels on your + fingers and a white horse to carry you on a pillion behind your + protector,” the count said with a smile, for his spirits had risen with + the hope of his daughter's escape from the peril in which she was placed. + “It cannot be, Thekla. Malcolm's plan must be carried out to the letter, + and I doubt not that you will pass well as a 'prentice boy. But your + mother must cut off that long hair of yours; I will keep it, my child, and + will stroke it often and often in my prison as I have done when it has + been on your head; your hair may be long again before I next see you.” + </p> + <p> + His eyes filled with tears as he spoke, and Thekla and the countess both + broke into a fit of crying. Leaving them by themselves, Malcolm returned + to his work, and in half an hour had replaced the machinery of the clock + and had set it in motion, while a tender conversation went on between the + count and countess and their daughter. By this time the sun had set, and + the attendant entered and lighted the candles in the apartment, saying, as + she placed one on the table by Malcolm, “You must need a light for your + work.” No sooner had she left the room than Malcolm said: + </p> + <p> + “I would not hurry your parting, countess, but the sooner we are off now + the better.” + </p> + <p> + Without a word the countess rose, and, taking the clothes which Malcolm + produced from his doublet, retired to her chamber, followed by Thekla. + </p> + <p> + “Malcolm Graheme,” the count said, “it may be that we shall not meet + again. The emperor is not tender with obstinate prisoners, and I have no + strength to support long hardships. Should aught happen to me I beseech + you to watch over the happiness of my child. Had she been a year older, + and had you been willing, I would now have solemnly betrothed her to you, + and should then have felt secure of her future whatever may befall me. + Methinks she will make a good wife, and though my estates may be forfeited + by the emperor her mother's lands will make a dowry such as many a German + noble would gladly accept with his wife. + </p> + <p> + “I might betroth her to you now, for many girls are betrothed at a far + younger age, but I would rather leave it as it is. You are young yet, and + she in most matters is but a child, and it would be better in every way + did she start on this adventure with you regarding you as a brother than + in any other light. Only remember that if we should not meet again, and + you in future years should seek the woman who is now a child as your wife, + you have my fullest approval and consent—nay, more, that it is my + dearest wish.” + </p> + <p> + “I thank you most deeply for what you have said, count,” Malcolm replied + gravely. “As I have seen your daughter growing up from a child I have + thought how sweet a wife she would make, but I have put the thought from + me, seeing that she is heiress to broad lands and I a Scottish soldier of + fortune, whose lands, though wide enough for me to live in comfort at + home, are yet but a mere farm in comparison with your broad estates. I + have even told myself that as she grew up I must no longer make long stays + in your castle, for it would be dishonourable indeed did I reward your + kindness and hospitality by winning the heart of your daughter; but after + what you have so generously said I need no longer fear my heart, and will, + when the time comes, proudly remind you of your promise. For this journey + I will put all such thoughts aside, and will regard Thekla as my merry + playfellow of the last three years. But after I have once placed her in + safety I shall thenceforward think of her as my wife who is to be, and + will watch over her safety as over my greatest treasure, trusting that in + some happy change of times and circumstances you yourself and the dear + countess, whom I already regard almost as my parents, will give her to + me.” + </p> + <p> + “So be it,” the count said solemnly. “My blessing on you both should I + ne'er see you again. I can meet whatever fate may be before me with + constancy and comfort now that her future is assured—but here they + come.” + </p> + <p> + The door opened, and the countess appeared, followed by Thekla, shrinking + behind her mother's skirts in her boyish attire. + </p> + <p> + “You will pass well,” the count said gravely, for he knew that jest now + would jar upon her. “Keep that cap well down over your eyes, and try and + assume a little more of the jaunty and impudent air of a boy. Fortunately + it will be dark below, and the sentry will not be able to mark how fair is + your skin and how delicate your hands. And now farewell, my child. Let us + not stand talking, for the quicker a parting is over the better. May God + in heaven bless you and keep you! Malcolm knows all my wishes concerning + you, and when I am not with you trust yourself to his advice and guidance + as you would to mine. There, my darling, do not break down. You must be + brave for all our sakes. Should the emperor hold me in durance your mother + will try and join you ere long at Nuremberg.” + </p> + <p> + While the count was embracing Thekla, as she bravely but in vain tried to + suppress her tears, the countess opened the door, and glanced into the + anteroom to see that all was clear and the attendant in her own apartment. + Then she returned, kissed her daughter fondly, and placed her hand in + Malcolm's, saying to the latter, “God bless you, dear friend! Take her + quickly away for her sake and ours.” One last adieu and Malcolm and Thekla + stood alone in the anteroom. + </p> + <p> + “Now, Thekla,” he said firmly, “be brave, the danger is at hand, and your + safety and escape from your fate, and my life, depend upon your calmness. + Do you carry this basket of tools and play your part as my apprentice. + Just as we open the door drop the basket and I will rate you soundly for + your carelessness. Keep your head down, and do not let the light which + swings over the door fall upon your face.” + </p> + <p> + For a minute or two Thekla stood struggling to master her emotions. Then + she said, in a quiet voice, “I am ready now,” and taking up the basket of + tools she followed Malcolm down the stairs. Malcolm opened the door, and + as he did so Thekla dropped the basket. + </p> + <p> + “How stupid you are!” Malcolm exclaimed sharply. “How often have I told + you to be careful! You don't suppose that those fine tools can stand being + knocked about in that way without injury? Another time an' you are so + careless I will give you a taste of the strap, you little rascal.” + </p> + <p> + “What is all this?” the sentry asked, barring the way with his pike, “and + who are you who are issuing from this house with so much noise? My orders + are that none pass out here without an order from the governor.” + </p> + <p> + “And such an order have I,” Malcolm said, producing the document. “There's + the governor's seal. I have been sent for to repair the clock in the Count + of Mansfeld's apartment, and a rare job it has been.” + </p> + <p> + The sentry was unable to read, but he looked at the seal which he had been + taught to recognize. + </p> + <p> + “But there is only one seal,” he said, “and there are two of you.” + </p> + <p> + “Pooh!” Malcolm said scornfully. “Dost think that when ten persons are + admitted to pass in together the governor puts ten seals on the pass? You + see for yourself that it is but a young boy, my apprentice. Why, the + governor himself left scarce an hour ago, and was in the apartment with me + while I was at work. Had it not been all right he would have hauled me to + the prison quickly enough.” + </p> + <p> + As the sentry knew that the governor had left but a short time before he + came on guard this convinced him, and, standing aside, he allowed Malcolm + and his companion to pass. Malcolm made his way first to the apartment he + had occupied, where he had already settled for his lodging. + </p> + <p> + Leaving Thekla below he ran upstairs, and hastily donned the suit of + peasant's clothes, and then making the others into a bundle descended + again, and with Thekla made his way to the quiet spot outside the city + gates where the wagon was standing ready for a start. He had already paid + the peasant half the sum agreed, and now handed him the remainder. + </p> + <p> + “I should scarce have known you,” the peasant said, examining Malcolm by + the light of his pinewood torch. “Why, you look like one of us instead of + a city craftsman.” + </p> + <p> + “I am going to astonish them when I get home,” Malcolm said, “and shall + make the old folks a present of the wagon. So I am going to arrive just as + I was when I left them.” + </p> + <p> + The peasant asked no farther questions, but, handing the torch to Malcolm, + and telling him that he would find half a dozen more in the wagon, he took + his way back to the town, where he intended to sleep in the stables and to + start at daybreak for his home. + </p> + <p> + He thought that the transaction was a curious one; but, as he had been + paid handsomely for his wagon, he troubled not his head about any mystery + there might be in the matter. As soon as he had gone Malcolm arranged the + straw in the bottom of the wagon so as to form a bed; but Thekla said that + for the present she would rather walk with him. + </p> + <p> + “It is weeks since I have been out, and I shall enjoy walking for a time; + besides, it is all so strange that I should have no chance to sleep were I + to lie down.” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm at once consented, and taking his place at the head of the oxen, + he started them, walking ahead to light the way and leading them by cords + passed through their nostrils. He had not the least fear of pursuit for + the present, for it had been arranged that the countess should inform + their attendant that Thekla was feeling unwell, and had retired to bed, + and the woman, whatever she might suspect, would take care not to verify + the statement, and it would be well on in the following morning before her + absence was discovered. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm tried his best to distract Thekla's thoughts from her parents, and + from the strange situation in which she was placed, and chatted to her of + the events of the war since he had last seen her, of the route which he + intended to adopt, and the prospects of peace. In two hours' time the + girl, unaccustomed to exercise, acknowledged that she was tired; she + therefore took her place in the wagon. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm covered her up with straw and threw some sacks lightly over her, + and then continued his journey. He travelled all night, and in the morning + stopped at a wayside inn, where his arrival at that hour excited no + surprise, as the peasants often travelled at night, because there was then + less chance of their carts being seized and requisitioned by the troops. + He only stopped a short time to water and feed the oxen, and to purchase + some black bread and cheese. This he did, not because he required it, for + he had an ample supply of provisions in the cart far more suited for + Thekla's appetite than the peasant's fare, but to act in the usual manner, + and so avoid any comment. Thekla was still asleep under the covering, + which completely concealed her. Malcolm journeyed on until two miles + further he came to a wood, then, drawing aside from the road, he unyoked + the oxen and allowed them to lie down, for they had already made a long + journey. Then he woke Thekla, who leaped up gaily on finding that it was + broad daylight. Breakfast was eaten, and after a four hours' halt they + resumed their way, Thekla taking her place in the wagon again, and being + carefully covered up in such a manner that a passerby would not suspect + that anyone was lying under the straw and sacks at one end of the wagon. + Just at midday Malcolm heard the trampling of horses behind him and saw a + party of cavalry coming along at full gallop. The leader drew rein when he + overtook the wagon. + </p> + <p> + “Have you seen anything,” he asked Malcolm, “of two seeming craftsmen, a + man and a boy, journeying along the road?” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm shook his head. “I have seen no one on foot since I started an + hour since.” + </p> + <p> + Without a word the soldiers went on. They had no reason, indeed, for + believing that those for whom they were in search had taken that + particular road. As soon as Thekla's disappearance had been discovered by + the waiting woman she had hurried to the governor, and with much + perturbation and many tears informed him that the young countess was + missing, and that her couch had not been slept on. The governor had at + once hurried to the spot. The count and countess resolutely refused to + state what had become of their daughter. + </p> + <p> + The sentries had all been strictly questioned, and it was found that the + mender of clocks had, when he left, been accompanied by an apprentice whom + the sentry previously on duty asserted had not entered with him. The woman + was then closely questioned; she asserted stoutly that she knew nothing + whatever of the affair. The count had commissioned her to obtain a + craftsman to set the clock in order, and she had bethought her of a young + man whose acquaintance she had made some time previously, and who had + informed her in the course of conversation that he had come from + Nuremberg, and was a clockmaker by trade, and was at present out of work. + She had met him, she said, on several occasions, and as he was a pleasant + youth and comely, when he had spoken to her of marriage she had not been + averse, now it was plain he had deceived her; and here she began to cry + bitterly and loudly. + </p> + <p> + Her story seemed probable enough, for any friend of the count who had + intended to carry off his daughter would naturally have begun by + ingratiating himself with her attendant. She was, however, placed in + confinement for a time. The count and countess were at once removed to the + fortress. Orders were given that the town should be searched thoroughly, + and any person answering to the description which the governor was able to + give of the supposed clockmaker should be arrested, while parties of horse + were despatched along all the roads with orders to arrest and bring to + Prague any craftsman or other person accompanied by a young boy whom they + might overtake by the way. Several innocent peasants with their sons were + pounced upon on the roads and hauled to Prague; but no news was obtained + of the real fugitives, who quietly pursued their way undisturbed further + by the active search which was being made for them. The anger of the + emperor when he heard of the escape of the prize he had destined for one + of his favourite officers was extreme. He ordered the count to be treated + with the greatest rigour, and declared all his estates and those of his + wife forfeited, the latter part of the sentence being at present + inoperative, her estates being in a part of the country far beyond the + range of the Imperialist troops. The waiting maid was after some weeks' + detention released, as there was no evidence whatever of her complicity in + the affair. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm continued his journey quietly towards the frontier of Bavaria; + but, on arriving at a small town within a few miles of Pilsen, he learned + that Wallenstein had fallen back with his army to that place. Much alarmed + at the news he determined to turn off by a cross road and endeavour to + avoid the Imperialists. He had not, however, left the place before a party + of Imperialist horse rode in. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm was at once stopped, and was told that he must accompany the + troops to Pilsen, as they had orders to requisition all carts for the + supply of provisions for the army. Malcolm knew that it was of no use to + remonstrate, but, with many loud grumblings at his hard lot, he moved to + the marketplace, where he remained until all the wagons in the place and + in the surrounding country had been collected. + </p> + <p> + Loud and bitter were the curses which the peasants uttered at finding + themselves taken from their homes and compelled to perform service for + which the pay, if received at all, would be scanty in the extreme. There + was, however, no help for it; and when all were collected they started in + a long procession guarded by the cavalry for Pilsen. On arriving there + they were ordered to take up their station with the great train of wagons + collected for the supply of the army. + </p> + <p> + Thekla had from her hiding place heard the conversation, and was greatly + alarmed at finding that they were again in the power of the Imperialists. + No one, however, approached the wagon, and it was not until darkness had + set in that she heard Malcolm's voice whispering to her to arise quietly. + </p> + <p> + “We must leave the wagon; it will be impossible for you to remain + concealed here longer, for tomorrow I may be sent out to bring in + supplies. For the present we must remain in Pilsen. The whole country will + be scoured by the troops, and it will not be safe to traverse the roads. + Here in Pilsen no one will think of looking for us. + </p> + <p> + “Wallenstein's headquarters are the last place where we should be + suspected of hiding, and you may be sure that, however close the search + may be elsewhere, the governor of Prague will not have thought of + informing Wallenstein of an affair so foreign to the business of war as + the escape from the emperor's clutches of a young lady. I have donned my + craftsman dress again, and we will boldly seek for lodgings.” + </p> + <p> + They soon entered the town, which was crowded with troops, searching about + in the poorer quarters. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm presently found a woman who agreed to let him two rooms. He + accounted for his need for the second room by saying that his young + brother was ill and needed perfect rest and quiet, and that the filing and + hammering which was necessary in his craft prevented the lad from + sleeping. As Malcolm agreed at once to the terms she asked for the rooms, + the woman accepted his statement without doubt. They were soon lodged in + two attics at the top of the house, furnished only with a table, two + chairs, and a truckle bed in each; but Malcolm was well contented with the + shelter he had found. + </p> + <p> + Seeing that it would be extremely difficult at present to journey further, + he determined to remain some little time in the town, thinking that he + might be able to carry out the instructions which he had received from + Colonel Munro, and to obtain information as to the plans of Wallenstein + and the feelings of the army. + </p> + <p> + “You will have to remain a prisoner here, Thekla, I am afraid, almost as + strictly as at Prague, for it would not do to risk the discovery that you + are a girl by your appearing in the streets in daylight, and after dark + the streets of the town, occupied by Wallenstein's soldiers, are no place + for any peaceful persons. + </p> + <p> + “I may as well be here as at Nuremberg,” Thekla said, “and as I shall have + you with me instead of being with strangers, the longer we stay here the + better.” + </p> + <p> + The next morning Malcolm sallied out into the town to see if he could find + employment. There was, however, but one clockmaker in Pilsen, and the war + had so injured his trade that he had discharged all his journeymen, for + clocks were still comparatively rare luxuries, and were only to be seen in + the houses of nobles and rich citizens. Knowing that Wallenstein was + devoted to luxury and magnificence, always taking with him, except when + making the most rapid marches, a long train of baggage and furniture, + Malcolm thought it possible that he might obtain some employment in his + apartments. He accordingly went boldly to the castle where the duke had + established himself, and, asking for his steward, stated that he was a + clockmaker from the workshop of the celebrated horologist, Master Jans + Boerhoff, and could repair any clocks or watches that might be out of + order. + </p> + <p> + “Then you are the very man we need,” the steward said. “My master, the + duke, is curious in such matters, and ever carries with him some half + dozen clocks with his other furniture; and, use what care I will in + packing them, the shaking of the wagons is constantly putting them out of + repair. It was but this morning the duke told me to bring a craftsman, if + one capable of the work could be found in the town, and to get the clocks + put in order, for it displeases him if they do not all keep the time to + the same minute. Follow me.” + </p> + <p> + He led the way into the private apartments of the duke. These were + magnificently furnished, the walls being covered with rich velvet + hangings. Thick carpets brought from the East covered the floors. Indeed, + in point of luxury and magnificence, Wallenstein kept up a state far + surpassing that of his Imperial master. + </p> + <p> + There were several clocks standing on tables and on brackets, for + Wallenstein, although in most respects of a clear and commanding + intellect, was a slave to superstition. He was always accompanied by an + astrologer, who read for him the course of events from the movements of + the stars, who indicated the lucky and unlucky days, and the hours at + which it was not propitious to transact important business. Hence it was + that he placed so great an importance on the exact observance of the hour + by his numerous time pieces. + </p> + <p> + “Here are some of the clocks,” the steward said, indicating them. “Of + course you cannot work here, and they are too heavy to be removed, besides + being too costly to intrust out of my charge, I will have a room prepared + in the castle where you can work. Come again at noon with your tools, and + all shall be in readiness.” + </p> + <p> + At the hour appointed Malcolm again presented himself. + </p> + <p> + “The duke has given personal instructions,” he said, “that a closet close + by shall be fitted up for you, in order that he himself if he chooses may + see you at work.” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm was conducted to a small room near at hand. Here one of the clocks + which had stopped had been placed on the table, and he at once set to + work. He soon discovered that one of the wheels had been shaken from its + place by the jolting of the wagons, and that the clock could be set going + by a few minutes work. As, however, his object was to prolong his visit to + the castle as long as possible, he set to work and took it entirely to + pieces. Two hours later the door opened and a tall handsome man of + commanding presence entered. Malcolm rose and bowed respectfully, feeling + that he was in the presence of the great general. + </p> + <p> + “You come from Nuremberg,” Wallenstein said, “as I am told, and have + learned your craft in the workshop of Master Jans Boerhoff, who is well + known as being the greatest master of his craft.” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm bowed silently. + </p> + <p> + “It is strange,” Wallenstein muttered to himself, “that this young man's + destiny should be connected with mine; and yet the astrologer said that he + who should present himself at the castle nearest to the stroke of nine + this morning would be a factor in my future, and, as my steward tells me, + the clock sounded nine as this young man addressed him.” He then asked + Malcolm several questions as to the work upon which he was engaged, and + then said abruptly: “Dost know the day and hour on which you were born?” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm was somewhat surprised at the question, for he had not heard the + muttered words of Wallenstein, but he at once replied that he had heard + that he was born at the stroke of midnight on the last day in the year. + </p> + <p> + The duke said no more, but left the closet and proceeded at once to an + apartment near his own bed chamber, which, although he had arrived but a + few hours previously, had already been fitted up for the use of his + astrologer. The walls were hidden by a plain hanging of scarlet cloth; a + large telescope stood at the window, a chart of the heavens was spread out + on the table, and piles of books stood beside it. On the ceiling the signs + of the zodiac had been painted, and some mystical circles had been marked + out on the floor. A tall spare old man with a long white beard was seated + at the table. He rose when Wallenstein entered. + </p> + <p> + “I cannot but think,” the duke said, “that your calculations must for once + have been mistaken, and that there must have been an error in the hour, + for I see not how the destiny of this craftsman, who seems to be a simple + lad, can in any way be connected with mine.” + </p> + <p> + “I have made the calculation three times, your grace,” the old man + replied, “and am sure there is no error.” + </p> + <p> + “He was born,” Wallenstein said, “at midnight on December 31st, 1613. Work + out his nativity, and see what stars were in the ascendant, and whether + there are any affinities between us.” + </p> + <p> + “I will do so at once,” the astrologer said; “by tonight I shall be able + to give your grace the information you require.” + </p> + <p> + “Tonight,” the duke said, “we will go over your calculations together as + to our great enterprise. It is all important that there should be no + mistake. I have for a whole year remained inactive because you told me + that the time had not yet come, and now that you say the propitious moment + is approaching would fain be sure that no error has been committed. All + seems well, the troops are devoted to me, and will fight against + whomsoever I bid them. By lavish gifts and favours I have attached all my + generals firmly to me, and soon this ungrateful emperor shall feel how + rash and foolish he has been to insult the man to whom alone he owes it + that he was not long ago a fugitive and an exile, with the Swedes + victorious masters of his capital and kingdom. + </p> + <p> + “Have not I alone saved him? Did not I at my own cost raise an army and + stand between him and the victorious Gustavus? Have not I alone of all his + generals checked the triumphant progress of the invaders? And yet he + evades all his promises, he procrastinates and falters. Not one step does + he take to give me the sovereignty of Bohemia which he so solemnly + promised me, and seems to think that it is honour and reward enough for me + to have spent my treasure and blood in his service. But my turn is at + hand, and when the hand which saved his throne shall cast him from it he + will learn how rash he has been to have deceived and slighted me. And you + say that the stars last night all pointed to a favourable conjunction, and + that the time for striking the great blow is at hand?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing could be better,” the astrologer said; “Jupiter, your own planet, + and Mars are in the ascendant. Saturn is still too near them to encourage + instant action, but he will shortly remove to another house and then your + time will have come.” + </p> + <p> + “So be it,” Wallenstein said, “and the sooner the better. Now I will leave + you to your studies, and will ride out to inspect the troops, and to see + that they have all that they need, for they must be kept in the best of + humours at present.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII THE CONSPIRACY + </h2> + <p> + The next day Wallenstein again entered Malcolm's workroom and said + abruptly to him: “What deeds of bravery have you performed?” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm looked astonished. + </p> + <p> + “In an idle moment,” the duke said, “having an interest in nativities and + seeing that you were born between two years, I asked my astrologer to work + out the calculations. He tells me that it was fated that you should + perform deeds of notable bravery while still young. It seemed the + horoscope of a soldier rather than of a craftsman, and so I told the sage; + but he will have it that he has made no mistake.” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm hesitated for a moment; the blind faith which the otherwise + intelligent and capable general placed in the science of astrology was + well known to the world. Should he deny that he had accomplished any + feats, the duke, believing implicitly the statement which his astrologer + had made him, would suspect that he was not what he seemed; he therefore + replied modestly, “I have done no deeds worthy relating to your + excellency, but I once swam across a swollen river to direct some + travellers who would otherwise have perished, and my neighbours were good + enough to say that none in those parts save myself would have attempted + such a feat.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” the duke exclaimed in a tone of satisfaction, “as usual the stars + have spoken correctly. Doubtless as great courage is required to swim a + river in flood as to charge into the ranks of the enemy.” + </p> + <p> + So saying Wallenstein left the room, filled with a desire to attach to + himself the young man whom his adviser had assured him was in some way + connected with his destiny. Wallenstein a day or two later offered Malcolm + to take him into his permanent service, saying that he was frequently + plagued by the stoppages of his clocks, and desired to have a craftsman + capable of attending to them on his establishment. He even told the young + man that he might expect promotion altogether beyond his present station. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm could not refuse so flattering an offer, and was at once installed + as a member of Wallenstein's household, declining however the use of the + apartment which the steward offered him, saying that he had a sick brother + lodging with him in the town. Mingling with the soldiers in the evenings + Malcolm learned that there were rumours that negotiations for peace were + going on with Saxony and Sweden. This was indeed the case, but Wallenstein + was negotiating on his own behalf, and not on that of the emperor. So far + but little had come of these negotiations, for Oxenstiern had the + strongest doubts of Wallenstein's sincerity, and believed that he was only + trying to gain time and delay operations by pretended proposals for peace. + He could not believe that the great Imperialist general, the right hand of + the emperor, had any real intention of turning against his master. Towards + the end of January there was some excitement in Pilsen owing to the + arrival there of all the generals of the Imperialist army save only + Gallas, Coloredo, and Altringer. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm was sure that such a gathering could only have been summoned by + Wallenstein upon some matter of the most vital importance, and he + determined at all hazards to learn what was taking place, in order that he + might enlighten Oxenstiern as to the real sentiments of the duke. Learning + that the principal chamber in the castle had been cleared, and that a + meeting of the officers would take place there in the evening, he told + Thekla when he went home to his meal at midday that she must not be + surprised if he did not return until a late hour. He continued his work + until nearly six o'clock, the time at which the meeting was to begin, and + then extinguishing his light, he made his way through the passages of the + castle until he reached the council chamber, meeting with no interruption + from the domestics, who were by this time familiar with his person, and + who regarded him as one rising in favour with their master. He waited in + the vicinity of the chamber until he saw an opportunity for entering + unobserved, then he stole into the room and secreted himself behind the + arras beneath a table standing against the wall, and where, being in + shadow, the bulge in the hanging would not attract attention. + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes he heard heavy steps with the clanking of swords and + jingling of spurs, and knew that the council was beginning to assemble. + The hum of conversation rose louder and louder for a quarter of an hour; + then he heard the door of the apartment closed, and knew that the council + was about to commence. The buzz of conversation ceased, and then a voice, + which was that of Field Marshal Illo, one of the three men in + Wallenstein's confidence, rose in the silence. He began by laying before + the army the orders which the emperor had sent for its dispersal to + various parts of the country, and by the turn he gave to these he found it + easy to excite the indignation of the assembly. + </p> + <p> + He then expatiated with much eloquence upon the merits of the army and its + generals, and upon the ingratitude with which the emperor had treated them + after their noble efforts in his behalf. The court, he said, was governed + by Spanish influence. The ministry were in the pay of Spain. Wallenstein + alone had hitherto opposed this tyranny, and had thus drawn upon himself + the deadly enmity of the Spaniards. To remove him from the command, or to + make away with him entirely, had, he asserted, been long the end of their + desires, and until they could succeed they endeavoured to abridge his + power in the field. The supreme command was to be placed in the hands of + the King of Hungary solely to promote the Spanish power in Germany, as + this prince was merely the passive instrument of Spain. + </p> + <p> + It was only with the view of weakening the army that six thousand troops + were ordered to be detached from it, and solely to harass it by a winter + campaign that they were now called upon at this inhospitable season to + undertake the recovery of Ratisbon. The Jesuits and the ministry enriched + themselves with the treasure wrung from the provinces, and squandered the + money intended for the pay of the troops. + </p> + <p> + The general, then, abandoned by the court, was forced to acknowledge his + inability to keep his engagements to the army. For all the services which + for two-and-twenty years he had rendered to the house of Austria, in + return for all the difficulties with which he had struggled, for all the + treasures of his own which he had expended in the Imperial service, a + second disgraceful dismissal awaited him. But he was resolved the matter + should not come to this; he was determined voluntarily to resign the + command before it should be wrested from his hands, “and this,” continued + the speaker, “is what he has summoned you here to make known to you, and + what he has commissioned me to inform you.” + </p> + <p> + It was now for them to say whether they would permit him to leave them; it + was for each man present to consider who was to repay him the sums he had + expended in the emperor's service; how he was ever to reap the rewards for + his bravery and devotion, when the chief who alone was cognizant of their + efforts, who was their sole advocate and champion, was removed from them. + </p> + <p> + When the speaker concluded a loud cry broke from all the officers that + they would not permit Wallenstein to be taken from them. Then a babel of + talk arose, and after much discussion four of the officers were appointed + as a deputation to wait upon the duke to assure him of the devotion of the + army, and to beg him not to withdraw himself from them. The four officers + intrusted with the commission left the room and repaired to the private + chamber of the general. They returned in a short time, saying that the + duke refused to yield. + </p> + <p> + Another deputation was sent to pray him in even stronger terms to remain + with them. These returned with the news that Wallenstein had reluctantly + yielded to their request; but upon the condition that each of them should + give a written promise to truly and firmly adhere to him, neither to + separate or to allow himself to be separated from him, and to shed his + last drop of blood in his defence. Whoever should break this covenant, so + long as Wallenstein should employ the army in the emperor's service, was + to be regarded as a perfidious traitor and to be treated by the rest as a + common enemy. + </p> + <p> + As these last words appeared to indicate clearly that Wallenstein had no + thought of assuming a position hostile to the emperor, or of defying his + authority, save in the point of refusing to be separated from his army, + all present agreed with acclamations to sign the documents required. + </p> + <p> + “Then, gentlemen,” Marshal Illo said, “I will have the document for your + signatures at once drawn up. A banquet has been prepared in the next room, + of which I invite you now all to partake, and at its conclusion the + document shall be ready.” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm from his hiding place heard the general movement as the officers + left the apartment, and looking cautiously out from beneath the arras, saw + that the chamber was entirely empty. He determined, however, to remain and + to hear the conclusion of the conference. He accordingly remained quiet + for upwards of an hour. During this time the attendants had entered and + extinguished the lights, as the guests would not return to the council + chamber. + </p> + <p> + He now left his hiding place and made his way to the door which separated + him from the banqueting hall. Listening intently at the keyhole, he heard + the clinking of glasses and the sound of voices loudly raised, and he + guessed that the revelry was at its height. More and more noisy did it + become, for Marshal Illo was plying his guests with wine in order that + they might sign without examination the document which he had prepared for + their signatures. Feeling confident that none would hear him in the state + at which they had now arrived, Malcolm cautiously opened the door an inch + or two, and was able to hear and see all that passed. + </p> + <p> + It was another hour before Marshal Illo produced the document and passed + it round for signature. Many of those to whom it was handed signed it at + once without reading the engagement; but one more sober than the rest + insisted on reading it through, and at once rising to his feet, announced + to the others that the important words “as long as Wallenstein shall + employ the army for the emperor's service,” which had been inserted in the + first draft agreed to by Wallenstein and the deputation, had been omitted. + </p> + <p> + A scene of noisy confusion ensued. Several of the officers declared that + they would not sign the document as it stood. General Piccolomini, who had + only attended the meeting in order that he might inform the emperor, to + whom he was devoted, of what took place there, had drunk so much wine that + he forgot the part he was playing, and rose to his feet and with drunken + gravity proposed the health of the emperor. + </p> + <p> + Louder and louder grew the din of tongues until Count Terzky, who was + alone with Illo and Colonel Kinsky in Wallenstein's confidence, arose, and + in a thundering voice declared that all were perjured villains who should + recede from their engagement, and would, according to their agreements be + treated as enemies by the rest. His menaces and the evident danger which + any who might now draw back would run, overcame the scruples of the + recalcitrants, and all signed the paper. This done the meeting broke up, + and Malcolm, stealing away from his post of observation, made his way back + to his lodgings. + </p> + <p> + He slept little that night. What he had seen convinced him that + Wallenstein was really in earnest in the propositions which he had made to + Oxenstiern and the Elector of Saxony, and that he meditated an open + rebellion against the emperor. It was of extreme importance that + Oxenstiern should be made acquainted with these facts; but it would be + next to impossible to escape from Pilsen, burdened as he was with Thekla, + and to cross the country which intervened between the two armies and which + was constantly traversed by cavalry parties and scouts of both sides. + </p> + <p> + After much deliberation, therefore, he determined upon the bold course of + frankly informing Wallenstein who he was and what he had heard, and to beg + of him to furnish him with an escort to pass through the lines in order + that he might make his way with all speed to Oxenstiern in order to assure + him of the good faith of the duke and of the importance of his frankly and + speedily accepting his proposals. It was possible, of course, that he + might fall a victim to Wallenstein's first anger when he found out that he + had been duped, and the plot in which he was engaged discovered; but he + resolved to run the risk, believing that the duke would see the advantage + to be gained by complying with his proposal. + </p> + <p> + It was necessary, however, to prepare Thekla for the worst. + </p> + <p> + “Thekla,” he said in the morning, “an end has come to our stay here. + Circumstances have occurred which will either enable us to continue our + journey at once and in safety or which may place me in a prison.” + </p> + <p> + Thekla gave a cry of surprise and terror. “I do not think, my dear girl,” + Malcolm went on, “that there is much fear of the second alternative, but + we must be prepared for it. You must obey my instructions implicitly. + Should I not return by nightfall you will know that for a time at least I + have been detained. You will tell the woman of the house, who is aware + that I am employed by Wallenstein, that I have been sent by him to examine + and set in order the clocks in his palace in Vienna in readiness for his + return there, but that as you were too unwell to travel I have bade you + remain here until I return to fetch you. + </p> + <p> + “You have an ample supply of money even without the purse of gold which + the duke presented to me yesterday. You must remain here quietly until the + spring, when the tide of war is sure to roll away to some other quarter, + and I trust that, long ere that, even should I be detained, I shall be + free to come to you again; but if not, do you then despatch this letter + which I have written for you to Jans Boerhoff. In this I tell him where + you are, in order that, if your mother comes to him asking for you, or + your parents are able to write to him to inquire for you, he may inform + them of your hiding place. I have also written you a letter to the + commander of any Swedish force which may enter this town, telling him who + you are, and praying him to forward you under an escort to Nuremberg.” + </p> + <p> + “But what shall I do without you?” Thekla sobbed. + </p> + <p> + “I trust, my dear, that you will not have to do without me, and feel + convinced that tomorrow we shall be upon our way to the Swedish outposts. + I only give you instructions in case of the worst. It troubles me terribly + that I am forced to do anything which may possibly deprive you of my + protection, but my duty to the country I serve compels me to take this + step, which is one of supreme importance to our cause.” + </p> + <p> + It was long before Thekla was pacified, and Malcolm himself was deeply + troubled at the thought that the girl might be left alone and unprotected + in a strange place. Still there appeared every probability that she would + be able to remain there in safety until an opportunity should occur for + her to make her way to Nuremberg. It was with a heavy heart, caused far + more by the thought of Thekla's position than of danger to himself, that + he took his way to the castle; but he felt that his duty was imperative, + and was at heart convinced that Wallenstein would eagerly embrace his + offer. + </p> + <p> + It was not until midday that he was able to see the duke. Wallenstein had + been greatly angered as well as alarmed at the resistance which his scheme + had met with on the previous evening. He had believed that his favours and + liberality had so thoroughly attached his generals to his person that they + would have followed him willingly and without hesitation, even in a war + against the emperor, and the discovery that, although willing to support + him against deprivation from his command, they shrunk alarmed at the idea + of disloyalty to the emperor, showed that his position was dangerous in + the extreme. + </p> + <p> + He found that the signatures to the document had for the most part been + scrawled so illegibly that the writers would be able to repudiate them if + necessary, and that deceit was evidently intended. In the morning he + called together the whole of the generals, and personally received them. + After pouring out the bitterest reproaches and abuse against the court, he + reminded them of their opposition to the proposition set before them on + the previous evening, and declared that this circumstance had induced him + to retract his own promise, and that he should at once resign his command. + </p> + <p> + The generals, in confusion and dismay, withdrew to the antechamber, and + after a short consultation returned to offer their apologies for their + conduct on the previous evening and to offer to sign anew the engagement + which bound them to him. This was done, and it now remained only for + Wallenstein to obtain the adhesion of Gallas, Altringer, and Coloredo, + which, as they held important separate commands, was necessary for the + success of his plan. Messengers were accordingly sent out at once to + request them to come instantly to Pilsen. + </p> + <p> + After this business was despatched and Wallenstein was disengaged he was + informed that Malcolm desired earnestly to speak to him on particular + business. Greatly surprised at the request, he ordered that he should be + shown in to him. + </p> + <p> + “Your excellency,” Malcolm began when they were alone, “what I am about to + say may anger you, but as I trust that much advantage may arise from my + communication, I implore you to restrain your anger until you hear me to + the end, after which it will be for you to do with me as you will.” + </p> + <p> + Still more surprised at this commencement, Wallenstein signed to him to + continue. + </p> + <p> + “I am, sir,” Malcolm went on, “no clockmaker, although, indeed, having + worked for some time in the shop of Master Jans Boerhoff at the time of + the siege of Nuremberg, I am able to set clocks and watches in repair, as + I have done to those which have been placed in my hands here. In reality, + sir, I am a Scottish officer, a captain in the service of Sweden.” + </p> + <p> + Wallenstein gave a short exclamation of angry surprise. “You must not + think, sir, that I have come hither in disguise to be a spy upon the + movements of your army. I came here unwillingly, being captured by your + troops, and forced to accompany them. + </p> + <p> + “I left the Swedish camp on a private mission, having received there a + missive from the Countess of Mansfeld, who, with her husband, was a kind + friend of mine, telling me that they were prisoners of the emperor at + Prague, and begging me to come to their assistance. Bethinking me of the + occupation which had amused my leisure hours during the weary months when + we were shut up by you in Nuremberg, I obtained leave of absence, attired + myself as a craftsman, and made my way to Prague. There I found the count + confined to his couch by a wound and unable to move. The countess had no + thought of quitting him. Her anxiety was wholly for her daughter, a girl + of fifteen, whom the emperor purposed to shut up in a convent and force to + change her religion, and then to bestow her hand upon one of his + favourites, with her father's confiscated estates as her dowry. + </p> + <p> + “I succeeded in effecting her escape, disguised as a boy; I myself + travelling in the disguise of a peasant with a wagon. We were making our + way towards the Swedish lines when we came across your army, which had, + unknown to me, suddenly moved hither. I and my cart were requisitioned for + the service of the army. On the night of my arrival here I resumed my + disguise as a craftsman, left my wagon, and with my young companion took + up my lodging here, intending to remain quietly working at the craft I + assumed until an opportunity offered for continuing our journey. Accident + obtained me employment here, and as rumour said that overtures for peace + were passing between yourself and the Swedish chancellor, I may frankly + say that I determined to use the position in which I accidentally found + myself for the benefit of the country I served, by ascertaining, if I + could, how far your excellency was in earnest as to the offers you were + making. In pursuance of that plan I yesterday concealed myself and + overheard all that passed in the council chamber with the officers, and at + the banquet subsequently.” + </p> + <p> + Wallenstein leapt to his feet with an angry exclamation. + </p> + <p> + “Your excellency will please to remember,” Malcolm went on quietly, “that + I could have kept all this to myself and used it to the benefit or + detriment of your excellency, but it seemed to me that I should benefit at + once your designs and the cause I serve by frankly acquainting you with + what I have discovered. It would be a work of time for me to make my way + with my companion through the lines of your army and to gain those of the + Swedes. I might be slain in so doing and the important information I have + acquired lost. + </p> + <p> + “It is of all things important to you that the Swedish chancellor, whose + nature is cautious and suspicious, should be thoroughly convinced that it + is your intention to make common cause with him and to join him heart and + soul in forcing the emperor to accept the conditions which you and he + united may impose upon him. This the information I have acquired will + assuredly suffice to do, and he will, without doubt, at once set his army + in motion to act in concert with yours.” + </p> + <p> + Wallenstein paced the room for a minute or two in silence. + </p> + <p> + “The stars truly said that you are a brave man and that your destiny is + connected with mine,” he said at length, “for assuredly none but a brave + man would venture to tell me that he had spied into my councils. I see, + however, that what you say is reasonable and cogent, and that the news you + have to tell may well induce Oxenstiern to lay aside the doubts which have + so long kept us asunder and at once to embrace my offer. What, then, do + you propose?” + </p> + <p> + “I would ask, sir,” Malcolm replied, “that you would at once order a + squadron of horse to escort me and my companion through the debatable land + between your army and that of the Swedes, with orders for us to pass + freely on as soon as we are beyond your outposts and in the neighbourhood + of those of the Swedes.” + </p> + <p> + “It shall be done,” Wallenstein said. “In half an hour a squadron of horse + shall be drawn up in the courtyard here, and a horse and pillion in + readiness for yourself and the maiden. In the meantime I will myself + prepare a letter for you to present to the Swedish chancellor with fresh + proposals for common action.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIII THE MURDER OF WALLENSTEIN + </h2> + <p> + Malcolm hurried back to his lodging, where he was received with a cry of + delight from Thekla, who had passed the time since he had left her on her + knees praying for his safety. He told her at once that she was about to be + restored to safety among friends, that her troubles were at an end, and + she was again to resume her proper garments which she had brought with her + in the basket containing his tools at the time of her flight. + </p> + <p> + A few minutes sufficed to make the change, and then she accompanied + Malcolm to the castle. Wallenstein's orders had been rapidly carried out; + a squadron of cavalry were formed up in the courtyard, and in front of + them an attendant held a horse with a pillion behind the saddle. Malcolm + lifted Thekla on to the pillion and sprang into the saddle in front of + her. One of Wallenstein's household handed a letter to him and then gave + him into the charge of the officer commanding the squadron, who had + already received his orders. The officer at once gave the word and rode + from the castle followed by the cavalry. + </p> + <p> + As soon as they were out of the town the pace was quickened, and the + cavalcade proceeded at a trot which was kept up with few intermissions + until nightfall, by which time twenty miles had been covered. They halted + for the night in a small town where the soldiers were billeted on the + inhabitants, comfortable apartments being assigned to Malcolm and his + charge. + </p> + <p> + Soon after daybreak the journey was continued. A sharp watch was now kept + up, as at any moment parties of the Swedish cavalry making a raid far in + advance of their lines might be met with. No such adventure happened, and + late in the afternoon the troop halted on the crest of a low hill. + </p> + <p> + “Here,” the officer said, “we part. That town which you see across the + river is held by the Swedes, and you will certainly meet with no + molestation from any of our side as you ride down to it.” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm thanked the officer for the courtesy he had shown him on the + journey, and then rode forward towards the town. It was getting dusk as he + neared the bridge, but as he came close Malcolm's heart gave a bound as he + recognized the green scarves and plumes worn by the sentries at the + bridge. These seeing only a single horseman with a female behind him did + not attempt to question him as he passed; but he reined in his horse. + </p> + <p> + “Whose regiment do you belong to?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + The men looked up in surprise at being addressed in their own language by + one whose attire was that of a simple craftsman, but whom they now saw + rode a horse of great strength and beauty. + </p> + <p> + “We belong to Hamilton's regiment,” they replied. + </p> + <p> + “And where shall I find that of Munro?” + </p> + <p> + “It is lying in quarters fifteen miles away,” one of the soldiers + answered. + </p> + <p> + “Then we cannot get on there tonight,” Malcolm said. “Where are your + officers quartered?” + </p> + <p> + A soldier standing near at once volunteered to act as guide, and in a few + minutes Malcolm arrived at the house occupied by them. He was of course + personally known to all the officers, and as soon as their surprise at his + disguise and at seeing him accompanied by a young lady had subsided, they + received him most heartily. + </p> + <p> + Thekla was at once taken to the house of the burgomaster, which was close + at hand, and handed over to the wife of that functionary for the night, + and Malcolm spent a merry evening with the Scottish officers, to whom he + related the adventures which had so satisfactorily terminated—making, + however, no allusion to the political secrets which he had discovered or + the mission with which he was charged. He was soon furnished from the + wardrobes of the officers with a suit of clothes, and although his + craftsman attire had served him well he was glad to don again the uniform + of the Scottish brigade. + </p> + <p> + “You have cut your narrative strangely short at the end, Graheme,” Colonel + Hamilton said when Malcolm brought his story to a conclusion. “How did you + get away from Pilsen at last, and from whom did you steal that splendid + charger on whom you rode up to the door?” + </p> + <p> + “That is not my own secret, colonel, and I can only tell you at present + that Wallenstein himself gave it to me.” + </p> + <p> + A roar of incredulous laughter broke from the officers round the table. + </p> + <p> + “A likely story indeed, Graheme; the duke was so fascinated with your + talents as a watchmaker that he bestowed a charger fit for his own riding + upon you to carry you across into our lines.” + </p> + <p> + “It does not sound likely, I grant you,” Malcolm said, “but it is true, as + you will acknowledge when the time comes that there will be no longer any + occasion for me to keep the circumstances secret. I only repeat, + Wallenstein gave me the honour of an escort which conducted me to the + crest of the hill two miles away, where, if your sentries and outposts had + been keeping their eyes open, they might have seen them.” + </p> + <p> + It was late before the party broke up, but soon after daylight Malcolm was + again in the saddle, and with Thekla as before on the pillion he continued + his journey, and in three hours reached the town where his regiment was + quartered. + </p> + <p> + Alighting at the door of the colonel's quarters, he led Thekla to his + apartments. The colonel received him with the greatest cordiality and + welcomed Thekla with a kindness which soon put her at her ease, for now + that the danger was past she was beginning to feel keenly the strangeness + of her position. + </p> + <p> + She remembered Colonel Munro perfectly, as he and the other officers of + the regiment had been frequently at her father's during the stay of the + regiment at Maintz. The colonel placed her at once in charge of the wife + of one of the principal citizens, who upon hearing that she was the + daughter of the Count of Mansfeld, well known for his attachment to the + Protestant cause, willingly received her, and offered to retain her as her + guest until an opportunity should occur for sending her on to Nuremberg, + should Malcolm not be able at once to continue his journey to that city. + </p> + <p> + “That,” Colonel Munro said as soon as Malcolm informed him of the + extremely important information he had gained, “is out of the question. + Your news is of supreme importance, it alters the whole course of events, + and offers hopes of an early termination of the struggle. There is no + doubt that Wallenstein is in earnest now, for he has committed himself + beyond reparation. The only question is whether he can carry the army with + him. However, it is clear that you must ride with all haste to Oxenstiern + with your tidings; not a moment must be lost. He is in the Palatinate, and + it will take you four days of hard riding at the least to reach him. + </p> + <p> + “In the meantime, your little maid, who by the way is already nearly a + woman, had best remain here—I will see that she is comfortable and + well cared for, and after all she is as well here as at Nuremberg, as + there is no fear now of an advance of the Imperialists. In case of + anything extraordinary occurring which might render this town an unsafe + abiding place, I will forward her in safety to Nuremberg, even I if I have + to detach a score of my men as her escort.” + </p> + <p> + Before mounting again Malcolm paid a hurried visit to Thekla, who + expressed her contentment with her new abode, and her readiness to stay + there until he should return to take her to Nuremberg, even should it be + weeks before he could do so. + </p> + <p> + “I quite feel among friends now,” she said, “and Colonel Munro and your + Scotch officers will, I am sure, take good care of me till you return.” + </p> + <p> + Glad to feel that his charge was left in good hands Malcolm mounted his + horse with a light heart and galloped away. Four days later he was + closeted with the Swedish chancellor, and relating to him the scene in the + castle at Pilsen. When he had finished his narrative Oxenstiern, who had, + before Malcolm began, read the letter which Wallenstein had sent him, + said: + </p> + <p> + “After what you tell me there can be no longer the slightest doubts of + Wallenstein's intention. Ever since the death of the king he has been + negotiating privately with me, but I could not believe that he was in + earnest or that such monstrous treachery was possible. How could I suppose + that he who has been raised from the rank of a simple gentleman to that of + a duke and prince, and who, save the fortunes which he obtained with his + wives, owes everything to the bounty of the emperor, could be preparing to + turn his arms against him?” + </p> + <p> + “It is true that he has done great things for Ferdinand, but his ambition + is even greater than his military talent. Any other man would have been + content with the enormous possessions and splendid dignity which he has + attained, and which in fact render him far richer than his Imperial + master; but to be a prince does not suffice for him. He has been promised + a kingdom, but even that is insufficient for his ambition. It is clear + that he aims to dethrone the emperor and to set himself up in his place; + however, his ingratitude does not concern me, it suffices now that at any + rate he is sincere, and that a happy issue out of the struggle opens + before us henceforth. + </p> + <p> + “I can trust him thoroughly; but though he has the will to join us has he + the power? Wallenstein, with his generals and his army fighting for the + emperor, is a mighty personage, but Wallenstein a rebel is another + altogether. By what you tell me it seems more than doubtful whether his + officers will follow him; and although his army is attached to him, and + might follow him could he put himself at its head, it is scattered in its + cantonments, and each section will obey the orders which the general in + its command may give. + </p> + <p> + “Probably some of those who signed the document, pledging their fidelity + to Wallenstein, have already sent news to the emperor of what is being + done. It is a strange situation and needs great care; the elements are all + uncertain. Wallenstein writes to me as if he were assured of the + allegiance of the whole of his army, and speaks unquestionably of his + power to overthrow the emperor; but the man is clearly blinded by his + ambition and infatuated by his fixed belief in the stars. However, one + thing is certain, he and as much of his army as he can hold in hand are + now our allies, and I must lose no time in moving such troops as are most + easily disposable to his assistance. + </p> + <p> + “I will send to Saxony and urge the elector to put in motion a force to + support him, and Duke Bernhard shall move with a division of our troops. I + will at once pen a despatch to Wallenstein, accepting his alliance and + promising him active aid as soon as possible. + </p> + <p> + “What say you, young sir? You have shown the greatest circumspection and + ability in this affair. Will you undertake to carry my despatch? You must + not travel as a Scottish officer, for if there are any traitors among the + officers of Wallenstein they will assuredly endeavour to intercept any + despatches which may be passing between us in order to send them to the + emperor as proofs of the duke's guilt.” + </p> + <p> + “I will undertake the task willingly, sir,” Malcolm replied, “and doubt + not that I shall be able to penetrate to him in the same disguise which I + before wore. When I once reach him is your wish that I should remain near + him, or that I should at once return?” + </p> + <p> + “It were best that you should remain for a time,” the chancellor said. + “You may be able to send me news from time to time of what is passing + around the duke. Before you start, you shall be supplied with an ample + amount of money to pay messengers to bring your reports to me. Wallenstein + hardly appears to see the danger of his situation; but you will be more + clear sighted. It is a strange drama which is being played, and may well + terminate in a tragedy. At any rate the next month will decide what is to + come of these strange combinations.” + </p> + <p> + The horse on which Malcolm had ridden was knocked up from the speed at + which he had travelled, and, ordering it to be carefully tended till his + return, he obtained a fresh horse and again set out. He made the journey + at the same speed at which he had before passed over the ground, and + paused for a few hours only at Amberg, where he found Thekla well and + comfortable, and quite recovered from the effects of her journeys and + anxiety. She received him with delight; but her joy was dashed when she + found that, instead of returning to remain with his regiment, as she had + hoped, he was only passing through on another mission. + </p> + <p> + At Amberg he again laid aside his uniform and donned his costume as a + craftsman. Colonel Munro gave him an escort of twenty troopers; with these + he crossed the river at nightfall, and, making a detour to avoid the + Imperialist outposts, rode some fifteen miles on his way. He then + dismounted and handed over his horse to his escort, who at once started on + their way back to Amberg, while he pursued his journey on foot towards + Pilsen. It was late the next evening before he reached the town; and on + arriving he learned that Wallenstein was still there. + </p> + <p> + The Imperialist general, immediately upon obtaining the signature of his + officers, had sent to urge Altringer and Gallas, who had been absent from + the meeting, to come to him with all speed. Altringer, on pretence of + sickness, did not comply with the invitation. Gallas made his appearance, + but merely with the intention of finding out all Wallenstein's plans and + of keeping the emperor informed of them. Piccolomini had, immediately the + meeting broke up, sent full details of its proceedings to the court, and + Gallas was furnished with a secret commission containing the emperor's + orders to the colonels and officers, granting an amnesty for their + adhesion to Wallenstein at Pilsen, and ordering them to make known to the + army that it was released from its obedience to Wallenstein, and was + placed under the command of Gallas himself, who received orders, if + possible, to arrest Wallenstein. + </p> + <p> + Gallas on his arrival perceived the impossibility of executing his + commission, for Wallenstein's troops and officers were devoted to him, and + not even the crime of high treason could overcome their veneration and + respect for him. Finding that he could do nothing, and fearful that + Wallenstein should discover the commission with which he was charged, + Gallas sought for a pretence to escape from Pilsen, and offered to go to + Altringer and to persuade him to return with him. + </p> + <p> + Wallenstein had no doubts of the fidelity of the general, and allowed him + to depart. As he did not return at once Piccolomini, who was also most + anxious to get out of the grasp of Wallenstein, offered to go and fetch + both Gallas and Altringer. Wallenstein consented, and conveyed Piccolomini + in his own carriage to Lintz. No sooner had Piccolomini left him than he + hurried to his own command, denounced Wallenstein as a traitor, and + prepared to surprise the duke in Pilsen. Gallas at the same time sent + round copies of his commission to all the Imperial camps. + </p> + <p> + Upon his arrival Malcolm at once proceeded to the castle, and, finding the + steward, requested him to inform the duke that he had returned. In a few + minutes he was ushered into his presence, and handed to him the letter + from Oxenstiern. Wallenstein tore it open without a word and gave an + exclamation of satisfaction as he glanced it through. + </p> + <p> + “This is opportune indeed,” he said, “and I thank you for bringing me the + news so rapidly. Well did the astrologer say that my destiny to some + extent depended on you; this is a proof that he was right. The chancellor + tells me that the Duke of Saxe-Lauenberg will march instantly with four + thousand men to join me, and that Duke Bernhard will move down at once + with six thousand of the best Swedish troops. I may yet be even with the + traitors.” + </p> + <p> + Although the defection of Gallas and Piccolomini and the news of the issue + of the Imperial proclamation had fallen with stunning force upon + Wallenstein, he had still faith in the fidelity of the army at large, and + he had already despatched Marshal Terzky to Prague, where all the troops + faithful to him were to assemble, intending to follow himself with the + regiments at Pilsen as soon as carriage could be obtained from the country + round. His astrologer still assured him that the stars were favourable, + and Wallenstein's faith in his own destiny was unshaken. + </p> + <p> + Upon finding that Malcolm had orders to remain with him until he was + joined by Duke Bernhard, he ordered handsome apartments to be prepared for + him, and as there was no longer any reason why the fact that a Swedish + officer was in the castle should be concealed, he commanded that Malcolm + should be furnished with handsome raiment of all sorts and a suit of + superb armour. Upon the following morning Wallenstein sent for him. + </p> + <p> + “I have bad news,” he said. “General Suys with an army arrived at Prague + before Terzky got there, and I fear that the influence of Piccolomini, + Gallas, and Altringer have withdrawn from me the corps which they command. + Terzky will return tomorrow morning, and I shall then march with him and + the troops here to Egra. There I shall effect a junction with Duke + Bernhard, who is instructed to march upon that town.” + </p> + <p> + The duke, though anxious, still appeared confident; but the outlook seemed + to Malcolm extremely gloomy. The whole army save the regiments around + Pilsen had fallen away from Wallenstein. His princely generosity to the + generals and officers and his popularity among the troops had failed to + attach them to him now that he had declared against the emperor, and it + appeared to Malcolm that he would be able to bring over to the Swedish + cause only the corps which he immediately commanded. + </p> + <p> + Still his defection could not but cause a vast gap in the Imperial + defences, and the loss of the services of the greatest of their leaders + would in itself be a heavy blow to the Imperialist cause, which had been + almost solely supported by his commanding talents and his vast private + income. Terzky arrived on the following morning, and the same afternoon + Wallenstein with the whole of the troops at Pilsen marched towards Egra. + </p> + <p> + Among the officers attached to Wallenstein's person was a Scotchman named + Leslie, to whom and a few other confidants Wallenstein had confided his + designs. Wallenstein had at once introduced Malcolm to him, and the two + rode in company during the march to Egra. Malcolm did not find him a + cheerful companion. They chatted at times of the engagements in which both + had taken part although on opposite sides; but Malcolm saw that his + companion was absent and preoccupied, and that he avoided any conversation + as to the turn which events had taken. + </p> + <p> + At the end of the first day's ride Malcolm came to the decided conclusion + that he did not like his companion, and, moreover, that his heart was far + from being in the enterprise on which they were engaged. The following day + he avoided joining him, and rode with some of the other officers. Upon + their arrival at Egra the gates were opened at their approach, and Colonel + Butler, an Irishman who commanded the garrison, met Wallenstein as he + entered, and saluted him with all honour. Wallenstein was pleased to find + that the disaffection which had spread so rapidly through the army had not + reached Egra. + </p> + <p> + A few hours after he had entered the town Wallenstein received the news + that an Imperial edict had been issued proclaiming him a traitor and an + outlaw; he also learned that the corps under the Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg + was within a day's march of Egra. As soon as the duke retired to his + apartments Leslie sought out Colonel Butler, and revealed to him the + purposes of Wallenstein, and informed him of the Imperial order absolving + the army from their allegiance to him. The two men, with Lieutenant + Colonel Gordon, another Imperialist officer, at once determined to capture + Wallenstein and to hand him over as a prisoner to the emperor. + </p> + <p> + In the afternoon Leslie had an interview with Wallenstein, who told him of + the near approach of the Dukes of Saxe-Lauenburg and Saxe-Weimar, and + informed him of his plans for advancing from Egra direct into the heart of + Bohemia. + </p> + <p> + The treacherous officer at once hurried away with the news to his two + associates, and it was agreed that the near approach of the Saxons + rendered it impossible for them to carry out their first plan, but that + instant and more urgent steps must be taken. That evening a banquet was + given by Butler to Wallenstein and his officers. The duke, however, was + too anxious to appear at it, and remained in his own apartment, the rest + of the officers, among them Wallenstein's chief confidants, Illo, Terzky, + and Kinsky, together with Captain Neumann, an intimate adviser of Terzky, + were among the guests. Malcolm was also present. + </p> + <p> + The banquet passed off gaily, Wallenstein's health was drunk in full + bumpers, and his friends boasted freely that in a few days he would find + himself at the head of as powerful an army as he had ever before + commanded. Malcolm had naturally been placed at the table near his + compatriots, and it seemed to him that their gaiety was forced and + unnatural, and a sense of danger came over him. + </p> + <p> + The danger indeed was great, although he knew it not. The drawbridge of + the castle had been drawn up, the avenues leading to it guarded, and + twenty infantry soldiers and six of Butler's dragoons were in hiding in + the apartment next to the banqueting hall. + </p> + <p> + Dessert was placed on the table; Leslie gave the signal, and in an instant + the hall was filled with armed men, who placed themselves behind the + chairs of Wallenstein's trusted officers with shouts of “Long live + Ferdinand!” The three officers instantly sprang to their feet, but Terzky + and Kinsky were slain before they had time to draw their swords. + </p> + <p> + Neumann in the confusion escaped into the court, where he too was cut + down. Illo burst through his assailants, and placing his back against a + window stood on his defence. As he kept his assailants at bay he poured + the bitterest reproaches upon Gordon for his treachery, and challenged him + to fight him fairly and honourably. After a gallant resistance, in which + he slew two of his assailants, he fell to the ground overpowered by + numbers, and pierced with ten wounds. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm had sprung to his feet at the commencement of the tumult, but was + pressed down again into his chair by two soldiers, while Leslie exclaimed, + “Keep yourself quiet, sir, I would fain save you as a fellow countryman, + and as one who is simply here in the execution of his duty; but if you + draw sword to defend these traitors, you must share their fate.” + </p> + <p> + No sooner had the murder of the four officers been accomplished than + Leslie, Butler, and Gordon issued into the town. Butler's cavalry paraded + the streets, and that officer quieted the garrison by telling them that + Wallenstein had been proclaimed a traitor and an outlaw, and that all who + were faithful to the emperor must obey their orders. The regiments most + attached to Wallenstein had not entered the city, and the garrison + listened to the voice of their commander. + </p> + <p> + Wallenstein knew nothing of what had taken place in the castle, and had + just retired to bed when a band of Butler's soldiers, led by Captain + Devereux, an Irishman, burst into his apartment. The duke leaped from his + bed, but before he could snatch up a sword he was pierced through and + through by the murderers' halberts. + </p> + <p> + So fell one of the greatest men of his age. Even to the present day there + are differences of opinion as to the extent of his guilt, but none as to + the treachery with which he was murdered by his most trusted officers. + That Wallenstein owed much gratitude to the emperor is unquestionable, but + upon the other hand he had even a greater title to the gratitude of + Ferdinand, whose crown and empire he had repeatedly saved. Wallenstein was + no bigot, his views were broad and enlightened, and he was therefore + viewed with the greatest hostility by the violent Catholics around the + king, by Maximilian of Bavaria, by the Spaniards, and by the Jesuits, who + were all powerful at court. These had once before brought about his + dismissal from the command, after he had rendered supreme services, and + their intrigues against him were again at the point of success when + Wallenstein determined to defy and dethrone the emperor. The coldness with + which he was treated at court, the marked inattention to all his requests, + the consciousness that while he was winning victories in the field his + enemies were successfully plotting at court, angered the proud and haughty + spirit of Wallenstein almost to madness, and it may truly be said that he + was goaded into rebellion. The verdict of posterity has certainly been + favourable to him, and the dastardly murder which requited a lifetime of + brilliant services has been held to more than counterbalance the faults + which he committed. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIV MALCOLM'S ESCAPE + </h2> + <p> + After the fall of Wallenstein's colonels Malcolm was led away a prisoner, + and was conducted to a dungeon in the castle. It was not until the door + closed behind him that he could fairly realize what had taken place, so + sudden and unexpected had been the scene in the banqueting hall. Five + minutes before he had been feasting and drinking the health of + Wallenstein, now he was a prisoner of the Imperialists. Wallenstein's + adherents had been murdered, and it was but too probable that a like fate + would befall the general himself. The alliance from which so much had been + hoped, which seemed to offer a prospect of a termination of the long and + bloody struggle, was cut short at a blow. + </p> + <p> + As to his own fate it seemed dark enough, and his captivity might last for + years, for the Imperialists' treatment of their prisoners was harsh in the + extreme. The system of exchange, which was usual then as now, was in + abeyance during the religious war in Germany. There was an almost personal + hatred between the combatants, and, as Malcolm knew, many of his + compatriots who had fallen into the hands of the Imperialists had been + treated with such harshness in prison that they had died there. Some, + indeed, were more than suspected of having been deliberately starved to + death. + </p> + <p> + However, Malcolm had gone through so many adventures that even the scene + which he had witnessed and his own captivity and uncertain fate were + insufficient to banish sleep from his eyes, and he reposed as soundly on + the heap of straw in the corner of his cell as he would have done in the + carved and gilded bed in the apartment which had been assigned to him in + the castle. + </p> + <p> + The sun was shining through the loophole of his dungeon when he awoke. For + an hour he occupied himself in polishing carefully the magnificently + inlaid armour which Wallenstein had presented him, and which, with the + exception of his helmet, he had not laid aside when he sat down to the + banquet, for it was very light and in no way hampered his movements, and + except when quartered in towns far removed from an enemy officers seldom + laid aside their arms. He still retained his sword and dagger, for his + captors, in their haste to finish the first act of the tragedy, and to + resist any rising which might take place among the soldiery, had omitted + to take them from him when they hurried him away. + </p> + <p> + On examination he found that with his dagger he could shove back the lock + of the door, but this was firmly held by bolts without. Thinking that on + some future occasion the blade might be useful to him, he pushed the + dagger well into the lock, and with a sharp jerk snapped it off at the + hilt. Then he concealed the steel within his long boot and cast the hilt + through the loophole. + </p> + <p> + Presently a soldier brought him his breakfast—a manchet of bread and + a stoup of wine. He was visited again at dinner and supper. Before the + soldier came in the first time Malcolm concealed his sword in the straw, + thinking that the soldier would be sure to remove it if he noticed it. The + man who brought his breakfast and dinner was taciturn, and made no reply + to his questions, but another man brought his supper, and he turned out of + a more communicative disposition. + </p> + <p> + “What has happened?” he repeated in reply to Malcolm's question. “Well, I + don't know much about it myself, but I do know that Wallenstein is dead, + for the trooper who rides next to me helped to kill him. Everyone is + content that the traitor has been punished, and as the troops have all + pronounced for the emperor every thing is quiet. We had a good laugh this + afternoon. The colonel sent out one of our men dressed up in Wallenstein's + livery to meet the Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg and invite him to come on at + once and join him here. The duke suspected no danger, and rode on ahead of + his troops, with a few attendants, and you should have seen his face, + when, after passing through the gates, he suddenly found himself + surrounded by our men and a prisoner. Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar will be here + tomorrow, as they say, and we shall catch him in the same way. It's a rare + trap this, I can tell you.” + </p> + <p> + The news heightened Malcolm's uneasiness. The capture of Duke Bernhard, + the most brilliant of the German generals on the Protestant side, would be + a heavy blow indeed to the cause, and leaving his supper untasted Malcolm + walked up and down his cell in a fever of rage at his impotence to prevent + so serious a disaster. + </p> + <p> + At last he ate his supper, and then threw himself upon the straw, but he + was unable to sleep. The death of Wallenstein had made a deep impression + upon him. The Imperialist general was greatly respected by his foes. Not + only was he admired for his immense military talents, but he carried on + the war with a chivalry and humanity which contrasted strongly with the + ferocity of Tilly, Pappenheim, and Piccolomini. Prisoners who fell into + his hands were always treated with courtesy, and although, from motives of + policy, he placed but little check upon the excesses of his soldiery, no + massacres, such as those which had caused the names of Tilly and + Pappenheim to be held in abhorrence by the Protestants of Germany, were + associated with that of Wallenstein. Then, too, the princely dignity and + noble presence of the duke had greatly impressed the young soldier, and + the courtesy with which he had treated him personally had attracted his + liking as well as respect. To think that this great general, this princely + noble, the man who alone had baffled the Lion of the North, had been + foully murdered by those he had trusted and favoured, filled him with + grief and indignation, the more so since two of the principal assassins + were Scotchmen. + </p> + <p> + The thought that on the morrow Duke Bernhard of Weimar—a leader in + importance second only to the Chancellor of Sweden—would fall + unsuspiciously into the trap set for him goaded him almost to madness, and + he tossed restlessly on the straw through the long hours of the night. + Towards morning he heard a faint creaking of bolts, then there was a sound + of the locks of the door being turned. He grasped his sword and sprang to + his feet. He heard the door close again, and then a man produced a lantern + from beneath a long cloak, and he saw Wallenstein's steward before him. + The old man's eyes were bloodshot with weeping, and his face betokened the + anguish which the death of his master had caused him. + </p> + <p> + “You have heard the news?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Alas!” Malcolm replied, “I have heard it indeed.” + </p> + <p> + “I am determined,” the old man said, “to thwart the projects of these + murderers and to have vengeance upon them. None have thought of me. I was + an old man, too insignificant for notice, and I have passed the day in my + chamber lamenting the kindest of lords, the best of masters. Last evening + I heard the soldiers boasting that today they would capture the Duke of + Saxe-Weimar, and I determined to foil them. They have been feasting and + drinking all night, and it is but now that the troopers have fallen into a + drunken slumber and I was able to possess myself of the key of your + dungeon. + </p> + <p> + “Here is your helmet. I will lead you to the stable, where I have saddled + the best and fastest of my master's horses. You must remain there quietly + until you deem that the gates are open, then leap upon the horse, and ride + for your life. Few will know you, and you will probably pass out of the + gate unquestioned. If not, you have your sword to cut your way. Once + beyond the town ride to meet the duke. Tell him my master has been + murdered, that Egra is in the hands of the Imperialists, and that + Saxe-Lauenburg is a prisoner. Bid him march on this place with his force, + take it by assault, and leave not one of the assassins of my lord living + within its walls.” + </p> + <p> + “You will run no risk, I hope, for your share in this adventure,” Malcolm + said. + </p> + <p> + “It matters little to me,” the old man replied. “My life is worthless, and + I would gladly die in the thought that I have brought retribution on the + head of the murderers of my master. But they will not suspect me. I shall + lock the door behind us, and place the key again in the girdle of the + drunken guard, and then return to my own chamber.” + </p> + <p> + Quietly Malcolm and his conductor made their way through the castle and + out into the courtyard. Then they entered the stables. + </p> + <p> + “This is the horse,” the steward said, again uncovering his lantern. “Is + he not a splendid animal? He was my master's favourite, and sooner than + that his murderers should ride him I would cut the throat of the noble + beast with my dagger; but he has a better mission in carrying the avenger + of his master's blood. And now farewell. The rest is in your own hands. + May Heaven give you good fortune.” So saying, the old man set down his + lantern and left Malcolm alone. + </p> + <p> + The latter, after examining the saddle and bridle, and seeing that every + buckle was firm and in its place, extinguished the light, and waited + patiently for morning. In two hours a faint light began to show itself. + Stronger and stronger it grew until it was broad day. Still there were but + few sounds of life and movement in the castle. Presently, however, the + noise of footsteps and voices was heard in the courtyard. + </p> + <p> + Although apprehensive that at any moment the stable door might open, + Malcolm still delayed his start, as it would be fatal were he to set out + before the opening of the gates. At last he felt sure that they must be + opened to admit the country people coming in with supplies for the market. + He had donned his helmet before leaving his cell, and he now quietly + opened the stable door, sprang into the saddle, and rode boldly out. + </p> + <p> + Several soldiers were loitering about the courtyard. Some were washing at + the trough and bathing their heads beneath the fountain to get rid of the + fumes of the wine they had indulged in overnight. Others were cleaning + their arms. + </p> + <p> + The sudden appearance of a mounted officer armed from head to foot caused + a general pause in their occupation, although none had any suspicion that + the splendidly attired officer was a fugitive; but, believing that he was + one of Leslie's friends who was setting out on some mission, they paid no + further heed to him, as quietly and without any sign of haste he rode + through the gateway of the castle into the town. The inhabitants were + already in the streets, country women with baskets were vending their + produce, and the market was full of people. Malcolm rode on at a foot pace + until he was within sight of the open gate of the town. When within fifty + yards of the gate he suddenly came upon Colonel Leslie, who had thus early + been making a tour of the walls to see that the sentries were upon the + alert, for Duke Bernhard's force was within a few miles. He instantly + recognized Malcolm. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” he exclaimed, “Captain Graheme—treachery! treachery! shut the + gate there,” and drawing his sword, threw himself in Malcolm's way. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm touched the horse with his spur and it bounded forward; he parried + the blow which Leslie struck at him, and, with a sweeping cut full on the + traitor's helmet, struck him to the ground and then dashed onward. A + sentry was beginning to shut the gate, and his comrades were running out + from the guardhouse as Malcolm galloped up. + </p> + <p> + The steward had fastened the holsters on to the saddle, and Malcolm, + before starting, had seen to the priming of the pistols in them. Drawing + one he shot the man who was closing the gate, and before his comrades + could run up he dashed through it and over the drawbridge. + </p> + <p> + Several bullets whizzed around him, but he was soon out of range, and + galloping at full speed in the direction in which the steward had told him + that Duke Bernhard was encamped. In half an hour he reached the Swedish + lines, and rode at once to the tent of the duke who was upon the point of + mounting; beside him stood a man in the livery of Wallenstein. As he rode + up Malcolm drew his pistol, and said to the man: + </p> + <p> + “If you move a foot I will send a bullet through your head.” + </p> + <p> + “What is this?” exclaimed the duke in astonishment, “and who are you, sir, + who with such scant courtesy ride into my camp?” + </p> + <p> + Malcolm raised his vizor. “I am Captain Graheme of Munro's regiment,” he + said, “and I have ridden here to warn your excellency of treachery. + Wallenstein has been foully murdered. Egra is in the hands of the + Imperialists, the Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg has been beguiled into a trap and + taken prisoner, and this fellow, who is one of Butler's troopers, has been + sent here to lead you into a like snare.” + </p> + <p> + “Wallenstein murdered!” the duke exclaimed in tones of horror. “Murdered, + say you? Impossible!” + </p> + <p> + “It is but too true, sir,” Malcolm replied; “I myself saw his friends + Illo, Terzky, and Kinsky assassinated before my eyes at a banquet. + Wallenstein was murdered by his favourites Leslie and Gordon and the + Irishman Butler. I was seized and thrown into a dungeon, but have escaped + by a miracle to warn you of your danger.” + </p> + <p> + “This is a blow indeed,” the duke said mournfully. Turning to his + attendants he ordered them to hang the false messenger to the nearest + tree, and then begged Malcolm to follow him into his tent and give him + full details of this terrible transaction. + </p> + <p> + “This upsets all our schemes indeed,” the duke said when he had concluded. + “What is the strength of the garrison at Egra?” + </p> + <p> + “There were Butler's dragoons and an infantry regiment in garrison there + when we arrived; six regiments accompanied us on the march, and I fear + that all these must now be considered as having gone over to the + Imperialists.” + </p> + <p> + “Then their force is superior to my own,” the duke said, “for I have but + six thousand men with me, and have no artillery heavy enough to make any + impression upon the walls of the town. Much as I should like to meet these + traitors and to deal out to them the punishment they deserve, I cannot + adventure on the siege of Egra until I have communicated this terrible + news to the Swedish chancellor. Egra was all important to us as affording + an entrance into Bohemia so long as Wallenstein was with us, but now that + he has been murdered and our schemes thus suddenly destroyed I cannot risk + the destruction of my force by an assault upon the city, which is no + longer of use to us.” + </p> + <p> + Much as Malcolm would have liked to have seen the punishment of + Wallenstein's treacherous followers, he could not but feel that the duke's + view was, under the circumstances, the correct one. The tents were + speedily struck, and the force fell back with all speed towards Bavaria, + and after accompanying them for a march or two, Malcolm left them and rode + to join his regiment, the duke having already sent off a messenger to + Oxenstiern with a full account of the murder of Wallenstein. + </p> + <p> + As none could say what events were likely to follow the changed position + of things, Malcolm determined at once to carry out the original intention + of placing Thekla under the care of his friends at Nuremberg, in which + direction it was not probable that the tide of war would for the present + flow. After staying therefore a day or two with his regiment, where his + relation of the events he had witnessed caused the greatest excitement and + interest, Malcolm obtained leave from his colonel to escort Thekla to + Nuremberg. + </p> + <p> + In order that they might pass in perfect safety across the intervening + country Munro gave him an escort of twelve troopers, and with these he + journeyed by easy stages to Nuremberg, where the worthy syndic of the + clockmakers and his wife gladly received Thekla, and promised to treat her + as one of their own daughters. + </p> + <p> + Here Malcolm took possession of his arms and valises, which he had sent, + upon starting for Prague, to the care of Jans Boerhoff; not indeed that he + needed the armour, for the suit which Wallenstein had given him was the + admiration and envy of his comrades, and Munro had laughingly said that + since Hepburn had left them no such gallantly attired cavalier had ridden + in the ranks of the Scottish brigade. + </p> + <p> + There were many tears on Thekla's part as her young protector bade her + adieu, for there was no saying how long a time might elapse before she + might again see him, and Malcolm was sorely tempted to tell her that he + had her father's consent to wooing her as his wife. He thought it, + however, better to abstain from speaking, for should he fall in the + campaign her grief would be all the greater had she come to think of him + as her destined husband, for her hearty affection for him already assured + him that she would make no objection to carrying out her father's wishes. + </p> + <p> + Shortly after rejoining his regiment Malcolm received a communication from + the Swedish chancellor expressing in high terms his approbation of the + manner in which he had carried out his instructions with regard to + Wallenstein, and especially for the great service he had rendered the + cause by warning the Duke of Saxe-Weimar of the trap which the + Imperialists had set for him. + </p> + <p> + The death of Wallenstein was followed by a short pause in the war. It had + entirely frustrated all the plans and hopes of the Protestants, and it + caused a delay in the movement of the Imperialists. The emperor, when he + heard of Wallenstein's death, heaped favours and honours upon the three + men who had plotted and carried out his murder, and then appointed his son + Ferdinand, King of Hungary, to the chief command of the army, with General + Gallas as his principal adviser. + </p> + <p> + The Duke of Lorraine marched with an army to join the Imperialists, who + were also strengthened by the arrival of 10,000 Spanish veterans, and + early in May the new Imperial general entered the Palatinate and marched + to lay siege to Ratisbon. To oppose the Imperial army, which numbered + 35,000 men, Duke Bernhard, after having drawn together all the troops + scattered in the neighbourhood, could only put 15,000 in the field. With + so great a disparity of force he could not offer battle, but in every way + he harassed and interrupted the advance of the Imperialists, while he sent + pressing messages to Oxenstiern for men and money, and to Marshal Horn, + who commanded in Alsace, to beg him march with all haste to his + assistance. + </p> + <p> + Unfortunately Horn and Duke Bernhard were men of extremely different + temperaments. The latter was vivacious, enterprising, and daring even to + rashness, ready to undertake any enterprise which offered the smallest + hope of success. Marshal Horn, on the other hand, although a good general, + was slow, over cautious and hesitating, and would never move until his + plans appeared to promise almost a certainty of success. Besides this, + Horn, a Swede, was a little jealous that Duke Bernhard, a German, should + be placed in the position of general-in-chief, and this feeling no doubt + tended to increase his caution and to delay his action. + </p> + <p> + Consequently he was so long a time before he obeyed the pressing messages + sent by the duke, that Ratisbon, after a valiant defence, surrendered on + the 29th of July, before he had effected a junction with the duke's army. + The Imperialists then marched upon Donauworth, and this place, after a + feeble defence, also capitulated. The duke, heartbroken at seeing the + conquests, which had been effected at so great a loss of life and + treasure, wrested from his hands while he was unable to strike a blow to + save them, in despair marched away to Swabia to meet the slowly advancing + army of Marshal Horn. + </p> + <p> + No sooner was the junction effected than he turned quickly back and + reached the vicinity of Nordlingen, only to find the enemy already there + before him, and posted on the more advanced of the two heights which + dominate the plain. By a skillful manoeuvre, however, he was enabled to + throw within its walls a reinforcement to the garrison of eight hundred + men. + </p> + <p> + Nordlingen, an important free town, stands on the south bank of the Ries, + some 18 miles to the northeast of Donauworth. It was surrounded by a wall, + interspersed with numerous towers, sufficiently strong to guard it against + any surprise, but not to defend it against a regular siege by a numerous + army. The vast plain on which the town stands is broken near its centre by + two heights rising at a distance of three thousand yards from each other. + </p> + <p> + The height nearest to the town, which is very steep and craggy, is known + as the Weinberg, the other is called Allersheim; a village stands some + three hundred yards in advance of the valley between the heights, and is + nearer to the town than either of the two eminences. + </p> + <p> + The Scotch brigade formed part of Duke Bernhard's command. It was now + nearly two years since a pitched battle had been fought, for although + there had been many skirmishes and assaults in the preceding year no great + encounter had taken place between the armies since Gustavus fell at + Lutzen, in October, 1632, and the Scotch brigade had not been present at + that battle. In the time which had elapsed many recruits had arrived from + Scotland, and Munro's regiment had been again raised to the strength at + which it had landed at Rugen four years before. Not half a dozen of the + officers who had then, full of life and spirit, marched in its ranks were + now present. Death had indeed been busy among them. On the evening of + their arrival in sight of the Imperialist army the two Grahemes supped + with their colonel. Munro had but just arrived from the duke's quarters. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose we shall fight tomorrow, Munro,” Major Graheme said. + </p> + <p> + “It is not settled,” the colonel replied; “between ourselves the duke and + Horn are not of one mind. The duke wants to fight; he urges that were we + to allow Nordlingen to fall, as we have allowed Ratisbon and Donauworth, + without striking a blow to save it, it would be an evidence of caution and + even cowardice which would have the worst possible effect through Germany. + Nordlingen has ever been staunch to the cause, and the Protestants would + everywhere fall away from us did they find that we had so little care for + their safety as to stand by and see them fall into the hands of the + Imperialists without an effort. It is better, in the duke's opinion, to + fight and to be beaten than to tamely yield Nordlingen to the + Imperialists. In the one case honour would be satisfied and the reformers + throughout Germany would feel that we had done our utmost to save their + co-religionists, on the other hand there would be shame and disgrace.” + </p> + <p> + “There is much in what the duke says,” Nigel Graheme remarked. + </p> + <p> + “There is much,” Munro rejoined; “but there is much also in the arguments + of Horn. He reasons that we are outnumbered, the enemy is superior to us + by at least a third, and to save the town we must attack them in an + immensely strong position, which it will cost us great numbers to capture. + </p> + <p> + “The chances against our winning a victory are fully five to one. Granted + the fall of Nordlingen will injure us in the eyes of the princes and + people of Germany; but with good management on our part the feeling thus + aroused will be but temporary, for we should soon wipe out the reverse. Of + the 35,000 men of which the Imperial army is composed, 8000 at least are + Spaniards who are on their way to Flanders, and who will very shortly + leave it. + </p> + <p> + “On the other hand the Rhinegrave Otto Ludwig is with 7000 men within a + few marches of us; in a short time therefore we shall actually outnumber + the enemy, and shall be able to recover our prestige, just as we recovered + it at Leipzig after suffering Magdeburg to fall. We shall recapture the + towns which he has taken, and if the enemy should dare to accept battle we + shall beat him, and shall be in a position to march upon Vienna.” + </p> + <p> + “Horn's arguments are the strongest,” Nigel Graheme said gravely; “the + course he advises is the most prudent one.” + </p> + <p> + “Undoubtedly,” Munro replied; “but I think that it will not be followed. + The duke is of a fiery spirit, and he would feel it, as most of us would + feel it, a disgrace to fall back without striking a blow for Nordlingen. + He has, too, been goaded nearly to madness during the last few days by + messengers and letters which have reached him from the reformed princes + and the free towns in all parts of Germany, reproaching him bitterly for + having suffered Ratisbon and Donauworth to fall into the hands of the + enemy without a blow, and he feels that his honour is concerned. I have + little doubt that we shall fight a great battle to save Nordlingen.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXV NORDLINGEN + </h2> + <p> + While Colonel Munro and his companions were discussing the matter a + council of war was being held, and Duke Bernhard's view was adopted by all + his generals, who felt with him that their honour was involved in the + question, and that it would be disgraceful to march away without striking + a blow to save the besieged city. Horn, therefore, being outvoted, was + forced to give way. Up to nightfall the Imperialists had showed no signs + of an intention to occupy the Weinberg, their forces being massed on and + around the Allersheim Hill. It was determined therefore to seize the + Weinberg at once, and the execution of this step was committed to Horn. + </p> + <p> + The choice was most unfortunate. The service was one upon the prompt + carrying out of which victory depended, and Horn, though a brave and + capable commander, was slow and cautious, and particularly unfitted for + executing a service which had to be performed in a dark night across a + country with which he was not familiar. Taking with him four thousand + chosen musketeers and pikemen and twelve guns he set out at nine o'clock, + but the rough road, the dikes, and ditches which intercepted the country + impeded him, and the fact that he was unacquainted with the general + position of the country made him doubly cautious, and it was not until + midnight that he reached the foot of the hill. + </p> + <p> + Here, unfortunately, he came to the conclusion that since he had + encountered such difficulties in crossing the flat country he should meet + with even greater obstacles and delays in ascending the hill in the dark; + he therefore took the fatal resolution of remaining where he was until + daylight, and accordingly ordered the column to halt. Had he continued his + march he would have reached the summit of the Weinberg unopposed, and the + fate of the battle on the following day would have been changed. But the + Imperialist leaders, Gallas and Cardinal Infanta Don Fernando, had not + been unmindful of the commanding position of the hill upon which Horn was + marching, and had given orders that it should be occupied before daylight + by four hundred Spaniards. + </p> + <p> + The commander of this force was as over prompt in the execution of his + orders as Horn was over cautious. He reached the top of the Weinberg + before midnight, and at once set his men to work to intrench themselves + strongly. As soon as daybreak enabled Horn to see the fatal consequences + which had arisen from his delay he ordered his men to advance. With their + usual gallantry the Swedes mounted the hill and rushed at the + intrenchment. It was defended with the greatest obstinacy and courage by + the Spaniards; but after desperate fighting the Swedes forced their way + into the work at two points, and were upon the point of capturing the + position when an ammunition wagon accidentally exploded in their midst, + killing great numbers and throwing the rest into a temporary disorder, + which enabled the Spaniards to drive them out and again occupy the + intrenchments. + </p> + <p> + Before the Swedes had fully recovered themselves the Spanish cavalry, + which at the first sound of the conflict the cardinal had ordered to the + spot, charged them in flank and forced them to a precipitate retreat down + the hillside. Bitterly regretting his delay at midnight, Horn brought up + fresh troops, and after addressing encouraging words to those who had been + already repulsed, led the united body to the assault. + </p> + <p> + But the Weinberg, which had been occupied in the early morning by only + four hundred men, was now defended by the whole of the Spanish infantry. + Vain now was the energy of Horn, and ineffectual the valour of his troops. + Time after time did the Swedes climb the hill and strive to obtain a + footing on its crest, each assault was repulsed with prodigious slaughter. + Duke Bernhard was now fully engaged with the Imperialists on the + Allersheim, and was gradually gaining ground. Seeing, however, how + fruitless were the efforts of Horn to capture the Weinberg, he despatched + as many of his infantry as he could spare to reinforce the marshal. Among + these was Munro's regiment. + </p> + <p> + “Now, my brave lads,” Colonel Munro shouted, as he led his regiment + against the hill, “show them what Scottish hearts can do.” With a cheer + the regiment advanced. Pressing forward unflinchingly under a hail of + bullets they won their way up the hill, and then gathering, hurled + themselves with a shout upon the heavy masses of Spanish veterans. For a + moment the latter recoiled before the onset; then they closed in around + the Scotch, who had already lost a third of their number in ascending the + hill. + </p> + <p> + Never did the famous regiment fight with greater courage and fury; but + they were outnumbered ten to one, and their opponents were soldiers of + European reputation. In vain the Scotchmen strove to break through the + serried line of pikes which surrounded them. Here and there a knot of + desperate men would win a way through; but ere others could follow them + the Spanish line closed in again and cut them off from their comrades, and + they died fighting to the last. + </p> + <p> + Fighting desperately in the front rank Munro and his officers encouraged + their men with shouts and example; but it was all in vain, and he at last + shouted to the remains of his followers to form in a solid body and cut + their way back through the enemy who surrounded them. Hemmed in as they + were by enemies the Scottish spearmen obeyed, and, headed by their + colonel, flung themselves with a sudden rush upon the enemy. Before the + weight and fury of the charge the veterans of Spain gave way, and the + Scots found themselves on the crest of the hill which they had lately + ascended. No sooner were they free from the Spanish ranks than the + musketeers of the latter opened fire upon them, and numbers fell in the + retreat. When they reached the foot of the fatal hill, and bleeding and + breathless gathered round their commander, Munro burst into tears on + finding that of the noble regiment he had led up the hill scarce enough + remained to form a single company. Seven times now had Horn striven to + carry the hill, seven times had he been repulsed with terrible slaughter, + and he now began to fall back to join the force of Duke Bernhard. The + latter, recognizing that the battle was lost, and that Horn, if not + speedily succoured, was doomed, for the Imperialists, flushed with + victory, were striving to cut him off, made a desperate attack upon the + enemy hoping to draw their whole forces upon himself, and so enable Horn + to retire. For the moment he succeeded, but he was too weak in numbers to + bear the assault he had thus provoked. John of Werth, who commanded the + Imperial cavalry, charged down upon the Swedish horsemen and overthrew + them so completely that these, forced back upon their infantry, threw them + also into complete disorder. + </p> + <p> + The instant Horn had given the orders to retreat, Colonel Munro, seeing + the danger of the force being surrounded, formed up the little remnant of + his regiment and set off at the double to rejoin the force of the duke. It + was well that he did so, for just when he had passed over the intervening + ground the Imperialist cavalry, fresh from the defeat of the Swedes, swept + across the ground, completely cutting off Horn's division from that of the + duke. A few minutes later Marshal Horn, surrounded on all sides by the + enemy, and feeling the impossibility of further resistance with his + weakened and diminished force, was forced to surrender with all his + command. + </p> + <p> + Duke Bernhard narrowly escaped the same fate; but in the end he managed to + rally some nine thousand men and retreated towards the Maine. The defeat + was a terrible one; ten thousand men were killed and wounded, and four + thousand under Horn taken prisoners; all the guns, equipage, and baggage + fell into the hands of the enemy. + </p> + <p> + Nordlingen was the most decisive battle of the war; its effect was to + change a war which had hitherto been really only a civil war—a war + of religion—into one with a foreign enemy. Hitherto France had + contented herself with subsidizing Sweden, who had played the principal + part. Henceforward Sweden was to occupy but a secondary position. Cardinal + Richelieu saw the danger of allowing Austria to aggrandize itself at the + expense of all Germany, and now took the field in earnest. + </p> + <p> + Upon the other hand Nordlingen dissolved the confederacy of the Protestant + German princes against Ferdinand the Second. The Elector of Saxony, who + had ever been vacillating and irresolute in his policy, was the first to + set the example by making peace with the emperor. The Elector of + Brandenburg, Duke William of Weimar, the Prince of Anhalt, the Duke of + Brunswick-Luneburg, the Duke of Mecklenburg, Pomerania, and the cities of + Augsburg, Wurzburg, and Coburg, and many others hastened to follow the + example of all the leading members of the Protestant Union. + </p> + <p> + Dukes Bernhard of Weimar and William of Cassel were almost alone in + supporting the cause to maintain which Gustavus Adolphus had invaded + Germany. The Swedish army, whose exploits had made the court of Vienna + tremble, seemed annihilated, and well might the emperor deem that his + final triumph over Protestantism was complete when he heard of the battle + of Nordlingen, for as yet he dreamed not that its result would bring + France into the field against him. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm Graheme was one of the few officers of Munro's regiment who burst + his way through the Spanish lines on the top of the Weinberg. He was + bleeding from several wounds, but none of them were serious. Nigel was + beside him as they began to descend the hill; but scarcely had he gone a + step when he fell headlong, struck by a ball from an arquebus. Malcolm and + one of the sergeants raised him, and between them carried him to the foot + of the hill; then, when the remains of the regiments started to rejoin + Duke Bernhard, they were forced to leave him. Although Malcolm kept up + with his regiment in the retreat he was so utterly exhausted by loss of + blood that he could no longer accompany them. By the death of so many of + his seniors he was now one of the majors of the regiment, if that could be + called a regiment which was scarce a company in strength. A few days after + the battle Colonel Munro received orders to march with his shattered + remnant, scarce one of whom but was from wounds unfit for present service, + by easy stages to North Germany, there to await the arrival of + reinforcements from Scotland, which might raise the regiment to a strength + which would enable it again to take the field. + </p> + <p> + Malcolm remained behind until his strength slowly returned. The colonel, + before leaving, had bade him take his time before rejoining, as months + would probably elapse before the regiment would again be fit for service. + As soon as he was able to travel he journeyed to Nuremberg. On arriving at + the abode of Jans Boerhoff he learned that Thekla was no longer an inmate + of the family. The Count of Mansfeld had died in prison, and the countess + had arrived at Nuremberg and had taken up her abode there. Malcolm made + his way to the house she occupied. The meeting was an affecting one. + Malcolm was greatly grieved over the death of his staunch friend, and + joined in the sorrow of the countess and her daughter. A few days after + his arrival the countess said to him: + </p> + <p> + “I am of course aware, Malcolm, of the conversation which the count had + with you concerning Thekla, and my wishes fully agreed with his on the + subject. In other times one would not speak of marriage when Thekla's + father had been but two months dead; but it is no time for + conventionalities now. All Southern Germany is falling away from the + Protestant cause, and ere long we may see the Imperialists at the gate of + Nuremberg, and it may be that in a few months the whole of Germany will be + in their power. Therefore, I would that there should be no delay. Thekla + is nearly seventeen; you are twenty-one—over young both to enter + upon the path of matrimony; but the events of the last few months have + made a woman of her, while you have long since proved yourself both in + thoughtfulness and in valour to be a man. Thekla is no longer a great + heiress. Since Nordlingen we may consider that her father's estates have + gone for ever, mine may follow in a few months. Therefore I must ask you, + are you ready to take her without dowry?” + </p> + <p> + “I am,” Malcolm said earnestly, “and that right gladly, for I love her + with all my heart.” + </p> + <p> + “It needs no questioning on my part,” the countess said, “to know that she + loves you as truly, and that her happiness depends wholly on you. I saw + her anguish when the news came of the terrible defeat at Nordlingen and of + the annihilation of some of the Scottish regiments. My heart was wrung by + her silent despair, her white and rigid face, until the news came that you + were among the few who had survived the battle, and, in the outburst of + joy and thankfulness at the news, she owned to me that she loved you, her + only fear being that you cared for her only as a sister, since no word of + love had ever passed your lips. I reassured her on that score by telling + her of your conversation with her father, and that a feeling of duty alone + had kept you silent while she remained under your protection. + </p> + <p> + “However, Malcolm, she will not come to you penniless, for, seeing that it + was possible that the war would terminate adversely, and determined to + quit the country should he be forbidden to worship according to his own + religion here, the count has from time to time despatched considerable + sums to the care of a banker at Hamburg, and there are now 10,000 gold + crowns in his hands. + </p> + <p> + “There are, moreover, my estates at Silesia, but these I have for sometime + foreseen would follow those of my husband and fall into the hands of the + emperor. Before the death of the count I talked over the whole matter with + him, and he urged me in any case, even should you fall before becoming the + husband of Thekla, to leave this unhappy country and to take refuge + abroad. + </p> + <p> + “Before his death I had an interview with my nearest kinsman, who has + taken sides with the Imperialists, and to him I offered to resign Thekla's + rights as heiress to the estate for the sum of 10,000 crowns. As this was + but three years revenue of the estates, and it secured their possession to + him whether the Imperialists or Swedes were victorious in the struggle, he + consented, after having obtained the emperor's consent to the step, and I + have this morning received a letter from him saying that the money has + been lodged in the hands of the banker at Hamburg, and Thekla and I have + this morning signed a deed renouncing in his favour all claim to the + estate. Thus Thekla has a dowry of 20,000 gold crowns—a sum not + unworthy of a dowry even for the daughter of a Count of Mansfeld; but with + it you must take me also, for I would fain leave the country and end my + days with her.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you keep the dowry so long as you live, countess,” Malcolm said + earnestly. “It is more than the richest noble in Scotland could give with + his daughter. My own estate, though small, is sufficient to keep Thekla + and myself in ease, and my pleasure in having you with us will be equal to + hers. You would wish, of course, that I should quit the army and return + home, and, indeed, I am ready to do so. I have had more than enough of + wars and fighting. I have been preserved well nigh by a miracle, when my + comrades have fallen around me like grass. I cannot hope that such fortune + would always attend me. The cause for which I have fought seems lost, and + since the Protestant princes of Germany are hastening to desert it, + neither honour nor common sense demand that I, a soldier of fortune and a + foreigner, should struggle any longer for it; therefore I am ready at once + to resign my commission and to return to Scotland.” + </p> + <p> + “So be it,” the countess said; “but regarding Thekla's dowry I shall + insist on having my way. I should wish to see her in a position similar to + that in which she was born, and with this sum you can largely increase + your estates and take rank among the nobles of your country. Now I will + call Thekla in and leave you to ask her to agree to the arrangements we + have made. + </p> + <p> + “My child,” she went on, as Thekla in obedience to her summons entered the + apartment, “Malcolm Graheme has asked your hand of me. He tells me that he + loves you truly, and is willing to take you as a penniless bride, and to + carry you and me away with him far from these terrible wars to his native + Scotland—what say you, my love?” + </p> + <p> + Thekla affected neither shyness or confusion, her colour hardly heightened + as in her sombre mourning she advanced to Malcolm, and laying her hand in + his, said: + </p> + <p> + “He cannot doubt my answer, mother; he must know that I love him with my + whole heart.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, my daughter,” the countess said, “I will leave you to yourselves; + there is much to arrange, for time presses, and your betrothal must be + quickly followed by marriage.” + </p> + <p> + It was but a few days later that Malcolm led Thekla to the altar in St. + Sebald's Church, Nuremberg. The marriage was a quiet one, seeing that the + bride had been so lately orphaned, and only Jans Boerhoff and his family, + and two or three Scottish comrades of Malcolm's, who were recovering from + their wounds at Nuremberg, were present at the quiet ceremony. The + following day the little party started for the north. Malcolm had already + received a letter from Oxenstiern accepting his resignation, thanking him + heartily for the good services he had rendered, and congratulating him on + his approaching wedding. + </p> + <p> + Without adventure they reached Hamburg, and there, arranging with the + banker for the transmission of the sum in his hands to Edinburgh, they + took ship and crossed to Scotland. + </p> + <p> + Three months later Malcolm was delighted by the appearance of his uncle + Nigel. The latter was indeed in dilapidated condition, having lost an arm, + and suffering from other wounds. He had been retained a prisoner by the + Imperialists only until he was cured, when they had freed him in exchange + for an Imperial officer who had been captured by the Swedes. + </p> + <p> + Thekla's dowry enabled her husband largely to increase his estates. A new + and handsome mansion was erected at a short distance from the old castle, + and here Malcolm Graheme lived quietly for very many years with his + beautiful wife, and saw a numerous progeny rise around them. + </p> + <p> + To the gratification of both, five years after her coming to Scotland, the + Countess of Mansfeld married Nigel Graheme and the pair took up their + abode in the old castle, which was thoroughly repaired and set in order by + Malcolm for their use, while he and Thekla insisted that the fortune he + had received as a dowry with his wife should be shared by the countess and + Nigel. + </p> + <p> + THE END <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lion of the North, by G.A. 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Henty + +Release Date: February, 2004 [EBook #5075] +Posting Date: April 14, 2009 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LION OF THE NORTH *** + + + + +Produced by Martin Robb + + + + + + + +THE LION OF THE NORTH + +A Tale of the Times of Gustavus Adolphus, + + +By G. A. Henty + + + + +PREFACE. + + +MY DEAR LADS, + +You are nowadays called upon to acquire so great a mass of learning +and information in the period of life between the ages of twelve and +eighteen that it is not surprising that but little time can be spared +for the study of the history of foreign nations. Most lads are, +therefore, lamentably ignorant of the leading events of even the most +important epochs of Continental history, although, as many of these +events have exercised a marked influence upon the existing state of +affairs in Europe, a knowledge of them is far more useful, and, it +may be said, far more interesting than that of the comparatively petty +affairs of Athens, Sparta, Corinth, and Thebes. + +Prominent among such epochs is the Thirty Years' War, which arose from +the determination of the Emperor of Austria to crush out Protestantism +throughout Germany. Since the invasion of the Huns no struggle which +has taken place in Europe has approached this in the obstinacy of the +fighting and the terrible sufferings which the war inflicted upon the +people at large. During these thirty years the population of Germany +decreased by nearly a third, and in some of the states half the towns +and two-thirds of the villages absolutely disappeared. + +The story of the Thirty Years' War is too long to be treated in one +volume. Fortunately it divides itself naturally into two parts. The +first begins with the entry of Sweden, under her chivalrous monarch +Gustavus Adolphus, upon the struggle, and terminates with his death and +that of his great rival Wallenstein. This portion of the war has been +treated in the present story. The second period begins at the point when +France assumed the leading part in the struggle, and concluded with the +peace which secured liberty of conscience to the Protestants of Germany. +This period I hope to treat some day in another story, so that you may +have a complete picture of the war. The military events of the present +tale, the battles, sieges, and operations, are all taken from the best +authorities, while for the account of the special doings of Mackay's, +afterwards Munro's Scottish Regiment, I am indebted to Mr. J. Grant's +Life of Sir John Hepburn. + +Yours sincerely, + +G. A. HENTY + + + + +CHAPTER I THE INVITATION + + +It was late in the afternoon in the spring of the year 1630; the +hilltops of the south of Scotland were covered with masses of cloud, and +a fierce wind swept the driving rain before it with such force that it +was not easy to make way against it. It had been raining for three days +without intermission. Every little mountain burn had become a boiling +torrent, while the rivers had risen above their banks and flooded the +low lands in the valleys. + +The shades of evening were closing in, when a lad of some sixteen years +of age stood gazing across the swollen waters of the Nith rushing past +in turbid flood. He scarce seemed conscious of the pouring rain; but +with his lowland bonnet pressed down over his eyes, and his plaid +wrapped tightly round him, he stood on a rising hummock of ground at the +edge of the flood, and looked across the stream. + +"If they are not here soon," he said to himself, "they will not get +across the Nith tonight. None but bold riders could do so now; but +by what uncle says, Captain Hume must be that and more. Ah! here they +come." + +As he spoke two horsemen rode down the opposite side of the valley and +halted at the water's edge. The prospect was not a pleasant one. The +river was sixty or seventy feet wide, and in the centre the water swept +along in a raging current. + +"You cannot cross here," the boy shouted at the top of his voice. "You +must go higher up where the water's deeper." + +The wind swept his words away, but his gestures were understood. + +"The boy is telling us to go higher up," said one of the horsemen. + +"I suppose he is," the other replied; "but here is the ford. You see the +road we have travelled ends here, and I can see it again on the other +side. It is getting dark, and were we to cross higher up we might lose +our way and get bogged; it is years since I was here. What's the boy +going to do now? Show us a place for crossing?" + +The lad, on seeing the hesitation of the horsemen, had run along the +bank up the stream, and to their surprise, when he had gone a little +more than a hundred yards he dashed into the water. For a time the water +was shallow, and he waded out until he reached the edge of the regular +bank of the river, and then swam out into the current. + +"Go back," the horseman shouted; but his voice did not reach the +swimmer, who, in a few strokes, was in the full force of the stream, and +was soon lost to the sight of the horsemen among the short foaming waves +of the torrent. + +"The boy will be drowned," one of the horsemen said, spurring his horse +up the valley; but in another minute the lad was seen breasting the +calmer water just above the ford. + +"You cannot cross here, Captain Hume," he said, as he approached the +horsemen. "You must go nigh a mile up the river." + +"Why, who are you, lad?" the horseman asked, "and how do you know my +name?" + +"I'm the nephew of Nigel Graheme. Seeing how deep the floods were I came +out to show you the way, for the best horse in the world could not swim +the Nith here now." + +"But this is the ford," Captain Hume said. + +"Yes, this is the ford in dry weather. The bottom here is hard rock and +easy to ride over when the river is but waist deep, but below and above +this place it is covered with great boulders. The water is six feet +deep here now, and the horses would be carried down among the rocks, and +would never get across. A mile up the river is always deep, and though +the current is strong there is nothing to prevent a bold horseman from +swimming across." + +"I thank you heartily, young sir," Captain Hume said. "I can see how +broken is the surface of the water, and doubt not that it would have +fared hard with us had we attempted to swim across here. In faith, +Munro, we have had a narrow escape." + +"Ay, indeed," the other agreed. "It would have been hard if you and I, +after going through all the battlefields of the Low Countries, should +have been drowned here together in a Scottish burn. Your young friend is +a gallant lad and a good swimmer, for in truth it was no light task to +swim that torrent with the water almost as cold as ice." + +"Now, sirs, will you please to ride on," the boy said; "it is getting +dark fast, and the sooner we are across the better." + +So saying he went off at a fast run, the horses trotting behind him. A +mile above he reached the spot he had spoken of. The river was narrower +here, and the stream was running with great rapidity, swirling and +heaving as it went, but with a smooth even surface. + +"Two hundred yards farther up," the boy said, "is the beginning of the +deep; if you take the water there you will get across so as to climb up +by that sloping bank just opposite." + +He led the way to the spot he indicated, and then plunged into the +stream, swimming quietly and steadily across, and allowing the stream to +drift him down. + +The horsemen followed his example. They had swum many a swollen river, +and although their horses snorted and plunged at first, they soon +quieted down and swam steadily over. They just struck the spot which the +boy had indicated. He had already arrived there, and, without a word, +trotted forward. + +It was soon dark, and the horsemen were obliged to keep close to his +heels to see his figure. It was as much as they could do to keep up with +him, for the ground was rough and broken, sometimes swampy, sometimes +strewn with boulders. + +"It is well we have a guide," Colonel Munro said to his companion; "for +assuredly, even had we got safely across the stream, we should never +have found our way across such a country as this. Scotland is a fine +country, Hume, a grand country, and we are all proud of it, you know, +but for campaigning, give me the plains of Germany; while, as for your +weather here, it is only fit for a water rat." + +Hume laughed at this outburst. + +"I sha'n't be sorry, Munro, for a change of dry clothes and a corner by +a fire; but we must be nearly there now if I remember right. Graheme's +hold is about three miles from the Nith." + +The boy presently gave a loud shout, and a minute later lights were seen +ahead, and in two or three minutes the horsemen drew up at a door beside +which two men were standing with torches; another strolled out as they +stopped. + +"Welcome, Hume! I am glad indeed to see you; and--ah! is it you, Munro? +it is long indeed since we met." + +"That is it, Graheme; it is twelve years since we were students together +at St. Andrews." + +"I did not think you would have come on such a night," Graheme said. + +"I doubt that we should have come tonight, or any other night, Nigel, if +it had not been that that brave boy who calls you uncle swam across +the Nith to show us the best way to cross. It was a gallant deed, and I +consider we owe him our lives." + +"It would have gone hard with you, indeed, had you tried to swim the +Nith at the ford; had I not made so sure you would not come I would have +sent a man down there. I missed Malcolm after dinner, and wondered what +had become of him. But come in and get your wet things off. It is a +cold welcome keeping you here. My men will take your horses round to the +stable and see that they are well rubbed down and warmly littered." + +In a quarter of an hour the party were assembled again in the sitting +room. It was a bare room with heavily timbered ceiling and narrow +windows high up from the ground; for the house was built for purposes +of defence, like most Scottish residences in those days. The floor was +thickly strewn with rushes. Arms and trophies of the chase hung on +the walls, and a bright fire blazing on the hearth gave it a warm and +cheerful aspect. As his guests entered the room Graheme presented them +with a large silver cup of steaming liquor. + +"Drain this," he said, "to begin with. I will warrant me a draught of +spiced wine will drive the cold of the Nith out of your bones." + +The travellers drank off the liquor. + +"'Tis a famous drink," Hume said, "and there is nowhere I enjoy it so +much as in Scotland, for the cold here seems to have a knack of getting +into one's very marrow, though I will say there have been times in the +Low Countries when we have appreciated such a draught. Well, and how +goes it with you, Graheme?" + +"Things might be better; in fact, times in Scotland have been getting +worse and worse ever since King James went to England, and all the court +with him. If it were not for an occasional raid among the wild folks of +Galloway, and a few quarrels among ourselves, life would be too dull to +bear here." + +"But why bear it?" Captain Hume asked. "You used to have plenty of +spirit in our old college days, Graheme, and I wonder at your rusting +your life out here when there is a fair field and plenty of honour, +to say nothing of hard cash, to be won in the Low Country. Why, beside +Hepburn's regiment, which has made itself a name throughout all Europe, +there are half a score of Scottish regiments in the service of the King +of Sweden, and his gracious majesty Gustavus Adolphus does not keep them +idle, I warrant you." + +"I have thought of going a dozen times," Graheme said, "but you see +circumstances have kept me back; but I have all along intended to cross +the seas when Malcolm came of an age to take the charge of his father's +lands. When my brother James was dying from that sword thrust he got in +a fray with the Duffs, I promised him I would be a father to the boy, +and see that he got his rights." + +"Well, we will talk of the affair after supper, Graheme, for now that +I have got rid of the cold I begin to perceive that I am well nigh +famished." + +As the officer was speaking, the servitors were laying the table, and +supper was soon brought in. After ample justice had been done to this, +and the board was again cleared, the three men drew their seats round +the fire, Malcolm seating himself on a low stool by his uncle. + +"And now to business, Nigel," Colonel Munro said. "We have not come back +to Scotland to see the country, or to enjoy your weather, or even for +the pleasure of swimming your rivers in flood. + +"We are commissioned by the King of Sweden to raise some 3000 or 4000 +more Scottish troops. I believe that the king intends to take part in +the war in Germany, where the Protestants are getting terribly mauled, +and where, indeed, it is likely that the Reformed Religion will be +stamped out altogether unless the Swedes strike in to their rescue. My +chief object is to fill up to its full strength of two thousand men +the Mackay Regiment, of which I am lieutenant colonel. The rest of the +recruits whom we may get will go as drafts to fill up the vacancies in +the other regiments. So you see here we are, and it is our intention +to beat up all our friends and relations, and ask them each to raise a +company or half a company of recruits, of which, of course, they would +have the command. + +"We landed at Berwick, and wrote to several of our friends that we were +coming. Scott of Jedburgh has engaged to raise a company. Balfour of +Lauderdale, who is a cousin of mine, has promised to bring another; they +were both at St. Andrew's with us, as you may remember, Graheme. Young +Hamilton, who had been an ensign in my regiment, left us on the way. He +will raise a company in Douglasdale. Now, Graheme, don't you think you +can bring us a band of the men of Nithsdale?" + +"I don't know," Graheme said hesitatingly. "I should like it of all +things, for I am sick of doing nothing here, and my blood often runs +hot when I read of the persecutions of the Protestants in Germany; but I +don't think I can manage it." + +"Oh, nonsense, Nigel!" said Hume; "you can manage it easily enough if +you have the will. Are you thinking of the lad there? Why not bring him +with you? He is young, certainly, but he could carry a colour; and as +for his spirit and bravery, Munro and I will vouch for it." + +"Oh, do, uncle," the lad exclaimed, leaping to his feet in his +excitement. "I promise you I would not give you any trouble; and as for +marching, there isn't a man in Nithsdale who can tire me out across the +mountains." + +"But what's to become of the house, Malcolm, and the land and the +herds?" + +"Oh, they will be all right," the boy said. "Leave old Duncan in charge, +and he will look after them." + +"But I had intended you to go to St. Andrews next year, Malcolm, and +I think the best plan will be for you to go there at once. As you say, +Duncan can look after the place." + +Malcolm's face fell. + +"Take the lad with you, Graheme," Colonel Munro said. "Three years under +Gustavus will do him vastly more good than will St. Andrews. You know it +never did us any good to speak of. We learned a little more Latin than +we knew when we went there, but I don't know that that has been of any +use to us; whereas for the dry tomes of divinity we waded through, I +am happy to say that not a single word of the musty stuff remains in my +brains. The boy will see life and service, he will have opportunities +of distinguishing himself under the eye of the most chivalrous king in +Europe, he will have entered a noble profession, and have a fair chance +of bettering his fortune, all of which is a thousand times better than +settling down here in this corner of Scotland." + +"I must think it over," Graheme said; "it is a serious step to take. +I had thought of his going to the court at London after he left the +university, and of using our family interest to push his way there." + +"What is he to do in London?" Munro said. "The old pedant James, who +wouldn't spend a shilling or raise a dozen men to aid the cause of his +own daughter, and who thought more of musty dogmatic treatises than of +the glory and credit of the country he ruled over, or the sufferings +of his co-religionists in Germany, has left no career open to a lad of +spirit." + +"Well, I will think it over by the morning," Graheme said. "And now tell +me a little more about the merits of this quarrel in Germany. If I +am going to fight, I should like at least to know exactly what I am +fighting about." + +"My dear fellow," Hume laughed, "you will never make a soldier if you +always want to know the ins and outs of every quarrel you have to fight +about; but for once the tenderest conscience may be satisfied as to +the justice of the contention. But Munro is much better versed in the +history of the affair than I am; for, to tell you the truth, beyond the +fact that it is a general row between the Protestants and Catholics, I +have not troubled myself much in the matter." + +"You must know," Colonel Munro began, "that some twenty years ago the +Protestant princes of Germany formed a league for mutual protection and +support, which they called the Protestant Union; and a year later the +Catholics, on their side, constituted what they called the Holy League. +At that time the condition of the Protestants was not unbearable. In +Bohemia, where they constituted two-thirds of the population, Rudolph +II, and after him Mathias, gave conditions of religious freedom. + +"Gradually, however, the Catholic party about the emperor gained the +upper hand; then various acts in breach of the conditions granted to the +Protestants were committed, and public spirit on both sides became +much embittered. On the 23d of May, 1618, the Estates of Bohemia met +at Prague, and the Protestant nobles, headed by Count Thurn, came there +armed, and demanded from the Imperial councillors an account of the high +handed proceedings. A violent quarrel ensued, and finally the Protestant +deputies seized the councillors Martinitz and Slavata, and their +secretary, and hurled them from the window into the dry ditch, fifty +feet below. Fortunately for the councillors the ditch contained a +quantity of light rubbish, and they and their secretary escaped without +serious damage. The incident, however, was the commencement of war. +Bohemia was almost independent of Austria, administering its own +internal affairs. The Estates invested Count Thurn with the command of +the army. The Protestant Union supported Bohemia in its action. Mathias, +who was himself a tolerant and well meaning man, tried to allay the +storm; but, failing to do so, marched an army into Bohemia. + +"Had Mathias lived matters would probably have arranged themselves, +but he died the following spring, and was succeeded by Ferdinand II. +Ferdinand is one of the most bigoted Catholics living, and is at the +same time a bold and resolute man; and he had taken a solemn vow at +the shrine of Loretto that, if ever he came to the throne, he would +re-establish Catholicism throughout his dominions. Both parties prepared +for the strife; the Bohemians renounced their allegiance to him and +nominated the Elector Palatine Frederick V, the husband of our Scotch +princess, their king. + +"The first blow was struck at Zablati. There a Union army, led by +Mansfeldt, was defeated by the Imperial general Bucquoi. A few days +later, however, Count Thurn, marching through Moravia and Upper Austria, +laid siege to Vienna. Ferdinand's own subjects were estranged from him, +and the cry of the Protestant army, 'Equal rights for all Christian +churches,' was approved by the whole population--for even in Austria +itself there were a very large number of Protestants. Ferdinand had but +a few soldiers, the population of the city were hostile, and had Thurn +only entered the town he could have seized the emperor without any +resistance. + +"Thurn hesitated, and endeavoured instead to obtain the conditions of +toleration which the Protestants required; and sixteen Austrian barons +in the city were in the act of insisting upon Ferdinand signing these +when the head of the relieving army entered the city. Thurn retired +hastily. The Catholic princes and representatives met at Frankfort and +elected Ferdinand Emperor of Germany. He at once entered into a strict +agreement with Maximilian of Bavaria to crush Protestantism throughout +Germany. The Bohemians, however, in concert with Bethlem Gabor, king +of Hungary, again besieged Vienna; but as the winter set in they were +obliged to retire. From that moment the Protestant cause was lost; +Saxony and Hesse-Darmstadt left the Union and joined Ferdinand. Denmark, +which had promised its assistance to the Protestants, was persuaded to +remain quiet. Sweden was engaged in a war with the Poles. + +"The Protestant army was assembled at Ulm; the army of the League, under +the order of Maximilian of Bavaria, was at Donauworth. Maximilian worked +upon the fears of the Protestant princes, who, frightened at the contest +they had undertaken, agreed to a peace, by which they bound themselves +to offer no aid to Frederick V. + +"The Imperial forces then marched to Bohemia and attacked Frederick's +army outside Prague, and in less than an hour completely defeated it. +Frederick escaped with his family to Holland. Ferdinand then took steps +to carry out his oath. The religious freedom granted by Mathias was +abolished. In Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia, and Austria proper. Many of the +promoters of the rebellion were punished in life and property. The year +following all members of the Calvinistic sect were forced to leave their +country, a few months afterwards the Lutherans were also expelled, and +in 1627 the exercise of all religious forms except those of the Catholic +Church was forbidden; 200 of the noble, and 30,000 of the wealthier and +industrial classes, were driven into exile; and lands and property to +the amount of 5,000,000 or 6,000,000 pounds were confiscated. + +"The hereditary dominions of Frederick V were invaded, the Protestants +were defeated, the Palatinate entirely subdued, and the electorate was +conferred upon Maximilian of Bavaria; and the rigid laws against the +Protestants were carried into effect in the Palatinate also. It had now +become evident to all Europe that the Emperor of Austria was determined +to stamp out Protestantism throughout Germany; and the Protestant +princes, now thoroughly alarmed, besought aid from the Protestant +countries, England, Holland, and Denmark. King James, who had seen +unmoved the misfortunes which had befallen his daughter and her husband, +and who had been dead to the general feeling of the country, could no +longer resist, and England agreed to supply an annual subsidy; Holland +consented to supply troops; and the King of Denmark joined the League, +and was to take command of the army. + +"In Germany the Protestants of lower Saxony and Brunswick, and the +partisan leader Mansfeldt, were still in arms. The army under the king +of Denmark advanced into Brunswick, and was there confronted by that of +the league under Tilly, while an Austrian army, raised by Wallenstein, +also marched against it. Mansfeldt endeavoured to prevent Wallenstein +from joining Tilly, but was met and defeated by the former general. +Mansfeldt was, however, an enterprising leader, and falling back into +Brandenburg, recruited his army, joined the force under the Duke of +Saxe-Weimar, and started by forced marches to Silesia and Moravia, to +join Bethlem Gabor in Hungary. Wallenstein was therefore obliged to +abandon his campaign against the Danes and to follow him. Mansfeldt +joined the Hungarian army, but so rapid were his marches that his force +had dwindled away to a mere skeleton, and the assistance which it +would be to the Hungarians was so small that Bethlem Gabor refused to +cooperate with it against Austria. + +"Mansfeldt disbanded his remaining soldiers, and two months afterwards +died. Wallenstein then marched north. In the meantime Tilly had attacked +King Christian at Lutter, and completely defeated him. I will tell you +about that battle some other time. When Wallenstein came north it +was decided that Tilly should carry the war into Holland, and that +Wallenstein should deal with the King of Denmark and the Protestant +princes. In the course of two years he drove the Danes from Silesia, +subdued Brandenburg and Mecklenburg, and, advancing into Pomerania, +besieged Stralsund. + +"What a siege that was to be sure! Wallenstein had sworn to capture the +place, but he didn't reckon upon the Scots. After the siege had begun +Lieutenant General Sir Alexander Leslie, with 5000 Scots and Swedes, +fought his way into the town; and though Wallenstein raised fire upon +it, though we were half starved and ravaged by plague, we held out for +three months, repulsing every assault, till at last the Imperialists +were obliged to draw off; having lost 12,200 men. + +"This, however, was the solitary success on our side, and a few months +since, Christian signed a peace, binding himself to interfere no more in +the affairs of Germany. When Ferdinand considered himself free to carry +out his plans, he issued an edict by which the Protestants throughout +Germany were required to restore to the Catholics all the monasteries +and land which had formerly belonged to the Catholic Church. The +Catholic service was alone to be performed, and the Catholic princes +of the empire were ordered to constrain their subjects, by force if +necessary, to conform to the Catholic faith; and it was intimated to the +Protestant princes that they would be equally forced to carry the edict +into effect. But this was too much. Even France disapproved, not from +any feeling of pity on the part of Richelieu for the Protestants, but +because it did not suit the interests of France that Ferdinand should +become the absolute monarch of all Germany. + +"In these circumstances Gustavus of Sweden at once resolved to assist +the Protestants in arms, and ere long will take the field. That is +what has brought us here. Already in the Swedish army there are 10,000 +Scotchmen, and in Denmark they also form the backbone of the force; and +both in the Swedish and Danish armies the greater part of the native +troops are officered and commanded by Scotchmen. + +"Hitherto I myself have been in the Danish service, but my regiment is +about to take service with the Swedes. It has been quietly intimated to +us that there will be no objection to our doing so, although Christian +intends to remain neutral, at any rate for a time. We suffered very +heavily at Lutter, and I need 500 men to fill up my ranks to the full +strength. + +"Now, Graheme, I quite rely upon you. You were at college with Hepburn, +Hume, and myself, and it will be a pleasure for us all to fight side by +side; and if I know anything of your disposition I am sure you cannot +be contented to be remaining here at the age of nine-and-twenty, rusting +out your life as a Scotch laird, while Hepburn has already won a name +which is known through Europe." + + + +CHAPTER II SHIPWRECKED + + +Upon the following morning Nigel Graheme told his visitors that he had +determined to accept their offer, and would at once set to work to raise +a company. + +"I have," he said, "as you know, a small patrimony of my own, and as +for the last eight years I have been living here looking after Malcolm +I have been laying by any rents, and can now furnish the arms and +accoutrements for a hundred men without difficulty. When Malcolm comes +of age he must act for himself, and can raise two or three hundred men +if he chooses; but at present he will march in my company. I understand +that I have the appointment of my own officers." + +"Yes, until you join the regiment," Munro said. "You have the first +appointments. Afterwards the colonel will fill up vacancies. You must +decide how you will arm your men, for you must know that Gustavus' +regiments have their right and left wings composed of musketeers, while +the centre is formed of pikemen, so you must decide to which branch your +company shall belong." + +"I would choose the pike," Nigel said, "for after all it must be by the +pike that the battle is decided." + +"Quite right, Nigel. I have here with me a drawing of the armour in use +with us. You see they have helmets of an acorn shape, with a rim turning +up in front; gauntlets, buff coats well padded in front, and large +breast plates. The pikes vary from fourteen to eighteen feet long +according to the taste of the commander. We generally use about sixteen. +If your company is a hundred strong you will have two lieutenants and +three ensigns. Be careful in choosing your officers. I will fill in the +king's commission to you as captain of the company, authorizing you to +enlist men for his service and to appoint officers thereto." + +An hour or two later Colonel Munro and Captain Hume proceeded on their +way. The news speedily spread through Nithsdale that Nigel Graheme had +received a commission from the King of Sweden to raise a company in his +service, and very speedily men began to pour in. The disbandment of the +Scottish army had left but few careers open at home to the youth of +that country, and very large numbers had consequently flocked to the +Continent and taken service in one or other of the armies there, any +opening of the sort, therefore, had only to be known to be freely +embraced. Consequently, in eight-and-forty hours Nigel Graheme had +applications from a far larger number than he could accept, and he was +enabled to pick and choose among the applicants. Many young men of +good family were among them, for in those days service in the ranks was +regarded as honourable, and great numbers of young men of good family +and education trailed a pike in the Scotch regiments in the service of +the various powers of Europe. Two young men whose property adjoined +his own, Herries and Farquhar, each of whom brought twenty of his own +tenants with him, were appointed lieutenants, while two others, Leslie +and Jamieson, were with Malcolm named as ensigns. The noncommissioned +officers were appointed from men who had served before. Many of the men +already possessed armour which was suitable, for in those day's there +was no strict uniformity of military attire, and the armies of the +various nationalities differed very slightly from each other. Colonel +Munro returned in the course of a fortnight, Nigel Graheme's company +completing the number of men required to fill up the ranks of his +regiment. + +Captain Hume had proceeded further north. Colonel Munro stopped for +a week in Nithsdale, giving instructions to the officers and +noncommissioned officers as to the drill in use in the Swedish army. +Military manoeuvres were in these days very different to what they have +now become. The movements were few and simple, and easily acquired. +Gustavus had, however, introduced an entirely new formation into his +army. Hitherto troops had fought in solid masses, twenty or more deep. +Gustavus taught his men to fight six deep, maintaining that if troops +were steady this depth of formation should be able to sustain any +assault upon it, and that with a greater depth the men behind were +useless in the fight. His cavalry fought only three deep. The recruits +acquired the new tactics with little difficulty. In Scotland for +generations every man and boy had received a certain military training, +and all were instructed in the use of the pike; consequently, at the end +of a week Colonel Munro pronounced Nigel Graheme's company capable +of taking their place in the regiment without discredit, and so went +forward to see to the training of the companies of Hamilton, Balfour, +and Scott, having arranged with Graheme to march his company to Dunbar +in three weeks' time, when he would be joined by the other three +companies. Malcolm was delighted with the stir and bustle of his new +life. Accustomed to hard exercise, to climbing and swimming, he was a +strong and well grown lad, and was in appearance fully a year beyond +his age. He felt but little fatigued by the incessant drill in which the +days were passed, though he was glad enough of an evening to lay aside +his armour, of which the officers wore in those days considerably more +than the soldiers, the mounted officers being still clad in full armour, +while those on foot wore back and arm pieces, and often leg pieces, in +addition to the helmet and breastplate. They were armed with swords and +pistols, and carried besides what were called half pikes, or pikes some +7 feet long. They wore feathers in their helmets, and the armour was of +fine quality, and often richly damascened, or inlaid with gold. + +Very proud did Malcolm feel as on the appointed day he marched with +the company from Nithsdale, with the sun glittering on their arms and a +drummer beating the march at their head. They arrived in due course +at Dunbar, and were in a few hours joined by the other three companies +under Munro himself. The regiment which was now commanded by Lieutenant +Colonel Munro had been raised in 1626 by Sir Donald Mackay of Farre and +Strathnaver, 1500 strong, for the service of the King of Denmark. +Munro was his cousin, and when Sir Donald went home shortly before, he +succeeded to the command of the regiment. They embarked at once on board +a ship which Munro had chartered, and were landed in Denmark and marched +to Flensberg, where the rest of the regiment was lying. + +A fortnight was spent in severe drill, and then orders were received +from Oxenstiern, the chancellor of Sweden, to embark the regiment on +board two Swedish vessels, the Lillynichol and the Hound. On board +the former were the companies of Captains Robert Munro, Hector Munro, +Bullion, Nigel Graheme, and Hamilton. Colonel Munro sailed in this +ship, while Major Sennot commanded the wing of the regiment on board the +Hound. The baggage horses and ammunition were in a smaller vessel. + +The orders were that they were to land at Wolgast on the southern shore +of the Baltic. Scarcely had they set sail than the weather changed, and +a sudden tempest burst upon them. Higher and higher grew the wind, +and the vessels were separated in the night. The Lillynichol laboured +heavily in the waves, and the discomfort of the troops, crowded together +between decks, was very great. Presently it was discovered that she had +made a leak, and that the water was entering fast. Munro at once called +forty-eight soldiers to the pumps. They were relieved every quarter +of an hour, and by dint of the greatest exertions barely succeeded in +keeping down the water. So heavily did the vessel labour that Munro bore +away for Dantzig; but when night came on the storm increased in fury. +They were now in shoal water, and the vessel, already half waterlogged, +became quite unmanageable in the furious waves. Beyond the fact that +they were fast driving on to the Pomeranian coast, they were ignorant of +their position. + +"This is a rough beginning," Nigel said to his nephew. "We bargained to +run the risk of being killed by the Germans, but we did not expect to +run the hazard of being drowned. I doubt if the vessel can live till +morning. It is only eleven o'clock yet, and in spite of the pumps she is +getting lower and lower in the water." + +Before Malcolm had time to answer him there was a tremendous crash which +threw them off their feet. All below struggled on deck, but nothing +could be seen in the darkness save masses of foam as the waves broke on +the rock on which they had struck. There were two more crashes, and +then another, even louder and more terrible, and the vessel broke in two +parts. + +"Come aft all," Colonel Munro shouted; "this part of the wreck is +fixed." + +With great efforts all on board managed to reach the after portion of +the vessel, which was wedged among the rocks, and soon afterwards the +forepart broke up and disappeared. For two hours the sea broke wildly +over the ship, and all had to hold on for life. + +Malcolm, even in this time of danger, could not but admire the calmness +and coolness of his young colonel. He at once set men to work with +ropes to drag towards the vessel the floating pieces of wreck which +were tossing about in the boiling surf. The masts and yards were hauled +alongside, and the colonel instructed the men to make themselves fast to +these in case the vessel should go to pieces. + +Hour after hour passed, and at last, to the joy of all, daylight +appeared. The boats had all been broken to pieces, and Munro now set the +men to work to bind the spars and timbers together into a raft. One +of the soldiers and a sailor volunteered to try to swim to shore with +lines, but both were dashed to pieces. + +At one o'clock in the day some natives were seen collecting on the +shore, and these presently dragged down a boat and launched it, and with +great difficulty rowed out to the ship. A line was thrown to them, and +with this they returned to shore, where they made the line fast. The +storm was now abating somewhat, and Munro ordered the debarkation to +commence. + +As many of the troops as could find a place on the raft, or could cling +to the ropes fastened on its sides, started first, and by means of the +line hauled the raft ashore. A small party then brought it back to the +ship, while others manned the boat; and so after a number of trips the +whole of the troops and crew were landed, together with all the weapons +and armour that could be saved. + +From the peasantry Munro now learned that they had been wrecked upon +the coast of Rugenwalde, a low lying tract of country in the north +of Pomerania. The forts upon it were all in the possession of the +Imperialists, while the nearest post of the Swedes was eighty miles +away. + +The position was not a pleasant one. Many of the arms had been lost, and +the gunpowder was of course destroyed. The men were exhausted and worn +out with their long struggle with the tempest. They were without food, +and might at any moment be attacked by their enemies. + +"Something must be done, and that quickly," Munro said, "or our fate +will be well nigh as bad as that of the Sinclairs; but before night we +can do nothing, and we must hope that the Germans will not discover us +till then." + +Thereupon he ordered all the men to lie down under shelter of the bushes +on the slopes facing the shore, and on no account to show themselves on +the higher ground. Then he sent a Walloon officer of the regiment to the +Pomeranian seneschal of the old castle of Rugenwalde which belonged to +Bogislaus IV, Duke of Pomerania, to inform him that a body of Scotch +troops in the service of the Swedish king had been cast on the coast, +and begging him to supply them with a few muskets, some dry powder, and +bullets, promising if he would do so that the Scotch would clear the +town of its Imperial garrison. + +The castle itself, which was a very old feudal building, was held only +by the retainers of the duke, and the seneschal at once complied +with Munro's request, for the Duke of Pomerania, his master, although +nominally an ally of the Imperialists, had been deprived of all +authority by them, and the feelings of his subjects were entirely with +the Swedes. + +Fifty old muskets, some ammunition, and some food were sent out by a +secret passage to the Scots. There was great satisfaction among the men +when these supplies arrived. The muskets which had been brought ashore +were cleaned up and loaded, and the feeling that they were no longer +in a position to fall helplessly into the hands of any foe who might +discover them restored the spirits of the troops, and fatigue and hunger +were forgotten as they looked forward to striking a blow at the enemy. + +"What did the colonel mean by saying that our position was well nigh as +bad as that of the Sinclairs?" Malcolm asked Captain Hector Munro, who +with two or three other officers was sheltering under a thick clump of +bushes. + +"That was a bad business," Captain Munro replied. "It happened now nigh +twenty years ago. Colonel Monkhoven, a Swedish officer, had enlisted +2300 men in Scotland for service with Gustavus, and sailed with them and +with a regiment 900 strong raised by Sinclair entirely of his own clan +and name. Sweden was at war with Denmark, and Stockholm was invested by +the Danish fleet when Monkhoven arrived with his ships. Finding that he +was unable to land, he sailed north, landed at Trondheim, and marching +over the Norwegian Alps reached Stockholm in safety, where the +appearance of his reinforcements discouraged the Danes and enabled +Gustavus to raise the siege. + +"Unfortunately Colonel Sinclair's regiment had not kept with Monkhoven, +it being thought better that they should march by different routes so as +to distract the attention of the Norwegians, who were bitterly +hostile. The Sinclairs were attacked several times, but beat off their +assailants; when passing, however, through the tremendous gorge of +Kringellen, the peasantry of the whole surrounding country gathered in +the mountains. The road wound along on one side of the gorge. So steep +was the hill that the path was cut in solid rock which rose almost +precipitously on one side, while far below at their feet rushed a rapid +torrent. As the Sinclairs were marching along through this rocky gorge a +tremendous fire was opened upon them from the pine forests above, while +huge rocks and stones came bounding down the precipice. + +"The Sinclairs strove in vain to climb the mountainside and get at their +foes. It was impossible, and they were simply slaughtered where they +stood, only one man of the whole regiment escaping to tell the story." + +"That was a terrible massacre indeed," Malcolm said. "I have read of a +good many surprises and slaughters in our Scottish history, but never of +such complete destruction as that only one man out of 900 should escape. +And was the slaughter never avenged?" + +"No," Munro replied. "We Scots would gladly march north and repay these +savage peasants for the massacre of our countrymen, but the King of +Sweden has had plenty of occupation for his Scotchmen in his own wars. +What with the Russians and the Poles and the Danes his hands have been +pretty full from that day to this, and indeed an expedition against the +Norsemen is one which would bring more fatigue and labour than profit. +The peasants would seek shelter in their forests and mountains, and +march as we would we should never see them, save when they fell upon us +with advantage in some defile." + +At nightfall the troops were mustered, and, led by the men who had +brought the arms, they passed by the secret passage into the castle, +and thence sallied suddenly into the town below. There they fell upon a +patrol of Imperial cavalry, who were all shot down before they had +time to draw their swords. Then scattering through the town, the whole +squadron of cuirassiers who garrisoned it were either killed or taken +prisoners. This easy conquest achieved, the first care of Munro was to +feed his troops. These were then armed from the stores in the town, and +a strong guard being placed lest they should be attacked by the Austrian +force, which was, they learned, lying but seven miles away, on the other +side of the river, the troops lay down to snatch a few hours of needed +rest. + +In the morning the country was scoured, and a few detached posts of the +Austrians captured. The main body then advanced and blew up the bridge +across the river. Five days later an order came from Oxenstiern, to +whom Munro had at once despatched the news of his capture of Rugenwalde, +ordering him to hold it to the last, the position being a very valuable +one, as opening an entrance into Pomerania. + +The passage of the river was protected by entrenchments, strong redoubts +were thrown up round Rugenwalde, and parties crossing the river in boats +collected provisions and stores from the country to the very gates of +Dantzig. The Austrians rapidly closed in upon all sides, and for nine +weeks a constant series of skirmishes were maintained with them. + +At the end of that time Sir John Hepburn arrived from Spruce, having +pushed forward by order of Oxenstiern by forced marches to their relief. +Loud and hearty was the cheering when the two Scotch regiments united, +and the friends, Munro and Hepburn, clasped hands. Not only had they +been at college together, but they had, after leaving St. Andrews, +travelled in companionship on the Continent for two or three years +before taking service, Munro entering that of France, while Hepburn +joined Sir Andrew Gray as a volunteer when he led a band to succour the +Prince Palatine at the commencement of the war. + +"I have another old friend in my regiment, Hepburn," the colonel +said after the first greeting was over--"Nigel Graheme, of course you +remember him." + +"Certainly I do," Hepburn exclaimed cordially, "and right glad will I +be to see him again; but I thought your regiment was entirely from the +north." + +"It was originally," Munro said; "but I have filled up the gaps with men +from Nithsdale and the south. I was pressed for time, and our glens of +Farre and Strathnaver had already been cleared of all their best men. +The other companies are all commanded by men who were with us at St. +Andrews--Balfour, George Hamilton, and James Scott." + +"That is well," Hepburn said. "Whether from the north or the south +Scots fight equally well; and with Gustavus 'tis like being in our own +country, so large a proportion are we of his majesty's army. And now, +Munro, I fear that I must supersede you in command, being senior to +you in the service, and having, moreover, his majesty's commission as +governor of the town and district." + +"There is no one to whom I would more willingly resign the command. I +have seen some hard fighting, but have yet my name to win; while you, +though still only a colonel, are famous throughout Europe." + +"Thanks to my men rather than to myself," Hepburn said, "though, indeed, +mine is no better than the other Scottish regiments in the king's +service; but we have had luck, and in war, you know, luck is +everything." + +There were many officers in both regiments who were old friends and +acquaintances, and there was much feasting that night in the Scotch +camp. In the morning work began again. The peasants of the district, +8000 strong, were mustered and divided into companies, armed and +disciplined, and with these and the two Scotch regiments Hepburn +advanced through Pomerania to the gates of Colberg, fifty miles away, +clearing the country of the Austrians, who offered, indeed, but a faint +resistance. + +The Lord of Kniphausen, a general in the Swedish service, now arrived +with some Swedish troops, and prepared to besiege the town. The rest +of Munro's regiment accompanied him, having arrived safely at their +destination, and the whole were ordered to aid in the investment +of Colberg, while Hepburn was to seize the town and castle of +Schiefelbrune, five miles distant, and there to check the advance of the +Imperialists, who were moving forward in strength towards it. + +Hepburn performed his mission with a party of cavalry, and reported that +although the castle was dilapidated it was a place of strength, and that +it could be held by a resolute garrison; whereupon Munro with 500 men of +his regiment was ordered to occupy it. Nigel Graheme's company was one +of those which marched forward on the 6th of November, and entering +the town, which was almost deserted by its inhabitants, set to work to +prepare it for defence. Ramparts of earth and stockades were hastily +thrown up, and the gates were backed by piles of rubbish to prevent them +being blown in by petards. + +Scarcely were the preparations completed before the enemy were seen +moving down the hillside. + +"How many are there of them, think you?" Malcolm asked Lieutenant +Farquhar. + +"I am not skilled in judging numbers, Malcolm, but I should say that +there must be fully five thousand." + +There were indeed eight thousand Imperialists approaching, led by the +Count of Montecuculi, a distinguished Italian officer, who had with +him the regiments of Coloredo, Isslani, Goetz, Sparre, and Charles +Wallenstein, with a large force of mounted Croats. + +Munro's orders were to hold the town as long as he could, and afterwards +to defend the castle to the last man. The Imperial general sent in a +message requesting him to treat for the surrender of the place; but +Munro replied simply, that as no allusion to the word treaty was +contained in his instructions he should defend the place to the last. +The first advance of the Imperialists was made by the cavalry covered by +1000 musketeers, but these were repulsed without much difficulty by the +Scottish fire. + +The whole force then advanced to the attack with great resolution. +Desperately the Highlanders defended the town, again and again the +Imperialists were repulsed from the slight rampart, and when at last +they won their way into the place by dint of numbers, every street, +lane, alley, and house was defended to the last. Malcolm was almost +bewildered at the din, the incessant roll of musketry, the hoarse shouts +of the contending troops, the rattling of the guns, and the shrieks of +pain. + +Every time the Imperialists tried to force their way in heavy columns +up the streets the Scots poured out from the houses to resist them, and +meeting them pike to pike hurled them backwards. Malcolm tried to keep +cool, and to imitate the behaviour of his senior officers, repeating +their orders, and seeing that they were carried out. + +Time after time the Austrians attempted to carry the place, and were +always hurled back, although outnumbering the Scots by nigh twenty +to one. At last the town was in ruins, and was on fire in a score of +places. Its streets and lanes were heaped with dead, and it was no +longer tenable. Munro therefore gave orders that the houses should +everywhere be set on fire, and the troops fall back to the castle. + +Steadily and in good order his commands were carried out, and with +levelled pikes, still facing the enemy, the troops retired into the +castle. The Imperial general, seeing how heavy had been his losses in +carrying the open town, shrank from the prospect of assaulting a castle +defended by such troops, and when night fell he quietly marched away +with the force under his command. + + + +CHAPTER III SIR JOHN HEPBURN + + +Munro's first care, when he found that the Imperialists had retreated +in the direction of Colberg, was to send out some horsemen to discover +whether the Swedes were in a position to cover that town. The men +returned in two hours with the report that Field Marshal Horn, with the +Swedish troops from Stettin, had joined Kniphausen and Hepburn, and were +guarding the passage between the enemy and Colberg. + +Two days later a message arrived to the effect that Sir Donald Mackay, +who had now been created Lord Reay, had arrived to take the command of +his regiment, and that Nigel Graheme's company was to march and join +him; while Munro with the rest of his command was to continue to hold +the Castle of Schiefelbrune. + +Shortly afterwards General Bauditzen arrived with 4000 men and 18 pieces +of cannon to press the siege of Colberg, which was one of the strongest +fortresses in North Germany. On the 13th of November the news arrived +that Montecuculi was again advancing to raise the siege; and Lord Reay +with his half regiment, Hepburn with half his regiment, and a regiment +of Swedish infantry marched out to meet him, Kniphausen being in +command. They took up a position in a little village a few miles from +the town; and here, at four o'clock in the morning, they were attacked +by the Imperialists, 7000 strong. The Swedish infantry fled almost +without firing a shot, but the Scottish musketeers of Hepburn and Reay +stood their ground. + +For a time a desperate conflict raged. In the darkness it was utterly +impossible to distinguish friend from foe, and numbers on both sides +were mown down by the volleys of their own party. In the streets and +gardens of the little village men fought desperately with pikes and +clubbed muskets. Unable to act in the darkness, and losing many men from +the storm of bullets which swept over the village, the Swedish cavalry +who had accompanied the column turned and fled; and being unable to +resist so vast a superiority of force, Kniphausen gave the word, and the +Scotch fell slowly back under cover of the heavy mist which rose with +the first breath of day, leaving 500 men, nearly half their force, dead +behind them. + +Nigel Graheme's company had suffered severely; he himself was badly +wounded. A lieutenant and one of the ensigns were killed, with thirty of +the men, and many others were wounded with pike or bullet. Malcolm had +had his share of the fighting. Several times he and the men immediately +round him had been charged by the Imperialists, but their long pikes had +each time repulsed the assaults. + +Malcolm had before this come to the conclusion, from the anecdotes he +heard from the officers who had served through several campaigns, that +the first quality of an officer is coolness, and that this is even more +valuable than is reckless bravery. He had therefore set before himself +that his first duty in action was to be perfectly calm, to speak without +hurry or excitement in a quiet and natural tone. + +In his first fight at Schiefelbrune he had endeavoured to carry this +out, but although he gained much commendation from Nigel and the other +officers of the company for his coolness on that occasion, he had by no +means satisfied himself; but upon the present occasion he succeeded +much better in keeping his natural feelings in check, forcing himself to +speak in a quiet and deliberate way without flurry or excitement, and in +a tone of voice in no way raised above the ordinary. The effect had been +excellent, and the soldiers, in talking over the affair next day, were +loud in their praise of the conduct of the young ensign. + +"The lad was as cool as an old soldier," one of the sergeants said, "and +cooler. Just as the Austrian column was coming on for the third time, +shouting, and cheering, and sending their bullets in a hail, he said to +me as quietly as if he was giving an order about his dinner, 'I think, +Donald, it would be as well to keep the men out of fire until the last +moment. Some one might get hurt, you see, before the enemy get close +enough to use the pikes.' And then when they came close he said, 'Now, +sergeant, I think it is time to move out and stop them.' When they came +upon us he was fighting with his half pike with the best of us. And when +the Austrians fell back and began to fire again, and we took shelter +behind the houses, he walked about on the road, stooping down over those +who had fallen, to see if all were killed, and finding two were alive he +called out, 'Will one of you just come and help me carry these men under +shelter? They may get hit again if they remain here.' I went out to him, +but I can tell you I didn't like it, for the bullets were coming along +the road in a shower. His helmet was knocked off by one, and one of the +men we were carrying in was struck by two more bullets and killed, and +the lad seemed to mind it no more than if it had been a rainstorm in the +hills at home. I thought when we left Nithsdale that the captain was in +the wrong to make so young a boy an officer, but I don't think so now. +Munro himself could not have been cooler. If he lives he will make a +great soldier." + +The defence of the Scots had been so stubborn that Montecuculi abandoned +his attempt to relieve Colberg that day, and so vigilant was the watch +which the besiegers kept that he was obliged at last to draw off his +troops and leave Colberg to its fate. The place held out to the 26th of +February, when the garrison surrendered and were allowed to march out +with the honours of war, with pikes carried, colours flying, drums +beating, matches lighted, with their baggage, and with two pieces of +cannon loaded and ready for action. They were saluted by the army as +they marched away to the nearest town held by the Austrians, and as they +passed by Schiefelbrune Munro's command were drawn up and presented +arms to the 1500 men who had for three months resisted every attempt to +capture Colberg by assault. + +Nigel Graheme's wound was so severe that he was obliged for a time to +relinquish the command of his company, which he handed over to Herries. + +As there had been two vacancies among the officers Malcolm would +naturally have been promoted to the duties of lieutenant, but at his +urgent request his uncle chose for the purpose a young gentleman of good +family who had fought in the ranks, and had much distinguished himself +in both the contests. Two others were also promoted to fill up the +vacancies as ensigns. + +The troops after the capture of Colberg marched to Stettin, around which +town they encamped for a time, while Gustavus completed his preparations +for his march into Germany. While a portion of his army had been +besieging Colberg, Gustavus had been driving the Imperialists out of the +whole of Pomerania. Landing on the 24th of June with an army in all of +15,000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, and about 3000 artillery, he had, after +despatching troops to aid Munro and besiege Colberg, marched against the +Imperialists under Conti. These, however, retreated in great disorder +and with much loss of men, guns, and baggage, into Brandenburg; and in +a few weeks after the Swedish landing only Colberg, Greifswald, and +Demming held out. In January Gustavus concluded a treaty with France, +who agreed to pay him an annual subsidy of 400,000 thalers on the +condition that Gustavus maintained in the field an army of 30,000 +infantry and 6000 cavalry, and assured to the princes and peoples whose +territory he might occupy the free exercise of their religion. England +also promised a subsidy, and the Marquis of Hamilton was to bring over +6000 infantry; but as the king did not wish openly to take part in +the war this force was not to appear as an English contingent. Another +regiment of Highlanders was brought over by Colonel John Munro of +Obstell, and also a regiment recruited in the Lowlands by Colonel Sir +James Lumsden. + +Many other parties of Scotch were brought over by gentlemen of rank. +Four chosen Scottish regiments, Hepburn's regiment, Lord Reay's +regiment, Sir James Lumsden's musketeers, and Stargate's corps, were +formed into one brigade under the command of Hepburn. It was called the +Green Brigade, and the doublets, scarfs, feathers, and standards were +of that colour. The rest of the infantry were divided into the Yellow, +Blue, and White Brigades. + +One evening when the officers of Reay's regiment were sitting round the +campfire Lieutenant Farquhar said to Colonel Munro: + +"How is it that Sir John Hepburn has, although still so young, risen to +such high honour in the counsel of the king; how did he first make his +way?" + +"He first entered the force raised by Sir Andrew Gray, who crossed from +Leith to Holland, and then uniting with a body of English troops under +Sir Horace Vere marched to join the troops of the Elector Palatine. It +was a work of danger and difficulty for so small a body of men to march +through Germany, and Spinola with a powerful force tried to intercept +them. They managed, however, to avoid him, and reached their destination +in safety. + +"Vere's force consisted of 2200 men, and when he and Sir Andrew Gray +joined the Margrave of Anspach the latter had but 4000 horse and +4000 foot with him. There was a good deal of fighting, and Hepburn +so distinguished himself that although then but twenty years old he +obtained command of a company of pikemen in Sir Andrew Gray's band, and +this company was specially selected as a bodyguard for the king. + +"There was one Scotchman in the band who vied even with Hepburn in the +gallantry of his deeds. He was the son of a burgess of Stirling named +Edmund, and on one occasion, laying aside his armour, he swam the Danube +at night in front of the Austrian lines, and penetrated to the very +heart of the Imperial camp. There he managed to enter the tent of the +Imperialist general, the Count de Bucquoi, gagged and bound him, carried +him to the river, swam across with him and presented him as a prisoner +to the Prince of Orange, under whose command he was then serving. + +"It was well for Hepburn that at the battle of Prague he was guarding +the king, or he also might have fallen among the hosts who died on that +disastrous day. When the elector had fled the country Sir Andrew Gray's +bands formed part of Mansfeldt's force, under whom they gained great +glory. When driven out of the Palatinate they still kept up the war +in various parts of Germany and Alsace. With the Scotch companies of +Colonel Henderson they defended Bergen when the Marquis of Spinola +besieged it. Morgan with an English brigade was with them, and right +steadily they fought. Again and again the Spaniards attempted to storm +the place, but after losing 12,000 men they were forced to withdraw on +the approach of Prince Maurice. + +"The elector now made peace with the emperor, and Mansfeldt's bands +found themselves without employment. Mansfeldt in vain endeavoured to +obtain employment under one of the powers, but failing, marched into +Lorraine. There, it must be owned, they plundered and ravaged till they +were a terror to the country. At last the Dutch, being sorely pressed +by the Spaniards, offered to take them into their pay, and the bands +marched out from Lorraine in high spirits. + +"They were in sore plight for fighting, for most of them had been +obliged to sell even their arms and armour to procure food. Spinola, +hearing of their approach pushed forward with a strong force to +intercept them, and so came upon them at Fleurus, eight miles from +Namur, on the 30th of August, 1622. + +"The Scots were led by Hepburn, Hume, and Sir James Ramsay; the English +by Sir Charles Rich, brother to the Earl of Warwick, Sir James Hayes, +and others. The odds seemed all in favour of the Spaniards who were +much superior in numbers, and were splendidly accoutred and well +disciplined, and what was more, were well fed, while Mansfeldt's bands +were but half armed and almost wholly starving. + +"It was a desperate battle, and the Spaniards in the end remained +masters of the field, but Mansfeldt with his bands had burst their +way through them, and succeeded in crossing into Holland. Here their +position was bettered; for, though there was little fighting for them to +do, and they could get no pay, they lived and grew fat in free quarters +among the Dutch. At last the force broke up altogether; the Germans +scattered to their homes, the English crossed the seas, and Hepburn led +what remained of Sir Andrew Gray's bands to Sweden, where he offered +their services to Gustavus. The Swedish king had already a large number +of Scotch in his service, and Hepburn was made a colonel, having +a strong regiment composed of his old followers inured to war and +hardship, and strengthened by a number of new arrivals. When in 1625 +hostilities were renewed with Poland Hepburn's regiment formed part +of the army which invaded Polish Prussia. The first feat in which he +distinguished himself in the service of Sweden was at the relief of +Mewe, a town in Eastern Prussia, which was blockaded by King Sigismund +at the head of 30,000 Poles. The town is situated at the confluence of +the Bersa with the Vistula, which washes two sides of its walls. + +"In front of the other face is a steep green eminence which the Poles +had very strongly entrenched, and had erected upon it ten batteries +of heavy cannon. As the town could only be approached on this side the +difficulties of the relieving force were enormous; but as the relief of +the town was a necessity in order to enable Gustavus to carry out the +campaign he intended, the king determined to make a desperate effort to +effect it. + +"He selected 3000 of his best Scottish infantry, among whom was +Hepburn's own regiment, and 500 horse under Colonel Thurn. When they +were drawn up he gave them a short address on the desperate nature of +the service they were about to perform, namely, to cut a passage over a +strongly fortified hill defended by 30,000 men. The column, commanded +by Hepburn, started at dusk, and, unseen by the enemy, approached their +position, and working round it began to ascend the hill by a narrow +and winding path encumbered by rocks and stones, thick underwood, and +overhanging trees. + +"The difficulty for troops with heavy muskets, cartridges, breastplates, +and helmets, to make their way up such a place was enormous, and the +mountain side was so steep that they were frequently obliged to haul +themselves up by the branches of the trees; nevertheless, they managed +to make their way through the enemy's outposts unobserved, and reached +the summit, where the ground was smooth and level. + +"Here they fell at once upon the Poles, who were working busily at their +trenches, and for a time gained a footing there; but a deadly fire of +musketry with showers of arrows and stones, opened upon them from all +points, compelled the Scots to recoil from the trenches, when they were +instantly attacked by crowds of horsemen in mail shirts and steel caps. +Hepburn drew off his men till they reached a rock on the plateau, and +here they made their stand, the musketeers occupying the rock, the +pikemen forming in a wall around it. + +"They had brought with them the portable chevaux-de-frise carried by the +infantry in the Swedish service. They fixed this along in front, and +it aided the spearmen greatly in resisting the desperate charges of the +Polish horsemen. Hepburn was joined by Colonel Mostyn, an Englishman, +and Count Brahe, with 200 German arquebusiers, and this force for two +days withstood the incessant attacks of the whole of the Polish army. + +"While this desperate strife was going on, and the attention of the +enemy entirely occupied, Gustavus managed to pass a strong force of men +and a store of ammunition into the town, and the Poles, seeing that +he had achieved his purpose, retired unmolested. In every battle which +Gustavus fought Hepburn bore a prominent part. He distinguished himself +at the storming of Kesmark and the defeat of the Poles who were marching +to its relief. + +"He took part in the siege and capture of Marienburg and in the defeat +of the Poles at Dirschau. He was with Leslie when last year he defended +Stralsund against Wallenstein, and inflicted upon the haughty general +the first reverse he had ever met with. Truly Hepburn has won his +honours by the edge of the sword." + +"Wallenstein is the greatest of the Imperial commanders, is he not?" +Farquhar asked. + +"He and Tilly," Munro replied. "'Tis a question which is the greatest. +They are men of a very different stamp. Tilly is a soldier, and nothing +but a soldier, save that he is a fanatic in religion. He is as cruel as +he is brave, and as portentously ugly as he is cruel. + +"Wallenstein is a very different man. He has enormous ambition and great +talent, and his possessions are so vast that he is a dangerous subject +for any potentate, even the most powerful. Curiously enough, he was born +of Protestant parents, but when they died, while he was yet a child, he +was committed to the care of his uncle, Albert Slavata, a Jesuit, and +was by him brought up a strict Catholic. When he had finished the course +of his study at Metz he spent some time at the University of Altdorf, +and afterwards studied at Bologna and Padua. He then travelled in Italy, +Germany, France, Spain, England, and Holland, studying the military +forces and tactics of each country. + +"On his return to Bohemia he took service under the Emperor Rudolph +and joined the army of General Basta in Hungary, where he distinguished +himself greatly at the siege of Grau. When peace was made in 1606 +Wallenstein returned to Bohemia, and though he was but twenty-three +years old he married a wealthy old widow, all of whose large properties +came to him at her death eight years afterwards. + +"Five years later he raised at his own cost two hundred dragoons to +support Ferdinand of Gratz in his war against the Venetians. Here he +greatly distinguished himself, and was promoted to a colonelcy. He +married a second time, and again to one of the richest heiresses of +Austria. On the outbreak of the religious war of 1618 he raised a +regiment of Cuirassiers, and fought at its head. Two years later he was +made quartermaster general of the army, and marched at the head of an +independent force into Moravia, and there re-established the Imperial +authority. + +"The next year he bought from the Emperor Ferdinand, for a little over +7,000,000 florins, sixty properties which the emperor had confiscated +from Protestants whom he had either executed or banished. He had been +made a count at the time of his second marriage; he was now named a +prince, which title was changed into that of the Duke of Friedland. They +say that his wealth is so vast that he obtains two millions and a half +sterling a year from his various estates. + +"When in 1625 King Christian of Denmark joined in the war against the +emperor, Wallenstein raised at his own cost an army of 50,000 men +and defeated Mansfeldt's army. After that he cleared the Danes out +of Silesia, conquered Brandenburg and Mecklenburg, and laid siege to +Stralsund, and there broke his teeth against our Scottish pikes. For his +services in that war Wallenstein received the duchy of Mecklenburg. + +"At present he is in retirement. The conquests which his army have +made for the emperor aroused the suspicion and jealousy of the German +princes, and it may be that the emperor himself was glad enough of an +excuse to humble his too powerful subject. At any rate, Wallenstein's +army was disbanded, and he retired to one of his castles. You may +be sure we shall hear of him again. Tilly, you know, is the Bavarian +commander, and we shall probably encounter him before long." + +New Brandenburg and several other towns were captured and strongly +garrisoned, 600 of Reay's regiment under Lieutenant Colonel Lindsay +being left in New Brandenburg. Nigel Graheme was still laid up, but his +company formed part of the force. + +"This is ill fortune indeed," Malcolm said to Lieutenant Farquhar, "thus +to be shut up here while the army are marching away to win victories in +the field." + +"It is indeed, Malcolm, but I suppose that the king thinks that Tilly is +likely to try and retake these places, and so to threaten his rear as +he marches forward. He would never have placed as strong a force of his +best soldiers here if he had not thought the position a very important +one." + +The troops were quartered in the larger buildings of New Brandenburg; +the officers were billeted upon the burghers. The position of the +country people and the inhabitants of the towns of Germany during this +long and desolating war was terrible; no matter which side won, they +suffered. There were in those days no commissariat wagons bringing +up stores from depots and magazines to the armies. The troops lived +entirely upon the country through which they marched. In exceptional +cases, when the military chest happened to be well filled, the +provisions acquired might be paid for, but as a rule armies upon the +march lived by foraging. The cavalry swept in the flocks and herds +from the country round. Flour, forage, and everything else required was +seized wherever found, and the unhappy peasants and villagers thought +themselves lucky if they escaped with the loss of all they possessed, +without violence, insult, and ill treatment. The slightest resistance +to the exactions of the lawless foragers excited their fury, and +indiscriminate slaughter took place. The march of an army could be +followed by burned villages, demolished houses, crops destroyed, and +general ruin, havoc, and desolation. + +In the cases of towns these generally escaped indiscriminate plunder by +sending deputies forward to meet advancing armies, when an offer would +be made to the general to supply so much food and to pay so much money +on condition that private property was respected. In these cases the +main body of the troops was generally encamped outside the town. Along +the routes frequently followed by armies the country became a desert, +the hapless people forsook their ruined homes, and took refuge in the +forests or in the heart of the hills, carrying with them their portable +property, and driving before them a cow or two and a few goats. + +How great was the general slaughter and destruction may be judged by the +fact that the population of Germany decreased by half during the war, +and in Bohemia the slaughter was even greater. At the commencement of +the war the population of Bohemia consisted of 3,000,000 of people, +inhabiting 738 towns and 34,700 villages. At the end of the war there +were but 780,000 inhabitants, 230 towns, and 6000 villages. Thus three +out of four of the whole population had been slaughtered during the +struggle. + +Malcolm was, with Lieutenant Farquhar, quartered upon one of the +principal burghers of New Brandenburg, and syndic of the weavers. He +received them cordially. + +"I am glad," he said, "to entertain two Scottish officers, and, to speak +frankly, your presence will be of no slight advantage, for it is only +the houses where officers are quartered which can hope to escape from +the plunder and exactions of the soldiers. My wife and I will do our +best to make you comfortable, but we cannot entertain you as we could +have done before this war began, for trade is altogether ruined. None +have money wherewith to buy goods. Even when free from the presence of +contending armies, the country is infested with parties of deserters or +disbanded soldiers, who plunder and murder all whom they meet, so that +none dare travel along the roads save in strong parties. I believe that +there is scarce a village standing within twenty miles, and many parts +have suffered much more than we have. If this war goes on, God help the +people, for I know not what will become of them. This is my house, will +you please to enter." + +Entering a wide hall, he led them into a low sitting room where his wife +and three daughters were at work. They started up with looks of alarm at +the clatter of steel in the hall. + +"Wife," the syndic said as he entered, "these are two gentlemen, +officers of the Scottish regiment; they will stay with us during the +occupation of the town. I know that you and the girls will do your best +to make their stay pleasant to them." + +As the officers removed their helmets the apprehensions of the women +calmed down on perceiving that one of their guests was a young man of +three or four and twenty, while the other was a lad, and that both had +bright pleasant faces in no way answering the terrible reputation gained +by the invincible soldiers of the Swedish king. + +"I hope," Farquhar said pleasantly, "that you will not put yourselves +out of your way for us. We are soldiers of fortune accustomed to sleep +on the ground and to live on the roughest fare, and since leaving +Scotland we have scarcely slept beneath a roof. We will be as little +trouble to you as we can, and our two soldier servants will do all that +we need." + +Farquhar spoke in German, for so large a number of Germans were serving +among the Swedes that the Scottish officers had all learned to speak +that language and Swedish, German being absolutely necessary for their +intercourse with the country people. This was the more easy as the two +languages were akin to each other, and were less broadly separated from +English in those days than they are now. + +It was nearly a year since Farquhar and Malcolm had landed on the shores +of the Baltic, and living as they had done among Swedes and Germans, +they had had no difficulty in learning to speak both languages fluently. + + + +CHAPTER IV NEW BRANDENBURG + + +Farquhar and Malcolm Graheme were soon at home with their hosts. The +syndic had offered to have their meals prepared for them in a separate +chamber, but they begged to be allowed to take them with the family, +with whom they speedily became intimate. + +Three weeks after the capture of New Brandenburg the news came that +Tilly with a large army was rapidly approaching. + +Every effort was made to place the town in a position of defence. Day +after day messengers came in with the news that the other places which +had been garrisoned by the Swedes had been captured, and very shortly +the Imperialist army was seen approaching. The garrison knew that they +could expect no relief from Gustavus, who had ten days before marched +northward, and all prepared for a desperate resistance. The townsfolk +looked on with trembling apprehension, their sympathies were with the +defenders, and, moreover, they knew that in any case they might expect +pillage and rapine should the city be taken, for the property of the +townspeople when a city was captured was regarded by the soldiery as +their lawful prize, whether friendly to the conquerors or the reverse. +The town was at once summoned to surrender, and upon Lindsay's refusal +the guns were placed in position, and the siege began. + +As Tilly was anxious to march away to the north to oppose Gustavus he +spared no effort to reduce New Brandenburg as speedily as possible, and +his artillery fired night and day to effect breaches in the walls. The +Scotch officers saw little of their hosts now, for they were almost +continually upon the walls. + +At the first news of the approach of the Imperialists the syndic had +sent away his daughters to the house of a relative at Stralsund, where +his son was settled in business. When Farquhar and Malcolm returned to +eat a meal or to throw themselves on their beds to snatch a short sleep, +the syndic anxiously questioned them as to the progress of the +siege. The reports were not hopeful. In several places the walls were +crumbling, and it was probable that a storm would shortly be attempted. +The town itself was suffering heavily, for the balls of the besiegers +frequently flew high, and came crashing among the houses. Few of the +inhabitants were to be seen in the streets; all had buried their most +valuable property, and with scared faces awaited the issue of the +conflict. + +After six days' cannonade the walls were breached in many places, and +the Imperialists advanced to the assault. The Scotch defended them with +great resolution, and again and again the Imperialists recoiled, unable +to burst their way through the lines of pikes or to withstand the heavy +musketry fire poured upon them from the walls and buildings. + +But Tilly's army was so strong that he was able continually to bring up +fresh troops to the attack, while the Scotch were incessantly engaged. +For eight-and-forty hours the defenders resisted successfully, but at +last, worn out by fatigue, they were unable to withstand the onslaught +of the enemy, and the latter forced their way into the town. Still the +Scots fought on. Falling back from the breaches, they contested every +foot of the ground, holding the streets and lanes with desperate +tenacity, and inflicting terrible losses upon the enemy. + +At last, twelve hours later, they were gathered in the marketplace, +nearly in the centre of the town, surrounded on all sides by the enemy. +Several times the Scottish bugles had sounded a parley, but Tilly, +furious at the resistance, and at the loss which the capture of the town +had entailed, had issued orders that no quarter should be given, and his +troops pressed the now diminished band of Scotchmen on all sides. + +Even now they could not break through the circle of spears, but from +every window and roof commanding them a deadly fire was poured in. +Colonel Lindsay was shot dead. Captain Moncrieff, Lieutenant Keith, and +Farquhar fell close to Malcolm. The shouts of "Kill, kill, no quarter," +rose from the masses of Imperialists. Parties of the Scotch, preferring +to die sword in hand rather than be shot down, flung themselves into the +midst of the enemy and died fighting. + +At last, when but fifty men remained standing, these in a close body +rushed at the enemy and drove them by the fury of their attack some +distance down the principal street. Then numbers told. The band was +broken up, and a desperate hand-to-hand conflict raged for a time. + +Two of the Scottish officers alone, Captain Innes and Lieutenant +Lumsden, succeeded in breaking their way down a side lane, and thence, +rushing to the wall, leapt down into the moat, and swimming across, +succeeded in making their escape, and in carrying the news of the +massacre to the camp of Gustavus, where the tale filled all with +indignation and fury. Among the Scotch regiments deep vows of vengeance +were interchanged, and in after battles the Imperialists had cause +bitterly to rue having refused quarter to the Scots at New Brandenburg. + +When the last melee was at its thickest, and all hope was at an end, +Malcolm, who had been fighting desperately with his half pike, found +himself for a moment in a doorway. He turned the handle, and it opened +at once. The house, like all the others, was full of Imperialists, who +had thrown themselves into it when the Scots made their charge, and were +now keeping up a fire at them from the upper windows. Closing the door +behind him, Malcolm stood for a moment to recover his breath. He had +passed unscathed through the three days' fighting, though his armour and +helmet were deeply dinted in many places. + +The din without and above was tremendous. The stroke of sword on armour, +the sharp crack of the pistols, the rattle of musketry, the shouts of +the Imperialists, and the wild defiant cries of the Highlanders mingled +together. + +As Malcolm stood panting he recalled the situation, and, remembering +that the syndic's house was in the street behind, he determined to gain +it, feeling sure that his host would shelter him if he could. Passing +through the house he issued into a courtyard, quickly stripped off his +armour and accoutrements, and threw them into an outhouse. Climbing on +the roof of this he got upon the wall, and ran along it until behind the +house of the syndic. He had no fear of being observed, for the attention +of all in the houses in the street he had left would be directed to the +conflict below. + +The sound of musketry had already ceased, telling that the work of +slaughter was well nigh over, when Malcolm dropped into the courtyard +of the syndic; the latter and his wife gave a cry of astonishment as the +lad entered the house, breathless and pale as death. + +"Can you shelter me awhile?" he said. "I believe that all my countrymen +are killed." + +"We will do our best, my lad," the syndic said at once. "But the houses +will be ransacked presently from top to bottom." + +"Let him have one of the servant's disguises," the wife said; "they can +all be trusted." + +One of the serving men was at once called in, and he hurried off with +Malcolm. + +The young Scotchmen had made themselves very popular with the servants +by their courtesy and care to avoid giving unnecessary trouble, and in +a few minutes Malcolm was attired as a serving man, and joined the +servants who were busy in spreading the tables with provisions, and +in broaching a large cask of wine to allay the passions of the +Imperialists. + +It was not long before they came. Soon there was a thundering knocking +at the door, and upon its being opened a number of soldiers burst in. +Many were bleeding from wounds. All bore signs of the desperate strife +in which they had been engaged. + +"You are welcome," the host said, advancing towards them. "I have made +preparations for your coming; eat and drink as it pleases you." + +Rushing to the wine casks, the soldiers appeased their thirst with long +draughts of wine, and then fell upon the eatables. Other bands followed, +and the house was soon filled from top to bottom with soldiers, who +ransacked the cupboards, loaded themselves with such things as they +deemed worth carrying away, and wantonly broke and destroyed what they +could not. The servants were all kept busy bringing up wine from the +cellars. This was of good quality, and the soldiers, well satisfied, +abstained from personal violence. + +All night long pandemonium reigned in the town. Shrieks and cries, oaths +and sounds of conflict arose from all quarters, as citizens or their +wives were slaughtered by drunken soldiers, or the latter quarrelled and +fought among themselves for some article of plunder. Flames broke out in +many places, and whole streets were burned, many of the drunken soldiers +losing their lives in the burning houses; but in the morning the bugles +rang out, the soldiers desisted from their orgies, and such as were able +to stand staggered away to join their colours. + +A fresh party marched into the town; these collected the stragglers, +and seized all the horses and carts for the carriage of the baggage and +plunder. The burgomaster had been taken before Tilly and commanded to +find a considerable sum of money the first thing in the morning, under +threat that the whole town would be burned down, and the inhabitants +massacred if it was not forthcoming. + +A council of the principal inhabitants was hastily summoned at daybreak. +The syndics of the various guilds between them contributed the necessary +sum either in money or in drafts, and at noon Tilly marched away with +his troops, leaving the smoking and ruined town behind him. Many of the +inhabitants were forced as drivers to accompany the horses and carts +taken away. Among these were three of the syndic's serving men, Malcolm +being one of the number. + +It was well that the Pomeranian dialect differed so widely from the +Bavarian, so Malcolm's German had consequently passed muster without +suspicion. The Imperialist army, although dragging with them an immense +train of carts laden with plunder, marched rapidly. The baggage was +guarded by horsemen who kept the train in motion, galloping up and down +the line, and freely administering blows among their captives whenever a +delay or stoppage occurred. + +The whole country through which they passed was desolated and wasted, +and the army would have fared badly had it not been for the herds of +captured cattle they drove along with them, and the wagons laden with +flour and wine taken at New Brandenburg and the other towns they had +stormed. The marches were long, for Tilly was anxious to accomplish his +object before Gustavus should be aware of the direction he was taking. + +This object was the capture of the town of Magdeburg, a large and +important city, and one of the strongholds of Protestantism. Here he was +resolved to strike a blow which would, he believed, terrify Germany into +submission. + +When Gustavus heard that Tilly had marched west, he moved against +Frankfort-on-the-Oder, where the Imperialists were commanded by Count +Schomberg. The latter had taken every measure for the defence of the +town, destroying all the suburbs, burning the country houses and mills, +and cutting down the orchards and vineyards. + +Gustavus, accompanied by Sir John Hepburn, at once reconnoitred the +place and posted his troops. The Blue and Yellow Brigades were posted +among the vineyards on the road to Custrin; the White Brigade took post +opposite one of the two gates of the town. Hepburn and the Green Brigade +were stationed opposite the other. + +As the Swedes advanced the Imperialist garrison, who were 10,000 strong, +opened fire with musketry and cannon from the walls. The weakest point +in the defence was assigned by Schomberg to Colonel Walter Butler, who +commanded a regiment of Irish musketeers in the Imperialist service. +In the evening Hepburn and some other officers accompanied the king +to reconnoitre near the walls. A party of Imperialists, seeing some +officers approaching, and judging by their waving plumes they were +of importance, sallied quietly out of a postern gate unperceived and +suddenly opened fire. Lieutenant Munro, of Munro's regiment, was shot in +the leg, and Count Teuffel, a colonel of the Life Guards, in the arm. +A body of Hepburn's regiment, under Major Sinclair, rushed forward and +drove in the Imperialists, a lieutenant colonel and a captain being +captured. + +So hotly did they press the Imperialists that they were able to make a +lodgment, on some high ground near the rampart, on which stood an old +churchyard surrounded by a wall, and whence their fire could sweep +the enemy's works. Some cannon were at once brought up and placed in +position here, and opened fire on the Guben gate. Captain Gunter, of +Hepburn's regiment, went forward with twelve men, and in spite of a very +heavy fire from the walls reconnoitred the ditch and approaches to the +walls. + +The next day all was ready for the assault. It was Palm Sunday, the +3d of April, and the attack was to take place at five o'clock in the +afternoon. Before advancing, Hepburn and several of the other officers +wished to lay aside their armour, as its weight was great, and would +impede their movements. The king, however, forbade them to do so. + +"No," he said; "he who loves my service will not risk life lightly. If +my officers are killed, who is to command my soldiers?" + +Fascines and scaling ladders were prepared. The Green Brigade were to +head the assault, and Gustavus, addressing them, bade them remember New +Brandenburg. + +At five o'clock a tremendous cannonade was opened on the walls from all +the Swedish batteries, and under cover of the smoke the Green Brigade +advanced to the assault. From the circle of the walls a cloud of smoke +and fire broke out from cannon and arquebus, muskets, and wall pieces. +Sir John Hepburn and Colonel Lumsden, side by side, led on their +regiments against the Guben gate; both carried petards. + +In spite of the tremendous fire poured upon them from the wall they +reached the gate, and the two colonels fixed the petards to it and +retired a few paces. In a minute there was a tremendous explosion, and +the gate fell scattered in fragments. Then the Scottish pikemen rushed +forward. As they did so there was a roar of cannon, and a storm of +bullets ploughed lanes through the close ranks of the pikemen, for the +Imperialists, expecting the attack, had placed cannon, loaded to the +muzzle with bullets, behind the gates. + +Munro's regiment now leapt into the moat, waded across, and planting +their ladders under a murderous fire, stormed the works flanking the +gate, and then joined their comrades, who were striving to make an +entrance. Hepburn, leading on the pikemen, was hit on the knee, where he +had in a former battle been badly wounded. + +"Go on, bully Munro," he said jocularly to his old schoolfellow, "for I +am wounded." + +A major who advanced to take his place at the head of the regiment +was shot dead, and so terrible was the fire that even the pikemen of +Hepburn's regiment wavered for a moment; but Munro and Lumsden, with +their vizors down and half pikes in their hands, cheered on their men, +and, side by side, led the way. + +"My hearts!" shouted Lumsden, waving his pike--"my brave hearts, let's +enter." + +"Forward!" shouted Munro; "advance pikes!" + +With a wild cheer the Scots burst forward; the gates were stormed, +and in a moment the cannon, being seized, were turned, and volleys of +bullets poured upon the dense masses of the Imperialists. The pikemen +pressed forward in close column, shoulder to shoulder, the pikes +levelled in front, the musketeers behind firing on the Imperialists in +the houses. + +In the meantime Gustavus, with the Blue and Yellow Swedish Brigades, +stormed that part of the wall defended by Butler with his Irishmen. +These fought with extreme bravery, and continued their resistance until +almost every man was killed, when the two brigades burst into the +town, the White Brigade storming the wall in another quarter. Twice the +Imperialist drums beat a parley, but their sound was deadened by the +roar of musketry and the boom of cannon from wall and battery, and the +uproar and shouting in every street and house. The Green Brigade, under +its commander, maintained its regular order, pressing forward with +resistless strength. In vain the Austrians shouted for quarter. They +were met by shouts of--"Remember New Brandenburg!" + +Even now, when all was lost, Tilly's veterans fought with extreme +bravery and resolution; but at last, when Butler had fallen, and +Schomberg and Montecuculi, and a few other officers had succeeded in +escaping, all resistance ceased. Four colonels, 36 officers, and 3000 +men were killed. Fifty colours and ten baggage wagons, laden with gold +and silver plate, were captured. + +Many were taken prisoners, and hundreds were drowned in the Oder, across +which the survivors of the garrison made their escape. Plundering at +once began, and several houses were set on fire; but Gustavus ordered +the drums to beat, and the soldiers to repair to their colours outside +the town, which was committed to the charge of Sir John Hepburn, with +his regiment. + +The rumour that Magdeburg was the next object of attack circulated among +Tilly's troops the day after they marched west from New Brandenburg. It +originated in some chance word dropped by a superior officer, and seemed +confirmed by the direction which they were taking which was directly +away from the Swedish army. There was a report, too, that Count +Pappenheim, who commanded a separate army, would meet Tilly there, and +that every effort would be made to capture the town before Gustavus +could march to its assistance. + +Malcolm could easily have made his escape the first night after leaving +New Brandenburg; but the distance to be traversed to join the Swedish +army was great, confusion and disorder reigned everywhere, and he had +decided that it would be safer to remain with the Imperialist army until +Gustavus should approach within striking distance. On the road he kept +with the other two men who had been taken with the horses from the +syndic of the weavers, and, chatting with them when the convoy halted, +he had not the least fear of being questioned by others. Indeed, none of +those in the long train of carts and wagons paid much attention to their +fellows, all had been alike forced to accompany the Imperialists, and +each was too much occupied by the hardships of his own lot, and by +thoughts of the home from which he had been torn, to seek for the +companionship of his comrades in misfortune. + +As soon, however, as Malcolm heard the report of Tilly's intentions, he +saw that it was of the utmost importance that the King of Sweden should +be informed of the Imperialist plans as early as possible, and he +determined at once to start and endeavour to make his way across the +country. At nightfall the train with the baggage and plunder was as +usual so placed that it was surrounded by the camps of the various +brigades of the army in order to prevent desertion. The previous night +an escape would have been comparatively easy, for the soldiers were worn +out by their exertions at the siege of New Brandenburg, and were still +heavy from the drink they had obtained there; but discipline was now +restored, and the sentries were on the alert. A close cordon of these +was placed around the baggage train; and when this was passed, there +would still be the difficulty of escaping through the camps of soldiery, +and of passing the outposts. Malcolm waited until the camp became quiet, +or rather comparatively quiet, for the supplies of wine were far from +exhausted, and revelling was still going on in various parts of the +camp, for the rigid discipline in use in modern armies was at that time +unknown, and except when on duty in the ranks a wide amount of license +was permitted to the soldiers. The night was fine and bright, and +Malcolm saw that it would be difficult to get through the line of +sentries who were stationed some thirty or forty yards apart. + +After thinking for some time he went up to a group of eight or ten +horses which were fastened by their bridles to a large store wagon on +the outside of the baggage camp. Malcolm unfastened the bridles and +turned the horses heads outwards. Then he gave two of them a sharp prick +with his dagger, and the startled animals dashed forward in affright, +followed by their companions. They passed close to one of the sentries, +who tried in vain to stop them, and then burst into the camp beyond, +where their rush startled the horses picketed there. These began to kick +and struggle desperately to free themselves from their fastenings. The +soldiers, startled at the sudden noise, sprang to their feet, and much +confusion reigned until the runaway horses were secured and driven back +to their lines. + +The instant he had thus diverted the attention of the whole line of +sentries along that side of the baggage camp, Malcolm crept quietly up +and passed between them. Turning from the direction in which the horses +had disturbed the camp, he made his way cautiously along. Only the +officers had tents, the men sleeping on the ground around their fires. +He had to move with the greatest caution to avoid treading upon the +sleepers, and was constantly compelled to make detours to get beyond +the range of the fires, round which groups of men were sitting and +carousing. + +At last he reached the outside of the camp, and taking advantage of +every clump of bushes he had no difficulty in making his way through the +outposts, for as the enemy was known to be far away, no great vigilance +was observed by the sentries. He had still to be watchful, for fires +were blazing in a score of places over the country round, showing that +the foragers of the army were at their usual work of rapine, and he +might at any moment meet one of these returning laden with spoil. + +Once or twice, indeed, he heard the galloping of bodies of horse, and +the sound of distant pistol shots and the shrieks of women came faintly +to his ears. He passed on, however, without meeting with any of the +foraging parties, and by morning was fifteen miles away from Tilly's +camp. Entering a wood he threw himself down and slept soundly for some +hours. It was nearly noon before he started again. After an hour's +walking he came upon the ruins of a village. Smoke was still curling up +from the charred beams and rafters of the cottages, and the destruction +had evidently taken place but the day before. The bodies of several +men and women lay scattered among the houses; two or three dogs were +prowling about, and these growled angrily at the intruder, and would +have attacked him had he not flourished a club which he had cut in the +woods for self defence. + +Moving about through the village he heard a sound of wild laughter, and +going in that direction saw a woman sitting on the ground. In her lap +was a dead child pierced through with a lance. The woman was talking +and laughing to it, her clothes were torn, and her hair fell in wild +disorder over her shoulders. It needed but a glance to tell Malcolm that +the poor creature was mad, distraught by the horrors of the previous +day. + +A peasant stood by leaning on a stick, mournfully regarding her. He +turned suddenly round with the weapon uplifted at the sound of Malcolm's +approach, but lowered it on seeing that the newcomer was a lad. + +"I hoped you were a soldier," the peasant said, as he lowered his stick. +"I should like to kill one, and then to be killed myself. My God, what +is life worth living for in this unhappy country? Three times since the +war began has our village been burned, but each time we were warned of +the approach of the plunderers, and escaped in time. Yesterday they came +when I was away, and see what they have done;" and he pointed to his +wife and child, and to the corpses scattered about. + +"It is terrible," Malcolm replied. "I was taken a prisoner but two days +since at the sack of New Brandenburg, but I have managed to escape. I am +a Scot, and am on my way now to join the army of the Swedes, which will, +I hope, soon punish the villains who have done this damage." + +"I shall take my wife to her mother," the peasant said, "and leave +her there. I hope God will take her soon, and then I will go and take +service under the Swedish king, and will slay till I am slain. I would +kill myself now, but that I would fain avenge my wife and child on some +of these murderers of Tilly's before I die." + +Malcolm felt that the case was far beyond any attempt at consolation. + +"If you come to the Swedish army ask for Ensign Malcolm Graheme of +Reay's Scottish regiment, and I will take you to one of the German +corps, where you will understand the language of your comrades." So +saying he turned from the bloodstained village and continued his way. + + + +CHAPTER V MARAUDERS + + +Malcolm had brought with him from Tilly's camp a supply of provisions +sufficient for three or four days, and a flask of wine. Before he +started from New Brandenburg the syndic had slipped into his band a +purse containing ten gold pieces, and whenever he came to a village +which had escaped the ravages of the war he had no difficulty in +obtaining provisions. + +It was pitiable at each place to see the anxiety with which the +villagers crowded round him upon his arrival and questioned him as to +the position of the armies and whether he had met with any parties +of raiders on the way. Everywhere the cattle had been driven into the +woods; boys were posted as lookouts on eminences at a distance to bring +in word should any body of men be seen moving in that direction; and the +inhabitants were prepared to fly instantly at the approach of danger. + +The news that Tilly's army was marching in the opposite direction was +received with a deep sense of thankfulness and relief, for they were +now assured of a respite from his plunderers, although still exposed to +danger from the arrival of some of the numerous bands. These, nominally +fighting for one or other of the parties, were in truth nothing but +marauders, being composed of deserters and desperadoes of all kinds, who +lived upon the misfortunes of the country, and were even more cruel and +pitiless than were the regular troops. + +At one of these villages Malcolm exchanged his attire as a serving man +of a rich burgher for that of a peasant lad. He was in ignorance of the +present position of the Swedish army, and was making for the intrenched +camp of Schwedt, on the Oder, which Gustavus had not left when he had +last heard of him. + +On the fourth day after leaving the camp of Tilly, as Malcolm was +proceeding across a bare and desolate country he heard a sound of +galloping behind him, and saw a party of six rough looking horsemen +coming along the road. As flight would have been useless he continued +his way until they overtook him. They reined up when they reached him. + +"Where are you going, boy, and where do you belong to?" the leader of +the party asked. + +"I am going in search of work," Malcolm answered. "My village is +destroyed and my parents killed." + +"Don't tell me that tale," the man said, drawing a pistol from his +holster. "I can tell by your speech that you are not a native of these +parts." + +There was nothing in the appointments of the men to indicate which party +they favoured, and Malcolm thought it better to state exactly who he +was, for a doubtful answer might be followed by a pistol shot, which +would have brought his career to a close. + +"You are right," he said quietly; "but in these times it is not safe +always to state one's errand to all comers. I am a Scotch officer in the +army of the King of Sweden. I was in New Brandenburg when it was stormed +by Tilly. I disguised myself, and, passing unnoticed, was forced to +accompany his army as a teamster. The second night I escaped, and am now +making my way to Schwedt, where I hope to find the army." + +The man replaced his pistol. + +"You are an outspoken lad," he said laughing, "and a fearless one. I +believe that your story is true, for no German boor would have looked +me in the face and answered so quietly; but I have heard that the Scotch +scarce know what danger is, though they will find Tilly and Pappenheim +very different customers to the Poles." + +"Which side do you fight on?" Malcolm asked. + +"A frank question and a bold one!" the leader laughed. "What say you, +men? Whom are we for just at present? We were for the Imperialists the +other day, but now they have marched away, and as it may be the Swedes +will be coming in this direction, I fancy that we shall soon find +ourselves on the side of the new religion." + +The men laughed. "What shall we do with this boy? To begin with, if he +is what he says, no doubt he has some money with him." + +Malcolm at once drew out his purse. "Here are nine gold pieces," he +said. "They are all I have, save some small change." + +"That is better than nothing," the leader said, pocketing the purse. +"And now what shall we do with him?" + +"He is a Protestant," one of the men replied; "best shoot him." + +"I should say," another said, "that we had best make him our cook. Old +Rollo is always grumbling at being kept at the work, and his cooking +gets worse and worse. I could not get my jaws into the meat this +morning." + +A murmur of agreement was raised by the other horsemen. + +"So be it," the leader said. "Dost hear, lad? You have the choice +whether you will be cook to a band of honourable gentlemen or be shot at +once." + +"The choice pleases me not," Malcolm replied. "Still, if it must +needs be, I would prefer for a time the post of cook to the other +alternative." + +"And mind you," the leader said sharply, "at the first attempt to escape +we string you up to the nearest bough. Carl, do you lead him back and +set him to work, and tell the men there to keep a sharp watch upon him." + +One of the men turned his horse, and, with Malcolm walking by his side, +left the party. They soon turned aside from the road, and after a ride +of five miles across a rough and broken country entered a wood. Another +half mile and they reached the foot of an eminence, on the summit of +which stood a ruined castle. Several horses were picketed among the +trees at the foot of the hill, and two men were sitting near them +cleaning their arms. The sight of these deterred Malcolm from carrying +into execution the plan which he had formed--namely, to strike down his +guard with his club as he dismounted, to leap on his horse, and ride +off. + +"Who have you there, Carl?" one of the men asked as they rose and +approached the newcomers. + +"A prisoner," Carl said, "whom the captain has appointed to the +honourable office of cook instead of old Rollo, whose food gets harder +and tougher every day. You are to keep a sharp eye over the lad, who +says he is a Scotch officer of the Swedes, and to shoot him down if he +attempts to escape." + +"Why, I thought those Scots were very devils to fight," one of the men +said, "and this is but a boy. How comes he here?" + +"He told the captain his story, and he believed it," Carl said +carelessly, "and the captain is not easily taken in. He was captured by +Tilly at New Brandenburg, which town we heard yesterday he assaulted and +sacked, killing every man of the garrison; but it seems this boy put +on a disguise, and being but a boy I suppose passed unnoticed, and was +taken off as a teamster with Tilly's army. He gave them the slip, but +as he has managed to fall into our hands I don't know that he has gained +much by the exchange. Now, youngster, go up to the castle." + +Having picketed his horse the man led the way up the steep hill. When +they reached the castle Malcolm saw that it was less ruined than it had +appeared to be from below. The battlements had indeed crumbled away, +and there were cracks and fissures in the upper parts of the walls, +but below the walls were still solid and unbroken, and as the rock was +almost precipitous, save at the point at which a narrow path wound up +to the entrance, it was still capable of making a stout defence against +attack. + +A strong but roughly made gate, evidently of quite recent make, hung +on the hinges, and passing through it Malcolm found himself in the +courtyard of the castle. Crossing this he entered with his guide what +had once been the principal room of the castle. A good fire blazed in +the centre; around this half a dozen men were lying on a thick couch of +straw. Malcolm's guide repeated the history of the newcomer, and then +passed through with him into a smaller apartment, where a man was +attending to several sauce pans over a fire. + +"Rollo," he said, "I bring you a substitute. You have been always +grumbling about being told off for the cooking, just because you +happened to be the oldest of the band. Here is a lad who will take your +place, and tomorrow you can mount your horse and ride with the rest of +us." + +"And be poisoned, I suppose, with bad food when I return," the man +grumbled--"a nice lookout truly." + +"There's one thing, you old grumbler, it is quite certain he cannot do +worse than you do. My jaws ache now with trying to eat the food you gave +us this morning. Another week and you would have starved the whole band +to death." + +"Very well," the man said surlily; "we will see whether you have gained +by the exchange. What does this boy know about cooking?" + +"Very little, I am afraid," Malcolm said cheerfully; "but at least I can +try. If I must be a cook I will at least do my best to be a good one. +Now, what have you got in these pots?" + +Rollo grumblingly enumerated their contents, and then putting on his +doublet went out to join his comrades in the hall, leaving Malcolm to +his new duties. + +The latter set to work with a will. He saw that it was best to appear +contented with the situation, and to gain as far as possible the +goodwill of the band by his attention to their wants. In this way their +vigilance would become relaxed, and some mode of escape might open +itself to him. At dusk the rest of the band returned, and Malcolm found +that those who had met him with the captain were but a portion of the +party, as three other companies of equal strength arrived at about the +same time, the total number mounting up to over thirty. + +Malcolm was conscious that the supper was far from being a success; but +for this he was not responsible, as the cooking was well advanced when +he undertook it; however the band were not dissatisfied, for it was +much better than they had been accustomed to, as Malcolm had procured +woodwork from the disused part of the castle, and had kept the fire +briskly going; whereas his predecessor in the office had been too +indolent to get sufficient wood to keep the water on the boil. + +In the year which Malcolm had spent in camp he had learned a good deal +of rough cookery, for when on active duty the officers had often to +shift for themselves, and consequently next day he was able to produce +a dinner so far in advance of that to which the band was accustomed that +their approbation was warmly and loudly expressed. + +The stew was juicy and tender, the roast done to a turn, and the +bread, baked on an iron plate, was pronounced to be excellent. The band +declared that their new cook was a treasure. Malcolm had already found +that though he could move about the castle as he chose, one of the band +was now always stationed at the gate with pike and pistols, while at +night the door between the room in which he cooked and the hall was +closed, and two or three heavy logs thrown against it. + +Under the pretence of getting wood Malcolm soon explored the castle. The +upper rooms were all roofless and open to the air. There were no windows +on the side upon which the path ascended, and by which alone an attack +upon the castle was possible. Here the walls were pierced only by narrow +loopholes for arrows or musketry. On the other sides the windows were +large, for here the steepness of the rock protected the castle from +attack. + +The kitchen in which he cooked and slept had no other entrance save that +into the hall, the doorway into the courtyard being closed by a heap of +fallen stones from above. Two or three narrow slits in the wall allowed +light and air to enter. Malcolm saw that escape at night, after he had +once been shut in, was impossible, and that in the daytime he could not +pass out by the gate; for even if by a sudden surprise he overpowered +the sentry there, he would be met at the bottom of the path by the +two men who were always stationed as guards to the horses, and to give +notice of the approach of strangers. + +The only chance of escape, therefore, was by lowering himself from one +of the windows behind, down the steep rock. To do this a rope of some +seventy feet long was necessary, and after a careful search through the +ruins he failed to discover even the shortest piece of rope. + +That afternoon some of the band on their return from foraging drove in +half a dozen cattle, and one of these was with much difficulty compelled +to climb up the path to the castle, and was slaughtered in the yard. + +"There, Scot, are victuals for the next week; cut it up, and throw the +head and offal down the rock behind." + +As Malcolm commenced his unpleasant task a thought suddenly struck him, +and he laboured away cheerfully and hopefully. After cutting up the +animal into quarters he threw the head, the lower joints of the legs, +and the offal, from the window. The hide he carried, with the four +quarters, into his kitchen, and there concealed it under the pile of +straw which served for his bed. + +When the dinner was over, and the usual carousal had begun, and he knew +there was no chance of any of the freebooters coming into the room, he +spread out the hide on the floor, cut off the edges, and trimmed it up +till it was nearly circular in form, and then began to cut a strip two +inches wide round and round till he reached the centre. This gave him a +thong of over a hundred feet long. Tying one end to a ring in the wall +he twisted the long strip until it assumed the form of a rope, which +was, he was sure, strong enough to bear many times his weight. + +This part of the work was done after the freebooters had retired to +rest. When he had finished cutting the hide he went in as usual and sat +down with them as they drank, as he wished to appear contented with his +position. The freebooters were discussing an attack upon a village some +thirty miles away. It lay in a secluded position, and had so far escaped +pillage either by the armies or wandering bands. The captain said he had +learned that the principal farmer was a well-to-do man with a large herd +of cattle, some good horses, and a well stocked house. It was finally +agreed that the band should the next day carry out another raid which +had already been decided upon, and that they should on the day following +that sack and burn Glogau. + +As soon as the majority of the band had started in the morning Malcolm +made his way with his rope to the back of the castle, fastened it to the +window, and launched himself over the rock, which, although too steep +to climb, was not perpendicular; and holding by the rope Malcolm had +no difficulty in lowering himself down. He had before starting taken +a brace of pistols and a sword from the heap of weapons which the +freebooters had collected in their raids, and as soon as he reached the +ground he struck off through the wood. + +Enough had been said during the conversation the night before to +indicate the direction in which Glogau lay, and he determined, in the +first place, to warn the inhabitants of the village of the fate which +the freebooters intended for them. + +He walked miles before seeing a single person in the deserted fields. He +had long since left the wood, and was now traversing the open country, +frequently turning round to examine the country around him, for at +any moment after he had left, his absence from the castle might be +discovered, and the pursuit begun. He hoped, however, that two or three +hours at least would elapse before the discovery was made. + +He had, before starting, piled high the fire in the hall, and had placed +plenty of logs for the purpose of replenishing it close at hand. He put +tankards on the board, and with them a large jug full of wine, so that +the freebooters would have no occasion to call for him, and unless they +wanted him they would be unlikely to look into the kitchen. Except when +occasionally breaking into a walk to get breath, he ran steadily on. +It was not until he had gone nearly ten miles that he saw a goatherd +tending a few goats, and from him he learned the direction of Glogau, +and was glad to find he had not gone very far out of the direct line. +At last, after asking the way several times, he arrived within a short +distance of the village. The ground had now become undulating, and the +slopes were covered with trees. The village lay up a valley, and it +was evident that the road he was travelling was but little frequented, +ending probably at the village itself. Proceeding for nearly two miles +through a wood he came suddenly upon Glogau. + +It stood near the head of the valley, which was here free of trees, +and some cultivated fields lay around it. The houses were surrounded +by fruit trees, and an air of peace and tranquillity prevailed such as +Malcolm had not seen before since he left his native country. One house +was much larger than the rest; several stacks stood in the rick yard, +and the large stables and barns gave a proof of the prosperity of its +owner. The war which had already devastated a great part of Germany had +passed by this secluded hamlet. + +No signs of work were to be seen, the village was as still and quiet as +if it was deserted. Suddenly Malcolm remembered that it was the Sabbath, +which, though always kept strictly by the Scotch and Swedish soldiers +when in camp, for the most part passed unobserved when they were engaged +in active service. Malcolm turned his steps towards the house; as he +neared it he heard the sound of singing within. The door was open, and +he entered and found himself on the threshold of a large apartment in +which some twenty men and twice as many women and children were standing +singing a hymn which was led by a venerable pastor who stood at the head +of the room, with a powerfully built elderly man, evidently the master +of the house, near him. + +The singing was not interrupted by the entrance of the newcomer. Many +eyes were cast in his direction, but seeing that their leaders went on +unmoved, the little congregation continued their hymn with great fervour +and force. When they had done the pastor prayed for some time, and then +dismissed the congregation with his blessing. They filed out in a quiet +and orderly way, but not until the last had left did the master of the +house show any sign of observing Malcolm, who had taken his place near +the door. + +Then he said gravely, "Strangers do not often find their way to Glogau, +and in truth we can do without them, for a stranger in these times too +often means a foe; but you are young, my lad, though strong enough to +bear weapons, and can mean us no ill. What is it that brings you to our +quiet village?" + +"I have, sir, but this morning escaped from the hands of the freebooters +at Wolfsburg, and I come to warn you that last night I heard them agree +to attack and sack your village tomorrow; therefore, before pursuing my +own way, which is to the camp of the Swedish king, in whose service I +am, I came hither to warn you of their intention." + +Exclamations of alarm arose from the females of the farmer's family, who +were sitting at the end of the room. The farmer waved his hand and the +women were instantly silent. + +"This is bad news, truly," he said gravely; "hitherto God has protected +our village and suffered us to worship Him in our own way in peace and +in quiet in spite of the decrees of emperors and princes. This gang +of Wolfsburg have long been a scourge to the country around it, and +terrible are the tales we have heard of their violence and cruelty. +I have for weeks feared that sooner or later they would extend their +ravages even to this secluded spot." + +"And, indeed, I thank you, brave youth, for the warning you have given +us, which will enable us to send our womenkind, our cattle and horses, +to a place of safety before these scourges of God arrive here. Gretchen, +place food and wine before this youth who has done us so great a +service; doubtless he is hungry and thirsty, for 'tis a long journey +from Wolfsburg hither." + +"What think you, father, shall I warn the men at once of the coming +danger, or shall I let them sleep quietly this Sabbath night for the +last time in their old homes?" + +"What time, think you, will these marauders leave their hold?" the +pastor asked Malcolm. + +"They will probably start by daybreak," Malcolm said, "seeing that the +journey is a long one; but this is not certain, as they may intend +to remain here for the night, and to return with their plunder on the +following day to the castle." + +"But, sir," he went on, turning to the farmer, "surely you will not +abandon your home and goods thus tamely to these freebooters. You have +here, unless I am mistaken, fully twenty stout men capable of bearing +arms; the marauders number but thirty in all, and they always leave at +least five to guard the castle and two as sentries over the horses; thus +you will not have more than twenty-three to cope with. Had they, as they +expected, taken you by surprise, this force would have been ample to +put down all resistance here; but as you will be prepared for them, and +will, therefore, take them by surprise, it seems to me that you should +be able to make a good fight of it, stout men-at-arms though the +villains be." + +"You speak boldly, sir, for one but a boy in years," the pastor said; +"it is lawful, nay it is right to defend one's home against these +lawless pillagers and murderers, but as you say, evil though their ways +are, these freebooters are stout men-at-arms, and we have heard that +they have taken a terrible vengeance on the villages which have ventured +to oppose them." + +"I am a Scottish officer in the King of Sweden's army," Malcolm said, +"and fought at Schiefelbrune and New Brandenburg, and in the fight when +the Imperialists tried to relieve Colberg, and having, I hope, done my +duty in three such desperate struggles against the Imperialist veterans, +I need not shrink from an encounter with these freebooters. If you +decide to defend the village I am ready to strike a blow at them, for +they have held me captive for five days, and have degraded me by making +me cook for them." + +A slight titter was heard among the younger females at the indignant +tone in which Malcolm spoke of his enforced culinary work. + +"And you are truly one of those Scottish soldiers of the Swedish hero +who fight so stoutly for the Faith and of whose deeds we have heard so +much!" the pastor said. "Truly we are glad to see you. Our prayers have +not been wanting night and morning for the success of the champions of +the Reformed Faith. What say you, my friend? Shall we take the advice of +this young soldier and venture our lives for the defence of our homes?" + +"That will we," the farmer said warmly. "He is used to war, and can give +us good advice. As far as strength goes, our men are not wanting. Each +has his sword and pike, and there are four or five arquebuses in the +village. Yes, if there be a chance of success, even of the slightest, we +will do our best as men in defence of our homes." + + + +CHAPTER VI THE ATTACK ON THE VILLAGE + + +"And now," the farmer said to Malcolm, "what is your advice? That we +will fight is settled. When, where, and how? This house is strongly +built, and we could so strengthen its doors and windows with beams that +we might hold out for a long time against them." + +"No," Malcolm said, "that would not be my advice. Assuredly we might +defend the house; but in that case the rest of the village, the herds +and granaries, would fall into their hands. To do any good, we must +fight them in the wood on their way hither. But although I hope for +a favourable issue, I should strongly advise that you should have the +herds and horses driven away. Send off all your more valuable goods in +the wagons, with your women and children, to a distance. We shall fight +all the better if we know that they are all in safety. Some of the old +men and boys will suffice for this work. And now, methinks, you had best +summon the men, for there will be work for them tonight." + +The bell which was used to call the hands from their work in the fields +and woods at sunset soon sounded, and the men in surprise came trooping +in at the summons. When they were assembled the farmer told them the +news he had heard, and the determination which had been arrived at to +defend the village. + +After the first movement of alarm caused by the name of the dreaded band +of the Wolfsburg had subsided Malcolm was glad to see an expression +of stout determination come over the faces of the assemblage, and all +declared themselves ready to fight to the last. Four of the elder men +were told off at once to superintend the placing of the more movable +household goods of the village in wagons, which were to set out at +daybreak with the cattle and families. + +"Now," Malcolm said, "I want the rest to bring mattocks and shovels and +to accompany me along the road. There is one spot which I marked as I +came along as being specially suited for defence." + +This was about half a mile away, and as darkness had now set in the men +lighted torches, and with their implements followed him. At the spot +which he had selected there was for the distance of a hundred yards a +thick growth of underwood bordering the track on either side. Across the +road, at the end of the passage nearest to the farm, Malcolm directed +ten of the men to dig a pit twelve feet wide and eight feet deep. The +rest of the men he set to work to cut nearly through the trunks of the +trees standing nearest the road until they were ready to fall. + +Ten trees were so treated, five on either side of the road. Standing, as +they did, among the undergrowth, the operation which had been performed +on them was invisible to any one passing by. Ropes were now fastened to +the upper part of the trees and carried across the road, almost hidden +from sight by the foliage which met over the path. When the pit was +completed the earth which had been taken from it was scattered in the +wood out of sight. Light boughs were then placed over the hole. These +were covered with earth and sods trampled down until the break in the +road was not perceptible to a casual eye. + +This was done by Malcolm himself, as the lightest of the party, the +boughs sufficing to bear his weight, although they would give way +at once beneath that of a horse. The men all worked with vigour and +alacrity as soon as they understood Malcolm's plans. Daylight was +breaking when the preparations were completed. Malcolm now divided the +party, and told them off to their respective posts. They were sixteen in +all, excluding the pastor. + +Eight were placed on each side of the road. Those on one side were +gathered near the pit which had been dug, those on the other were +opposite to the tree which was farthest down the valley. The freebooters +were to be allowed to pass along until the foremost fell into the pit. +The men stationed there were at once to haul upon the rope attached to +the tree near it and to bring it down. Its fall would bar the road and +prevent the horsemen from leaping the pit. Those in the rear were, +if they heard the crash before the last of the marauders had passed +through, to wait until they had closed up, which they were sure to do +when the obstacle was reached, and then to fell the tree to bar their +retreat. + +The instant this was done both parties were to run to other ropes and +to bring down the trees upon the horsemen gathered on the road, and were +then to fall upon them with axe, pike, and arquebus. + +"If it works as well as I expect," Malcolm said, "not one of them will +escape from the trap." + +Soon after daybreak bowls of milk and trays of bread and meat were +brought down to the workers by some of the women. As there was no +immediate expectation of attack, the farmer himself, with the pastor, +went back to the village to cheer the women before their departure. + +"You need not be afraid, wife," the farmer said. "I shall keep to my +plans, because when you have once made a plan it is foolish to change +it; but I deem not that there is any real need for sending you and +the wagons and beasts away. This young Scotch lad seems made for a +commander, and truly, if all his countrymen are like himself, I wonder +no longer that the Poles and Imperialists have been unable to withstand +them. Truly he has constructed a trap from which this band of villains +will have but little chance of escape, and I trust that we may slay them +without much loss to ourselves. What rejoicings will there not be in +the fifty villages when the news comes that their oppressors have +been killed! The good God has assuredly sent this youth hither as His +instrument in defeating the oppressors, even as He chose the shepherd +boy David out of Israel to be the scourge of the Philistines." + +By this time all was ready for a start, and having seen the wagons +fairly on their way the farmer returned to the wood, the pastor +accompanying the women. Three hours passed before there were any signs +of the marauders, and Malcolm began to think that the idea might +have occurred to them that he had gone to Glogau, and that they might +therefore have postponed their raid upon that village until they could +make sure of taking it by surprise, and so capturing all the horses +and valuables before the villagers had time to remove them. Glogau was, +however, quite out of Malcolm's direct line for the Swedish camp, and +it was hardly likely that the freebooters would think that their late +captive would go out of his way to warn the village, in which he had no +interest whatever; indeed they would scarcely be likely to recall the +fact that he had been present when they were discussing their proposed +expedition against it. + +All doubts were, however, set at rest when a boy who had been stationed +in a high tree near the edge of the wood ran in with the news that a +band of horsemen were riding across the plain, and would be there in a +few minutes. Every one fell into his appointed place. The farmer himself +took the command of the party on one side of the road, Malcolm of that +on the other. Matches were blown, and the priming of the arquebuses +looked to; then they gathered round the ropes, and listened for the +tramp of horses. + +Although it was but a few minutes before it came, the time seemed long +to those waiting; but at last a vague sound was heard, which rapidly +rose into a loud trampling of horses. The marauders had been riding +quietly until they neared the wood, as speed was no object; but as they +wished to take the village by surprise--and it was just possible that +they might have been seen approaching--they were now riding rapidly. + +Suddenly the earth gave way under the feet of the horses of the captain +and his lieutenant, who were riding at the head of the troop, and men +and animals disappeared from the sight of those who followed. The two +men behind them pulled their horses back on their haunches, and checked +them at the edge of the pit into which their leaders had fallen. + +As they did so a loud crack was heard, and a great tree came crashing +down, falling directly upon them, striking them and their horses to the +ground. A loud cry of astonishment and alarm rose from those behind, +followed by curses and exclamations of rage. A few seconds after the +fall of the tree there was a crash in the rear of the party, and to +their astonishment the freebooters saw that another tree had fallen +there, and that a barricade of boughs and leaves closed their way behind +as in front. Deprived of their leaders, bewildered and alarmed at this +strange and unexpected occurrence, the marauders remained irresolute. +Two or three of those in front got off their horses and tried to make +their way to the assistance of their comrades who were lying crushed +under the mass of foliage, and of their leaders in the pit beyond. + +But now almost simultaneously two more crashes were heard, and a tree +from each side fell upon them. Panic stricken now the horsemen strove to +dash through the underwood, but their progress was arrested, for among +the bushes ropes had been fastened from tree to tree; stakes had been +driven in, and the bushes interlaced with cords. The trees continued to +fall till the portion of the road occupied by the troop was covered by a +heap of fallen wood and leaf. Then for the first time the silence in the +wood beyond them was broken, the flashes of firearms darted out from the +brushwood, and then with a shout a number of men armed with pikes and +axes sprang forward to the attack. + +A few only of the marauders were in a position to offer any resistance +whatever. The greater portion were buried under the mass of foliage. +Many had been struck down by the trunks or heavy arms of the trees. +All were hampered and confused by the situation in which they found +themselves. Under such circumstances it was a massacre rather than a +fight. Malcolm, seeing the inability of the freebooters to oppose any +formidable resistance, sheathed his sword, and left it to the peasants +to avenge the countless murders which the band had committed, and the +ruin and misery which they had inflicted upon the country. + +In a few minutes all was over. The brigands were shot down, piked, or +slain by the heavy axes through the openings in their leafy prison. +Quarter was neither asked for nor given. The freebooters knew that it +would be useless, and died cursing their foes and their own fate in +being thus slaughtered like rats in a trap. Two or three of the peasants +were wounded by pistol shots, but this was all the injury that their +success cost them. + +"The wicked have digged a pit, and they have fallen into it themselves," +the farmer said as he approached the spot where Malcolm was standing, +some little distance from the scene of slaughter. "Verily the Lord hath +delivered them into our hands. I understand, my young friend, why you +as a soldier did not aid in the slaughter of these villains. It is your +trade to fight in open battle, and you care not to slay your enemies +when helpless; but with us it is different. We regard them as wild +beasts, without heart or pity, as scourges to be annihilated when we +have the chance; just as in winter we slay the wolves who come down to +attack our herds." + +"I blame you not," Malcolm said. "When men take to the life of wild +beasts they must be slain as such. Now my task is done, and I will +journey on at once to join my countrymen; but I will give you one piece +of advice before I go. + +"In the course of a day or two the party left at Wolfsburg will grow +uneasy, and two of their number are sure to ride hither to inquire as to +the tarrying of the band. Let your men with arquebuses keep watch night +and day and shoot them down when they arrive. Were I in your place I +would then mount a dozen of your men and let them put on the armour of +these dead robbers and ride to Wolfsburg, arriving there about daybreak. +If they see you coming they will take you to be the band returning. The +two men below you will cut down without difficulty, and there will then +be but three or four to deal with in the castle. + +"I recommend you to make a complete end of them; and for this reason: if +any of the band survive they will join themselves with some other party +and will be sure to endeavour to get them to avenge this slaughter; +for although these bands have no love for each other, yet they would be +ready enough to take up each other's quarrel as against country folk, +especially when there is a hope of plunder. Exterminate them, then, and +advise your men to keep their secret. Few can have seen the brigands +riding hither today. When it is found that the band have disappeared the +country around will thank God, and will have little curiosity as to how +they have gone. You will of course clear the path again and bury their +bodies; and were I you I would prepare at once another ambush like that +into which they have fallen, and when a second band of marauders comes +into this part of the country set a watch night and day. Your men will +in future be better armed than hitherto, as each of those freebooters +carries a brace of pistols. And now, as I would fain be off as soon as +possible, I would ask you to let your men set to work with their axes +and cut away the boughs and to get me out a horse. Several of them +must have been killed by the falling trees, and some by the fire of the +arquebuses; but no doubt there are some uninjured." + +In a quarter of an hour a horse was brought up, together with the helmet +and armour worn by the late captain of the band. + +As Malcolm mounted, the men crowded round him and loaded him with thanks +and blessings for the danger from which he had delivered them, their +wives and families. + +When the fugitives had left the village a store of cooked provisions +had been left behind for the use of the defenders during the day. As +the women could not be fetched back before nightfall, the farmer had +despatched a man for some of this food and the wallets on the saddle +were filled with sufficient to last Malcolm for three or four days. + +A brace of pistols were placed in the holsters, and with a last farewell +to the farmer Malcolm gave the rein to his horse and rode away from the +village. He travelled fast now and without fear of interruption. The +sight of armed men riding to join one or other of the armies was too +common to attract any attention, and avoiding large towns Malcolm rode +unmolested across the plain. + +He presently heard the report that the Swedes had captured +Frankfort-on-the-Oder, and as he approached that town, after four days' +riding, heard that they had moved towards Landsberg. Thither he followed +them, and came up to them outside the walls of that place six days after +leaving Glogau. The main body of the Swedish army had remained in and +around Frankfort, Gustavus having marched against Landsberg with only +3200 musketeers, 12 pieces of cannon, and a strong body of horse. +Hepburn and Reay's Scotch regiments formed part of the column, and +Malcolm with delight again saw the green scarves and banners. + +As he rode into the camp of his regiment he was unnoticed by the +soldiers until he reached the tents of the officers, before which +Colonel Munro was standing talking with several others. On seeing +an officer approach in full armour they looked up, and a cry of +astonishment broke from them on recognizing Malcolm. + +"Is it you, Malcolm Graheme, or your wraith?" Munro exclaimed. + +"It is I in the flesh, colonel, sound and hearty." + +"Why, my dear lad," Munro exclaimed, holding out his hand, "we thought +you had fallen at the sack of New Brandenburg. Innes and Lumsden were +believed to be the only ones who had escaped." + +"I have come through it, nevertheless," Malcolm said; "but it is a long +story, colonel, and I would ask you first if the king has learned what +Tilly is doing." + +"No, he has received no news whatever of him since he heard of the +affair at New Brandenburg, and is most anxious lest he should fall upon +the army at Frankfort while we are away. Do you know aught about him?" + +"Tilly marched west from New Brandenburg," Malcolm said, "and is now +besieging Magdeburg." + +"This is news indeed," Munro said; "you must come with me at once to the +king." + +Malcolm followed Colonel Munro to the royal tent, which was but a +few hundred yards away. Gustavus had just returned after visiting the +advanced lines round the city. On being told that Colonel Munro wished +to speak to him on important business, he at once came to the entrance +of his tent. + +"Allow me to present to you, sire, Malcolm Graheme, a very gallant young +officer of my regiment. He was at New Brandenburg, and I deemed that +he had fallen there; how he escaped I have not yet had time to learn, +seeing that he has but now ridden into the camp; but as he is bearer +of news of the whereabouts of Tilly and his army, I thought it best to +bring him immediately to you." + +"Well, sir," Gustavus said anxiously to Malcolm, "what is your news?" + +"Tilly is besieging Magdeburg, sire, with his whole strength." + +"Magdeburg!" Gustavus exclaimed incredulously. "Are you sure of your +news? I deemed him advancing upon Frankfort." + +"Quite sure, sire, for I accompanied his column to within two marches of +the city, and there was no secret of his intentions. He started for that +town on the very day after he had captured New Brandenburg." + +"This is important, indeed," Gustavus said; "follow me," and he turned +and entered the tent. Spread out on the table was a large map, which the +king at once consulted. + +"You see, Colonel Munro, that to relieve Magdeburg I must march +through Kustrin, Berlin, and Spandau, and the first and last are strong +fortresses. I can do nothing until the Elector of Brandenburg declares +for us, and gives us leave to pass those places, for I dare not march +round and leave them in my rear until sure that this weak prince will +not take sides with the Imperialists. I will despatch a messenger +tonight to him at Berlin demanding leave to march through his territory +to relieve Magdeburg. In the meantime we will finish off with this +place, and so be in readiness to march west when his answer arrives. +And now, sir," he went on, turning to Malcolm, "please to give me the +account of how you escaped first from New Brandenburg, and then from +Tilly." + +Malcolm related briefly the manner of his escape from the massacre at +New Brandenburg, and how, after accompanying Tilly's army as a teamster +for two days, he had made his escape. He then still more briefly related +how he had been taken prisoner by a band of freebooters, but had managed +to get away from them, and had drawn them into an ambush by peasants, +where they had been slain, by which means he had obtained a horse and +ridden straight to the army. + +Gustavus asked many questions, and elicited many more details than +Malcolm had deemed it necessary to give in his first recital. + +"You have shown great prudence and forethought," the king said when he +had finished, "such as would not be looked for in so young a soldier." + +"And he behaved, sire, with distinguished gallantry and coolness at +Schiefelbrune, and in the destructive fight outside Colberg," Colonel +Munro put in. "By the slaughter on the latter day he would naturally +have obtained his promotion, but he begged to be passed over, asserting +that it was best that at his age he should remain for a time an ensign." + +"Such modesty is unusual," the king said, "and pleases me; see the next +time a step is vacant, colonel, that he has it. Whatever his age, he has +shown himself fit to do man's work, and years are of no great value in a +soldier; why, among all my Scottish regiments I have scarcely a colonel +who is yet thirty years old." + +Malcolm now returned with Colonel Munro to the regiment, and there had +to give a full and minute account of his adventures, and was warmly +congratulated by his fellow officers on his good fortune in escaping +from the dangers which had beset him. The suit of armour was a handsome +one, and had been doubtless stripped off from the body of some knight +or noble murdered by the freebooters. The leg pieces Malcolm laid aside, +retaining only a cuirass, back piece, and helmet, as the full armour was +too heavy for service on foot. + +Two days later the king gave orders that the assault upon Landsberg was +to be made that night. The place was extremely strong, and Gustavus had +in his previous campaign twice failed in attempts to capture it. +Since that time the Imperialists had been busy in strengthening the +fortification, and all the peasantry for ten miles round had been +employed in throwing up earthworks; but its principal defence was in +the marsh which surrounded it, and which rendered the construction of +approaches by besiegers almost impossible. Its importance consisted in +the fact that from its great strength its garrison dominated the whole +district known as the Marc of Brandenburg. It was the key to Silesia, +and guarded the approaches to Pomerania, and its possession was +therefore of supreme importance to Gustavus. The garrison consisted of +five thousand Imperialist infantry and twelve troops of horse, the whole +commanded by Count Gratz. The principal approach to the town was guarded +by a strong redoubt armed with numerous artillery. + +Colonel Munro had advanced his trenches to within a short distance of +this redoubt, and had mounted the twelve pieces of cannon to play upon +it, but so solid was the masonry of the fort that their fire produced +but little visible effect. Gustavus had brought from Frankfort as guide +on the march a blacksmith who was a native of Landsberg, and this man +had informed him of a postern gate into the town which would not be +likely to be defended, as to reach it it would be necessary to cross a +swamp flanked by the advanced redoubt and covered with water. + +For two days previous to the assault the troops had been at work +cutting bushes and trees, and preparing the materials for constructing +a floating causeway across the mud and water. As soon as night fell +the men were set to work laying down the causeway, and when this was +finished the column advanced to the attack. It consisted of 250 pikemen +under Colonel Munro, and the same number of the dragoons under Colonel +Deubattel. Hepburn with 1000 musketeers followed a short distance behind +them. + +The pikemen led the way, and passed along the floating causeway without +difficulty, but the causeway swayed and often sank under the feet of the +cavalry behind them. These, however, also managed to get across. Their +approach was entirely unobserved, and they effected an entrance into the +town. + +Scarcely had they done so when they came upon a body of three hundred +Imperialists who were about to make a sally under Colonel Gratz, son of +the governor. The pikemen at once fell upon them. Taken by surprise the +Imperialists fought nevertheless stoutly, and eighty of the Scots fell +under the fire of their musketry. But the pikemen charged home; Colonel +Gratz was killed, with many of his men, and the rest taken prisoners. +Hepburn marching on behind heard the din of musketry and pressed +forward; before reaching the town he found a place in the swamp +sufficiently firm to enable his men to march across it, and, turning +off, he led his troops between the town and the redoubt, and then +attacked the latter in the rear where its defences were weak, and after +three minutes' fighting with its surprised and disheartened garrison the +latter surrendered. + +The redoubt having fallen, and Munro's men having effected a lodgment +in the town, while the retreat on one side was cut off by the force of +Gustavus, and on the other by a strong body of cavalry under Marshal +Horn, the governor sent a drummer to Colonel Munro to say that he +was ready to surrender, and to ask for terms. The drummer was sent to +Gustavus, who agreed that the garrison should be allowed to march away +with the honours of war, taking their baggage and effects with them. +Accordingly at eight o'clock the Count of Gratz at the head of his +soldiers marched out with colours flying and drums beating, and retired +into Silesia. A garrison was placed in Landsberg, and the blacksmith +appointed burgomaster of the town. Landsberg fell on the 15th of April, +and on the 18th the force marched back to Frankfort. + + + +CHAPTER VII A QUIET TIME + + +In spite of the urgent entreaties of Gustavus and the pressing peril of +Magdeburg, the wavering Duke of Brandenburg could not bring himself +to join the Swedes. He delivered Spandau over to them, but would do no +more. The Swedish army accordingly marched to Berlin and invested his +capital. The duke sent his wife to Gustavus to beseech him to draw off +his army and allow him to remain neutral; but Gustavus would not listen +to his entreaties, and insisted, as the only condition upon which he +would raise the siege, that the duke should ally himself with him, and +that the troops of Brandenburg should join his army. + +These conditions the duke was obliged to accept, but in the meantime his +long hesitation and delay had caused the loss of Magdeburg, which after +a gallant defence was stormed by the troops of Pappenheim and Tilly on +the 10th of May. The ferocious Tilly had determined upon a deed which +would, he believed, frighten Germany into submission; he ordered that no +quarter should be given, and for five days the city was handed over to +the troops. + +History has no record since the days of Attila of so frightful a +massacre. Neither age nor sex was spared, and 30,000 men, women, and +children were ruthlessly massacred. The result for a time justified the +anticipations of the ferocious leader. The terrible deed sent a shudder +of horror and terror through Protestant Germany. It seemed, too, as if +the catastrophe might have been averted had the Swedes shown diligence +and marched to the relief of the city; for in such a time men were not +inclined to discuss how much of the blame rested upon the shoulders of +the Duke of Brandenburg, who was, in fact, alone responsible for the +delay of the Swedes. + +Many of the princes and free towns which had hitherto been staunch to +the cause of Protestantism at once hastened to make their peace with +the emperor. For a time the sack of Magdeburg greatly strengthened the +Imperialist cause. No sooner did the news reach the ears of the Duke +of Brandenburg than his fears overcame him, and he wrote to Gustavus +withdrawing from the treaty he had made, and saying that as Spandau had +only been delivered to him in order that he might march to the relief of +Magdeburg he was now bound in honour to restore it. + +Gustavus at once ordered Spandau to be evacuated by his troops, and +again marched with the army against Berlin, which he had but a few days +before left. Here he again dictated terms, which the duke was forced to +agree to. + +The Swedish army now marched to Old Brandenburg, thirty-four miles west +of Berlin, and there remained for some time waiting until some expected +reinforcements should reach it. + +The place was extremely unhealthy, and great numbers died from malaria +and fever, thirty of Munro's musketeers dying in a single week. During +this time the king was negotiating with the Elector of Saxony and the +Landgrave of Hesse. These were the two most powerful of the Protestant +princes in that part of Germany, and Tilly resolved to reduce them to +obedience before the army of Gustavus was in a position to move forward, +for at present his force was too small to enable him to take the field +against the united armies of Tilly and Pappenheim. + +He first fell upon the Landgrave of Hesse, and laid Thuringen waste with +fire and sword. Frankenhausen was plundered and burned to the ground. +Erfurt saved itself from a similar fate by the payment of a large sum of +money, and by engaging to supply great stores of provisions for the use +of the Imperial army. The Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel was next summoned +by Tilly, who threatened to carry fire and sword through his dominions +unless he would immediately disband his troops, pay a heavy contribution +and receive the Imperial troops into his cities and fortresses; but the +landgrave refused to accept the terms. + +Owing to the unhealthiness of the district round Old Brandenburg, +Gustavus raised his camp there, and marched forward to Werben near the +junction of the Elbe with the Havel. He was joined there by his young +queen, Maria Eleonora, with a reinforcement of 8000 men, and by the +Marquis of Hamilton with 6200, for the most part Scotch, who had been +raised by him with the consent of Charles I, to whom the marquis was +master of the horse. + +Werben was distant but a few miles from Magdeburg, and Pappenheim, who +commanded the troops in that neighbourhood, seeing that Gustavus was now +in a position to take the field against him, sent an urgent message to +Tilly for assistance; and the Imperial general, who was on the point of +attacking the Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel, at once marched with his army +and effected a junction with Pappenheim, their combined force being +greatly superior to that of Gustavus even after the latter had received +his reinforcements. + +Malcolm had not accompanied the army in its march from Old Brandenburg. +He had been prostrated by fever, and although he shook off the attack it +left him so weak and feeble that he was altogether unfit for duty. +The army was still lying in its swampy quarters, and the leech who had +attended him declared that he could never recover his strength in such +an unhealthy air. Nigel Graheme, who had now rejoined the regiment cured +of his wound, reported the surgeon's opinion to Munro. + +"I am not surprised," the colonel said, "and there are many others in +the same state; but whither can I send them? The Elector of Brandenburg +is so fickle and treacherous that he may at any moment turn against us." + +"I was speaking to Malcolm," Nigel replied, "and he said that he would +he could go for a time to recruit his health in that village among the +hills where he had the fight with the freebooters who made him captive. +He said he was sure of a cordial welcome there, and it is but three +days' march from here." + +"'Tis an out-of-the-way place," Munro said, "and if we move west +we shall be still further removed from it. There are Imperial bands +everywhere harrying the country unguarded by us, and one of these might +at any moment swoop down into that neighbourhood." + +"That is true; but, after all, it would be better that he should run +that risk than sink from weakness as so many have done here after +getting through the first attack of fever." + +"That is so, Nigel, and if you and Malcolm prefer that risk to the other +I will not say you nay; but what is good for him is good for others, and +I will ask the surgeon to make me a list of twenty men who are strong +enough to journey by easy stages, and who yet absolutely require to get +out of this poisonous air to enable them to effect their recovery. We +will furnish them with one of the baggage wagons of the regiment, so +that they can ride when they choose. Tell the paymaster to give each +man in advance a month's pay, that they may have money to pay what they +need. Horses are scarce, so we can give them but two with the wagon, but +that will be sufficient as they will journey slowly. See that a steady +and experienced driver is told off with them. They had best start at +daybreak tomorrow morning." + +At the appointed time the wagon was in readiness, and those who had to +accompany Malcolm gathered round, together with many of their comrades +who had assembled to wish them Godspeed. The pikes and muskets, helmets +and breast pieces were placed in the wagon, and then the fever stricken +band formed up before it. + +Munro, Nigel, and most of the officers came down to bid farewell to +Malcolm, and to wish him a speedy return in good health. Then he placed +himself at the head of the band and marched off, the wagon following in +the rear. Before they had been gone a mile several of the men had been +compelled to take their places in the wagon, and by the time three miles +had been passed the rest had one by one been forced to give in. + +Malcolm was one of the last. He took his seat by the driver, and the +now heavily freighted wagon moved slowly across the country. A store of +provisions sufficient for several days had been placed in the wagon, and +after proceeding fifteen miles a halt was made at a deserted village, +and two of the houses in the best condition were taken possession of, +Malcolm and the sergeant of the party, a young fellow named Sinclair, +occupying the one, and the men taking up their quarters in another. + +The next morning the benefit of the change and the removal from the +fever tainted air made itself already apparent. The distance performed +on foot was somewhat longer than on the preceding day; the men were in +better spirits, and marched with a brisker step than that with which +they had left the camp. At the end of the fourth day they approached the +wood in which the village was situated. + +"I will go on ahead," Malcolm said. "Our approach will probably have +been seen, and unless they know who we are we may meet with but a rough +welcome. Halt the wagon here until one returns with news that you may +proceed, for there may be pitfalls in the road." + +Malcolm had kept the horse on which he had ridden to Landsberg, and it +had been tied behind the wagon. During the last day's march he had been +strong enough to ride it. He now dismounted, and taking the bridle over +his arm he entered the wood. He examined the road cautiously as he went +along. He had gone about half way when the farmer with four of his men +armed with pikes suddenly appeared in the road before him. + +"Who are you," the farmer asked, "and what would you here?" + +"Do you not remember me?" Malcolm said. "It is but three months since I +was here." + +"Bless me, it is our Scottish friend! Why, lad, I knew you not again, so +changed are you. Why, what has happened to you?" + +"I have had the fever," Malcolm said, "and have been like to die; but I +thought that a change to the pure air of your hills and woods here would +set me up. So I have travelled here to ask your hospitality." + +By this time the farmer had come up and had grasped Malcolm's hand. + +"All that I have is yours," he said warmly. "The lookout saw a wagon +coming across the plain with three or four men walking beside it, and he +thought that many more were seated in it; so thinking that this might be +a ruse of some freebooting band, I had the alarm bell rung, and prepared +to give them a hot reception." + +"I have brought some sick comrades with me," Malcolm said. "I have no +thought of quartering them on you. That would be nigh as bad as the +arrival of a party of marauders, for they are getting strength, and +will, I warrant you, have keen appetites ere long; but we have brought +tents, and will pay for all we have." + +"Do not talk of payment," the farmer said heartily. "As long as there is +flour in the storehouse and bacon on the beams, any Scottish soldier of +Gustavus is welcome to it, still more if they be comrades of thine." + +"Thanks, indeed," Malcolm replied. "I left them at the edge of the wood, +for I knew not what welcome you might have prepared here; and seeing so +many men you might have shot at them before waiting to ask a question." + +"That is possible enough," the farmer said, "for indeed we could hardly +look for friends. The men are all posted a hundred yards further on." + +The farmer ordered one of his men to go on and bring up the wagon, and +then with Malcolm walked on to the village. A call that all was right +brought out the defenders of the ambush. It had been arranged similarly +to that which had been so successful before, except that instead of the +pit, several strong ropes had been laid across the road, to be tightened +breast high as soon as an enemy came close to them. + +"These are not as good as the pit," the farmer said as they passed them; +"but as we have to use the road sometimes we could not keep a pit +here, which, moreover, might have given way and injured any one from a +neighbouring village who might be riding hither. We have made a strong +stockade of beams among the underwood on either side, so that none could +break through into the wood from the path." + +"That is good," Malcolm said; "but were I you I would dig a pit across +the road some twelve feet wide, and would cover it with a stout door +with a catch, so that it would bear wagons crossing, but when the catch +is drawn it should rest only on some light supports below, and would +give way at once if a weight came on it. It would, of course, be covered +over with turf. It will take some time to make, but it will add greatly +to your safety." + +"It shall be done," the farmer said. "Wood is in plenty, and some of my +men are good carpenters. I will set about it at once." + +On arriving at the village Malcolm was cordially welcomed by the +farmer's wife and daughters. The guest chamber was instantly prepared +for him and refreshments laid on the table, while the maids, under the +direction of the farmer's wife, at once began to cook a bounteous meal +in readiness for the arrival of the soldiers. A spot was chosen on some +smooth turf under the shade of trees for the erection of the tents, and +trusses of clean straw carried there for bedding. + +Malcolm as he sat in the cool chamber in the farm house felt the change +delightful after the hot dusty journey across the plain. There was quite +an excitement in the little village when the wagon drove up. The men +lifted the arms and baggage from the wagon. The women offered fruit and +flagons of wine, and fresh cool water, to the soldiers. There was not +only general pleasure throughout the village caused by the novelty of +the arrival of the party from the outer world, but a real satisfaction +in receiving these men who had fought so bravely against the oppressors +of the Protestants of Germany. There was also the feeling that so long +as this body of soldiers might remain in the village they would be able +to sleep in peace and security, safe from the attacks of any marauding +band. The tents were soon pitched by the peasants under the direction of +Sergeant Sinclair, straw was laid down in them, and the canvas raised to +allow the air to sweep through them. + +Very grateful were the weary men for the kindness with which they were +received, and even the weakest felt that they should soon recover their +strength. + +In an hour two men came up from the farm house carrying a huge pot +filled with strong soup. Another brought a great dish of stew. Women +carried wooden platters, bowls of stewed fruit, and loaves of bread; and +the soldiers, seated upon the grass, fell to with an appetite such as +they had not experienced for weeks. With the meal was an abundant supply +of the rough but wholesome wine of the country. + +To the Scottish soldiers after the hardships they had passed through, +this secluded valley seemed a perfect paradise. They had nought to do +save to eat their meals, to sleep on the turf in the shade, or to wander +in the woods and gardens free to pick what fruit they fancied. Under +these circumstances they rapidly picked up strength, and in a week after +their arrival would hardly have been recognized as the feeble band who +had left the Swedish camp at Old Brandenburg. + +On Sunday the pastor arrived. He did not live permanently at the +village, but ministered to the inhabitants of several villages scattered +among the hills, holding services in them by turns, and remaining a few +days in each. As the congregation was too large for the room in the farm +house the service was held in the open air. The Scotch soldiers were all +present, and joined heartily in the singing, although many of them were +ignorant of the language, and sang the words of Scotch hymns to the +German tunes. + +Even the roughest of them, and those who had been longest away from +their native country, were much moved by the service. The hush and +stillness, the air of quiet and peace which prevailed, the fervour with +which all joined in the simple service, took them back in thought to the +days of their youth in quiet Scottish glens, and many a hand was passed +hastily across eyes which had not been moistened for many a year. + +The armour and arms were now cleaned and polished, and for a short time +each day Malcolm exercised them. The martial appearance and perfect +discipline of the Scots struck the villagers with admiration the first +time they saw them under arms, and they earnestly begged Malcolm that +they might receive from him and Sergeant Sinclair some instruction in +drill. + +Accordingly every evening when work was done the men of the village were +formed up and drilled. Several of the soldiers took their places with +them in the ranks in order to aid them by their example. After the drill +there was sword and pike exercise, and as most of the men had already +some knowledge of the use of arms they made rapid progress, and felt an +increased confidence in their power to defend the village against the +attacks of any small bands of plunderers. To Malcolm the time passed +delightfully. His kind hosts vied with each other in their efforts to +make him comfortable, and it was in vain that he assured them that he +no longer needed attention and care. A seat was always placed for him +in the coolest nook in the room, fresh grapes and other fruit stood in +readiness on a table hard by. The farmer's daughters, busy as they were +in their household avocations, were always ready to sit and talk with +him when he was indoors, and of an evening to sing him the country +melodies. + +At the end of a fortnight the men were all fit for duty again, but the +hospitable farmer would not hear of their leaving, and as news from +time to time reached them from the outer world, and Malcolm learned that +there was no chance of any engagement for a time between the hostile +armies, he was only too glad to remain. + +Another fortnight passed, and Malcolm reluctantly gave the word that on +the morrow the march must be recommenced. A general feeling of sorrow +reigned in the village when it was known that their guests were about to +depart, for the Scottish soldiers had made themselves extremely popular. +They were ever ready to assist in the labours of the village. They +helped to pick the apples from the heavily laden trees, they assisted to +thrash out the corn, and in every way strove to repay their entertainers +for the kindness they had shown them. + +Of an evening their camp had been the rendezvous of the whole village. +There alternately the soldiers and the peasants sang their national +songs, and joined in hearty choruses. Sometimes there were dances, for +many of the villagers played on various instruments; and altogether +Glogau had never known such a time of festivity and cheerfulness before. + +Late in the evening of the day before they had fixed for their departure +the pastor rode into the village. + +"I have bad news," he said. "A party of Pappenheim's dragoons, three +hundred strong, are raiding in the district on the other side of the +hills. A man came in just as I mounted my horse, saying that it was +expected they would attack Mansfeld, whose count is a sturdy Protestant. +The people were determined to resist to the last, in spite of the fate +of Magdeburg and Frankenhausen, but I fear that their chance of success +is a small one; but they say they may as well die fighting as be +slaughtered in cold blood." + +"Is Mansfeld fortified?" Malcolm asked. + +"It has a wall," the pastor replied, "but of no great strength. The +count's castle, which stands on a rock adjoining it, might defend itself +for some time, but I question whether it can withstand Pappenheim's +veterans. + +"Mansfeld itself is little more than a village. I should not say it +had more than a thousand inhabitants, and can muster at best about two +hundred and fifty men capable of bearing arms." + +"How far is it from here?" Malcolm asked after a pause. + +"Twenty-four miles by the bridle path across the hills." + +"When were the Imperialists expected to arrive?" + +"They were ten miles away this morning," the pastor replied; "but as +they were plundering and burning as they went they will not probably +arrive before Mansfeld before the morning. Some of the more timid +citizens were leaving, and many were sending away their wives and +families." + +"Then," Malcolm said, "I will march thither at once. Twenty good +soldiers may make all the difference, and although I have, of course, no +orders for such an emergency, the king can hardly blame me even if the +worst happens for striking a blow against the Imperialists here. Will +you give me a man," he asked the farmer, "to guide us across the hills?" + +"That will I right willingly," the farmer said; "but it seems to me a +desperate service to embark in. These townspeople are of little good for +fighting, and probably intend only to make a show of resistance in order +to procure better terms. The count himself is a brave nobleman, but I +fear that the enterprise is a hopeless one." + +"Hopeless or not," Malcolm said, "I will undertake it, and will at once +put the men under arms. The wagon and horses with the baggage I will +leave here till I return, that is if we should ever come back again." + +A tap of the drum and the soldiers came running in hastily from various +cottages where they were spending their last evening with their village +friends, wondering at the sudden summons to arms. As soon as they had +fallen in, Malcolm joined them. + +"Men," he said, "I am sorry to disturb you on your last evening here, +but there is business on hand. A party of Pappenheim's dragoons are +about to attack the town of Mansfeld, where the people are of the +Reformed Religion. The siege will begin in the morning, and ere that +time we must be there. We have all got fat and lazy, and a little +fighting will do us good." + +The thought of a coming fray reconciled the men to their departure +from their quiet and happy resting place. Armour was donned, buckles +fastened, and arms inspected, and in half an hour, after a cordial adieu +from their kind hosts, the detachment marched off, their guide with a +lighted torch leading the way. The men were in light marching order, +having left everything superfluous behind them in the wagon; and they +marched briskly along over hill and through forest without a halt, till +at three o'clock in the morning the little town of Mansfeld, with its +castle rising above it, was visible before them in the first light of +morning. + +As they approached the walls a musketoon was fired, and the alarm bell +of the church instantly rang out. Soon armed men made their appearance +on the walls. Fearing that the burghers might fire before waiting to +ascertain who were the newcomers, Malcolm halted his band, and advanced +alone towards the walls. + +"Who are you who come in arms to the peaceful town of Mansfeld?" an +officer asked from the wall. + +"I am an officer of his Swedish Majesty, Gustavus, and hearing that +the town was threatened with attack by the Imperialists, I have marched +hither with my detachment to aid in the defence." + +A loud cheer broke from the walls. Not only was the reinforcement a most +welcome one, small as it was, for the valour of the Scottish soldiers +of the King of Sweden was at that time the talk of all Germany, but the +fact that a detachment of these redoubted troops had arrived seemed a +proof that the main army of the Swedish king could not be far away. +The gates were at once opened, and Malcolm with his band marched into +Mansfield. + + + +CHAPTER VIII THE SIEGE OF MANSFELD + + +"Will it please your worship at once to repair to the castle?" the +leader of the townspeople said. "The count has just sent down to inquire +into the reason of the alarm." + +"Yes," Malcolm replied, "I will go at once. In the meantime, sir, I +pray you to see to the wants of my soldiers, who have taken a long night +march and will be none the worse for some refreshment. Hast seen aught +of the Imperialists?" + +"They are at a village but a mile distant on the other side of the +town," the citizen said. "Yesterday we counted eighteen villages in +flames, and the peasants who have come in say that numbers have been +slain by them." + +"There is little mercy to be expected from the butchers of Magdeburg," +Malcolm replied; "the only arguments they will listen to are steel and +lead, and we will not be sparing of these." + +A murmur of assent rang through the townsfolk who had gathered round, +and then the burgomaster himself led Malcolm up the ascent to the +castle. The news that the newcomers were a party of Scots had already +been sent up to the castle, and as Malcolm entered the gateway the count +came forward to welcome him. + +"You are welcome indeed, fair sir," he said. "It seems almost as if you +had arrived from the clouds to our assistance, for we had heard that the +Swedish king and his army were encamped around Old Brandenburg. + +"His majesty has moved west, I hear," Malcolm said; "but we have been a +month away from the camp. My detachment consisted of a body of invalids +who came up among the hills to get rid of the fever which was playing +such havoc among our ranks. I am glad to say that all are restored, and +fit as ever for a meeting with the Imperialists. I heard but yestereven +that you were expecting an attack, and have marched all night to be here +in time. My party is a small one, but each man can be relied upon; and +when it comes to hard fighting twenty in good soldiers may turn the +day." + +"You are heartily welcome, sir, and I thank you much for coming to our +aid. The townspeople are determined to do their best, but most of them +have little skill in arms. I have a score or two of old soldiers here in +the castle, and had hoped to be able to hold this to the end; but truly +I despaired of a successful defence of the town. But enter, I pray you; +the countess will be glad to welcome you." + +Malcolm accompanied the count to the banquet hall of the castle. The +countess, a gentle and graceful woman, was already there; for indeed but +few in Mansfeld had closed an eye that night, for it was possible that +the Imperialists might attack without delay. By her side stood her +daughter, a girl of about fourteen years old. Malcolm had already stated +his name to the count, and the latter now presented him to his wife. + +"We have heard so much of the Scottish soldiers," she said as she held +out her hand, over which Malcolm bent deeply, "that we have all been +curious to see them, little dreaming that a band of them would appear +here like good angels in our hour of danger." + +"It was a fortunate accident which found me within reach when I heard of +the approach of the Imperialists. The names of the Count and Countess +of Mansfeld are so well known and so highly esteemed through Protestant +Germany that I was sure that the king would approve of my hastening to +lend what aid I might to you without orders from him." + +"I see you have learned to flatter," the countess said smiling. "This is +my daughter Thekla." + +"I am glad to see you," the girl said; "but I am a little disappointed. +I had thought that the Scots were such big fierce soldiers, and you +are not very big--not so tall as papa; and you do not look fierce at +all--not half so fierce as my cousin Caspar, who is but a boy." + +"That is very rude, Thekla," her mother said reprovingly, while Malcolm +laughed gaily. + +"You are quite right, Fraulein Thekla. I know I do not look very fierce, +but I hope when my moustache grows I shall come up more nearly to your +expectations. As to my height, I have some years to grow yet, seeing +that I am scarce eighteen, and perhaps no older than your cousin." + +"Have you recently joined, sir?" the countess asked. + +"I have served through the campaign," Malcolm replied, "and have seen +some hard knocks given, as you may imagine when I tell you that I was at +the siege of New Brandenburg." + +"When your soldiers fought like heroes, and, as I heard, all died sword +in hand save two or three officers who managed to escape." + +"I was one of the three, countess; but the tale is a long one, and can +be told after we have done with the Imperialists. Now, sir," he went on, +turning to the count, "I am at your orders, and will take post with my +men at any point that you may think fit." + +"Before doing that," the count said, "you must join us at breakfast. You +must be hungry after your long march, and as I have been all night in +my armour I shall do justice to it myself. You will, of course, take +up your abode here. As to other matters I have done my best, and the +townspeople were yesterday all told off to their places on the walls. +I should think it were best that your band were stationed in the +marketplace as a reserve, they could then move to any point which might +be seriously threatened. Should the Imperialists enter the town the +citizens have orders to fall back here fighting. All their most valuable +goods were sent up here yesterday, together with such of their wives +and families as have not taken flight, so that there will be nothing to +distract them from their duty." + +"That is good," Malcolm said. "The thought that one is fighting for +home and family must nerve a man in the defence, but when the enemy +once breaks in he would naturally think of home first and hasten away to +defend it to the last, instead of obeying orders and falling back with +his comrades in good order and discipline." + +The meal was a cheerful one. Malcolm related more in detail how he and +his detachment happened to be so far removed from the army. + +Just as the meal came to an end a drum beat in the town and the alarm +bells began to ring. The count and Malcolm sallied out at once to the +outer wall, and saw a small party of officers riding from the village +occupied by the Imperialists towards the town. + +"Let us descend," the count said. "I presume they are going to demand +our surrender." + +They reached the wall of the town just as the Imperialist officers +approached the gate. + +"In the name of his majesty the emperor," one of them cried out, "I +command you to open the gate and to surrender to his good will and +pleasure." + +"The smoking villages which I see around me," Count Mansfeld replied, +"are no hopeful sign of any good will or pleasure on the part of his +majesty towards us. As to surrendering, we will rather die. But I am +willing to pay a fair ransom for the town if you will draw off your +troops and march away." + +"Beware, sir!" the officer said. "I have a force here sufficient to +compel obedience, and I warn you of the fate which will befall all +within these walls if you persist in refusing to admit us." + +"I doubt not as to their fate," the count replied; "there are plenty of +examples before us of the tender mercy which your master's troops show +towards the towns you capture. + +"Once again I offer you a ransom for the town. Name the sum, and if it +be in reason such as I and the townspeople can pay, it shall be yours; +but open the gates to you we will not." + +"Very well," the officer said; "then your blood be on your own heads." +And turning his horse he rode with his companions back towards the +village. + +On their arrival there a bustle was seen to prevail. A hundred horsemen +rode off and took post on an eminence near the town, ready to cut off +the retreat of any who might try to escape, and to enter the town when +the gates were forced open. The other two hundred men advanced on foot +in a close body towards the principal gate. + +"They will try and blow it open with petards," Malcolm said. "Half of +my men are musketeers and good shots, and I will, with your permission, +place them on the wall to aid the townsfolk there, for if the gate is +blown open and the enemy force their way in it will go hard with us." + +The count assented, and Malcolm posted his musketeers on the wall, +ordering Sergeant Sinclair with the remainder to set to work to erect +barricades across the street leading from the gate, so that, in case +this were blown in, such a stand might be made against the Imperialists +as would give the townspeople time to rally from the walls and to gather +there. + +The Imperialists heralded their advance by opening fire with pistols and +musketoons against the wall, and the defenders at once replied. So heavy +was the fire that the head of the column wavered, many of the leading +files being at once shot down, but, encouraged by their officers, they +rallied, and pushed forward at a run. The fire of the townspeople at +once became hurried and irregular, but the Scots picked off their men +with steady aim. The leader of the Imperialists, who carried a petard, +advanced boldly to the edge of the ditch. The fosse was shallow and +contained but little water, and he at once dashed into it and waded +across, for the drawbridge had, of course, been raised. He climbed up +the bank, and was close to the gate, when Malcolm, leaning far over +the wall, discharged his pistol at him. The ball glanced from the steel +armour. + +Malcolm drew his other pistol and again fired, this time more +effectually, for the ball struck between the shoulder and the neck at +the junction of the breast and back pieces, and passed down into the +body of the Austrian, who, dropping the petard, fell dead; but a number +of his men were close behind him. + +"Quick, lads!" Malcolm cried. "Put your strength to this parapet. It is +old and rotten. Now, all together! Shove!" + +The soldiers bent their strength against the parapet, while some of the +townspeople, thrusting their pikes into the rotten mortar between the +stones, prised them up with all their strength. The parapet tottered, +and then with a tremendous crash fell, burying five or six of the +Imperialists and the petard beneath the ruins. + +A shout of exultation rose from the defenders, and the Imperialists +at once withdrew at full speed. They halted out of gunshot, and then +a number of men were sent back to the village, whence they returned +carrying ladders, some of which had been collected the day before from +the neighbouring villages and others manufactured during the night. +The enemy now divided into three parties, which advanced simultaneously +against different points of the wall. + +Notwithstanding the storm of shot poured upon them as they advanced, +they pressed forward until they reached the wall and planted their +ladders, and then essayed to climb; but at each point the stormers were +stoutly met with pike and sword, while the musketeers from the flanking +towers poured their bullets into them. + +The troops proved themselves worthy of their reputation, for it was not +until more than fifty had fallen that they desisted from the attempt and +drew off. + +"Now we shall have a respite," Malcolm said. "If there are no more of +them in the neighbourhood methinks they will retire altogether, but +if they have any friends with cannon anywhere within reach they will +probably send for them and renew the attack." + +The day passed quietly. Parties of horsemen were seen leaving the +village to forage and plunder the surrounding country, but the main body +remained quietly there. The next day there was still no renewal of the +attack, but as the enemy remained in occupation of the village Malcolm +guessed that they must be waiting for the arrival of reinforcements. +The following afternoon a cloud of dust was seen upon the plain, and +presently a column of infantry some four hundred strong, with three +cannon, could be made out. The townspeople now wavered in their +determination. A few were still for resistance, but the majority held +that they could not attempt to withstand an assault by so strong a +force, and that it was better to make the best terms they could with the +enemy. + +A parlementaire was accordingly despatched to the Imperialists asking +what terms would be granted should the place surrender. + +"We will grant no terms whatever," the colonel in command of the +Imperialists said. "The town is at our mercy, and we will do as we +will with it and all within it; but tell Count Mansfeld that if he will +surrender the castle as well as the town at once, and without striking +another blow, his case shall receive favourable consideration." + +"That will not do," the count said. "They either guarantee our lives +or they do not. I give not up my castle on terms like these, but I +will exercise no pressure on the townspeople. If they choose to defend +themselves till the last I will fight here with them; if they choose to +surrender they can do so; and those who differ from their fellows and +put no faith in Tilly's wolves can enter the castle with me." + +The principal inhabitants of the town debated the question hotly. +Malcolm lost patience with them, and said: "Are you mad as well as +stupid? Do you not see the smoking villages round you? Do you not +remember the fate of Magdeburg, New Brandenburg, and the other towns +which have made a resistance? You have chosen to resist. It was open to +you to have fled when you heard the Imperialists were coming. You could +have opened the gates then with some hope at least of your lives; but +you decided to resist. You have killed some fifty or sixty of their +soldiers. You have repulsed them from a place which they thought to +take with scarce an effort. You have compelled them to send for +reinforcements and guns. And now you are talking of opening the gates +without even obtaining a promise that your lives shall be spared. This +is the extremity of folly, and all I can say is, if you take such a step +you will well deserve your fate." + +Malcolm's indignant address had its effect, and after a short discussion +the townspeople again placed themselves at the count's disposal, and +said that they would obey his orders. + +"I will give no orders," the count said. "My Scottish friend here agrees +with me that it is useless to try to defend the town. We might repulse +several attacks, but in the end they would surely break in, for the +walls are old and weak, and will crumble before their cannon. Were there +any hope of relief one would defend them to the last, but as it is +it would be but a waste of blood, for many would be slain both in +the defence and before they could retreat to the castle; therefore we +propose at once to withdraw. We doubt not that we can hold the castle. +Any who like to remain in their houses and trust to the tender mercy of +Tilly's wolves can do so." + +There was no more hesitation, and a cannonball, the first which the +Imperialists had fired, at that moment crashed into a house hard by, and +sharpened their decision wonderfully. + +"I have no great store of provisions in the castle," the count said, +"and although I deem it not likely that we shall have to stand a long +siege we must be prepared for it. There are already more than 700 +of your wives and children there, therefore while half of the force +continue to show themselves upon the walls, and so deter the enemy from +attempting an assault until they have opened some breaches, let the rest +carry up provisions to the castle. Any houses from which the women have +fled are at once to be broken open. All that we leave behind the enemy +will take, and the less we leave for them the better; therefore all +stores and magazines of food and wine must be considered as public +property. Let the men at once be divided into two bodies--the one to +guard the walls, the other to search for and carry up provisions. They +can be changed every three or four hours." + +The resolution was taken and carried into effect without delay. Most of +the horses and carts in the town had left with the fugitives, those +that remained were at once set to work. The carts were laden with large +barrels of wine and sacks of flour, while the men carried sides of +bacon, kegs of butter, and other portable articles on their heads. The +Imperialists, seeing the movement up the steep road to the castle gate, +opened fire with their arquebuses, but the defenders of the wall replied +so hotly that they were forced to retire out of range. The cannon played +steadily all day, and by nightfall two breaches had been effected in the +wall and the gate had been battered down. + +But by this time an ample store of provisions had been collected in the +castle and as the Imperialists were seen to form up for the assault the +trumpet was sounded, and at the signal the whole of the defenders of the +walls left their posts and fell back to the castle, leaving the deserted +town at the mercy of the enemy. The Imperialists raised a shout of +triumph as they entered the breaches and found them undefended, and +when once assured that the town was deserted they broke their ranks and +scattered to plunder. + +It was now quite dark, and many of them dragging articles of furniture +into the streets made great bonfires to light them at their work +of plunder. But they had soon reason to repent having done so, for +immediately the flames sprang up and lighted the streets, flashes ran +round the battlements of the castle, and a heavy fire was opened into +the streets, killing many of the soldiers. Seeing the danger of thus +exposing the men to the fire from the castle, the Imperialist commander +issued orders at once that all fires should be extinguished, that anyone +setting fire to a house should be instantly hung, and that no lights +were to be lit in the houses whose windows faced the castle. + +Foreseeing the possibility of an attack from the castle, the Austrians +placed a hundred men at the foot of the road leading up to it, and laid +their three cannon loaded to the muzzle to command it. + +"Have you not," Malcolm asked the count, "some means of exit from the +castle besides the way into the town?" + +"Yes," the count said, "there is a footpath down the rock on the other +side." + +"Then," Malcolm said, "as soon as they are fairly drunk, which will be +before midnight, let us fall upon them from the other side. Leave fifty +of your oldest men with half a dozen veteran soldiers to defend the +gateway against a sudden attack; with the rest we can issue out, and +marching round, enter by the gate and breaches, sweeping the streets as +we go, and then uniting, burst through any guard they may have placed to +prevent a sortie, and so regain the castle." + +The count at once assented. In a short time shouts, songs, the sound +of rioting and quarrels, arose from the town, showing that revelry was +general. At eleven o'clock the men in the castle were mustered, fifty +were told off to the defence with five experienced soldiers, an officer +of the count being left in command. The rest sallied through a little +door at the back of the castle and noiselessly descended the steep path. +On arriving at the bottom they were divided into three bodies. Malcolm +with his Scots and fifty of the townspeople formed one. Count Mansfeld +took the command of another, composed of his own soldiers and fifty more +of the townspeople. The third consisted of eighty of the best fighting +men of the town under their own leaders. These were to enter by the +gate, while the other two parties came in by the breaches. The moment +the attack began the defenders of the castle were to open as rapid +a fire as they could upon the foot of the road so as to occupy the +attention of the enemy's force there, and to lead them to anticipate a +sortie. + +The breach by which Malcolm was to enter was the farthest from the +castle, and his command would, therefore, be the last in arriving at its +station. When he reached it he ordered the trumpeters who accompanied +him to sound, and at the signal the three columns rushed into the town +uttering shouts of "Gustavus! Gustavus!" + +The Imperialists in the houses near were slaughtered with scarcely +any resistance. They were for the most part intoxicated, and such as +retained their senses were paralysed at the sudden attack, and panic +stricken at the shouts, which portended the arrival of a relieving +force from the army of the King of Sweden. As the bands pressed forward, +slaying all whom they came upon, the resistance became stronger; but +the three columns were all headed by parties of pikemen who advanced +steadily and in good order, bearing down all opposition, and leaving to +those behind them the task of slaying all found in the houses. + +Lights flashed from the windows and partly lit up the streets, and the +Imperialist officers attempted to rally their men; but the Scottish +shouts, "A Hepburn! A Hepburn!" and the sight of their green scarves +added to the terror of the soldiers, who were convinced that the +terrible Green Brigade of the King of Sweden was upon them. + +Hundreds were cut down after striking scarce a blow in their defence, +numbers fled to the walls and leapt over. The panic communicated itself +to the party drawn up to repel a sortie. Hearing the yells, screams, +and shouts, accompanied by the musketry approaching from three different +quarters of the town, while a steady fire from the castle indicated +that the defenders there might, at any moment, sally out upon them, +they stood for a time irresolute; but as the heads of the three columns +approached they lost heart, quitted their station, and withdrew in +a body by a street by which they avoided the approaching columns. On +arriving at the spot Malcolm found the guns deserted. + +"The town is won now," he said. "I will take my post here with my men in +case the Austrians should rally; do you with the rest scatter over the +town and complete the work, but bid them keep together in parties of +twenty." + +The force broke up and scattered through the town in their work of +vengeance. House after house was entered and searched, and all who were +found there put to the sword; but by this time most of those who were +not too drunk to fly had already made for the gates. + +In half an hour not an Imperialist was left alive in the town. Then +guards were placed at the gate and breaches, and they waited till +morning. Not a sign of an Imperialist was to be seen on the plain, and +parties sallying out found that they had fled in the utmost disorder. +Arms, accoutrements, and portions of plunder lay scattered thickly +about, and it was clear that in the belief that the Swedish army was on +them, the Imperialists had fled panic stricken, and were now far away. +Upwards of two hundred bodies were found in the streets and houses. + +A huge grave was dug outside the walls, and here the fallen foes were +buried. Only three or four of the defenders of the town were killed and +a score or so wounded in the whole affair. Although there was little +fear of a return, as the Imperialists would probably continue their +headlong flight for a long distance, and would then march with all haste +to rejoin their main army with the news that a strong Swedish force +was at Mansfeld, the count set the townspeople at once to repair the +breaches. + +The people were overjoyed with their success, and delighted at +having preserved their homes from destruction, for they knew that the +Imperialists would, if unsuccessful against the castle, have given the +town to the flames before retiring. The women and children flocked down +to their homes again, and although much furniture had been destroyed and +damage done, this was little heeded when so much was saved. + +All vied in the expression of gratitude towards Malcolm and his Scots, +but Malcolm modestly disclaimed all merit, saying that he and his men +had scarcely struck a blow. + +"It is not so much the fighting," the count said, "as the example which +you set the townsmen, and the spirit which the presence of you and your +men diffused among them. Besides, your counsel and support to me have +been invaluable; had it not been for you the place would probably have +been carried at the first attack, and if not the townspeople would have +surrendered when the enemy's reinforcements arrived; and in that case, +with so small a force at my command I could not have hoped to defend the +castle successfully. Moreover, the idea of the sortie which has freed us +of them and saved the town from destruction was entirely yours. No, +my friend, say what you will I feel that I am indebted to you for the +safety of my wife and child, and so long as I live I shall be deeply +your debtor." + +The following day Malcolm with his party marched away. The count had +presented him with a suit of magnificent armour, and the countess with a +gold chain of great value. Handsome presents were also made to Sergeant +Sinclair, who was a cadet of good family, and a purse of gold was given +to each of the soldiers, so in high spirits the band marched away over +the mountains on their return to the village. + + + +CHAPTER IX THE BATTLE OF BREITENFELD + + +Great joy was manifested as Malcolm's band marched into the village and +it was found that they had accomplished the mission on which they went, +had saved Mansfeld, and utterly defeated the Imperialists, and had +returned in undiminished numbers, although two or three had received +wounds more or less serious, principally in the first day's fighting. +They only remained one night in the village. + +On the following morning the baggage was placed in the wagons with a +store of fruit and provisions for their march, and after another hearty +adieu the detachment set out in high spirits. After marching for two +days they learned that the Swedish army had marched to Werben, and that +Tilly's army had followed it there. + +After the receipt of this news there was no more loitering; the +marches were long and severe, and after making a detour to avoid the +Imperialists the detachment entered the royal camp without having met +with any adventure on the way. His fellow officers flocked round Malcolm +to congratulate him on his safe return and on his restored health. + +"The change has done wonders for you, Malcolm," Nigel Graheme said. +"Why, when you marched out you were a band of tottering scarecrows, +and now your detachment looks as healthy and fresh as if they had but +yesterday left Scotland; but come in, the bugle has just sounded to +supper, and we are only waiting for the colonel to arrive. He is at +present in council with the king with Hepburn and some more. Ah! here he +comes." + +Munro rode up and leapt from his horse, and after heartily greeting +Malcolm led the way into the tent where supper was laid out. Malcolm +was glad to see by the faces of his comrades that all had shaken off the +disease which had played such havoc among them at Old Brandenburg. + +"Is there any chance of a general engagement?" he asked Nigel. + +"Not at present," Nigel said. "We are expecting the reinforcements up in +a few days. As you see we have fortified the camp too strongly for Tilly +to venture to attack us here. Only yesterday he drew up his army and +offered us battle; but the odds were too great, and the king will not +fight till his reinforcements arrive. Some of the hotter spirits were +sorry that he would not accept Tilly's invitation, and I own that I +rather gnashed my teeth myself; but I knew that the king was right in +not risking the whole cause rashly when a few days will put us in a +position to meet the Imperialists on something like equal terms. Is +there any news, colonel?" he asked, turning to Munro. + +"No news of importance," the colonel replied; "but the king is rather +puzzled. A prisoner was taken today--one of Pappenheim's horsemen--and +he declares that a force of horse and foot have been defeated at +Mansfeld by a Swedish army with heavy loss. He avers that he was present +at the affair, and arrived in camp with the rest of the beaten force +only yesterday. We cannot make it out, as we know that there are no +Swedish troops anywhere in that direction." + +Malcolm burst into a hearty laugh, to the surprise of his fellow +officers. + +"I can explain the matter, colonel," he said. "It was my detachment that +had the honour of representing the Swedish army at Mansfeld." + +"What on earth do you mean, Malcolm?" the colonel asked. + +"Well, sir, as you know I went with a detachment to the village where I +had before been well treated, and had earned the gratitude of the people +by teaching them how to destroy a party of marauders. After having been +there for a month I was on the point of marching, for the men were all +perfectly restored to health; and indeed I know I ought to have returned +sooner, seeing that the men were fit for service; but as I thought +you were still at Old Brandenburg, and could well dispense with our +services, I lingered on to the last. But just as I was about to march +the news came that a party of Imperialist horse, three hundred strong, +was about to attack Mansfeld, a place of whose existence I had never +heard; but hearing that its count was a staunch Protestant, and that the +inhabitants intended to make a stout defence, I thought that I could not +be doing wrong in the service of the king by marching to aid them, the +place being but twenty-four miles away across the hills. We got there in +time, and aided the townspeople to repulse the first assault. After two +days they brought up a reinforcement of four hundred infantry and some +cannon. As the place is a small one, with but about two hundred and +fifty fighting men of all ages, we deemed it impossible to defend the +town, and while they were breaching the walls fell back to the castle. +The Imperialists occupied it at sunset, and at night, leaving a party to +hold the castle, we sallied out from the other side, and marching round, +entered by the breaches, and, raising the Swedish war cry fell upon +the enemy, who were for the most part too drunk to offer any serious +resistance. We killed two hundred and fifty of them, and the rest fled +in terror, thinking they had the whole Swedish army upon them. The +next day I started on my march back here, and though we have not spared +speed, it seems that the Imperialists have arrived before us." + +A burst of laughter and applause greeted the solution of the mystery. + +"You have done well, sir," Munro said cordially, "and have rendered a +great service not only in the defeat of the Imperialists, but in its +consequences here, for the prisoner said that last night five thousand +men were marched away from Tilly's army to observe and make head against +this supposed Swedish force advancing from the east. When I have done +my meal I will go over to the king with the news, for his majesty is +greatly puzzled, especially as the prisoner declared that he himself had +seen the Scots of the Green Brigade in the van of the column, and had +heard the war cry, 'A Hepburn! A Hepburn!' + +"Hepburn himself could make neither head nor tail of it, and was half +inclined to believe that this avenging force was led by the ghosts of +those who had been slain at New Brandenburg. Whenever we can't account +for a thing, we Scots are inclined to believe it's supernatural. + +"Now tell me more about the affair, Malcolm. By the way do you know that +you are a lieutenant now? Poor Foulis died of the fever a few days after +you left us, and as the king had himself ordered that you were to have +the next vacancy, I of course appointed you at once. We must drink +tonight to your promotion." + +Malcolm now related fully the incidents of the siege. + +"By my faith, Malcolm Graheme," Munro said when he had finished, "you +are as lucky as you are brave. Mansfeld is a powerful nobleman, and has +large possessions in various parts of Germany and much influence, and +the king will be grateful that you have thus rendered him such effective +assistance and so bound him to our cause. I believe he has no children." + +"He has a daughter," Malcolm said, "a pretty little maid some fourteen +years old." + +"In faith, Malcolm, 'tis a pity that you and she are not some four +or five years older. What a match it would be for you, the heiress of +Mansfeld; she would be a catch indeed! Well, there's time enough yet, my +lad, for there is no saying how long this war will last." + +There was a general laugh, and the colonel continued: + +"Malcolm has the grace to colour, which I am afraid the rest of us have +lost long ago. Never mind, Malcolm, there are plenty of Scotch cadets +have mended their fortune by means of a rich heiress before now, and I +hope there will be many more. I am on the lookout for a wealthy young +countess myself, and I don't think there is one here who would not lay +aside his armour and sword on such inducement. And now, gentlemen, as we +have all finished, I will leave you to your wine while I go across with +our young lieutenant to the king. I must tell him tonight, or he will +not sleep with wondering over the mystery. We will be back anon and will +broach a cask of that famous wine we picked up the other day, in honour +of Malcolm Graheme's promotion." + +Sir John Hepburn was dining with Gustavus, and the meal was just +concluded when Colonel Munro was announced. + +"Well, my brave Munro, what is it?" the king said heartily, "and whom +have you here? The young officer who escaped from New Brandenburg and +Tilly, unless I am mistaken." + +"It is, sir, but I have to introduce him in a new character tonight, as +the leader of your majesty's army who have defeated the Imperialists at +Mansfeld." + +"Say you so?" exclaimed the king. "Then, though I understand you not, +we shall hear a solution of the mystery which has been puzzling us. Sit +down, young sir; fill yourself a flagon of wine, and expound this riddle +to us." + +Malcolm repeated the narrative as he had told it to his colonel, and the +king expressed his warm satisfaction. + +"You will make a great leader some day if you do not get killed in one +of these adventures, young sir. Bravery seems to be a common gift of the +men of your nation; but you seem to unite with it a surprising prudence +and sagacity, and, moreover, this march of yours to Mansfeld shows that +you do not fear taking responsibility, which is a high and rare quality. +You have done good service to the cause, and I thank you, and shall keep +my eye upon you in the future." + +The next day Malcolm went round the camp, and was surprised at the +extensive works which had been erected. Strong ramparts and redoubts had +been thrown up round it, faced with stone, and mounted with 150 pieces +of cannon. In the centre stood an inner entrenchment with earthworks +and a deep fosse. In this stood the tents of the king and those of his +principal officers. The Marquis of Hamilton had, Malcolm heard, arrived +and gone. He had lost on the march many of the soldiers he had enlisted +in England, who had died from eating German bread, which was heavier, +darker coloured, and more sour than that of their own country. This, +however, did not disagree with the Scotch, who were accustomed to black +bread. + +"I wonder," Malcolm said to Nigel Graheme, "that when the king has in +face of him a force so superior to his own he should have sent away on +detached service the four splendid regiments which they say the marquis +brought." + +"Well, the fact was," Nigel said laughing, "Hamilton was altogether too +grand for us here. We all felt small and mean so long as he remained. +Gustavus himself, who is as simple in his tastes as any officer in the +army, and who keeps up no ostentatious show, was thrown into the shade +by his visitor. Why, had he been the Emperor of Germany or the King of +France he could not have made a braver show. His table was equipped +and furnished with magnificence; his carriages would have created a +sensation in Paris; the liveries of his attendants were more splendid +than the uniforms of generals; he had forty gentlemen as esquires and +pages, and 200 yeomen, splendidly mounted and armed, rode with him as +his bodyguard. + +"Altogether he was oppressive; but the Hamiltons have ever been fond of +show and finery. So Gustavus has sent him and his troops away to guard +the passages of the Oder and to cover our retreat should we be forced to +fall back." + +Tilly, finding that the position of Gustavus was too strong to be +forced, retired to Wolmirstadt, whence he summoned the Elector of Saxony +to admit his army into his country, and either to disband the Saxon +army or to unite it to his own. Hitherto the elector had held aloof from +Gustavus, whom he regarded with jealousy and dislike, and had stood by +inactive although the slightest movement of his army would have +saved Magdeburg. To disband his troops, however, and to hand over his +fortresses to Tilly, would be equivalent to giving up his dominions +to the enemy; rather than do this he determined to join Gustavus, and +having despatched Arnheim to treat with the King of Sweden for alliance, +he sent a point blank refusal to Tilly. + +The Imperialist general at once marched towards Leipzig, devastating the +country as he advanced. Terms were soon arranged between the elector and +Gustavus, and on the 3d of September, 1631, the Swedish army crossed +the Elbe, and the next day joined the Saxon army at Torgau. By this time +Tilly was in front of Leipzig, and immediately on his arrival burned to +the ground Halle, a suburb lying beyond the wall, and then summoned the +city to surrender. + +Alarmed at the sight of the conflagration of Halle, and with the fate of +Magdeburg in their minds, the citizens of Leipzig opened their gates at +once on promise of fair treatment. The news of this speedy surrender +was a heavy blow to the allies, who, however, after a council of war, +determined at once to march forward against the city, and to give battle +to the Imperialists on the plain around it. + +Leipzig stands on a wide plain which is called the plain of Breitenfeld, +and the battle which was about to commence there has been called by +the Germans the battle of Breitenfeld, to distinguish it from the +even greater struggles which have since taken place under the walls of +Leipzig. + +The baggage had all been left behind, and the Swedish army lay down as +they stood. The king occupied his travelling coach, and passed the night +chatting with Sir John Hepburn, Marshal Horn, Sir John Banner, Baron +Teuffel, who commanded the guards, and other leaders. The lines of red +fires which marked Tilly's position on the slope of a gentle eminence to +the southwest were plainly to be seen. The day broke dull and misty on +the 7th of September, and as the light fog gradually rose the troops +formed up for battle. Prayers were said in front of every regiment, and +the army then moved forward. Two Scottish brigades had the places of +honour in the van, where the regiments of Sir James Ramsay, the Laird of +Foulis, and Sir John Hamilton were posted, while Hepburn's Green Brigade +formed part of the reserve--a force composed of the best troops of the +army, as on them the fate of the battle frequently depends. The Swedish +cavalry were commanded by Field Marshal Horn, General Banner, and +Lieutenant General Bauditzen. + +The king and Baron Teuffel led the main body of infantry; the King of +Saxony commanded the Saxons, who were on the Swedish left. The armies +were not very unequal in numbers, the allies numbering 35,000, of whom +the Swedes and Scots counted 20,000, the Saxons 15,000. The Imperialists +numbered about 40,000. Tilly was fighting unwillingly, for he had +wished to await the arrival from Italy of 12,000 veterans under General +Altringer, and who were within a few days' march; but he had been +induced, against his own better judgment, by the urgency of Pappenheim, +Furstenberg, and the younger generals, to quit the unassailable post +he had taken up in front of Leipzig, and to move out on to the plain of +Breitenfeld to accept the battle which the Swedes offered. + +A short distance in his front was the village of Podelwitz. Behind his +position were two elevations, on which he placed his guns, forty +in number. In rear of these elevations was a very thick wood. The +Imperialist right was commanded by Furstenberg, the left by Pappenheim, +the centre by Tilly himself. Although he had yielded to his generals +so far as to take up a position on the plain, Tilly was resolved, if +possible, not to fight until the arrival of the reinforcements; but the +rashness of Pappenheim brought on a battle. To approach the Austrian +position the Swedes had to cross the little river Loder, and Pappenheim +asked permission of Tilly to charge them as they did so. Tilly consented +on condition that he only charged with two thousand horse and did not +bring on a general engagement. Accordingly, as the Scottish brigade +under Sir James Ramsay crossed the Loder, Pappenheim swept down upon +them. + +The Scots stood firm, and with pike and musket repelled the attack; and +after hard fighting Pappenheim was obliged to fall back, setting fire as +he retired to the village of Podelwitz. The smoke of the burning village +drifted across the plain, and was useful to the Swedes, as under its +cover the entire army passed the Loder, and formed up ready for battle +facing the Imperialists position, the movement being executed under a +heavy fire from the Austrian batteries on the hills. + +The Swedish order of battle was different from that of the Imperialists. +The latter had their cavalry massed together in one heavy, compact body, +while the Swedish regiments of horse were placed alternately with +the various regiments or brigades of infantry. The Swedish centre was +composed of four brigades of pikemen. Guns were behind the first line, +as were the cavalry supporting the pikemen. The regiments of musketeers +were placed at intervals among the brigades of pikemen. + +Pappenheim on his return to the camp ordered up the whole of his +cavalry, and charged down with fury upon the Swedes, while at the same +moment Furstenberg dashed with seven regiments of cavalry on the Saxons. +Between these and the Swedes there was a slight interval, for Gustavus +had doubts of the steadiness of his allies, and was anxious that in case +of their defeat his own troops should not be thrown into confusion. The +result justified his anticipations. + +Attacked with fury on their flank by Furstenberg's horse, while his +infantry and artillery poured a direct fire into their front, the Saxons +at once gave way. Their elector was the first to set the example of +flight, and, turning his horse, galloped without drawing rein to Torgau, +and in twenty minutes after the commencement of the fight the whole of +the Saxons were in utter rout, hotly pursued by Furstenberg's cavalry. + +Tilly now deemed the victory certain, for nearly half of his opponents +were disposed of, and he outnumbered the remainder by two to one; but +while Furstenberg had gained so complete a victory over the Saxons, +Pappenheim, who had charged the Swedish centre, had met with a very +different reception. + +In vain he tried to break through the Swedish spears. The wind was +blowing full in the faces of the pikemen, and the clouds of smoke and +dust which rolled down upon them rendered it impossible for them to see +the heavy columns of horse until they fell upon them like an avalanche, +yet with perfect steadiness they withstood the attacks. + +Seven times Pappenheim renewed his charge; seven times he fell back +broken and disordered. + +As he drew off for the last time Gustavus, seeing the rout of the +Saxons, and knowing that he would have the whole of Tilly's force +upon him in a few minutes, determined to rid himself altogether of +Pappenheim, and launched the whole of his cavalry upon the retreating +squadrons with overwhelming effect. Thus at the end of half an hour's +fighting Tilly had disposed of the Saxons, and Gustavus had driven +Pappenheim's horse from the field. + +Three of the Scottish regiments were sent from the centre to strengthen +Horn on the left flank, which was now exposed by the flight of the +Saxons. Scarcely had the Scottish musketeers taken their position +when Furstenberg's horse returned triumphant from their pursuit of the +Saxons, and at once fell upon Horn's pikemen. These, however, stood +as firmly as their comrades in the centre had done; and the Scottish +musketeers, six deep, the three front ranks kneeling, the three in rear +standing, poured such heavy volleys into the horsemen that these fell +back in disorder; the more confused perhaps, since volley firing was at +that time peculiar to the Swedish army, and the crashes of musketry were +new to the Imperialists. + +As the cavalry fell back in disorder, Gustavus led his horse, who had +just returned from the pursuit of Pappenheim, against them. The shock +was irresistible, and Furstenberg's horse were driven headlong from +the field. But the Imperialist infantry, led by Tilly himself, were +now close at hand, and the roar of musketry along the whole line was +tremendous, while the artillery on both sides played unceasingly. + +Just as the battle was at the hottest the Swedish reserve came up to the +assistance of the first line, and Sir John Hepburn led the Green Brigade +through the intervals of the Swedish regiments into action. Lord Reay's +regiment was in front, and Munro, leading it on, advanced against the +solid Imperialist columns, pouring heavy volleys into them. When close +at hand the pikemen passed through the intervals of the musketeers and +charged furiously with levelled pikes, the musketeers following them +with clubbed weapons. + +The gaps formed by the losses of the regiment at New Brandenburg and the +other engagements had been filled up, and two thousand strong they +fell upon the Imperialists. For a few minutes there was a tremendous +hand-to-hand conflict, but the valour and strength of the Scotch +prevailed, and the regiment was the first to burst its way through the +ranks of the Imperialists, and then pressed on to attack the trenches +behind, held by the Walloon infantry. While the battle was raging in the +plain the Swedish cavalry, after driving away Furstenberg's horse, swept +round and charged the eminence in the rear of the Imperialists, cutting +down the artillerymen and capturing the cannon there. + +These were at once turned upon the masses of Imperialist infantry, who +thus, taken between two fires--pressed hotly by the pikemen in +front, mown down by the cannon in their rear--lost heart and fled +precipitately, four regiments alone, the veterans of Furstenberg's +infantry, holding together and cutting their way through to the woods in +the rear of their position. + +The slaughter would have been even greater than it was, had not the +cloud of dust and smoke been so thick that the Swedes were unable to see +ten yards in front of them. The pursuit was taken up by their cavalry, +who pressed the flying Imperialists until nightfall. So complete was the +defeat that Tilly, who was badly wounded, could only muster 600 men to +accompany him in his retreat, and Pappenheim could get together but 1400 +of his horsemen. Seven thousand of the Imperialists were killed, 5000 +were wounded or taken prisoners. The Swedes lost but 700 men, the Saxons +about 2000. + +The Swedes that night occupied the Imperial tents, making great bonfires +of the broken wagons, pikes, and stockades. A hundred standards were +taken. Tilly had fought throughout the battle with desperate valour. +He was ever in the van of his infantry, and three times was wounded +by bullets and once taken prisoner, and only rescued after a desperate +conflict. + +At the conclusion of the day Cronenberg with 600 Walloon cavalry threw +themselves around him and bore him from the field. The fierce old +soldier is said to have burst into a passion of tears on beholding the +slaughter and defeat of his infantry. Hitherto he had been invincible, +this being the first defeat he had suffered in the course of his long +military career. Great stores of provision and wine had been captured, +and the night was spent in feasting in the Swedish camp. + +The next morning the Elector of Saxony rode on to the field to +congratulate Gustavus on his victory. The latter was politic enough to +receive him with great courtesy and to thank him for the services the +Saxons had rendered. He intrusted to the elector the task of recapturing +Leipzig, while he marched against Merseburg, which he captured with its +garrison of five hundred men. + +After two or three assaults had been made on Leipzig the garrison +capitulated to the Saxons, and on the 11th of September the army was +drawn up and reviewed by Gustavus. When the king arrived opposite the +Green Brigade he dismounted and made the soldiers an address, thanking +them for their great share in winning the battle of Leipzig. + +Many of the Scottish officers were promoted, Munro being made a full +colonel, and many others advanced a step in rank. The Scottish brigade +responded to the address of the gallant king with hearty cheers. +Gustavus was indeed beloved as well as admired by his soldiers. Fearless +himself of danger, he ever recognized bravery in others, and was ready +to take his full share of every hardship as well as every peril. + +He had ever a word of commendation and encouragement for his troops, and +was regarded by them as a comrade as well as a leader. In person he was +tall and rather stout, his face was handsome, his complexion fair, his +forehead lofty, his hair auburn, his eyes large and penetrating, his +cheeks ruddy and healthy. He had an air of majesty which enabled him +to address his soldiers in terms of cheerful familiarity without in +the slightest degree diminishing their respect and reverence for him as +their monarch. + + + +CHAPTER X THE PASSAGE OF THE RHINE + + +"I suppose," Nigel Graheme said, as the officers of the regiment +assembled in one of the Imperialist tents on the night after the battle +of Leipzig, "we shall at once press forward to Vienna;" and such was +the general opinion throughout the Swedish army; but such was not the +intention of Gustavus. Undoubtedly the temptation to press forward +and dictate peace in Vienna was strong, but the difficulties and +disadvantages of such a step were many. He had but 20,000 men, for the +Saxons could not be reckoned upon; and indeed it was probable that their +elector, whose jealousy and dislike of Gustavus would undoubtedly be +heightened by the events of the battle of Breitenfeld, would prove +himself to be a more than a doubtful ally were the Swedish army to +remove to a distance. + +Tilly would soon rally his fugitives, and, reinforced by the numerous +Imperialist garrisons from the towns, would be able to overrun North +Germany in his absence, and to force the Saxons to join him even if the +elector were unwilling to do so. Thus the little Swedish force would be +isolated in the heart of Germany; and should Ferdinand abandon Vienna +at his approach and altogether refuse to treat with him--which his +obstinacy upon a former occasion when in the very hands of his enemy +rendered probable--the Swedes would find themselves in a desperate +position, isolated and alone in the midst of enemies. + +There was another consideration. An Imperialist diet was at that moment +sitting at Frankfort, and Ferdinand was using all his influence to +compel the various princes and representatives of the free cities to +submit to him. It was of the utmost importance that Gustavus should +strengthen his friends and overawe the waverers by the approach of his +army. Hitherto Franconia and the Rhine provinces had been entirely +in the hands of the Imperialists, and it was needful that a +counterbalancing influence should be exerted. These considerations +induced Gustavus to abandon the tempting idea of a march upon Vienna. +The Elector of Saxony was charged with carrying the war into Silesia and +Bohemia, the Electors of Hesse and Hesse-Cassel were to maintain Lower +Saxony and Westphalia, and the Swedish army turned its face towards the +Rhine. + +On the 20th of September it arrived before Erfurt, an important +fortified town on the Gera, which surrendered at discretion. Gustavus +granted the inhabitants, who were for the most part Catholics, the free +exercise of their religion, and nominated the Duke of Saxe-Weimar to be +governor of the district and of the province of Thuringen, and the +Count of Lowenstein to be commander of the garrison, which consisted of +Colonel Foulis's Scottish regiment, 1500 strong. + +Travelling by different routes in two columns the army marched to +Wurtzburg, the capital of Franconia, a rich and populous city, +the Imperialist garrison having withdrawn to the strong castle of +Marienburg, on a lofty eminence overlooking the town, and only separated +from it by the river Maine. The cathedral at Wurtzburg is dedicated to +a Scottish saint, St. Kilian, a bishop who with two priests came from +Scotland in the year 688 to convert the heathen of Franconia. They +baptized many at Wurtzburg, among them Gospert, the duke of that +country. This leader was married to Geilana, the widow of his brother; +and Kilian urging upon him that such a marriage was contrary to the laws +of the Christian church, the duke promised to separate from her. Geilana +had not, like her lord, accepted Christianity, and, furious at this +interference of Kilian, she seized the opportunity when the latter had +gone with his followers on an expedition against the pagan Saxons to +have Kilian and his two companions murdered. + +The cathedral was naturally an object of interest to the Scotch soldiers +in the time of Gustavus, and there was an animated argument in the +quarters of the officers of Munro's regiment on the night of their +arrival as to whether St. Kilian had done well or otherwise in insisting +upon his new convert repudiating his wife. The general opinion, however, +was against the saint, the colonel summing up the question. + +"In my opinion," he said, "Kilian was a fool. Here was no less a matter +at stake than the conversion of a whole nation, or at least of a great +tribe of heathens, and Kilian imperilled it all on a question of minor +importance; for in the first place, the Church of Rome has always held +that the pope could grant permission for marriage within interdicted +degrees; in the second place, the marriage had taken place before +the conversion of the duke to Christianity, and they were therefore +innocently and without thought of harm bona fide man and wife. Lastly, +the Church of Rome is opposed to divorce; and Kilian might in any case +have put up with this small sin, if sin it were, for the sake of saving +the souls of thousands of pagans. My opinion is that St. Kilian richly +deserved the fate which befell him. And now to a subject much more +interesting to us--viz, the capture of Marienburg. + +"I tell you, my friends, it is going to be a warm business; the castle +is considered impregnable, and is strong by nature as well as art, and +Captain Keller is said to be a stout and brave soldier. He has 1000 men +in the garrison, and all the monks who were in the town have gone up and +turned soldiers. But if the task is a hard one the reward will be rich; +for as the Imperialists believe the place cannot be taken, the treasures +of all the country round are stored up there. And I can tell you more, +in the cellars are sixty gigantic tuns of stone, the smallest of which +holds twenty-five wagon loads of wine, and they say some of it is a +hundred years old. With glory and treasure and good wine to be won we +will outdo ourselves tomorrow; and you may be sure that the brunt of the +affair will fall upon the Scots." + +"Well, there is one satisfaction," said Nigel Graheme--who after Leipzig +had been promoted to the rank of major--"if we get the lion's share of +the fighting, we shall have the lion's share of the plunder and wine." + +"For shame, Graheme! You say nothing of the glory." + +"Ah! well," Graheme laughed, "we have already had so large share of +that, that I for one could do without winning any more just at present. +It's a dear commodity to purchase, and neither fills our belly nor our +pockets." + +"For shame, Graheme! for shame!" Munro said laughing. "It is a scandal +that such sentiments should be whispered in the Scottish brigade; +and now to bed, gentlemen, for we shall have, methinks, a busy day +tomorrow." + +Sir James Ramsay was appointed to command the assault. The river Maine +had to be crossed, and he sent off Lieutenant Robert Ramsay of his own +regiment to obtain boats from the peasantry. The disguise in which he +went was seen through, and he was taken prisoner and carried to the +castle. A few boats were, however, obtained by the Swedes. + +The river is here 300 yards wide, and the central arch of the bridge had +been blown up by the Imperialists, a single plank remaining across the +chasm over the river 48 feet below. The bridge was swept by the heaviest +cannon in the fortress, and a passage appeared well nigh hopeless. On +the afternoon of the 5th of October the party prepared to pass, some +in boats, others by the bridge. A tremendous fire was opened by the +Imperialists from cannon and musketry, sweeping the bridge with a storm +of missiles and lashing the river to foam around the boats. The soldiers +in these returned the fire with their muskets, and the smoke served as a +cover to conceal them from the enemy. + +In the meantime Major Bothwell of Ramsay's regiment led a company across +the bridge. These, in spite of the fire, crossed the plank over the +broken arch and reached the head of the bridge, from whence they kept +up so heavy a fire upon the gunners and musketeers in the lower works by +the river that they forced them to quit their posts, and so enabled Sir +James Ramsay and Sir John Hamilton to effect a landing. + +Major Bothwell, his brother, and the greater part of his followers were, +however, slain by the Imperialists' fire from above. The commandant of +the castle now sallied out and endeavoured to recapture the works by +the water, but the Scotch repelled the attack and drove the enemy up +the hill to the castle again. The Scottish troops having thus effected +a lodgment across the river, and being protected by the rocks from the +enemy's fire, lay down for the night in the position they had won. + +Gustavus during the night caused planks to be thrown across the +broken bridge and prepared to assault at daybreak. Just as morning +was breaking, a Swedish officer with seven men climbed up the hill to +reconnoitre the castle, and found to his surprise that the drawbridge +was down, but a guard of 200 men were stationed at the gate. He was at +once challenged, and, shouting "Sweden!" sprang with his men on to +the end of the drawbridge. The Imperialists tried in vain to raise it; +before they could succeed some companions of the Swedes ran up, and, +driving in the guard, took possession of the outer court. + +Almost at the same moment Ramsay's and Hamilton's regiments commenced +their assault on a strong outwork of the castle, which, after two hours' +desperate fighting, they succeeded in gaining. They then turned its guns +upon the gate of the keep, which they battered down, and were about to +charge in when they received orders from the king to halt and retire, +while the Swedish regiment of Axel-Lilly and the Blue Brigade advanced +to the storm. + +The Scottish regiments retired in the deepest discontent, deeming +themselves affronted by others being ordered to the post of honour after +they had by their bravery cleared the way. The Swedish troops forced +their way in after hard fighting; and the Castle of Marienburg, so +long deemed impregnable, was captured after a few hours' fighting. The +quantity of treasure found in it was enormous, and there were sufficient +provisions to have lasted its garrison for twenty years. + +Immediately the place was taken, Colonel Sir John Hamilton advanced to +Gustavus and resigned his commission on the spot; nor did the assurances +of the king that he intended no insult to the Scotch soldiers mollify +his wrath, and quitting the Swedish service he returned at once +to Scotland. Munro's regiment had taken no part in the storming +of Marienburg, but was formed up on the north side of the river in +readiness to advance should the first attack be repelled, and many were +wounded by the shot of the enemy while thus inactive. + +Malcolm while binding up the arm of his sergeant who stood next to him +felt a sharp pain shoot through his leg, and at once fell to the ground. +He was lifted up and carried to the rear, where his wound was examined +by the doctor to the regiment. + +"Your luck has not deserted you," he said after probing the wound. "The +bullet has missed the bone by half an inch, and a short rest will soon +put you right again." + +Fortunately for a short time the army remained around Wurtzburg. +Columns scoured the surrounding country, capturing the various towns and +fortresses held by the Imperialists, and collecting large quantities of +provisions and stores. Tilly's army lay within a few days' march; but +although superior in numbers to that of Gustavus, Tilly had received +strict orders not to risk a general engagement as his army was now +almost the only one that remained to the Imperialists, and should it +suffer another defeat the country would lie at the mercy of the Swedes. + +One evening when Malcolm had so far recovered as to be able to walk for +a short distance, he was at supper with Colonel Munro and some other +officers, when the door opened and Gustavus himself entered. All leapt +to their feet. + +"Munro," he said, "get the musketeers of your brigade under arms with +all haste, form them up in the square before the town hall, and desire +Sir John Hepburn to meet me there." + + +The drum was at once beaten, and the troops came pouring from their +lodgings, and in three or four minutes the musketeers, 800 strong, were +formed up with Hepburn and Munro at their head. Malcolm had prepared to +take his arms on the summons, but Munro said at once: + +"No, Malcolm, so sudden a summons augurs desperate duty, maybe a long +night march; you would break down before you got half a mile; besides, +as only the musketeers have to go, half the officers must remain here." + +Without a word the king placed himself at the head of the men, and +through the dark and stormy night the troops started on their unknown +mission. Hepburn and Munro were, like their men, on foot, for they had +not had time to have their horses saddled. + +After marching two hours along the right bank of the Maine the tramp +of horses was heard behind them, and they were reinforced by eighty +troopers whom Gustavus before starting had ordered to mount and follow. +Hitherto the king had remained lost in abstraction, but he now roused +himself. + +"I have just received the most serious news, Hepburn. Tilly has been +reinforced by 17,000 men under the Duke of Lorraine, and is marching +with all speed against me. Were my whole army collected here he would +outnumber us by two to one, but many columns are away, and the position +is well nigh desperate. + +"I have resolved to hold Ochsenfurt. The place is not strong, but it +lies in a sharp bend of the river and may be defended for a time. If any +can do so it is surely you and your Scots. Tilly is already close to the +town; indeed the man who brought me the news said that when he left it +his advanced pickets were just entering, hence the need for this haste. + +"You must hold it to the last, Hepburn, and then, if you can, fall back +to Wurtzburg; even a day's delay will enable me to call in some of the +detachments and to prepare to receive Tilly." + +Without halting, the little column marched sixteen miles, and then, +crossing the bridge over the Maine, entered Ochsenfurt. + +It was occupied by a party of fifty Imperialist arquebusiers, but these +were driven headlong from it. The night was extremely dark, all +were ignorant of the locality, and the troops were formed up in the +marketplace to await either morning or the attack of Tilly. Fifty +troopers were sent half a mile in advance to give warning of the +approach of the enemy. They had scarcely taken their place when they +were attacked by the Imperialists, who had been roused by the firing in +the town. The incessant flash of fire and the heavy rattle of musketry +told Gustavus that they were in force, and a lieutenant of Lumsden's +regiment with fifty musketeers was sent off to reinforce the cavalry. +The Imperialists were, however, too strong to be checked, and horse and +foot were being driven in when Colonel Munro sallied out with a hundred +of his own regiment, and the Imperialists after a brisk skirmish, not +knowing what force they had to deal with, fell back. + +As soon as day broke the king and Hepburn made a tour of the walls, +which were found to be in a very bad condition and ill calculated to +resist an assault. The Imperialists were not to be seen, and the king, +fearing they might have marched by some other route against Wurtzburg, +determined to return at once, telling Hepburn to mine the bridge, and to +blow it up if forced to abandon the town. + +Hepburn at once set to work to strengthen the position, to demolish +all the houses and walls outside the defences, cut down and destroy all +trees and hedges which might shelter an enemy, and to strengthen the +walls with banks of earth and platforms of wood. For three days the +troops laboured incessantly; on the third night the enemy were heard +approaching. The advanced troopers and a half company of infantry were +driven in, contesting every foot of the way. When they reached the walls +heavy volleys were poured in by the musketeers who lined them upon the +approaching enemy, and Tilly, supposing that Gustavus must have moved +forward a considerable portion of his army, called off his troops and +marched away to Nuremberg. Two days later Hepburn was ordered to return +with his force to Wurtzburg. + +The king now broke up his camp near Wurtzburg, and leaving a garrison in +the castle of Marienburg and appointing Marshal Horn to hold Franconia +with 8000 men, he marched against Frankfort-on-the-Maine, his troops +capturing all the towns and castles on the way, levying contributions, +and collecting great booty. Frankfort opened its gates without +resistance, and for a short time the army had rest in pleasant quarters. + +The regiments were reorganized, in some cases two of those which +had suffered most being joined into one. Gustavus had lately been +strengthened by two more Scottish regiments under Sir Frederick Hamilton +and Alexander Master of Forbes, and an English regiment under Captain +Austin. He had now thirteen regiments of Scottish infantry, and the +other corps of the army were almost entirely officered by Scotchmen. He +had five regiments of English and Irish, and had thus eighteen regiments +of British infantry. + +At Frankfort he was joined by the Marquis of Hamilton, who had done +splendid service with the troops under his command. He had driven the +Imperialists out of Silesia, and marching south, struck such fear into +them that Tilly was obliged to weaken his army to send reinforcements +to that quarter. By the order of Gustavus he left Silesia and marched +to Magdeburg. He had now but 3500 men with him, 2700 having died +from pestilence, famine, and disease. He assisted General Banner in +blockading the Imperialist garrison of Magdeburg, and his losses by +fever and pestilence thinned his troops down to two small regiments; +these were incorporated with the force of the Duke of Saxe-Weimar, +and the Marquis of Hamilton joined the staff of Gustavus as a simple +volunteer. + +The king now determined to conquer the Palatinate, which was held by a +Spanish army. He drove them before him until he reached the Rhine, where +they endeavoured to defend the passage by burning every vessel and boat +they could find, and for a time the advance of the Swedes was checked. +It was now the end of November, the snow lay thick over the whole +country, and the troops, without tents or covering, were bivouacked +along the side of the river, two miles below Oppenheim. The opposite +bank was covered with bushes to the water's edge, and on an eminence a +short distance back could be seen the tents of the Spaniards. + +"If it were summer we might swim across," Nigel Graheme said to Malcolm; +"the river is broad, but a good swimmer could cross it easily enough." + +"Yes," Malcolm agreed, "there would be no difficulty in swimming if +unencumbered with arms and armour, but there would be no advantage in +getting across without these; if we could but get hold of a boat or two, +we would soon wake yonder Spaniards up." + +The next morning Malcolm wandered along the bank closely examining the +bushes as he went, to see if any boats might be concealed among them, +for the fishermen and boatmen would naturally try to save their craft +when they heard that the Imperialists were destroying them. He walked +three miles up the river without success. As he returned he kept his +eyes fixed on the bushes on the opposite bank. When within half a mile +of the camp he suddenly stopped, for his eye caught something dark among +them. He went to the water's edge and stooped, the better to see under +the bushes, and saw what he doubted not to be the stern of a boat +hauled up and sheltered beneath them. He leapt to his feet with a joyful +exclamation. Here was the means of crossing the river; but the boat had +to be brought over. Once afloat this would be easy enough, but he was +sure that his own strength would be insufficient to launch her, and +that he should need the aid of at least one man. On returning to camp he +called aside the sergeant of his company, James Grant, who was from his +own estate in Nithsdale, and whom he knew to be a good swimmer. + + +"Sergeant," he said, "I want you to join me in an enterprise tonight. I +have found a boat hauled up under the bushes on the opposite shore, and +we must bring her across. I cannot make out her size; but from the look +of her stern I should say she was a large boat. You had better therefore +borrow from the artillerymen one of their wooden levers, and get a stout +pole two or three inches across, and cut half a dozen two foot lengths +from it to put under her as rollers. Get also a plank of four inches +wide from one of the deserted houses in the village behind us, and cut +out two paddles; we may find oars on board, but it is as well to be +prepared in case the owner should have removed them." + +"Shall I take my weapons, sir?" + +"We can take our dirks in our belts, sergeant, and lash our swords to +the wooden lever, but I do not think we shall have any fighting. The +night will be dark, and the Spaniards, believing that we have no boats, +will not keep a very strict watch. The worst part of the business is the +swim across the river, the water will be bitterly cold; but as you and I +have often swum Scotch burns when they were swollen by the melting snow +I think that we may well manage to get across this sluggish stream." + +"At what time will we be starting, sir?" + +"Be here at the edge of the river at six o'clock, sergeant. I can get +away at that time without exciting comment, and we will say nothing +about it unless we succeed." + +Thinking it over, however, it occurred to Malcolm that by this means +a day would be lost--and he knew how anxious the king was to press +forward. He therefore abandoned his idea of keeping his discovery +secret, and going to his colonel reported that he had found a boat, and +could bring it across from the other side by seven o'clock. + +The news was so important that Munro at once went to the king. Gustavus +ordered three hundred Swedes and a hundred Scots of each of the +regiments of Ramsay, Munro, and the Laird of Wormiston, the whole under +the command of Count Brahe, to form up after dark on the river bank and +prepare to cross, and he himself came down to superintend the passage. +By six it was perfectly dark. During the day Malcolm had placed two +stones on the edge of the water, one exactly opposite the boat, the +other twenty feet behind it in an exact line. When Gustavus arrived at +the spot where the troops were drawn up, Malcolm was taken up to him by +his colonel. + +"Well, my brave young Graheme," the king said, "so you are going to do +us another service; but how will you find the boat in this darkness? +Even were there no stream you would find it very difficult to strike the +exact spot on a dark night like this." + +"I have provided against that, sir, by placing two marks on the bank. +When we start lanterns will be placed on these. We shall cross higher up +so as to strike the bank a little above where I believe the boat to be, +then we shall float along under the bushes until the lanterns are in +a line one with another, and we shall know then that we are exactly +opposite the boat." + +"Well thought of!" the king exclaimed. "Munro, this lieutenant of yours +is a treasure. And now God speed you, my friend, in your cold swim +across the stream!" + +Malcolm and the sergeant now walked half a mile up the river, a distance +which, judging from the strength of the current and the speed at which +they could swim, would, they thought, take them to the opposite bank +at about the point where the boat was lying. Shaking hands with Colonel +Munro, who had accompanied them, Malcolm entered the icy cold water +without delay. Knowing that it was possible that their strength might +give out before they reached the opposite side, Malcolm had had +two pairs of small casks lashed two feet apart. These they fastened +securely, so that as they began to swim the casks floated a short +distance behind each shoulder, giving them perfect support. The lever +and paddles were towed behind them. The lights in the two camps afforded +them a means of directing their way. The water was intensely cold, +and before they were halfway across Malcolm congratulated himself upon +having thought of the casks. Had it not been for them he would have +begun to doubt his ability to reach the further shore, for although he +would have thought nothing of the swim at other times his limbs were +fast becoming numbed with the extreme cold. The sergeant kept close to +him, and a word or two was occasionally exchanged. + +"I think it is colder than our mountain streams, Grant?" + +"It's no colder, your honour, but the water is smooth and still, and +we do not have to wrestle with it as with a brook in spate. It's the +stillness which makes it feel so cold. The harder we swim the less we +will feel it." + +It was with a deep feeling of relief that Malcolm saw something loom +just in front of him from the darkness, and knew that he was close to +the land. A few more strokes and he touched the bushes. Looking back he +saw that the two lights were nearly in a line. Stopping swimming he let +the stream drift him down. Two or three minutes more and one of the tiny +lights seemed exactly above the other. + +"This is the spot, Grant," he said in a low voice; "land here as quietly +as you can." + + + +CHAPTER XI THE CAPTURE OF OPPENHEIM + + +The two swimmers dragged themselves on shore, but for a minute or two +could scarce stand, so numbed were their limbs by the cold. Malcolm took +from his belt a flask of brandy, took a long draught, and handed it to +his companion, who followed his example. + +The spirit sent a glow of warmth through their veins, and they began to +search among the bushes for the boat, one proceeding each way along the +bank. They had not removed their leathern doublets before entering +the water, as these, buoyed up as they were, would not affect their +swimming, and would be a necessary protection when they landed not only +against the cold of the night air but against the bushes. + +Malcolm's beacon proved an accurate guide, for he had not proceeded +twenty yards before he came against a solid object which he at once felt +to be the boat. A low whistle called the sergeant to his side, bringing +with him the rollers and paddles from the spot where they had landed. +They soon felt that the boat was a large one, and that their strength +would have been wholly insufficient to get her into the water without +the aid of the lever and rollers. Taking the former they placed its end +under the stern post, and placing a roller under its heel to serve as a +pivot they threw their weight on the other end of the lever and at once +raised the boat some inches in the air. + +Grant held the lever down and Malcolm slid a roller as far up under +the keel as it would go; the lever was then shifted and the boat again +raised, and the process was continued until her weight rested upon three +rollers. She was now ready to be launched, and as the bank was steep +they had no doubt of their ability to run her down. An examination had +already shown that their paddles would be needless, as the oars were +inside her. They took their places one on each side of the bow, and +applying their strength the boat glided rapidly down. + +"Gently, Grant," Malcolm said, "don't let her go in with a splash. There +may be some sentries within hearing." + +They continued their work cautiously, and the boat noiselessly entered +the water. Getting out the oars they gave her a push, and she was soon +floating down the stream. The rowlocks were in their places, and rowing +with extreme care so as to avoid making the slightest sound they made +their way across the river. They were below the camp when they landed, +but there were many men on the lookout, for the news of the attempt had +spread rapidly. + +Leaping ashore amidst a low cheer from a group of soldiers, Malcolm +directed them to tow the boat up at once to the place where the troops +were formed ready for crossing, while he and the sergeant, who were +both chilled to the bone, for their clothes had frozen stiff upon them, +hurried to the spot where the regiment was bivouacked. Here by the side +of a blazing fire they stripped, and were rubbed with cloths by their +comrades till a glow of warmth again began to be felt, the external heat +and friction being aided by the administration of two steaming flagons +of spiced wine. Dry clothes were taken from their knapsacks and warmed +before the fire, and when these were put on they again felt warm and +comfortable. + +Hurrying off now to the spot where the troops were drawn up, they found +that the boat had already made two passages. She rowed four oars, and +would, laden down to the water's edge, carry twenty-five men. The oars +had been muffled with cloths so as to make no sound in the rowlocks. +A party of Munro's Scots had first crossed, then a party of Swedes. +Malcolm and the sergeant joined their company unnoticed in the darkness. +Each detachment sent over a boat load in turns, and when six loads +had crossed it was again the turn of the men of Munro's regiment, and +Malcolm entered the boat with the men. The lights still burned as a +signal, enabling the boat to land each party almost at the same spot. +Malcolm wondered what was going on. A perfect stillness reigned on the +other side, and it was certain that the alarm had not yet been given. + +On ascending the bank he saw in front of him some dark figures actively +engaged, and heard dull sounds. On reaching the spot he found the +parties who had preceded him hard at work with shovels throwing up an +intrenchment. In the darkness he had not perceived that each of the +soldiers carried a spade in addition to his arms. The soil was deep and +soft, and the operations were carried on with scarce a sound. As each +party landed they fell to work under the direction of their officers. +All night the labour continued, and when the dull light of the winter +morning began to dispel the darkness a solid rampart of earth breast +high rose in a semicircle, with its two extremities resting on the +riverbank. + +The last boat load had but just arrived across, and the 600 men were now +gathered in the work, which was about 150 feet across, the base formed +by the river. The earth forming the ramparts had been taken from the +outside, and a ditch 3 feet deep and 6 feet wide had been thus formed. + +The men, who, in spite of the cold were hot and perspiring from their +night's work, now entered the intrenched space, and sat down to take +a meal, each man having brought two days' rations in his havresack. It +grew rapidly lighter, and suddenly the sound of a trumpet, followed by +the rapid beating of drums, showed that the Spaniards had, from their +camp on the eminence half a mile away, discovered the work which had +sprung up during the night as if by magic on their side of the river. + +In a few minutes a great body of cavalry was seen issuing from the +Spanish camp, and fourteen squadrons of cuirassiers trotted down towards +the intrenchments. Soon the word was given to charge, and, like a +torrent, the mass of cavalry swept down upon it. + +Two-thirds of those who had crossed were musketeers, the remainder +pikemen. The latter formed the front line behind the rampart, their +spears forming a close hedge around it, while the musketeers prepared to +fire between them. By the order of Count Brahe not a trigger was pulled +until the cavalry were within fifty yards, then a flash of flame swept +round the rampart, and horses and men in the front line of the cavalry +tumbled to the ground. But half the musketeers had fired, and a few +seconds later another volley was poured into the horsemen. The latter, +however, although many had fallen, did not check their speed, but rode +up close to the rampart, and flung themselves upon the hedge of spears. + +Nothing could exceed the gallantry with which the Spaniards fought. Some +dismounted, and, leaping into the ditch, tried to climb the rampart; +others leapt the horses into it, and standing up in their saddles, cut +at the spearmen with their swords, and fired their pistols among them. +Many, again, tried to leap their horses over ditch and rampart, but the +pikemen stood firm, while at short intervals withering volleys tore into +the struggling mass. + +For half an hour the desperate fight continued, and then, finding that +the position could not be carried by horsemen, the Spanish commander +drew off his men, leaving no less than 600 lying dead around the rampart +of earth. There were no Spanish infantry within some miles of the spot, +and the cavalry rode away, some to Maintz, but the greater part to +Oppenheim, where there was a strong garrison of 1000 men. + +A careful search among the bushes brought three more boats to light, and +a force was soon taken across the river sufficient to maintain itself +against any attack. Gustavus himself was in one of the first boats that +crossed. + +"Well done, my brave hearts!" he said as he landed, just as the Spanish +horsemen had ridden away. "You have fought stoutly and well, and our +way is now open to us. Where are Lieutenant Graheme and the sergeant who +swam across with him?" + +Malcolm and his companion soon presented themselves. + +"I sent for you to your camp," the king said, "but found that you but +waited to change your clothes, and had then joined the force crossing. +You had no orders to do so." + +"We had no orders not to do so, sire, but having begun the affair it was +only natural that we should see the end of it." + +"You had done your share and more," the king said, "and I thank you +both heartily for it, and promote you, Graheme, at once to the rank of +captain, and will request Colonel Munro to give you the first company +which may fall vacant in his regiment. If a vacancy should not occur +shortly I will place you in another regiment until one may happen in +your own corps. To you, sergeant, I give a commission as officer. +You will take that rank at once, and will be a supernumerary in your +regiment till a vacancy occurs. Such promotion has been well and +worthily won by you both." + +Without delay an advance was ordered against Oppenheim. It lay on the +Imperialist side of the Rhine. Behind the town stood a strong and well +fortified castle upon a lofty eminence. Its guns swept not only the +country around it, but the ground upon the opposite side of the river. +There, facing it, stood a strong fort surrounded by double ditches, +which were deep and broad and full of water. They were crossed only by +a drawbridge on the side facing the river, and the garrison could +therefore obtain by boats supplies or reinforcements as needed from the +town. + +The Green and Blue Brigades at once commenced opening trenches against +this fort, and would have assaulted the place without delay had not a +number of boats been brought over by a Protestant well wisher of the +Swedes from the other side of the river. The assault was therefore +delayed in order that the attack might be delivered simultaneously +against the positions on both sides of the river. The brigade of guards +and the White Brigade crossed in the boats at Gernsheim, five miles from +the town, and marched against it during the night. + +The Spaniards from their lofty position in the castle of Oppenheim saw +the campfires of the Scots around their fort on the other side of the +river, and opened a heavy cannonade upon them. The fire was destructive, +and many of the Scots were killed, Hepburn and Munro having a narrow +escape, a cannonball passing just over their heads as they were sitting +together by a fire. + +The defenders of the fort determined to take advantage of the fire +poured upon their assailants, and two hundred musketeers made a gallant +sortie upon them; but Hepburn led on his pikemen who were nearest at +hand, and, without firing a shot, drove them back again into the +fort. At daybreak the roar of cannon on the opposite side of the river +commenced, and showed that the king with the divisions which had crossed +had arrived at their posts. The governor of the fort, seeing that if, +as was certain, the lower town were captured by the Swedes, he should be +cut off from all communication with the castle and completely isolated, +surrendered to Sir John Hepburn. + +The town had, indeed, at once opened its gates, and two hundred men of +Sir James Ramsay's regiment were placed there. Hepburn prepared to cross +the river with the Blue and Green Brigades to aid the king in reducing +the castle--a place of vast size and strength--whose garrison composed +of Spaniards and Italians were replying to the fire of Gustavus. A boat +was lying at the gate of the fort. + +"Captain Graheme," Hepburn said to Malcolm, "take with you two +lieutenants and twenty men in the boat and cross the river; then send +word by an officer to the king that the fort here has surrendered, and +that I am about to cross, and let the men bring over that flotilla of +boats which is lying under the town wall." + +Malcolm crossed at once. After despatching the message to the king and +sending the officer back with the boats he had for the moment nothing +to do, and made his way into the town to inquire from the officers of +Ramsay's detachment how things were going. He found the men drawn up. + +"Ah! Malcolm Graheme," the major in command said, "you have arrived in +the very nick of time to take part in a gallant enterprise." + +"I am ready," Malcolm said; "what is to be done?" + +"We are going to take the castle, that is all," the major said. + +"You are joking," Malcolm laughed, looking at the great castle and the +little band of two hundred men. + +"That am I not," the major answered; "my men have just discovered a +private passage from the governor's quarters here up to the very gate +of the outer wall. As you see we have collected some ladders, and as we +shall take them by surprise, while they are occupied with the king, we +shall give a good account of them." + +"I will go with you right willingly," Malcolm said; but he could not but +feel that the enterprise was a desperate one, and wished that the major +had waited until a few hundred more men had crossed. Placing himself +behind the Scottish officer, he advanced up the passage which had been +discovered. Ascending flight after flight of stone stairs, the column +issued from the passage at the very foot of the outer wall before the +garrison stationed there were aware of their approach. The ladders were +just placed when the Italians caught sight of them and rushed to the +defence, but it was too late. The Scotch swarmed up and gained a footing +on the wall. + +Driving the enemy before them they cleared the outer works, and pressed +so hotly upon the retiring Imperialists that they entered with them into +the inner works of the castle, crossing the drawbridge over the moat +which separated it from its outer works before the garrison had time to +raise it. + +Now in the very heart of the castle a terrible encounter took place. The +garrison, twelve hundred strong, ran down from their places on the wall, +and seeing how small was the force that had entered fell upon them +with fury. It was a hand to hand fight. Loud rose the war cries of the +Italian and Spanish soldiers, and the answering cheers of the Scots +mingled with the clash of sword on steel armour and the cries of the +wounded, while without the walls the cannon of Gustavus thundered +incessantly. + +Not since the dreadful struggle in the streets of New Brandenburg had +Malcolm been engaged in so desperate a strife. All order and regularity +was lost, and man to man they fought with pike, sword, and clubbed +musket. There was no giving of orders, for no word could be heard in +such a din, and the officers with their swords and half pikes fought +desperately in the melee with the rest. + +Gradually, however, the strength and endurance of Ramsay's veterans +prevailed over numbers. Most of the officers of the Imperialists had +been slain, as well as their bravest men, and the rest began to draw off +and to scatter through the castle, some to look for hiding places, many +to jump over the walls rather than fall into the hands of the terrible +Scots. + +The astonishment of Gustavus and of Hepburn, who was now marching with +his men towards the castle, at hearing the rattle of musketry and the +din of battle within the very heart of the fortress was great indeed, +and this was heightened when, a few minutes later, the soldiers were +seen leaping desperately from the walls, and a great shout arose from +the troops as the Imperial banner was seen to descend from its flagstaff +on the keep. Gustavus with his staff rode at once to the gate, which was +opened for him; and on entering he found Ramsay's little force drawn up +to salute him as he entered. It was reduced nearly half in strength, and +not a man but was bleeding from several wounds, while cleft helms and +dinted armour showed how severe had been the fray. + +"My brave Scots," he exclaimed, "why were you too quick for me?" + +The courtyard of the castle was piled with slain, who were also +scattered in every room throughout it, five hundred having been slain +there before the rest threw down their arms and were given quarter. +This exploit was one of the most valiant which was performed during the +course of the whole war. Four colours were taken, one of which was that +of the Spanish regiment, this being the first of that nationality which +had ever been captured by Gustavus. + +After going over the castle, whose capture would have tasked his +resources and the valour of his troops to the utmost had he been +compelled to attack it in the usual way, Gustavus sent for the officers +of Ramsay's companies and thanked them individually for their capture. + +"What! you here, Malcolm Graheme!" Gustavus said as he came in at the +rear of Ramsay's officers. "Why, what had you to do with this business?" + +"I was only a volunteer, sire," Malcolm said. "I crossed with the +parties who fetched the boats; but as my instructions ended there I had +nought to do, and finding that Ramsay's men were about to march up to +the attack of the castle, I thought it best to join them, being somewhat +afraid to stop in the town alone." + +"And he did valiant service, sire," the major said. "I marked him in the +thick of the fight, and saw more than one Imperialist go down before his +sword." + +"You know the story of the pitcher and the well, Captain Graheme," the +king said, smiling. "Some day you will go once too often, and I shall +have to mourn the loss of one of the bravest young officers in my army." + +There was no rest for the soldiers of Gustavus, and no sooner had +Oppenheim fallen than the army marched against Maintz. This was defended +by two thousand Spanish troops under Don Philip de Sylvia, and was +a place of immense strength. It was at once invested, and trenches +commenced on all sides, the Green Brigade as usual having the post +of danger and honour facing the citadel. The investment began in the +evening, but so vigorously did the Scotch work all night in spite of +the heavy musketry and artillery fire with which the garrison swept +the ground that by morning the first parallel was completed, and the +soldiers were under shelter behind a thick bank of earth. + +All day the Imperialists kept up their fire, the Scots gradually pushing +forward their trenches. In the evening Colonel Axel Lily, one of the +bravest of the Swedish officers, came into the trenches to pay a visit +to Hepburn. He found him just sitting down to dinner with Munro by the +side of a fire in the trench. They invited him to join them, and the +party were chatting gaily when a heavy cannonball crashed through the +earthen rampart behind them, and, passing between Hepburn and Munro, +carried off the leg of the Swedish officer. + +Upon the following day the governor, seeing that the Swedes had erected +several strong batteries, and that the Green Brigade, whose name was a +terror to the Imperialists, was preparing to storm, capitulated, and +his soldiers were allowed to march out with all their baggage, flying +colours, and two pieces of cannon. Eighty pieces of cannon fell into the +hands of the Swedes. The citizens paid 220,000 dollars as the ransom +of their city from pillage, and the Jews 180,000 for the protection +of their quarters and of their gorgeous synagogue, whose wealth and +magnificence were celebrated; and on the 14th of December, 1631, on +which day Gustavus completed his thirty-seventh year, he entered the +city as conqueror. + +Here he kept Christmas with great festivity, and his court was attended +by princes and nobles from all parts of Germany. Among them were six +of the chief princes of the empire and twelve ambassadors from foreign +powers. Among the nobles was the Count of Mansfeld, who brought with him +his wife and daughter. Three days before Christmas Hepburn's brigade +had been moved in from their bivouac in the snow covered trenches, +and assigned quarters in the town, and the count, who arrived on the +following day, at once repaired to the mansion inhabited by the colonel +and officers of Munro's regiment, and inquired for Malcolm Graheme. + +"You will find Captain Graheme within," the Scottish soldier on sentry +said. + +"It is not Captain Graheme I wish to see," the count said, "but Malcolm +Graheme, a very young officer." + +"I reckon that it is the captain," the soldier said; "he is but a boy; +but in all the regiment there is not a braver soldier; not even the +colonel himself. Donald," he said, turning to a comrade, "tell Captain +Graheme that he is wanted here." + +In a short time Malcolm appeared at the door. + +"Ah! it is you, my young friend!" the count exclaimed; "and you have won +the rank of captain already by your brave deeds! Right glad am I to see +you again. I have come with my wife, to attend the court of this noble +king of yours. Can you come with me at once? The countess is longing to +see you, and will be delighted to hear that you have passed unscathed +through all the terrible contests in which you have been engaged. My +daughter is here too; she is never tired of talking about her young +Scottish soldier; but now that you are a captain she will have to be +grave and respectful." + +Malcolm at once accompanied the count to his house, and was most kindly +received by the countess. + +"It is difficult to believe," she said, "that 'tis but four months since +we met, so many have been the events which have been crowded into that +time. Scarce a day has passed but we have received news of some success +gained, of some town or castle captured, and your Green Brigade has +always been in the van. We have been constantly in fear for you, and +after that terrible battle before Leipzig Thekla scarcely slept a wink +until we obtained a copy of the Gazette with the names of the officers +killed." + +"You are kind indeed to bear me so in remembrance," Malcolm said, "and +I am indeed grateful for it. I have often wondered whether any fresh +danger threatened you; but I hoped that the advance of the Marquis of +Hamilton's force would have given the Imperialists too much to do for +them to disturb you." + +"Yes, we have had no more trouble," the countess replied. "The villages +which the Imperialists destroyed are rising again; and as after the +flight of the enemy the cattle and booty they had captured were all left +behind, the people are recovering from their visit. What terrible havoc +has the war caused! Our way here led through ruined towns and villages, +the country is infested by marauders, and all law and order is at an end +save where there are strong bodies of troops. We rode with an escort of +twenty men; but even then we did not feel very safe until we were fairly +through Franconia. And so you have passed unwounded through the strife?" + +"Yes, countess," Malcolm replied. "I had indeed a ball through my leg +at Wurtzburg; but as it missed the bone, a trifle like that is scarcely +worth counting. I have been most fortunate indeed." + +"He is a captain now," the count said, "and to obtain such promotion he +must have greatly distinguished himself. I do not suppose that he will +himself tell us his exploits; but I shall soon learn all about them from +others. I am to meet his colonel this evening at a dinner at the palace, +and shall be able to give you the whole history tomorrow." + +"But I want the history now," Thekla said. "It is much nicer to hear a +thing straight from some one who has done it, than from any one else." + +"There is no story to tell," Malcolm said. "I had been promised my +lieutenancy at the first vacancy before I was at Mansfeld, and on my +return found that the vacancy had already occurred, and I was appointed. +I got my company the other day for a very simple matter, namely, for +swimming across the Rhine with a barrel fixed on each side of me to +prevent my sinking. Nothing very heroic about that, you see, young +lady." + +"For swimming across the Rhine!" the count said. "Then you must have +been the Scottish officer who with a sergeant swam and fetched the boat +across which enabled the Swedes to pass a body of troops over, and so +open the way into the Palatinate. I heard it spoken of as a most gallant +action." + +"I can assure you," Malcolm said earnestly, "that there was no gallantry +about it. It was exceedingly cold, I grant, but that was all." + +"Then why should the king have made you a captain for it? You can't get +over that." + +"That was a reward for my luck," Malcolm laughed. "'Tis better to be +lucky than to be rich, it is said, and I had the good luck to discover +a boat concealed among the bushes just at the time when a boat was worth +its weight in gold." + +For an hour Malcolm sat chatting, and then took his leave, as he was +going on duty, promising to return the next day, and to spend as much of +his time as possible with them while they remained in the city. + + + +CHAPTER XII THE PASSAGE OF THE LECH + + +For the next two months the Green Brigade remained quietly at Maintz, +a welcome rest after their arduous labours. The town was very gay, and +every house was occupied either by troops or by the nobles and visitors +from all parts of Northern Europe. Banquets and balls were of nightly +occurrence; and a stranger who arrived in the gay city would not have +dreamt that a terrible campaign had just been concluded, and that +another to the full as arduous was about to commence. + +During this interval of rest the damages which the campaign had effected +in the armour and accoutrements of men and officers were repaired, the +deep dents effected by sword, pike, and bullet were hammered out, the +rust removed, and the stains of blood and bivouac obliterated; fresh +doublets and jerkins were served out from the ample stores captured from +the enemy, and the army looked as gay and brilliant as when it first +landed in North Germany. + +Malcolm spent much of his spare time with the Count and Countess of +Mansfeld, who, irrespective of their gratitude for the assistance he had +rendered them in time of need, had taken a strong liking to the young +Scotchman. + +"You are becoming quite a court gallant, Graheme," one of his comrades +said at a court ball where Malcolm had been enjoying himself greatly, +having, thanks to the Countess of Mansfeld, no lack of partners, while +many of the officers were forced to look on without taking part in the +dancing, the number of ladies being altogether insufficient to furnish +partners to the throng of officers, Swedish, German, and Scottish. +Beyond the scarf and feathers which showed the brigade to which officers +belonged, there was, even when in arms, but slight attempt at uniformity +in their attire, still less so when off duty. The scene at these balls +was therefore gay in the extreme, the gallants being all attired in +silk, satin, or velvet of brilliant colours slashed with white or some +contrasting hue. The tailors at Maintz had had a busy time of it, for in +so rapid a campaign much baggage had been necessarily lost, and many of +the officers required an entirely new outfit before they could take part +in the court festivities. + +There was, however, no lack of money, for the booty and treasure +captured had been immense, and each officer having received a fixed +share, they were well able to renew their wardrobes. Some fresh +reinforcements arrived during their stay here, and the vacancies which +battle and disease had made in the ranks were filled up. + +But although the Green Brigade did not march from Maintz till the 5th +of March, 1632, the whole army did not enjoy so long a rest. In February +Gustavus despatched three hundred of Ramsay's regiment under Lieutenant +Colonel George Douglas against the town of Creutzenach, together with a +small party of English volunteers under Lord Craven. Forty-seven of +the men were killed while opening the trenches, but the next day they +stormed one of the gates and drove the garrison, which was composed of +six hundred Walloons and Burgundians, out of the town into the castle of +Kausemberg, which commanded it. Its position was extremely strong, its +walls and bastions rising one behind another, and their aspect was so +formidable that they were popularly known as the "Devil's Works." From +these the garrison opened a very heavy fire into the town, killing +many of the Scots. Douglas, however, gave them but short respite, for +gathering his men he attacked the castle and carried bastion after +bastion by storm until the whole were taken. + +About the same time the important town of Ulm on the Danube opened its +gates to the Swedes, and Sir Patrick Ruthven was appointed commandant +with 1200 Swedes as garrison, Colonel Munro with two companies of +musketeers marched to Coblentz and aided Otto Louis the Rhinegrave, who +with a brigade of twenty troops of horse was expecting to be attacked +by 10,000 Spaniards and Walloons from Spires. Four regiments of Spanish +horse attacked the Rhinegrave's quarters, but were charged so furiously +by four troops of Swedish dragoons under Captain Hume that 300 of them +were killed and the Elector of Nassau taken prisoner; after this the +Spaniards retired beyond the Moselle. + +In other parts of Germany the generals of Gustavus were equally +successful. General Horn defeated the Imperialists at Heidelberg and +Heilbronn. General Lowenhausen scoured all the shores of the Baltic, and +compelled Colonel Graham, a Scotch soldier in the Imperial service, +to surrender the Hanse town of Wismar. Graham marched out with his +garrison, 3000 strong, with the honours of war en route for Silesia, but +having, contrary to terms, spiked the cannon, plundered the shipping, +and slain a Swedish lieutenant, Lowenhausen pursued him, and in the +battle which ensued 500 of Graham's men were slain and the colonel +himself with 2000 taken prisoner. + +General Ottentodt was moving up the Elbe carrying all before him with a +force of 14,000 men, among whom were five battalions of Scots and one +of English. This force cleared the whole duchy of Mecklenburg, capturing +all the towns and fortresses in rapid succession. Sir Patrick Ruthven +advanced along the shores of Lake Constance, driving the Imperialists +before him into the Tyrol. Magdeburg was captured by General Banner, the +Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel reduced all Fulda-Paderborn and the adjacent +districts, the Elector of Saxony overran Bohemia, and Sir Alexander +Leslie threatened the Imperialists in Lower Saxony. + +Thus the campaign of 1632 opened under the most favourable auspices. The +Green Brigade marched on the 5th of March to Aschaffenburg, a distance +of more than thirty miles, a fact which speaks volumes for the physique +and endurance of the troops, for this would in the present day be +considered an extremely long march for troops, and the weight of the +helmet and armour, musket and accoutrements, of the troops of those days +was fully double that now carried by European soldiers. Here they were +reviewed by the king. + +By the 10th the whole army, 23,000 strong, were collected at Weinsheim +and advanced towards Bavaria, driving before them the Imperialists under +the Count de Bucquio. The Chancellor Oxenstiern had been left by the +king with a strong force to guard his conquests on the Rhine. + +No sooner had the king marched than the Spaniards again crossed the +Moselle. The chancellor and the Duke of Weimar advanced against them. +The Dutch troops, who formed the first line of the chancellor's army, +were unable to stand the charge of the Spanish and fled in utter +confusion; but the Scottish regiment of Sir Roderick Leslie, who had +succeeded Sir John Hamilton on his resignation, and the battalion of +Sir John Ruthven, charged the Spaniards with levelled pikes so furiously +that these in turn were broken and driven off the field. + +On the 26th of March Gustavus arrived before the important town and +fortress of Donauworth, being joined on the same day by the Laird of +Foulis with his two regiments of horse and foot. Donauworth is the key +to Swabia; it stands on the Danube, and was a strongly fortified place, +its defences being further covered by fortifications upon a lofty +eminence close by, named the Schellemberg. It was held by the Duke of +Saxe-Lauenburg with two thousand five hundred men. The country round +Donauworth is fertile and hilly, and Gustavus at once seized a height +which commanded the place. The Bavarians were at work upon entrenchments +here as the Swedes advanced, but were forced to fall back into the town. +From the foot of the hill a suburb extended to the gates of the city. +This was at once occupied by five hundred musketeers, who took up their +post in the houses along the main road in readiness to repel a sortie +should the garrison attempt one; while the force on the hillside worked +all night, and by daybreak on the 27th had completed and armed a twenty +gun battery. + +In this was placed a strong body of infantry under Captain Semple, a +Scotchman. As this battery commanded the walls of the town, and flanked +the bridge across the Danube, the position of the defenders was now +seriously menaced, but the Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg refused the demand of +Gustavus to surrender. The battery now opened fire, first demolishing a +large stone building by the river occupied by a force of Imperialists, +and then directing its fire upon the city gates. + +The cannonade continued after nightfall, but in the darkness a body of +Imperialist horsemen under Colonel Cronenberg dashed out at full speed +through the gate, cut a passage through the musketeers in the suburb, +galloped up the hill, and fell upon the infantry and artillery in +the battery. So furious was their charge that the greater part of the +defenders of the battery were cut down. The guns were spiked, and the +cavalry, having accomplished their purpose, charged down the hill, cut +their way through the suburb, and regained the town. + +This gallant exploit deranged the plans of the Swedes. Gustavus +reconnoitred the town accompanied by Sir John Hepburn, and by the advice +of that officer decided upon a fresh plan of operations. Hepburn +pointed out to him that by taking possession of the angle formed by the +confluence of the Wermitz and Danube to the west of the town the bridge +crossing from Donauworth into Bavaria would be completely commanded, and +the garrison would be cut off from all hope of escape and of receiving +relief from Bavaria. + +The plan being approved, Hepburn drew off his brigade with its +artillery, and marching five miles up the Danube crossed the river at +the bridge of Hassfurt, and descended the opposite bank until he faced +Donauworth. He reached his position at midnight, and placed his cannon +so as to command the whole length of the bridge, and then posted his +musketeers in the gardens and houses of a suburb on the river, so that +their crossfire also swept it. + +The pikemen were drawn up close to the artillery at the head of the +bridge. Quietly as these movements were performed the garrison took the +alarm, and towards morning the duke, finding his retreat intercepted, +sallied out at the head of eight hundred musketeers to cut his way +through; but as the column advanced upon the bridge the Green Brigade +opened fire, the leaden hail of their musketeers smote the column on +both sides, while the cannon ploughed lanes through it from end to end. +So great was the destruction that the Bavarians retreated in confusion +back into the town again, leaving the bridge strewn with their dead. + +Alone the gallant Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg charged through the hail of +fire across the bridge, fell upon the pikemen sword in hand, and cutting +his way through them rode away, leaving his garrison to their fate. +The roar of artillery informed Gustavus what was going on, and he +immediately opened fire against the other side of the town and led his +men to the assault of the gate. + +The instant the Scotch had recovered from their surprise at the +desperate feat performed by the duke, Hepburn, calling them together, +placed himself at their head and led them across the bridge. The panic +stricken fugitives had omitted to close the gate, and the Scotch at once +entered the town. Here the garrison resisted desperately; their pikemen +barred the streets, and from every window and roof their musketeers +poured their fire upon the advancing column. + +The day was breaking now, and the roar of battle in the city mingled +with that at the gates, where the Swedes were in vain striving to effect +an entrance. Gradually the Scotch won their way forward; 500 of the +Bavarians were killed, in addition to 400 who had fallen on the bridge. +The rest now attempted to fly. Great numbers were drowned in the Danube, +and the remainder were taken prisoners. The streets were encumbered by +the heavily laden baggage wagons, and a vast amount of booty fell into +the hands of the Scotch, who thus became masters of the town before +Gustavus and his Swedes had succeeded in carrying the gate. + +The king now entered the town, and as soon as order was restored +Hepburn's brigade recrossed the Danube and threw up a strong work on +the other side of the bridge; for Tilly was on the Lech, but seven miles +distant, and might at any moment return. He had just struck a severe +blow at Marshal Horn, who had recently taken Bamberg. His force, 9000 +strong, had been scattered to put down a rising of the country people, +when Tilly with 16,000 fell upon them. + +A column under Bauditzen was attacked and defeated, and Tilly's horsemen +pursued them hotly to the bridge leading to the town. Marshal Horn threw +a barricade across this and defended it until nightfall. Tilly had then +fallen back before the advance of Gustavus to a very strong position +on the Lech. This was an extremely rapid river, difficult to cross and +easily defensible. Tilly had broken down the bridges, and was prepared +to dispute till the last the further advance of the Swedes. He placed +his army between Rain, where the Lech falls into the Danube, and +Augsburg, a distance of sixteen miles--all the assailable points being +strongly occupied, with small bodies of cavalry in the intervals to give +warning of the approach of the enemy. He had been joined by Maximilian +of Bavaria, and his force amounted to 40,000 men. + +Gustavus gave his army four days' rest at Donauworth, and then advanced +with 32,000 men against the Lech. His dragoons, who had been pushed +forward, had found the bridges destroyed. He first attempted to repair +that at Rain, but the fire of the artillery and musketry was so +heavy that he was forced to abandon the idea. He then made a careful +reconnaissance of the river, whose course was winding and erratic. + +Finding that at every point at which a crossing could be easily effected +Tilly's batteries and troops commanded the position, he determined to +make his attack at a point where the river made a sharp bend in the form +of a semicircle, of which he occupied the outer edge. He encamped the +bulk of his army at the village of Nordheim, a short distance in the +rear, and erected three powerful batteries mounting seventy-two guns. +One of these faced the centre of the loop, the others were placed +opposite the sides. + +The ground on the Swedish bank of the river was higher than that facing +it; and when the Swedish batteries opened they so completely swept the +ground inclosed by the curve of the river that the Imperialists could +not advance across it, and were compelled to remain behind a rivulet +called the Ach, a short distance in the rear of the Lech. They brought +up their artillery, however, and replied to the cannonade of the Swedes. + +For four days the artillery duel continued, and while it was going on a +considerable number of troops were at work in the village of Oberndorf, +which lay in a declivity near the river, hidden from the sight of the +Imperialists, constructing a bridge. For that purpose a number of strong +wooden trestles of various heights and with feet of unequal length for +standing in the bed of the river were prepared, together with a quantity +of piles to be driven in among and beside them to enable them to resist +the force of the current. + +On the night of the fourth day the king caused a number of fires to be +lighted near the river, fed with green wood and damp straw. A favourable +wind blew the smoke towards the enemy, and thus concealed the ground +from them. At daybreak on the 5th of April, a thousand picked men +crossed the river in two boats, and having reached the other side +at once proceeded to throw up intrenchments to cover the head of the +bridge, while at the same time the workmen began to place the trestles +in position. + +As soon as day broke Tilly became aware of what was being done, and +two batteries opened fire upon the work at the head of the bridge and +against the bridge itself; but the low and swampy nature of the ground +on the Imperialist side of the river prevented his placing the batteries +in a position from which they could command the works, and their fire +proved ineffective in preventing the construction of the bridge. Seeing +this, Tilly at once commenced preparations for arresting the further +advance of the Swedes. + +To reach his position they would be obliged to cross the swampy ground +exposed to the fire of his troops, and to render their progress still +more difficult he proceeded to cut down large trees, lopping and +sharpening their branches to form a chevaux-de-frise before his troops. +All the morning a heavy cannonade was kept up on both sides, but by noon +the bridge was completed and the advance guard of the Swedes, led by +Colonels Wrandel and Gassion, advanced across it. As the other brigades +were following, Tilly directed General Altringer to lead his cavalry +against them. + +Altringer led his troops round the end of the marsh and charged with +great bravery down upon the Swedes. These, however, had time to form up, +and a tremendous fire of musketry was poured into the Imperialist horse, +while the round shot from the three Swedish batteries ploughed their +ranks in front and on both flanks. Under such circumstances, although +fighting with reckless bravery, the Imperialist cavalry were repulsed. +Altringer, however, rallied them and led them back again to the charge, +but a cannonball grazed his temple and he was carried senseless from +the field. His men, shaken by the tremendous fire and deprived of their +leader, fell back in confusion. + +Tilly at once placed himself at the head of a chosen body of troops +and advanced to the attack, fighting with the ardour and bravery which +always distinguished him. He was short in stature and remarkable for his +ugliness as well as his bravery. Lean and spare in figure, he had hollow +cheeks, a long nose, a broad wrinkled forehead, heavy moustaches, and +a sharp pointed chin. He had from his boyhood been fighting against the +Protestants. He had learned the art of war under the cruel and pitiless +Spanish general Alva in the Netherlands, of which country he was a +native, and had afterwards fought against them in Bavaria, in Bohemia, +and the Palatinate, and had served in Hungary against the Turks. + +Until he met Gustavus at Breitenfeld he had never known a reverse. A +bigoted Catholic, he had never hesitated at any act of cruelty which +might benefit the cause for which he fought, or strike terror into the +Protestants; and the singularity of his costume and the ugliness of his +appearance heightened the terror which his deeds inspired among them. +When not in armour his costume was modelled upon that of the Duke of +Alva, consisting of a slashed doublet of green silk, with an enormously +wide-brimmed and high conical hat adorned with a large red ostrich +feather. In his girdle he carried a long dagger and a Toledo sword of +immense length. His personal bravery was famous, and never did he +fight more gallantly than when he led his veterans to the attack of the +Swedes. + +For twenty minutes a furious hand to hand conflict raged, and the result +was still uncertain when a shot from a falconet struck Tilly on the +knee and shattered the bone, and the old general fell insensible to +the ground. He was carried off the field, and his troops, now without a +leader, gave way, the movement being hastened by two bodies of Swedish +horse, who, eager for action, swam their horses across the river and +threatened to cut off the retreat. By this time evening was at hand. The +Swedes had secured the passage of the river, but the Imperialist army +still held its intrenched position in the wood behind the Lech. Gustavus +brought the rest of his army across and halted for the night. + +The Imperialist position was tremendously strong, being unassailable on +the right and covered in the front by the marshy ground. It could +still have been defended with every prospect of success by a determined +general, but the two best Imperialist commanders were hors de combat, +and Maximilian of Bavaria, the nominal generalissimo, had no military +experience. The army, too, was disheartened by the first success of the +Swedes and by the loss of the general whom they regarded as well nigh +invincible. + +Tilly had now recovered his senses, but was suffering intense agony from +his wound, and on being consulted by Maximilian he advised him to fall +back, as the destruction of his army would leave the whole country open +to the Swedes. + +The Imperialists accordingly evacuated their position and fell back in +good order during the night on Neuberg, and then to Ingolstadt. Rain and +Neuberg were occupied the next day by the Swedes. Gustavus despatched +Marshal Horn to follow the retreating enemy to Ingolstadt, and he +himself with the rest of his army marched up the Lech to Augsburg, which +was held by Colonel Breda with four thousand five hundred men. + +The Imperialists had broken down the bridge, but Gustavus immediately +built two others, one above and the other below the city, and summoned +it to surrender. Breda, hearing that Tilly was dying, Altringer severely +wounded, and that no help was to be expected from Maximilian, considered +it hopeless to resist, and surrendered the town, which Gustavus, +attended by the titular King of Bohemia and many other princes, entered +in triumph on the following day, April 14th. The capture of Augsburg +was hailed with peculiar satisfaction, as the city was regarded as the +birthplace of the Reformation in Germany. Leaving a garrison there the +king retraced his steps along the Lech to Neuberg, and marched thence to +join Marshal Horn in front of Ingolstadt. + +This town was one of the strongest places in Germany and had never been +captured. It was now held by a formidable garrison, and the Imperialist +army covered it on the north. Tilly had implored Maximilian to defend +it and Ratisbon at all hazards, as their possession was a bar to the +further advance of Gustavus. + +The king arrived before it on the 19th, and on the following day +advanced to reconnoitre it closely. The gunners of the town, seeing a +number of officers approaching, fired, and with so good an aim that +a cannonball carried off the hindquarters of the horse the king was +riding. A cry of alarm and consternation burst from the officers, but +their delight was great when the king rose to his feet, covered with +dust and blood indeed, but otherwise unhurt. + +On the following day a cannonball carried off the head of the Margrave +of Baden-Durlach, and on the same day Tilly expired. With his last +breath he urged Maximilian never to break his alliance with the emperor, +and to appoint Colonel Cratz, an officer of great courage and ability, +to the command of his army. + +Gustavus remained eight days before Ingolstadt, and then, finding that +the reduction of the place could not be effected without the loss of +much valuable time, he raised the siege. On his march he took possession +of Landshut and forced it to pay a ransom of 100,000 thalers and to +receive a garrison, and then continued his way to Munich. + +The Bavarian capital surrendered without a blow on the 17th of May. +Gustavus made a triumphal entry into the town, where he obtained +possession of a vast quantity of treasure and stores. Here he remained +some little time reducing the country round and capturing many cities +and fortresses. The Green Brigade had suffered severely at Ingolstadt. +On the evening of the 19th of April the king, expecting a sally, had +ordered Hepburn to post the brigade on some high ground near the gate +and the soldiers remained under arms the whole night. + +The glow of their matches enabled the enemy to fire with precision, and +a heavy cannonade was poured upon them throughout the whole night. Three +hundred men were killed as they stood, Munro losing twelve men by one +shot; but the brigade stood their ground unflinchingly, and remained +until morning in steady line in readiness to repel any sortie of the +enemy. + +The army suffered greatly on the march from the Lech to Ingolstadt, +and thence to Munich, from the attacks of the country people, who were +excited against them by the priests. Every straggler who fell into their +hands was murdered with horrible cruelty, the hands and feet being cut +off, and other savage mutilations being performed upon them, in revenge +for which the Swedes and Scots shot all the Bavarians who fell into +their hands, and burned two hundred towns and villages. + + + +CHAPTER XIII CAPTURED BY THE PEASANTS + + +Malcolm Graheme was not present at the siege of Ingolstadt. The orders +after crossing the Lech had been very strict against straggling, so soon +as the disposition of the country people was seen; but it is not easy +to keep a large column of troops in a solid body. The regiments in the +march indeed, under the eye of the officers, can be kept in column, but +a considerable number of troops are scattered along the great convoy +of wagons containing the tents, stores, and ammunition of the army, and +which often extends some miles in length. Even if the desire for plunder +does not draw men away, many are forced to fall behind either from +sickness, sore feet, or other causes. + +The number of these was comparatively small in the army of Gustavus, +for discipline was strict and the spirit of the troops good. As soon, +however, as it was found that every straggler who fell into the hands of +the peasantry was murdered under circumstances of horrible atrocity +it became very difficult for the officers to keep the men together, +so intense was their fury and desire for vengeance against the savage +peasantry, and on every possible occasion when a village was seen near +the line of march men would slip away and slay, plunder, and burn. + +Gustavus endeavoured to repress these proceedings. He shared the +indignation of his troops at the barbarous conduct of the peasantry, +but throughout the war he always tried to carry on hostilities so as +to inflict as little loss and suffering as possible upon noncombatants. +This state of warfare too between his troops and the country people +added to his difficulties, for the peasantry drove off their cattle and +burned their stacks, and rendered it necessary for provisions and forage +to be carried with the army. Parties were therefore sent out on the +flanks of the column for the double purpose of preventing soldiers +stealing off to plunder and burn, and of picking up stragglers and +saving them from the fury of the peasants. + +A strong rear guard followed a short distance behind the army. It was +accompanied by some empty wagons, in which those who fell out and were +unable to keep up with the march were placed. Two days after the advance +from the Lech, Malcolm was in charge of a small party on the right flank +of the column. There was no fear of an attack from the enemy, for the +Swedish horsemen were out scouring the country, and the Imperialists +were known to have fallen back to Ingolstadt. The villages were found +deserted by the male inhabitants, the younger women too had all left, +but a few old crones generally remained in charge. These scowled at the +invaders, and crossing themselves muttered curses beneath their breath +upon those whom their priests had taught them to regard as devils. There +was nothing to tempt the cupidity of the soldiers in these villages. +Malcolm's duty was confined to a casual inspection, to see that no +stragglers had entered for the purpose of procuring wine. + +The day's march was nearly over when he saw some flames rise from a +village a short distance away. Hurrying forward with his men he found +a party of ten of the Swedish soldiers who had stolen away from the +baggage guard engaged in plundering. Two peasants lay dead in the +street, and a house was in flames. + +Malcolm at once ordered his detachment, who were twenty strong, to +arrest the Swedes and to march them back to the columns. While they were +doing this he went from house to house to see that none of the party +were lurking there. At the door of the last house of the village three +women were standing. + +"Are any of the soldiers here?" he asked. + +The women gave him an unintelligible answer in the country patois, and +passing between them he entered the cottage. On the table stood a large +jug of water, and lifting it he took a long draught. There was a sudden +crash, and he fell heavily, struck down from behind with a heavy mallet +by one of the women. He was stunned by the blow, and when he recovered +his senses he found that he was bound hand and foot, a cloth had been +stuffed tightly into his mouth, and he was covered thickly with a heap +of straw and rubbish. He struggled desperately to free himself, but so +tightly were the cords bound that they did not give in the slightest. + +A cold perspiration broke out on his forehead as he reflected that he +was helpless in the power of these savage peasants, and that he should +probably be put to death by torture. Presently he could hear the shouts +of his men, who, on finding that he did not return, had scattered +through the village in search of him. He heard the voice of his +sergeant. + +"These old hags say they saw an officer walk across to the left. The +captain may have meant us to march the prisoners at once to the column, +and be waiting just outside the village for us, but it is not likely. At +any rate, lads, we will search every house from top to bottom before we +leave. So set to work at once; search every room, cupboard, and shed. +There may be foul play; though we see no men about, some may be in +hiding." + +Malcolm heard the sound of footsteps, and the crashing of planks as +the men searched the cottages, wrenched off the doors of cupboards, and +ransacked the whole place. Gradually the sound ceased, and everything +became quiet. Presently he heard the sound of drums, and knew that the +regiment which formed the rear guard was passing. + +It was bitterness indeed to know that his friends were within sound of a +call for aid, and that he was bound and helpless. The halting place for +the night was, he knew, but a mile or two in advance, and his only hope +was that some band of plunderers might in the night visit the village; +but even then his chances of being discovered were small indeed, for +even should they sack and burn it he would pass unnoticed lying hidden +in the straw yard. His captors were no doubt aware of the possibility of +such a visit, for it was not until broad daylight, when the army would +again be on its forward march, that they uncovered him. + +Brave as Malcolm was he could scarce repress a shudder as he looked at +the band of women who surrounded him. All were past middle age, some +were old and toothless, but all were animated by a spirit of ferocious +triumph. Raising him into a sitting position, they clustered round him, +some shook their skinny hands in his face, others heaped curses upon +him, some of the most furious assailed him with heavy sticks, and had he +not still been clothed in his armour, would then and there have killed +him. + +This, however, was not their intention, for they intended to put him to +death by slow torture. He was lifted and carried into the cottage. +There the lacings of his armour were cut, the cords loosened one by one, +sufficient to enable them to remove the various pieces of which it was +composed, then he was left to himself, as the hags intended to postpone +the final tragedy until the men returned from the hills. + +This might be some hours yet, as the Swedish cavalry would still be +scouring the country, and other bodies of troops might be marching up. +From the conversation of the women, which he understood but imperfectly, +Malcolm gathered that they thought the men would return that night. Some +of the women were in favour of executing the vengeance themselves, but +the majority were of opinion that the men should have their share of the +pleasure. + +All sorts of fiendish propositions were made as to the manner in which +his execution should be carried out, but even the mildest caused Malcolm +to shudder in anticipation. His arms were bound tightly to his side at +the elbows, and the wrists were fastened in front of him, his legs were +tied at the knees and ankles. Sometimes he was left alone as the women +went about their various avocations in the village, but he was so +securely bound that to him as to them his escape appeared altogether +impossible. The day passed heavily and slowly. The cloth had been +removed from his mouth, but he was parched with thirst, while the +tightly bound cords cut deeply into his flesh. + +He had once asked for water, but his request had been answered with such +jeers and mockery that he resolved to suffer silently until the last. At +length the darkness of the winter evening began to fall when a thought +suddenly struck him. On the hearth a fire was burning; he waited until +the women had again left the hut. He could hear their voices without +as they talked with those in the next cottage. They might at any moment +return, and it was improbable that they would again go out, for the cold +was bitter, and they would most likely wait indoors for the return of +the men. + +This then was his last opportunity. He rolled himself to the fire, and +with his teeth seized the end of one of the burning sticks. He raised +himself into a sitting position, and with the greatest difficulty laid +the burning end of the stick across the cords which bound his wrists. It +seemed to him that they would never catch fire. The flesh scorched and +frizzled, and the smoke rose up with that of the burning rope. The agony +was intense, but it was for life, and Malcolm unflinchingly held the +burning brand in its place until the cords flew asunder and his hands +were free. Although almost mad with the pain, Malcolm set to work +instantly to undo the other ropes. As soon as one of his arms was free +he seized a hatchet, which lay near him, and rapidly cut the rest. He +was not a moment too soon, for as he cut the last knot he heard the +sound of steps, and two women appeared at the door. + +On seeing their prisoner standing erect with an axe in his hand they +turned and fled shrieking loudly. It was well for Malcolm that they did +so, for so stiff and numbed were his limbs that he could scarcely hold +the axe, and the slightest push would have thrown him to the ground. + +Some minutes passed before, by stamping his feet and rubbing his legs +he restored circulation sufficiently to totter across the room. Then he +seized a brand and thrust it into the thatch of the house, having first +put on his helmet and placed his sword and pistols in his belt. His +hands were too crippled and powerless to enable him to fasten on the +rest of his armour. He knew that he had no time to lose. Fortunately the +women would not know how weak and helpless he was, for had they returned +in a body they could easily have overpowered him; but at any moment the +men might arrive, and if he was found there by them his fate was sealed. + +Accordingly as soon as he had fired the hut he made his way from the +village as quickly as he could crawl along. He saw behind him the flames +rising higher and higher. The wind was blowing keenly, and the fire +spread rapidly from house to house, and by the time he reached the road +along which the army had travelled the whole village was in flames. He +felt that he could not travel far, for the intense sufferings which he +had endured for twenty-four hours without food or water had exhausted +his strength. + +His limbs were swollen and bruised from the tightness of the cords, the +agony of his burned wrists was terrible, and after proceeding slowly for +about a mile he drew off from the broad trampled track which the army +had made in passing, and dragging himself to a clump of trees a short +distance from the road, made his way through some thick undergrowth and +flung himself down. The night was intensely cold, but this was a relief +to him rather than otherwise, for it alleviated the burning pain of his +limbs while he kept handfuls of snow applied to his wrists. + +Two hours after he had taken refuge he heard a number of men come along +the road at a run. Looking through the bushes he could see by their +figures against the snow that they were peasants, and had no doubt that +they were the men of the village who had returned and at once started in +pursuit of him. + +An hour later, feeling somewhat relieved, he left his hiding place and +moved a mile away from the road, as he feared that the peasants, failing +to overtake him, might, as they returned, search every possible hiding +place near it. He had no fear of the track being noticed, for the +surface of the snow was everywhere marked by parties going and returning +to the main body. He kept on until he saw a small shed. The door was +unfastened; opening it he found that the place was empty, though there +were signs that it was usually used as a shelter for cattle. + +A rough ladder led to a loft. This was nearly full of hay. Malcolm threw +himself down on this, and covering himself up thickly, felt the blood +again begin to circulate in his limbs. It brought, however, such +a renewal of his pain, that it was not until morning that fatigue +overpowered his sufferings and he fell asleep. + +It was late in the afternoon when he woke at the sound of shouts and +holloaing. Springing to his feet he looked out between the cracks in the +boards and saw a party of forty or fifty peasants passing close by the +shed. They were armed with hatchets, scythes, and pikes. On the heads of +four of the pikes were stuck gory heads, and in the centre of the party +were three prisoners, two Swedes and a Scot. These were covered with +blood, and were scarcely able to walk, but were being urged forward with +blows and pike thrusts amid the brutal laughter of their captors. + +Malcolm retired to his bed full of rage and sorrow. It would have been +madness to have followed his first impulse to sally out sword in hand +and fall upon the ruffians, as such a step would only have ensured his +own death without assisting the captives. + +"Hitherto," he said to himself, "I have ever restrained my men, and have +endeavoured to protect the peasants from violence; henceforward, so long +as we remain in Bavaria, no word of mine shall be uttered to save one +of these murderous peasants. However, I am not with my company yet. +The army is two marches ahead, and must by this time be in front of +Ingolstadt. I have been two days without food, and see but little chance +of getting any until I rejoin them, and the whole country between us is +swarming with an infuriated peasantry. The prospect is certainly not +a bright one. I would give a year's pay to hear the sound of a Swedish +trumpet." + +When darkness had fairly set in Malcolm started on his way again. +Although his limbs still smarted from the weals and sores left by the +cords they had now recovered their lissomeness; but he was weak from +want of food, and no longer walked with the free elastic stride which +distinguished the Scottish infantry. His wrists gave him great pain, +being both terribly burned, and every movement of the hand sent a thrill +of agony up the arm. He persisted, however, in frequently opening and +clenching his hands, regardless of the pain, for he feared that did he +not do so they would stiffen and he would be unable to grasp a sword. +Fortunately the wounds were principally on the upper side of the thumbs, +where the flesh was burned away to the bone, but the sinews and muscles +of the wrists had to a great extent escaped. + +He had not journeyed very far when he saw a light ahead and presently +perceived the houses of a village. A fire was lit in the centre, and a +number of figures were gathered round it. + +"Something is going on," Malcolm said to himself; "as likely as not they +have got some unfortunate prisoner. Whatever it be, I will steal in and +try to get some food. I cannot go much further without it; and as their +attention is occupied, I may find a cottage empty." + +Making his way round to the back of the houses, he approached one of the +cottages in the rear. He lifted the latch of the door and opened it a +little. All was still. With his drawn sword he entered. The room was +empty; a fire burned on the hearth, and on the table were some loaves +which had evidently been just baked. Malcolm fell upon one of them and +speedily devoured it, and, taking a long draught of rough country wine +from a skin hanging against the wall, he felt another man. + +He broke another loaf in two and thrust the pieces into his doublet, and +then sallied out from the cottage again. Still keeping behind the houses +he made his way until he got within view of the fire. Here he saw a +sight which thrilled him with horror. Some eight or ten peasants and +forty or fifty women were yelling and shouting. Fastened against a +post in front of the fire were the remains of a prisoner. He had been +stripped, his ears, nose, hands, and feet cut off, and he was slowly +bleeding to death. + +Four other men, bound hand and foot, lay close to the fire. By its +flames Malcolm saw the green scarves that told they were Scotchmen of +his own brigade, and he determined at once to rescue them or die in the +attempt. He crept forward until he reached the edge of the road; then he +raised a pistol and with a steady aim fired at one of the natives, who +fell dead across the fire. + +Another shot laid another beside him before the peasants recovered from +their first surprise. Then with a loud shout in German, "Kill--kill! and +spare none!" Malcolm dashed forward. The peasants, believing that they +were attacked by a strong body, fled precipitately in all directions. +Malcolm, on reaching the prisoners, instantly severed their bonds. + +"Quick, my lads!" he exclaimed; "we shall have them upon us again in a +minute." + +The men in vain tried to struggle to their feet--their limbs were too +numbed to bear them. + +"Crawl to the nearest cottage!" Malcolm exclaimed; "we can hold it until +your limbs are recovered." + +He caught up from the ground some pikes and scythes which the peasants +had dropped in their flight, and aided the men to make their way to the +nearest cottage. They were but just in time; for the peasants, finding +they were not pursued, had looked round, and seeing but one opponent had +gained courage and were beginning to approach again. Malcolm barred the +door, and then taking down a skin of wine bade his companions take a +drink. There were loaves on the shelves, and these he cut up and handed +to them. + +"Quick, lads!" he said; "stamp your legs and swing your arms, and get +the blood in motion. I will keep these fellows at bay a few minutes +longer." + +He reloaded his pistols and fired through the door, at which the +peasants were now hewing with axes. A cry and a heavy fall told him that +one of the shots had taken effect. Suddenly there was a smell of smoke. + +"They have fired the roof," Malcolm said. "Now, lads, each of you put a +loaf of bread under his jerkin. There is no saying when we may get more. +Now get ready and sally out with me. There are but six or eight men in +the village, and they are no match for us. They only dared to attack us +because they saw that you couldn't walk." + +The door was opened, and headed by Malcolm the four Scotchmen dashed +out. They were assailed by a shower of missiles by the crowd as they +appeared, but as soon as it was seen that the men were on foot again the +peasants gave way. Malcolm shot one and cut down another, and the rest +scattered in all directions. + +"Now, lads, follow me while we may," and Malcolm again took to the +fields. The peasants followed for some distance, but when the soldiers +had quite recovered the use of their limbs Malcolm suddenly turned on +his pursuers, overtaking and killing two of them. Then he and his men +again continued their journey, the peasants no longer following. When at +some distance from the village he said: + +"We must turn and make for the Lech again. It is no farther than it is +to Ingolstadt, and we shall find friends there. These peasants will go +on ahead and raise all the villagers against us, and we should never get +through. What regiment do you belong to, lads?" for in the darkness he +had been unable to see their faces. + +"Your own, Captain Graheme. We were in charge of one of the wagons with +sick. The wheel came off, and we were left behind the convoy while we +were mending it. As we were at work, our weapons laid on the ground, +some twenty men sprang out from some bushes hard by and fell upon us. We +killed five or six of them, but were beaten down and ten of our number +were slain. They murdered all the sick in the wagons and marched us +away, bound, to this village where you found us. Sandy McAlister they +had murdered just as you came up, and we should have had a like horrible +fate had you been a few minutes later. Eh, sir! but it's an awful death +to be cut in pieces by these devils incarnate!" + +"Well, lads," Malcolm said, "we will determine that they shall not take +us alive again. If we are overtaken or met by any of these gangs of +peasants we will fight till we die. None of us, I hope, are afraid of +death in fair strife, but the bravest might well shrink from such a +death as that of your poor comrade. Now let us see what arms we have +between us." + +Malcolm had his sword and pistols, two of the men had pikes, the other +two scythes fastened to long handles. + +"These are clumsy weapons," Malcolm said. "You had best fit short +handles to them, so as to make them into double handed swords." + +They were unable to travel far, for all were exhausted with the +sufferings they had gone through, but they kept on until they came upon +a village which had been fired when the troops marched through. The +walls of a little church were alone standing. It had, like the rest of +the village, been burned, but the shell still remained. + +"So far as I can see," Malcolm said, "the tower has escaped. Had it been +burned we should see through the windows. We may find shelter in the +belfry." + +On reaching the church they found that the entrance to the belfry tower +was outside the church, and to this, no doubt, it owed its escape from +the fire which had destroyed the main edifice. The door was strong and +defied their efforts to break it in. + +"I must fire my pistol through the lock," Malcolm said. "I do not +like doing so, for the sound may reach the ears of any peasants in the +neighbourhood; but we must risk it, for the cold is extreme, and to lie +down in the snow would be well nigh certain death." + +He placed his pistol to the keyhole and fired. The lock at once yielded +and the party entered the door. + +"Before we mount," Malcolm said, "let each pick up one of these blocks +of stone which have fallen from the wall. We will wedge the door from +behind, and can then sleep secure against a surprise." + +When the door was closed one of the men, who was a musketeer, struck +some sparks from a flint and steel on to a slow match which he carried +in his jerkin, and by its glow they were enabled to look around them. +The stone steps began to ascend close to the door, and by laying the +stones between the bottom step and the door they wedged the latter +firmly in its place. They then ascended the stairs, and found themselves +in a room some ten feet square, in which hung the bell which had called +the village to prayers. It hung from some beams which were covered with +a boarded floor, and a rough ladder led to a trapdoor, showing that +there was another room above. The floor of the room in which they stood +was of stone. + +"Now, lads," Malcolm said, "two of you make your way up that ladder and +rip up some of the planks of the flooring. See if there are any windows +or loopholes in the chamber above, and if so stuff your jerkins into +them; we will close up those here. In a few minutes we will have a +roaring fire; but we must beware lest a gleam of light be visible +without, for this belfry can be seen for miles round." + +Some of the boards were soon split up into fragments; but before the +light was applied to them Malcolm carefully examined each window and +loophole to be sure that they were perfectly stopped. Then the slow +match was placed in the centre of a number of pieces of dry and rotten +wood. One of the men kneeling down blew lustily, and in a few seconds a +flame sprang up. The wood was now heaped on, and a bright fire was soon +blazing high. + +A trapdoor leading out on to the flat top of the tower was opened for +the escape of the smoke, and the party then seated themselves round the +fire, under whose genial warmth their spirits speedily rose. They now +took from their wallets the bread which they had brought away with them. + +"If we had," one of the soldiers said, "but a few flasks of Rhine wine +with us we need not envy a king." + +"No," Malcolm replied, "we are better off at present than our comrades +who are sleeping in the snow round the watchfires; but for all that I +would that we were with them, for we have a long and dangerous march +before us. And now, lads, you can sleep soundly. There will be no +occasion to place a watch, for the door is securely fastened; but at the +first dawn of light we must be on our feet; for although I do not mean +to march until nightfall, we must remove the stoppings from the windows, +for should the eye of any passing peasant fall upon them, he will guess +at once that some one is sheltering here, and may proceed to find out +whether it be friend or foe." + +Having finished half their bread, for Malcolm had warned them to save +the other half for the next day, the men lay down round the fire, and +soon all were sound asleep. + + + +CHAPTER XIV IN THE CHURCHTOWER + + +Malcolm was the first to awake, and was vexed to find by a stream of +light pouring down through the half open trapdoor above that it was +broad day. He roused the men, and the stoppings were at once removed +from the loopholes. The sun was already high, for the party, overpowered +with fatigue, had slept long and soundly. + +Malcolm looked cautiously from the window; no one was in sight, and the +ruins of the village below lay black and deserted. The men resumed the +clothes which had been used for blocking the loopholes, and sat down +to pass the long hours which would elapse before the time for action +arrived. It was exceedingly cold, for there were loopholes on each side +of the chamber, and the wind blew keenly through. + +"Sergeant," Malcolm said, "we will risk a bit of fire again, for the +cold pierces to the bone; only be sure that you use perfectly dry wood. +Examine each piece to see that no drip from the roof has penetrated it. +If it is dry it will give but little smoke, and a slight vapour is not +likely to be observed rising from the top of the tower." + +The fire was again lighted, and the smoke was so slight that Malcolm had +little fear of its being observed. + +An hour later, as the men were talking, Malcolm suddenly held up his +hand for silence, and the murmur of voices was heard without. Malcolm +rose to his feet to reconnoitre, standing far back from the loophole as +he did so. A group of some eight or ten peasants were standing looking +at the tower, while a woman was pointing to it and talking eagerly. + +It was towards the windows that she was pointing, and Malcolm guessed at +once that, having returned in the early morning to see what remained +of her home, she had happened to notice the garments stuffed in the +windows, and had carried the news to some of her companions. Malcolm +regretted bitterly now that he had not set a watch, so that at the first +gleam of daylight the windows might have been unblocked; but it was now +too late. + +"We shall have to fight for it, lads," he said, turning round. "Our +clothes must have been seen early this morning, and there is a party +of peasants watching the tower. Of course they cannot know at present +whether we are friends or foes; but no doubt the news of last evening's +doings has travelled through the country, and the peasants are on the +lookout for us, so they may well guess that we are here. However, we +shall soon see. Sergeant, place one of your men on sentry at the foot of +the stairs, but do not let him speak or give any signs of his presence +if the door is tried." + +One of the soldiers was placed on guard. Scarcely had he taken his +station when there was a knocking at the door, and shouts were heard +outside from the peasants calling on those within, if they were friends, +to come out. No answer was returned. + +"It's fortunate for you," Malcolm muttered, "that we don't come out, or +we should make short work of you; but I know you would fly like hares +if you saw us, and would bring the whole country down on us. No; we +must hold out here. Our only hope is to escape at night, or to hold this +place till some of our troops come along. At any moment some regiments +from the Lech may be marching forward to join the king. + +"We must make our bread last, lads," he said cheerfully to the men, +"for we may have to stand a long siege. Methinks we can hold this stone +staircase against all the peasants of this part of Bavaria; and we must +do so until we hear the sound of the Swedish drums; they may come along +at any time. If the worst comes to the worst one of us must start at +night and carry news of our peril to the Lech. We made a good supper +last night, and can fast for a bit. If we cut our bread up into small +portions we can hold out for days. There should be snow enough on the +tower top to furnish us with drink." + +After hammering at the door for some time, the peasants retired +convinced that there were none of their own people within the tower, and +that those who had slept there were the fugitives of whom they had been +in search during the night. These might, indeed, have departed in the +interval between the time when the woman first saw the traces of their +presence and her return with them; but they did not think that this was +so, for in that case they could not have fastened the door behind them. +The peasants accordingly withdrew a short distance from the church, and +three of their number were sent off in different directions to bring +up reinforcements. As soon as Malcolm saw this movement he knew that +concealment was useless, and began to make preparations for the defence. +First, he with the sergeant ascended to the roof of the tower. To his +disappointment he saw that the heat of the flames had melted the snow, +and that most of the water had run away. Some, however, stood in the +hollows and inequalities of the stone platform, where it had again +frozen into ice. + +As the supply would be very precious, Malcolm directed that before any +moved about on the platform every piece of ice should be carefully taken +up and carried below. Here it was melted over the fire in one of +the iron caps, and was found to furnish three quarts of water. The +appearance of Malcolm and his companion on the tower had been hailed by +a shout of hatred and exultation by the peasants; but the defenders had +paid no attention to the demonstration, and had continued their work as +if regardless of the presence of their enemies. + +On his return to the platform Malcolm found, looking over the low +parapet, that on the side farthest from the church great icicles hung +down from the mouth of the gutter, the water having frozen again as it +trickled from the platform. These icicles were three or four inches in +diameter and many feet in length. They were carefully broken off, and +were laid down on the platform where they would remain frozen until +wanted. Malcolm now felt secure against the attacks of thirst for +some days to come. The stones of the parapet were next tried, and were +without much trouble moved from their places, and were all carried to +the side in which the door was situated, in readiness to hurl down upon +any who might assault it. Some of the beams of the upper flooring were +removed from their places, and being carried down, were wedged against +the upper part of the door, securing it as firmly as did the stones +below. These preparations being finished, Malcolm took a survey of the +situation outside. + +The group of peasants had increased largely, some thirty or forty men +armed with pikes, bills, and scythes being gathered in a body, while +many more could be seen across the country hurrying over the white plain +towards the spot. The windows of the lower apartment had been barricaded +with planks, partly to keep out missiles, partly for warmth. A good fire +now blazed in the centre, and the soldiers, confident in themselves and +their leader, cracked grim jokes as, their work being finished, they sat +down around it and awaited the attack, one of their number being placed +on the summit of the tower to give warning of the approach of the enemy. + +"I would that we had a musket or two," Malcolm said; "for we might then +keep them from the door. I have only some twenty charges for my pistols, +and the most of these, at any rate, I must keep for the defence of the +stairs." + +Presently the sentry from above called out that the peasants were moving +forward to the attack. + +"Sergeant," Malcolm said, "do you fasten my green scarf to a long strip +of plank and fix it to the top of the tower. We cannot fight under +a better banner. Now let us mount to the roof and give them a warm +reception." + +"Look out, sir," the sentry exclaimed as Malcolm ascended the stair, +"three or four of them have got muskets." + +"Then we must be careful," Malcolm said. "I don't suppose they are much +of marksmen, but even a random shot will tell at times, and I want to +take you all back safe with me; so keep low when you get on the roof, +lads, and don't show your heads more than you can help." + +Heralding their attack by a discharge from their muskets, whose balls +whistled harmlessly round the tower, the peasants rushed forward to the +door and commenced an assault upon it with hatchets and axes. + +Malcolm and his men each lifted a heavy stone and rolled it over the +parapet, the five loosing the missiles simultaneously. There was a dull +crash, and with a terrible cry the peasants fled from the door. Looking +over, Malcolm saw that six or seven men had been struck down. Five of +these lay dead or senseless; two were endeavouring to drag themselves +away. + +"That is lesson number one," he said. "They will be more prudent next +time." + +The peasants, after holding a tumultuous council, scattered, most of +them making for a wood a short distance off. + +"They are going to cut down a tree and use it as a battering ram," +Malcolm observed. "They know that these large stones are too heavy for +us to cast many paces from the foot of the wall. We must get to work +and break some of them up. That will not be difficult, for the wind and +weather have rotted many of them half through." + +The stones were for the most part from two to three feet long and nine +or ten inches square. Two were laid down on the platform some eighteen +inches apart and another placed across them. The four men then lifted +another stone, and holding it perpendicularly brought it down with all +their strength upon the unsupported centre of the stone, which broke in +half at once. To break it again required greater efforts, but it yielded +to the blows. Other stones were similarly treated, until a large pile +was formed of blocks of some ten inches each way, besides a number of +smaller fragments. + +In half an hour the peasants reappeared with a slight well grown tree +some forty feet long which had been robbed of its branches. It was laid +down about fifty yards from the church, and then twenty men lifted it +near the butt and advanced to use it as a battering ram, with the small +end forward; but before they were near enough to touch the door the +bearers were arrested by a cry from the crowd as the defenders appeared +on the tower, and poising their blocks of stone above their heads, +hurled them down. Three of them flew over the heads of the peasants, but +the others crashed down among them, slaying and terribly mutilating two +of the bearers of the tree and striking several others to the ground. +The battering ram was instantly dropped, and before the Scotchmen had +time to lift another missile the peasants were beyond their reach. + +"Lesson number two," Malcolm said. "What will our friends do next, I +wonder?" + +The peasants were clearly at a loss. A long consultation was held, but +this was not followed by any renewal of the attack. + +"I think they must have made up their minds to starve us out, sir," the +sergeant remarked as the hours went slowly by without any renewal of the +attack. + +"Yes; either that, sergeant, or a night attack. In either case I +consider that we are safe for a time, but sooner or later our fate is +sealed unless aid comes to us, and therefore I propose that one of you +should tonight try and bear a message to the Lech. We can lower him down +by the bell rope from this window in the angle where the tower touches +the church. Keeping round by the church he will be in deep shadow until +he reaches the other end, and will then be close to the ruins of the +village. Before morning he could reach our camp." + +"I will undertake it myself, sir, if you will allow me," the sergeant +said, while the other men also volunteered for the duty. + +"You shall try first, sergeant," Malcolm said. "It will be dangerous +work, for as the news of our being here spreads the peasants will be +coming in from all quarters. Their numbers are already greatly increased +since they commenced the attack, and there must be at least three or +four hundred men around us. They will be sure to keep a sharp lookout +against our escaping, and it will need all your care and caution to get +through them." + +"Never fear, sir," the man replied confidently. "I have stalked the deer +scores of times, and it will be hard if I cannot crawl through a number +of thick witted Bavarian peasants." + +"Even beyond the village you will have to keep your eyes open, as you +may meet parties of peasants on their way here. Fortunately you will +have no difficulty in keeping the road, so well beaten is it by the +march of the army. If by tomorrow night no rescue arrives I shall +consider that you have been taken or killed, and shall try with the +others to make my way through. It would be better to die sword in hand +while we have still the strength to wield our arms than to be cooped +up here until too weak any longer to defend ourselves, and then to be +slowly tortured to death." + +As soon as it was dusk a sentry was placed on the top of the tower, with +orders to report the slightest sound or stir. During the day this had +not been necessary, for a view could be obtained from the windows, and +the men with firearms, who had now considerably increased in numbers, +kept up a constant fire at the tower. + +An hour later the sentry reported that he could hear the sound of many +feet in the darkness, with the occasional snapping as of dry twigs. + +"They are going to burn down the door," Malcolm said. "That is what I +expected. Now, sergeant, is your time. They are all busy and intent upon +their purpose. You could not have a better time." + +The rope was fastened round the sergeant's waist, and with some +difficulty he squeezed himself through the narrow window, after +listening attentively to discover if any were below. + +All seemed perfectly still on this side, and he was gradually and +steadily lowered down. Presently those above felt the rope slack. +Another minute and it swung loosely. It was drawn up again, and Malcolm, +placing one of the men at the loophole, with instructions to listen +intently for any sound of alarm or conflict, turned his attention to the +other side. + +Soon he saw a number of dark figures bearing on their heads great +bundles which he knew to be faggots approaching across the snow. + +As they approached a brisk fire suddenly opened on the tower. Malcolm at +once called the sentry down. + +"It is of no use exposing yourself," he said, "and we could not do much +harm to them did we take to stoning them again. We have nothing to do +now but to wait." + +Soon a series of dull heavy crashes were heard as the faggots were +thrown down against the door. Malcolm descended the stairs until he +reached the lowest loophole which lighted them, and which was a few feet +above the top of the door. He took one of the men with him. + +"Here are my flask and bullet pouch," he said. "Do you reload my pistols +as I discharge them." + +For some minutes the sound of the faggots being thrown down continued, +then the footsteps were heard retreating, and all was quiet again. + +"Now it is our turn again," Malcolm said. "It is one thing to prepare +a fire and another to light it, my fine fellows. I expect that you have +forgotten that there are firearms here." + +Presently a light was seen in the distance, and two men with blazing +brands approached. They advanced confidently until within twenty yards +of the tower, then there was the sharp crack of a pistol, and one of +them fell forward on his face, the other hesitated and stood irresolute, +then, summoning up courage, he sprang forward. + +As he did so another shot flashed out, and he, too, fell prostrate, the +brand hissing and spluttering in the snow a few feet from the pile of +brushwood. A loud yell of rage and disappointment arose on the night +air, showing how large was the number of peasants who were watching the +operations. Some time elapsed before any further move was made on the +part of the assailants, then some twenty points of light were seen +approaching. + +"Donald," Malcolm said to the soldier, "go up to the top of the tower +with your comrades. They are sure to light the pile this time, but if +it is only fired in one place you may possibly dash out the light with a +stone." + +The lights rapidly approached, but when the bearers came within forty +yards they stopped. They were a wild group, as, with their unkempt +hair and beards, and their rough attire, they stood holding the lighted +brands above their heads. A very tall and powerful man stood at their +head. + +"Come on," he said, "why do you hesitate? Let us finish with them." And +he rushed forward. + +Malcolm had his pistol lying on the sill of the loophole covering +him, and when the peasant had run ten paces he fired, and the man fell +headlong. The others stopped, and a second shot took effect among them. +With a yell of terror they hurled the brands towards the pile and fled. +Most of the brands fell short, others missed their aim, but from his +loophole Malcolm saw that one had fallen on to the outside faggot of the +pile. + +Almost instantly a heavy stone fell in the snow close by, another, +and another. Malcolm stood with his eyes fixed on the brand. The twigs +against which it leaned were catching, and the flames began to shoot up. +Higher and higher they rose, and a shout of triumph from the peasants +told how keenly they were also watching. Still the heavy stones +continued to fall. The flames rose higher, and half the faggot was now +alight. Another minute and the fire would communicate with the pile. +Then there was a crash. A shower of sparks leapt up as the faggot, +struck by one of the heavy stones, was dashed from its place and lay +blazing twenty feet distant from the pile. There it burnt itself out, +and for a time the tower was safe. + +For an hour the defenders watched the peasants, who had now lighted +great fires just out of pistol shot from the tower, and were gathered +thickly round them, the light flashing redly from pike head and scythe. + +The uproar of voices was loud; but though the defenders guessed that +they were discussing the next plan of attack they could catch no meaning +from such words as reached them, for the patois of the Bavarian +peasants was unintelligible. At last a large number seized brands, some +approached as before towards the pile, the others scattered in various +directions, while the men with muskets again opened fire at the top of +the tower. + +Malcolm took his post at the loophole awaiting attack, but the men in +front of him did not advance. Suddenly a light sprang up beneath him. +There was a sound of falling stones, but the light grew brighter and +brighter, and he knew that this time the pile had been fired. As he ran +upstairs he was met by one of the soldiers from above. + +"They crept round by the back of the church, sir, and round at the foot +of the tower, and they had fired the pile before we saw that they were +there." + +"It cannot be helped," Malcolm said, "they were sure to succeed sooner +or later. Call the others down from the roof." + +The door at the top of the stairs was now closed, and the crevices were +stuffed tightly with strips torn from the men's clothes so as to prevent +the smoke from entering when the door below gave way to the flames. A +broad glare of light now lit up the scene, and showers of sparks, and an +occasional tongue of flame were visible through the window. + +"Shut down the trapdoor in the roof," Malcolm said, "that will check the +draught through the windows." + +The wood was dry, and what smoke made its way in through the window +found its way out through the loopholes of the upper chamber without +seriously incommoding those below. + +"We can take it easy, now," Malcolm said as he set the example by +sitting down against the wall. "It will be hours before the stonework +below will be cool enough to permit them to attack." + +"They are lighting a circle of fires all round the church," one of the +soldiers said looking out. + +"They think we shall be trying to escape, now that our door is burned. +They are too late; I trust our messenger is miles away by this time." + +In half an hour the flames died away, but a deep red glow showed that +the pile of embers was still giving out an intense heat. One of the +men was now placed on the top of the tower again, as a measure of +precaution, but it was certain that hours would elapse before an attack +could be made. The peasants, indeed, secure of their prey, evinced +no hurry to commence the attack, but spent the night in shouting and +singing round their fires, occasionally yelling threats of the fate +which awaited them against the defenders of the tower. + +Towards daylight Malcolm commenced his preparations for defence. The +door was taken off its hinges and was laid on the stone stairs. These +were but two feet wide, the door itself being some three inches less. +The rope was fastened round its upper end to prevent it from sliding +down. + +"I wish we had some grease to pour over it," Malcolm said, "but dry as +it is it will be next to impossible for anyone to walk up that sharp +incline, and we four should be able to hold it against the peasants till +doomsday." + +It was not until broad daylight that the peasants prepared for the +attack. So long as the operation had been a distant one it had seemed +easy enough, but as in a confused mass they approached the open doorway +they realized that to ascend the narrow staircase, defended at the top +by desperate men, was an enterprise of no common danger, and that the +work which they had regarded as finished was in fact scarcely begun. + +The greater part then hung back, but a band of men, who by their +blackened garments and swarthy faces Malcolm judged to be charcoal +burners, armed with heavy axes, advanced to the front, and with an air +of dogged resolution approached the door. The defenders gave no sign of +their presence, no pistol flashed out from window or loophole. + +Striding through the still hot ashes the leader of the woodmen passed +through the doorway and advanced up the stairs. These ran in short +straight flights round the tower, lighted by narrow loopholes. No +resistance was encountered until he reached the last turning, where +a broader glare of light came from the open doorway, where two of the +soldiers, pike in hand, stood ready to repel them. With a shout to his +followers to come on, the peasant sprang forward. He ascended three +steps, and then, as he placed his foot upon the sharply inclined +plane of the door, which he had not noticed, he stumbled forward. His +companions, supposing he had been pierced with a spear, pressed on after +him, but each fell when they trod upon the door until a heap of men +cumbered the stair. These were not unharmed, for with their long pikes +the Scottish spearmen ran them through and through as they lay. + +Their bodies afforded a foothold to those who followed, but these could +make but little way, for as but one could advance at a time, each as he +came on was slain by the pikes. Finding that two were well able to hold +the door, Malcolm with the other ran up to the top of the tower, and +toppled over the stones of the parapet upon the mass gathered around +the door. These at once scattered, and those on the stairs, finding +themselves unable to get forward, for the narrow passage was now +completely choked with the dead, made their way out again and rejoined +their comrades. + +"I expect they will send their musketeers first next time," Malcolm said +as he rejoined those below, leaving the soldier on the watch. "Now let +us get the door up again, and bring the dead here; we can form a barrier +with them breast high." + +The door was quickly shifted on one side, and then the troopers brought +up the dead, who were eleven in number. + +"Now replace the door," Malcolm ordered; "fill your iron caps with +blood--there is plenty flowing from these fellows--and pour it over the +door, it will be as good as oil." + +This was done, and the bodies were then piled shoulder high across the +door. + +"They can fire as much as they like now," Malcolm said, "they will be no +nearer, and I defy anyone to climb up that door now." + + + +CHAPTER XV A TIMELY RESCUE + + +Although unaware how much more formidable the task before them had +become, the peasants were disheartened by their defeat, and even the +boldest hesitated at the thought of again attacking foes so formidably +posted. None of those who had returned were able to explain what was the +obstacle which had checked their advance. All that they could tell was, +that those before them had fallen, in some cases even before they were +touched by the spears of the defenders. This mystery added to the dread +which the assault of so difficult a position naturally inspired, and +some hours were spent in discussing how the next attack should be made. +Many indeed were strongly in favour of remaining quietly around the +tower and starving its defenders into surrendering. + +Others advocated an attempt to stifle them by heaping green wood and +damp straw round the tower; but the more timid pointed out that +many would be killed in carrying out the task by the firearms of the +besieged, and that even were the combustibles placed in position and +lighted the success of the experiment would be by no means certain, +as the besieged might stuff up all the orifices, or at the worst might +obtain sufficient fresh air on the top of the tower to enable them to +breathe. + +"You are forgetting," one of the peasants exclaimed, "the powder wagon +which broke down as Count Tilly retreated from the Lech. Did we not +carry off the powder barrels and hide them, partly to prevent them +falling into the hands of these accursed Swedes, partly because the +powder would last us for years for hunting the wolf and wild boar? We +have only to stow these inside the tower to blow it into the air." + +The idea was seized with shouts of acclamation. Most of the peasants who +had assisted in carrying off the contents of the wagon were present, and +these started instantly to dig up the barrels which they had taken as +their share of the booty. The shouts of satisfaction and the departure +of forty or fifty men at full speed in various directions did not pass +unnoticed by the garrison of the tower. + +"They have got a plan of some sort," Malcolm said; "what it is I have no +idea, but they certainly seem confident about it. Look at those fellows +throwing up their caps and waving their arms. I do not see how we can be +attacked, but I do not like these signs of confidence on their part, +for they know now how strong our position is. It seems to me that we are +impregnable except against artillery." + +Unable to repress his uneasiness Malcolm wandered from window to window +watching attentively what was going on without, but keeping himself as +far back as possible from the loopholes; for the men with muskets kept +up a dropping fire at the openings, and although their aim was poor, +bullets occasionally passed in and flattened themselves against the +opposite walls. + +"There is a man returning," he said in about half an hour; "he is +carrying something on his shoulder, but I cannot see what it is." + +In another ten minutes the man had reached the group of peasants +standing two or three hundred yards from the church, and was greeted +with cheers and waving of hats. + +"Good heavens!" Malcolm exclaimed suddenly, "it is a barrel of powder. +They must have stripped some broken down ammunition wagon. This is a +danger indeed." + +The men grasped their weapons and rose to their feet at the news, +prepared to take any steps which their young officer might command, +for his promptitude and ingenuity had inspired them with unbounded +confidence in him. + +"We must at all hazards," he said after a few minutes thought, "prevent +them from storing these barrels below. Remove the barricade of bodies +and then carry the door down the stairs. We must fix it again on the +bottom steps. The bottom stair is but a foot or two inside the doorway; +if you place it there it will hinder their rushing up to attack you, and +your pikes, as you stand above it, will prevent any from placing their +barrels inside. + +"I will take my place at the loophole as before. We cannot prevent their +crawling round from behind as they did to light the faggots; but if they +pile them outside, they may blow in a hole in the wall of the tower, but +it is possible that even then it may not fall. Two will be sufficient to +hold the stairs, at any rate for the present. Do you, Cameron, take +your place on the tower, and drop stones over on any who may try to make +their way round from behind; even if you do no harm you will make them +careful and delay the operation, and every hour now is of consequence." + +Malcolm's instructions were carried out, and all was in readiness +before the peasants, some of whom had to go considerable distances, had +returned with the powder. + +The lesson of the previous evening had evidently not been lost upon the +peasants, for Malcolm saw a tall man who was acting as their leader wave +his hand, and those who had brought the powder started to make a detour +round the church. Malcolm, finding that no movement was being made +towards the front, and that at present he could do nothing from his +loophole, ran up to the top of the tower and took his place by the +soldier who was lying down on the roof and looking over the edge. + +Presently the first of the peasants appeared round the corner of the +main building, and dashed rapidly across to the angle of the tower. Two +heavy stones were dropped, but he had passed on long before they had +reached the bottom. Man after man followed, and Malcolm, seeing that he +could do nothing to stop them, again ran down. As he did so he heard a +scream of agony. The leading peasants had reached the doorway, but as +they dashed in to place their barrels of powder they were run through +and through by the spears of the pikemen. They fell half in and half out +of the doorway, and the barrels rolled some distance away. Those behind +them stopped panic stricken at their sudden fall. Several of them +dropped their barrels and fled, while others ran round the angle of the +tower again, coming in violent contact with those following them; all +then hurried round behind the church. Malcolm stamped his feet with +vexation. + +"What a fool I am," he muttered, "not to have thought of a sortie! If +we had all held ourselves in readiness to spring out, we might have cut +down the whole of them; at any rate none would have got off with their +barrels." + +This unexpected failure greatly damped the spirit of the peasants, and +there was much consultation among them before any fresh move was made. +As he saw that they were fully occupied, and paying no heed to the +tower, Malcolm said to his men: + +"I am going outside; prepare to help me up over the door again quickly +if necessary." + +Leaving his sword behind him, he took a leap from the step above the +inclined plane and landed at the bottom, and at once threw himself down +outside. With his dagger he removed the hoops of one of the barrels, and +scattered the contents thickly along the front of the tower. None of the +peasants perceived him, for there were many bodies lying round the +foot of the tower; and even had any looked that way they would not have +noticed that one prone figure had been added to the number. + +Crawling cautiously along Malcolm pushed two other barrels before him, +and opening them as before, spread the contents of one upon the ground +near the side of the tower, and the other by the hinder face. The thick +black layer on the snow would have told its tale instantly to a soldier, +but Malcolm had little fear of the peasants in their haste paying +attention to it. When his task was completed he crawled back again +to the door and laid a train from the foot of the slide to the powder +without. + +"I will remain here," he said, "for the present. Do one of you take your +place in the belfry. Tell Cameron to shout down to you what is passing +behind, and do you run instantly down the stairs to tell me." + +The peasants advanced next time accompanied by a strong force of their +armed comrades. As before they came round from behind, intending to +stack their barrels in the angle there. As the bearers of the first two +or three powder barrels came round the corner Cameron shouted the news, +and the soldier below ran down to Malcolm, who fired his pistol into +the train. A broad flash of fire rose round the tower followed +instantaneously by two heavy explosions. There was silence for an +instant, and then a chorus of shrieks and yells. + +The powder barrels borne by the two first men had exploded, their heads +having been knocked in previously to admit of their ignition. Some +thirty of the peasants were killed or terribly mutilated by the +explosion, and the rest took to their heels in terror, leaving their +wounded comrades on the ground. + +The echoes of the explosion had scarce died away when a shout of terror +broke from the main body of peasants, and Malcolm saw them flying in +all directions. An instant afterwards the ringing sound of the Swedish +trumpets was heard, and a squadron of horse galloped down full speed. +The peasants attempted no resistance, but fled in all directions, hotly +pursued by the Swedes, who broke up into small parties and followed +the fugitives cross the country cutting down great numbers of them. The +Swedish leader at once rode up to the foot of the tower, where Malcolm +had already sallied out. + +"I am glad indeed I am in time, Captain Graheme; we have ridden without +drawing rein since your messenger arrived at four o'clock this morning." + +"Thanks indeed, Captain Burgh," Malcolm replied. "Your coming is most +welcome; though I think we have given the peasants so hot a lesson that +they would not have attacked us again, and by tightening our waistbelts +we could have held on for another three or four days." + +"I see that you have punished them heavily," the Swedish officer said, +looking round at the bodies; "but what was the explosion I heard?" + +"You will see its signs behind the tower," Malcolm said as he led the +way there. "They tried to blow us up, but burnt their own fingers." + +The scene behind the tower was ghastly. Some thirty peasants lay with +their clothes completely burned from their bodies, the greater portion +of them dead, but some still writhing in agony. Malcolm uttered an +exclamation of horror. + +"It were a kindness to put these wretches out of their misery," the +Swede said, and dismounting he passed his sword through the bodies of +the writhing men. "You know I am in favour of carrying on the war as +mercifully as may be," he continued turning to Malcolm, "for we have +talked the matter over before now; and God forbid that I should strike +a fallen foe; but these poor wretches were beyond help, and it is true +mercy to end their sufferings." + +"They have had a heavy lesson," Malcolm said; "there are eleven more +dead up in the belfry, which they tried to carry by storm, and a dozen +at least crushed by stones. + +"You and your three men have indeed given a good account of yourselves," +Captain Burgh exclaimed; "but while I am talking you are fasting. Here +is a bottle of wine, a cold chicken, and a manchet of bread which I put +in my wallet on starting; let us breakfast, for though I do not pretend +to have been fasting as you have, the morning ride has given me an +appetite. I see your fellows are hard at work already on the viands +which my orderly brought for them in his havresack; but first let us +move away to the tree over yonder, for verily the scent of blood and of +roasted flesh is enough to take away one's appetite, little squeamish as +these wars have taught us to be." + +Captain Burgh asked no questions until Malcolm had finished his meal. "I +have plenty more food," he said, "for we have brought three led horses +well laden; but it were better that you eat no more at present, tis ill +overloading a fasting stomach. My men will not be back from the pursuit +for a couple of hours yet, for they will not draw rein so long as their +horses can gallop, so excited are they over the tales of the horrible +cruelties which have been perpetrated on all our men who have fallen +into the hands of the peasants, so now you can tell me in full the tale +of your adventures. I had no time to ask any questions of your sergeant, +for we were called up and sent off five minutes after he arrived with +the news that you with three men were beleaguered here by a party of +peasants." + +Malcolm related the whole incidents which had befallen him since he had +been suddenly felled and made captive by the women in the hut in the +village. The Swede laughed over this part of the adventure. + +"To think," he said, "of you, a dashing captain of the Green Brigade, +being made captive by a couple of old women. There is more than one +gallant Scot, if reports be true, has fallen a captive to German +maidens, but of another sort; to be taken prisoner and hid in a straw +yard is too good." + +"It was no laughing matter, I can tell you," Malcolm said, "though +doubtless it will serve as a standing jest against me for a long time; +however, I am so thankful I have got out of the scrape that those may +laugh who will." + +When Malcolm finished his story Captain Burgh said: "You have managed +marvellously well indeed, Graheme, and can well afford to put up with a +little laughter anent that matter of the women, for in truth there +are few who would with three men have held a post against four or five +hundred, as you have done--ay, and fairly defeated them before I came on +the scene. That thought of yours of laying the door upon the stairs +was a masterly one, and you rarely met and defeated every device of the +enemy. + +"Now, if you will, I will mount this stronghold of yours with you, and +see exactly how it stands, for I shall have to tell the tale a score of +times at least when I get back to camp, and I can do it all the better +after I have seen for myself the various features of the place." + +By the time they had mounted the top of the tower and Captain Burgh had +fully satisfied himself as to the details of the defence the troopers +began to return. Their horses were far too fatigued with the long ride +from the camp and the subsequent pursuit to be able to travel farther. +Fires were accordingly lit, rations distributed, and a halt ordered till +the following morning, when, at daybreak, they returned to the Lech. + +Two days later Malcolm and his men marched forward with a brigade +which was advancing to reinforce the army under Gustavus, and reached +Ingolstadt on the day when the king raised the siege, and accompanied +him on his march to Munich. + +Malcolm on rejoining was greeted with great pleasure by his comrades, +who had made up their minds that he had in some way fallen a victim to +the peasants. The noncommissioned officers and men of his party had been +severely reprimanded for leaving the village without finding him. In +their defence they declared that they had searched every house and shed, +and, having found no sign of him, or of any struggle having taken place, +they supposed that he must have returned alone. But their excuses were +not held to be valid, the idea of Malcolm having left his men without +orders being so preposterous that it was held it should never have been +entertained for a moment by them. + +"I shall never be anxious about you again," Nigel Graheme said, when +Malcolm finished the narrative of his adventures to the officers of his +regiment as they sat round the campfire on the evening when he rejoined +them. "This is the third or fourth time that I have given you up for +dead. Whatever happens in the future, I shall refuse to believe the +possibility of any harm having come to you, and shall be sure that +sooner or later you will walk quietly into camp with a fresh batch of +adventures to tell us. Whoever of us may be doomed to lay our bones in +this German soil, it will not be you. Some good fairy has distinctly +taken charge of you, and there is no saying what brilliant destiny may +await you." + +"But he must keep clear of the petticoats, Graheme," Colonel Munro +laughed; "evidently danger lurks for him there, and if he is caught +napping again some Delilah will assuredly crop the hair of this young +Samson of ours." + +"There was not much of Delilah in that fury who felled me with a mallet, +colonel," Malcolm laughed; "however, I will be careful in future, and +will not give them a chance." + +"Ah! it may come in another form next time, Malcolm," Munro said; "this +time it was an old woman, next time it may be a young one. Beware, my +boy! they are far the most dangerous, innocent though they may look." + +A laugh ran round the circle. + +"Forewarned forearmed, colonel," Malcolm said sturdily, "I will be on +my guard against every female creature, young or old, in future. But +I don't think that in this affair the woman has had much to boast +about--she and her friends had best have left me alone." + +"That is so, Malcolm," the colonel said warmly. "You have borne yourself +well and bravely, and you have got an old head on those young shoulders +of yours. You are as full of plans and stratagems as if you had been +a campaigner for the last half century; and no man, even in the Green +Brigade, no, not Hepburn himself, could have held that church tower more +ably than you did. It will be a good tale to tell the king as we ride +on the march tomorrow, for he loves a gallant deed, and the more so when +there is prudence and good strategy as well as bravery. He has more than +once asked if you have been getting into any new adventures, and seemed +almost surprised when I told him that you were doing your duty with your +company. He evidently regards it as your special mission to get into +harebrained scrapes. He regards you, in fact, as a pedagogue might view +the pickle of the school." + +There was a general laugh at Malcolm's expense. + +"I don't know how it is I am always getting into scrapes," the lad said +half ruefully when the laugh subsided. "I am sure I don't want to get +into them, colonel, and really I have never gone out of my way to do so, +unless you call my march to help the Count of Mansfeld going out of my +way. All the other things have come to me without any fault of my own." + +"Quite so, Graheme," the colonel said smiling; "that's always the excuse +of the boy who gets into scrapes. The question is, Why do these things +always happen to you and to nobody else? If you can explain that your +whole case is made out. But don't take it seriously, Malcolm," he +continued, seeing that the lad looked really crestfallen. + +"You know I am only laughing, and there is not a man here, including +myself, who does not envy you a little for the numerous adventures which +have fallen to your lot, and for the courage and wisdom which you have +shown in extricating yourself from them." + +"And now, please, will you tell me, colonel," Malcolm said more +cheerfully, "why we are turning our backs upon Ingolstadt and are +marching away without taking it? I have been away for ten days, you +know, and it is a mystery to me why we are leaving the only enemy +between us and Vienna, after having beaten him so heartily a fortnight +since, without making an effort to rout him thoroughly." + +"Maximilian's position is a very strong one, my lad, and covered as he +is by the guns of Ingolstadt it would be even a harder task to dislodge +him than it was to cross the Lech in his teeth. But you are wrong; his +is not the only army which stands between us and Vienna. No sooner +is old Tilly dead than a greater than Tilly appears to oppose us. +Wallenstein is in the field again. It has been known that he has for +some time been negotiating with the emperor, who has been imploring him +to forgive the slight that was passed upon him before, and to again take +the field. + +"Wallenstein, knowing that the game was in his hands, and that the +emperor must finally agree to any terms which he chose to dictate, has, +while he has been negotiating, been collecting an army; and when the +emperor finally agreed to his conditions, that he was at the conclusion +of the peace to be assured a royal title and the fief of a sovereign +state, he had an army ready to his hand, and is now on the point of +entering Bohemia with 40,000 men." + +"What his plans may be we cannot yet say, but at any rate it would +not do to be delaying here and leaving Germany open to Wallenstein to +operate as he will. It was a stern day at Leipzig, but, mark my words, +it will be sterner still when we meet Wallenstein; for, great captain as +Tilly undoubtedly was, Wallenstein is far greater, and Europe will hold +its breath when Gustavus and he, the two greatest captains of the age, +meet in a pitched battle." + +At Munich the regiments of Munro and Spynie were quartered in the +magnificent Electoral Palace, where they fared sumptuously and enjoyed +not a little their comfortable quarters and the stores of old wines in +the cellar. Sir John Hepburn was appointed military governor of Munich. + +In the arsenal armour, arms, and clothing sufficient for 10,000 infantry +were found, and a hundred and forty pieces of cannon were discovered +buried beneath the floors of the palace. Their carriages were ready in +the arsenal, and they were soon put in order for battle. For three +weeks the army remained at Munich, Gustavus waiting to see what course +Wallenstein was taking. The Imperialist general had entered Bohemia, +had driven thence, with scarcely an effort, Arnheim and the Saxons, and +formed a junction near Eger with the remnants of the army which had been +beaten on the Lech; then, leaving a strong garrison in Ratisbon, he had +marched on with an army of sixty thousand men. + +He saw that his best plan to force Gustavus to loose his hold of +Bavaria was to march on some important point lying between him and North +Germany. He therefore selected a place which Gustavus could not abandon, +and so would be obliged to leave Bavaria garrisoned only by a force +insufficient to withstand the attacks of Pappenheim, who had collected +a considerable army for the recovery of the territories of Maximilian. +Such a point was Nuremberg, the greatest and strongest of the free +cities, and which had been the first to open its gates to Gustavus. The +Swedish king could hardly abandon this friendly city to the assaults of +the Imperialists, and indeed its fall would have been followed by the +general defection from his cause of all that part of Germany, and he +would have found himself isolated and cut off from the North. + +As soon as Gustavus perceived that Nuremberg was the point towards +which Wallenstein was moving, he hastened at once from Munich to the +assistance of the threatened city. The forces at his disposal had been +weakened by the despatch of Marshal Horn to the Lower Palatinate, and +by the garrisons left in the Bavarian cities, and he had but 17,000 men +disposable to meet the 60,000 with whom Wallenstein was advancing. He +did not hesitate, however, but sent off messengers at once to direct +the corps in Swabia under General Banner, Prince William of Weimar, and +General Ruthven, to join him, if possible, before Nuremberg. + +Marching with all haste he arrived at Nuremberg before Wallenstein +reached it, and prepared at once for the defence of the city. He first +called together the principal citizens of Nuremberg and explained to +them his position. He showed them that were he to fall back with his +army he should be able to effect a junction with the troops under +his generals, and would ere long be in a position to offer battle to +Wallenstein upon more equal terms, but that were he to do so he would be +forced to abandon the city to the vengeance of the Imperialists. He told +them that did he remain before the city he must to a great extent be +dependent upon them for food and supplies, as he would be beleaguered +by Wallenstein, and should be unable to draw food and forage from the +surrounding country; he could therefore only maintain himself by the aid +of the cordial goodwill and assistance of the citizens. + +The people of Nuremberg were true to the side they had chosen, and +placed the whole of their resources at his disposal. Gustavus at once +set his army to work to form a position in which he could confront the +overwhelming forces of the enemy. Round the city, at a distance of about +thirteen hundred yards from it, he dug a ditch, nowhere less than twelve +feet wide and eight deep, but, where most exposed to an attack, eighteen +feet wide and twelve deep. Within the circuit of this ditch he erected +eight large forts and connected them with a long and thick earthen +parapet strengthened with bastions. On the ramparts and forts three +hundred cannon, for the most part supplied by the city of Nuremberg, +were placed in position. As the camp between the ramparts and the town +was traversed by the river Pegnitz numerous bridges were thrown across +it, so that the whole force could concentrate on either side in case of +attack. So vigorously did the army, assisted by the citizens, labour at +these works, that they were completed in fourteen days after Gustavus +reached Nuremberg. + +It was on the 19th of June that the Swedish army arrived there, and on +the 30th Wallenstein and Maximilian of Bavaria appeared before it +with the intention of making an immediate assault. The works, however, +although not yet quite completed, were so formidable that Wallenstein +saw at once that the success of an assault upon them would be extremely +doubtful, and, in spite of the earnest entreaties of Maximilian to lead +his army to the assault, he decided to reduce the place by starvation. +This method appeared at once easy and certain. The whole of the +surrounding country belonged to the Bishop of Bamberg, who was devoted +to the Imperialist cause, and he possessed all the towns, and strong +places in the circle of country around Nuremberg. Wallenstein had +brought with him vast stores of provisions, and could draw upon the +surrounding country for the further maintenance of his army. It was only +necessary then to place himself in a position where the Swedes could not +attack him with a hope of success. + +Such a position lay at a distance of three miles from Nuremberg, where +there was a wooded hill known as the Alte Veste. Round this Wallenstein +threw up a circle of defences, consisting of a ditch behind which was an +interlacement of forest trees, baggage wagons, and gabions, forming an +almost insurpassable obstacle to an attacking force. Within this circle +he encamped his army, formed into eight divisions, each about seven +thousand strong, while two considerable bodies of troops in the diocese +of Bamberg and the Upper Palatinate prepared to oppose any forces +approaching to the aid of Nuremberg, and the Croats, horse and foot, +scoured the country day and night to prevent any supplies entering the +city. Having thus adopted every means for starving out the beleaguered +army and city, Wallenstein calmly awaited the result. + + + +CHAPTER XVI THE SIEGE OF NUREMBERG + + +Drearily passed the days in the beleaguered camp, varied only by an +occasional raid by small parties to drive in cattle from the surrounding +country, or to intercept convoys of provisions on their way to the +Imperialists' camp. So active and watchful were the Croats that these +enterprises seldom succeeded, although, to enable his men to move with +celerity, Gustavus mounted bodies of infantry on horseback. Thus they +were enabled to get over the ground quickly, and if attacked they +dismounted and fought on foot. + +To these mounted infantry the name of dragoons was given, and so useful +were they found that the institution was adopted in other armies, and +dragoons became a recognized portion of every military force. In time +the custom of dismounting and fighting on foot was gradually abandoned, +and dragoons became regular cavalry; but in modern times the utility of +Gustavus's invention of mounted infantry has been again recognized, +and in all the small wars in which England has been engaged bodies of +mounted infantry have been organized. Ere long mounted infantry will +again become a recognized arm of the service. + +But these raids in search of provisions occupied but a small portion +of the army. The rest passed their time in enforced idleness. There was +nothing to be done save to clean and furbish their arms and armour; to +stand on the ramparts and gaze on the distant heights of the Alte Veste, +to watch the solid columns of the Imperial army, which from time to time +Wallenstein marched down from his stronghold and paraded in order of +battle, as a challenge to the Swedes to come out and fight, or to loiter +through the narrow streets of Nuremberg, and to talk to the citizens, +whose trade and commerce were now entirely at a standstill. Malcolm, +with the restlessness of youth, seldom stayed many hours quiet in camp. +He did not care either for drinking or gambling; nor could he imitate +the passive tranquillity of the old soldiers, who were content to sleep +away the greater part of their time. He therefore spent many hours every +day in the city, where he speedily made many acquaintances. + +In the city of Nuremberg time dragged as slowly as it did in the camp. +At ordinary times the centre of a quiet and busy trade, the city was +now cut off from the world. The shops were for the most part closed; the +artisans stood idle in the streets, and the townsfolk had nought to do, +save to gather in groups and discuss the times, or to take occasional +excursions beyond the gates into the camp of their allies. The advances +then of the young Scottish officer were willingly responded to, and he +soon became intimate in the houses of all the principal citizens; and +while the greater part of his comrades spent their evenings in drinking +and gambling, he enjoyed the hours in conversation and music in the +houses of the citizens of Nuremberg. + +The long inaction brought its moral consequences, and the troops became +demoralized and insubordinate from their enforced idleness. Plundering +and acts of violence became so common that Gustavus was obliged to issue +the most stringent ordinances to restore discipline; and an officer and +many men had to be executed before the spirit of insubordination was +quelled. In order to pass some of the hours of the days Malcolm obtained +leave from one of the great clockmakers of the town--for Nuremberg was +at that time the centre of the craft of clockmaking--to allow him to +work in his shop, and to learn the mysteries of his trade. + +Most of the establishments were closed, but Malcolm's acquaintance +was one of the wealthiest of the citizens, and was able to keep his +craftsmen at work, and to store the goods he manufactured until better +times should return. Malcolm began the work purely to occupy his time, +but he presently came to take a lively interest in it, and was soon +able to take to pieces and put together again the cumbrous but simple +machines which constituted the clocks of the period. + +Workshops were not in those days factories. The master of a craft +worked, surrounded by his craftsmen and apprentices. Every wheel and +spring were made upon the premises, fashioned and finished with chisel +and file; and there was an interest in the work far beyond any which it +possesses in the present day, when watches are turned out wholesale, the +separate parts being prepared by machinery, and the work of the artisan +consisting solely in the finishing and putting them together. + +Laying aside his armour and gay attire, and donning a workman's apron, +Malcolm sat at the bench by the side of the master, shaping and filing, +and listening to his stories connected with the trade and history +of Nuremberg. He anticipated no advantage from the knowledge he was +gaining, but regarded it simply as a pleasant way of getting through a +portion of the day. + +Thus for three months the armies confronted each other. Provisions were +becoming terribly scarce, the magazines of the city were emptying fast, +and although working night and day, the mills of the place did not +suffice to grind flour for the needs of so many mouths. The population +of the city itself was greatly swollen by the crowds of Protestant +fugitives who had fled there for refuge on the approach of the +Imperialists, and the magazines of the city dwindled fast under the +demands made upon them by this addition, and that of the Swedish army, +to the normal population. Fever broke out in the city and camp. The +waters of the Pegnitz were tainted by the carcasses of dead horses and +other animals. The supplies of forage had long since been exhausted, and +the baggage and troop animals died in vast numbers. + +Still there was no sign of a change. Wallenstein would not attack, +Gustavus could not. The Swedish king waited to take advantage of some +false move on the part of the Imperial commander; but Wallenstein was as +great a general as himself, and afforded him no opening, turning a deaf +ear to the entreaties and importunities of Maximilian that he would end +the tedious siege by an attack upon the small and enfeebled army around +Nuremberg. + +All this time Gustavus was in constant communication with his generals +outside, his messengers making their way by speed or stratagem through +the beleaguering Croats, and kept up the spirits of his men by daily +reviews and by the cheerful countenance which he always wore. + +The Swedish columns were gradually closing in towards Nuremberg. One was +led by the chancellor Oxenstiern, to whom had been committed the care of +the Middle Rhine and the Lower Palatinate, where he had been confronted +by the Spanish troops under Don Philip de Sylva. + +On the 11th July, leaving Horn with a small force to oppose the +Spaniards, the chancellor set out to join his master. On the way he +effected a junction with the forces of the Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel. +This general had been opposed in Westphalia by Pappenheim, but he seized +the opportunity when the latter had marched to relieve Maestricht, which +was besieged by Frederic of Nassau, to march away and join Oxenstiern. + +The Scotch officers Ballandine and Alexander Hamilton were with their +regiment in the Duchy of Magdeburg. When the news of the king's danger +reached them without waiting for instructions they marched to Halle and +joining a portion of the division of the Duke of Saxe-Weimar, to which +they were attached, pushed on to Zeitz, and were there joined by the +duke himself, who had hurried on from the Lake of Constance, attended +only by his guards, but, picking up five Saxon regiments in Franconia. +Together they passed on to Wurtzburg, where they joined Oxenstiern and +the Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel. General Banner, with the fourth corps, +was at Augsburg, opposed to Cratz, who was at the head of the remains of +Tilly's old army. + +Slipping away from his foes he marched to Windsheim, and was there +joined by a body of troops under Bernhard of Weimar. The force from +Wurtzburg soon afterwards came up, and the whole of the detached corps, +amounting to 49,000 men, being now collected, they marched to Bruck, +ten miles north of Nuremberg. Three days later, on the 16th of August, +Gustavus rode into their camp, and on the 21st marched at their head +into Nuremberg, unhindered by the Imperialists. + +Gustavus probably calculated that the Imperialists would now move down +and offer battle; but Wallenstein, who had detached 10,000 men to bring +up supplies, could not place in the field a number equal to those of the +reinforcements, and preferred to await an attack in the position which +he had prepared with such care. He knew the straits to which Nuremberg +and its defenders were reduced, and the impossibility there would be of +feeding the new arrivals. + +The country round for a vast distance had been long since stripped of +provisions, and Gustavus had no course open to him but to march +away with his army and leave the city to its fate, or to attack the +Imperialists in their stronghold. + +On the day after his arrival, the 21st of August, Gustavus marched out +and opened a cannonade upon the Imperialists' position, in order to +induce Wallenstein to come down and give battle. Wallenstein was not, +however, to be tempted, but kept his whole army busy with the spade and +axe further intrenching his position. The next day the king brought his +guns nearer to the enemy's camp, and for twenty-four hours kept up a +heavy fire. The only result, however, was that Wallenstein fell back +a few hundred yards on to two ridges, on one of which was the ruined +castle called the Alte Veste; the other was known as the Altenburg. The +ascent to these was steep and craggy, and they were covered by a thick +forest. Here Wallenstein formed in front of his position a threefold +barrier of felled trees woven and interlaced with each other, each +barrier rising in a semicircle one above the other. Before the Swedish +cannon ceased to fire the new position of the Imperialists had been made +impregnable. + +Unfortunately for Gustavus he had at this moment lost the services +of the best officer in his army, Sir John Hepburn, whom he had always +regarded as his right hand. The quarrel had arisen from some trifling +circumstance, and Gustavus in the heat of the moment made some +disparaging allusion to the religion of Hepburn, who was a Catholic and +also to that officer's love of dress and finery. The indignant Hepburn +at once resigned his commission and swore never again to draw his sword +in the service of the king--a resolution to which he adhered, although +Gustavus, when his anger cooled, endeavoured in every way to appease the +angry soldier. + +As he persisted in his resolution Colonel Munro was appointed to the +command of the Green Brigade. It is probable that the quarrel was the +consummation of a long standing grievance. Hepburn as well as the other +Scottish officers had shared the indignation of Sir John Hamilton when +the latter resigned in consequence of the Swedish troop being placed in +the post of honour at the storm of the castle of Marienburg after the +Scots had done all the work. There had, too, been much discontent among +them concerning the Marquis of Hamilton, whom they considered that +Gustavus had treated ungenerously; and still more concerning Lieutenant +Colonel Douglas, whom Gustavus had committed to a common prison for +a slight breach of etiquette, a punishment at which the English +ambassador, Sir Harry Vane, remonstrated, and which the whole Scottish +officers considered an insult to them and their country. + +There were probably faults on both sides. The Scottish troops were the +backbone of the Swedish army, and to them were principally due almost +the whole of the successes which Gustavus had gained. Doubtless +they presumed upon the fact, and although Gustavus recognized his +obligations, as is shown by the immense number of commands and +governorships which he bestowed upon his Scottish officers, he may +well have been angered and irritated by the insistance with which they +asserted their claims and services. It was, however, a most unfortunate +circumstance that just at this critical moment he should have lost the +services of an officer whose prudence was equal to his daring, and who +was unquestionably one of the greatest military leaders of his age. + +It is probable that had Hepburn remained by his side the king would +not have undertaken the attack upon the impregnable position of the +Imperialists. Deprived of the counsellor upon whose advice he had +hitherto invariably relied, Gustavus determined to attempt to drive +Wallenstein from his position, the decision being finally induced by a +ruse of the Imperialist commander, who desired nothing so much as that +the Swedes should dash their forces against the terrible position he +had prepared for them. Accordingly on the 24th of August he directed +a considerable portion of his force to march away from the rear of his +position as if, alarmed at the superior strength of the Swedes, he had +determined to abandon the heights he had so long occupied and to march +away. + +Gustavus fell into the trap, and prepared at once to assault the +position. Two hundred pieces of artillery heralded the advance, which +was made by the whole body of the musketeers of the army, drafted +from the several brigades and divided into battalions 500 strong, each +commanded by a colonel. It was a terrible position which they were +advancing to storm. Each of the lines of intrenchments was surmounted +by rows of polished helmets, while pikes and arquebuses glittered in +the sunshine; but it was not long that the scene was visible, for as the +battalions approached the foot of the Altenburg 80 pieces of artillery +opened from its summit and from the ridge of the Alte Veste, while +the smoke of the arquebuses drifted up in a cloud from the lines of +intrenchments. + +Steadily and in good order the Scotch and Swedish infantry pressed +forward, and forcing the lower ditch strove to climb the rocky heights; +but in vain did they strive. Over and over again they reached the +intrenchments, but were unable to force their way through the thickly +bound fallen trees, while their lines were torn with a storm of iron +and lead. Never did the Scottish soldiers of Gustavus fight with greater +desperation and valour. Scores of them rolled lifeless down the slope, +but fresh men took their places and strove to hack their way through the +impenetrable screen through which the Imperialist bullets whistled like +hail. + +At last, when nigh half their number had fallen, the rest, exhausted, +broken, and in disorder, fell suddenly back. Gustavus in person then led +on his Finlanders, but these, after a struggle as obstinate and heroic +as that of their predecessors, in their turn fell back baffled. The +Livonians next made the attempt, but in vain. + +In the meantime a sharp conflict had taken place between the Imperial +cavalry and the Swedish left wing. Wallenstein's cuirassiers, hidden by +the smoke, charged right through a column of Swedish infantry; but this +success was counterbalanced by the rout of Cronenberg's Invincibles, +a magnificent regiment of 1500 horsemen, by 200 Finland troopers. The +troops of Duke Bernhard of Weimar, among whom were still the Scottish +regiments of Hamilton and Douglas, marched against the heights which +commanded the Alte Veste, and drove back the Imperialists with great +loss. Five hundred musketeers of the Green Brigade under Colonel Munro +then pushed gallantly forward and posted themselves far in advance, +resisting all attempts of the Imperialists to drive them back, until +Lieutenant Colonel Sinclair, who was now in command of Munro's own +regiment, brought it forward to his assistance. Until the next morning +this body of one thousand men maintained the ground they had won in +spite of all the efforts of the Imperialists to dislodge them. + +Colonel Munro was severely wounded in the left side. Lieutenant Colonel +Maken, Capt. Innis, and Capt. Traill were killed, and an immense number +of other Scottish officers were killed and wounded. The news was brought +down to Gustavus of the advantage gained by Duke Bernhard, but he +was unable to take advantage of it by moving his army round to that +position, as he would have exposed himself to a counter attack of the +enemy while doing so. He therefore launched a fresh column of attack +against the Alte Veste. + +This was followed by another and yet another, until every regiment in +the army had in its turn attempted to storm the position, but still +without success. + +The battle had now raged for ten hours, and nightfall put an end to +the struggle. Hepburn had all day ridden behind the king as a simple +cavalier, and had twice carried messages through the thick of the fire +when there were no others to bear them, so great had been the slaughter +round the person of the king. + +It was the first time that Gustavus had been repulsed, and he could +hardly yet realize the fact; but as messenger after messenger came in +from the different divisions he discovered how terrible had been his +loss. Most of his generals and superior officers had been killed or +wounded, 2000 men lay dead on the field, and there were nigh three times +that number of wounded. + +The Imperialists on their side lost 1000 killed and 1500 wounded; but +the accounts of the losses on both sides differ greatly, some placing +the Imperial loss higher than that of the Swedes, a palpably absurd +estimate, as the Imperialists, fighting behind shelter, could not have +suffered anything like so heavily as their assailants, who were exposed +to their fire in the open. + +Hepburn bore the order from the king for Munro's troops and those of +Duke Bernhard to retire from the position they had won, as they were +entirely cut off from the rest of the army, and would at daylight have +had the whole of the Imperialists upon them. The service was one of +great danger, and Hepburn had to cut his way sword in hand through the +Croats who intervened between him and his comrades of the Green Brigade. +He accomplished his task in safety, and before daylight Munro's men +and the regiments of Duke Bernhard rejoined the army in the plain. But +though repulsed Gustavus was not defeated. He took up a new position +just out of cannon shot of the Altenburg, and then offered battle to +Wallenstein, the latter, however, well satisfied with his success, +remained firm in his policy of starving out the enemy, and resisted +every device of the king to turn him from his stronghold. + +For fourteen days Gustavus remained in position. Then he could hold out +no longer. The supplies were entirely exhausted. The summer had been +unusually hot. The shrunken waters of the Pegnitz were putrid and +stinking, the carcasses of dead horses poisoned the air, and fever +and pestilence raged in the camp. Leaving, then, Kniphausen with eight +thousand men to aid the citizens of Nuremberg to defend the city should +Wallenstein besiege it, Gustavus marched on the 8th of September by +way of Neustadt to Windsheim, and there halted to watch the further +movements of the enemy. + +Five days later Wallenstein quitted his camp and marched to Forsheim. +So far the advantage of the campaign lay with him. His patience and iron +resolution had given the first check to the victorious career of the +Lion of the North. + +Munro's regiment, as it was still called--for he was now its full +colonel, although Lieutenant Colonel Sinclair commanded it in the +field--had suffered terribly, but less, perhaps, than some of those +who had in vain attempted to force their way up the slopes of the Alte +Veste; and many an eye grew moist as at daybreak the regiment marched +into its place in the ranks of the brigade and saw how terrible had been +the slaughter among them. Munro's soldiers had had but little of that +hand to hand fighting in which men's blood becomes heated and all +thought of danger is lost in the fierce desire to kill. Their losses +had been caused by the storm of cannonball and bullet which had swept +through them, as, panting and breathless, they struggled up the steep +slopes, incapable of answering the fire of the enemy. They had had their +triumph, indeed, as the Imperial regiments broke and fled before their +advance; but although proud that they at least had succeeded in a day +when failure was general, there was not a man but regretted that he had +not come within push of pike of the enemy. + +Malcolm Graheme had passed scatheless through the fray--a good fortune +that had attended but few of his brother officers. His uncle was badly +wounded, and several of his friends had fallen. Of the men who had +marched from Denmark but a year before scarce a third remained in the +ranks, and although the regiment had been strengthened by the breaking +up of two or three of the weaker battalions and their incorporation +with the other Scottish regiments, it was now less than half its former +strength. While Gustavus and Wallenstein had been facing each other at +Nuremberg the war had continued without interruption in other parts, and +the Swedes and their allies had gained advantages everywhere except in +Westphalia and Lower Saxony, where Pappenheim had more than held his own +against Baudissen, who commanded for Gustavus; and although Wallenstein +had checked the king he had gained no material advantages and had +wrested no single town or fortress from his hands. Gustavus was still in +Bavaria, nearer to Munich than he was, his garrisons still holding Ulm, +Nordlingen, and Donauworth, its strongest fortresses. + +He felt sure, however, that it would be impossible for Gustavus to +maintain at one spot the army which he had at Windsheim, and that +with so many points to defend he would soon break it up into separate +commands. He resolved then to wait until he did so, and then to sweep +down upon Northern Germany, and so by threatening the king's line of +retreat to force him to abandon Bavaria and the south and to march to +meet him. + +At present he was in no position to risk a battle, for he had already +detached 4000 men to reinforce Holk, whom he had sent with 10,000 +to threaten Dresden. The 13,000 Bavarians who were with him under +Maximilian had separated from him on his way to Forsheim, and on +arriving at that place his army numbered but 17,000 men, while Gustavus +had more than 40,000 gathered at Windsheim. + +Gustavus, on his part, determined to carry out his former projects, to +march against Ingolstadt, which he had before failed to capture, and +thence to penetrate into Upper Austria. But fearful lest Wallenstein, +released from his presence, should attempt to recover the fortresses in +Franconia, he despatched half his force under Duke Bernhard to prevent +the Imperial general from crossing the Rhine. Could he succeed in +doing this he would be in a position to dictate terms to the emperor in +Vienna. + +On the 12th of October he reached Neuberg, on the Danube, and halted +there, awaiting the arrival of his siege train from Donauworth. +While making the most vigorous exertions to press on the necessary +arrangements for his march against Vienna he received the most urgent +messages to return to Saxony. Not only, as he was told, had Wallenstein +penetrated into that province, but he was employing all his influence to +detach its elector from the Protestant cause, and there was great fear +that the weak prince would yield to the solicitations of Wallenstein and +to his own jealousy of the King of Sweden. + +No sooner, in fact, had Gustavus crossed the Danube than Wallenstein +moved towards Schweinfurt, and by so doing drew to that place the +Swedish army under the command of Duke Bernhard. He then suddenly +marched eastward at full speed, capturing Bamberg, Baireuth, and +Culmbach, and pushed on to Colberg. + +The town was captured, but the Swedish Colonel Dubatel, who was really +a Scotchman, by name M'Dougal, a gallant and brilliant officer, threw +himself with his dragoons into the castle, which commanded the town, and +defended it so resolutely against the assaults of Wallenstein that +Duke Bernhard had time to march to within twenty miles of the place. +Wallenstein then raised the siege, marched east to Kronach, and then +north to Weida, on the Elster. Thence he pressed on direct to Leipzig, +which he besieged at once; and while the main body of his troops were +engaged before the city, others took possession of the surrounding towns +and fortresses. + +Leipzig held out for only two days, and after its capture Wallenstein +marched to Merseburg, where he was joined by the army under Pappenheim. +Thus reinforced he was in a position to capture the whole of Saxony. The +elector, timid and vacillating, was fully conscious of his danger and +the solicitations of Wallenstein to break off from his alliance with the +King of Sweden and to join the Imperialists were strongly seconded by +Marshal Von Arnheim, his most trusted councillor, who was an intimate +friend of the Imperialist general. + +It was indeed a hard decision which Gustavus was called upon to make. On +the one hand Vienna lay almost within his grasp, for Wallenstein was +now too far north to interpose between him and the capital. On the other +hand, should the Elector of Saxony join the Imperialists, his position +after the capture of Vienna would be perilous in the extreme. The +emperor would probably leave his capital before he arrived there, and +the conquest would, therefore, be a barren one. Gustavus reluctantly +determined to abandon his plan, and to march to the assistance of +Saxony. + + + +CHAPTER XVII THE DEATH OF GUSTAVUS + + +The determination of Gustavus to march to the assistance of Saxony once +taken, he lost not a moment in carrying it into effect. General Banner, +whom he greatly trusted, was unfortunately suffering from a wound, and +until he should recover he appointed the Prince Palatine of Burkenfeldt +to command a corps 12,000 strong which he determined to leave on +the Danube; then strengthening the garrisons of Augsburg, Rain, and +Donauworth, he set out with the remainder of his army on his march to +Saxony. + +From Donauworth he marched to Nuremberg, stayed there forty-eight hours +to recover the fortress of Lauf, and, having forced the garrison of that +place to surrender at discretion, pushed on with all possible speed to +Erfurt, which he had fixed upon as the point of junction for his several +corps. The Green Brigade formed a portion of the force which Gustavus +left behind him in Bavaria under the Prince Palatine. So terribly +weakened were the Scottish regiments by the various battles of the +campaign, in all of which they had borne the brunt of the fighting, +that Gustavus determined reluctantly to leave them behind for rest and +reorganization. + +Hepburn, Sir James Hamilton, Sir James Ramsay, and the Marquis of +Hamilton, who like Hepburn had quarrelled with Gustavus, left the +Swedish army the day after they arrived at Neustadt, after marching +away from Nuremberg. All the Scottish officers in the Swedish army +accompanied Hepburn and his three companions along the road for a long +German mile from Neustadt, and then parted with great grief from the +gallant cavalier who had led them so often to victory. + +Malcolm Graheme did not remain behind in Bavaria with his comrades of +the Green Brigade. Gustavus, who had taken a great fancy to the young +Scotch officer, whose spirit of adventure and daring were in strong +harmony with his own character, appointed him to ride on his own +personal staff. Although he parted with regret from his comrades, +Malcolm was glad to accompany the king on his northward march, for there +was no probability of any very active service in Bavaria, and it was +certain that a desperate battle would be fought when Gustavus and +Wallenstein met face to face in the open field. + +At Erfurt Gustavus was joined by Duke Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar with his +force, which raised his army to a strength of 20,000. The news of his +approach had again revived the courage of the Elector of Saxony, who +had occupied the only towns where the Elbe could be crossed, Dresden, +Torgau, and Wittenberg--he himself, with his main army of 15,000 men, +lying at Torgau. From him Gustavus learned that the Imperial army was +divided into three chief corps--that of Wallenstein 12,000 strong, that +of Pappenheim 10,000, those of Gallas and Holk united 16,000, making a +total of 38,000 men. + +So great was the speed with which Gustavus had marched to Erfurt that +Wallenstein had received no notice of his approach; and believing that +for some time to come he should meet with no serious opposition, he had +on the very day after the Swedes reached Erfurt despatched Gallas with +12,000 men into Bohemia. A division of his troops was at the same time +threatening Naumburg, whose possession would enable him to block the +only easy road with which Gustavus could enter the country held by him. + +But Gustavus at Erfurt learned that Naumburg had not yet fallen, and +marching with great rapidity reached the neighbourhood of that town +before the Imperialists were aware that he had quitted Erfurt, and +cutting up a small detachment of the enemy who lay in his way, entered +the town and at once began to intrench it. Wallenstein first learned +from the fugitives of the beaten detachment that Gustavus had arrived at +Naumburg, but as his own position lay almost centrally between Naumburg +and Torgau, so long as he could prevent the Swedes and Saxons from +uniting, he felt safe; for although together they would outnumber him, +he was superior in strength to either if alone. The Imperialist general +believed that Gustavus intended to pass the winter at Naumburg, and he +had therefore no fear of an immediate attack. + +In order to extend the area from which he could draw his supplies +Wallenstein despatched Pappenheim to secure the fortress of Halle; for +although that town had been captured the fortress held out, and barred +the main road to the north. From Halle Pappenheim was to proceed to the +relief of Cologne, which was menaced by the enemy. + +Having done this, Wallenstein withdrew from the line of the Saale and +prepared to distribute his army in winter quarters in the towns of the +district, he himself with a portion of the force occupying the little +town of Lutzen. But Gustavus had no idea of taking up his quarters for +the winter at Naumburg; and he proposed to the Elector of Saxony that if +he would march to Eilenberg, midway to Leipzig, he himself would make +a detour to the south round Wallenstein's position and join him there. +Without waiting to receive the answer of the elector, Gustavus, leaving +a garrison in Naumburg, set out at one o'clock in the morning on the +5th of November on his march; but before he had proceeded nine miles he +learned from a number of gentlemen and peasants favourable to the +cause that Pappenheim had started for Halle, that the remainder of +the Imperial army lay dispersed among the towns and villages of the +neighbourhood, and that Wallenstein himself was at Lutzen. + +Gustavus called his generals together and informed them of the news. +Learning that Lutzen was but five miles distant--as it turned out, a +mistaken piece of information, as it was nearly twice as far--he ordered +that the men should take some food, and then wheeling to the left, push +on towards Lutzen. + +It was not until some time later that Wallenstein learned from the +Imperial scouts that Gustavus was upon him. It was then nearly five +o'clock in the evening, and darkness was at hand. Considering the heavy +state of the roads, and the fact that Gustavus would have in the last +three miles of his march to traverse a morass crossed by a bridge over +which only two persons could pass abreast, he felt confident that the +attack could not be made until the following morning. + +Mounted messengers were sent in all directions to bring up his troops +from the villages in which they were posted, and in the meantime the +troops stationed around Lutzen were employed in preparing obstacles to +hinder the advance of the Swedes. On either side of the roads was a low +swampy country intersected with ditches, and Wallenstein at once set his +men to work to widen and deepen these ditches, which the troops as they +arrived on the ground were to occupy. All night the troops laboured at +this task. + +In the meantime Gustavus had found the distance longer and the +difficulties greater than he had anticipated; the roads were so heavy +that it was with difficulty that the artillery and ammunition wagons +could be dragged along them, and the delay caused by the passage of the +morass was very great. + +Indeed the passage would have been scarcely possible had the men of an +Imperial regiment of cuirassiers and a battalion of Croats, who were +posted in a village on the further side of the morass, defended it; but +instead of doing so they fell back to an eminence in the rear of the +village, and remained there quietly until, just as the sun set, the +whole Swedish army got across. The cuirassiers and Croats were at once +attacked and put to flight; but as darkness was now at hand it was +impossible for Gustavus to make any further advance, and the army was +ordered to bivouac as it stood. The state of the roads had defeated the +plans of Gustavus. Instead of taking the enemy by surprise, as he had +hoped, and falling upon them scattered and disunited, the delays which +had occurred had given Wallenstein time to bring up all his forces, and +at daybreak Gustavus would be confronted by a force nearly equal to +his own, and occupying a position very strongly defended by natural +obstacles. + +Before the day was won, Pappenheim, for whom Wallenstein would have sent +as soon as he heard of the Swedish advance, might be on the field, +and in that case the Imperialists would not only have the advantage of +position but also that of numbers. It was an anxious night, and +Gustavus spent the greater part of it in conversation with his generals, +especially Kniphausen and Duke Bernhard. + +The former strongly urged that the army should repass the morass and +march, as originally intended, to effect a junction with the Saxons. +He pointed out that the troops were fatigued with their long and weary +march during the day, and would have to fight without food, as it had +been found impossible to bring up the wagons with the supplies; he +particularly urged the point that Pappenheim would arrive on the field +before the victory could be won. But Gustavus was of opinion that the +disadvantages of retreat were greater than those of action. The troops, +hungry, weary, and dispirited, would be attacked as they retired, and +he believed that by beginning the action early the Imperialists could be +defeated before Pappenheim could return from Halle. + +Gustavus proposed to move forward at two o'clock in the morning; but +fate was upon this occasion against the great Swedish leader. Just as on +the previous day the expected length of the march and the heavy state of +the roads had prevented him from crushing Wallenstein's scattered army, +so now a thick fog springing up, making the night so dark that a soldier +could not see the man standing next to him, prevented the possibility of +movement, and instead of marching at two o'clock in the morning it was +nine before the sun cleared away the fog sufficiently to enable the +army to advance. Then, after addressing a few stirring words to his men, +Gustavus ordered the advance towards Chursitz, the village in front of +them. + +The king himself led the right wing, consisting of six regiments of +Swedes, supported by musketeers intermingled with cavalry. The left, +composed of cavalry and infantry intermixed, was commanded by Duke +Bernhard. The centre, consisting of four brigades of infantry supported +by the Scottish regiments under Henderson, was commanded by Nicholas +Brahe, Count of Weissenburg. + +The reserves behind each of these divisions were formed entirely of +cavalry, commanded on the right by Bulach, in the centre by Kniphausen, +and on the left by Ernest, Prince of Anhalt. The field pieces, twenty +in number, were disposed to the best advantage between the wings. Franz +Albert of Lauenburg, who had joined the army the day before, rode by +the king. A short halt was made at Chursitz, where the baggage was left +behind, and the army then advanced against the Imperialists, who at once +opened fire. + +Wallenstein had posted his left so as to be covered by a canal, while +his right was protected by the village of Lutzen. On some rising ground +to the left of that village, where there were several windmills, he +planted fourteen small pieces of cannon, while to support his front, +which was composed of the musketeers in the ditches on either side of +the road, he planted a battery of seven heavy pieces of artillery. + +The main body of his infantry he formed into four massive brigades, +which were flanked on both sides by musketeers intermixed with cavalry. +Count Coloredo commanded on the left, Holk on the right, Terzky in the +centre. + +As the Swedish army advanced beyond Chursitz the seven heavy pieces +of artillery on the side of the road opened upon them, doing much +execution, while their own lighter guns could not reply effectively. The +Swedes pressed forward to come to close quarters. The left wing, led +by Duke Bernhard, was the first to arrive upon the scene of action. +Gallantly led by the duke his men forced the ditches, cleared the road, +charged the deadly battery, killed or drove away the gunners, and rushed +with fury on the Imperialist right. + +Holk, a resolute commander, tried in vain to stem the assault; the +ardour of the Swedes was irresistible, and they scattered, one after +the other, his three brigades. The battle seemed already lost when +Wallenstein himself took his place at the head of the fourth brigade, +and fell upon the Swedes, who were disordered by the rapidity and ardour +of their charge, while at the same moment he launched three regiments of +cavalry on their flanks. + +The Swedes fought heroically but in vain; step by step they were driven +back, the battery was recaptured, and the guns, which in the excitement +of the advance the captors had omitted to spike, were retaken by the +Imperialists. + +In the meantime on the right the king had also forced the road, and had +driven from the field the Croats and Poles opposed to him, and he was on +the point of wheeling his troops to fall on the flank of the Imperialist +centre when one of Duke Bernhard's aides-de-camp dashed up with the news +that the left wing had fallen back broken and in disorder. + +Leaving to Count Stalhaus to continue to press the enemy, Gustavus, +accompanied by his staff, rode at full gallop to the left at the head of +Steinboch's regiment of dragoons. Arrived on the spot he dashed to the +front at a point where his men had not yet been forced back across the +road, and riding among them roused them to fresh exertions. By his side +were Franz Albert of Lauenberg and a few other followers. But his pace +had been so furious that Steinboch's dragoons had not yet arrived. As +he urged on his broken men Gustavus was struck in the shoulder by a +musketball. He reeled in his saddle, but exclaimed, "It is nothing," and +ordered them to charge the enemy with the dragoons. Malcolm Graheme and +others on his staff hesitated, but the king exclaimed, "Ride all, +the duke will see to me." The cavalry dashed forward, and the king, +accompanied only by Franz Albert, Duke of Lauenberg, turned to leave the +field, but he had scarcely moved a few paces when he received another +shot in the back. Calling out to Franz Albert that it was all over with +him, the mortally wounded king fell to the ground. + +Franz Albert, believing the battle lost, galloped away; the king's +page alone remained with the dying man. A minute later three Austrian +cuirassiers rode up, and demanded the name of the dying man. The page +Leubelfing refused to give it, and firing their pistols at him they +stretched him mortally wounded beside the dying king. Gustavus then, but +with difficulty, said who he was. The troopers leapt from their horses +and stripped his rich armour from him, and then, as they saw Steinboch's +dragoons returning from their charge, they placed their pistols close to +the king's head and fired, and then leaping on their horses fled. + +Great was the grief when Malcolm, happening to ride near the body, +recognized it as that of the king. An instant later a regiment of +Imperialist cavalry charged down, and a furious fight took place for +some minutes over the king's body. It was, however, at last carried +off by the Swedes, so disfigured by wounds and by the trampling of the +horses in the fray as to be unrecognizable. + +The news of the fall of their king, which spread rapidly through +the ranks, so far from discouraging the Swedes, inspired them with a +desperate determination to avenge his death, and burning with fury they +advanced against the enemy, yet preserving the most perfect steadiness +and order in their ranks. + +In vain did Wallenstein and his officers strive to stem the attack of +the left wing, their bravery and skill availed nothing to arrest that +furious charge. Regiment after regiment who strove to bar their way +were swept aside, the guns near the windmills were captured and turned +against the enemy. Step by step the Imperial right wing was forced back, +and the centre was assailed in flank by the guns from the rising ground, +while Stalhaus with the right wing of the Swedes attacked them on their +left. + +Hopeless of victory the Imperialist centre was giving way, when the +explosion of one of their powder wagons still further shook them. +Attacked on both flanks and in front the Imperialist centre wavered, +and in a few minutes would have been in full flight. The Swedish victory +seemed assured, when a mighty trampling of horse was heard, and emerging +from the smoke Pappenheim with eight regiments of Imperial cavalry +dashed into the fray. + +Pappenheim had already captured the citadel of Halle when Wallenstein's +messenger reached him. To wait until his infantry, who were engaged in +plundering, could be collected, and then to proceed at their pace to +the field of battle, would be to arrive too late to be of service, and +Pappenheim instantly placed himself at the head of his eight regiments +of magnificent cavalry, and galloped at full speed to the battlefield +eighteen miles distant. On the way he met large numbers of flying Poles +and Croats, the remnants of the Austrian left, who had been driven from +the field by Gustavus; these he rallied, and with them dashed upon the +troops of Stalhaus who were pursuing them, and forced them backward. +The relief afforded to the Imperialists by this opportune arrival +was immense, and leaving Pappenheim to deal with the Swedish right, +Wallenstein rallied his own right on the centre, and opposed a +fresh front to the advancing troops of Duke Bernhard and Kniphausen. +Inspirited by the arrival of the reinforcements, and burning to turn +what had just appeared a defeat into a victory, the Imperialists +advanced with such ardour that the Swedes were driven back, the guns on +the hills recaptured, and it seemed that in this terrible battle victory +was at last to declare itself in favour of the Imperialists. + +It needed only the return of Pappenheim from the pursuit of the Swedish +right to decide the day, but Pappenheim was not to come. Though driven +back by the first impetuous charge of the Imperial cavalry, the Swedes +under Stalhaus, reinforced by the Scottish regiments under Henderson, +stubbornly opposed their further attacks. + +While leading his men forward Pappenheim fell with two musketballs +through his body. While lying there the rumour for the first time +reached him that Gustavus had been killed. When upon inquiry the truth +of the rumour was confirmed, the eyes of the dying man lighted up. + +"Tell Wallenstein," he said to the officer nearest to him, "that I am +lying here without hope of life, but I die gladly, knowing, as I now +know, that the irreconcilable enemy of my faith has fallen on the same +day." + +The Imperialists, discouraged by the fall of their general, could +not withstand the ardour with which the Swedes and Scottish infantry +attacked them, and the cavalry rode from the field. Elsewhere the +battle was still raging. Wallenstein's right and centre had driven Count +Bernhard, the Duke of Brahe, and Kniphausen across that desperately +contested road, but beyond this they could not force them, so stubbornly +and desperately did they fight. But Stalhaus and his men, refreshed and +invigorated by their victory over Pappenheim's force, again came up +and took their part in the fight. Wallenstein had no longer a hope of +victory, he fought now only to avoid defeat. The sun had already set, +and if he could but maintain his position for another half hour darkness +would save his army. + +He fell back across the road again, fighting stubbornly and in good +order, and extending his line to the left to prevent Stalhaus from +turning his flank; and in this order the terrible struggle continued +till nightfall. Both sides fought with splendid bravery. The Swedes, +eager for the victory once again apparently within their grasp, pressed +on with fury, while the Imperialists opposed them with the most stubborn +obstinacy. + +Seven times did Piccolomini charge with his cavalry upon the advancing +Swedes. Seven times was his horse shot under him, but remounting each +time, he drew off his men in good order, and in readiness to dash +forward again at the first opportunity. The other Imperialist generals +fought with equal courage and coolness, while Wallenstein, present +wherever the danger was thickest, animated all by his courage and +coolness. Though forced step by step to retire, the Imperialists never +lost their formation, never turned their backs to the foe; and thus +the fight went on till the darkness gathered thicker and thicker, the +combatants could no longer see each other, and the desperate battle came +to an end. + +In the darkness, Wallenstein drew off his army and fell back to Leipzig, +leaving behind him his colours and all his guns. In thus doing he threw +away the opportunity of turning what his retreat acknowledged to be a +defeat into a victory on the following morning, for scarcely had he left +the field when the six regiments of Pappenheim's infantry arrived from +Halle. Had he held his ground he could have renewed the battle in the +morning, with the best prospects of success, for the struggle of +the preceding day had been little more than a drawn battle, and the +accessions of fresh troops should have given him a decided advantage +over the weary Swedes. The newcomers, finding the field deserted, and +learning from the wounded lying thickly over it that Wallenstein had +retreated, at once marched away. + +In the Swedish camp there was no assurance whatever that a victory had +been gained, for nightfall had fallen on the Imperialists fighting as +stubbornly as ever. The loss of the king, the master spirit of the war, +dispirited and discouraged them, and Duke Bernhard and Kniphausen held +in the darkness an anxious consultation as to whether the army should +not at once retreat to Weissenburg. The plan was not carried out, only +because it was considered that it was impracticable--as the army would +be exposed to destruction should the Imperialists fall upon them while +crossing the terrible morass in their rear. + +The morning showed them that the Imperialists had disappeared, and that +the mighty struggle had indeed been a victory for them--a victory won +rather by the superior stubbornness with which the Swedish generals held +their ground during the night, while Wallenstein fell back, than to the +splendid courage with which the troops had fought on the preceding +day. But better far would it have been for the cause which the Swedes +championed, that they should have been driven a defeated host from the +field of Lutzen, than that they should have gained a barren victory at +the cost of the life of their gallant monarch--the soul of the struggle, +the hope of Protestantism, the guiding spirit of the coalition against +Catholicism as represented by Ferdinand of Austria. + +The losses in the battle were about equal, no less than 9000 having +fallen upon each side--a proportion without precedent in any battle of +modern times, and testifying to the obstinacy and valour with which on +both sides the struggle was maintained from early morning until night +alone terminated it. + +It is said, indeed, that every man, both of the yellow regiments of +Swedish guards and of the blue regiments, composed entirely of English +and Scotchmen, lay dead on the field. On both sides many men of high +rank were killed. On the Swedish side, besides Gustavus himself, fell +Count Milo, the Count of Brahe, General Uslar, Ernest Prince of +Anhalt, and Colonels Gersdorf and Wildessein. On the Imperialist +side Pappenheim, Schenk, Prince and Abbot of Fulda, Count Berthold +Wallenstein, General Brenner, Issolani, general of the Croats, and six +colonels were killed. Piccolomini received ten wounds, but none of them +were mortal. + +Holk was severely wounded, and, indeed, so close and desperate was the +conflict, that it is said there was scarcely a man in the Imperial army +who escaped altogether without a wound. + + + +CHAPTER XVIII WOUNDED + + +A controversy, which has never been cleared up, has long raged as to the +death of Gustavus of Sweden; but the weight of evidence is strongly in +favour of those who affirm that he received his fatal wound, that in +the back, at the hand of Franz Albert of Lauenburg. The circumstantial +evidence is, indeed, almost overwhelming. By birth the duke was the +youngest of four sons of Franz II, Duke of Lauenburg. On his mother's +side he was related to the Swedish royal family, and in his youth lived +for some time at the court of Stockholm. + +Owing to some impertinent remarks in reference to Gustavus he fell into +disfavour with the queen, and had to leave Sweden. On attaining manhood +he professed the Catholic faith, entered the Imperial army, obtained +the command of a regiment, attached himself with much devotion to +Wallenstein, and gained the confidence of that general. While the +negotiations between the emperor and Wallenstein were pending Franz +Albert was employed by the latter in endeavouring to bring about a +secret understanding with the court of Dresden. + +When Gustavus was blockaded in Nuremberg by Wallenstein Franz Albert +left the camp of the latter and presented himself in that of Gustavus as +a convert to the Reformed Religion and anxious to serve as a volunteer +under him. No quarrel or disagreement had, so far as is known, taken +place between him and Wallenstein, nor has any explanation ever been +given for such an extraordinary change of sides, made, too, at a moment +when it seemed that Gustavus was in a position almost desperate. By his +profession of religious zeal he managed to win the king's heart, but +Oxenstiern, when he saw him, entertained a profound distrust of him, and +even warned the king against putting confidence in this sudden convert. + +Gustavus, however, naturally frank and open in disposition, could not +believe that treachery was intended, and continued to treat him with +kindness. After the assault made by Gustavus upon Wallenstein's position +Franz Albert quitted his camp, saying that he was desirous of raising +some troops for his service in his father's territory. He rejoined him, +however, with only his personal followers, on the very day before the +battle of Lutzen, and was received by Gustavus with great cordiality, +although the absence of his retainers increased the general doubts as to +his sincerity. + +He was by the king's side when Gustavus received his first wound. He +was riding close behind him when the king received his second and fatal +wound in the back, and the moment the king had fallen he rode away from +the field, and it is asserted that it was he who brought the news of the +king's death to Wallenstein. + +Very soon after the battle he exchanged the Swedish service for the +Saxon, and some eighteen months later he re-embraced the Roman Catholic +faith and re-entered the Imperial army. + +A stronger case of circumstantial evidence could hardly be put together, +and it would certainly seem as if Lauenburg had entered the Swedish +service with the intention of murdering the king. That he did not carry +out his purpose during the attack on the Altenburg was perhaps due to +the fact that Gustavus may not have been in such a position as to afford +him an opportunity of doing so with safety to himself. + +It is certainly curious that after that fight he should have absented +himself, and only rejoined on the eve of the battle of Lutzen. The only +piece of evidence in his favour is that of Truchsess, a chamberlain of +the king, who, affirmed that he saw the fatal shot fired at a distance +of ten paces from the king by an Imperial officer, Lieutenant General +Falkenberg, who at once turned and fled, but was pursued and cut down by +Luckau, master of horse of Franz Albert. + +The general opinion of contemporary writers is certainly to the effect +that the King of Sweden was murdered by Franz Albert; but the absolute +facts must ever remain in doubt. + +On the morning after the battle Wallenstein, having been joined by +Pappenheim's infantry, sent a division of Croats back to the battlefield +to take possession of it should they find that the Swedes had retired; +but on their report that they still held the ground he retired at once +from Leipzig, and, evacuating Saxony, marched into Bohemia, leaving the +Swedes free to accomplish their junction with the army of the Elector, +thus gaining the object for which they had fought at Lutzen. + +After the death of the king, Malcolm Graheme, full of grief and rage at +the loss of the monarch who was loved by all his troops, and had treated +him with special kindness, joined the soldiers of Duke Bernhard, and +took part in the charge which swept back the Imperialists and captured +the cannon on the hill. At the very commencement of the struggle his +horse fell dead under him, and he fought on foot among the Swedish +infantry; but when the arrival of Pappenheim on the field enabled the +Imperialists again to assume the offensive, Malcolm, having picked up +a pike from the hands of a dead soldier, fought shoulder to shoulder in +the ranks as the Swedes, contesting stubbornly every foot of the ground, +were gradually driven back towards the road. + +Suddenly a shot struck him; he reeled backwards a few feet, strove to +steady himself and to level his pike, and then all consciousness left +him, and he fell prostrate. Again and again, as the fortune of the +desperate fray wavered one way or the other, did friend and foe pass +over the place where he lay. + +So thickly strewn was the field with dead that the combatants in their +desperate struggle had long ceased to pick their way over the fallen, +but trampled ruthlessly upon and over them as, hoarsely shouting their +battle cry, they either pressed forward after the slowly retreating foe +or with obstinate bravery strove to resist the charges of the enemy. +When Malcolm recovered his consciousness all was still, save that +here and there a faint moan was heard from others who like himself lay +wounded on the battlefield. The night was intensely dark, and Malcolm's +first sensation was that of bitter cold. + +It was indeed freezing severely, and great numbers of the wounded who +might otherwise have survived were frozen to death before morning; but +a few, and among these were Malcolm, were saved by the frost. Although +unconscious of the fact, he had been wounded in two places. The first +ball had penetrated his breastpiece and had entered his body, and a few +seconds later another ball had struck him in the arm. It was the first +wound which had caused his insensibility; but from the second, which +had severed one of the principal veins in the arm, he would have bled to +death had it not been for the effects of the cold. For a time the life +blood had flowed steadily away; but as the cold increased it froze and +stiffened on his jerkin, and at last the wound was staunched. + +It was none too soon, for before it ceased to flow Malcolm had lost a +vast quantity of blood. It was hours before nature recovered from the +drain. Gradually and slowly he awoke from his swoon. It was some time +before he realized where he was and what had happened, then gradually +his recollection of the fight returned to him. + +"I remember now," he murmured to himself, "I was fighting with the +Swedish infantry when a shot struck me in the body, I think, for I +seemed to feel a sudden pain like a red hot iron. Who won the day, I +wonder? How bitterly cold it is! I feel as if I were freezing to death." + +So faint and stiff was he, partly from loss of blood, partly from being +bruised from head to foot by being trampled on again and again as the +ranks of the combatants swept over him, that it was some time before +he was capable of making the slightest movement. His left arm was, he +found, entirely useless; it was indeed firmly frozen to the ground; but +after some difficulty he succeeded in moving his right, and felt for the +flask which had hung from his girdle. + +So frozen and stiff were his fingers that he was unable to unbuckle the +strap which fastened it; but, drawing his dagger, he at last cut through +this, and removing the stopper of the flask, took a long draught of +the wine with which it was filled. The relief which it afforded him was +almost instantaneous, and he seemed to feel life again coursing in his +veins. + +After a while he was sufficiently restored to be enabled to get from his +havresack some bread and meat which he had placed there after finishing +his breakfast on the previous morning. He ate a few mouthfuls, took +another long draught of wine, and then felt that he could hope to hold +on until morning. He was unable to rise even into a sitting position, +nor would it have availed him had he been able to walk, for he knew not +where the armies were lying, nor could he have proceeded a yard in any +direction without falling over the bodies which so thickly strewed the +ground around him. + +Though in fact it wanted but two hours of daylight when he recovered +consciousness, the time appeared interminable; but at last, to his +delight, a faint gleam of light spread across the sky. Stronger and +stronger did it become until the day was fairly broken. It was another +hour before he heard voices approaching. Almost holding his breath he +listened as they approached, and his heart gave a throb of delight as he +heard that they were speaking in Swedish. A victory had been won, then, +for had it not been so, it would have been the Imperialists, not the +Swedes, who would have been searching the field of battle. + +"There are but few alive," one voice said, "the cold has finished the +work which the enemy began." + +Malcolm, unable to rise, lifted his arm and held it erect to call the +attention of the searchers; it was quickly observed. + +"There is some one still alive," the soldier exclaimed, "an officer, +too; by his scarf and feathers he belongs to the Green Brigade." + +"These Scotchmen are as hard as iron," another voice said; "come, bring +a stretcher along." + +They were soon by the side of Malcolm. + +"Drink this, sir," one said, kneeling beside him and placing a flask of +spirits to his lips; "that will warm your blood, I warrant, and you must +be well nigh frozen." + +Malcolm took a few gulps at the potent liquor, then he had strength to +say: + +"There is something the matter with my left arm, I can't move it, and I +think I am hit in the body." + +"You are hit in the body, sure enough," the man said, "for there is +a bullet hole through your cuirass, and your jerkin below it is all +stained with blood. You have been hit in the left arm too, and the blood +is frozen to the ground; but we will soon free that for you. But before +trying to do that we will cut open the sleeve of your jerkin and bandage +your arm, or the movement may set it off bleeding again, and you have +lost a pool of blood already." + +Very carefully the soldiers did their work, and then placing Malcolm on +the stretcher carried him away to the camp. Here the surgeons were all +hard at work attending to the wounded who were brought in. They had +already been busy all night, as those whose hurts had not actually +disabled them found their way into the camp. As he was a Scotch officer +he was carried to the lines occupied by Colonel Henderson with his +Scotch brigade. He was known to many of the officers personally, and no +time was lost in attending to him. He was nearly unconscious again by +the time that he reached the camp, for the movement had caused the wound +in his body to break out afresh. + +His armour was at once unbuckled, and his clothes having been cut the +surgeons proceeded to examine his wounds. They shook their heads as +they did so. Passing a probe into the wound they found that the ball, +breaking one of the ribs in its course, had gone straight on. They +turned him gently over. + +"Here it is," the surgeon said, producing a flattened bullet. The +missile indeed had passed right through the body and had flattened +against the back piece, which its force was too far spent to penetrate. + +"Is the case hopeless, doctor?" one of the officers who was looking on +asked. + +"It is well nigh hopeless," the doctor said, "but it is just possible +that it has not touched any vital part. The lad is young, and I judge +that he has not ruined his constitution, as most of you have done, by +hard drinking, so that there is just a chance for him. There is nothing +for me to do but to put a piece of lint over the two holes, bandage it +firmly, and leave it to nature. Now let me look at his arm. + +"Ah!" he went on as he examined the wound, "he has had a narrow escape +here. The ball has cut a vein and missed the principal artery by an +eighth of an inch. If that had been cut he would have bled to death in +five minutes. Evidently the lad has luck on his side, and I begin to +think we may save him if we can only keep him quiet." + +At the earnest request of the surgeons tents were brought up and a +hospital established on some rising ground near the field of battle for +the serious cases among the wounded, and when the army marched away +to join the Saxons at Leipzig a brigade was left encamped around the +hospital. + +Here for three weeks Malcolm lay between life and death. The quantity of +blood he had lost was greatly in his favour, as it diminished the risk +of inflammation, while his vigorous constitution and the life of fatigue +and activity which he had led greatly strengthened his power. By a +miracle the bullet in its passage had passed through without injuring +any of the vital parts; and though his convalescence was slow it was +steady, and even at the end of the first week the surgeons were able to +pronounce a confident opinion that he would get over it. + +But it was not until the end of the month that he was allowed to move +from his recumbent position. A week later and he was able to sit up. On +the following day, to his surprise, the Count of Mansfeld strode into +his tent. + +"Ah! my young friend," he exclaimed, "I am glad indeed to see you so +far recovered. I came to Leipzig with the countess and my daughter; +for Leipzig at present is the centre where all sorts of political +combinations are seething as in a cooking pot. It is enough to make one +sick of humanity and ashamed of one's country when one sees the greed +which is displayed by every one, from the highest of the princes down to +petty nobles who can scarce set twenty men in the field. + +"Each and all are struggling to make terms by which he may better +himself, and may add a province or an acre, as the case may be, to his +patrimony at the expense of his neighbours. Truly I wonder that the +noble Oxenstiern, who represents Sweden, does not call together the +generals and troops of that country from all parts and march away +northward, leaving these greedy princes and nobles to fight their own +battles, and make the best terms they may with their Imperial master. + +"But there, all that does not interest you at present; but I am so full +of spleen and disgust that I could not help letting it out. We arrived +there a week since, and of course one of our first inquiries was for +you, and we heard to our grief that the Imperialists had shot one of +their bullets through your body and another through your arm. This, of +course, would have been sufficient for any ordinary carcass; but I knew +my Scotchman, and was not surprised when they told me you were mending +fast. + +"I had speech yesterday with an officer who had ridden over from this +camp, and he told me that the doctors said you were now convalescent, +but would need repose and quiet for some time before you could again +buckle on armour. The countess, when I told her, said at once, 'Then we +will take him away back with us to Mansfeld.' Thekla clapped her hands +and said, 'That will be capital! we will look after him, and he shall +tell us stories about the wars.' + +"So the thing was settled at once. I have brought over with me a horse +litter, and have seen your surgeon, who says that although it will be +some weeks before you can sit on a horse without the risk of your wound +bursting out internally, there is no objection to your progression in a +litter by easy stages; so that is settled, and the doctor will write to +your colonel saying that it will be some months before you are fit for +duty, and that he has therefore ordered you change and quiet. + +"You need not be afraid of neglecting your duty or of getting out of the +way of risking your life in harebrained ventures, for there will be no +fighting till the spring. Everyone is negotiating at present, and you +will be back with your regiment before fighting begins again. Well, what +do you say?" + +"I thank you, indeed," Malcolm replied. "It will of all things be the +most pleasant; the doctor has told me that I shall not be fit for duty +until the spring, and I have been wondering how ever I should be able to +pass the time until then." + +"Then we will be off without a minute's delay," the count said. "I sent +off the litter last night and started myself at daybreak, promising the +countess to be back with you ere nightfall, so we have no time to lose." + +The news soon spread that Malcolm Graheme was about to leave the camp, +and many of the Scottish officers came in to say adieu to him; but time +pressed, and half an hour after the arrival of the count he started +for Leipzig with Malcolm in a litter swung between two horses. As they +travelled at a foot pace Malcolm did not find the journey uneasy, but +the fresh air and motion soon made him drowsy, and he was fast asleep +before he had left the camp an hour, and did not awake until the sound +of the horses' hoofs on stone pavements told him that they were entering +the town of Leipzig. + +A few minutes later he was lying on a couch in the comfortable +apartments occupied by the count, while the countess with her own hands +was administering refreshments to him, and Thekla was looking timidly +on, scarce able to believe that this pale and helpless invalid was the +stalwart young Scottish soldier of whose adventures she was never weary +of talking. + + + +CHAPTER XIX A PAUSE IN HOSTILITIES + + +Never had Malcolm Graheme spent a more pleasant time than the two months +which he passed at Mansfeld. Travelling by very easy stages there he +was so far convalescent upon his arrival that he was able to move about +freely and could soon ride on horseback. For the time the neighbourhood +of Mansfeld was undisturbed by the peasants or combatants on either +side, and the count had acted with such vigour against any parties of +brigands and marauders who might approach the vicinity of Mansfeld, +or the country under his control, that a greater security of life and +property existed than in most other parts of Germany. The ravages made +by war were speedily effaced, and although the peasants carried on their +operations in the fields without any surety as to who would gather the +crops, they worked free from the harassing tyranny of the petty bands of +robbers. + +As soon as he was strong enough Malcolm rode with the count on his +visits to the different parts of his estates, joined in several parties +got up to hunt the boar in the hills, or to make war on a small scale +against the wolves which, since the outbreak of the troubles, had vastly +increased in number, committing great depredations upon the flocks and +herds, and rendering it dangerous for the peasants to move between their +villages except in strong parties. + +The evenings were passed pleasantly and quietly. The countess would +read aloud or would play on the zither, with which instrument she would +accompany herself while she sang. Thekla would sit at her embroidery and +would chat merrily to Malcolm, and ask many questions about Scotland +and the life which the ladies led in that, as she asserted, "cold and +desolate country." Sometimes the count's chaplain would be present and +would gravely discuss theological questions with the count, wearying +Malcolm and Thekla so excessively, that they would slip away from the +others and play checkers or cards on a little table in a deep oriel +window where their low talk and laughter did not disturb the discussions +of their elders. + +Once Malcolm was absent for two days on a visit to the village in +the mountains he had so much aided in defending. Here he was joyfully +received, and was glad to find that war had not penetrated to the quiet +valley, and that prosperity still reigned there. Malcolm lingered at +Mansfeld for some time after he felt that his strength was sufficiently +restored to enable him to rejoin his regiment; but he knew that until +the spring commenced no great movement of troops would take place, and +he was so happy with his kind friends, who treated him completely as one +of the family, that he was loath indeed to tear himself away. At last +he felt that he could no longer delay, and neither the assurances of the +count that the Protestant cause could dispense with his doughty services +for a few weeks longer, or the tears of Thekla and her insistance that +he could not care for them or he would not be in such a hurry to leave, +could detain him longer, and mounting a horse with which the count had +presented him he rode away to rejoin his regiment. + +No military movements of importance had taken place subsequent to the +battle of Lutzen. Oxenstiern had laboured night and day to repair as far +as possible the effects of the death of Gustavus. He had been left by +the will of the king regent of Sweden until the king's daughter, now a +child of six years old, came of age, and he at once assumed the supreme +direction of affairs. It was essential to revive the drooping courage +of the weaker states, to meet the secret machinations of the enemy, to +allay the jealousy of the more powerful allies, to arouse the friendly +powers, France in particular, to active assistance, and above all to +repair the ruined edifice of the German alliance and to reunite the +scattered strength of the party by a close and permanent bond of union. + +Had the emperor at this moment acted wisely Oxenstiern's efforts would +have been in vain. Wallenstein, farseeing and broad minded, saw the +proper course to pursue, and strongly urged upon the emperor the +advisability of declaring a universal amnesty, and of offering +favourable conditions to the Protestant princes, who, dismayed at the +loss of their great champion, would gladly accept any proposals which +would ensure the religious liberty for which they had fought; but the +emperor, blinded by this unexpected turn of fortune and infatuated by +Spanish counsels, now looked to a complete triumph and to enforce his +absolute will upon the whole of Germany. + +Instead, therefore, of listening to the wise counsels of Wallenstein he +hastened to augment his forces. Spain sent him considerable supplies, +negotiated for him with the ever vacillating Elector of Saxony, and +levied troops for him in Italy. The Elector of Bavaria increased his +army, and the Duke of Lorraine prepared again to take part in the +struggle which now seemed to offer him an easy opportunity of increasing +his dominions. For a time the Elector of Saxony, the Duke of Brunswick, +and many others of the German princes wavered; but when they saw that +Ferdinand, so far from being disposed to offer them favourable terms to +detach them from the league, was preparing with greater vigour than +ever to overwhelm them, they perceived that their interest was to remain +faithful to their ally, and at a great meeting of princes and deputies +held at Heilbronn the alliance was re-established on a firmer basis. + +Before, however, the solemn compact was ratified scarce one of the +German princes and nobles but required of Oxenstiern the gratification +of private greed and ambition, and each bargained for some possession +either already wrested or to be afterwards taken from the enemy. To the +Landgrave of Hesse the abbacies of Paderborn, Corvey, Munster, and Fulda +were promised, to Duke Bernhard of Weimar the Franconian bishoprics, +to the Duke of Wurtemburg the ecclesiastical domains and the Austrian +counties lying within his territories, all to be held as fiefs of +Sweden. + +Oxenstiern, an upright and conscientious man, was disgusted at the +greed of these princes and nobles who professed to be warring solely +in defence of their religious liberties, and he once exclaimed that he +would have it entered in the Swedish archives as an everlasting memorial +that a prince of the German empire made a request for such and such +territory from a Swedish nobleman, and that the Swedish noble complied +with the request by granting him German lands. However, the negotiations +were at last completed, the Saxons marched towards Lusatia and Silesia +to act in conjunction with Count Thurn against the Austrians in that +quarter, a part of the Swedish army was led by the Duke of Weimar into +Franconia, and the other by George, Duke of Brunswick, into Westphalia +and Lower Saxony. + +When Gustavus had marched south from Ingolstadt on the news of +Wallenstein's entry into Saxony he had left the Count Palatine of +Birkenfeld and General Banner to maintain the Swedish conquests +in Bavaria. These generals had in the first instance pressed their +conquests southward as far as Lake Constance; but towards the end of +the year the Bavarian General Altringer pressed them with so powerful an +army that Banner sent urgent requests to Horn to come to his assistance +from Alsace, where he had been carrying all before him. Confiding his +conquests to the Rhinegrave Otto Ludwig, Horn marched at the head of +seven thousand men towards Swabia. Before he could join Banner, +however, Altringer had forced the line of the Lech, and had received +reinforcements strong enough to neutralize the aid brought to Banner by +Horn. Deeming it necessary above all things to bar the future progress +of the enemy, Horn sent orders to Otto Ludwig to join him with all the +troops still remaining in Alsace; but finding himself still unable to +resist the advance of Altringer, he despatched an urgent request to Duke +Bernhard, who had captured Bamberg and the strong places of Kronach +and Hochstadt in Franconia, to come to his assistance. The duke at once +quitted Bamberg and marched southward, swept a strong detachment of the +Bavarian army under John of Werth from his path, and pressing on reached +Donauwurth in March 1633. + +Malcolm had rejoined his regiment, which was with Duke Bernhard, just +before it advanced from Bamberg and was received with a hearty welcome +by his comrades, from whom he had been separated nine months, having +quitted them three months before the battle of Lutzen. + +The officers were full of hope that Duke Bernhard was going to strike +a great blow. Altringer was away on the shore of Lake Constance facing +Horn, Wallenstein was in Bohemia. Between Donauworth and Vienna were +but the four strong places of Ingolstadt, Ratisbon, Passau, and Linz. +Ingolstadt was, the duke knew, commanded by a traitor who was ready to +surrender. Ratisbon had a Protestant population who were ready to open +their gates. It seemed that the opportunity for ending the war by a +march upon Vienna, which had been snatched by Wallenstein from Gustavus +just when it appeared in his grasp, was now open to Duke Bernhard. +But the duke was ambitious, his demands for Franconia had not yet been +entirely complied with by Oxenstiern, and he saw an opportunity to +obtain his own terms. The troops under his orders were discontented, +owing to the fact that their pay was many months in arrear, and private +agents of the duke fomented this feeling by assuring the men that their +general was with them and would back their demands. Accordingly they +refused to march further until their demands were fully satisfied. The +Scotch regiments stood apart from the movement, though they too were +equally in arrear with their pay. Munro and the officers of the Brigade +chafed terribly at this untimely mutiny just when the way to Vienna +appeared open to them. Duke Bernhard forwarded the demands of the +soldiers to Oxenstiern, sending at the same time a demand on his own +account, first that the territory of the Franconian bishoprics should at +once be erected into a principality in his favour, and secondly, that +he should be nominated commander-in-chief of all the armies fighting in +Germany for the Protestant cause with the title of generalissimo. + +Oxenstiern was alarmed by the receipt of the mutinous demands of the +troops on the Danube, and was disgusted when he saw those demands +virtually supported by their general. His first thought was to dismiss +Duke Bernhard from the Swedish service; but he saw that if he did so the +disaffection might spread, and that the duke might place himself at +the head of the malcontents and bring ruin upon the cause. He therefore +agreed to bestow at once the Franconian bishoprics upon him, and gave a +pledge that Sweden would defend him in that position. + +He declined to make him generalissimo of all the armies, but appointed +him commander-in-chief of the forces south of the Maine. The duke +accepted this modification, and had no difficulty in restoring order in +the ranks of his army. But precious months had been wasted before this +matter was brought to a conclusion, and the month of October arrived +before the duke had completed all his preparations and was in a position +to move forward. + +While the delays had been going on Altringer, having been joined by the +army of the Duke of Feria, quitted the line of the Danube, in spite +of Wallenstein's absolute order not to do so, and, evading Horn and +Birkenfeldt, marched into Alsace. The Swedish generals, however, pressed +hotly upon him, and finally drove him out of Alsace. Ratisbon being left +open by Altringer's disobedience to Wallenstein's orders, Duke Bernhard +marched upon that city without opposition, and laid siege to it. +Maximilian of Bavaria was himself there with a force sufficient to +defend the city had he been supported by the inhabitants; but a large +majority of the people were Protestants, and, moreover, bitterly hated +the Bavarians, who had suppressed their rights as a free city. + +Maximilian wrote urgently to the emperor and to Wallenstein, pledging +himself to maintain Ratisbon if he could receive a reinforcement of +5000 men. The emperor was powerless; he had not the men to send, but he +despatched to Wallenstein, one after another, seven messengers, +urging him at all hazards to prevent the fall of so important a place. +Wallenstein replied to the order that he would do all in his power, and +in presence of the messengers ordered the Count of Gallas to march +with 12,000 men on Ratisbon, but privately furnished the general with +absolute orders, forbidding him on any account to do anything which +might bring on an action with the duke. + +Wallenstein's motives in so acting were, as he afterwards assured the +emperor, that he was not strong enough to divide his army, and that he +could best cover Vienna by maintaining a strong position in Bohemia, a +policy which was afterwards justified by the event. Ratisbon resisted +for a short time; but, finding that the promised relief did not arrive, +it capitulated on the 5th of November, Maximilian having left the town +before the surrender. + +The duke now pushed on towards Vienna, and captured Straubing and +Plattling. John of Werth, who was posted here, not being strong enough +to dispute the passage of the Isar, fell back towards the Bohemian +frontier, hoping to meet the troops which the emperor had urged +Wallenstein to send to his aid, but which never came. Duke Bernhard +crossed the Isar unopposed, and on the 12th came within sight of Passau. + +So far Wallenstein had not moved; he had seemed to comply with the +emperor's request to save Ratisbon, but had seemed only, and had not +set a man in motion to reinforce John of Werth. He refused, in fact, to +fritter away his army. Had he sent Gallas with 12,000 men to join John +of Werth, and had their united forces been, as was probable, attacked +and defeated by the Swedes, Wallenstein would have been too weak to save +the empire. Keeping his army strong he had the key of the position in +his hands. + +He had fixed upon Passau as the point beyond which Duke Bernhard should +not be allowed to advance, and felt that should he attack that city he +and his army were lost. In front of him was the Inn, a broad and deep +river protected by strongly fortified places; behind him John of Werth, +a bitterly hostile country, and the river Isar. On his left would +be Wallenstein himself marching across the Bohemian forest. When, +therefore, he learned that Duke Bernhard was hastening on from the Isar +towards Passau he put his army in motion and marched southward, so as to +place himself in the left rear of the duke. This movement Duke Bernhard +heard of just when he arrived in sight of Passau, and he instantly +recognized the extreme danger of his position, and perceived with his +usual quickness of glance that to be caught before Passau by Wallenstein +and John of Werth would be absolute destruction. A moment's hesitation +and the Swedish army would have been lost. Without an hour's delay he +issued the necessary orders, and the army retraced its steps with all +speed to Ratisbon, and not stopping even there marched northward +into the Upper Palatinate, to defend that conquered country against +Wallenstein even at the cost of a battle. + +But Wallenstein declined to fight a battle there. He had but one army, +and were that army destroyed, Duke Bernhard, with the prestige of +victory upon him, could resume his march upon Vienna, which would then +be open to him. Therefore, having secured the safety of the capital, he +fell back again into winter quarters in Bohemia. Thus Ferdinand again +owed his safety to Wallenstein, and should have been the more grateful +since Wallenstein had saved him in defiance of his own orders. + +At the time he fully admitted in his letters to Wallenstein that the +general had acted wisely and prudently, nevertheless he was continually +listening to the Spaniards, the Jesuits, and the many envious of +Wallenstein's great position, and hoping to benefit by his disgrace, +and, in spite of all the services his great general had rendered him, +was preparing to repeat the humiliation which he had formerly laid upon +him and again to deprive him of his command. + +Wallenstein was not ignorant of the intrigue against him. Vast as +were his possessions, his pride and ambition were even greater. A +consciousness of splendid services rendered and of great intellectual +power, a belief that the army which had been raised by him and was to +a great extent paid out of his private funds, and which he had so often +led to victory, was devoted to him, and to him alone, excited in his +mind the determination to resist by force the intriguers who dominated +the bigoted and narrow minded emperor, and, if necessary, to hurl the +latter from his throne. + + + +CHAPTER XX FRIENDS IN TROUBLE + + +One day in the month of December, when Malcolm Graheme was with his +regiment on outpost duty closely watching the Imperialists, a countryman +approached. + +"Can you direct me to Captain Malcolm Graheme, who, they tell me, +belongs to this regiment?" + +"You have come to the right man," Malcolm said. "I am Captain +Graheme--what would you with me?" + +"I am the bearer of a letter to you," the man said, and taking off his +cap he pulled out the lining and brought out a letter hidden beneath it. + +"I am to ask for some token from you by which it may be known that it +has been safely delivered." + +Malcolm cut with his dagger the silk with which the letter was fastened. +It began: + +"From the Lady Hilda, Countess of Mansfeld, to Captain Malcolm Graheme +of Colonel Munro's Scottish regiment.--My dear friend,--I do not know +whether you have heard the misfortune which has fallen upon us. The +town and castle of Mansfeld were captured two months since by a sudden +assault of the Imperialists, and my dear husband was grievously wounded +in the defence. He was brought hither a prisoner, and Thekla and I also +carried here. As the count still lies ill with his wounds he is not +placed in a prison, but we are treated as captives and a close watch +is kept upon us. The count is threatened with the forfeiture of all his +possessions unless he will change sides and join the Imperialists, and +some of his estates have been already conferred upon other nobles as a +punishment for the part he has taken. + +"Were my husband well and free he would treat the offers with scorn, +believing that the tide will turn and that he will recover his +possessions. Nor even were he certain of their perpetual forfeiture +would he desert the cause of Protestantism. Moreover, the estates which +I brought him in marriage lie in the north of Pomerania, and the income +there from is more than ample for our needs. But the emperor has ordered +that if the count remain contumacious Thekla shall be taken from us and +placed in a convent, where she will be forced to embrace Catholicism, +and will, when she comes of age, be given in marriage to some adherent +of the emperor, who will with her receive the greater portion of her +father's lands. + +"She is now sixteen years old, and in another year will be deemed +marriageable. My heart is broken at the thought, and I can scarce see +the paper on which I write for weeping. I know not why I send to you, +nor does the count know that I am writing, nor does it seem possible +that any aid can come to us, seeing that we are here in the heart +of Bohemia, and that Wallenstein's army lies between us and you. But +somehow in my heart I have a hope that you may aid us, and at any rate I +know that you will sympathize with us greatly. I feel sure that if there +be any mode in which we may be aided it will be seized by your ready +wit. And now adieu! This letter will be brought to you by a messenger +who will be hired by a woman who attends us, and who has a kind heart +as well as an eye to her own interests. Send back by the messenger +some token which she may pass on to me, that I may know that you have +received it. Send no written answer, for the danger is too great." + +Malcolm twisted off two or three links of the chain which had long +before been presented to him by the count, and then, until relieved from +duty, paced up and down, slowly revolving in his mind what could best +be done to aid his friends. His mind was at last made up, and when his +company was called in he went to his colonel and asked for leave of +absence, stating his reasons for wishing to absent himself from the +regiment. + +"It is a perilous business, Malcolm," Colonel Munro said. "I have scarce +a handful of the friends with whom I joined Gustavus but three years and +a half ago remaining, and I can ill spare another; nevertheless I will +not stay you in your enterprise. The Count of Mansfeld has been a steady +ally of ours, and is one of the few who has appeared to have at heart +the cause of Protestantism rather than of personal gain. + +"Moreover, he is as you say a friend of yours, and has shown you real +kindness in time of need. Therefore go, my boy, and Heaven be with you! +It is not likely that there will be any more serious fighting this +year. Wallenstein lies inactive, negotiating now with Saxony, now with +Oxenstiern. What are his aims and plans Heaven only knows; but at any +rate we have no right to grumble at the great schemer, for ever since +Lutzen he has kept the emperor's best army inactive. Make it a point, +Malcolm, to find out, so far as you can, what is the public opinion in +Bohemia as to his real intentions. If you can bring back any information +as to his plans you will have done good service to the cause, however +long your absence from the camp may be." + +That evening Malcolm packed up his armour, arms, court suits, and +valuables, and sent them away to the care of his friend the syndic of +the clockmakers of Nuremberg, with a letter requesting him to keep them +in trust for him until he returned; and in the event of his not arriving +to claim them in the course of six months, to sell them, and to devote +the proceeds to the assistance of sick or wounded Scottish soldiers. +Then he purchased garments suitable for a respectable craftsman, and +having attired himself in these, with a stout sword banging from his +leathern belt, a wallet containing a change of garments and a number +of light tools used in clockmaking, with a long staff in his hand, and +fifty ducats sewed in the lining of the doublet, he set out on foot on +his journey. + +It was nigh three weeks from the time when he started before he arrived +at Prague, for not only had he to make a very long detour to avoid the +contending armies, but he was forced to wait at each considerable town +until he could join a company of travellers going in the same direction, +for the whole country so swarmed with disbanded soldiers, plunderers, +and marauding bands that none thought of traversing the roads save in +parties sufficiently strong to defend themselves and their property. +None of those with whom he journeyed suspected Malcolm to be aught but +what he professed himself--a craftsman who had served his time at a +clockmaker's in Nuremberg, and who was on his way to seek for employment +in Vienna. + +During his three years and a half residence in Germany he had come +to speak the language like a native, and, indeed, the dialect of the +different provinces varied so widely, that, even had he spoken the +language with less fluency, no suspicion would have arisen of his being +a foreigner. Arrived at Prague, his first care was to hire a modest +lodging, and he then set to work to discover the house in which the +Count of Mansfeld was lying as a prisoner. + +This he had no difficulty in doing without exciting suspicion, for the +count was a well known personage, and he soon found that he and his +family had apartments in a large house, the rest of which was occupied +by Imperialist officers and their families. There was a separate +entrance to the portion occupied by the count, and a sentry stood always +at the door. + +The day after his arrival Malcolm watched the door from a distance +throughout the whole day, but none entered or came out. The next morning +he resumed his watch at a much earlier hour, and presently had the +satisfaction of seeing a woman in the attire of a domestic issue +from the door. She was carrying a basket, and was evidently bent upon +purchasing the supplies for the day. He followed her to the market, and, +after watching her make her purchases, he followed her until, on her +return, she entered a street where but few people were about. There he +quickened his pace and overtook her. + +"You are the attendant of the Countess of Mansfeld, are you not?" he +said. + +"I am," she replied; "but what is that to you?" + +"I will tell you presently," Malcolm replied, "but in the first place +please inform me whether you are her only attendant, and in the next +place how long you have been in her service. I can assure you," he went +on, as the woman, indignant at thus being questioned by a craftsman who +was a stranger to her, tossed her head indignantly, and was about to +move on, "that I ask not from any impertinent curiosity. Here is a ducat +as a proof that I am interested in my questions." + +The woman gave him a quick and searching glance; she took the piece +of money, and replied more civilly. "I am the only attendant on the +countess. I cannot be said to be in her service, since I have been +placed there by the commandant of the prison, whither the count will +be moved in a few days, but I have been with them since their arrival +there, nigh three months since." + +"Then you are the person whom I seek. I am he to whom a certain letter +which you wot of was sent, and who returned by the messenger as token +that he received it two links of this chain." + +The woman started as he spoke, and looked round anxiously to see that +they were not observed; then she said hurriedly: + +"For goodness sake, sir, if you be he, put aside that grave and earnest +look, and chat with me lightly and laughingly, so that if any observe us +speaking they will think that you are trying to persuade me that my face +has taken your admiration. Not so very difficult a task, methinks," she +added coquettishly, acting the part she had indicated. + +"By no means," Malcolm replied laughing, for the girl was really good +looking, "and were it not that other thoughts occupy me at present you +might well have another captive to look after; and now tell me, how is +it possible for me to obtain an interview with the count?" + +"And the countess, and the Fraulein Thekla," the girl said laughing, +"for I suppose you are the young Scottish officer of whom the young +countess is always talking. I don't see that it is possible." + +"Twenty ducats are worth earning," Malcolm said quietly. + +"Very well worth earning," the woman replied, "but a costly day's work +if they lead to a prison and flogging, if not to the gallows." + +"But we must take care that you run no risk," Malcolm said. "Surely such +a clever head as I see you have can contrive some way for me to get in." + +"Yes; it might be managed," the girl said thoughtfully. "The orders were +strict just at first, but seeing that the count cannot move from his +couch, and that the countess and the fraulein have no motive in seeking +to leave him, the strictness has been relaxed. The orders of the sentry +are stringent that neither of the ladies shall be allowed to set foot +outside the door, but I do not think they have any orders to prevent +others from going in and out had they some good excuse for their visit." + +"Then it is not so impossible after all," Malcolm said with a smile, +"for I have an excellent excuse. + +"What is that?" the woman asked. + +"The clock in the count's chamber has stopped, and it wearies him to lie +there and not know how the time passes, so he has requested you to fetch +in a craftsman to set it going again." + +"A very good plan," the girl said. "There is a clock, and it shall stop +this afternoon. I will find out from the sentry as I go in whether he +has any orders touching the admission of strangers. If he has I will +go across to the prison and try and get a pass for you. I shall come to +market in the morning." + +So saying, with a wave of her hand she tripped on towards the house, +which was now near at hand, leaving Malcolm to arrange his plans for +next day. His first care was to purchase a suit of clothes such as would +be worn by a boy of the class to which he appeared to belong. Then he +went to one of the small inns patronized by the peasants who brought +their goods into market, and without difficulty bargained with one of +them for the purchase of a cart with two oxen, which were to remain at +the inn until he called for them. Then he bought a suit of peasant's +clothes, after which, well satisfied with the day's work, he returned to +his lodging. In the morning he again met the servant. + +"It was well I asked," she said, "for the sentry had orders to prevent +any, save nobles and officers, from passing in. However, I went to the +prison, and saw one of the governor's deputies, and told him that the +count was fretting because his clock had stopped, and, as while I said +so I slipped five ducats the countess had given me for the purpose into +his hand, he made no difficulty about giving me the pass. Here it is. +Now," she said, "I have earned my twenty ducats." + +"You have earned them well," Malcolm replied, handing them to her. + +"Now mind," she said, "you must not count on me farther. I don't know +what you are going to do, and I don't want to know. I have run quite +a risk enough as it is, and mean, directly the count is lodged in the +prison, to make my way home, having collected a dowry which will enable +me to buy a farm and marry my bachelor, who has been waiting for me for +the last three years. His father is an old curmudgeon, who has declared +that his son shall never marry except a maid who can bring as much money +as he will give him. I told Fritz that if he would trust to my wits and +wait I would in five years produce the dowry. Now I have treble the sum, +and shall go off and make Fritz happy." + +"He is a lucky fellow," Malcolm said laughing. "It is not every one who +gets beauty, wit, and wealth all together in a wife." + +"You are a flatterer," the girl laughed; "but for all that I think +myself that Fritz is not unfortunate." + +"And now tell me," Malcolm asked, "at what time is the sentry generally +changed?" + +"At sunrise, at noon, at sunset, and at midnight," the girl replied; +"but what is that to you?" + +"Never mind;" Malcolm laughed; "you know you don't want to be told what +I'm going to do. I will tell you if you like." + +"No, no," the girl replied hurriedly. "I would rather be able to always +take my oath on the holy relics that I know nothing about it." + +"Very well," Malcolm replied; "then this afternoon I will call." + +Having hidden away under his doublet the suit of boy's clothes, and with +the tools of his trade in a small basket in his hand, Malcolm presented +himself at three o'clock in the afternoon to the sentry at the door +leading to the count's apartments. The soldier glanced at the pass and +permitted him to enter without remark. + +The waiting maid met him inside and conducted him upstairs, and ushered +him into a spacious apartment, in which the count was lying on a couch, +while the countess and Thekla sat at work beside him. She then retired +and closed the door after her. The count and Thekla looked with surprise +at the young artisan, but the countess ran to meet him, and threw her +arms round his neck as if she had been his mother, while Thekla gave a +cry of delight as she recognized him. + +"Welcome a thousand times! Welcome, my brave friend!" the countess +exclaimed. "What dangers must you not have encountered on your way +hither to us! The count and Thekla knew not that I had written to +you, for I feared a failure; and when I learned yesterday that you had +arrived I still kept silence, partly to give a joyful surprise to my +lord today, partly because, if the governor called, I was sure that this +child's telltale face would excite his suspicion that something unusual +had happened." + +"How imprudent!" the count said, holding out his hand to Malcolm. "Had +I known that my wife was sending to you I would not have suffered her to +do so, for the risk is altogether too great, and yet, indeed, I am truly +glad to see you again." + +Thekla gave Malcolm her hand, but said nothing. She had now reached an +age when girls feel a strange shyness in expressing their feelings; but +her hand trembled with pleasure as she placed it in Malcolm's, and her +cheek flushed hotly as, in accordance with the custom of the times, she +presented it to his kiss. + +"Now," the count said, "do not let us waste time; tell us quickly by +what miracle you have arrived here, and have penetrated to what is +really my prison. You must be quick, for we have much to say, and your +visit must be a short one for every third day the governor of the prison +pays me a visit to see how I am getting on, and I expect that he will be +here ere long." + +"Then," Malcolm said, "I had best prepare for his coming, for assuredly +I am not going to hurry away." + +So saying, he lifted down the great clock which stood on a bracket on +the wall, and placed it on a side table. "I am a clockmaker," he said, +"and am come to put this machine, whose stopping has annoyed you sadly, +into order." + +So saying, he took some tools from his basket, removed the works of the +clock, and, taking them in pieces, laid them on the table. + +"I spent much of my time at Nuremberg," he said, in answer to the +surprised exclamations of the count, "in learning the mysteries of +horology, and can take a clock to pieces and can put it together again +with fair skill. There, now, I am ready, and if the governor comes he +will find me hard at work. And now I will briefly tell you how I got +here; then I will hear what plans you may have formed, and I will tell +you mine." + +"For myself, I have no plans," the count said. "I am helpless, and +must for the present submit to whatever may befall me. That I will not +renounce the cause of my religion you may be sure; as for my wife, we +know not yet whether, when they remove me to the fortress, they will +allow her to accompany me or not. If they do, she will stay with me, but +it is more likely that they will not. The emperor is merciless to those +who oppose him. They will more likely keep her under their eye here or +in Vienna. But for ourselves we care little; our anxiety is for Thekla. +It is through her that they are striking us. You know what they have +threatened if I do not abandon the cause of Protestantism. Thekla is to +be placed in a convent, forced to become a Catholic, and married to the +man on whom the emperor may please to bestow my estates." + +"I would rather die, father, than become a Catholic," Thekla exclaimed +firmly. + +"Yes, dear!" the count said gently, "but it is not death you have to +face; with a fresh and unbroken spirit, it were comparatively easy to +die, but it needs an energy and a spirit almost superhuman to resist the +pressure which may be placed on those who are committed to a convent. +The hopelessness, the silence, the gloom, to say nothing of threats, +menaces, and constant and unremitting pressure, are sufficient to break +down the firmest resolution. The body becomes enfeebled, the nerves +shattered, and the power of resistance enfeebled. No, my darling, brave +as you are in your young strength, you could not resist the influence +which would be brought to bear upon you." + +"Then it is clear," Malcolm said cheerfully, "that we must get your +daughter out of the clutches of the emperor and the nuns." + +"That is what I have thought over again and again as I have lain here +helpless, but I can see no means of doing so. We have no friends in the +city, and, could the child be got safely out of this place, there is +nowhere whither she could go." + +"And it is for that I have sent for you," the countess said. "I knew +that if it were in any way possible you would contrive her escape and +aid her to carry it out." + +"Assuredly I will, my dear countess," Malcolm said. "You only wanted a +friend outside, and now you have got one. I see no difficulty about it." + +At this moment the door suddenly opened; the waiting maid put in her +head and exclaimed, "The governor is alighting at the door." Malcolm at +once seated himself at the side table and began oiling the wheels of the +clock, while the countess and Thekla took up their work again and seated +themselves, as before, by the couch of the count. A moment later the +attendant opened the door and in a loud voice announced the Baron of +Steinburg. + +The governor as he entered cast a keen glance at Malcolm, and then +bowing ceremoniously approached the count and inquired after his health, +and paid the usual compliments to the countess. The count replied +languidly that he gained strength slowly, while the countess said +quietly that he had slept but badly and that his wound troubled him +much. It was well for Thekla that she was not obliged to take part +in the conversation, for she would have found it impossible to speak +quietly and indifferently, for every nerve was tingling with joy at +Malcolm's last words. The prospect had seemed so hopeless that her +spirits had sunk to the lowest ebb. Her mother had done her best to +cheer her, but the count, weakened by pain and illness, had all along +taken the most gloomy view. He had told himself that it was better for +the girl to submit to her fate than to break her heart like a wild bird +beating out its life against the bars of its cage, and he wished to show +her that neither he nor the world would blame her for yielding to the +tremendous pressure which would be put upon her. + +For himself, he would have died a thousand times rather than renounce +his faith; but he told himself that Thekla was but a child, that women +cared little for dogmas, and that she would learn to pray as sincerely +in a Catholic as in a Protestant church, without troubling her mind as +to whether there were gross abuses in the government of the church, in +the sale of absolutions, or errors in abstruse doctrines. But to Thekla +it had seemed impossible that she could become a Catholic. + +The two religions stood in arms against each other; Catholics and +Protestants differed not only in faith but in politics. In all things +they were actively and openly opposed to each other, and the thought +that she might be compelled to abjure her faith was most terrible to the +girl; and she was firmly resolved that, so long as her strength lasted +and her mind was unimpaired, she would resist whatever pressure might +be placed upon her, and would yield neither to menaces, to solitary +confinement, or even to active cruelty. The prospect, however; had +weighed heavily upon her mind. Her father had appeared to consider any +escape impossible; her mother had said nothing of her hopes; and the +words which Malcolm had spoken, indicating something like a surety of +freeing her from her terrible position, filled her with surprise and +delight. + +"Whom have you here?" the governor asked, indicating Malcolm by a motion +of the head. + +"It is a craftsman from Nuremberg. The clock had stopped, and the count, +with whom the hours pass but slowly, fretted himself at not being able +to count them; so I asked our attendant to bring hither a craftsman +to put it in order, first sending her with a note to you asking for +permission for him to come; as you were out your deputy signed the +order." + +"He should not have done so," the baron said shortly, "for the orders +are strict touching the entry of any here. However, as he has taken the +clock to pieces, he can put it together again." So saying he went over +to the table where Malcolm was at work and stood for a minute or two +watching him. The manner in which Malcolm fitted the wheels into their +places, filing and oiling them wherever they did not run smoothly, +satisfied him that the youth was what he seemed. + +"You are young to have completed your apprenticeship," he said. + +"It is expired but two months, sir," Malcolm said, standing up +respectfully. + +"Under whom did you learn your trade?" the governor asked; "for I have +been in Nuremberg and know most of the guild of clockmakers by name." + +"Under Jans Boerhoff, the syndic of the guild," Malcolm replied. + +"Ah!" the baron said shortly; "and his shop is in--" + +"The Cron Strasse," Malcolm said promptly in answer to the implied +question. + +Quite satisfied now, the baron turned away and conversed a few minutes +with the count, telling him that as the surgeon said he could now be +safely removed he would in three days be transferred to an apartment in +the fortress. + +"Will the countess be permitted to accompany me?" the count asked. + +"That I cannot tell you," the baron replied. "We are expecting a +messenger with his majesty's orders on the subject tomorrow or next day. +I have already informed you that, in his solicitude for her welfare, his +majesty has been good enough to order that the young countess shall +be placed in the care of the lady superior of the Convent of St. +Catherine." + +A few minutes later he left the room. Not a word was spoken in the room +until the sound of horse's hoofs without told that he had ridden off. + +As the door closed the countess and Thekla had dropped their work and +sat anxiously awaiting the continuance of the conversation. The count +was the first to speak. + +"How mean you, Malcolm? How think you it possible that Thekla can +escape, and where could she go?" + +"I like not to make the proposal," Malcolm said gravely, "nor under +any other circumstances should I think of doing so; but in a desperate +position desperate measures must be adopted. It is impossible that in +your present state you can escape hence, and the countess will not leave +you; but what is absolutely urgent is that your daughter should be freed +from the strait. Save myself you have no friends here; and therefore, +count, if she is to escape it must be through my agency and she must be +committed wholly to my care. I know it is a great responsibility; but if +you and the countess can bring yourselves to commit her to me I swear to +you, as a Scottish gentleman and a Protestant soldier, that I will watch +over her as a brother until I place her in all honour in safe hands." + +The count looked at the countess and at Thekla, who sat pale and still. + +"We can trust you, Malcolm Graheme," he said after a pause. "There are +few, indeed, into whose hands we would thus confide our daughter; but we +know you to be indeed, as you say, a Scottish gentleman and a Protestant +soldier. Moreover, we know you to be faithful, honourable, and true. +Therefore we will, seeing that there is no other mode of escape from the +fate which awaits her, confide her wholly to you. And now tell us what +are your plans?" + + + +CHAPTER XXI FLIGHT + + +"I THANK you, count, and you, dear lady," Malcolm said gratefully, "for +the confidence you place in me, and will carry out my trust were it to +cost me my life. My plan is a simple one. The guard will be changed in +half an hour's time. I have brought hither a suit of boy's garments, +which I must pray the Countess Thekla to don, seeing that it will be +impossible for her to sally out in her own garb. I show my pass to +the sentry, who will deem that my companion entered with me, and is my +apprentice, and will suppose that, since the sentry who preceded him +suffered him to enter with me he may well pass him out without question. +In the town I have a wagon in readiness, and shall, disguised as a +peasant, start with it this evening. Thekla will be in the bottom +covered with straw. We shall travel all night. + +"Tomorrow, when your attendant discovers that your daughter has escaped, +she will at once take the news to the governor. The sentries will all be +questioned, and it will be found that, whereas but one clockmaker came +in two went out. The city will be searched and the country round scoured +but if the horsemen overtake me they will be looking for a craftsman and +his apprentice, and will not suspect a solitary peasant with a wagon. + +"The first danger over I must be guided by circumstances; but in any +case Thekla must travel as a boy to the end of the journey, for in such +troubled times as these it were unsafe indeed for a young girl to travel +through Germany except under a strong escort of men-at-arms. I design +to make my way to Nuremberg, and shall then place her in the hands of +my good friend Jans Boerhoff, whose wife and daughters will, I am sure, +gladly receive and care for her until the time, which I hope is not far +off, that peace be made and you can again rejoin her." + +"The plan is a good one," the count said when Malcolm had concluded, +"and offers every prospect of success. 'Tis hazardous, but there is no +escape from such a strait as ours without risk. What say you, wife?" + +"Assuredly I can think of nothing better. But what say you, Thekla? +Are you ready to run the risks, the danger, and the hardships of such a +journey under the protection only of this brave Scottish gentleman?" + +"I am ready, mother," Thekla said quickly, "but I wish--I wish"--and she +hesitated. + +"You wish you could go in your own garments, Thekla, with jewels on +your fingers and a white horse to carry you on a pillion behind your +protector," the count said with a smile, for his spirits had risen +with the hope of his daughter's escape from the peril in which she was +placed. "It cannot be, Thekla. Malcolm's plan must be carried out to the +letter, and I doubt not that you will pass well as a 'prentice boy. But +your mother must cut off that long hair of yours; I will keep it, my +child, and will stroke it often and often in my prison as I have done +when it has been on your head; your hair may be long again before I next +see you." + +His eyes filled with tears as he spoke, and Thekla and the countess both +broke into a fit of crying. Leaving them by themselves, Malcolm returned +to his work, and in half an hour had replaced the machinery of the clock +and had set it in motion, while a tender conversation went on between +the count and countess and their daughter. By this time the sun had +set, and the attendant entered and lighted the candles in the apartment, +saying, as she placed one on the table by Malcolm, "You must need a +light for your work." No sooner had she left the room than Malcolm said: + +"I would not hurry your parting, countess, but the sooner we are off now +the better." + +Without a word the countess rose, and, taking the clothes which Malcolm +produced from his doublet, retired to her chamber, followed by Thekla. + +"Malcolm Graheme," the count said, "it may be that we shall not meet +again. The emperor is not tender with obstinate prisoners, and I have no +strength to support long hardships. Should aught happen to me I beseech +you to watch over the happiness of my child. Had she been a year older, +and had you been willing, I would now have solemnly betrothed her to +you, and should then have felt secure of her future whatever may befall +me. Methinks she will make a good wife, and though my estates may be +forfeited by the emperor her mother's lands will make a dowry such as +many a German noble would gladly accept with his wife. + +"I might betroth her to you now, for many girls are betrothed at a far +younger age, but I would rather leave it as it is. You are young yet, +and she in most matters is but a child, and it would be better in every +way did she start on this adventure with you regarding you as a brother +than in any other light. Only remember that if we should not meet again, +and you in future years should seek the woman who is now a child as your +wife, you have my fullest approval and consent--nay, more, that it is my +dearest wish." + +"I thank you most deeply for what you have said, count," Malcolm replied +gravely. "As I have seen your daughter growing up from a child I have +thought how sweet a wife she would make, but I have put the thought from +me, seeing that she is heiress to broad lands and I a Scottish soldier +of fortune, whose lands, though wide enough for me to live in comfort at +home, are yet but a mere farm in comparison with your broad estates. +I have even told myself that as she grew up I must no longer make long +stays in your castle, for it would be dishonourable indeed did I reward +your kindness and hospitality by winning the heart of your daughter; but +after what you have so generously said I need no longer fear my heart, +and will, when the time comes, proudly remind you of your promise. For +this journey I will put all such thoughts aside, and will regard Thekla +as my merry playfellow of the last three years. But after I have once +placed her in safety I shall thenceforward think of her as my wife who +is to be, and will watch over her safety as over my greatest treasure, +trusting that in some happy change of times and circumstances you +yourself and the dear countess, whom I already regard almost as my +parents, will give her to me." + +"So be it," the count said solemnly. "My blessing on you both should +I ne'er see you again. I can meet whatever fate may be before me with +constancy and comfort now that her future is assured--but here they +come." + +The door opened, and the countess appeared, followed by Thekla, +shrinking behind her mother's skirts in her boyish attire. + +"You will pass well," the count said gravely, for he knew that jest now +would jar upon her. "Keep that cap well down over your eyes, and try +and assume a little more of the jaunty and impudent air of a boy. +Fortunately it will be dark below, and the sentry will not be able +to mark how fair is your skin and how delicate your hands. And now +farewell, my child. Let us not stand talking, for the quicker a parting +is over the better. May God in heaven bless you and keep you! Malcolm +knows all my wishes concerning you, and when I am not with you trust +yourself to his advice and guidance as you would to mine. There, my +darling, do not break down. You must be brave for all our sakes. Should +the emperor hold me in durance your mother will try and join you ere +long at Nuremberg." + +While the count was embracing Thekla, as she bravely but in vain tried +to suppress her tears, the countess opened the door, and glanced into +the anteroom to see that all was clear and the attendant in her own +apartment. Then she returned, kissed her daughter fondly, and placed her +hand in Malcolm's, saying to the latter, "God bless you, dear friend! +Take her quickly away for her sake and ours." One last adieu and Malcolm +and Thekla stood alone in the anteroom. + +"Now, Thekla," he said firmly, "be brave, the danger is at hand, and +your safety and escape from your fate, and my life, depend upon your +calmness. Do you carry this basket of tools and play your part as my +apprentice. Just as we open the door drop the basket and I will rate you +soundly for your carelessness. Keep your head down, and do not let the +light which swings over the door fall upon your face." + +For a minute or two Thekla stood struggling to master her emotions. Then +she said, in a quiet voice, "I am ready now," and taking up the basket +of tools she followed Malcolm down the stairs. Malcolm opened the door, +and as he did so Thekla dropped the basket. + +"How stupid you are!" Malcolm exclaimed sharply. "How often have I told +you to be careful! You don't suppose that those fine tools can stand +being knocked about in that way without injury? Another time an' you are +so careless I will give you a taste of the strap, you little rascal." + +"What is all this?" the sentry asked, barring the way with his pike, +"and who are you who are issuing from this house with so much noise? My +orders are that none pass out here without an order from the governor." + +"And such an order have I," Malcolm said, producing the document. +"There's the governor's seal. I have been sent for to repair the clock +in the Count of Mansfeld's apartment, and a rare job it has been." + +The sentry was unable to read, but he looked at the seal which he had +been taught to recognize. + +"But there is only one seal," he said, "and there are two of you." + +"Pooh!" Malcolm said scornfully. "Dost think that when ten persons are +admitted to pass in together the governor puts ten seals on the pass? +You see for yourself that it is but a young boy, my apprentice. Why, the +governor himself left scarce an hour ago, and was in the apartment with +me while I was at work. Had it not been all right he would have hauled +me to the prison quickly enough." + +As the sentry knew that the governor had left but a short time before +he came on guard this convinced him, and, standing aside, he allowed +Malcolm and his companion to pass. Malcolm made his way first to the +apartment he had occupied, where he had already settled for his lodging. + +Leaving Thekla below he ran upstairs, and hastily donned the suit of +peasant's clothes, and then making the others into a bundle descended +again, and with Thekla made his way to the quiet spot outside the city +gates where the wagon was standing ready for a start. He had already +paid the peasant half the sum agreed, and now handed him the remainder. + +"I should scarce have known you," the peasant said, examining Malcolm by +the light of his pinewood torch. "Why, you look like one of us instead +of a city craftsman." + +"I am going to astonish them when I get home," Malcolm said, "and shall +make the old folks a present of the wagon. So I am going to arrive just +as I was when I left them." + +The peasant asked no farther questions, but, handing the torch to +Malcolm, and telling him that he would find half a dozen more in the +wagon, he took his way back to the town, where he intended to sleep in +the stables and to start at daybreak for his home. + +He thought that the transaction was a curious one; but, as he had +been paid handsomely for his wagon, he troubled not his head about any +mystery there might be in the matter. As soon as he had gone Malcolm +arranged the straw in the bottom of the wagon so as to form a bed; but +Thekla said that for the present she would rather walk with him. + +"It is weeks since I have been out, and I shall enjoy walking for a +time; besides, it is all so strange that I should have no chance to +sleep were I to lie down." + +Malcolm at once consented, and taking his place at the head of the oxen, +he started them, walking ahead to light the way and leading them by +cords passed through their nostrils. He had not the least fear of +pursuit for the present, for it had been arranged that the countess +should inform their attendant that Thekla was feeling unwell, and had +retired to bed, and the woman, whatever she might suspect, would +take care not to verify the statement, and it would be well on in the +following morning before her absence was discovered. + +Malcolm tried his best to distract Thekla's thoughts from her parents, +and from the strange situation in which she was placed, and chatted to +her of the events of the war since he had last seen her, of the route +which he intended to adopt, and the prospects of peace. In two hours' +time the girl, unaccustomed to exercise, acknowledged that she was +tired; she therefore took her place in the wagon. + +Malcolm covered her up with straw and threw some sacks lightly over +her, and then continued his journey. He travelled all night, and in the +morning stopped at a wayside inn, where his arrival at that hour excited +no surprise, as the peasants often travelled at night, because there was +then less chance of their carts being seized and requisitioned by the +troops. He only stopped a short time to water and feed the oxen, and +to purchase some black bread and cheese. This he did, not because he +required it, for he had an ample supply of provisions in the cart far +more suited for Thekla's appetite than the peasant's fare, but to act +in the usual manner, and so avoid any comment. Thekla was still asleep +under the covering, which completely concealed her. Malcolm journeyed on +until two miles further he came to a wood, then, drawing aside from the +road, he unyoked the oxen and allowed them to lie down, for they had +already made a long journey. Then he woke Thekla, who leaped up gaily +on finding that it was broad daylight. Breakfast was eaten, and after a +four hours' halt they resumed their way, Thekla taking her place in +the wagon again, and being carefully covered up in such a manner that +a passerby would not suspect that anyone was lying under the straw +and sacks at one end of the wagon. Just at midday Malcolm heard the +trampling of horses behind him and saw a party of cavalry coming along +at full gallop. The leader drew rein when he overtook the wagon. + +"Have you seen anything," he asked Malcolm, "of two seeming craftsmen, a +man and a boy, journeying along the road?" + +Malcolm shook his head. "I have seen no one on foot since I started an +hour since." + +Without a word the soldiers went on. They had no reason, indeed, +for believing that those for whom they were in search had taken that +particular road. As soon as Thekla's disappearance had been discovered +by the waiting woman she had hurried to the governor, and with much +perturbation and many tears informed him that the young countess was +missing, and that her couch had not been slept on. The governor had at +once hurried to the spot. The count and countess resolutely refused to +state what had become of their daughter. + +The sentries had all been strictly questioned, and it was found that the +mender of clocks had, when he left, been accompanied by an apprentice +whom the sentry previously on duty asserted had not entered with him. +The woman was then closely questioned; she asserted stoutly that she +knew nothing whatever of the affair. The count had commissioned her to +obtain a craftsman to set the clock in order, and she had bethought her +of a young man whose acquaintance she had made some time previously, and +who had informed her in the course of conversation that he had come +from Nuremberg, and was a clockmaker by trade, and was at present out of +work. She had met him, she said, on several occasions, and as he was a +pleasant youth and comely, when he had spoken to her of marriage she +had not been averse, now it was plain he had deceived her; and here she +began to cry bitterly and loudly. + +Her story seemed probable enough, for any friend of the count who +had intended to carry off his daughter would naturally have begun by +ingratiating himself with her attendant. She was, however, placed in +confinement for a time. The count and countess were at once removed +to the fortress. Orders were given that the town should be searched +thoroughly, and any person answering to the description which the +governor was able to give of the supposed clockmaker should be arrested, +while parties of horse were despatched along all the roads with orders +to arrest and bring to Prague any craftsman or other person accompanied +by a young boy whom they might overtake by the way. Several innocent +peasants with their sons were pounced upon on the roads and hauled to +Prague; but no news was obtained of the real fugitives, who quietly +pursued their way undisturbed further by the active search which was +being made for them. The anger of the emperor when he heard of the +escape of the prize he had destined for one of his favourite officers +was extreme. He ordered the count to be treated with the greatest +rigour, and declared all his estates and those of his wife forfeited, +the latter part of the sentence being at present inoperative, her +estates being in a part of the country far beyond the range of the +Imperialist troops. The waiting maid was after some weeks' detention +released, as there was no evidence whatever of her complicity in the +affair. + +Malcolm continued his journey quietly towards the frontier of Bavaria; +but, on arriving at a small town within a few miles of Pilsen, he +learned that Wallenstein had fallen back with his army to that place. +Much alarmed at the news he determined to turn off by a cross road and +endeavour to avoid the Imperialists. He had not, however, left the place +before a party of Imperialist horse rode in. + +Malcolm was at once stopped, and was told that he must accompany the +troops to Pilsen, as they had orders to requisition all carts for the +supply of provisions for the army. Malcolm knew that it was of no use to +remonstrate, but, with many loud grumblings at his hard lot, he moved to +the marketplace, where he remained until all the wagons in the place and +in the surrounding country had been collected. + +Loud and bitter were the curses which the peasants uttered at finding +themselves taken from their homes and compelled to perform service for +which the pay, if received at all, would be scanty in the extreme. There +was, however, no help for it; and when all were collected they started +in a long procession guarded by the cavalry for Pilsen. On arriving +there they were ordered to take up their station with the great train of +wagons collected for the supply of the army. + +Thekla had from her hiding place heard the conversation, and was +greatly alarmed at finding that they were again in the power of the +Imperialists. No one, however, approached the wagon, and it was not +until darkness had set in that she heard Malcolm's voice whispering to +her to arise quietly. + +"We must leave the wagon; it will be impossible for you to remain +concealed here longer, for tomorrow I may be sent out to bring in +supplies. For the present we must remain in Pilsen. The whole country +will be scoured by the troops, and it will not be safe to traverse the +roads. Here in Pilsen no one will think of looking for us. + +"Wallenstein's headquarters are the last place where we should be +suspected of hiding, and you may be sure that, however close the search +may be elsewhere, the governor of Prague will not have thought of +informing Wallenstein of an affair so foreign to the business of war as +the escape from the emperor's clutches of a young lady. I have donned my +craftsman dress again, and we will boldly seek for lodgings." + +They soon entered the town, which was crowded with troops, searching +about in the poorer quarters. + +Malcolm presently found a woman who agreed to let him two rooms. He +accounted for his need for the second room by saying that his young +brother was ill and needed perfect rest and quiet, and that the filing +and hammering which was necessary in his craft prevented the lad from +sleeping. As Malcolm agreed at once to the terms she asked for the +rooms, the woman accepted his statement without doubt. They were soon +lodged in two attics at the top of the house, furnished only with a +table, two chairs, and a truckle bed in each; but Malcolm was well +contented with the shelter he had found. + +Seeing that it would be extremely difficult at present to journey +further, he determined to remain some little time in the town, thinking +that he might be able to carry out the instructions which he had +received from Colonel Munro, and to obtain information as to the plans +of Wallenstein and the feelings of the army. + +"You will have to remain a prisoner here, Thekla, I am afraid, almost +as strictly as at Prague, for it would not do to risk the discovery that +you are a girl by your appearing in the streets in daylight, and after +dark the streets of the town, occupied by Wallenstein's soldiers, are no +place for any peaceful persons. + +"I may as well be here as at Nuremberg," Thekla said, "and as I shall +have you with me instead of being with strangers, the longer we stay +here the better." + +The next morning Malcolm sallied out into the town to see if he could +find employment. There was, however, but one clockmaker in Pilsen, +and the war had so injured his trade that he had discharged all his +journeymen, for clocks were still comparatively rare luxuries, and were +only to be seen in the houses of nobles and rich citizens. Knowing that +Wallenstein was devoted to luxury and magnificence, always taking with +him, except when making the most rapid marches, a long train of baggage +and furniture, Malcolm thought it possible that he might obtain some +employment in his apartments. He accordingly went boldly to the castle +where the duke had established himself, and, asking for his steward, +stated that he was a clockmaker from the workshop of the celebrated +horologist, Master Jans Boerhoff, and could repair any clocks or watches +that might be out of order. + +"Then you are the very man we need," the steward said. "My master, the +duke, is curious in such matters, and ever carries with him some half +dozen clocks with his other furniture; and, use what care I will in +packing them, the shaking of the wagons is constantly putting them +out of repair. It was but this morning the duke told me to bring a +craftsman, if one capable of the work could be found in the town, and +to get the clocks put in order, for it displeases him if they do not all +keep the time to the same minute. Follow me." + +He led the way into the private apartments of the duke. These were +magnificently furnished, the walls being covered with rich velvet +hangings. Thick carpets brought from the East covered the floors. +Indeed, in point of luxury and magnificence, Wallenstein kept up a state +far surpassing that of his Imperial master. + +There were several clocks standing on tables and on brackets, for +Wallenstein, although in most respects of a clear and commanding +intellect, was a slave to superstition. He was always accompanied by an +astrologer, who read for him the course of events from the movements of +the stars, who indicated the lucky and unlucky days, and the hours at +which it was not propitious to transact important business. Hence it +was that he placed so great an importance on the exact observance of the +hour by his numerous time pieces. + +"Here are some of the clocks," the steward said, indicating them. "Of +course you cannot work here, and they are too heavy to be removed, +besides being too costly to intrust out of my charge, I will have a room +prepared in the castle where you can work. Come again at noon with your +tools, and all shall be in readiness." + +At the hour appointed Malcolm again presented himself. + +"The duke has given personal instructions," he said, "that a closet +close by shall be fitted up for you, in order that he himself if he +chooses may see you at work." + +Malcolm was conducted to a small room near at hand. Here one of the +clocks which had stopped had been placed on the table, and he at once +set to work. He soon discovered that one of the wheels had been shaken +from its place by the jolting of the wagons, and that the clock could be +set going by a few minutes work. As, however, his object was to prolong +his visit to the castle as long as possible, he set to work and took it +entirely to pieces. Two hours later the door opened and a tall handsome +man of commanding presence entered. Malcolm rose and bowed respectfully, +feeling that he was in the presence of the great general. + +"You come from Nuremberg," Wallenstein said, "as I am told, and have +learned your craft in the workshop of Master Jans Boerhoff, who is well +known as being the greatest master of his craft." + +Malcolm bowed silently. + +"It is strange," Wallenstein muttered to himself, "that this young man's +destiny should be connected with mine; and yet the astrologer said that +he who should present himself at the castle nearest to the stroke of +nine this morning would be a factor in my future, and, as my steward +tells me, the clock sounded nine as this young man addressed him." He +then asked Malcolm several questions as to the work upon which he was +engaged, and then said abruptly: "Dost know the day and hour on which +you were born?" + +Malcolm was somewhat surprised at the question, for he had not heard the +muttered words of Wallenstein, but he at once replied that he had heard +that he was born at the stroke of midnight on the last day in the year. + +The duke said no more, but left the closet and proceeded at once to an +apartment near his own bed chamber, which, although he had arrived but +a few hours previously, had already been fitted up for the use of his +astrologer. The walls were hidden by a plain hanging of scarlet cloth; +a large telescope stood at the window, a chart of the heavens was spread +out on the table, and piles of books stood beside it. On the ceiling the +signs of the zodiac had been painted, and some mystical circles had been +marked out on the floor. A tall spare old man with a long white beard +was seated at the table. He rose when Wallenstein entered. + +"I cannot but think," the duke said, "that your calculations must for +once have been mistaken, and that there must have been an error in the +hour, for I see not how the destiny of this craftsman, who seems to be a +simple lad, can in any way be connected with mine." + +"I have made the calculation three times, your grace," the old man +replied, "and am sure there is no error." + +"He was born," Wallenstein said, "at midnight on December 31st, 1613. +Work out his nativity, and see what stars were in the ascendant, and +whether there are any affinities between us." + +"I will do so at once," the astrologer said; "by tonight I shall be able +to give your grace the information you require." + +"Tonight," the duke said, "we will go over your calculations together +as to our great enterprise. It is all important that there should be no +mistake. I have for a whole year remained inactive because you told +me that the time had not yet come, and now that you say the propitious +moment is approaching would fain be sure that no error has been +committed. All seems well, the troops are devoted to me, and will +fight against whomsoever I bid them. By lavish gifts and favours I have +attached all my generals firmly to me, and soon this ungrateful emperor +shall feel how rash and foolish he has been to insult the man to whom +alone he owes it that he was not long ago a fugitive and an exile, with +the Swedes victorious masters of his capital and kingdom. + +"Have not I alone saved him? Did not I at my own cost raise an army and +stand between him and the victorious Gustavus? Have not I alone of all +his generals checked the triumphant progress of the invaders? And yet +he evades all his promises, he procrastinates and falters. Not one step +does he take to give me the sovereignty of Bohemia which he so solemnly +promised me, and seems to think that it is honour and reward enough for +me to have spent my treasure and blood in his service. But my turn is at +hand, and when the hand which saved his throne shall cast him from it +he will learn how rash he has been to have deceived and slighted me. +And you say that the stars last night all pointed to a favourable +conjunction, and that the time for striking the great blow is at hand?" + +"Nothing could be better," the astrologer said; "Jupiter, your own +planet, and Mars are in the ascendant. Saturn is still too near them to +encourage instant action, but he will shortly remove to another house +and then your time will have come." + +"So be it," Wallenstein said, "and the sooner the better. Now I will +leave you to your studies, and will ride out to inspect the troops, and +to see that they have all that they need, for they must be kept in the +best of humours at present." + + + +CHAPTER XXII THE CONSPIRACY + + +The next day Wallenstein again entered Malcolm's workroom and said +abruptly to him: "What deeds of bravery have you performed?" + +Malcolm looked astonished. + +"In an idle moment," the duke said, "having an interest in nativities +and seeing that you were born between two years, I asked my astrologer +to work out the calculations. He tells me that it was fated that you +should perform deeds of notable bravery while still young. It seemed +the horoscope of a soldier rather than of a craftsman, and so I told the +sage; but he will have it that he has made no mistake." + +Malcolm hesitated for a moment; the blind faith which the otherwise +intelligent and capable general placed in the science of astrology was +well known to the world. Should he deny that he had accomplished any +feats, the duke, believing implicitly the statement which his astrologer +had made him, would suspect that he was not what he seemed; he therefore +replied modestly, "I have done no deeds worthy relating to your +excellency, but I once swam across a swollen river to direct some +travellers who would otherwise have perished, and my neighbours were +good enough to say that none in those parts save myself would have +attempted such a feat." + +"Ah!" the duke exclaimed in a tone of satisfaction, "as usual the stars +have spoken correctly. Doubtless as great courage is required to swim a +river in flood as to charge into the ranks of the enemy." + +So saying Wallenstein left the room, filled with a desire to attach to +himself the young man whom his adviser had assured him was in some +way connected with his destiny. Wallenstein a day or two later offered +Malcolm to take him into his permanent service, saying that he was +frequently plagued by the stoppages of his clocks, and desired to have +a craftsman capable of attending to them on his establishment. He even +told the young man that he might expect promotion altogether beyond his +present station. + +Malcolm could not refuse so flattering an offer, and was at once +installed as a member of Wallenstein's household, declining however the +use of the apartment which the steward offered him, saying that he had a +sick brother lodging with him in the town. Mingling with the soldiers in +the evenings Malcolm learned that there were rumours that negotiations +for peace were going on with Saxony and Sweden. This was indeed the +case, but Wallenstein was negotiating on his own behalf, and not on that +of the emperor. So far but little had come of these negotiations, for +Oxenstiern had the strongest doubts of Wallenstein's sincerity, and +believed that he was only trying to gain time and delay operations +by pretended proposals for peace. He could not believe that the great +Imperialist general, the right hand of the emperor, had any real +intention of turning against his master. Towards the end of January +there was some excitement in Pilsen owing to the arrival there of all +the generals of the Imperialist army save only Gallas, Coloredo, and +Altringer. + +Malcolm was sure that such a gathering could only have been summoned +by Wallenstein upon some matter of the most vital importance, and he +determined at all hazards to learn what was taking place, in order that +he might enlighten Oxenstiern as to the real sentiments of the duke. +Learning that the principal chamber in the castle had been cleared, and +that a meeting of the officers would take place there in the evening, he +told Thekla when he went home to his meal at midday that she must not be +surprised if he did not return until a late hour. He continued his work +until nearly six o'clock, the time at which the meeting was to begin, +and then extinguishing his light, he made his way through the passages +of the castle until he reached the council chamber, meeting with no +interruption from the domestics, who were by this time familiar with his +person, and who regarded him as one rising in favour with their master. +He waited in the vicinity of the chamber until he saw an opportunity for +entering unobserved, then he stole into the room and secreted himself +behind the arras beneath a table standing against the wall, and where, +being in shadow, the bulge in the hanging would not attract attention. + +In a few minutes he heard heavy steps with the clanking of swords and +jingling of spurs, and knew that the council was beginning to assemble. +The hum of conversation rose louder and louder for a quarter of an +hour; then he heard the door of the apartment closed, and knew that the +council was about to commence. The buzz of conversation ceased, and then +a voice, which was that of Field Marshal Illo, one of the three men in +Wallenstein's confidence, rose in the silence. He began by laying before +the army the orders which the emperor had sent for its dispersal to +various parts of the country, and by the turn he gave to these he found +it easy to excite the indignation of the assembly. + +He then expatiated with much eloquence upon the merits of the army +and its generals, and upon the ingratitude with which the emperor had +treated them after their noble efforts in his behalf. The court, he +said, was governed by Spanish influence. The ministry were in the pay of +Spain. Wallenstein alone had hitherto opposed this tyranny, and had thus +drawn upon himself the deadly enmity of the Spaniards. To remove him +from the command, or to make away with him entirely, had, he asserted, +been long the end of their desires, and until they could succeed they +endeavoured to abridge his power in the field. The supreme command was +to be placed in the hands of the King of Hungary solely to promote +the Spanish power in Germany, as this prince was merely the passive +instrument of Spain. + +It was only with the view of weakening the army that six thousand troops +were ordered to be detached from it, and solely to harass it by a winter +campaign that they were now called upon at this inhospitable season +to undertake the recovery of Ratisbon. The Jesuits and the ministry +enriched themselves with the treasure wrung from the provinces, and +squandered the money intended for the pay of the troops. + +The general, then, abandoned by the court, was forced to acknowledge +his inability to keep his engagements to the army. For all the services +which for two-and-twenty years he had rendered to the house of Austria, +in return for all the difficulties with which he had struggled, for all +the treasures of his own which he had expended in the Imperial service, +a second disgraceful dismissal awaited him. But he was resolved the +matter should not come to this; he was determined voluntarily to resign +the command before it should be wrested from his hands, "and this," +continued the speaker, "is what he has summoned you here to make known +to you, and what he has commissioned me to inform you." + +It was now for them to say whether they would permit him to leave them; +it was for each man present to consider who was to repay him the sums +he had expended in the emperor's service; how he was ever to reap the +rewards for his bravery and devotion, when the chief who alone was +cognizant of their efforts, who was their sole advocate and champion, +was removed from them. + +When the speaker concluded a loud cry broke from all the officers that +they would not permit Wallenstein to be taken from them. Then a babel +of talk arose, and after much discussion four of the officers were +appointed as a deputation to wait upon the duke to assure him of the +devotion of the army, and to beg him not to withdraw himself from +them. The four officers intrusted with the commission left the room and +repaired to the private chamber of the general. They returned in a short +time, saying that the duke refused to yield. + +Another deputation was sent to pray him in even stronger terms to remain +with them. These returned with the news that Wallenstein had reluctantly +yielded to their request; but upon the condition that each of them +should give a written promise to truly and firmly adhere to him, neither +to separate or to allow himself to be separated from him, and to +shed his last drop of blood in his defence. Whoever should break this +covenant, so long as Wallenstein should employ the army in the emperor's +service, was to be regarded as a perfidious traitor and to be treated by +the rest as a common enemy. + +As these last words appeared to indicate clearly that Wallenstein had no +thought of assuming a position hostile to the emperor, or of defying his +authority, save in the point of refusing to be separated from his army, +all present agreed with acclamations to sign the documents required. + +"Then, gentlemen," Marshal Illo said, "I will have the document for your +signatures at once drawn up. A banquet has been prepared in the next +room, of which I invite you now all to partake, and at its conclusion +the document shall be ready." + +Malcolm from his hiding place heard the general movement as the officers +left the apartment, and looking cautiously out from beneath the arras, +saw that the chamber was entirely empty. He determined, however, to +remain and to hear the conclusion of the conference. He accordingly +remained quiet for upwards of an hour. During this time the attendants +had entered and extinguished the lights, as the guests would not return +to the council chamber. + +He now left his hiding place and made his way to the door which +separated him from the banqueting hall. Listening intently at the +keyhole, he heard the clinking of glasses and the sound of voices loudly +raised, and he guessed that the revelry was at its height. More and more +noisy did it become, for Marshal Illo was plying his guests with wine in +order that they might sign without examination the document which he had +prepared for their signatures. Feeling confident that none would hear +him in the state at which they had now arrived, Malcolm cautiously +opened the door an inch or two, and was able to hear and see all that +passed. + +It was another hour before Marshal Illo produced the document and passed +it round for signature. Many of those to whom it was handed signed it +at once without reading the engagement; but one more sober than the +rest insisted on reading it through, and at once rising to his feet, +announced to the others that the important words "as long as Wallenstein +shall employ the army for the emperor's service," which had been +inserted in the first draft agreed to by Wallenstein and the deputation, +had been omitted. + +A scene of noisy confusion ensued. Several of the officers declared that +they would not sign the document as it stood. General Piccolomini, who +had only attended the meeting in order that he might inform the emperor, +to whom he was devoted, of what took place there, had drunk so much wine +that he forgot the part he was playing, and rose to his feet and with +drunken gravity proposed the health of the emperor. + +Louder and louder grew the din of tongues until Count Terzky, who was +alone with Illo and Colonel Kinsky in Wallenstein's confidence, arose, +and in a thundering voice declared that all were perjured villains +who should recede from their engagement, and would, according to their +agreements be treated as enemies by the rest. His menaces and the +evident danger which any who might now draw back would run, overcame the +scruples of the recalcitrants, and all signed the paper. This done +the meeting broke up, and Malcolm, stealing away from his post of +observation, made his way back to his lodgings. + +He slept little that night. What he had seen convinced him that +Wallenstein was really in earnest in the propositions which he had made +to Oxenstiern and the Elector of Saxony, and that he meditated an +open rebellion against the emperor. It was of extreme importance that +Oxenstiern should be made acquainted with these facts; but it would +be next to impossible to escape from Pilsen, burdened as he was with +Thekla, and to cross the country which intervened between the two armies +and which was constantly traversed by cavalry parties and scouts of both +sides. + +After much deliberation, therefore, he determined upon the bold course +of frankly informing Wallenstein who he was and what he had heard, and +to beg of him to furnish him with an escort to pass through the lines in +order that he might make his way with all speed to Oxenstiern in order +to assure him of the good faith of the duke and of the importance of +his frankly and speedily accepting his proposals. It was possible, of +course, that he might fall a victim to Wallenstein's first anger when he +found out that he had been duped, and the plot in which he was engaged +discovered; but he resolved to run the risk, believing that the duke +would see the advantage to be gained by complying with his proposal. + +It was necessary, however, to prepare Thekla for the worst. + +"Thekla," he said in the morning, "an end has come to our stay here. +Circumstances have occurred which will either enable us to continue our +journey at once and in safety or which may place me in a prison." + +Thekla gave a cry of surprise and terror. "I do not think, my dear +girl," Malcolm went on, "that there is much fear of the second +alternative, but we must be prepared for it. You must obey my +instructions implicitly. Should I not return by nightfall you will know +that for a time at least I have been detained. You will tell the woman +of the house, who is aware that I am employed by Wallenstein, that I +have been sent by him to examine and set in order the clocks in his +palace in Vienna in readiness for his return there, but that as you were +too unwell to travel I have bade you remain here until I return to fetch +you. + +"You have an ample supply of money even without the purse of gold which +the duke presented to me yesterday. You must remain here quietly until +the spring, when the tide of war is sure to roll away to some other +quarter, and I trust that, long ere that, even should I be detained, +I shall be free to come to you again; but if not, do you then despatch +this letter which I have written for you to Jans Boerhoff. In this +I tell him where you are, in order that, if your mother comes to him +asking for you, or your parents are able to write to him to inquire for +you, he may inform them of your hiding place. I have also written you a +letter to the commander of any Swedish force which may enter this town, +telling him who you are, and praying him to forward you under an escort +to Nuremberg." + +"But what shall I do without you?" Thekla sobbed. + +"I trust, my dear, that you will not have to do without me, and +feel convinced that tomorrow we shall be upon our way to the Swedish +outposts. I only give you instructions in case of the worst. It troubles +me terribly that I am forced to do anything which may possibly deprive +you of my protection, but my duty to the country I serve compels me to +take this step, which is one of supreme importance to our cause." + +It was long before Thekla was pacified, and Malcolm himself was +deeply troubled at the thought that the girl might be left alone and +unprotected in a strange place. Still there appeared every probability +that she would be able to remain there in safety until an opportunity +should occur for her to make her way to Nuremberg. It was with a heavy +heart, caused far more by the thought of Thekla's position than of +danger to himself, that he took his way to the castle; but he felt that +his duty was imperative, and was at heart convinced that Wallenstein +would eagerly embrace his offer. + +It was not until midday that he was able to see the duke. Wallenstein +had been greatly angered as well as alarmed at the resistance which his +scheme had met with on the previous evening. He had believed that his +favours and liberality had so thoroughly attached his generals to +his person that they would have followed him willingly and without +hesitation, even in a war against the emperor, and the discovery that, +although willing to support him against deprivation from his command, +they shrunk alarmed at the idea of disloyalty to the emperor, showed +that his position was dangerous in the extreme. + +He found that the signatures to the document had for the most part been +scrawled so illegibly that the writers would be able to repudiate them +if necessary, and that deceit was evidently intended. In the morning he +called together the whole of the generals, and personally received them. +After pouring out the bitterest reproaches and abuse against the court, +he reminded them of their opposition to the proposition set before them +on the previous evening, and declared that this circumstance had induced +him to retract his own promise, and that he should at once resign his +command. + +The generals, in confusion and dismay, withdrew to the antechamber, and +after a short consultation returned to offer their apologies for their +conduct on the previous evening and to offer to sign anew the engagement +which bound them to him. This was done, and it now remained only for +Wallenstein to obtain the adhesion of Gallas, Altringer, and Coloredo, +which, as they held important separate commands, was necessary for the +success of his plan. Messengers were accordingly sent out at once to +request them to come instantly to Pilsen. + +After this business was despatched and Wallenstein was disengaged he was +informed that Malcolm desired earnestly to speak to him on particular +business. Greatly surprised at the request, he ordered that he should be +shown in to him. + +"Your excellency," Malcolm began when they were alone, "what I am about +to say may anger you, but as I trust that much advantage may arise from +my communication, I implore you to restrain your anger until you hear me +to the end, after which it will be for you to do with me as you will." + +Still more surprised at this commencement, Wallenstein signed to him to +continue. + +"I am, sir," Malcolm went on, "no clockmaker, although, indeed, having +worked for some time in the shop of Master Jans Boerhoff at the time of +the siege of Nuremberg, I am able to set clocks and watches in repair, +as I have done to those which have been placed in my hands here. In +reality, sir, I am a Scottish officer, a captain in the service of +Sweden." + +Wallenstein gave a short exclamation of angry surprise. "You must not +think, sir, that I have come hither in disguise to be a spy upon the +movements of your army. I came here unwillingly, being captured by your +troops, and forced to accompany them. + +"I left the Swedish camp on a private mission, having received there a +missive from the Countess of Mansfeld, who, with her husband, was a kind +friend of mine, telling me that they were prisoners of the emperor at +Prague, and begging me to come to their assistance. Bethinking me of +the occupation which had amused my leisure hours during the weary months +when we were shut up by you in Nuremberg, I obtained leave of absence, +attired myself as a craftsman, and made my way to Prague. There I found +the count confined to his couch by a wound and unable to move. The +countess had no thought of quitting him. Her anxiety was wholly for her +daughter, a girl of fifteen, whom the emperor purposed to shut up in a +convent and force to change her religion, and then to bestow her hand +upon one of his favourites, with her father's confiscated estates as her +dowry. + +"I succeeded in effecting her escape, disguised as a boy; I myself +travelling in the disguise of a peasant with a wagon. We were making our +way towards the Swedish lines when we came across your army, which had, +unknown to me, suddenly moved hither. I and my cart were requisitioned +for the service of the army. On the night of my arrival here I resumed +my disguise as a craftsman, left my wagon, and with my young companion +took up my lodging here, intending to remain quietly working at the +craft I assumed until an opportunity offered for continuing our journey. +Accident obtained me employment here, and as rumour said that overtures +for peace were passing between yourself and the Swedish chancellor, +I may frankly say that I determined to use the position in which I +accidentally found myself for the benefit of the country I served, by +ascertaining, if I could, how far your excellency was in earnest as +to the offers you were making. In pursuance of that plan I yesterday +concealed myself and overheard all that passed in the council chamber +with the officers, and at the banquet subsequently." + +Wallenstein leapt to his feet with an angry exclamation. + +"Your excellency will please to remember," Malcolm went on quietly, +"that I could have kept all this to myself and used it to the benefit or +detriment of your excellency, but it seemed to me that I should benefit +at once your designs and the cause I serve by frankly acquainting you +with what I have discovered. It would be a work of time for me to make +my way with my companion through the lines of your army and to gain +those of the Swedes. I might be slain in so doing and the important +information I have acquired lost. + +"It is of all things important to you that the Swedish chancellor, whose +nature is cautious and suspicious, should be thoroughly convinced that +it is your intention to make common cause with him and to join him heart +and soul in forcing the emperor to accept the conditions which you and +he united may impose upon him. This the information I have acquired will +assuredly suffice to do, and he will, without doubt, at once set his +army in motion to act in concert with yours." + +Wallenstein paced the room for a minute or two in silence. + +"The stars truly said that you are a brave man and that your destiny is +connected with mine," he said at length, "for assuredly none but a brave +man would venture to tell me that he had spied into my councils. I see, +however, that what you say is reasonable and cogent, and that the news +you have to tell may well induce Oxenstiern to lay aside the doubts +which have so long kept us asunder and at once to embrace my offer. +What, then, do you propose?" + +"I would ask, sir," Malcolm replied, "that you would at once order a +squadron of horse to escort me and my companion through the debatable +land between your army and that of the Swedes, with orders for us +to pass freely on as soon as we are beyond your outposts and in the +neighbourhood of those of the Swedes." + +"It shall be done," Wallenstein said. "In half an hour a squadron of +horse shall be drawn up in the courtyard here, and a horse and pillion +in readiness for yourself and the maiden. In the meantime I will myself +prepare a letter for you to present to the Swedish chancellor with fresh +proposals for common action." + + + +CHAPTER XXIII THE MURDER OF WALLENSTEIN + + +Malcolm hurried back to his lodging, where he was received with a cry +of delight from Thekla, who had passed the time since he had left her on +her knees praying for his safety. He told her at once that she was about +to be restored to safety among friends, that her troubles were at an +end, and she was again to resume her proper garments which she had +brought with her in the basket containing his tools at the time of her +flight. + +A few minutes sufficed to make the change, and then she accompanied +Malcolm to the castle. Wallenstein's orders had been rapidly carried +out; a squadron of cavalry were formed up in the courtyard, and in front +of them an attendant held a horse with a pillion behind the saddle. +Malcolm lifted Thekla on to the pillion and sprang into the saddle in +front of her. One of Wallenstein's household handed a letter to him and +then gave him into the charge of the officer commanding the squadron, +who had already received his orders. The officer at once gave the word +and rode from the castle followed by the cavalry. + +As soon as they were out of the town the pace was quickened, and the +cavalcade proceeded at a trot which was kept up with few intermissions +until nightfall, by which time twenty miles had been covered. They +halted for the night in a small town where the soldiers were billeted +on the inhabitants, comfortable apartments being assigned to Malcolm and +his charge. + +Soon after daybreak the journey was continued. A sharp watch was now +kept up, as at any moment parties of the Swedish cavalry making a raid +far in advance of their lines might be met with. No such adventure +happened, and late in the afternoon the troop halted on the crest of a +low hill. + +"Here," the officer said, "we part. That town which you see across +the river is held by the Swedes, and you will certainly meet with no +molestation from any of our side as you ride down to it." + +Malcolm thanked the officer for the courtesy he had shown him on the +journey, and then rode forward towards the town. It was getting dusk as +he neared the bridge, but as he came close Malcolm's heart gave a bound +as he recognized the green scarves and plumes worn by the sentries at +the bridge. These seeing only a single horseman with a female behind +him did not attempt to question him as he passed; but he reined in his +horse. + +"Whose regiment do you belong to?" he asked. + +The men looked up in surprise at being addressed in their own language +by one whose attire was that of a simple craftsman, but whom they now +saw rode a horse of great strength and beauty. + +"We belong to Hamilton's regiment," they replied. + +"And where shall I find that of Munro?" + +"It is lying in quarters fifteen miles away," one of the soldiers +answered. + +"Then we cannot get on there tonight," Malcolm said. "Where are your +officers quartered?" + +A soldier standing near at once volunteered to act as guide, and in a +few minutes Malcolm arrived at the house occupied by them. He was +of course personally known to all the officers, and as soon as their +surprise at his disguise and at seeing him accompanied by a young lady +had subsided, they received him most heartily. + +Thekla was at once taken to the house of the burgomaster, which was +close at hand, and handed over to the wife of that functionary for the +night, and Malcolm spent a merry evening with the Scottish officers, +to whom he related the adventures which had so satisfactorily +terminated--making, however, no allusion to the political secrets which +he had discovered or the mission with which he was charged. He was soon +furnished from the wardrobes of the officers with a suit of clothes, +and although his craftsman attire had served him well he was glad to don +again the uniform of the Scottish brigade. + +"You have cut your narrative strangely short at the end, Graheme," +Colonel Hamilton said when Malcolm brought his story to a conclusion. +"How did you get away from Pilsen at last, and from whom did you steal +that splendid charger on whom you rode up to the door?" + +"That is not my own secret, colonel, and I can only tell you at present +that Wallenstein himself gave it to me." + +A roar of incredulous laughter broke from the officers round the table. + +"A likely story indeed, Graheme; the duke was so fascinated with your +talents as a watchmaker that he bestowed a charger fit for his own +riding upon you to carry you across into our lines." + +"It does not sound likely, I grant you," Malcolm said, "but it is true, +as you will acknowledge when the time comes that there will be no longer +any occasion for me to keep the circumstances secret. I only repeat, +Wallenstein gave me the honour of an escort which conducted me to the +crest of the hill two miles away, where, if your sentries and outposts +had been keeping their eyes open, they might have seen them." + +It was late before the party broke up, but soon after daylight Malcolm +was again in the saddle, and with Thekla as before on the pillion he +continued his journey, and in three hours reached the town where his +regiment was quartered. + +Alighting at the door of the colonel's quarters, he led Thekla to his +apartments. The colonel received him with the greatest cordiality and +welcomed Thekla with a kindness which soon put her at her ease, for +now that the danger was past she was beginning to feel keenly the +strangeness of her position. + +She remembered Colonel Munro perfectly, as he and the other officers of +the regiment had been frequently at her father's during the stay of the +regiment at Maintz. The colonel placed her at once in charge of the +wife of one of the principal citizens, who upon hearing that she was the +daughter of the Count of Mansfeld, well known for his attachment to the +Protestant cause, willingly received her, and offered to retain her +as her guest until an opportunity should occur for sending her on to +Nuremberg, should Malcolm not be able at once to continue his journey to +that city. + +"That," Colonel Munro said as soon as Malcolm informed him of the +extremely important information he had gained, "is out of the question. +Your news is of supreme importance, it alters the whole course of +events, and offers hopes of an early termination of the struggle. There +is no doubt that Wallenstein is in earnest now, for he has committed +himself beyond reparation. The only question is whether he can carry the +army with him. However, it is clear that you must ride with all haste +to Oxenstiern with your tidings; not a moment must be lost. He is in the +Palatinate, and it will take you four days of hard riding at the least +to reach him. + +"In the meantime, your little maid, who by the way is already nearly a +woman, had best remain here--I will see that she is comfortable and well +cared for, and after all she is as well here as at Nuremberg, as there +is no fear now of an advance of the Imperialists. In case of anything +extraordinary occurring which might render this town an unsafe abiding +place, I will forward her in safety to Nuremberg, even I if I have to +detach a score of my men as her escort." + +Before mounting again Malcolm paid a hurried visit to Thekla, who +expressed her contentment with her new abode, and her readiness to stay +there until he should return to take her to Nuremberg, even should it be +weeks before he could do so. + +"I quite feel among friends now," she said, "and Colonel Munro and your +Scotch officers will, I am sure, take good care of me till you return." + +Glad to feel that his charge was left in good hands Malcolm mounted +his horse with a light heart and galloped away. Four days later he was +closeted with the Swedish chancellor, and relating to him the scene in +the castle at Pilsen. When he had finished his narrative Oxenstiern, who +had, before Malcolm began, read the letter which Wallenstein had sent +him, said: + +"After what you tell me there can be no longer the slightest doubts of +Wallenstein's intention. Ever since the death of the king he has been +negotiating privately with me, but I could not believe that he was +in earnest or that such monstrous treachery was possible. How could I +suppose that he who has been raised from the rank of a simple gentleman +to that of a duke and prince, and who, save the fortunes which he +obtained with his wives, owes everything to the bounty of the emperor, +could be preparing to turn his arms against him?" + +"It is true that he has done great things for Ferdinand, but his +ambition is even greater than his military talent. Any other man would +have been content with the enormous possessions and splendid dignity +which he has attained, and which in fact render him far richer than his +Imperial master; but to be a prince does not suffice for him. He has +been promised a kingdom, but even that is insufficient for his ambition. +It is clear that he aims to dethrone the emperor and to set himself up +in his place; however, his ingratitude does not concern me, it suffices +now that at any rate he is sincere, and that a happy issue out of the +struggle opens before us henceforth. + +"I can trust him thoroughly; but though he has the will to join us has +he the power? Wallenstein, with his generals and his army fighting for +the emperor, is a mighty personage, but Wallenstein a rebel is another +altogether. By what you tell me it seems more than doubtful whether his +officers will follow him; and although his army is attached to him, and +might follow him could he put himself at its head, it is scattered in +its cantonments, and each section will obey the orders which the general +in its command may give. + +"Probably some of those who signed the document, pledging their fidelity +to Wallenstein, have already sent news to the emperor of what is being +done. It is a strange situation and needs great care; the elements are +all uncertain. Wallenstein writes to me as if he were assured of the +allegiance of the whole of his army, and speaks unquestionably of his +power to overthrow the emperor; but the man is clearly blinded by his +ambition and infatuated by his fixed belief in the stars. However, one +thing is certain, he and as much of his army as he can hold in hand are +now our allies, and I must lose no time in moving such troops as are +most easily disposable to his assistance. + +"I will send to Saxony and urge the elector to put in motion a force to +support him, and Duke Bernhard shall move with a division of our troops. +I will at once pen a despatch to Wallenstein, accepting his alliance and +promising him active aid as soon as possible. + +"What say you, young sir? You have shown the greatest circumspection +and ability in this affair. Will you undertake to carry my despatch? +You must not travel as a Scottish officer, for if there are any traitors +among the officers of Wallenstein they will assuredly endeavour to +intercept any despatches which may be passing between us in order to +send them to the emperor as proofs of the duke's guilt." + +"I will undertake the task willingly, sir," Malcolm replied, "and doubt +not that I shall be able to penetrate to him in the same disguise which +I before wore. When I once reach him is your wish that I should remain +near him, or that I should at once return?" + +"It were best that you should remain for a time," the chancellor said. +"You may be able to send me news from time to time of what is passing +around the duke. Before you start, you shall be supplied with an +ample amount of money to pay messengers to bring your reports to me. +Wallenstein hardly appears to see the danger of his situation; but you +will be more clear sighted. It is a strange drama which is being played, +and may well terminate in a tragedy. At any rate the next month will +decide what is to come of these strange combinations." + +The horse on which Malcolm had ridden was knocked up from the speed at +which he had travelled, and, ordering it to be carefully tended till his +return, he obtained a fresh horse and again set out. He made the journey +at the same speed at which he had before passed over the ground, and +paused for a few hours only at Amberg, where he found Thekla well and +comfortable, and quite recovered from the effects of her journeys and +anxiety. She received him with delight; but her joy was dashed when she +found that, instead of returning to remain with his regiment, as she had +hoped, he was only passing through on another mission. + +At Amberg he again laid aside his uniform and donned his costume as a +craftsman. Colonel Munro gave him an escort of twenty troopers; with +these he crossed the river at nightfall, and, making a detour to avoid +the Imperialist outposts, rode some fifteen miles on his way. He then +dismounted and handed over his horse to his escort, who at once started +on their way back to Amberg, while he pursued his journey on foot +towards Pilsen. It was late the next evening before he reached the town; +and on arriving he learned that Wallenstein was still there. + +The Imperialist general, immediately upon obtaining the signature of +his officers, had sent to urge Altringer and Gallas, who had been absent +from the meeting, to come to him with all speed. Altringer, on pretence +of sickness, did not comply with the invitation. Gallas made +his appearance, but merely with the intention of finding out all +Wallenstein's plans and of keeping the emperor informed of them. +Piccolomini had, immediately the meeting broke up, sent full details +of its proceedings to the court, and Gallas was furnished with a secret +commission containing the emperor's orders to the colonels and officers, +granting an amnesty for their adhesion to Wallenstein at Pilsen, and +ordering them to make known to the army that it was released from its +obedience to Wallenstein, and was placed under the command of Gallas +himself, who received orders, if possible, to arrest Wallenstein. + +Gallas on his arrival perceived the impossibility of executing his +commission, for Wallenstein's troops and officers were devoted to him, +and not even the crime of high treason could overcome their veneration +and respect for him. Finding that he could do nothing, and fearful that +Wallenstein should discover the commission with which he was charged, +Gallas sought for a pretence to escape from Pilsen, and offered to go to +Altringer and to persuade him to return with him. + +Wallenstein had no doubts of the fidelity of the general, and allowed +him to depart. As he did not return at once Piccolomini, who was also +most anxious to get out of the grasp of Wallenstein, offered to go and +fetch both Gallas and Altringer. Wallenstein consented, and conveyed +Piccolomini in his own carriage to Lintz. No sooner had Piccolomini +left him than he hurried to his own command, denounced Wallenstein as a +traitor, and prepared to surprise the duke in Pilsen. Gallas at the same +time sent round copies of his commission to all the Imperial camps. + +Upon his arrival Malcolm at once proceeded to the castle, and, finding +the steward, requested him to inform the duke that he had returned. In +a few minutes he was ushered into his presence, and handed to him the +letter from Oxenstiern. Wallenstein tore it open without a word and gave +an exclamation of satisfaction as he glanced it through. + +"This is opportune indeed," he said, "and I thank you for bringing me +the news so rapidly. Well did the astrologer say that my destiny to +some extent depended on you; this is a proof that he was right. The +chancellor tells me that the Duke of Saxe-Lauenberg will march instantly +with four thousand men to join me, and that Duke Bernhard will move down +at once with six thousand of the best Swedish troops. I may yet be even +with the traitors." + +Although the defection of Gallas and Piccolomini and the news of the +issue of the Imperial proclamation had fallen with stunning force upon +Wallenstein, he had still faith in the fidelity of the army at large, +and he had already despatched Marshal Terzky to Prague, where all the +troops faithful to him were to assemble, intending to follow himself +with the regiments at Pilsen as soon as carriage could be obtained from +the country round. His astrologer still assured him that the stars were +favourable, and Wallenstein's faith in his own destiny was unshaken. + +Upon finding that Malcolm had orders to remain with him until he was +joined by Duke Bernhard, he ordered handsome apartments to be prepared +for him, and as there was no longer any reason why the fact that a +Swedish officer was in the castle should be concealed, he commanded that +Malcolm should be furnished with handsome raiment of all sorts and a +suit of superb armour. Upon the following morning Wallenstein sent for +him. + +"I have bad news," he said. "General Suys with an army arrived at Prague +before Terzky got there, and I fear that the influence of Piccolomini, +Gallas, and Altringer have withdrawn from me the corps which they +command. Terzky will return tomorrow morning, and I shall then march +with him and the troops here to Egra. There I shall effect a junction +with Duke Bernhard, who is instructed to march upon that town." + +The duke, though anxious, still appeared confident; but the outlook +seemed to Malcolm extremely gloomy. The whole army save the regiments +around Pilsen had fallen away from Wallenstein. His princely generosity +to the generals and officers and his popularity among the troops had +failed to attach them to him now that he had declared against the +emperor, and it appeared to Malcolm that he would be able to bring over +to the Swedish cause only the corps which he immediately commanded. + +Still his defection could not but cause a vast gap in the Imperial +defences, and the loss of the services of the greatest of their leaders +would in itself be a heavy blow to the Imperialist cause, which had been +almost solely supported by his commanding talents and his vast private +income. Terzky arrived on the following morning, and the same afternoon +Wallenstein with the whole of the troops at Pilsen marched towards Egra. + +Among the officers attached to Wallenstein's person was a Scotchman +named Leslie, to whom and a few other confidants Wallenstein had +confided his designs. Wallenstein had at once introduced Malcolm to him, +and the two rode in company during the march to Egra. Malcolm did not +find him a cheerful companion. They chatted at times of the engagements +in which both had taken part although on opposite sides; but Malcolm saw +that his companion was absent and preoccupied, and that he avoided any +conversation as to the turn which events had taken. + +At the end of the first day's ride Malcolm came to the decided +conclusion that he did not like his companion, and, moreover, that his +heart was far from being in the enterprise on which they were engaged. +The following day he avoided joining him, and rode with some of the +other officers. Upon their arrival at Egra the gates were opened at +their approach, and Colonel Butler, an Irishman who commanded the +garrison, met Wallenstein as he entered, and saluted him with all +honour. Wallenstein was pleased to find that the disaffection which had +spread so rapidly through the army had not reached Egra. + +A few hours after he had entered the town Wallenstein received the news +that an Imperial edict had been issued proclaiming him a traitor and an +outlaw; he also learned that the corps under the Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg +was within a day's march of Egra. As soon as the duke retired to his +apartments Leslie sought out Colonel Butler, and revealed to him +the purposes of Wallenstein, and informed him of the Imperial order +absolving the army from their allegiance to him. The two men, with +Lieutenant Colonel Gordon, another Imperialist officer, at once +determined to capture Wallenstein and to hand him over as a prisoner to +the emperor. + +In the afternoon Leslie had an interview with Wallenstein, who told him +of the near approach of the Dukes of Saxe-Lauenburg and Saxe-Weimar, and +informed him of his plans for advancing from Egra direct into the heart +of Bohemia. + +The treacherous officer at once hurried away with the news to his two +associates, and it was agreed that the near approach of the Saxons +rendered it impossible for them to carry out their first plan, but that +instant and more urgent steps must be taken. That evening a banquet was +given by Butler to Wallenstein and his officers. The duke, however, was +too anxious to appear at it, and remained in his own apartment, the +rest of the officers, among them Wallenstein's chief confidants, Illo, +Terzky, and Kinsky, together with Captain Neumann, an intimate adviser +of Terzky, were among the guests. Malcolm was also present. + +The banquet passed off gaily, Wallenstein's health was drunk in full +bumpers, and his friends boasted freely that in a few days he would +find himself at the head of as powerful an army as he had ever before +commanded. Malcolm had naturally been placed at the table near his +compatriots, and it seemed to him that their gaiety was forced and +unnatural, and a sense of danger came over him. + +The danger indeed was great, although he knew it not. The drawbridge +of the castle had been drawn up, the avenues leading to it guarded, and +twenty infantry soldiers and six of Butler's dragoons were in hiding in +the apartment next to the banqueting hall. + +Dessert was placed on the table; Leslie gave the signal, and in an +instant the hall was filled with armed men, who placed themselves behind +the chairs of Wallenstein's trusted officers with shouts of "Long live +Ferdinand!" The three officers instantly sprang to their feet, but +Terzky and Kinsky were slain before they had time to draw their swords. + +Neumann in the confusion escaped into the court, where he too was cut +down. Illo burst through his assailants, and placing his back against a +window stood on his defence. As he kept his assailants at bay he poured +the bitterest reproaches upon Gordon for his treachery, and challenged +him to fight him fairly and honourably. After a gallant resistance, in +which he slew two of his assailants, he fell to the ground overpowered +by numbers, and pierced with ten wounds. + +Malcolm had sprung to his feet at the commencement of the tumult, but +was pressed down again into his chair by two soldiers, while Leslie +exclaimed, "Keep yourself quiet, sir, I would fain save you as a fellow +countryman, and as one who is simply here in the execution of his duty; +but if you draw sword to defend these traitors, you must share their +fate." + +No sooner had the murder of the four officers been accomplished than +Leslie, Butler, and Gordon issued into the town. Butler's cavalry +paraded the streets, and that officer quieted the garrison by telling +them that Wallenstein had been proclaimed a traitor and an outlaw, and +that all who were faithful to the emperor must obey their orders. The +regiments most attached to Wallenstein had not entered the city, and the +garrison listened to the voice of their commander. + +Wallenstein knew nothing of what had taken place in the castle, and had +just retired to bed when a band of Butler's soldiers, led by Captain +Devereux, an Irishman, burst into his apartment. The duke leaped from +his bed, but before he could snatch up a sword he was pierced through +and through by the murderers' halberts. + +So fell one of the greatest men of his age. Even to the present day +there are differences of opinion as to the extent of his guilt, but +none as to the treachery with which he was murdered by his most trusted +officers. That Wallenstein owed much gratitude to the emperor is +unquestionable, but upon the other hand he had even a greater title to +the gratitude of Ferdinand, whose crown and empire he had repeatedly +saved. Wallenstein was no bigot, his views were broad and enlightened, +and he was therefore viewed with the greatest hostility by the violent +Catholics around the king, by Maximilian of Bavaria, by the Spaniards, +and by the Jesuits, who were all powerful at court. These had once +before brought about his dismissal from the command, after he had +rendered supreme services, and their intrigues against him were again +at the point of success when Wallenstein determined to defy and dethrone +the emperor. The coldness with which he was treated at court, the marked +inattention to all his requests, the consciousness that while he was +winning victories in the field his enemies were successfully plotting +at court, angered the proud and haughty spirit of Wallenstein almost to +madness, and it may truly be said that he was goaded into rebellion. +The verdict of posterity has certainly been favourable to him, and the +dastardly murder which requited a lifetime of brilliant services has +been held to more than counterbalance the faults which he committed. + + + +CHAPTER XXIV MALCOLM'S ESCAPE + + +After the fall of Wallenstein's colonels Malcolm was led away a +prisoner, and was conducted to a dungeon in the castle. It was not until +the door closed behind him that he could fairly realize what had taken +place, so sudden and unexpected had been the scene in the banqueting +hall. Five minutes before he had been feasting and drinking the health +of Wallenstein, now he was a prisoner of the Imperialists. Wallenstein's +adherents had been murdered, and it was but too probable that a like +fate would befall the general himself. The alliance from which so much +had been hoped, which seemed to offer a prospect of a termination of the +long and bloody struggle, was cut short at a blow. + +As to his own fate it seemed dark enough, and his captivity might last +for years, for the Imperialists' treatment of their prisoners was harsh +in the extreme. The system of exchange, which was usual then as now, +was in abeyance during the religious war in Germany. There was an almost +personal hatred between the combatants, and, as Malcolm knew, many of +his compatriots who had fallen into the hands of the Imperialists had +been treated with such harshness in prison that they had died there. +Some, indeed, were more than suspected of having been deliberately +starved to death. + +However, Malcolm had gone through so many adventures that even the scene +which he had witnessed and his own captivity and uncertain fate were +insufficient to banish sleep from his eyes, and he reposed as soundly on +the heap of straw in the corner of his cell as he would have done in the +carved and gilded bed in the apartment which had been assigned to him in +the castle. + +The sun was shining through the loophole of his dungeon when he awoke. +For an hour he occupied himself in polishing carefully the magnificently +inlaid armour which Wallenstein had presented him, and which, with the +exception of his helmet, he had not laid aside when he sat down to the +banquet, for it was very light and in no way hampered his movements, and +except when quartered in towns far removed from an enemy officers seldom +laid aside their arms. He still retained his sword and dagger, for his +captors, in their haste to finish the first act of the tragedy, and to +resist any rising which might take place among the soldiery, had omitted +to take them from him when they hurried him away. + +On examination he found that with his dagger he could shove back the +lock of the door, but this was firmly held by bolts without. Thinking +that on some future occasion the blade might be useful to him, he pushed +the dagger well into the lock, and with a sharp jerk snapped it off at +the hilt. Then he concealed the steel within his long boot and cast the +hilt through the loophole. + +Presently a soldier brought him his breakfast--a manchet of bread and +a stoup of wine. He was visited again at dinner and supper. Before the +soldier came in the first time Malcolm concealed his sword in the straw, +thinking that the soldier would be sure to remove it if he noticed it. +The man who brought his breakfast and dinner was taciturn, and made +no reply to his questions, but another man brought his supper, and he +turned out of a more communicative disposition. + +"What has happened?" he repeated in reply to Malcolm's question. "Well, +I don't know much about it myself, but I do know that Wallenstein is +dead, for the trooper who rides next to me helped to kill him. Everyone +is content that the traitor has been punished, and as the troops have +all pronounced for the emperor every thing is quiet. We had a good +laugh this afternoon. The colonel sent out one of our men dressed up in +Wallenstein's livery to meet the Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg and invite him +to come on at once and join him here. The duke suspected no danger, and +rode on ahead of his troops, with a few attendants, and you should have +seen his face, when, after passing through the gates, he suddenly found +himself surrounded by our men and a prisoner. Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar +will be here tomorrow, as they say, and we shall catch him in the same +way. It's a rare trap this, I can tell you." + +The news heightened Malcolm's uneasiness. The capture of Duke Bernhard, +the most brilliant of the German generals on the Protestant side, would +be a heavy blow indeed to the cause, and leaving his supper untasted +Malcolm walked up and down his cell in a fever of rage at his impotence +to prevent so serious a disaster. + +At last he ate his supper, and then threw himself upon the straw, but he +was unable to sleep. The death of Wallenstein had made a deep impression +upon him. The Imperialist general was greatly respected by his foes. Not +only was he admired for his immense military talents, but he carried on +the war with a chivalry and humanity which contrasted strongly with the +ferocity of Tilly, Pappenheim, and Piccolomini. Prisoners who fell into +his hands were always treated with courtesy, and although, from motives +of policy, he placed but little check upon the excesses of his soldiery, +no massacres, such as those which had caused the names of Tilly and +Pappenheim to be held in abhorrence by the Protestants of Germany, were +associated with that of Wallenstein. Then, too, the princely dignity and +noble presence of the duke had greatly impressed the young soldier, and +the courtesy with which he had treated him personally had attracted +his liking as well as respect. To think that this great general, this +princely noble, the man who alone had baffled the Lion of the North, had +been foully murdered by those he had trusted and favoured, filled him +with grief and indignation, the more so since two of the principal +assassins were Scotchmen. + +The thought that on the morrow Duke Bernhard of Weimar--a leader +in importance second only to the Chancellor of Sweden--would fall +unsuspiciously into the trap set for him goaded him almost to madness, +and he tossed restlessly on the straw through the long hours of the +night. Towards morning he heard a faint creaking of bolts, then there +was a sound of the locks of the door being turned. He grasped his sword +and sprang to his feet. He heard the door close again, and then a man +produced a lantern from beneath a long cloak, and he saw Wallenstein's +steward before him. The old man's eyes were bloodshot with weeping, and +his face betokened the anguish which the death of his master had caused +him. + +"You have heard the news?" he asked. + +"Alas!" Malcolm replied, "I have heard it indeed." + +"I am determined," the old man said, "to thwart the projects of these +murderers and to have vengeance upon them. None have thought of me. I +was an old man, too insignificant for notice, and I have passed the day +in my chamber lamenting the kindest of lords, the best of masters. Last +evening I heard the soldiers boasting that today they would capture +the Duke of Saxe-Weimar, and I determined to foil them. They have been +feasting and drinking all night, and it is but now that the troopers +have fallen into a drunken slumber and I was able to possess myself of +the key of your dungeon. + +"Here is your helmet. I will lead you to the stable, where I have +saddled the best and fastest of my master's horses. You must remain +there quietly until you deem that the gates are open, then leap upon the +horse, and ride for your life. Few will know you, and you will probably +pass out of the gate unquestioned. If not, you have your sword to cut +your way. Once beyond the town ride to meet the duke. Tell him my master +has been murdered, that Egra is in the hands of the Imperialists, and +that Saxe-Lauenburg is a prisoner. Bid him march on this place with his +force, take it by assault, and leave not one of the assassins of my lord +living within its walls." + +"You will run no risk, I hope, for your share in this adventure," +Malcolm said. + +"It matters little to me," the old man replied. "My life is worthless, +and I would gladly die in the thought that I have brought retribution on +the head of the murderers of my master. But they will not suspect me. I +shall lock the door behind us, and place the key again in the girdle of +the drunken guard, and then return to my own chamber." + +Quietly Malcolm and his conductor made their way through the castle and +out into the courtyard. Then they entered the stables. + +"This is the horse," the steward said, again uncovering his lantern. "Is +he not a splendid animal? He was my master's favourite, and sooner than +that his murderers should ride him I would cut the throat of the noble +beast with my dagger; but he has a better mission in carrying the +avenger of his master's blood. And now farewell. The rest is in your +own hands. May Heaven give you good fortune." So saying, the old man set +down his lantern and left Malcolm alone. + +The latter, after examining the saddle and bridle, and seeing that every +buckle was firm and in its place, extinguished the light, and waited +patiently for morning. In two hours a faint light began to show itself. +Stronger and stronger it grew until it was broad day. Still there were +but few sounds of life and movement in the castle. Presently, however, +the noise of footsteps and voices was heard in the courtyard. + +Although apprehensive that at any moment the stable door might open, +Malcolm still delayed his start, as it would be fatal were he to set out +before the opening of the gates. At last he felt sure that they must +be opened to admit the country people coming in with supplies for the +market. He had donned his helmet before leaving his cell, and he now +quietly opened the stable door, sprang into the saddle, and rode boldly +out. + +Several soldiers were loitering about the courtyard. Some were washing +at the trough and bathing their heads beneath the fountain to get rid +of the fumes of the wine they had indulged in overnight. Others were +cleaning their arms. + +The sudden appearance of a mounted officer armed from head to foot +caused a general pause in their occupation, although none had any +suspicion that the splendidly attired officer was a fugitive; but, +believing that he was one of Leslie's friends who was setting out on +some mission, they paid no further heed to him, as quietly and without +any sign of haste he rode through the gateway of the castle into the +town. The inhabitants were already in the streets, country women with +baskets were vending their produce, and the market was full of people. +Malcolm rode on at a foot pace until he was within sight of the open +gate of the town. When within fifty yards of the gate he suddenly came +upon Colonel Leslie, who had thus early been making a tour of the walls +to see that the sentries were upon the alert, for Duke Bernhard's force +was within a few miles. He instantly recognized Malcolm. + +"Ah!" he exclaimed, "Captain Graheme--treachery! treachery! shut the +gate there," and drawing his sword, threw himself in Malcolm's way. + +Malcolm touched the horse with his spur and it bounded forward; he +parried the blow which Leslie struck at him, and, with a sweeping cut +full on the traitor's helmet, struck him to the ground and then dashed +onward. A sentry was beginning to shut the gate, and his comrades were +running out from the guardhouse as Malcolm galloped up. + +The steward had fastened the holsters on to the saddle, and Malcolm, +before starting, had seen to the priming of the pistols in them. Drawing +one he shot the man who was closing the gate, and before his comrades +could run up he dashed through it and over the drawbridge. + +Several bullets whizzed around him, but he was soon out of range, and +galloping at full speed in the direction in which the steward had told +him that Duke Bernhard was encamped. In half an hour he reached the +Swedish lines, and rode at once to the tent of the duke who was upon the +point of mounting; beside him stood a man in the livery of Wallenstein. +As he rode up Malcolm drew his pistol, and said to the man: + +"If you move a foot I will send a bullet through your head." + +"What is this?" exclaimed the duke in astonishment, "and who are you, +sir, who with such scant courtesy ride into my camp?" + +Malcolm raised his vizor. "I am Captain Graheme of Munro's regiment," +he said, "and I have ridden here to warn your excellency of treachery. +Wallenstein has been foully murdered. Egra is in the hands of the +Imperialists, the Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg has been beguiled into a trap +and taken prisoner, and this fellow, who is one of Butler's troopers, +has been sent here to lead you into a like snare." + +"Wallenstein murdered!" the duke exclaimed in tones of horror. +"Murdered, say you? Impossible!" + +"It is but too true, sir," Malcolm replied; "I myself saw his friends +Illo, Terzky, and Kinsky assassinated before my eyes at a banquet. +Wallenstein was murdered by his favourites Leslie and Gordon and the +Irishman Butler. I was seized and thrown into a dungeon, but have +escaped by a miracle to warn you of your danger." + +"This is a blow indeed," the duke said mournfully. Turning to his +attendants he ordered them to hang the false messenger to the nearest +tree, and then begged Malcolm to follow him into his tent and give him +full details of this terrible transaction. + +"This upsets all our schemes indeed," the duke said when he had +concluded. "What is the strength of the garrison at Egra?" + +"There were Butler's dragoons and an infantry regiment in garrison there +when we arrived; six regiments accompanied us on the march, and I +fear that all these must now be considered as having gone over to the +Imperialists." + +"Then their force is superior to my own," the duke said, "for I have but +six thousand men with me, and have no artillery heavy enough to make +any impression upon the walls of the town. Much as I should like to meet +these traitors and to deal out to them the punishment they deserve, I +cannot adventure on the siege of Egra until I have communicated this +terrible news to the Swedish chancellor. Egra was all important to us as +affording an entrance into Bohemia so long as Wallenstein was with +us, but now that he has been murdered and our schemes thus suddenly +destroyed I cannot risk the destruction of my force by an assault upon +the city, which is no longer of use to us." + +Much as Malcolm would have liked to have seen the punishment of +Wallenstein's treacherous followers, he could not but feel that the +duke's view was, under the circumstances, the correct one. The tents +were speedily struck, and the force fell back with all speed towards +Bavaria, and after accompanying them for a march or two, Malcolm left +them and rode to join his regiment, the duke having already sent off +a messenger to Oxenstiern with a full account of the murder of +Wallenstein. + +As none could say what events were likely to follow the changed +position of things, Malcolm determined at once to carry out the original +intention of placing Thekla under the care of his friends at Nuremberg, +in which direction it was not probable that the tide of war would +for the present flow. After staying therefore a day or two with his +regiment, where his relation of the events he had witnessed caused +the greatest excitement and interest, Malcolm obtained leave from his +colonel to escort Thekla to Nuremberg. + +In order that they might pass in perfect safety across the intervening +country Munro gave him an escort of twelve troopers, and with these he +journeyed by easy stages to Nuremberg, where the worthy syndic of the +clockmakers and his wife gladly received Thekla, and promised to treat +her as one of their own daughters. + +Here Malcolm took possession of his arms and valises, which he had sent, +upon starting for Prague, to the care of Jans Boerhoff; not indeed that +he needed the armour, for the suit which Wallenstein had given him was +the admiration and envy of his comrades, and Munro had laughingly said +that since Hepburn had left them no such gallantly attired cavalier had +ridden in the ranks of the Scottish brigade. + +There were many tears on Thekla's part as her young protector bade her +adieu, for there was no saying how long a time might elapse before she +might again see him, and Malcolm was sorely tempted to tell her that +he had her father's consent to wooing her as his wife. He thought it, +however, better to abstain from speaking, for should he fall in the +campaign her grief would be all the greater had she come to think of +him as her destined husband, for her hearty affection for him already +assured him that she would make no objection to carrying out her +father's wishes. + +Shortly after rejoining his regiment Malcolm received a communication +from the Swedish chancellor expressing in high terms his approbation of +the manner in which he had carried out his instructions with regard to +Wallenstein, and especially for the great service he had rendered +the cause by warning the Duke of Saxe-Weimar of the trap which the +Imperialists had set for him. + +The death of Wallenstein was followed by a short pause in the war. It +had entirely frustrated all the plans and hopes of the Protestants, and +it caused a delay in the movement of the Imperialists. The emperor, when +he heard of Wallenstein's death, heaped favours and honours upon the +three men who had plotted and carried out his murder, and then appointed +his son Ferdinand, King of Hungary, to the chief command of the army, +with General Gallas as his principal adviser. + +The Duke of Lorraine marched with an army to join the Imperialists, who +were also strengthened by the arrival of 10,000 Spanish veterans, and +early in May the new Imperial general entered the Palatinate and marched +to lay siege to Ratisbon. To oppose the Imperial army, which numbered +35,000 men, Duke Bernhard, after having drawn together all the troops +scattered in the neighbourhood, could only put 15,000 in the field. With +so great a disparity of force he could not offer battle, but in every +way he harassed and interrupted the advance of the Imperialists, while +he sent pressing messages to Oxenstiern for men and money, and to +Marshal Horn, who commanded in Alsace, to beg him march with all haste +to his assistance. + +Unfortunately Horn and Duke Bernhard were men of extremely different +temperaments. The latter was vivacious, enterprising, and daring even to +rashness, ready to undertake any enterprise which offered the smallest +hope of success. Marshal Horn, on the other hand, although a good +general, was slow, over cautious and hesitating, and would never move +until his plans appeared to promise almost a certainty of success. +Besides this, Horn, a Swede, was a little jealous that Duke Bernhard, a +German, should be placed in the position of general-in-chief, and this +feeling no doubt tended to increase his caution and to delay his action. + +Consequently he was so long a time before he obeyed the pressing +messages sent by the duke, that Ratisbon, after a valiant defence, +surrendered on the 29th of July, before he had effected a junction with +the duke's army. The Imperialists then marched upon Donauworth, and this +place, after a feeble defence, also capitulated. The duke, heartbroken +at seeing the conquests, which had been effected at so great a loss of +life and treasure, wrested from his hands while he was unable to strike +a blow to save them, in despair marched away to Swabia to meet the +slowly advancing army of Marshal Horn. + +No sooner was the junction effected than he turned quickly back and +reached the vicinity of Nordlingen, only to find the enemy already there +before him, and posted on the more advanced of the two heights which +dominate the plain. By a skillful manoeuvre, however, he was enabled to +throw within its walls a reinforcement to the garrison of eight hundred +men. + +Nordlingen, an important free town, stands on the south bank of the +Ries, some 18 miles to the northeast of Donauworth. It was surrounded by +a wall, interspersed with numerous towers, sufficiently strong to guard +it against any surprise, but not to defend it against a regular siege by +a numerous army. The vast plain on which the town stands is broken near +its centre by two heights rising at a distance of three thousand yards +from each other. + +The height nearest to the town, which is very steep and craggy, is known +as the Weinberg, the other is called Allersheim; a village stands some +three hundred yards in advance of the valley between the heights, and is +nearer to the town than either of the two eminences. + +The Scotch brigade formed part of Duke Bernhard's command. It was now +nearly two years since a pitched battle had been fought, for although +there had been many skirmishes and assaults in the preceding year no +great encounter had taken place between the armies since Gustavus fell +at Lutzen, in October, 1632, and the Scotch brigade had not been present +at that battle. In the time which had elapsed many recruits had arrived +from Scotland, and Munro's regiment had been again raised to the +strength at which it had landed at Rugen four years before. Not half a +dozen of the officers who had then, full of life and spirit, marched in +its ranks were now present. Death had indeed been busy among them. On +the evening of their arrival in sight of the Imperialist army the two +Grahemes supped with their colonel. Munro had but just arrived from the +duke's quarters. + +"I suppose we shall fight tomorrow, Munro," Major Graheme said. + +"It is not settled," the colonel replied; "between ourselves the duke +and Horn are not of one mind. The duke wants to fight; he urges that +were we to allow Nordlingen to fall, as we have allowed Ratisbon and +Donauworth, without striking a blow to save it, it would be an evidence +of caution and even cowardice which would have the worst possible effect +through Germany. Nordlingen has ever been staunch to the cause, and the +Protestants would everywhere fall away from us did they find that we had +so little care for their safety as to stand by and see them fall into +the hands of the Imperialists without an effort. It is better, in +the duke's opinion, to fight and to be beaten than to tamely yield +Nordlingen to the Imperialists. In the one case honour would be +satisfied and the reformers throughout Germany would feel that we had +done our utmost to save their co-religionists, on the other hand there +would be shame and disgrace." + +"There is much in what the duke says," Nigel Graheme remarked. + +"There is much," Munro rejoined; "but there is much also in the +arguments of Horn. He reasons that we are outnumbered, the enemy is +superior to us by at least a third, and to save the town we must attack +them in an immensely strong position, which it will cost us great +numbers to capture. + +"The chances against our winning a victory are fully five to one. +Granted the fall of Nordlingen will injure us in the eyes of the princes +and people of Germany; but with good management on our part the feeling +thus aroused will be but temporary, for we should soon wipe out the +reverse. Of the 35,000 men of which the Imperial army is composed, 8000 +at least are Spaniards who are on their way to Flanders, and who will +very shortly leave it. + +"On the other hand the Rhinegrave Otto Ludwig is with 7000 men within a +few marches of us; in a short time therefore we shall actually outnumber +the enemy, and shall be able to recover our prestige, just as we +recovered it at Leipzig after suffering Magdeburg to fall. We shall +recapture the towns which he has taken, and if the enemy should dare +to accept battle we shall beat him, and shall be in a position to march +upon Vienna." + +"Horn's arguments are the strongest," Nigel Graheme said gravely; "the +course he advises is the most prudent one." + +"Undoubtedly," Munro replied; "but I think that it will not be followed. +The duke is of a fiery spirit, and he would feel it, as most of us would +feel it, a disgrace to fall back without striking a blow for Nordlingen. +He has, too, been goaded nearly to madness during the last few days by +messengers and letters which have reached him from the reformed princes +and the free towns in all parts of Germany, reproaching him bitterly for +having suffered Ratisbon and Donauworth to fall into the hands of the +enemy without a blow, and he feels that his honour is concerned. I have +little doubt that we shall fight a great battle to save Nordlingen." + + + +CHAPTER XXV NORDLINGEN + + +While Colonel Munro and his companions were discussing the matter a +council of war was being held, and Duke Bernhard's view was adopted by +all his generals, who felt with him that their honour was involved in +the question, and that it would be disgraceful to march away without +striking a blow to save the besieged city. Horn, therefore, being +outvoted, was forced to give way. Up to nightfall the Imperialists had +showed no signs of an intention to occupy the Weinberg, their forces +being massed on and around the Allersheim Hill. It was determined +therefore to seize the Weinberg at once, and the execution of this step +was committed to Horn. + +The choice was most unfortunate. The service was one upon the prompt +carrying out of which victory depended, and Horn, though a brave and +capable commander, was slow and cautious, and particularly unfitted for +executing a service which had to be performed in a dark night across a +country with which he was not familiar. Taking with him four thousand +chosen musketeers and pikemen and twelve guns he set out at nine +o'clock, but the rough road, the dikes, and ditches which intercepted +the country impeded him, and the fact that he was unacquainted with the +general position of the country made him doubly cautious, and it was not +until midnight that he reached the foot of the hill. + +Here, unfortunately, he came to the conclusion that since he had +encountered such difficulties in crossing the flat country he should +meet with even greater obstacles and delays in ascending the hill in the +dark; he therefore took the fatal resolution of remaining where he +was until daylight, and accordingly ordered the column to halt. Had he +continued his march he would have reached the summit of the Weinberg +unopposed, and the fate of the battle on the following day would have +been changed. But the Imperialist leaders, Gallas and Cardinal Infanta +Don Fernando, had not been unmindful of the commanding position of the +hill upon which Horn was marching, and had given orders that it should +be occupied before daylight by four hundred Spaniards. + +The commander of this force was as over prompt in the execution of his +orders as Horn was over cautious. He reached the top of the Weinberg +before midnight, and at once set his men to work to intrench themselves +strongly. As soon as daybreak enabled Horn to see the fatal consequences +which had arisen from his delay he ordered his men to advance. With +their usual gallantry the Swedes mounted the hill and rushed at the +intrenchment. It was defended with the greatest obstinacy and courage by +the Spaniards; but after desperate fighting the Swedes forced their way +into the work at two points, and were upon the point of capturing the +position when an ammunition wagon accidentally exploded in their midst, +killing great numbers and throwing the rest into a temporary disorder, +which enabled the Spaniards to drive them out and again occupy the +intrenchments. + +Before the Swedes had fully recovered themselves the Spanish cavalry, +which at the first sound of the conflict the cardinal had ordered to +the spot, charged them in flank and forced them to a precipitate retreat +down the hillside. Bitterly regretting his delay at midnight, Horn +brought up fresh troops, and after addressing encouraging words to those +who had been already repulsed, led the united body to the assault. + +But the Weinberg, which had been occupied in the early morning by only +four hundred men, was now defended by the whole of the Spanish infantry. +Vain now was the energy of Horn, and ineffectual the valour of his +troops. Time after time did the Swedes climb the hill and strive to +obtain a footing on its crest, each assault was repulsed with prodigious +slaughter. Duke Bernhard was now fully engaged with the Imperialists on +the Allersheim, and was gradually gaining ground. Seeing, however, +how fruitless were the efforts of Horn to capture the Weinberg, he +despatched as many of his infantry as he could spare to reinforce the +marshal. Among these was Munro's regiment. + +"Now, my brave lads," Colonel Munro shouted, as he led his regiment +against the hill, "show them what Scottish hearts can do." With a cheer +the regiment advanced. Pressing forward unflinchingly under a hail +of bullets they won their way up the hill, and then gathering, hurled +themselves with a shout upon the heavy masses of Spanish veterans. For a +moment the latter recoiled before the onset; then they closed in around +the Scotch, who had already lost a third of their number in ascending +the hill. + +Never did the famous regiment fight with greater courage and fury; but +they were outnumbered ten to one, and their opponents were soldiers of +European reputation. In vain the Scotchmen strove to break through the +serried line of pikes which surrounded them. Here and there a knot of +desperate men would win a way through; but ere others could follow them +the Spanish line closed in again and cut them off from their comrades, +and they died fighting to the last. + +Fighting desperately in the front rank Munro and his officers encouraged +their men with shouts and example; but it was all in vain, and he at +last shouted to the remains of his followers to form in a solid body and +cut their way back through the enemy who surrounded them. Hemmed in as +they were by enemies the Scottish spearmen obeyed, and, headed by their +colonel, flung themselves with a sudden rush upon the enemy. Before the +weight and fury of the charge the veterans of Spain gave way, and the +Scots found themselves on the crest of the hill which they had lately +ascended. No sooner were they free from the Spanish ranks than the +musketeers of the latter opened fire upon them, and numbers fell in the +retreat. When they reached the foot of the fatal hill, and bleeding and +breathless gathered round their commander, Munro burst into tears on +finding that of the noble regiment he had led up the hill scarce enough +remained to form a single company. Seven times now had Horn striven +to carry the hill, seven times had he been repulsed with terrible +slaughter, and he now began to fall back to join the force of Duke +Bernhard. The latter, recognizing that the battle was lost, and that +Horn, if not speedily succoured, was doomed, for the Imperialists, +flushed with victory, were striving to cut him off, made a desperate +attack upon the enemy hoping to draw their whole forces upon himself, +and so enable Horn to retire. For the moment he succeeded, but he was +too weak in numbers to bear the assault he had thus provoked. John of +Werth, who commanded the Imperial cavalry, charged down upon the Swedish +horsemen and overthrew them so completely that these, forced back upon +their infantry, threw them also into complete disorder. + +The instant Horn had given the orders to retreat, Colonel Munro, seeing +the danger of the force being surrounded, formed up the little remnant +of his regiment and set off at the double to rejoin the force of the +duke. It was well that he did so, for just when he had passed over the +intervening ground the Imperialist cavalry, fresh from the defeat of the +Swedes, swept across the ground, completely cutting off Horn's division +from that of the duke. A few minutes later Marshal Horn, surrounded +on all sides by the enemy, and feeling the impossibility of further +resistance with his weakened and diminished force, was forced to +surrender with all his command. + +Duke Bernhard narrowly escaped the same fate; but in the end he managed +to rally some nine thousand men and retreated towards the Maine. The +defeat was a terrible one; ten thousand men were killed and wounded, and +four thousand under Horn taken prisoners; all the guns, equipage, and +baggage fell into the hands of the enemy. + +Nordlingen was the most decisive battle of the war; its effect was to +change a war which had hitherto been really only a civil war--a war of +religion--into one with a foreign enemy. Hitherto France had contented +herself with subsidizing Sweden, who had played the principal part. +Henceforward Sweden was to occupy but a secondary position. Cardinal +Richelieu saw the danger of allowing Austria to aggrandize itself at the +expense of all Germany, and now took the field in earnest. + +Upon the other hand Nordlingen dissolved the confederacy of the +Protestant German princes against Ferdinand the Second. The Elector of +Saxony, who had ever been vacillating and irresolute in his policy, +was the first to set the example by making peace with the emperor. The +Elector of Brandenburg, Duke William of Weimar, the Prince of Anhalt, +the Duke of Brunswick-Luneburg, the Duke of Mecklenburg, Pomerania, and +the cities of Augsburg, Wurzburg, and Coburg, and many others hastened +to follow the example of all the leading members of the Protestant +Union. + +Dukes Bernhard of Weimar and William of Cassel were almost alone in +supporting the cause to maintain which Gustavus Adolphus had invaded +Germany. The Swedish army, whose exploits had made the court of Vienna +tremble, seemed annihilated, and well might the emperor deem that his +final triumph over Protestantism was complete when he heard of the +battle of Nordlingen, for as yet he dreamed not that its result would +bring France into the field against him. + +Malcolm Graheme was one of the few officers of Munro's regiment who +burst his way through the Spanish lines on the top of the Weinberg. He +was bleeding from several wounds, but none of them were serious. Nigel +was beside him as they began to descend the hill; but scarcely had he +gone a step when he fell headlong, struck by a ball from an arquebus. +Malcolm and one of the sergeants raised him, and between them carried +him to the foot of the hill; then, when the remains of the regiments +started to rejoin Duke Bernhard, they were forced to leave him. Although +Malcolm kept up with his regiment in the retreat he was so utterly +exhausted by loss of blood that he could no longer accompany them. By +the death of so many of his seniors he was now one of the majors of the +regiment, if that could be called a regiment which was scarce a company +in strength. A few days after the battle Colonel Munro received orders +to march with his shattered remnant, scarce one of whom but was from +wounds unfit for present service, by easy stages to North Germany, there +to await the arrival of reinforcements from Scotland, which might raise +the regiment to a strength which would enable it again to take the +field. + +Malcolm remained behind until his strength slowly returned. The colonel, +before leaving, had bade him take his time before rejoining, as months +would probably elapse before the regiment would again be fit for +service. As soon as he was able to travel he journeyed to Nuremberg. +On arriving at the abode of Jans Boerhoff he learned that Thekla was +no longer an inmate of the family. The Count of Mansfeld had died in +prison, and the countess had arrived at Nuremberg and had taken up her +abode there. Malcolm made his way to the house she occupied. The meeting +was an affecting one. Malcolm was greatly grieved over the death of +his staunch friend, and joined in the sorrow of the countess and her +daughter. A few days after his arrival the countess said to him: + +"I am of course aware, Malcolm, of the conversation which the count had +with you concerning Thekla, and my wishes fully agreed with his on the +subject. In other times one would not speak of marriage when +Thekla's father had been but two months dead; but it is no time for +conventionalities now. All Southern Germany is falling away from the +Protestant cause, and ere long we may see the Imperialists at the gate +of Nuremberg, and it may be that in a few months the whole of Germany +will be in their power. Therefore, I would that there should be no +delay. Thekla is nearly seventeen; you are twenty-one--over young both +to enter upon the path of matrimony; but the events of the last few +months have made a woman of her, while you have long since proved +yourself both in thoughtfulness and in valour to be a man. Thekla is +no longer a great heiress. Since Nordlingen we may consider that her +father's estates have gone for ever, mine may follow in a few months. +Therefore I must ask you, are you ready to take her without dowry?" + +"I am," Malcolm said earnestly, "and that right gladly, for I love her +with all my heart." + +"It needs no questioning on my part," the countess said, "to know that +she loves you as truly, and that her happiness depends wholly on you. I +saw her anguish when the news came of the terrible defeat at Nordlingen +and of the annihilation of some of the Scottish regiments. My heart was +wrung by her silent despair, her white and rigid face, until the news +came that you were among the few who had survived the battle, and, in +the outburst of joy and thankfulness at the news, she owned to me that +she loved you, her only fear being that you cared for her only as a +sister, since no word of love had ever passed your lips. I reassured her +on that score by telling her of your conversation with her father, and +that a feeling of duty alone had kept you silent while she remained +under your protection. + +"However, Malcolm, she will not come to you penniless, for, seeing that +it was possible that the war would terminate adversely, and determined +to quit the country should he be forbidden to worship according to +his own religion here, the count has from time to time despatched +considerable sums to the care of a banker at Hamburg, and there are now +10,000 gold crowns in his hands. + +"There are, moreover, my estates at Silesia, but these I have for +sometime foreseen would follow those of my husband and fall into the +hands of the emperor. Before the death of the count I talked over the +whole matter with him, and he urged me in any case, even should you fall +before becoming the husband of Thekla, to leave this unhappy country and +to take refuge abroad. + +"Before his death I had an interview with my nearest kinsman, who +has taken sides with the Imperialists, and to him I offered to resign +Thekla's rights as heiress to the estate for the sum of 10,000 crowns. +As this was but three years revenue of the estates, and it secured their +possession to him whether the Imperialists or Swedes were victorious in +the struggle, he consented, after having obtained the emperor's consent +to the step, and I have this morning received a letter from him saying +that the money has been lodged in the hands of the banker at Hamburg, +and Thekla and I have this morning signed a deed renouncing in his +favour all claim to the estate. Thus Thekla has a dowry of 20,000 gold +crowns--a sum not unworthy of a dowry even for the daughter of a Count +of Mansfeld; but with it you must take me also, for I would fain leave +the country and end my days with her." + +"Do you keep the dowry so long as you live, countess," Malcolm said +earnestly. "It is more than the richest noble in Scotland could give +with his daughter. My own estate, though small, is sufficient to keep +Thekla and myself in ease, and my pleasure in having you with us will +be equal to hers. You would wish, of course, that I should quit the army +and return home, and, indeed, I am ready to do so. I have had more +than enough of wars and fighting. I have been preserved well nigh by +a miracle, when my comrades have fallen around me like grass. I cannot +hope that such fortune would always attend me. The cause for which I +have fought seems lost, and since the Protestant princes of Germany are +hastening to desert it, neither honour nor common sense demand that I, +a soldier of fortune and a foreigner, should struggle any longer for it; +therefore I am ready at once to resign my commission and to return to +Scotland." + +"So be it," the countess said; "but regarding Thekla's dowry I shall +insist on having my way. I should wish to see her in a position similar +to that in which she was born, and with this sum you can largely +increase your estates and take rank among the nobles of your country. +Now I will call Thekla in and leave you to ask her to agree to the +arrangements we have made. + +"My child," she went on, as Thekla in obedience to her summons entered +the apartment, "Malcolm Graheme has asked your hand of me. He tells +me that he loves you truly, and is willing to take you as a penniless +bride, and to carry you and me away with him far from these terrible +wars to his native Scotland--what say you, my love?" + +Thekla affected neither shyness or confusion, her colour hardly +heightened as in her sombre mourning she advanced to Malcolm, and laying +her hand in his, said: + +"He cannot doubt my answer, mother; he must know that I love him with my +whole heart." + +"Then, my daughter," the countess said, "I will leave you to yourselves; +there is much to arrange, for time presses, and your betrothal must be +quickly followed by marriage." + +It was but a few days later that Malcolm led Thekla to the altar in St. +Sebald's Church, Nuremberg. The marriage was a quiet one, seeing that +the bride had been so lately orphaned, and only Jans Boerhoff and +his family, and two or three Scottish comrades of Malcolm's, who were +recovering from their wounds at Nuremberg, were present at the quiet +ceremony. The following day the little party started for the north. +Malcolm had already received a letter from Oxenstiern accepting +his resignation, thanking him heartily for the good services he had +rendered, and congratulating him on his approaching wedding. + +Without adventure they reached Hamburg, and there, arranging with the +banker for the transmission of the sum in his hands to Edinburgh, they +took ship and crossed to Scotland. + +Three months later Malcolm was delighted by the appearance of his uncle +Nigel. The latter was indeed in dilapidated condition, having lost an +arm, and suffering from other wounds. He had been retained a prisoner +by the Imperialists only until he was cured, when they had freed him in +exchange for an Imperial officer who had been captured by the Swedes. + +Thekla's dowry enabled her husband largely to increase his estates. A +new and handsome mansion was erected at a short distance from the old +castle, and here Malcolm Graheme lived quietly for very many years with +his beautiful wife, and saw a numerous progeny rise around them. + +To the gratification of both, five years after her coming to Scotland, +the Countess of Mansfeld married Nigel Graheme and the pair took up +their abode in the old castle, which was thoroughly repaired and set in +order by Malcolm for their use, while he and Thekla insisted that the +fortune he had received as a dowry with his wife should be shared by the +countess and Nigel. + + + +THE END + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lion of the North, by G.A. 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Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: The Lion of the North + +Author: G.A. Henty + +Release Date: February, 2004 [EBook #5075] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on April 16, 2002] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE LION OF THE NORTH *** + + + + +The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Lion of The North: +A Tale of the Times of Gustavus Adolphus, by G. A. Henty + +This etext was produced by Martin Robb (MartinRobb@ieee.org) + +PREFACE. + + +MY DEAR LADS, + +You are nowadays called upon to acquire so great a mass of learning +and information in the period of life between the ages of twelve +and eighteen that it is not surprising that but little time can be +spared for the study of the history of foreign nations. Most lads +are, therefore, lamentably ignorant of the leading events of even +the most important epochs of Continental history, although, as many +of these events have exercised a marked influence upon the existing +state of affairs in Europe, a knowledge of them is far more +useful, and, it may be said, far more interesting than that of the +comparatively petty affairs of Athens, Sparta, Corinth, and Thebes. + +Prominent among such epochs is the Thirty Years' War, which arose +from the determination of the Emperor of Austria to crush out +Protestantism throughout Germany. Since the invasion of the Huns +no struggle which has taken place in Europe has approached this +in the obstinacy of the fighting and the terrible sufferings which +the war inflicted upon the people at large. During these thirty +years the population of Germany decreased by nearly a third, and +in some of the states half the towns and two-thirds of the villages +absolutely disappeared. + +The story of the Thirty Years' War is too long to be treated in +one volume. Fortunately it divides itself naturally into two parts. +The first begins with the entry of Sweden, under her chivalrous +monarch Gustavus Adolphus, upon the struggle, and terminates with +his death and that of his great rival Wallenstein. This portion of +the war has been treated in the present story. The second period +begins at the point when France assumed the leading part in the +struggle, and concluded with the peace which secured liberty of +conscience to the Protestants of Germany. This period I hope to +treat some day in another story, so that you may have a complete +picture of the war. The military events of the present tale, the +battles, sieges, and operations, are all taken from the best authorities, +while for the account of the special doings of Mackay's, afterwards +Munro's Scottish Regiment, I am indebted to Mr. J. Grant's Life of +Sir John Hepburn. + +Yours sincerely, + +G. A. HENTY + + + +CHAPTER I THE INVITATION + + +It was late in the afternoon in the spring of the year 1630; the +hilltops of the south of Scotland were covered with masses of cloud, +and a fierce wind swept the driving rain before it with such force +that it was not easy to make way against it. It had been raining +for three days without intermission. Every little mountain burn had +become a boiling torrent, while the rivers had risen above their +banks and flooded the low lands in the valleys. + +The shades of evening were closing in, when a lad of some sixteen +years of age stood gazing across the swollen waters of the Nith +rushing past in turbid flood. He scarce seemed conscious of the +pouring rain; but with his lowland bonnet pressed down over his +eyes, and his plaid wrapped tightly round him, he stood on a rising +hummock of ground at the edge of the flood, and looked across the +stream. + +"If they are not here soon," he said to himself, "they will not +get across the Nith tonight. None but bold riders could do so now; +but by what uncle says, Captain Hume must be that and more. Ah! +here they come." + +As he spoke two horsemen rode down the opposite side of the valley +and halted at the water's edge. The prospect was not a pleasant +one. The river was sixty or seventy feet wide, and in the centre +the water swept along in a raging current. + +"You cannot cross here," the boy shouted at the top of his voice. +"You must go higher up where the water's deeper." + +The wind swept his words away, but his gestures were understood. + +"The boy is telling us to go higher up," said one of the horsemen. + +"I suppose he is," the other replied; "but here is the ford. You +see the road we have travelled ends here, and I can see it again +on the other side. It is getting dark, and were we to cross higher +up we might lose our way and get bogged; it is years since I was +here. What's the boy going to do now? Show us a place for crossing?" + +The lad, on seeing the hesitation of the horsemen, had run along +the bank up the stream, and to their surprise, when he had gone a +little more than a hundred yards he dashed into the water. For a +time the water was shallow, and he waded out until he reached the +edge of the regular bank of the river, and then swam out into the +current. + +"Go back," the horseman shouted; but his voice did not reach +the swimmer, who, in a few strokes, was in the full force of the +stream, and was soon lost to the sight of the horsemen among the +short foaming waves of the torrent. + +"The boy will be drowned," one of the horsemen said, spurring his +horse up the valley; but in another minute the lad was seen breasting +the calmer water just above the ford. + +"You cannot cross here, Captain Hume," he said, as he approached +the horsemen. "You must go nigh a mile up the river." + +"Why, who are you, lad?" the horseman asked, "and how do you know +my name?" + +"I'm the nephew of Nigel Graheme. Seeing how deep the floods were +I came out to show you the way, for the best horse in the world +could not swim the Nith here now." + +"But this is the ford," Captain Hume said. + +"Yes, this is the ford in dry weather. The bottom here is hard rock +and easy to ride over when the river is but waist deep, but below +and above this place it is covered with great boulders. The water +is six feet deep here now, and the horses would be carried down +among the rocks, and would never get across. A mile up the river +is always deep, and though the current is strong there is nothing +to prevent a bold horseman from swimming across." + +"I thank you heartily, young sir," Captain Hume said. "I can see +how broken is the surface of the water, and doubt not that it would +have fared hard with us had we attempted to swim across here. In +faith, Munro, we have had a narrow escape." + +"Ay, indeed," the other agreed. "It would have been hard if you and +I, after going through all the battlefields of the Low Countries, +should have been drowned here together in a Scottish burn. Your +young friend is a gallant lad and a good swimmer, for in truth it +was no light task to swim that torrent with the water almost as +cold as ice." + +"Now, sirs, will you please to ride on," the boy said; "it is +getting dark fast, and the sooner we are across the better." + +So saying he went off at a fast run, the horses trotting behind +him. A mile above he reached the spot he had spoken of. The river +was narrower here, and the stream was running with great rapidity, +swirling and heaving as it went, but with a smooth even surface. + +"Two hundred yards farther up," the boy said, "is the beginning of +the deep; if you take the water there you will get across so as to +climb up by that sloping bank just opposite." + +He led the way to the spot he indicated, and then plunged into +the stream, swimming quietly and steadily across, and allowing the +stream to drift him down. + +The horsemen followed his example. They had swum many a swollen +river, and although their horses snorted and plunged at first, they +soon quieted down and swam steadily over. They just struck the spot +which the boy had indicated. He had already arrived there, and, +without a word, trotted forward. + +It was soon dark, and the horsemen were obliged to keep close to +his heels to see his figure. It was as much as they could do to +keep up with him, for the ground was rough and broken, sometimes +swampy, sometimes strewn with boulders. + +"It is well we have a guide," Colonel Munro said to his companion; +"for assuredly, even had we got safely across the stream, we should +never have found our way across such a country as this. Scotland +is a fine country, Hume, a grand country, and we are all proud of +it, you know, but for campaigning, give me the plains of Germany; +while, as for your weather here, it is only fit for a water rat." + +Hume laughed at this outburst. + +"I sha'n't be sorry, Munro, for a change of dry clothes and a corner +by a fire; but we must be nearly there now if I remember right. +Graheme's hold is about three miles from the Nith." + +The boy presently gave a loud shout, and a minute later lights +were seen ahead, and in two or three minutes the horsemen drew up +at a door beside which two men were standing with torches; another +strolled out as they stopped. + +"Welcome, Hume! I am glad indeed to see you; and -- ah! is it you, +Munro? it is long indeed since we met." + +"That is it, Graheme; it is twelve years since we were students +together at St. Andrews." + +"I did not think you would have come on such a night," Graheme +said. + +"I doubt that we should have come tonight, or any other night, +Nigel, if it had not been that that brave boy who calls you uncle +swam across the Nith to show us the best way to cross. It was a +gallant deed, and I consider we owe him our lives." + +"It would have gone hard with you, indeed, had you tried to swim +the Nith at the ford; had I not made so sure you would not come I +would have sent a man down there. I missed Malcolm after dinner, +and wondered what had become of him. But come in and get your wet +things off. It is a cold welcome keeping you here. My men will take +your horses round to the stable and see that they are well rubbed +down and warmly littered." + +In a quarter of an hour the party were assembled again in the sitting +room. It was a bare room with heavily timbered ceiling and narrow +windows high up from the ground; for the house was built for +purposes of defence, like most Scottish residences in those days. +The floor was thickly strewn with rushes. Arms and trophies of the +chase hung on the walls, and a bright fire blazing on the hearth +gave it a warm and cheerful aspect. As his guests entered the room +Graheme presented them with a large silver cup of steaming liquor. + +"Drain this," he said, "to begin with. I will warrant me a draught +of spiced wine will drive the cold of the Nith out of your bones." + +The travellers drank off the liquor. + +"'Tis a famous drink," Hume said, "and there is nowhere I enjoy it +so much as in Scotland, for the cold here seems to have a knack of +getting into one's very marrow, though I will say there have been +times in the Low Countries when we have appreciated such a draught. +Well, and how goes it with you, Graheme?" + +"Things might be better; in fact, times in Scotland have been getting +worse and worse ever since King James went to England, and all the +court with him. If it were not for an occasional raid among the +wild folks of Galloway, and a few quarrels among ourselves, life +would be too dull to bear here." + +"But why bear it?" Captain Hume asked. "You used to have plenty +of spirit in our old college days, Graheme, and I wonder at your +rusting your life out here when there is a fair field and plenty of +honour, to say nothing of hard cash, to be won in the Low Country. +Why, beside Hepburn's regiment, which has made itself a name +throughout all Europe, there are half a score of Scottish regiments +in the service of the King of Sweden, and his gracious majesty +Gustavus Adolphus does not keep them idle, I warrant you." + +"I have thought of going a dozen times," Graheme said, "but you see +circumstances have kept me back; but I have all along intended to +cross the seas when Malcolm came of an age to take the charge of +his father's lands. When my brother James was dying from that sword +thrust he got in a fray with the Duffs, I promised him I would be +a father to the boy, and see that he got his rights." + +"Well, we will talk of the affair after supper, Graheme, for now +that I have got rid of the cold I begin to perceive that I am well +nigh famished." + +As the officer was speaking, the servitors were laying the table, +and supper was soon brought in. After ample justice had been done +to this, and the board was again cleared, the three men drew their +seats round the fire, Malcolm seating himself on a low stool by +his uncle. + +"And now to business, Nigel," Colonel Munro said. "We have not come +back to Scotland to see the country, or to enjoy your weather, or +even for the pleasure of swimming your rivers in flood. + +"We are commissioned by the King of Sweden to raise some 3000 +or 4000 more Scottish troops. I believe that the king intends to +take part in the war in Germany, where the Protestants are getting +terribly mauled, and where, indeed, it is likely that the Reformed +Religion will be stamped out altogether unless the Swedes strike in +to their rescue. My chief object is to fill up to its full strength +of two thousand men the Mackay Regiment, of which I am lieutenant +colonel. The rest of the recruits whom we may get will go as drafts +to fill up the vacancies in the other regiments. So you see here +we are, and it is our intention to beat up all our friends and +relations, and ask them each to raise a company or half a company +of recruits, of which, of course, they would have the command. + +"We landed at Berwick, and wrote to several of our friends that +we were coming. Scott of Jedburgh has engaged to raise a company. +Balfour of Lauderdale, who is a cousin of mine, has promised to +bring another; they were both at St. Andrew's with us, as you may +remember, Graheme. Young Hamilton, who had been an ensign in my +regiment, left us on the way. He will raise a company in Douglasdale. +Now, Graheme, don't you think you can bring us a band of the men +of Nithsdale?" + +"I don't know," Graheme said hesitatingly. "I should like it of all +things, for I am sick of doing nothing here, and my blood often runs +hot when I read of the persecutions of the Protestants in Germany; +but I don't think I can manage it." + +"Oh, nonsense, Nigel!" said Hume; "you can manage it easily enough +if you have the will. Are you thinking of the lad there? Why not +bring him with you? He is young, certainly, but he could carry a +colour; and as for his spirit and bravery, Munro and I will vouch +for it." + +"Oh, do, uncle," the lad exclaimed, leaping to his feet in his +excitement. "I promise you I would not give you any trouble; and +as for marching, there isn't a man in Nithsdale who can tire me +out across the mountains." + +"But what's to become of the house, Malcolm, and the land and the +herds?" + +"Oh, they will be all right," the boy said. "Leave old Duncan in +charge, and he will look after them." + +"But I had intended you to go to St. Andrews next year, Malcolm, +and I think the best plan will be for you to go there at once. As +you say, Duncan can look after the place." + +Malcolm's face fell. + +"Take the lad with you, Graheme," Colonel Munro said. "Three years +under Gustavus will do him vastly more good than will St. Andrews. +You know it never did us any good to speak of. We learned a little +more Latin than we knew when we went there, but I don't know that +that has been of any use to us; whereas for the dry tomes of divinity +we waded through, I am happy to say that not a single word of the +musty stuff remains in my brains. The boy will see life and service, +he will have opportunities of distinguishing himself under the +eye of the most chivalrous king in Europe, he will have entered a +noble profession, and have a fair chance of bettering his fortune, +all of which is a thousand times better than settling down here in +this corner of Scotland." + +"I must think it over," Graheme said; "it is a serious step to +take. I had thought of his going to the court at London after he +left the university, and of using our family interest to push his +way there." + +"What is he to do in London?" Munro said. "The old pedant James, who +wouldn't spend a shilling or raise a dozen men to aid the cause of +his own daughter, and who thought more of musty dogmatic treatises +than of the glory and credit of the country he ruled over, or the +sufferings of his co-religionists in Germany, has left no career +open to a lad of spirit." + +"Well, I will think it over by the morning," Graheme said. "And now +tell me a little more about the merits of this quarrel in Germany. +If I am going to fight, I should like at least to know exactly what +I am fighting about." + +"My dear fellow," Hume laughed, "you will never make a soldier +if you always want to know the ins and outs of every quarrel you +have to fight about; but for once the tenderest conscience may be +satisfied as to the justice of the contention. But Munro is much +better versed in the history of the affair than I am; for, to tell +you the truth, beyond the fact that it is a general row between +the Protestants and Catholics, I have not troubled myself much in +the matter." + +"You must know," Colonel Munro began, "that some twenty years +ago the Protestant princes of Germany formed a league for mutual +protection and support, which they called the Protestant Union; and +a year later the Catholics, on their side, constituted what they +called the Holy League. At that time the condition of the Protestants +was not unbearable. In Bohemia, where they constituted two-thirds +of the population, Rudolph II, and after him Mathias, gave conditions +of religious freedom. + +"Gradually, however, the Catholic party about the emperor gained the +upper hand; then various acts in breach of the conditions granted +to the Protestants were committed, and public spirit on both sides +became much embittered. On the 23d of May, 1618, the Estates of +Bohemia met at Prague, and the Protestant nobles, headed by Count +Thurn, came there armed, and demanded from the Imperial councillors an +account of the high handed proceedings. A violent quarrel ensued, +and finally the Protestant deputies seized the councillors Martinitz +and Slavata, and their secretary, and hurled them from the window +into the dry ditch, fifty feet below. Fortunately for the councillors +the ditch contained a quantity of light rubbish, and they and their +secretary escaped without serious damage. The incident, however, +was the commencement of war. Bohemia was almost independent +of Austria, administering its own internal affairs. The Estates +invested Count Thurn with the command of the army. The Protestant +Union supported Bohemia in its action. Mathias, who was himself +a tolerant and well meaning man, tried to allay the storm; but, +failing to do so, marched an army into Bohemia. + +"Had Mathias lived matters would probably have arranged themselves, +but he died the following spring, and was succeeded by Ferdinand +II. Ferdinand is one of the most bigoted Catholics living, and is +at the same time a bold and resolute man; and he had taken a solemn +vow at the shrine of Loretto that, if ever he came to the throne, +he would re-establish Catholicism throughout his dominions. Both +parties prepared for the strife; the Bohemians renounced their +allegiance to him and nominated the Elector Palatine Frederick V, +the husband of our Scotch princess, their king. + +"The first blow was struck at Zablati. There a Union army, led by +Mansfeldt, was defeated by the Imperial general Bucquoi. A few days +later, however, Count Thurn, marching through Moravia and Upper +Austria, laid siege to Vienna. Ferdinand's own subjects were +estranged from him, and the cry of the Protestant army, `Equal rights +for all Christian churches,' was approved by the whole population +-- for even in Austria itself there were a very large number of +Protestants. Ferdinand had but a few soldiers, the population of +the city were hostile, and had Thurn only entered the town he could +have seized the emperor without any resistance. + +"Thurn hesitated, and endeavoured instead to obtain the conditions +of toleration which the Protestants required; and sixteen Austrian +barons in the city were in the act of insisting upon Ferdinand +signing these when the head of the relieving army entered the city. +Thurn retired hastily. The Catholic princes and representatives +met at Frankfort and elected Ferdinand Emperor of Germany. He at +once entered into a strict agreement with Maximilian of Bavaria to +crush Protestantism throughout Germany. The Bohemians, however, in +concert with Bethlem Gabor, king of Hungary, again besieged Vienna; +but as the winter set in they were obliged to retire. From that +moment the Protestant cause was lost; Saxony and Hesse-Darmstadt +left the Union and joined Ferdinand. Denmark, which had promised +its assistance to the Protestants, was persuaded to remain quiet. +Sweden was engaged in a war with the Poles. + +"The Protestant army was assembled at Ulm; the army of the League, +under the order of Maximilian of Bavaria, was at Donauworth. +Maximilian worked upon the fears of the Protestant princes, who, +frightened at the contest they had undertaken, agreed to a peace, +by which they bound themselves to offer no aid to Frederick V. + +"The Imperial forces then marched to Bohemia and attacked Frederick's +army outside Prague, and in less than an hour completely defeated +it. Frederick escaped with his family to Holland. Ferdinand then +took steps to carry out his oath. The religious freedom granted by +Mathias was abolished. In Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia, and Austria +proper. Many of the promoters of the rebellion were punished in +life and property. The year following all members of the Calvinistic +sect were forced to leave their country, a few months afterwards +the Lutherans were also expelled, and in 1627 the exercise of all +religious forms except those of the Catholic Church was forbidden; +200 of the noble, and 30,000 of the wealthier and industrial classes, +were driven into exile; and lands and property to the amount of +5,000,000 or 6,000,000 pounds were confiscated. + +"The hereditary dominions of Frederick V were invaded, the Protestants +were defeated, the Palatinate entirely subdued, and the electorate +was conferred upon Maximilian of Bavaria; and the rigid laws against +the Protestants were carried into effect in the Palatinate also. +It had now become evident to all Europe that the Emperor of Austria +was determined to stamp out Protestantism throughout Germany; and +the Protestant princes, now thoroughly alarmed, besought aid from +the Protestant countries, England, Holland, and Denmark. King James, +who had seen unmoved the misfortunes which had befallen his daughter +and her husband, and who had been dead to the general feeling of +the country, could no longer resist, and England agreed to supply +an annual subsidy; Holland consented to supply troops; and the King +of Denmark joined the League, and was to take command of the army. + +"In Germany the Protestants of lower Saxony and Brunswick, and the +partisan leader Mansfeldt, were still in arms. The army under the +king of Denmark advanced into Brunswick, and was there confronted +by that of the league under Tilly, while an Austrian army, raised +by Wallenstein, also marched against it. Mansfeldt endeavoured to +prevent Wallenstein from joining Tilly, but was met and defeated by +the former general. Mansfeldt was, however, an enterprising leader, +and falling back into Brandenburg, recruited his army, joined the +force under the Duke of Saxe-Weimar, and started by forced marches +to Silesia and Moravia, to join Bethlem Gabor in Hungary. Wallenstein +was therefore obliged to abandon his campaign against the Danes and +to follow him. Mansfeldt joined the Hungarian army, but so rapid +were his marches that his force had dwindled away to a mere skeleton, +and the assistance which it would be to the Hungarians was so small +that Bethlem Gabor refused to cooperate with it against Austria. + +"Mansfeldt disbanded his remaining soldiers, and two months +afterwards died. Wallenstein then marched north. In the meantime +Tilly had attacked King Christian at Lutter, and completely +defeated him. I will tell you about that battle some other time. +When Wallenstein came north it was decided that Tilly should carry +the war into Holland, and that Wallenstein should deal with the +King of Denmark and the Protestant princes. In the course of two +years he drove the Danes from Silesia, subdued Brandenburg and +Mecklenburg, and, advancing into Pomerania, besieged Stralsund. + +"What a siege that was to be sure! Wallenstein had sworn to capture +the place, but he didn't reckon upon the Scots. After the siege +had begun Lieutenant General Sir Alexander Leslie, with 5000 Scots +and Swedes, fought his way into the town; and though Wallenstein +raised fire upon it, though we were half starved and ravaged +by plague, we held out for three months, repulsing every assault, +till at last the Imperialists were obliged to draw off; having lost +12,200 men. + +"This, however, was the solitary success on our side, and a few months +since, Christian signed a peace, binding himself to interfere no +more in the affairs of Germany. When Ferdinand considered himself +free to carry out his plans, he issued an edict by which the +Protestants throughout Germany were required to restore to the +Catholics all the monasteries and land which had formerly belonged +to the Catholic Church. The Catholic service was alone to +be performed, and the Catholic princes of the empire were ordered +to constrain their subjects, by force if necessary, to conform to +the Catholic faith; and it was intimated to the Protestant princes +that they would be equally forced to carry the edict into effect. +But this was too much. Even France disapproved, not from any +feeling of pity on the part of Richelieu for the Protestants, but +because it did not suit the interests of France that Ferdinand +should become the absolute monarch of all Germany. + +"In these circumstances Gustavus of Sweden at once resolved to +assist the Protestants in arms, and ere long will take the field. +That is what has brought us here. Already in the Swedish army there +are 10,000 Scotchmen, and in Denmark they also form the backbone +of the force; and both in the Swedish and Danish armies the greater +part of the native troops are officered and commanded by Scotchmen. + +"Hitherto I myself have been in the Danish service, but my regiment +is about to take service with the Swedes. It has been quietly intimated +to us that there will be no objection to our doing so, although +Christian intends to remain neutral, at any rate for a time. We +suffered very heavily at Lutter, and I need 500 men to fill up my +ranks to the full strength. + +"Now, Graheme, I quite rely upon you. You were at college with +Hepburn, Hume, and myself, and it will be a pleasure for us all +to fight side by side; and if I know anything of your disposition +I am sure you cannot be contented to be remaining here at the age +of nine-and-twenty, rusting out your life as a Scotch laird, while +Hepburn has already won a name which is known through Europe." + + + +CHAPTER II SHIPWRECKED + + +Upon the following morning Nigel Graheme told his visitors that +he had determined to accept their offer, and would at once set to +work to raise a company. + +"I have," he said, "as you know, a small patrimony of my own, and +as for the last eight years I have been living here looking after +Malcolm I have been laying by any rents, and can now furnish the +arms and accoutrements for a hundred men without difficulty. When +Malcolm comes of age he must act for himself, and can raise two +or three hundred men if he chooses; but at present he will march +in my company. I understand that I have the appointment of my own +officers." + +"Yes, until you join the regiment," Munro said. "You have the +first appointments. Afterwards the colonel will fill up vacancies. +You must decide how you will arm your men, for you must know +that Gustavus' regiments have their right and left wings composed +of musketeers, while the centre is formed of pikemen, so you must +decide to which branch your company shall belong." + +"I would choose the pike," Nigel said, "for after all it must be +by the pike that the battle is decided." + +"Quite right, Nigel. I have here with me a drawing of the armour in +use with us. You see they have helmets of an acorn shape, with a +rim turning up in front; gauntlets, buff coats well padded in front, +and large breast plates. The pikes vary from fourteen to eighteen +feet long according to the taste of the commander. We generally use +about sixteen. If your company is a hundred strong you will have +two lieutenants and three ensigns. Be careful in choosing your +officers. I will fill in the king's commission to you as captain +of the company, authorizing you to enlist men for his service and +to appoint officers thereto." + +An hour or two later Colonel Munro and Captain Hume proceeded on +their way. The news speedily spread through Nithsdale that Nigel +Graheme had received a commission from the King of Sweden to raise +a company in his service, and very speedily men began to pour in. +The disbandment of the Scottish army had left but few careers open +at home to the youth of that country, and very large numbers had +consequently flocked to the Continent and taken service in one +or other of the armies there, any opening of the sort, therefore, +had only to be known to be freely embraced. Consequently, in +eight-and-forty hours Nigel Graheme had applications from a far +larger number than he could accept, and he was enabled to pick and +choose among the applicants. Many young men of good family were +among them, for in those days service in the ranks was regarded +as honourable, and great numbers of young men of good family and +education trailed a pike in the Scotch regiments in the service of +the various powers of Europe. Two young men whose property adjoined +his own, Herries and Farquhar, each of whom brought twenty of +his own tenants with him, were appointed lieutenants, while two +others, Leslie and Jamieson, were with Malcolm named as ensigns. +The noncommissioned officers were appointed from men who had served +before. Many of the men already possessed armour which was suitable, +for in those day's there was no strict uniformity of military +attire, and the armies of the various nationalities differed very +slightly from each other. Colonel Munro returned in the course of +a fortnight, Nigel Graheme's company completing the number of men +required to fill up the ranks of his regiment. + +Captain Hume had proceeded further north. Colonel Munro stopped +for a week in Nithsdale, giving instructions to the officers and +noncommissioned officers as to the drill in use in the Swedish army. +Military manoeuvres were in these days very different to what they +have now become. The movements were few and simple, and easily +acquired. Gustavus had, however, introduced an entirely new formation +into his army. Hitherto troops had fought in solid masses, twenty +or more deep. Gustavus taught his men to fight six deep, maintaining +that if troops were steady this depth of formation should be able +to sustain any assault upon it, and that with a greater depth the +men behind were useless in the fight. His cavalry fought only three +deep. The recruits acquired the new tactics with little difficulty. +In Scotland for generations every man and boy had received a certain +military training, and all were instructed in the use of the pike; +consequently, at the end of a week Colonel Munro pronounced Nigel +Graheme's company capable of taking their place in the regiment +without discredit, and so went forward to see to the training +of the companies of Hamilton, Balfour, and Scott, having arranged +with Graheme to march his company to Dunbar in three weeks' time, +when he would be joined by the other three companies. Malcolm was +delighted with the stir and bustle of his new life. Accustomed to +hard exercise, to climbing and swimming, he was a strong and well +grown lad, and was in appearance fully a year beyond his age. He +felt but little fatigued by the incessant drill in which the days +were passed, though he was glad enough of an evening to lay aside +his armour, of which the officers wore in those days considerably +more than the soldiers, the mounted officers being still clad +in full armour, while those on foot wore back and arm pieces, and +often leg pieces, in addition to the helmet and breastplate. They +were armed with swords and pistols, and carried besides what were +called half pikes, or pikes some 7 feet long. They wore feathers +in their helmets, and the armour was of fine quality, and often +richly damascened, or inlaid with gold. + +Very proud did Malcolm feel as on the appointed day he marched with +the company from Nithsdale, with the sun glittering on their arms +and a drummer beating the march at their head. They arrived in +due course at Dunbar, and were in a few hours joined by the other +three companies under Munro himself. The regiment which was now +commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Munro had been raised in 1626 by +Sir Donald Mackay of Farre and Strathnaver, 1500 strong, for the +service of the King of Denmark. Munro was his cousin, and when Sir +Donald went home shortly before, he succeeded to the command of +the regiment. They embarked at once on board a ship which Munro +had chartered, and were landed in Denmark and marched to Flensberg, +where the rest of the regiment was lying. + +A fortnight was spent in severe drill, and then orders were received +from Oxenstiern, the chancellor of Sweden, to embark the regiment +on board two Swedish vessels, the Lillynichol and the Hound. On +board the former were the companies of Captains Robert Munro, Hector +Munro, Bullion, Nigel Graheme, and Hamilton. Colonel Munro sailed +in this ship, while Major Sennot commanded the wing of the regiment +on board the Hound. The baggage horses and ammunition were in a +smaller vessel. + +The orders were that they were to land at Wolgast on the southern +shore of the Baltic. Scarcely had they set sail than the weather +changed, and a sudden tempest burst upon them. Higher and higher +grew the wind, and the vessels were separated in the night. The +Lillynichol laboured heavily in the waves, and the discomfort of the +troops, crowded together between decks, was very great. Presently +it was discovered that she had made a leak, and that the water was +entering fast. Munro at once called forty-eight soldiers to the +pumps. They were relieved every quarter of an hour, and by dint of +the greatest exertions barely succeeded in keeping down the water. +So heavily did the vessel labour that Munro bore away for Dantzig; +but when night came on the storm increased in fury. They were now +in shoal water, and the vessel, already half waterlogged, became +quite unmanageable in the furious waves. Beyond the fact that they +were fast driving on to the Pomeranian coast, they were ignorant +of their position. + +"This is a rough beginning," Nigel said to his nephew. "We +bargained to run the risk of being killed by the Germans, but we +did not expect to run the hazard of being drowned. I doubt if the +vessel can live till morning. It is only eleven o'clock yet, and +in spite of the pumps she is getting lower and lower in the water." + +Before Malcolm had time to answer him there was a tremendous crash +which threw them off their feet. All below struggled on deck, but +nothing could be seen in the darkness save masses of foam as the +waves broke on the rock on which they had struck. There were two +more crashes, and then another, even louder and more terrible, and +the vessel broke in two parts. + +"Come aft all," Colonel Munro shouted; "this part of the wreck is +fixed." + +With great efforts all on board managed to reach the after portion +of the vessel, which was wedged among the rocks, and soon afterwards +the forepart broke up and disappeared. For two hours the sea broke +wildly over the ship, and all had to hold on for life. + +Malcolm, even in this time of danger, could not but admire the +calmness and coolness of his young colonel. He at once set men to +work with ropes to drag towards the vessel the floating pieces of +wreck which were tossing about in the boiling surf. The masts and +yards were hauled alongside, and the colonel instructed the men +to make themselves fast to these in case the vessel should go to +pieces. + +Hour after hour passed, and at last, to the joy of all, daylight +appeared. The boats had all been broken to pieces, and Munro now +set the men to work to bind the spars and timbers together into a +raft. One of the soldiers and a sailor volunteered to try to swim +to shore with lines, but both were dashed to pieces. + +At one o'clock in the day some natives were seen collecting on the +shore, and these presently dragged down a boat and launched it, and +with great difficulty rowed out to the ship. A line was thrown to +them, and with this they returned to shore, where they made the +line fast. The storm was now abating somewhat, and Munro ordered +the debarkation to commence. + +As many of the troops as could find a place on the raft, or could +cling to the ropes fastened on its sides, started first, and by means +of the line hauled the raft ashore. A small party then brought it +back to the ship, while others manned the boat; and so after a number +of trips the whole of the troops and crew were landed, together +with all the weapons and armour that could be saved. + +From the peasantry Munro now learned that they had been wrecked +upon the coast of Rugenwalde, a low lying tract of country in the +north of Pomerania. The forts upon it were all in the possession of +the Imperialists, while the nearest post of the Swedes was eighty +miles away. + +The position was not a pleasant one. Many of the arms had been lost, +and the gunpowder was of course destroyed. The men were exhausted +and worn out with their long struggle with the tempest. They were +without food, and might at any moment be attacked by their enemies. + +"Something must be done, and that quickly," Munro said, "or our +fate will be well nigh as bad as that of the Sinclairs; but before +night we can do nothing, and we must hope that the Germans will +not discover us till then." + +Thereupon he ordered all the men to lie down under shelter of the +bushes on the slopes facing the shore, and on no account to show +themselves on the higher ground. Then he sent a Walloon officer +of the regiment to the Pomeranian seneschal of the old castle +of Rugenwalde which belonged to Bogislaus IV, Duke of Pomerania, +to inform him that a body of Scotch troops in the service of the +Swedish king had been cast on the coast, and begging him to supply +them with a few muskets, some dry powder, and bullets, promising if +he would do so that the Scotch would clear the town of its Imperial +garrison. + +The castle itself, which was a very old feudal building, was +held only by the retainers of the duke, and the seneschal at once +complied with Munro's request, for the Duke of Pomerania, his master, +although nominally an ally of the Imperialists, had been deprived +of all authority by them, and the feelings of his subjects were +entirely with the Swedes. + +Fifty old muskets, some ammunition, and some food were sent out by +a secret passage to the Scots. There was great satisfaction among +the men when these supplies arrived. The muskets which had been +brought ashore were cleaned up and loaded, and the feeling that they +were no longer in a position to fall helplessly into the hands of +any foe who might discover them restored the spirits of the troops, +and fatigue and hunger were forgotten as they looked forward to +striking a blow at the enemy. + +"What did the colonel mean by saying that our position was well +nigh as bad as that of the Sinclairs?" Malcolm asked Captain Hector +Munro, who with two or three other officers was sheltering under +a thick clump of bushes. + +"That was a bad business," Captain Munro replied. "It happened +now nigh twenty years ago. Colonel Monkhoven, a Swedish officer, +had enlisted 2300 men in Scotland for service with Gustavus, and +sailed with them and with a regiment 900 strong raised by Sinclair +entirely of his own clan and name. Sweden was at war with Denmark, +and Stockholm was invested by the Danish fleet when Monkhoven +arrived with his ships. Finding that he was unable to land, he +sailed north, landed at Trondheim, and marching over the Norwegian +Alps reached Stockholm in safety, where the appearance of his +reinforcements discouraged the Danes and enabled Gustavus to raise +the siege. + +"Unfortunately Colonel Sinclair's regiment had not kept with Monkhoven, +it being thought better that they should march by different routes +so as to distract the attention of the Norwegians, who were bitterly +hostile. The Sinclairs were attacked several times, but beat off +their assailants; when passing, however, through the tremendous +gorge of Kringellen, the peasantry of the whole surrounding country +gathered in the mountains. The road wound along on one side of the +gorge. So steep was the hill that the path was cut in solid rock +which rose almost precipitously on one side, while far below at +their feet rushed a rapid torrent. As the Sinclairs were marching +along through this rocky gorge a tremendous fire was opened upon +them from the pine forests above, while huge rocks and stones came +bounding down the precipice. + +"The Sinclairs strove in vain to climb the mountainside and get +at their foes. It was impossible, and they were simply slaughtered +where they stood, only one man of the whole regiment escaping to +tell the story." + +"That was a terrible massacre indeed," Malcolm said. "I have read +of a good many surprises and slaughters in our Scottish history, +but never of such complete destruction as that only one man out of +900 should escape. And was the slaughter never avenged?" + +"No," Munro replied. "We Scots would gladly march north and repay +these savage peasants for the massacre of our countrymen, but the +King of Sweden has had plenty of occupation for his Scotchmen in +his own wars. What with the Russians and the Poles and the Danes +his hands have been pretty full from that day to this, and indeed +an expedition against the Norsemen is one which would bring more +fatigue and labour than profit. The peasants would seek shelter in +their forests and mountains, and march as we would we should never +see them, save when they fell upon us with advantage in some defile." + +At nightfall the troops were mustered, and, led by the men who +had brought the arms, they passed by the secret passage into the +castle, and thence sallied suddenly into the town below. There +they fell upon a patrol of Imperial cavalry, who were all shot down +before they had time to draw their swords. Then scattering through +the town, the whole squadron of cuirassiers who garrisoned it were +either killed or taken prisoners. This easy conquest achieved, the +first care of Munro was to feed his troops. These were then armed +from the stores in the town, and a strong guard being placed lest +they should be attacked by the Austrian force, which was, they +learned, lying but seven miles away, on the other side of the river, +the troops lay down to snatch a few hours of needed rest. + +In the morning the country was scoured, and a few detached posts +of the Austrians captured. The main body then advanced and blew +up the bridge across the river. Five days later an order came from +Oxenstiern, to whom Munro had at once despatched the news of his +capture of Rugenwalde, ordering him to hold it to the last, the +position being a very valuable one, as opening an entrance into +Pomerania. + +The passage of the river was protected by entrenchments, strong +redoubts were thrown up round Rugenwalde, and parties crossing the +river in boats collected provisions and stores from the country +to the very gates of Dantzig. The Austrians rapidly closed in upon +all sides, and for nine weeks a constant series of skirmishes were +maintained with them. + +At the end of that time Sir John Hepburn arrived from Spruce, +having pushed forward by order of Oxenstiern by forced marches to +their relief. Loud and hearty was the cheering when the two Scotch +regiments united, and the friends, Munro and Hepburn, clasped hands. +Not only had they been at college together, but they had, after +leaving St. Andrews, travelled in companionship on the Continent +for two or three years before taking service, Munro entering that +of France, while Hepburn joined Sir Andrew Gray as a volunteer when +he led a band to succour the Prince Palatine at the commencement +of the war. + +"I have another old friend in my regiment, Hepburn," the colonel +said after the first greeting was over --"Nigel Graheme, of course +you remember him." + +"Certainly I do," Hepburn exclaimed cordially, "and right glad will +I be to see him again; but I thought your regiment was entirely +from the north." + +"It was originally," Munro said; "but I have filled up the gaps +with men from Nithsdale and the south. I was pressed for time, and +our glens of Farre and Strathnaver had already been cleared of all +their best men. The other companies are all commanded by men who +were with us at St. Andrews -- Balfour, George Hamilton, and James +Scott." + +"That is well," Hepburn said. "Whether from the north or the south +Scots fight equally well; and with Gustavus 'tis like being in our +own country, so large a proportion are we of his majesty's army. +And now, Munro, I fear that I must supersede you in command, being +senior to you in the service, and having, moreover, his majesty's +commission as governor of the town and district." + +"There is no one to whom I would more willingly resign the command. +I have seen some hard fighting, but have yet my name to win; while +you, though still only a colonel, are famous throughout Europe." + +"Thanks to my men rather than to myself," Hepburn said, "though, +indeed, mine is no better than the other Scottish regiments in the +king's service; but we have had luck, and in war, you know, luck +is everything." + +There were many officers in both regiments who were old friends +and acquaintances, and there was much feasting that night in the +Scotch camp. In the morning work began again. The peasants of the +district, 8000 strong, were mustered and divided into companies, +armed and disciplined, and with these and the two Scotch regiments +Hepburn advanced through Pomerania to the gates of Colberg, fifty +miles away, clearing the country of the Austrians, who offered, +indeed, but a faint resistance. + +The Lord of Kniphausen, a general in the Swedish service, now arrived +with some Swedish troops, and prepared to besiege the town. The +rest of Munro's regiment accompanied him, having arrived safely +at their destination, and the whole were ordered to aid in the +investment of Colberg, while Hepburn was to seize the town and +castle of Schiefelbrune, five miles distant, and there to check the +advance of the Imperialists, who were moving forward in strength +towards it. + +Hepburn performed his mission with a party of cavalry, and reported +that although the castle was dilapidated it was a place of strength, +and that it could be held by a resolute garrison; whereupon Munro +with 500 men of his regiment was ordered to occupy it. Nigel +Graheme's company was one of those which marched forward on the +6th of November, and entering the town, which was almost deserted +by its inhabitants, set to work to prepare it for defence. Ramparts +of earth and stockades were hastily thrown up, and the gates were +backed by piles of rubbish to prevent them being blown in by petards. + +Scarcely were the preparations completed before the enemy were seen +moving down the hillside. + +"How many are there of them, think you?" Malcolm asked Lieutenant +Farquhar. + +"I am not skilled in judging numbers, Malcolm, but I should say +that there must be fully five thousand." + +There were indeed eight thousand Imperialists approaching, led by +the Count of Montecuculi, a distinguished Italian officer, who had +with him the regiments of Coloredo, Isslani, Goetz, Sparre, and +Charles Wallenstein, with a large force of mounted Croats. + +Munro's orders were to hold the town as long as he could, and +afterwards to defend the castle to the last man. The Imperial +general sent in a message requesting him to treat for the surrender +of the place; but Munro replied simply, that as no allusion to the +word treaty was contained in his instructions he should defend the +place to the last. The first advance of the Imperialists was made +by the cavalry covered by 1000 musketeers, but these were repulsed +without much difficulty by the Scottish fire. + +The whole force then advanced to the attack with great resolution. +Desperately the Highlanders defended the town, again and again the +Imperialists were repulsed from the slight rampart, and when at +last they won their way into the place by dint of numbers, every +street, lane, alley, and house was defended to the last. Malcolm +was almost bewildered at the din, the incessant roll of musketry, +the hoarse shouts of the contending troops, the rattling of the +guns, and the shrieks of pain. + +Every time the Imperialists tried to force their way in heavy columns +up the streets the Scots poured out from the houses to resist them, +and meeting them pike to pike hurled them backwards. Malcolm tried +to keep cool, and to imitate the behaviour of his senior officers, +repeating their orders, and seeing that they were carried out. + +Time after time the Austrians attempted to carry the place, and +were always hurled back, although outnumbering the Scots by nigh +twenty to one. At last the town was in ruins, and was on fire in a +score of places. Its streets and lanes were heaped with dead, and +it was no longer tenable. Munro therefore gave orders that the +houses should everywhere be set on fire, and the troops fall back +to the castle. + +Steadily and in good order his commands were carried out, and with +levelled pikes, still facing the enemy, the troops retired into the +castle. The Imperial general, seeing how heavy had been his losses +in carrying the open town, shrank from the prospect of assaulting +a castle defended by such troops, and when night fell he quietly +marched away with the force under his command. + + + +CHAPTER III SIR JOHN HEPBURN + + +Munro's first care, when he found that the Imperialists had retreated +in the direction of Colberg, was to send out some horsemen to +discover whether the Swedes were in a position to cover that town. +The men returned in two hours with the report that Field Marshal +Horn, with the Swedish troops from Stettin, had joined Kniphausen +and Hepburn, and were guarding the passage between the enemy and +Colberg. + +Two days later a message arrived to the effect that Sir Donald +Mackay, who had now been created Lord Reay, had arrived to take +the command of his regiment, and that Nigel Graheme's company was +to march and join him; while Munro with the rest of his command +was to continue to hold the Castle of Schiefelbrune. + +Shortly afterwards General Bauditzen arrived with 4000 men and 18 +pieces of cannon to press the siege of Colberg, which was one of +the strongest fortresses in North Germany. On the 13th of November +the news arrived that Montecuculi was again advancing to raise the +siege; and Lord Reay with his half regiment, Hepburn with half his +regiment, and a regiment of Swedish infantry marched out to meet +him, Kniphausen being in command. They took up a position in a +little village a few miles from the town; and here, at four o'clock +in the morning, they were attacked by the Imperialists, 7000 strong. +The Swedish infantry fled almost without firing a shot, but the +Scottish musketeers of Hepburn and Reay stood their ground. + +For a time a desperate conflict raged. In the darkness it was +utterly impossible to distinguish friend from foe, and numbers on +both sides were mown down by the volleys of their own party. In the +streets and gardens of the little village men fought desperately +with pikes and clubbed muskets. Unable to act in the darkness, +and losing many men from the storm of bullets which swept over the +village, the Swedish cavalry who had accompanied the column turned +and fled; and being unable to resist so vast a superiority of +force, Kniphausen gave the word, and the Scotch fell slowly back +under cover of the heavy mist which rose with the first breath of +day, leaving 500 men, nearly half their force, dead behind them. + +Nigel Graheme's company had suffered severely; he himself was badly +wounded. A lieutenant and one of the ensigns were killed, with +thirty of the men, and many others were wounded with pike or bullet. +Malcolm had had his share of the fighting. Several times he and +the men immediately round him had been charged by the Imperialists, +but their long pikes had each time repulsed the assaults. + +Malcolm had before this come to the conclusion, from the anecdotes +he heard from the officers who had served through several campaigns, +that the first quality of an officer is coolness, and that this is +even more valuable than is reckless bravery. He had therefore set +before himself that his first duty in action was to be perfectly +calm, to speak without hurry or excitement in a quiet and natural +tone. + +In his first fight at Schiefelbrune he had endeavoured to carry +this out, but although he gained much commendation from Nigel and +the other officers of the company for his coolness on that occasion, +he had by no means satisfied himself; but upon the present occasion +he succeeded much better in keeping his natural feelings in check, +forcing himself to speak in a quiet and deliberate way without +flurry or excitement, and in a tone of voice in no way raised above +the ordinary. The effect had been excellent, and the soldiers, in +talking over the affair next day, were loud in their praise of the +conduct of the young ensign. + +"The lad was as cool as an old soldier," one of the sergeants +said, "and cooler. Just as the Austrian column was coming on for +the third time, shouting, and cheering, and sending their bullets +in a hail, he said to me as quietly as if he was giving an order +about his dinner, 'I think, Donald, it would be as well to keep +the men out of fire until the last moment. Some one might get hurt, +you see, before the enemy get close enough to use the pikes.' And +then when they came close he said, 'Now, sergeant, I think it is time +to move out and stop them.' When they came upon us he was fighting +with his half pike with the best of us. And when the Austrians +fell back and began to fire again, and we took shelter behind the +houses, he walked about on the road, stooping down over those who +had fallen, to see if all were killed, and finding two were alive +he called out, 'Will one of you just come and help me carry these +men under shelter? They may get hit again if they remain here.' +I went out to him, but I can tell you I didn't like it, for the +bullets were coming along the road in a shower. His helmet was +knocked off by one, and one of the men we were carrying in was +struck by two more bullets and killed, and the lad seemed to mind +it no more than if it had been a rainstorm in the hills at home. +I thought when we left Nithsdale that the captain was in the wrong +to make so young a boy an officer, but I don't think so now. Munro +himself could not have been cooler. If he lives he will make a +great soldier." + +The defence of the Scots had been so stubborn that Montecuculi +abandoned his attempt to relieve Colberg that day, and so vigilant +was the watch which the besiegers kept that he was obliged at last +to draw off his troops and leave Colberg to its fate. The place +held out to the 26th of February, when the garrison surrendered +and were allowed to march out with the honours of war, with pikes +carried, colours flying, drums beating, matches lighted, with +their baggage, and with two pieces of cannon loaded and ready for +action. They were saluted by the army as they marched away to the +nearest town held by the Austrians, and as they passed by Schiefelbrune +Munro's command were drawn up and presented arms to the 1500 men +who had for three months resisted every attempt to capture Colberg +by assault. + +Nigel Graheme's wound was so severe that he was obliged for a time +to relinquish the command of his company, which he handed over to +Herries. + +As there had been two vacancies among the officers Malcolm would +naturally have been promoted to the duties of lieutenant, but at his +urgent request his uncle chose for the purpose a young gentleman of +good family who had fought in the ranks, and had much distinguished +himself in both the contests. Two others were also promoted to fill +up the vacancies as ensigns. + +The troops after the capture of Colberg marched to Stettin, around +which town they encamped for a time, while Gustavus completed his +preparations for his march into Germany. While a portion of his +army had been besieging Colberg, Gustavus had been driving the +Imperialists out of the whole of Pomerania. Landing on the 24th +of June with an army in all of 15,000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, and +about 3000 artillery, he had, after despatching troops to aid Munro +and besiege Colberg, marched against the Imperialists under Conti. +These, however, retreated in great disorder and with much loss of +men, guns, and baggage, into Brandenburg; and in a few weeks after +the Swedish landing only Colberg, Greifswald, and Demming held out. +In January Gustavus concluded a treaty with France, who agreed to +pay him an annual subsidy of 400,000 thalers on the condition that +Gustavus maintained in the field an army of 30,000 infantry and +6000 cavalry, and assured to the princes and peoples whose territory +he might occupy the free exercise of their religion. England also +promised a subsidy, and the Marquis of Hamilton was to bring over +6000 infantry; but as the king did not wish openly to take part +in the war this force was not to appear as an English contingent. +Another regiment of Highlanders was brought over by Colonel John +Munro of Obstell, and also a regiment recruited in the Lowlands by +Colonel Sir James Lumsden. + +Many other parties of Scotch were brought over by gentlemen of rank. +Four chosen Scottish regiments, Hepburn's regiment, Lord Reay's +regiment, Sir James Lumsden's musketeers, and Stargate's corps, +were formed into one brigade under the command of Hepburn. It was +called the Green Brigade, and the doublets, scarfs, feathers, and +standards were of that colour. The rest of the infantry were divided +into the Yellow, Blue, and White Brigades. + +One evening when the officers of Reay's regiment were sitting round +the campfire Lieutenant Farquhar said to Colonel Munro: + +"How is it that Sir John Hepburn has, although still so young, +risen to such high honour in the counsel of the king; how did he +first make his way?" + +"He first entered the force raised by Sir Andrew Gray, who crossed +from Leith to Holland, and then uniting with a body of English +troops under Sir Horace Vere marched to join the troops of the +Elector Palatine. It was a work of danger and difficulty for so +small a body of men to march through Germany, and Spinola with a +powerful force tried to intercept them. They managed, however, to +avoid him, and reached their destination in safety. + +"Vere's force consisted of 2200 men, and when he and Sir Andrew +Gray joined the Margrave of Anspach the latter had but 4000 horse +and 4000 foot with him. There was a good deal of fighting, and +Hepburn so distinguished himself that although then but twenty +years old he obtained command of a company of pikemen in Sir Andrew +Gray's band, and this company was specially selected as a bodyguard +for the king. + +"There was one Scotchman in the band who vied even with Hepburn in +the gallantry of his deeds. He was the son of a burgess of Stirling +named Edmund, and on one occasion, laying aside his armour, he swam +the Danube at night in front of the Austrian lines, and penetrated +to the very heart of the Imperial camp. There he managed to enter +the tent of the Imperialist general, the Count de Bucquoi, gagged +and bound him, carried him to the river, swam across with him and +presented him as a prisoner to the Prince of Orange, under whose +command he was then serving. + +"It was well for Hepburn that at the battle of Prague he was guarding +the king, or he also might have fallen among the hosts who died +on that disastrous day. When the elector had fled the country Sir +Andrew Gray's bands formed part of Mansfeldt's force, under whom +they gained great glory. When driven out of the Palatinate they +still kept up the war in various parts of Germany and Alsace. With +the Scotch companies of Colonel Henderson they defended Bergen when +the Marquis of Spinola besieged it. Morgan with an English brigade +was with them, and right steadily they fought. Again and again +the Spaniards attempted to storm the place, but after losing 12,000 +men they were forced to withdraw on the approach of Prince Maurice. + +"The elector now made peace with the emperor, and Mansfeldt's bands +found themselves without employment. Mansfeldt in vain endeavoured +to obtain employment under one of the powers, but failing, marched +into Lorraine. There, it must be owned, they plundered and ravaged +till they were a terror to the country. At last the Dutch, being +sorely pressed by the Spaniards, offered to take them into their +pay, and the bands marched out from Lorraine in high spirits. + +"They were in sore plight for fighting, for most of them had been +obliged to sell even their arms and armour to procure food. Spinola, +hearing of their approach pushed forward with a strong force to +intercept them, and so came upon them at Fleurus, eight miles from +Namur, on the 30th of August, 1622. + +"The Scots were led by Hepburn, Hume, and Sir James Ramsay; +the English by Sir Charles Rich, brother to the Earl of Warwick, +Sir James Hayes, and others. The odds seemed all in favour of the +Spaniards. who were much superior in numbers, and were splendidly +accoutred and well disciplined, and what was more, were well fed, +while Mansfeldt's bands were but half armed and almost wholly +starving. + +"It was a desperate battle, and the Spaniards in the end remained +masters of the field, but Mansfeldt with his bands had burst their +way through them, and succeeded in crossing into Holland. Here +their position was bettered; for, though there was little fighting +for them to do, and they could get no pay, they lived and grew +fat in free quarters among the Dutch. At last the force broke +up altogether; the Germans scattered to their homes, the English +crossed the seas, and Hepburn led what remained of Sir Andrew Gray's +bands to Sweden, where he offered their services to Gustavus. The +Swedish king had already a large number of Scotch in his service, +and Hepburn was made a colonel, having a strong regiment composed +of his old followers inured to war and hardship, and strengthened +by a number of new arrivals. When in 1625 hostilities were renewed +with Poland Hepburn's regiment formed part of the army which invaded +Polish Prussia. The first feat in which he distinguished himself in +the service of Sweden was at the relief of Mewe, a town in Eastern +Prussia, which was blockaded by King Sigismund at the head of +30,000 Poles. The town is situated at the confluence of the Bersa +with the Vistula, which washes two sides of its walls. + +"In front of the other face is a steep green eminence which the +Poles had very strongly entrenched, and had erected upon it ten +batteries of heavy cannon. As the town could only be approached on +this side the difficulties of the relieving force were enormous; +but as the relief of the town was a necessity in order to enable +Gustavus to carry out the campaign he intended, the king determined +to make a desperate effort to effect it. + +"He selected 3000 of his best Scottish infantry, among whom was +Hepburn's own regiment, and 500 horse under Colonel Thurn. When +they were drawn up he gave them a short address on the desperate +nature of the service they were about to perform, namely, to cut +a passage over a strongly fortified hill defended by 30,000 men. +The column, commanded by Hepburn, started at dusk, and, unseen by +the enemy, approached their position, and working round it began +to ascend the hill by a narrow and winding path encumbered by rocks +and stones, thick underwood, and overhanging trees. + +"The difficulty for troops with heavy muskets, cartridges, breastplates, +and helmets, to make their way up such a place was enormous, and +the mountain side was so steep that they were frequently obliged +to haul themselves up by the branches of the trees; nevertheless, +they managed to make their way through the enemy's outposts unobserved, +and reached the summit, where the ground was smooth and level. + +"Here they fell at once upon the Poles, who were working busily +at their trenches, and for a time gained a footing there; but a +deadly fire of musketry with showers of arrows and stones, opened +upon them from all points, compelled the Scots to recoil from the +trenches, when they were instantly attacked by crowds of horsemen +in mail shirts and steel caps. Hepburn drew off his men till they +reached a rock on the plateau, and here they made their stand, the +musketeers occupying the rock, the pikemen forming in a wall around +it. + +"They had brought with them the portable chevaux-de-frise carried +by the infantry in the Swedish service. They fixed this along in +front, and it aided the spearmen greatly in resisting the desperate +charges of the Polish horsemen. Hepburn was joined by Colonel Mostyn, +an Englishman, and Count Brahe, with 200 German arquebusiers, and +this force for two days withstood the incessant attacks of the +whole of the Polish army. + +"While this desperate strife was going on, and the attention of the +enemy entirely occupied, Gustavus managed to pass a strong force of +men and a store of ammunition into the town, and the Poles, seeing +that he had achieved his purpose, retired unmolested. In every +battle which Gustavus fought Hepburn bore a prominent part. He +distinguished himself at the storming of Kesmark and the defeat of +the Poles who were marching to its relief. + +"He took part in the siege and capture of Marienburg and in +the defeat of the Poles at Dirschau. He was with Leslie when last +year he defended Stralsund against Wallenstein, and inflicted upon +the haughty general the first reverse he had ever met with. Truly +Hepburn has won his honours by the edge of the sword." + +"Wallenstein is the greatest of the Imperial commanders, is he +not?" Farquhar asked. + +"He and Tilly," Munro replied. "'Tis a question which is the greatest. +They are men of a very different stamp. Tilly is a soldier, and +nothing but a soldier, save that he is a fanatic in religion. He +is as cruel as he is brave, and as portentously ugly as he is cruel. + +"Wallenstein is a very different man. He has enormous ambition and +great talent, and his possessions are so vast that he is a dangerous +subject for any potentate, even the most powerful. Curiously enough, +he was born of Protestant parents, but when they died, while he +was yet a child, he was committed to the care of his uncle, Albert +Slavata, a Jesuit, and was by him brought up a strict Catholic. +When he had finished the course of his study at Metz he spent some +time at the University of Altdorf, and afterwards studied at Bologna +and Padua. He then travelled in Italy, Germany, France, Spain, +England, and Holland, studying the military forces and tactics of +each country. + +"On his return to Bohemia he took service under the Emperor +Rudolph and joined the army of General Basta in Hungary, where he +distinguished himself greatly at the siege of Grau. When peace was +made in 1606 Wallenstein returned to Bohemia, and though he was but +twenty-three years old he married a wealthy old widow, all of whose +large properties came to him at her death eight years afterwards. + +"Five years later he raised at his own cost two hundred dragoons to +support Ferdinand of Gratz in his war against the Venetians. Here +he greatly distinguished himself, and was promoted to a colonelcy. +He married a second time, and again to one of the richest heiresses +of Austria. On the outbreak of the religious war of 1618 he raised +a regiment of Cuirassiers, and fought at its head. Two years later +he was made quartermaster general of the army, and marched at the +head of an independent force into Moravia, and there re-established +the Imperial authority. + +"The next year he bought from the Emperor Ferdinand, for a little +over 7,000,000 florins, sixty properties which the emperor had +confiscated from Protestants whom he had either executed or banished. +He had been made a count at the time of his second marriage; he was +now named a prince, which title was changed into that of the Duke +of Friedland. They say that his wealth is so vast that he obtains +two millions and a half sterling a year from his various estates. + +"When in 1625 King Christian of Denmark joined in the war against +the emperor, Wallenstein raised at his own cost an army of 50,000 +men and defeated Mansfeldt's army. After that he cleared the Danes +out of Silesia, conquered Brandenburg and Mecklenburg, and laid +siege to Stralsund, and there broke his teeth against our Scottish +pikes. For his services in that war Wallenstein received the duchy +of Mecklenburg. + +"At present he is in retirement. The conquests which his army have +made for the emperor aroused the suspicion and jealousy of the +German princes, and it may be that the emperor himself was glad +enough of an excuse to humble his too powerful subject. At any +rate, Wallenstein's army was disbanded, and he retired to one of +his castles. You may be sure we shall hear of him again. Tilly, you +know, is the Bavarian commander, and we shall probably encounter +him before long." + +New Brandenburg and several other towns were captured and strongly +garrisoned, 600 of Reay's regiment under Lieutenant Colonel Lindsay +being left in New Brandenburg. Nigel Graheme was still laid up, +but his company formed part of the force. + +"This is ill fortune indeed," Malcolm said to Lieutenant Farquhar, +"thus to be shut up here while the army are marching away to win +victories in the field." + +"It is indeed, Malcolm, but I suppose that the king thinks that +Tilly is likely to try and retake these places, and so to threaten +his rear as he marches forward. He would never have placed as +strong a force of his best soldiers here if he had not thought the +position a very important one." + +The troops were quartered in the larger buildings of New Brandenburg; +the officers were billeted upon the burghers. The position of the +country people and the inhabitants of the towns of Germany during +this long and desolating war was terrible; no matter which side +won, they suffered. There were in those days no commissariat wagons +bringing up stores from depots and magazines to the armies. The +troops lived entirely upon the country through which they marched. +In exceptional cases, when the military chest happened to be well +filled, the provisions acquired might be paid for, but as a rule +armies upon the march lived by foraging. The cavalry swept in the +flocks and herds from the country round. Flour, forage, and everything +else required was seized wherever found, and the unhappy peasants +and villagers thought themselves lucky if they escaped with the loss +of all they possessed, without violence, insult, and ill treatment. +The slightest resistance to the exactions of the lawless foragers +excited their fury, and indiscriminate slaughter took place. The +march of an army could be followed by burned villages, demolished +houses, crops destroyed, and general ruin, havoc, and desolation. + +In the cases of towns these generally escaped indiscriminate +plunder by sending deputies forward to meet advancing armies, when +an offer would be made to the general to supply so much food and to +pay so much money on condition that private property was respected. +In these cases the main body of the troops was generally encamped +outside the town. Along the routes frequently followed by armies +the country became a desert, the hapless people forsook their ruined +homes, and took refuge in the forests or in the heart of the hills, +carrying with them their portable property, and driving before them +a cow or two and a few goats. + +How great was the general slaughter and destruction may be judged by +the fact that the population of Germany decreased by half during +the war, and in Bohemia the slaughter was even greater. At the +commencement of the war the population of Bohemia consisted of +3,000,000 of people, inhabiting 738 towns and 34,700 villages. At +the end of the war there were but 780,000 inhabitants, 230 towns, +and 6000 villages. Thus three out of four of the whole population +had been slaughtered during the struggle. + +Malcolm was, with Lieutenant Farquhar, quartered upon one of the +principal burghers of New Brandenburg, and syndic of the weavers. +He received them cordially. + +"I am glad," he said, "to entertain two Scottish officers, and, to +speak frankly, your presence will be of no slight advantage, for +it is only the houses where officers are quartered which can hope +to escape from the plunder and exactions of the soldiers. My wife +and I will do our best to make you comfortable, but we cannot +entertain you as we could have done before this war began, for +trade is altogether ruined. None have money wherewith to buy goods. +Even when free from the presence of contending armies, the country +is infested with parties of deserters or disbanded soldiers, who +plunder and murder all whom they meet, so that none dare travel +along the roads save in strong parties. I believe that there is +scarce a village standing within twenty miles, and many parts have +suffered much more than we have. If this war goes on, God help the +people, for I know not what will become of them. This is my house, +will you please to enter." + +Entering a wide hall, he led them into a low sitting room where +his wife and three daughters were at work. They started up with +looks of alarm at the clatter of steel in the hall. + +"Wife," the syndic said as he entered, "these are two gentlemen, +officers of the Scottish regiment; they will stay with us during +the occupation of the town. I know that you and the girls will do +your best to make their stay pleasant to them." + +As the officers removed their helmets the apprehensions of the women +calmed down on perceiving that one of their guests was a young man +of three or four and twenty, while the other was a lad, and that +both had bright pleasant faces in no way answering the terrible +reputation gained by the invincible soldiers of the Swedish king. + +"I hope," Farquhar said pleasantly, "that you will not put yourselves +out of your way for us. We are soldiers of fortune accustomed to +sleep on the ground and to live on the roughest fare, and since +leaving Scotland we have scarcely slept beneath a roof. We will be +as little trouble to you as we can, and our two soldier servants +will do all that we need." + +Farquhar spoke in German, for so large a number of Germans were +serving among the Swedes that the Scottish officers had all learned +to speak that language and Swedish, German being absolutely necessary +for their intercourse with the country people. This was the more +easy as the two languages were akin to each other, and were less +broadly separated from English in those days than they are now. + +It was nearly a year since Farquhar and Malcolm had landed on the +shores of the Baltic, and living as they had done among Swedes +and Germans, they had had no difficulty in learning to speak both +languages fluently. + + + +CHAPTER IV NEW BRANDENBURG + + +Farquhar and Malcolm Graheme were soon at home with their hosts. +The syndic had offered to have their meals prepared for them in a +separate chamber, but they begged to be allowed to take them with +the family, with whom they speedily became intimate. + +Three weeks after the capture of New Brandenburg the news came that +Tilly with a large army was rapidly approaching. + +Every effort was made to place the town in a position of defence. +Day after day messengers came in with the news that the other +places which had been garrisoned by the Swedes had been captured, +and very shortly the Imperialist army was seen approaching. +The garrison knew that they could expect no relief from Gustavus, +who had ten days before marched northward, and all prepared for +a desperate resistance. The townsfolk looked on with trembling +apprehension, their sympathies were with the defenders, and, +moreover, they knew that in any case they might expect pillage and +rapine should the city be taken, for the property of the townspeople +when a city was captured was regarded by the soldiery as their +lawful prize, whether friendly to the conquerors or the reverse. +The town was at once summoned to surrender, and upon Lindsay's +refusal the guns were placed in position, and the siege began. + +As Tilly was anxious to march away to the north to oppose Gustavus +he spared no effort to reduce New Brandenburg as speedily as +possible, and his artillery fired night and day to effect breaches +in the walls. The Scotch officers saw little of their hosts now, +for they were almost continually upon the walls. + +At the first news of the approach of the Imperialists the syndic +had sent away his daughters to the house of a relative at Stralsund, +where his son was settled in business. When Farquhar and Malcolm +returned to eat a meal or to throw themselves on their beds to +snatch a short sleep, the syndic anxiously questioned them as to +the progress of the siege. The reports were not hopeful. In several +places the walls were crumbling, and it was probable that a storm +would shortly be attempted. The town itself was suffering heavily, +for the balls of the besiegers frequently flew high, and came +crashing among the houses. Few of the inhabitants were to be seen +in the streets; all had buried their most valuable property, and +with scared faces awaited the issue of the conflict. + +After six days' cannonade the walls were breached in many places, +and the Imperialists advanced to the assault. The Scotch defended +them with great resolution, and again and again the Imperialists +recoiled, unable to burst their way through the lines of pikes +or to withstand the heavy musketry fire poured upon them from the +walls and buildings. + +But Tilly's army was so strong that he was able continually to bring +up fresh troops to the attack, while the Scotch were incessantly +engaged. For eight-and-forty hours the defenders resisted successfully, +but at last, worn out by fatigue, they were unable to withstand +the onslaught of the enemy, and the latter forced their way into +the town. Still the Scots fought on. Falling back from the breaches, +they contested every foot of the ground, holding the streets and +lanes with desperate tenacity, and inflicting terrible losses upon +the enemy. + +At last, twelve hours later, they were gathered in the marketplace, +nearly in the centre of the town, surrounded on all sides by the +enemy. Several times the Scottish bugles had sounded a parley, but +Tilly, furious at the resistance, and at the loss which the capture +of the town had entailed, had issued orders that no quarter should +be given, and his troops pressed the now diminished band of Scotchmen +on all sides. + +Even now they could not break through the circle of spears, but +from every window and roof commanding them a deadly fire was poured +in. Colonel Lindsay was shot dead. Captain Moncrieff, Lieutenant +Keith, and Farquhar fell close to Malcolm. The shouts of "Kill, +kill, no quarter," rose from the masses of Imperialists. Parties +of the Scotch, preferring to die sword in hand rather than be shot +down, flung themselves into the midst of the enemy and died fighting. + +At last, when but fifty men remained standing, these in a close +body rushed at the enemy and drove them by the fury of their attack +some distance down the principal street. Then numbers told. The +band was broken up, and a desperate hand-to-hand conflict raged +for a time. + +Two of the Scottish officers alone, Captain Innes and Lieutenant +Lumsden, succeeded in breaking their way down a side lane, and +thence, rushing to the wall, leapt down into the moat, and swimming +across, succeeded in making their escape, and in carrying the news +of the massacre to the camp of Gustavus, where the tale filled all +with indignation and fury. Among the Scotch regiments deep vows of +vengeance were interchanged, and in after battles the Imperialists +had cause bitterly to rue having refused quarter to the Scots at +New Brandenburg. + +When the last melee was at its thickest, and all hope was at an +end, Malcolm, who had been fighting desperately with his half pike, +found himself for a moment in a doorway. He turned the handle, +and it opened at once. The house, like all the others, was full +of Imperialists, who had thrown themselves into it when the Scots +made their charge, and were now keeping up a fire at them from the +upper windows. Closing the door behind him, Malcolm stood for a +moment to recover his breath. He had passed unscathed through the +three days' fighting, though his armour and helmet were deeply +dinted in many places. + +The din without and above was tremendous. The stroke of sword on +armour, the sharp crack of the pistols, the rattle of musketry, +the shouts of the Imperialists, and the wild defiant cries of the +Highlanders mingled together. + +As Malcolm stood panting he recalled the situation, and, remembering +that the syndic's house was in the street behind, he determined to +gain it, feeling sure that his host would shelter him if he could. +Passing through the house he issued into a courtyard, quickly +stripped off his armour and accoutrements, and threw them into an +outhouse. Climbing on the roof of this he got upon the wall, and +ran along it until behind the house of the syndic. He had no fear +of being observed, for the attention of all in the houses in the +street he had left would be directed to the conflict below. + +The sound of musketry had already ceased, telling that the work +of slaughter was well nigh over, when Malcolm dropped into the +courtyard of the syndic; the latter and his wife gave a cry of +astonishment as the lad entered the house, breathless and pale as +death. + +"Can you shelter me awhile?" he said. "I believe that all my +countrymen are killed." + +"We will do our best, my lad," the syndic said at once. "But the +houses will be ransacked presently from top to bottom." + +"Let him have one of the servant's disguises," the wife said; "they +can all be trusted." + +One of the serving men was at once called in, and he hurried off +with Malcolm. + +The young Scotchmen had made themselves very popular with the +servants by their courtesy and care to avoid giving unnecessary +trouble, and in a few minutes Malcolm was attired as a serving man, +and joined the servants who were busy in spreading the tables with +provisions, and in broaching a large cask of wine to allay the +passions of the Imperialists. + +It was not long before they came. Soon there was a thundering knocking +at the door, and upon its being opened a number of soldiers burst +in. Many were bleeding from wounds. All bore signs of the desperate +strife in which they had been engaged. + +"You are welcome," the host said, advancing towards them. "I have +made preparations for your coming; eat and drink as it pleases +you." + +Rushing to the wine casks, the soldiers appeased their thirst with +long draughts of wine, and then fell upon the eatables. Other bands +followed, and the house was soon filled from top to bottom with +soldiers, who ransacked the cupboards, loaded themselves with such +things as they deemed worth carrying away, and wantonly broke and +destroyed what they could not. The servants were all kept busy +bringing up wine from the cellars. This was of good quality, and +the soldiers, well satisfied, abstained from personal violence. + +All night long pandemonium reigned in the town. Shrieks and cries, +oaths and sounds of conflict arose from all quarters, as citizens +or their wives were slaughtered by drunken soldiers, or the latter +quarrelled and fought among themselves for some article of plunder. +Flames broke out in many places, and whole streets were burned, many +of the drunken soldiers losing their lives in the burning houses; +but in the morning the bugles rang out, the soldiers desisted from +their orgies, and such as were able to stand staggered away to join +their colours. + +A fresh party marched into the town; these collected the stragglers, +and seized all the horses and carts for the carriage of the +baggage and plunder. The burgomaster had been taken before Tilly +and commanded to find a considerable sum of money the first thing +in the morning, under threat that the whole town would be burned +down, and the inhabitants massacred if it was not forthcoming. + +A council of the principal inhabitants was hastily summoned at +daybreak. The syndics of the various guilds between them contributed +the necessary sum either in money or in drafts, and at noon Tilly +marched away with his troops, leaving the smoking and ruined town +behind him. Many of the inhabitants were forced as drivers to +accompany the horses and carts taken away. Among these were three +of the syndic's serving men, Malcolm being one of the number. + +It was well that the Pomeranian dialect differed so widely from +the Bavarian, so Malcolm's German had consequently passed muster +without suspicion. The Imperialist army, although dragging with +them an immense train of carts laden with plunder, marched rapidly. +The baggage was guarded by horsemen who kept the train in motion, +galloping up and down the line, and freely administering blows +among their captives whenever a delay or stoppage occurred. + +The whole country through which they passed was desolated and wasted, +and the army would have fared badly had it not been for the herds +of captured cattle they drove along with them, and the wagons laden +with flour and wine taken at New Brandenburg and the other towns +they had stormed. The marches were long, for Tilly was anxious +to accomplish his object before Gustavus should be aware of the +direction he was taking. + +This object was the capture of the town of Magdeburg, a large and +important city, and one of the strongholds of Protestantism. Here +he was resolved to strike a blow which would, he believed, terrify +Germany into submission. + +When Gustavus heard that Tilly had marched west, he moved against +Frankfort-on-the-Oder, where the Imperialists were commanded by +Count Schomberg. The latter had taken every measure for the defence +of the town, destroying all the suburbs, burning the country houses +and mills, and cutting down the orchards and vineyards. + +Gustavus, accompanied by Sir John Hepburn, at once reconnoitred +the place and posted his troops. The Blue and Yellow Brigades +were posted among the vineyards on the road to Custrin; the White +Brigade took post opposite one of the two gates of the town. Hepburn +and the Green Brigade were stationed opposite the other. + +As the Swedes advanced the Imperialist garrison, who were 10,000 +strong, opened fire with musketry and cannon from the walls. The +weakest point in the defence was assigned by Schomberg to Colonel +Walter Butler, who commanded a regiment of Irish musketeers in the +Imperialist service. In the evening Hepburn and some other officers +accompanied the king to reconnoitre near the walls. A party +of Imperialists, seeing some officers approaching, and judging by +their waving plumes they were of importance, sallied quietly out +of a postern gate unperceived and suddenly opened fire. Lieutenant +Munro, of Munro's regiment, was shot in the leg, and Count Teuffel, +a colonel of the Life Guards, in the arm. A body of Hepburn's +regiment, under Major Sinclair, rushed forward and drove in the +Imperialists, a lieutenant colonel and a captain being captured. + +So hotly did they press the Imperialists that they were able to +make a lodgment, on some high ground near the rampart, on which +stood an old churchyard surrounded by a wall, and whence their fire +could sweep the enemy's works. Some cannon were at once brought +up and placed in position here, and opened fire on the Guben gate. +Captain Gunter, of Hepburn's regiment, went forward with twelve +men, and in spite of a very heavy fire from the walls reconnoitred +the ditch and approaches to the walls. + +The next day all was ready for the assault. It was Palm Sunday, +the 3d of April, and the attack was to take place at five o'clock +in the afternoon. Before advancing, Hepburn and several of the +other officers wished to lay aside their armour, as its weight was +great, and would impede their movements. The king, however, forbade +them to do so. + +"No," he said; "he who loves my service will not risk life lightly. +If my officers are killed, who is to command my soldiers?" + +Fascines and scaling ladders were prepared. The Green Brigade +were to head the assault, and Gustavus, addressing them, bade them +remember New Brandenburg. + +At five o'clock a tremendous cannonade was opened on the walls from +all the Swedish batteries, and under cover of the smoke the Green +Brigade advanced to the assault. From the circle of the walls a +cloud of smoke and fire broke out from cannon and arquebus, muskets, +and wall pieces. Sir John Hepburn and Colonel Lumsden, side by +side, led on their regiments against the Guben gate; both carried +petards. + +In spite of the tremendous fire poured upon them from the wall they +reached the gate, and the two colonels fixed the petards to it and +retired a few paces. In a minute there was a tremendous explosion, +and the gate fell scattered in fragments. Then the Scottish pikemen +rushed forward. As they did so there was a roar of cannon, and +a storm of bullets ploughed lanes through the close ranks of the +pikemen, for the Imperialists, expecting the attack, had placed +cannon, loaded to the muzzle with bullets, behind the gates. + +Munro's regiment now leapt into the moat, waded across, and planting +their ladders under a murderous fire, stormed the works flanking +the gate, and then joined their comrades, who were striving to +make an entrance. Hepburn, leading on the pikemen, was hit on the +knee, where he had in a former battle been badly wounded. + +"Go on, bully Munro," he said jocularly to his old schoolfellow, +"for I am wounded." + +A major who advanced to take his place at the head of the regiment +was shot dead, and so terrible was the fire that even the pikemen +of Hepburn's regiment wavered for a moment; but Munro and Lumsden, +with their vizors down and half pikes in their hands, cheered on +their men, and, side by side, led the way. + +"My hearts!" shouted Lumsden, waving his pike -- "my brave hearts, +let's enter." + +"Forward!" shouted Munro; "advance pikes!" + +With a wild cheer the Scots burst forward; the gates were stormed, +and in a moment the cannon, being seized, were turned, and volleys +of bullets poured upon the dense masses of the Imperialists. The +pikemen pressed forward in close column, shoulder to shoulder, +the pikes levelled in front, the musketeers behind firing on the +Imperialists in the houses. + +In the meantime Gustavus, with the Blue and Yellow Swedish Brigades, +stormed that part of the wall defended by Butler with his Irishmen. +These fought with extreme bravery, and continued their resistance +until almost every man was killed, when the two brigades burst into +the town, the White Brigade storming the wall in another quarter. +Twice the Imperialist drums beat a parley, but their sound was +deadened by the roar of musketry and the boom of cannon from wall +and battery, and the uproar and shouting in every street and house. +The Green Brigade, under its commander, maintained its regular order, +pressing forward with resistless strength. In vain the Austrians +shouted for quarter. They were met by shouts of -- "Remember New +Brandenburg!" + +Even now, when all was lost, Tilly's veterans fought with extreme +bravery and resolution; but at last, when Butler had fallen, and +Schomberg and Montecuculi, and a few other officers had succeeded +in escaping, all resistance ceased. Four colonels, 36 officers, and +3000 men were killed. Fifty colours and ten baggage wagons, laden +with gold and silver plate, were captured. + +Many were taken prisoners, and hundreds were drowned in the Oder, +across which the survivors of the garrison made their escape. +Plundering at once began, and several houses were set on fire; but +Gustavus ordered the drums to beat, and the soldiers to repair to +their colours outside the town, which was committed to the charge +of Sir John Hepburn, with his regiment. + +The rumour that Magdeburg was the next object of attack circulated +among Tilly's troops the day after they marched west from New +Brandenburg. It originated in some chance word dropped by a superior +officer, and seemed confirmed by the direction which they were +taking which was directly away from the Swedish army. There was a +report, too, that Count Pappenheim, who commanded a separate army, +would meet Tilly there, and that every effort would be made to +capture the town before Gustavus could march to its assistance. + +Malcolm could easily have made his escape the first night after +leaving New Brandenburg; but the distance to be traversed to join the +Swedish army was great, confusion and disorder reigned everywhere, +and he had decided that it would be safer to remain with the +Imperialist army until Gustavus should approach within striking +distance. On the road he kept with the other two men who had been +taken with the horses from the syndic of the weavers, and, chatting +with them when the convoy halted, he had not the least fear of being +questioned by others. Indeed, none of those in the long train of +carts and wagons paid much attention to their fellows, all had been +alike forced to accompany the Imperialists, and each was too much +occupied by the hardships of his own lot, and by thoughts of the +home from which he had been torn, to seek for the companionship of +his comrades in misfortune. + +As soon, however, as Malcolm heard the report of Tilly's intentions, +he saw that it was of the utmost importance that the King of Sweden +should be informed of the Imperialist plans as early as possible, +and he determined at once to start and endeavour to make his way +across the country. At nightfall the train with the baggage and +plunder was as usual so placed that it was surrounded by the camps +of the various brigades of the army in order to prevent desertion. +The previous night an escape would have been comparatively easy, for +the soldiers were worn out by their exertions at the siege of New +Brandenburg, and were still heavy from the drink they had obtained +there; but discipline was now restored, and the sentries were on +the alert. A close cordon of these was placed around the baggage +train; and when this was passed, there would still be the difficulty +of escaping through the camps of soldiery, and of passing the +outposts. Malcolm waited until the camp became quiet, or rather +comparatively quiet, for the supplies of wine were far from +exhausted, and revelling was still going on in various parts of the +camp, for the rigid discipline in use in modern armies was at that +time unknown, and except when on duty in the ranks a wide amount +of license was permitted to the soldiers. The night was fine and +bright, and Malcolm saw that it would be difficult to get through +the line of sentries who were stationed some thirty or forty yards +apart. + +After thinking for some time he went up to a group of eight or ten +horses which were fastened by their bridles to a large store wagon +on the outside of the baggage camp. Malcolm unfastened the bridles +and turned the horses heads outwards. Then he gave two of them a +sharp prick with his dagger, and the startled animals dashed forward +in affright, followed by their companions. They passed close to +one of the sentries, who tried in vain to stop them, and then burst +into the camp beyond, where their rush startled the horses picketed +there. These began to kick and struggle desperately to free themselves +from their fastenings. The soldiers, startled at the sudden noise, +sprang to their feet, and much confusion reigned until the runaway +horses were secured and driven back to their lines. + +The instant he had thus diverted the attention of the whole line +of sentries along that side of the baggage camp, Malcolm crept +quietly up and passed between them. Turning from the direction in +which the horses had disturbed the camp, he made his way cautiously +along. Only the officers had tents, the men sleeping on the ground +around their fires. He had to move with the greatest caution +to avoid treading upon the sleepers, and was constantly compelled +to make detours to get beyond the range of the fires, round which +groups of men were sitting and carousing. + +At last he reached the outside of the camp, and taking advantage +of every clump of bushes he had no difficulty in making his way +through the outposts, for as the enemy was known to be far away, +no great vigilance was observed by the sentries. He had still to +be watchful, for fires were blazing in a score of places over the +country round, showing that the foragers of the army were at their +usual work of rapine, and he might at any moment meet one of these +returning laden with spoil. + +Once or twice, indeed, he heard the galloping of bodies of horse, +and the sound of distant pistol shots and the shrieks of women came +faintly to his ears. He passed on, however, without meeting with +any of the foraging parties, and by morning was fifteen miles away +from Tilly's camp. Entering a wood he threw himself down and slept +soundly for some hours. It was nearly noon before he started again. +After an hour's walking he came upon the ruins of a village. Smoke +was still curling up from the charred beams and rafters of the +cottages, and the destruction had evidently taken place but the day +before. The bodies of several men and women lay scattered among the +houses; two or three dogs were prowling about, and these growled +angrily at the intruder, and would have attacked him had he not +flourished a club which he had cut in the woods for self defence. + +Moving about through the village he heard a sound of wild laughter, +and going in that direction saw a woman sitting on the ground. In +her lap was a dead child pierced through with a lance. The woman +was talking and laughing to it, her clothes were torn, and her hair +fell in wild disorder over her shoulders. It needed but a glance +to tell Malcolm that the poor creature was mad, distraught by the +horrors of the previous day. + +A peasant stood by leaning on a stick, mournfully regarding her. +He turned suddenly round with the weapon uplifted at the sound of +Malcolm's approach, but lowered it on seeing that the newcomer was +a lad. + +"I hoped you were a soldier," the peasant said, as he lowered his +stick. "I should like to kill one, and then to be killed myself. My +God, what is life worth living for in this unhappy country? Three +times since the war began has our village been burned, but each +time we were warned of the approach of the plunderers, and escaped +in time. Yesterday they came when I was away, and see what they +have done;" and be pointed to his wife and child, and to the corpses +scattered about. + +"It is terrible," Malcolm replied. "I was taken a prisoner but two +days since at the sack of New Brandenburg, but I have managed to +escape. I am a Scot, and am on my way now to join the army of the +Swedes, which will, I hope, soon punish the villains who have done +this damage." + +"I shall take my wife to her mother," the peasant said, "and leave +her there. I hope God will take her soon, and then I will go and +take service under the Swedish king, and will slay till I am slain. +I would kill myself now, but that I would fain avenge my wife and +child on some of these murderers of Tilly's before I die." + +Malcolm felt that the case was far beyond any attempt at consolation. + +"If you come to the Swedish army ask for Ensign Malcolm Graheme of +Reay's Scottish regiment, and I will take you to one of the German +corps, where you will understand the language of your comrades." +So saying he turned from the bloodstained village and continued +his way. + + + +CHAPTER V MARAUDERS + + +Malcolm had brought with him from Tilly's camp a supply of provisions +sufficient for three or four days, and a flask of wine. Before he +started from New Brandenburg the syndic had slipped into his band +a purse containing ten gold pieces, and whenever he came to a village +which had escaped the ravages of the war he had no difficulty in +obtaining provisions. + +It was pitiable at each place to see the anxiety with which the +villagers crowded round him upon his arrival and questioned him as +to the position of the armies and whether he had met with any parties +of raiders on the way. Everywhere the cattle had been driven into +the woods; boys were posted as lookouts on eminences at a distance +to bring in word should any body of men be seen moving in that +direction; and the inhabitants were prepared to fly instantly at +the approach of danger. + +The news that Tilly's army was marching in the opposite direction +was received with a deep sense of thankfulness and relief, for they +were now assured of a respite from his plunderers, although still +exposed to danger from the arrival of some of the numerous bands. +These, nominally fighting for one or other of the parties, were +in truth nothing but marauders, being composed of deserters and +desperadoes of all kinds, who lived upon the misfortunes of the +country, and were even more cruel and pitiless than were the regular +troops. + +At one of these villages Malcolm exchanged his attire as a serving +man of a rich burgher for that of a peasant lad. He was in ignorance +of the present position of the Swedish army, and was making for +the intrenched camp of Schwedt, on the Oder, which Gustavus had +not left when he had last heard of him. + +On the fourth day after leaving the camp of Tilly, as Malcolm was +proceeding across a bare and desolate country he heard a sound of +galloping behind him, and saw a party of six rough looking horsemen +coming along the road. As flight would have been useless he continued +his way until they overtook him. They reined up when they reached +him. + +"Where are you going, boy, and where do you belong to?" the leader +of the party asked. + +"I am going in search of work," Malcolm answered. "My village is +destroyed and my parents killed." + +"Don't tell me that tale," the man said, drawing a pistol from his +holster. "I can tell by your speech that you are not a native of +these parts." + +There was nothing in the appointments of the men to indicate which +party they favoured, and Malcolm thought it better to state exactly +who he was, for a doubtful answer might be followed by a pistol +shot, which would have brought his career to a close. + +"You are right," he said quietly; "but in these times it is not safe +always to state one's errand to all comers. I am a Scotch officer +in the army of the King of Sweden. I was in New Brandenburg when it +was stormed by Tilly. I disguised myself, and, passing unnoticed, +was forced to accompany his army as a teamster. The second night I +escaped, and am now making my way to Schwedt, where I hope to find +the army." + +The man replaced his pistol. + +"You are an outspoken lad," he said laughing, "and a fearless one. +I believe that your story is true, for no German boor would have +looked me in the face and answered so quietly; but I have heard +that the Scotch scarce know what danger is, though they will find +Tilly and Pappenheim very different customers to the Poles." + +"Which side do you fight on?" Malcolm asked. + +"A frank question and a bold one!" the leader laughed. "What say +you, men? Whom are we for just at present? We were for the Imperialists +the other day, but now they have marched away, and as it may be +the Swedes will be coming in this direction, I fancy that we shall +soon find ourselves on the side of the new religion." + +The men laughed. "What shall we do with this boy? To begin with, +if he is what he says, no doubt he has some money with him." + +Malcolm at once drew out his purse. "Here are nine gold pieces," +he said. "They are all I have, save some small change." + +"That is better than nothing," the leader said, pocketing the purse. +"And now what shall we do with him?" + +"He is a Protestant," one of the men replied; "best shoot him." + +"I should say," another said, "that we had best make him our cook. +Old Rollo is always grumbling at being kept at the work, and his +cooking gets worse and worse. I could not get my jaws into the meat +this morning." + +A murmur of agreement was raised by the other horsemen. + +"So be it," the leader said. "Dost hear, lad? You have the choice +whether you will be cook to a band of honourable gentlemen or be +shot at once." + +"The choice pleases me not," Malcolm replied. "Still, if it must +needs be, I would prefer for a time the post of cook to the other +alternative." + +"And mind you," the leader said sharply, "at the first attempt to +escape we string you up to the nearest bough. Carl, do you lead +him back and set him to work, and tell the men there to keep a +sharp watch upon him." + +One of the men turned his horse, and, with Malcolm walking by his +side, left the party. They soon turned aside from the road, and after +a ride of five miles across a rough and broken country entered a +wood. Another half mile and they reached the foot of an eminence, +on the summit of which stood a ruined castle. Several horses were +picketed among the trees at the foot of the hill, and two men were +sitting near them cleaning their arms. The sight of these deterred +Malcolm from carrying into execution the plan which he had formed +-- namely, to strike down his guard with his club as he dismounted, +to leap on his horse, and ride off. + +"Who have you there, Carl?" one of the men asked as they rose and +approached the newcomers. + +"A prisoner," Carl said, "whom the captain has appointed to the +honourable office of cook instead of old Rollo, whose food gets +harder and tougher every day. You are to keep a sharp eye over the +lad, who says he is a Scotch officer of the Swedes, and to shoot +him down if he attempts to escape." + +"Why, I thought those Scots were very devils to fight," one of the +men said, "and this is but a boy. How comes he here?" + +"He told the captain his story, and he believed it," Carl said +carelessly, "and the captain is not easily taken in. He was captured +by Tilly at New Brandenburg, which town we heard yesterday he +assaulted and sacked, killing every man of the garrison; but it +seems this boy put on a disguise, and being but a boy I suppose +passed unnoticed, and was taken off as a teamster with Tilly's +army. He gave them the slip, but as he has managed to fall into our +hands I don't know that he has gained much by the exchange. Now, +youngster, go up to the castle." + +Having picketed his horse the man led the way up the steep hill. +When they reached the castle Malcolm saw that it was less ruined +than it had appeared to be from below. The battlements had indeed +crumbled away, and there were cracks and fissures in the upper parts +of the walls, but below the walls were still solid and unbroken, +and as the rock was almost precipitous, save at the point at which +a narrow path wound up to the entrance, it was still capable of +making a stout defence against attack. + +A strong but roughly made gate, evidently of quite recent make, +hung on the hinges, and passing through it Malcolm found himself +in the courtyard of the castle. Crossing this he entered with his +guide what had once been the principal room of the castle. A good +fire blazed in the centre; around this half a dozen men were lying +on a thick couch of straw. Malcolm's guide repeated the history +of the newcomer, and then passed through with him into a smaller +apartment, where a man was attending to several sauce pans over a +fire. + +"Rollo," he said, "I bring you a substitute. You have been always +grumbling about being told off for the cooking, just because you +happened to be the oldest of the band. Here is a lad who will take +your place, and tomorrow you can mount your horse and ride with +the rest of us." + +"And be poisoned, I suppose, with bad food when I return," the man +grumbled -- "a nice lookout truly." + +"There's one thing, you old grumbler, it is quite certain he cannot +do worse than you do. My jaws ache now with trying to eat the food +you gave us this morning. Another week and you would have starved +the whole band to death." + +"Very well," the man said surlily; "we will see whether you have +gained by the exchange. What does this boy know about cooking?" + +"Very little, I am afraid," Malcolm said cheerfully; "but at least +I can try. If I must be a cook I will at least do my best to be a +good one. Now, what have you got in these pots?" + +Rollo grumblingly enumerated their contents, and then putting +on his doublet went out to join his comrades in the hall, leaving +Malcolm to his new duties. + +The latter set to work with a will. He saw that it was best to +appear contented with the situation, and to gain as far as possible +the goodwill of the band by his attention to their wants. In this +way their vigilance would become relaxed, and some mode of escape +might open itself to him. At dusk the rest of the band returned, and +Malcolm found that those who had met him with the captain were but +a portion of the party, as three other companies of equal strength +arrived at about the same time, the total number mounting up to +over thirty. + +Malcolm was conscious that the supper was far from being a success; +but for this he was not responsible, as the cooking was well advanced +when he undertook it; however the band were not dissatisfied, for +it was much better than they had been accustomed to, as Malcolm +had procured woodwork from the disused part of the castle, and had +kept the fire briskly going; whereas his predecessor in the office +had been too indolent to get sufficient wood to keep the water on +the boil. + +In the year which Malcolm had spent in camp he had learned a good +deal of rough cookery, for when on active duty the officers had +often to shift for themselves, and consequently next day he was +able to produce a dinner so far in advance of that to which the +band was accustomed that their approbation was warmly and loudly +expressed. + +The stew was juicy and tender, the roast done to a turn, and the +bread, baked on an iron plate, was pronounced to be excellent. +The band declared that their new cook was a treasure. Malcolm had +already found that though he could move about the castle as he +chose, one of the band was now always stationed at the gate with +pike and pistols, while at night the door between the room in which +he cooked and the hall was closed, and two or three heavy logs +thrown against it. + +Under the pretence of getting wood Malcolm soon explored the castle. +The upper rooms were all roofless and open to the air. There were +no windows on the side upon which the path ascended, and by which +alone an attack upon the castle was possible. Here the walls were +pierced only by narrow loopholes for arrows or musketry. On the +other sides the windows were large, for here the steepness of the +rock protected the castle from attack. + +The kitchen in which he cooked and slept had no other entrance save +that into the hall, the doorway into the courtyard being closed by +a heap of fallen stones from above. Two or three narrow slits in +the wall allowed light and air to enter. Malcolm saw that escape +at night, after he had once been shut in, was impossible, and that +in the daytime he could not pass out by the gate; for even if by +a sudden surprise he overpowered the sentry there, he would be met +at the bottom of the path by the two men who were always stationed +as guards to the horses, and to give notice of the approach of +strangers. + +The only chance of escape, therefore, was by lowering himself from +one of the windows behind, down the steep rock. To do this a rope +of some seventy feet long was necessary, and after a careful search +through the ruins he failed to discover even the shortest piece of +rope. + +That afternoon some of the band on their return from foraging drove +in half a dozen cattle, and one of these was with much difficulty +compelled to climb up the path to the castle, and was slaughtered +in the yard. + +"There, Scot, are victuals for the next week; cut it up, and throw +the head and offal down the rock behind." + +As Malcolm commenced his unpleasant task a thought suddenly struck +him, and he laboured away cheerfully and hopefully. After cutting +up the animal into quarters he threw the head, the lower joints +of the legs, and the offal, from the window. The hide he carried, +with the four quarters, into his kitchen, and there concealed it +under the pile of straw which served for his bed. + +When the dinner was over, and the usual carousal had begun, and +he knew there was no chance of any of the freebooters coming into +the room, he spread out the hide on the floor, cut off the edges, +and trimmed it up till it was nearly circular in form, and then began +to cut a strip two inches wide round and round till he reached the +centre. This gave him a thong of over a hundred feet long. Tying +one end to a ring in the wall he twisted the long strip until it +assumed the form of a rope, which was, he was sure, strong enough +to bear many times his weight. + +This part of the work was done after the freebooters had retired to +rest. When he had finished cutting the hide he went in as usual and +sat down with them as they drank, as he wished to appear contented +with his position. The freebooters were discussing an attack upon +a village some thirty miles away. It lay in a secluded position, +and had so far escaped pillage either by the armies or wandering +bands. The captain said he had learned that the principal farmer +was a well-to-do man with a large herd of cattle, some good horses, +and a well stocked house. It was finally agreed that the band +should the next day carry out another raid which had already been +decided upon, and that they should on the day following that sack +and burn Glogau. + +As soon as the majority of the band had started in the morning Malcolm +made his way with his rope to the back of the castle, fastened it +to the window, and launched himself over the rock, which, although +too steep to climb, was not perpendicular; and holding by the rope +Malcolm had no difficulty in lowering himself down. He had before +starting taken a brace of pistols and a sword from the heap of +weapons which the freebooters had collected in their raids, and as +soon as he reached the ground he struck off through the wood. + +Enough had been said during the conversation the night before to +indicate the direction in which Glogau lay, and he determined, in +the first place, to warn the inhabitants of the village of the fate +which the freebooters intended for them. + +He walked miles before seeing a single person in the deserted fields. +He had long since left the wood, and was now traversing the open +country, frequently turning round to examine the country around him, +for at any moment after he had left, his absence from the castle +might be discovered, and the pursuit begun. He hoped, however, that +two or three hours at least would elapse before the discovery was +made. + +He had, before starting, piled high the fire in the hall, and had +placed plenty of logs for the purpose of replenishing it close at +hand. He put tankards on the board, and with them a large jug full +of wine, so that the freebooters would have no occasion to call +for him, and unless they wanted him they would be unlikely to look +into the kitchen. Except when occasionally breaking into a walk to +get breath, he ran steadily on. It was not until he had gone nearly +ten miles that he saw a goatherd tending a few goats, and from him +he learned the direction of Glogau, and was glad to find he had +not gone very far out of the direct line. At last, after asking +the way several times, he arrived within a short distance of the +village. The ground had now become undulating, and the slopes were +covered with trees. The village lay up a valley, and it was evident +that the road he was travelling was but little frequented, ending +probably at the village itself. Proceeding for nearly two miles +through a wood he came suddenly upon Glogau. + +It stood near the head of the valley, which was here free of +trees, and some cultivated fields lay around it. The houses were +surrounded by fruit trees, and an air of peace and tranquillity +prevailed such as Malcolm had not seen before since he left his +native country. One house was much larger than the rest; several +stacks stood in the rick yard, and the large stables and barns gave +a proof of the prosperity of its owner. The war which had already +devastated a great part of Germany had passed by this secluded +hamlet. + +No signs of work were to be seen, the village was as still and +quiet as if it was deserted. Suddenly Malcolm remembered that it +was the Sabbath, which, though always kept strictly by the Scotch +and Swedish soldiers when in camp, for the most part passed unobserved +when they were engaged in active service. Malcolm turned his steps +towards the house; as he neared it he heard the sound of singing +within. The door was open, and he entered and found himself on the +threshold of a large apartment in which some twenty men and twice +as many women and children were standing singing a hymn which was +led by a venerable pastor who stood at the head of the room, with +a powerfully built elderly man, evidently the master of the house, +near him. + +The singing was not interrupted by the entrance of the newcomer. +Many eyes were cast in his direction, but seeing that their leaders +went on unmoved, the little congregation continued their hymn with +great fervour and force. When they had done the pastor prayed for +some time, and then dismissed the congregation with his blessing. +They filed out in a quiet and orderly way, but not until the last +had left did the master of the house show any sign of observing +Malcolm, who had taken his place near the door. + +Then he said gravely, "Strangers do not often find their way +to Glogau, and in truth we can do without them, for a stranger in +these times too often means a foe; but you are young, my lad, though +strong enough to bear weapons, and can mean us no ill. What is it +that brings you to our quiet village?" + +"I have, sir, but this morning escaped from the hands of the +freebooters at Wolfsburg, and I come to warn you that last night I +heard them agree to attack and sack your village tomorrow; therefore, +before pursuing my own way, which is to the camp of the Swedish +king, in whose service I am, I came hither to warn you of their +intention." + +Exclamations of alarm arose from the females of the farmer's family, +who were sitting at the end of the room. The farmer waved his hand +and the women were instantly silent. + +"This is bad news, truly," he said gravely; "hitherto God has +protected our village and suffered us to worship Him in our own +way in peace and in quiet in spite of the decrees of emperors and +princes. This gang of Wolfsburg have long been a scourge to the +country around it, and terrible are the tales we have heard of +their violence and cruelty. I have for weeks feared that sooner or +later they would extend their ravages even to this secluded spot." + +"And, indeed, I thank you, brave youth, for the warning you have +given us, which will enable us to send our womenkind, our cattle and +horses, to a place of safety before these scourges of God arrive +here. Gretchen, place food and wine before this youth who has done +us so great a service; doubtless he is hungry and thirsty, for `tis +a long journey from Wolfsburg hither." + +"What think you, father, shall I warn the men at once of the coming +danger, or shall I let them sleep quietly this Sabbath night for +the last time in their old homes?" + +"What time, think you, will these marauders leave their hold?" the +pastor asked Malcolm. + +"They will probably start by daybreak," Malcolm said, "seeing +that the journey is a long one; but this is not certain, as they +may intend to remain here for the night, and to return with their +plunder on the following day to the castle." + +"But, sir," he went on, turning to the farmer, "surely you will +not abandon your home and goods thus tamely to these freebooters. +You have here, unless I am mistaken, fully twenty stout men capable +of bearing arms; the marauders number but thirty in all, and they +always leave at least five to guard the castle and two as sentries +over the horses; thus you will not have more than twenty-three to +cope with. Had they, as they expected, taken you by surprise, this +force would have been ample to put down all resistance here; but +as you will be prepared for them, and will, therefore, take them +by surprise, it seems to me that you should be able to make a good +fight of it, stout men-at-arms though the villains be." + +"You speak boldly, sir, for one but a boy in years," the pastor +said; "it is lawful, nay it is right to defend one's home against +these lawless pillagers and murderers, but as you say, evil though +their ways are, these freebooters are stout men-at-arms, and we +have heard that they have taken a terrible vengeance on the villages +which have ventured to oppose them." + +"I am a Scottish officer in the King of Sweden's army," Malcolm +said, "and fought at Schiefelbrune and New Brandenburg, and in the +fight when the Imperialists tried to relieve Colberg, and having, +I hope, done my duty in three such desperate struggles against +the Imperialist veterans, I need not shrink from an encounter with +these freebooters. If you decide to defend the village I am ready +to strike a blow at them, for they have held me captive for five +days, and have degraded me by making me cook for them." + +A slight titter was heard among the younger females at the indignant +tone in which Malcolm spoke of his enforced culinary work. + +"And you are truly one of those Scottish soldiers of the Swedish +hero who fight so stoutly for the Faith and of whose deeds we have +heard so much!" the pastor said. "Truly we are glad to see you. +Our prayers have not been wanting night and morning for the success +of the champions of the Reformed Faith. What say you, my friend? +Shall we take the advice of this young soldier and venture our +lives for the defence of our homes?" + +"That will we," the farmer said warmly. "He is used to war, and +can give us good advice. As far as strength goes, our men are not +wanting. Each has his sword and pike, and there are four or five +arquebuses in the village. Yes, if there be a chance of success, +even of the slightest, we will do our best as men in defence of +our homes." + + + +CHAPTER VI THE ATTACK ON THE VILLAGE + + +"And now," the farmer said to Malcolm, "what is your advice? That +we will fight is settled. When, where, and how? This house is +strongly built, and we could so strengthen its doors and windows +with beams that we might hold out for a long time against them." + +"No," Malcolm said, "that would not be my advice. Assuredly we +might defend the house; but in that case the rest of the village, +the herds and granaries, would fall into their hands. To do any good, +we must fight them in the wood on their way hither. But although +I hope for a favourable issue, I should strongly advise that you +should have the herds and horses driven away. Send off all your +more valuable goods in the wagons, with your women and children, +to a distance. We shall fight all the better if we know that they +are all in safety. Some of the old men and boys will suffice for +this work. And now, methinks, you had best summon the men, for +there will be work for them tonight." + +The bell which was used to call the hands from their work in the +fields and woods at sunset soon sounded, and the men in surprise +came trooping in at the summons. When they were assembled the farmer +told them the news he had heard, and the determination which had +been arrived at to defend the village. + +After the first movement of alarm caused by the name of the +dreaded band of the Wolfsburg had subsided Malcolm was glad to +see an expression of stout determination come over the faces of +the assemblage, and all declared themselves ready to fight to the +last. Four of the elder men were told off at once to superintend +the placing of the more movable household goods of the village +in wagons, which were to set out at daybreak with the cattle and +families. + +"Now," Malcolm said, "I want the rest to bring mattocks and shovels +and to accompany me along the road. There is one spot which I +marked as I came along as being specially suited for defence." + +This was about half a mile away, and as darkness had now set in +the men lighted torches, and with their implements followed him. +At the spot which he had selected there was for the distance of a +hundred yards a thick growth of underwood bordering the track on +either side. Across the road, at the end of the passage nearest to +the farm, Malcolm directed ten of the men to dig a pit twelve feet +wide and eight feet deep. The rest of the men he set to work to cut +nearly through the trunks of the trees standing nearest the road +until they were ready to fall. + +Ten trees were so treated, five on either side of the road. +Standing, as they did, among the undergrowth, the operation which +had been performed on them was invisible to any one passing by. +Ropes were now fastened to the upper part of the trees and carried +across the road, almost hidden from sight by the foliage which met +over the path. When the pit was completed the earth which had been +taken from it was scattered in the wood out of sight. Light boughs +were then placed over the hole. These were covered with earth and +sods trampled down until the break in the road was not perceptible +to a casual eye. + +This was done by Malcolm himself, as the lightest of the party, +the boughs sufficing to bear his weight, although they would give +way at once beneath that of a horse. The men all worked with vigour +and alacrity as soon as they understood Malcolm's plans. Daylight +was breaking when the preparations were completed. Malcolm now +divided the party, and told them off to their respective posts. +They were sixteen in all, excluding the pastor. + +Eight were placed on each side of the road. Those on one side +were gathered near the pit which had been dug, those on the other +were opposite to the tree which was farthest down the valley. The +freebooters were to be allowed to pass along until the foremost +fell into the pit. The men stationed there were at once to haul +upon the rope attached to the tree near it and to bring it down. +Its fall would bar the road and prevent the horsemen from leaping +the pit. Those in the rear were, if they heard the crash before +the last of the marauders had passed through, to wait until they +had closed up, which they were sure to do when the obstacle was +reached, and then to fell the tree to bar their retreat. + +The instant this was done both parties were to run to other ropes +and to bring down the trees upon the horsemen gathered on the road, +and were then to fall upon them with axe, pike, and arquebus. + +"If it works as well as I expect," Malcolm said, "not one of them +will escape from the trap." + +Soon after daybreak bowls of milk and trays of bread and meat were +brought down to the workers by some of the women. As there was +no immediate expectation of attack, the farmer himself, with the +pastor, went back to the village to cheer the women before their +departure. + +"You need not be afraid, wife," the farmer said. "I shall keep to +my plans, because when you have once made a plan it is foolish to +change it; but I deem not that there is any real need for sending +you and the wagons and beasts away. This young Scotch lad seems +made for a commander, and truly, if all his countrymen are like +himself, I wonder no longer that the Poles and Imperialists have +been unable to withstand them. Truly he has constructed a trap from +which this band of villains will have but little chance of escape, +and I trust that we may slay them without much loss to ourselves. +What rejoicings will there not be in the fifty villages when the +news comes that their oppressors have been killed! The good God +has assuredly sent this youth hither as His instrument in defeating +the oppressors, even as He chose the shepherd boy David out of +Israel to be the scourge of the Philistines." + +By this time all was ready for a start, and having seen the wagons +fairly on their way the farmer returned to the wood, the pastor +accompanying the women. Three hours passed before there were any +signs of the marauders, and Malcolm began to think that the idea +might have occurred to them that he had gone to Glogau, and that +they might therefore have postponed their raid upon that village +until they could make sure of taking it by surprise, and so capturing +all the horses and valuables before the villagers had time to remove +them. Glogau was, however, quite out of Malcolm's direct line for +the Swedish camp, and it was hardly likely that the freebooters +would think that their late captive would go out of his way to warn +the village, in which he had no interest whatever; indeed they would +scarcely be likely to recall the fact that he had been present when +they were discussing their proposed expedition against it. + +All doubts were, however, set at rest when a boy who had been +stationed in a high tree near the edge of the wood ran in with +the news that a band of horsemen were riding across the plain, and +would be there in a few minutes. Every one fell into his appointed +place. The farmer himself took the command of the party on one side +of the road, Malcolm of that on the other. Matches were blown, and +the priming of the arquebuses looked to; then they gathered round +the ropes, and listened for the tramp of horses. + +Although it was but a few minutes before it came, the time seemed +long to those waiting; but at last a vague sound was heard, which +rapidly rose into a loud trampling of horses. The marauders had +been riding quietly until they neared the wood, as speed was no +object; but as they wished to take the village by surprise -- and +it was just possible that they might have been seen approaching -- +they were now riding rapidly. + +Suddenly the earth gave way under the feet of the horses of the +captain and his lieutenant, who were riding at the head of the +troop, and men and animals disappeared from the sight of those +who followed. The two men behind them pulled their horses back on +their haunches, and checked them at the edge of the pit into which +their leaders had fallen. + +As they did so a loud crack was heard, and a great tree came crashing +down, falling directly upon them, striking them and their horses +to the ground. A loud cry of astonishment and alarm rose from those +behind, followed by curses and exclamations of rage. A few seconds +after the fall of the tree there was a crash in the rear of the +party, and to their astonishment the freebooters saw that another +tree had fallen there, and that a barricade of boughs and leaves +closed their way behind as in front. Deprived of their leaders, +bewildered and alarmed at this strange and unexpected occurrence, +the marauders remained irresolute. Two or three of those in front +got off their horses and tried to make their way to the assistance +of their comrades who were lying crushed under the mass of foliage, +and of their leaders in the pit beyond. + +But now almost simultaneously two more crashes were heard, and a tree +from each side fell upon them. Panic stricken now the horsemen +strove to dash through the underwood, but their progress was +arrested, for among the bushes ropes had been fastened from tree +to tree; stakes had been driven in, and the bushes interlaced with +cords. The trees continued to fall till the portion of the road +occupied by the troop was covered by a heap of fallen wood and +leaf. Then for the first time the silence in the wood beyond them +was broken, the flashes of firearms darted out from the brushwood, +and then with a shout a number of men armed with pikes and axes +sprang forward to the attack. + +A few only of the marauders were in a position to offer any +resistance whatever. The greater portion were buried under the mass +of foliage. Many had been struck down by the trunks or heavy arms +of the trees. All were hampered and confused by the situation in which +they found themselves. Under such circumstances it was a massacre +rather than a fight. Malcolm, seeing the inability of the freebooters +to oppose any formidable resistance, sheathed his sword, and left +it to the peasants to avenge the countless murders which the band +had committed, and the ruin and misery which they had inflicted +upon the country. + +In a few minutes all was over. The brigands were shot down, piked, +or slain by the heavy axes through the openings in their leafy +prison. Quarter was neither asked for nor given. The freebooters +knew that it would be useless, and died cursing their foes and +their own fate in being thus slaughtered like rats in a trap. Two +or three of the peasants were wounded by pistol shots, but this +was all the injury that their success cost them. + +"The wicked have digged a pit, and they have fallen into it +themselves," the farmer said as he approached the spot where Malcolm +was standing, some little distance from the scene of slaughter. +"Verily the Lord hath delivered them into our hands. I understand, +my young friend, why you as a soldier did not aid in the slaughter +of these villains. It is your trade to fight in open battle, and +you care not to slay your enemies when helpless; but with us it is +different. We regard them as wild beasts, without heart or pity, +as scourges to be annihilated when we have the chance; just as in +winter we slay the wolves who come down to attack our herds." + +"I blame you not," Malcolm said. "When men take to the life of +wild beasts they must be slain as such. Now my task is done, and +I will journey on at once to join my countrymen; but I will give +you one piece of advice before I go. + +"In the course of a day or two the party left at Wolfsburg will +grow uneasy, and two of their number are sure to ride hither to +inquire as to the tarrying of the band. Let your men with arquebuses +keep watch night and day and shoot them down when they arrive. Were I +in your place I would then mount a dozen of your men and let them +put on the armour of these dead robbers and ride to Wolfsburg, +arriving there about daybreak. If they see you coming they will +take you to be the band returning. The two men below you will cut +down without difficulty, and there will then be but three or four +to deal with in the castle. + +"I recommend you to make a complete end of them; and for this +reason: if any of the band survive they will join themselves with +some other party and will be sure to endeavour to get them to +avenge this slaughter; for although these bands have no love for +each other, yet they would be ready enough to take up each other's +quarrel as against country folk, especially when there is a hope +of plunder. Exterminate them, then, and advise your men to keep +their secret. Few can have seen the brigands riding hither today. +When it is found that the band have disappeared the country around +will thank God, and will have little curiosity as to how they +have gone. You will of course clear the path again and bury their +bodies; and were I you I would prepare at once another ambush +like that into which they have fallen, and when a second band of +marauders comes into this part of the country set a watch night +and day. Your men will in future be better armed than hitherto, as +each of those freebooters carries a brace of pistols. And now, as +I would fain be off as soon as possible, I would ask you to let +your men set to work with their axes and cut away the boughs and +to get me out a horse. Several of them must have been killed by +the falling trees, and some by the fire of the arquebuses; but no +doubt there are some uninjured." + +In a quarter of an hour a horse was brought up, together with the +helmet and armour worn by the late captain of the band. + +As Malcolm mounted, the men crowded round him and loaded him with +thanks and blessings for the danger from which he had delivered +them, their wives and families. + +When the fugitives had left the village a store of cooked provisions +had been left behind for the use of the defenders during the day. +As the women could not be fetched back before nightfall, the farmer +had despatched a man for some of this food and the wallets on the +saddle were filled with sufficient to last Malcolm for three or +four days. + +A brace of pistols were placed in the holsters, and with a last +farewell to the farmer Malcolm gave the rein to his horse and rode +away from the village. He travelled fast now and without fear of +interruption. The sight of armed men riding to join one or other +of the armies was too common to attract any attention, and avoiding +large towns Malcolm rode unmolested across the plain. + +He presently heard the report that the Swedes had captured +Frankfort-on-the-Oder, and as he approached that town, after four +days' riding, heard that they had moved towards Landsberg. Thither +he followed them, and came up to them outside the walls of that +place six days after leaving Glogau. The main body of the Swedish +army had remained in and around Frankfort, Gustavus having marched +against Landsberg with only 3200 musketeers, 12 pieces of cannon, +and a strong body of horse. Hepburn and Reay's Scotch regiments +formed part of the column, and Malcolm with delight again saw the +green scarves and banners. + +As he rode into the camp of his regiment he was unnoticed by the +soldiers until he reached the tents of the officers, before which +Colonel Munro was standing talking with several others. On seeing +an officer approach in full armour they looked up, and a cry of +astonishment broke from them on recognizing Malcolm. + +"Is it you, Malcolm Graheme, or your wraith?" Munro exclaimed. + +"It is I in the flesh, colonel, sound and hearty." + +"Why, my dear lad," Munro exclaimed, holding out his hand, "we +thought you had fallen at the sack of New Brandenburg. Innes and +Lumsden were believed to be the only ones who had escaped." + +"I have come through it, nevertheless," Malcolm said; "but it is +a long story, colonel, and I would ask you first if the king has +learned what Tilly is doing." + +"No, he has received no news whatever of him since he heard of the +affair at New Brandenburg, and is most anxious lest he should fall +upon the army at Frankfort while we are away. Do you know aught +about him?" + +"Tilly marched west from New Brandenburg," Malcolm said, "and is +now besieging Magdeburg." + +"This is news indeed," Munro said; "you must come with me at once +to the king." + +Malcolm followed Colonel Munro to the royal tent, which was but a +few hundred yards away. Gustavus had just returned after visiting +the advanced lines round the city. On being told that Colonel Munro +wished to speak to him on important business, he at once came to +the entrance of his tent. + +"Allow me to present to you, sire, Malcolm Graheme, a very gallant +young officer of my regiment. He was at New Brandenburg, and I +deemed that he had fallen there; how he escaped I have not yet had +time to learn, seeing that he has but now ridden into the camp; but +as he is bearer of news of the whereabouts of Tilly and his army, +I thought it best to bring him immediately to you." + +"Well, sir," Gustavus said anxiously to Malcolm, "what is your +news?" + +"Tilly is besieging Magdeburg, sire, with his whole strength." + +"Magdeburg!" Gustavus exclaimed incredulously. "Are you sure of +your news? I deemed him advancing upon Frankfort." + +"Quite sure, sire, for I accompanied his column to within two marches +of the city, and there was no secret of his intentions. He started +for that town on the very day after he had captured New Brandenburg." + +"This is important, indeed," Gustavus said; "follow me," and he +turned and entered the tent. Spread out on the table was a large +map, which the king at once consulted. + +"You see, Colonel Munro, that to relieve Magdeburg I must march +through Kustrin, Berlin, and Spandau, and the first and last are +strong fortresses. I can do nothing until the Elector of Brandenburg +declares for us, and gives us leave to pass those places, for +I dare not march round and leave them in my rear until sure that +this weak prince will not take sides with the Imperialists. I will +despatch a messenger tonight to him at Berlin demanding leave to +march through his territory to relieve Magdeburg. In the meantime +we will finish off with this place, and so be in readiness to march +west when his answer arrives. And now, sir," he went on, turning +to Malcolm, "please to give me the account of how you escaped first +from New Brandenburg, and then from Tilly." + +Malcolm related briefly the manner of his escape from the massacre +at New Brandenburg, and how, after accompanying Tilly's army +as a teamster for two days, he had made his escape. He then still +more briefly related how he had been taken prisoner by a band of +freebooters, but had managed to get away from them, and had drawn +them into an ambush by peasants, where they had been slain, by which +means he had obtained a horse and ridden straight to the army. + +Gustavus asked many questions, and elicited many more details than +Malcolm had deemed it necessary to give in his first recital. + +"You have shown great prudence and forethought," the king said +when he had finished, "such as would not be looked for in so young +a soldier." + +"And he behaved, sire, with distinguished gallantry and coolness +at Schiefelbrune, and in the destructive fight outside Colberg," +Colonel Munro put in. "By the slaughter on the latter day he would +naturally have obtained his promotion, but he begged to be passed +over, asserting that it was best that at his age he should remain +for a time an ensign." + +"Such modesty is unusual," the king said, "and pleases me; see the +next time a step is vacant, colonel, that he has it. Whatever his +age, he has shown himself fit to do man's work, and years are of +no great value in a soldier; why, among all my Scottish regiments +I have scarcely a colonel who is yet thirty years old." + +Malcolm now returned with Colonel Munro to the regiment, and there +had to give a full and minute account of his adventures, and was +warmly congratulated by his fellow officers on his good fortune in +escaping from the dangers which had beset him. The suit of armour +was a handsome one, and had been doubtless stripped off from the +body of some knight or noble murdered by the freebooters. The leg +pieces Malcolm laid aside, retaining only a cuirass, back piece, +and helmet, as the full armour was too heavy for service on foot. + +Two days later the king gave orders that the assault upon Landsberg +was to be made that night. The place was extremely strong, and +Gustavus had in his previous campaign twice failed in attempts +to capture it. Since that time the Imperialists had been busy in +strengthening the fortification, and all the peasantry for ten miles +round had been employed in throwing up earthworks; but its principal +defence was in the marsh which surrounded it, and which rendered +the construction of approaches by besiegers almost impossible. +Its importance consisted in the fact that from its great strength +its garrison dominated the whole district known as the Marc of +Brandenburg. It was the key to Silesia, and guarded the approaches +to Pomerania, and its possession was therefore of supreme importance +to Gustavus. The garrison consisted of five thousand Imperialist +infantry and twelve troops of horse, the whole commanded by Count +Gratz. The principal approach to the town was guarded by a strong +redoubt armed with numerous artillery. + +Colonel Munro had advanced his trenches to within a short distance +of this redoubt, and had mounted the twelve pieces of cannon to +play upon it, but so solid was the masonry of the fort that their +fire produced but little visible effect. Gustavus had brought from +Frankfort as guide on the march a blacksmith who was a native of +Landsberg, and this man had informed him of a postern gate into the +town which would not be likely to be defended, as to reach it it +would be necessary to cross a swamp flanked by the advanced redoubt +and covered with water. + +For two days previous to the assault the troops had been at work +cutting bushes and trees, and preparing the materials for constructing +a floating causeway across the mud and water. As soon as night fell +the men were set to work laying down the causeway, and when this +was finished the column advanced to the attack. It consisted of +250 pikemen under Colonel Munro, and the same number of the dragoons +under Colonel Deubattel. Hepburn with 1000 musketeers followed a +short distance behind them. + +The pikemen led the way, and passed along the floating causeway +without difficulty, but the causeway swayed and often sank under +the feet of the cavalry behind them. These, however, also managed +to get across. Their approach was entirely unobserved, and they +effected an entrance into the town. + +Scarcely had they done so when they came upon a body of three +hundred Imperialists who were about to make a sally under Colonel +Gratz, son of the governor. The pikemen at once fell upon them. +Taken by surprise the Imperialists fought nevertheless stoutly, +and eighty of the Scots fell under the fire of their musketry. But +the pikemen charged home; Colonel Gratz was killed, with many of +his men, and the rest taken prisoners. Hepburn marching on behind +heard the din of musketry and pressed forward; before reaching the +town he found a place in the swamp sufficiently firm to enable his +men to march across it, and, turning off, he led his troops between +the town and the redoubt, and then attacked the latter in the rear +where its defences were weak, and after three minutes' fighting +with its surprised and disheartened garrison the latter surrendered. + +The redoubt having fallen, and Munro's men having effected a +lodgment in the town, while the retreat on one side was cut off by +the force of Gustavus, and on the other by a strong body of cavalry +under Marshal Horn, the governor sent a drummer to Colonel Munro +to say that he was ready to surrender, and to ask for terms. The +drummer was sent to Gustavus, who agreed that the garrison should +be allowed to march away with the honours of war, taking their +baggage and effects with them. Accordingly at eight o'clock the +Count of Gratz at the head of his soldiers marched out with colours +flying and drums beating, and retired into Silesia. A garrison was +placed in Landsberg, and the blacksmith appointed burgomaster of +the town. Landsberg fell on the 15th of April, and on the 18th +the force marched back to Frankfort. + + + +CHAPTER VII A QUIET TIME + + +In spite of the urgent entreaties of Gustavus and the pressing +peril of Magdeburg, the wavering Duke of Brandenburg could not +bring himself to join the Swedes. He delivered Spandau over to +them, but would do no more. The Swedish army accordingly marched to +Berlin and invested his capital. The duke sent his wife to Gustavus +to beseech him to draw off his army and allow him to remain neutral; +but Gustavus would not listen to his entreaties, and insisted, as +the only condition upon which he would raise the siege, that the +duke should ally himself with him, and that the troops of Brandenburg +should join his army. + +These conditions the duke was obliged to accept, but in the meantime +his long hesitation and delay had caused the loss of Magdeburg, +which after a gallant defence was stormed by the troops of Pappenheim +and Tilly on the 10th of May. The ferocious Tilly had determined +upon a deed which would, he believed, frighten Germany into submission; +he ordered that no quarter should be given, and for five days the +city was handed over to the troops. + +History has no record since the days of Attila of so frightful a +massacre. Neither age nor sex was spared, and 30,000 men, women, +and children were ruthlessly massacred. The result for a time +justified the anticipations of the ferocious leader. The terrible +deed sent a shudder of horror and terror through Protestant Germany. +It seemed, too, as if the catastrophe might have been averted had +the Swedes shown diligence and marched to the relief of the city; +for in such a time men were not inclined to discuss how much of +the blame rested upon the shoulders of the Duke of Brandenburg, +who was, in fact, alone responsible for the delay of the Swedes. + +Many of the princes and free towns which had hitherto been staunch +to the cause of Protestantism at once hastened to make their +peace with the emperor. For a time the sack of Magdeburg greatly +strengthened the Imperialist cause. No sooner did the news reach +the ears of the Duke of Brandenburg than his fears overcame him, +and he wrote to Gustavus withdrawing from the treaty he had made, +and saying that as Spandau had only been delivered to him in order +that he might march to the relief of Magdeburg he was now bound in +honour to restore it. + +Gustavus at once ordered Spandau to be evacuated by his troops, +and again marched with the army against Berlin, which he had but a +few days before left. Here he again dictated terms, which the duke +was forced to agree to. + +The Swedish army now marched to Old Brandenburg, thirty-four miles +west of Berlin, and there remained for some time waiting until some +expected reinforcements should reach it. + +The place was extremely unhealthy, and great numbers died from +malaria and fever, thirty of Munro's musketeers dying in a single +week. During this time the king was negotiating with the Elector of +Saxony and the Landgrave of Hesse. These were the two most powerful +of the Protestant princes in that part of Germany, and Tilly resolved +to reduce them to obedience before the army of Gustavus was in a +position to move forward, for at present his force was too small +to enable him to take the field against the united armies of Tilly +and Pappenheim. + +He first fell upon the Landgrave of Hesse, and laid Thuringen +waste with fire and sword. Frankenhausen was plundered and burned +to the ground. Erfurt saved itself from a similar fate by the +payment of a large sum of money, and by engaging to supply great +stores of provisions for the use of the Imperial army. The Landgrave +of Hesse-Cassel was next summoned by Tilly, who threatened to carry +fire and sword through his dominions unless he would immediately +disband his troops, pay a heavy contribution and receive the +Imperial troops into his cities and fortresses; but the landgrave +refused to accept the terms. + +Owing to the unhealthiness of the district round Old Brandenburg, +Gustavus raised his camp there, and marched forward to Werben near +the junction of the Elbe with the Havel. He was joined there by +his young queen, Maria Eleonora, with a reinforcement of 8000 men, +and by the Marquis of Hamilton with 6200, for the most part Scotch, +who had been raised by him with the consent of Charles I, to whom +the marquis was master of the horse. + +Werben was distant but a few miles from Magdeburg, and Pappenheim, +who commanded the troops in that neighbourhood, seeing that Gustavus +was now in a position to take the field against him, sent an urgent +message to Tilly for assistance; and the Imperial general, who was +on the point of attacking the Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel, at once +marched with his army and effected a junction with Pappenheim, +their combined force being greatly superior to that of Gustavus +even after the latter had received his reinforcements. + +Malcolm had not accompanied the army in its march from Old +Brandenburg. He had been prostrated by fever, and although he shook +off the attack it left him so weak and feeble that he was altogether +unfit for duty. The army was still lying in its swampy quarters, +and the leech who had attended him declared that he could never +recover his strength in such an unhealthy air. Nigel Graheme, who +had now rejoined the regiment cured of his wound, reported the +surgeon's opinion to Munro. + +"I am not surprised," the colonel said, "and there are many others +in the same state; but whither can I send them? The Elector of +Brandenburg is so fickle and treacherous that he may at any moment +turn against us." + +"I was speaking to Malcolm," Nigel replied, "and he said that he +would he could go for a time to recruit his health in that village +among the hills where he had the fight with the freebooters who +made him captive. He said he was sure of a cordial welcome there, +and it is but three days' march from here." + +"'Tis an out-of-the-way place," Munro said, "and if we move west we +shall be still further removed from it. There are Imperial bands +everywhere harrying the country unguarded by us, and one of these +might at any moment swoop down into that neighbourhood." + +"That is true; but, after all, it would be better that he should +run that risk than sink from weakness as so many have done here +after getting through the first attack of fever." + +"That is so, Nigel, and if you and Malcolm prefer that risk to +the other I will not say you nay; but what is good for him is good +for others, and I will ask the surgeon to make me a list of twenty +men who are strong enough to journey by easy stages, and who yet +absolutely require to get out of this poisonous air to enable them +to effect their recovery. We will furnish them with one of the +baggage wagons of the regiment, so that they can ride when they +choose. Tell the paymaster to give each man in advance a month's +pay, that they may have money to pay what they need. Horses are +scarce, so we can give them but two with the wagon, but that will +be sufficient as they will journey slowly. See that a steady and +experienced driver is told off with them. They had best start at +daybreak tomorrow morning." + +At the appointed time the wagon was in readiness, and those who had +to accompany Malcolm gathered round, together with many of their +comrades who had assembled to wish them Godspeed. The pikes and +muskets, helmets and breast pieces were placed in the wagon, and +then the fever stricken band formed up before it. + +Munro, Nigel, and most of the officers came down to bid farewell +to Malcolm, and to wish him a speedy return in good health. Then he +placed himself at the head of the band and marched off, the wagon +following in the rear. Before they had been gone a mile several +of the men had been compelled to take their places in the wagon, +and by the time three miles had been passed the rest had one by +one been forced to give in. + +Malcolm was one of the last. He took his seat by the driver, and +the now heavily freighted wagon moved slowly across the country. +A store of provisions sufficient for several days had been placed +in the wagon, and after proceeding fifteen miles a halt was made +at a deserted village, and two of the houses in the best condition +were taken possession of, Malcolm and the sergeant of the party, a +young fellow named Sinclair, occupying the one, and the men taking +up their quarters in another. + +The next morning the benefit of the change and the removal from +the fever tainted air made itself already apparent. The distance +performed on foot was somewhat longer than on the preceding day; +the men were in better spirits, and marched with a brisker step than +that with which they had left the camp. At the end of the fourth +day they approached the wood in which the village was situated. + +"I will go on ahead," Malcolm said. "Our approach will probably +have been seen, and unless they know who we are we may meet with +but a rough welcome. Halt the wagon here until one returns with +news that you may proceed, for there may be pitfalls in the road." + +Malcolm had kept the horse on which he had ridden to Landsberg, and +it had been tied behind the wagon. During the last day's march he +had been strong enough to ride it. He now dismounted, and taking +the bridle over his arm he entered the wood. He examined the road +cautiously as he went along. He had gone about half way when the +farmer with four of his men armed with pikes suddenly appeared in +the road before him. + +"Who are you," the farmer asked, "and what would you here?" + +"Do you not remember me?" Malcolm said. "It is but three months +since I was here." + +"Bless me, it is our Scottish friend! Why, lad, I knew you not +again, so changed are you. Why, what has happened to you?" + +"I have had the fever," Malcolm said, "and have been like to die; +but I thought that a change to the pure air of your hills and +woods here would set me up. So I have travelled here to ask your +hospitality." + +By this time the farmer had come up and had grasped Malcolm's hand. + +"All that I have is yours," he said warmly. "The lookout saw a wagon +coming across the plain with three or four men walking beside it, +and he thought that many more were seated in it; so thinking that +this might be a ruse of some freebooting band, I had the alarm bell +rung, and prepared to give them a hot reception." + +"I have brought some sick comrades with me," Malcolm said. "I have +no thought of quartering them on you. That would be nigh as bad as +the arrival of a party of marauders, for they are getting strength, +and will, I warrant you, have keen appetites ere long; but we have +brought tents, and will pay for all we have." + +"Do not talk of payment," the farmer said heartily. "As long as there +is flour in the storehouse and bacon on the beams, any Scottish +soldier of Gustavus is welcome to it, still more if they be comrades +of thine." + +"Thanks, indeed," Malcolm replied. "I left them at the edge of the +wood, for I knew not what welcome you might have prepared here; +and seeing so many men you might have shot at them before waiting +to ask a question." + +"That is possible enough," the farmer said, "for indeed we could +hardly look for friends. The men are all posted a hundred yards +further on." + +The farmer ordered one of his men to go on and bring up the wagon, +and then with Malcolm walked on to the village. A call that all was +right brought out the defenders of the ambush. It had been arranged +similarly to that which had been so successful before, except that +instead of the pit, several strong ropes had been laid across the +road, to be tightened breast high as soon as an enemy came close +to them. + +"These are not as good as the pit," the farmer said as they passed +them; "but as we have to use the road sometimes we could not keep +a pit here, which, moreover, might have given way and injured any +one from a neighbouring village who might be riding hither. We +have made a strong stockade of beams among the underwood on either +side, so that none could break through into the wood from the path." + +"That is good," Malcolm said; "but were I you I would dig a pit +across the road some twelve feet wide, and would cover it with +a stout door with a catch, so that it would bear wagons crossing, +but when the catch is drawn it should rest only on some light +supports below, and would give way at once if a weight came on it. +It would, of course, be covered over with turf. It will take some +time to make, but it will add greatly to your safety." + +"It shall be done," the farmer said. "Wood is in plenty, and some +of my men are good carpenters. I will set about it at once." + +On arriving at the village Malcolm was cordially welcomed by the +farmer's wife and daughters. The guest chamber was instantly prepared +for him and refreshments laid on the table, while the maids, under +the direction of the farmer's wife, at once began to cook a bounteous +meal in readiness for the arrival of the soldiers. A spot was chosen +on some smooth turf under the shade of trees for the erection of +the tents, and trusses of clean straw carried there for bedding. + +Malcolm as he sat in the cool chamber in the farm house felt the +change delightful after the hot dusty journey across the plain. +There was quite an excitement in the little village when the wagon +drove up. The men lifted the arms and baggage from the wagon. The +women offered fruit and flagons of wine, and fresh cool water, to +the soldiers. There was not only general pleasure throughout the +village caused by the novelty of the arrival of the party from the +outer world, but a real satisfaction in receiving these men who +had fought so bravely against the oppressors of the Protestants of +Germany. There was also the feeling that so long as this body of +soldiers might remain in the village they would be able to sleep +in peace and security, safe from the attacks of any marauding band. +The tents were soon pitched by the peasants under the direction +of Sergeant Sinclair, straw was laid down in them, and the canvas +raised to allow the air to sweep through them. + +Very grateful were the weary men for the kindness with which they +were received, and even the weakest felt that they should soon +recover their strength. + +In an hour two men came up from the farm house carrying a huge +pot filled with strong soup. Another brought a great dish of stew. +Women carried wooden platters, bowls of stewed fruit, and loaves +of bread; and the soldiers, seated upon the grass, fell to with +an appetite such as they had not experienced for weeks. With the +meal was an abundant supply of the rough but wholesome wine of the +country. + +To the Scottish soldiers after the hardships they had passed +through, this secluded valley seemed a perfect paradise. They had +nought to do save to eat their meals, to sleep on the turf in the +shade, or to wander in the woods and gardens free to pick what +fruit they fancied. Under these circumstances they rapidly picked +up strength, and in a week after their arrival would hardly have +been recognized as the feeble band who had left the Swedish camp +at Old Brandenburg. + +On Sunday the pastor arrived. He did not live permanently at the +village, but ministered to the inhabitants of several villages +scattered among the hills, holding services in them by turns, and +remaining a few days in each. As the congregation was too large for +the room in the farm house the service was held in the open air. +The Scotch soldiers were all present, and joined heartily in the +singing, although many of them were ignorant of the language, and +sang the words of Scotch hymns to the German tunes. + +Even the roughest of them, and those who had been longest away from +their native country, were much moved by the service. The hush and +stillness, the air of quiet and peace which prevailed, the fervour +with which all joined in the simple service, took them back in +thought to the days of their youth in quiet Scottish glens, and many +a hand was passed hastily across eyes which had not been moistened +for many a year. + +The armour and arms were now cleaned and polished, and for a short +time each day Malcolm exercised them. The martial appearance and +perfect discipline of the Scots struck the villagers with admiration +the first time they saw them under arms, and they earnestly begged +Malcolm that they might receive from him and Sergeant Sinclair some +instruction in drill. + +Accordingly every evening when work was done the men of the village +were formed up and drilled. Several of the soldiers took their +places with them in the ranks in order to aid them by their example. +After the drill there was sword and pike exercise, and as most of +the men had already some knowledge of the use of arms they made +rapid progress, and felt an increased confidence in their power +to defend the village against the attacks of any small bands +of plunderers. To Malcolm the time passed delightfully. His kind +hosts vied with each other in their efforts to make him comfortable, +and it was in vain that he assured them that he no longer needed +attention and care. A seat was always placed for him in the coolest +nook in the room, fresh grapes and other fruit stood in readiness +on a table hard by. The farmer's daughters, busy as they were in +their household avocations, were always ready to sit and talk with +him when he was indoors, and of an evening to sing him the country +melodies. + +At the end of a fortnight the men were all fit for duty again, but +the hospitable farmer would not hear of their leaving, and as news +from time to time reached them from the outer world, and Malcolm +learned that there was no chance of any engagement for a time +between the hostile armies, he was only too glad to remain. + +Another fortnight passed, and Malcolm reluctantly gave the word that +on the morrow the march must be recommenced. A general feeling of +sorrow reigned in the village when it was known that their guests +were about to depart, for the Scottish soldiers had made themselves +extremely popular. They were ever ready to assist in the labours +of the village. They helped to pick the apples from the heavily +laden trees, they assisted to thrash out the corn, and in every +way strove to repay their entertainers for the kindness they had +shown them. + +Of an evening their camp had been the rendezvous of the whole +village. There alternately the soldiers and the peasants sang their +national songs, and joined in hearty choruses. Sometimes there were +dances, for many of the villagers played on various instruments; +and altogether Glogau had never known such a time of festivity and +cheerfulness before. + +Late in the evening of the day before they had fixed for their +departure the pastor rode into the village. + +"I have bad news," he said. "A party of Pappenheim's dragoons, three +hundred strong, are raiding in the district on the other side of +the hills. A man came in just as I mounted my horse, saying that +it was expected they would attack Mansfeld, whose count is a sturdy +Protestant. The people were determined to resist to the last, in +spite of the fate of Magdeburg and Frankenhausen, but I fear that +their chance of success is a small one; but they say they may as +well die fighting as be slaughtered in cold blood." + +"Is Mansfeld fortified?" Malcolm asked. + +"It has a wall," the pastor replied, "but of no great strength. The +count's castle, which stands on a rock adjoining it, might defend +itself for some time, but I question whether it can withstand +Pappenheim's veterans. + +"Mansfeld itself is little more than a village. I should not say +it had more than a thousand inhabitants, and can muster at best +about two hundred and fifty men capable of bearing arms." + +"How far is it from here?" Malcolm asked after a pause. + +"Twenty-four miles by the bridle path across the hills." + +"When were the Imperialists expected to arrive?" + +"They were ten miles away this morning," the pastor replied; "but +as they were plundering and burning as they went they will not +probably arrive before Mansfeld before the morning. Some of the +more timid citizens were leaving, and many were sending away their +wives and families." + +"Then," Malcolm said, "I will march thither at once. Twenty good +soldiers may make all the difference, and although I have, of course, +no orders for such an emergency, the king can hardly blame me even +if the worst happens for striking a blow against the Imperialists +here. Will you give me a man," he asked the farmer, "to guide us +across the hills?" + +"That will I right willingly," the farmer said; "but it seems to me +a desperate service to embark in. These townspeople are of little +good for fighting, and probably intend only to make a show of +resistance in order to procure better terms. The count himself +is a brave nobleman, but I fear that the enterprise is a hopeless +one." + +"Hopeless or not," Malcolm said, "I will undertake it, and will at +once put the men under arms. The wagon and horses with the baggage +I will leave here till I return, that is if we should ever come +back again." + +A tap of the drum and the soldiers came running in hastily from +various cottages where they were spending their last evening with +their village friends, wondering at the sudden summons to arms. As +soon as they had fallen in, Malcolm joined them. + +"Men," he said, "I am sorry to disturb you on your last evening +here, but there is business on hand. A party of Pappenheim's dragoons +are about to attack the town of Mansfeld, where the people are of +the Reformed Religion. The siege will begin in the morning, and +ere that time we must be there. We have all got fat and lazy, and +a little fighting will do us good." + +The thought of a coming fray reconciled the men to their departure +from their quiet and happy resting place. Armour was donned, +buckles fastened, and arms inspected, and in half an hour, after +a cordial adieu from their kind hosts, the detachment marched off, +their guide with a lighted torch leading the way. The men were in +light marching order, having left everything superfluous behind +them in the wagon; and they marched briskly along over hill and +through forest without a halt, till at three o'clock in the morning +the little town of Mansfeld, with its castle rising above it, was +visible before them in the first light of morning. + +As they approached the walls a musketoon was fired, and the alarm +bell of the church instantly rang out. Soon armed men made their +appearance on the walls. Fearing that the burghers might fire +before waiting to ascertain who were the newcomers, Malcolm halted +his band, and advanced alone towards the walls. + +"Who are you who come in arms to the peaceful town of Mansfeld?" +an officer asked from the wall. + +"I am an officer of his Swedish Majesty, Gustavus, and hearing that +the town was threatened with attack by the Imperialists, I have +marched hither with my detachment to aid in the defence." + +A loud cheer broke from the walls. Not only was the reinforcement +a most welcome one, small as it was, for the valour of the Scottish +soldiers of the King of Sweden was at that time the talk of all +Germany, but the fact that a detachment of these redoubted troops +had arrived seemed a proof that the main army of the Swedish king +could not be far away. The gates were at once opened, and Malcolm +with his band marched into Mansfield. + + + +CHAPTER VIII THE SIEGE OF MANSFELD + + +"Will it please your worship at once to repair to the castle?" the +leader of the townspeople said. "The count has just sent down to +inquire into the reason of the alarm." + +"Yes," Malcolm replied, "I will go at once. In the meantime, sir, +I pray you to see to the wants of my soldiers, who have taken a +long night march and will be none the worse for some refreshment. +Hast seen aught of the Imperialists?" + +"They are at a village but a mile distant on the other side of the +town," the citizen said. "Yesterday we counted eighteen villages +in flames, and the peasants who have come in say that numbers have +been slain by them." + +"There is little mercy to be expected from the butchers of Magdeburg," +Malcolm replied; "the only arguments they will listen to are steel +and lead, and we will not be sparing of these." + +A murmur of assent rang through the townsfolk who had gathered +round, and then the burgomaster himself led Malcolm up the ascent +to the castle. The news that the newcomers were a party of Scots +had already been sent up to the castle, and as Malcolm entered the +gateway the count came forward to welcome him. + +"You are welcome indeed, fair sir," he said. "It seems almost as +if you had arrived from the clouds to our assistance, for we had +heard that the Swedish king and his army were encamped around Old +Brandenburg. + +"His majesty has moved west, I hear," Malcolm said; "but we have +been a month away from the camp. My detachment consisted of a body +of invalids who came up among the hills to get rid of the fever which +was playing such havoc among our ranks. I am glad to say that all +are restored, and fit as ever for a meeting with the Imperialists. +I heard but yestereven that you were expecting an attack, and have +marched all night to be here in time. My party is a small one, but +each man can be relied upon; and when it comes to hard fighting +twenty in good soldiers may turn the day." + +"You are heartily welcome, sir, and I thank you much for coming to +our aid. The townspeople are determined to do their best, but most +of them have little skill in arms. I have a score or two of old +soldiers here in the castle, and had hoped to be able to hold this +to the end; but truly I despaired of a successful defence of the +town. But enter, I pray you; the countess will be glad to welcome +you. + +Malcolm accompanied the count to the banquet hall of the castle. +The countess, a gentle and graceful woman, was already there; for +indeed but few in Mansfeld had closed an eye that night, for it +was possible that the Imperialists might attack without delay. By +her side stood her daughter, a girl of about fourteen years old. +Malcolm had already stated his name to the count, and the latter +now presented him to his wife. + +"We have heard so much of the Scottish soldiers," she said as she +held out her hand, over which Malcolm bent deeply, "that we have +all been curious to see them, little dreaming that a band of them +would appear here like good angels in our hour of danger." + +"It was a fortunate accident which found me within reach when I +heard of the approach of the Imperialists. The names of the Count +and Countess of Mansfeld are so well known and so highly esteemed +through Protestant Germany that I was sure that the king would +approve of my hastening to lend what aid I might to you without +orders from him." + +"I see you have learned to flatter," the countess said smiling. +"This is my daughter Thekla." + +"I am glad to see you," the girl said; "but I am a little disappointed. +I had thought that the Scots were such big fierce soldiers, and +you are not very big -- not so tall as papa; and you do not look +fierce at all -- not half so fierce as my cousin Caspar, who is +but a boy." + +"That is very rude, Thekla," her mother said reprovingly, while +Malcolm laughed gaily. + +"You are quite right, Fraulein Thekla. I know I do not look very +fierce, but I hope when my moustache grows I shall come up more +nearly to your expectations. As to my height, I have some years to +grow yet, seeing that I am scarce eighteen, and perhaps no older +than your cousin." + +"Have you recently joined, sir?" the countess asked. + +"I have served through the campaign," Malcolm replied, "and have +seen some hard knocks given, as you may imagine when I tell you +that I was at the siege of New Brandenburg." + +"When your soldiers fought like heroes, and, as I heard, all died +sword in hand save two or three officers who managed to escape." + +"I was one of the three, countess; but the tale is a long one, and +can be told after we have done with the Imperialists. Now, sir," +he went on, turning to the count, "I am at your orders, and will +take post with my men at any point that you may think fit." + +"Before doing that," the count said, "you must join us at breakfast. +You must be hungry after your long march, and as I have been all +night in my armour I shall do justice to it myself. You will, of +course, take up your abode here. As to other matters I have done +my best, and the townspeople were yesterday all told off to their +places on the walls. I should think it were best that your band +were stationed in the marketplace as a reserve, they could then +move to any point which might be seriously threatened. Should the +Imperialists enter the town the citizens have orders to fall back +here fighting. All their most valuable goods were sent up here +yesterday, together with such of their wives and families as have +not taken flight, so that there will be nothing to distract them +from their duty." + +"That is good," Malcolm said. "The thought that one is fighting +for home and family must nerve a man in the defence, but when the +enemy once breaks in he would naturally think of home first and +hasten away to defend it to the last, instead of obeying orders +and falling back with his comrades in good order and discipline." + +The meal was a cheerful one. Malcolm related more in detail how he +and his detachment happened to be so far removed from the army. + +Just as the meal came to an end a drum beat in the town and the +alarm bells began to ring. The count and Malcolm sallied out at +once to the outer wall, and saw a small party of officers riding +from the village occupied by the Imperialists towards the town. + +"Let us descend," the count said. "I presume they are going to +demand our surrender." + +They reached the wall of the town just as the Imperialist officers +approached the gate. + +"In the name of his majesty the emperor," one of them cried out, +"I command you to open the gate and to surrender to his good will +and pleasure." + +"The smoking villages which I see around me," Count Mansfeld +replied, "are no hopeful sign of any good will or pleasure on the +part of his majesty towards us. As to surrendering, we will rather +die. But I am willing to pay a fair ransom for the town if you will +draw off your troops and march away." + +"Beware, sir!" the officer said. "I have a force here sufficient +to compel obedience, and I warn you of the fate which will befall +all within these walls if you persist in refusing to admit us." + +"I doubt not as to their fate," the count replied; "there are plenty +of examples before us of the tender mercy which your master's troops +show towards the towns you capture. + +"Once again I offer you a ransom for the town. Name the sum, and +if it be in reason such as I and the townspeople can pay, it shall +be yours; but open the gates to you we will not." + +"Very well," the officer said; "then your blood be on your own +heads." And turning his horse he rode with his companions back +towards the village. + +On their arrival there a bustle was seen to prevail. A hundred +horsemen rode off and took post on an eminence near the town, ready +to cut off the retreat of any who might try to escape, and to enter +the town when the gates were forced open. The other two hundred +men advanced on foot in a close body towards the principal gate. + +"They will try and blow it open with petards," Malcolm said. "Half +of my men are musketeers and good shots, and I will, with your +permission, place them on the wall to aid the townsfolk there, for +if the gate is blown open and the enemy force their way in it will +go hard with us." + +The count assented, and Malcolm posted his musketeers on the wall, +ordering Sergeant Sinclair with the remainder to set to work to +erect barricades across the street leading from the gate, so that, +in case this were blown in, such a stand might be made against the +Imperialists as would give the townspeople time to rally from the +walls and to gather there. + +The Imperialists heralded their advance by opening fire with pistols +and musketoons against the wall, and the defenders at once replied. +So heavy was the fire that the head of the column wavered, many of +the leading files being at once shot down, but, encouraged by their +officers, they rallied, and pushed forward at a run. The fire of +the townspeople at once became hurried and irregular, but the Scots +picked off their men with steady aim. The leader of the Imperialists, +who carried a petard, advanced boldly to the edge of the ditch. The +fosse was shallow and contained but little water, and he at once +dashed into it and waded across, for the drawbridge had, of course, +been raised. He climbed up the bank, and was close to the gate, +when Malcolm, leaning far over the wall, discharged his pistol at +him. The ball glanced from the steel armour. + +Malcolm drew his other pistol and again fired, this time more +effectually, for the ball struck between the shoulder and the neck +at the junction of the breast and back pieces, and passed down into +the body of the Austrian, who, dropping the petard, fell dead; but +a number of his men were close behind him. + +"Quick, lads!" Malcolm cried. "Put your strength to this parapet. +It is old and rotten. Now, all together! Shove!" + +The soldiers bent their strength against the parapet, while some +of the townspeople, thrusting their pikes into the rotten mortar +between the stones, prised them up with all their strength. The +parapet tottered, and then with a tremendous crash fell, burying +five or six of the Imperialists and the petard beneath the ruins. + +A shout of exultation rose from the defenders, and the Imperialists +at once withdrew at full speed. They halted out of gunshot, and +then a number of men were sent back to the village, whence they +returned carrying ladders, some of which had been collected the +day before from the neighbouring villages and others manufactured +during the night. The enemy now divided into three parties, which +advanced simultaneously against different points of the wall. + +Notwithstanding the storm of shot poured upon them as they advanced, +they pressed forward until they reached the wall and planted their +ladders, and then essayed to climb; but at each point the stormers +were stoutly met with pike and sword, while the musketeers from +the flanking towers poured their bullets into them. + +The troops proved themselves worthy of their reputation, for it +was not until more than fifty had fallen that they desisted from +the attempt and drew off. + +"Now we shall have a respite," Malcolm said. "If there are no more +of them in the neighbourhood methinks they will retire altogether, +but if they have any friends with cannon anywhere within reach they +will probably send for them and renew the attack." + +The day passed quietly. Parties of horsemen were seen leaving the +village to forage and plunder the surrounding country, but the main +body remained quietly there. The next day there was still no renewal +of the attack, but as the enemy remained in occupation of the +village Malcolm guessed that they must be waiting for the arrival +of reinforcements. The following afternoon a cloud of dust was seen +upon the plain, and presently a column of infantry some four hundred +strong, with three cannon, could be made out. The townspeople now +wavered in their determination. A few were still for resistance, +but the majority held that they could not attempt to withstand an +assault by so strong a force, and that it was better to make the +best terms they could with the enemy. + +A parlementaire was accordingly despatched to the Imperialists +asking what terms would be granted should the place surrender. + +"We will grant no terms whatever," the colonel in command of the +Imperialists said. "The town is at our mercy, and we will do as we +will with it and all within it; but tell Count Mansfeld that if he +will surrender the castle as well as the town at once, and without +striking another blow, his case shall receive favourable consideration." + +"That will not do," the count said. "They either guarantee our +lives or they do not. I give not up my castle on terms like these, +but I will exercise no pressure on the townspeople. If they choose +to defend themselves till the last I will fight here with them; if +they choose to surrender they can do so; and those who differ from +their fellows and put no faith in Tilly's wolves can enter the +castle with me." + +The principal inhabitants of the town debated the question hotly. +Malcolm lost patience with them, and said: "Are you mad as well +as stupid? Do you not see the smoking villages round you? Do you +not remember the fate of Magdeburg, New Brandenburg, and the other +towns which have made a resistance? You have chosen to resist. It +was open to you to have fled when you heard the Imperialists were +coming. You could have opened the gates then with some hope at +least of your lives; but you decided to resist. You have killed +some fifty or sixty of their soldiers. You have repulsed them from +a place which they thought to take with scarce an effort. You have +compelled them to send for reinforcements and guns. And now you +are talking of opening the gates without even obtaining a promise +that your lives shall be spared. This is the extremity of folly, +and all I can say is, if you take such a step you will well deserve +your fate." + +Malcolm's indignant address had its effect, and after a short +discussion the townspeople again placed themselves at the count's +disposal, and said that they would obey his orders. + +"I will give no orders," the count said. "My Scottish friend here +agrees with me that it is useless to try to defend the town. We +might repulse several attacks, but in the end they would surely +break in, for the walls are old and weak, and will crumble before +their cannon. Were there any hope of relief one would defend them +to the last, but as it is it would be but a waste of blood, for many +would be slain both in the defence and before they could retreat +to the castle; therefore we propose at once to withdraw. We doubt +not that we can hold the castle. Any who like to remain in their +houses and trust to the tender mercy of Tilly's wolves can do so." + +There was no more hesitation, and a cannonball, the first which the +Imperialists had fired, at that moment crashed into a house hard +by, and sharpened their decision wonderfully. + +"I have no great store of provisions in the castle," the count said, +"and although I deem it not likely that we shall have to stand a +long siege we must be prepared for it. There are already more than +700 of your wives and children there, therefore while half of the +force continue to show themselves upon the walls, and so deter +the enemy from attempting an assault until they have opened some +breaches, let the rest carry up provisions to the castle. Any houses +from which the women have fled are at once to be broken open. All +that we leave behind the enemy will take, and the less we leave +for them the better; therefore all stores and magazines of food and +wine must be considered as public property. Let the men at once be +divided into two bodies -- the one to guard the walls, the other +to search for and carry up provisions. They can be changed every +three or four hours." + +The resolution was taken and carried into effect without delay. Most +of the horses and carts in the town had left with the fugitives, +those that remained were at once set to work. The carts were +laden with large barrels of wine and sacks of flour, while the men +carried sides of bacon, kegs of butter, and other portable articles +on their heads. The Imperialists, seeing the movement up the steep +road to the castle gate, opened fire with their arquebuses, but +the defenders of the wall replied so hotly that they were forced +to retire out of range. The cannon played steadily all day, and by +nightfall two breaches had been effected in the wall and the gate +had been battered down. + +But by this time an ample store of provisions had been collected +in the castle and as the Imperialists were seen to form up for the +assault the trumpet was sounded, and at the signal the whole of +the defenders of the walls left their posts and fell back to the +castle, leaving the deserted town at the mercy of the enemy. The +Imperialists raised a shout of triumph as they entered the breaches +and found them undefended, and when once assured that the town was +deserted they broke their ranks and scattered to plunder. + +It was now quite dark, and many of them dragging articles of furniture +into the streets made great bonfires to light them at their work +of plunder. But they had soon reason to repent having done so, for +immediately the flames sprang up and lighted the streets, flashes +ran round the battlements of the castle, and a heavy fire was +opened into the streets, killing many of the soldiers. Seeing the +danger of thus exposing the men to the fire from the castle, the +Imperialist commander issued orders at once that all fires should +be extinguished, that anyone setting fire to a house should be +instantly hung, and that no lights were to be lit in the houses +whose windows faced the castle. + +Foreseeing the possibility of an attack from the castle, the +Austrians placed a hundred men at the foot of the road leading up +to it, and laid their three cannon loaded to the muzzle to command +it. + +"Have you not," Malcolm asked the count, "some means of exit from +the castle besides the way into the town?" + +"Yes," the count said, "there is a footpath down the rock on the +other side." + +"Then," Malcolm said, "as soon as they are fairly drunk, which +will be before midnight, let us fall upon them from the other side. +Leave fifty of your oldest men with half a dozen veteran soldiers +to defend the gateway against a sudden attack; with the rest we +can issue out, and marching round, enter by the gate and breaches, +sweeping the streets as we go, and then uniting, burst through any +guard they may have placed to prevent a sortie, and so regain the +castle." + +The count at once assented. In a short time shouts, songs, the +sound of rioting and quarrels, arose from the town, showing that +revelry was general. At eleven o'clock the men in the castle were +mustered, fifty were told off to the defence with five experienced +soldiers, an officer of the count being left in command. The +rest sallied through a little door at the back of the castle and +noiselessly descended the steep path. On arriving at the bottom they +were divided into three bodies. Malcolm with his Scots and fifty +of the townspeople formed one. Count Mansfeld took the command +of another, composed of his own soldiers and fifty more of the +townspeople. The third consisted of eighty of the best fighting +men of the town under their own leaders. These were to enter by +the gate, while the other two parties came in by the breaches. The +moment the attack began the defenders of the castle were to open +as rapid a fire as they could upon the foot of the road so as to +occupy the attention of the enemy's force there, and to lead them +to anticipate a sortie. + +The breach by which Malcolm was to enter was the farthest from the +castle, and his command would, therefore, be the last in arriving +at its station. When he reached it he ordered the trumpeters who +accompanied him to sound, and at the signal the three columns rushed +into the town uttering shouts of "Gustavus! Gustavus!" + +The Imperialists in the houses near were slaughtered with scarcely +any resistance. They were for the most part intoxicated, and such +as retained their senses were paralysed at the sudden attack, and +panic stricken at the shouts, which portended the arrival of a +relieving force from the army of the King of Sweden. As the bands +pressed forward, slaying all whom they came upon, the resistance +became stronger; but the three columns were all headed by parties +of pikemen who advanced steadily and in good order, bearing down +all opposition, and leaving to those behind them the task of slaying +all found in the houses. + +Lights flashed from the windows and partly lit up the streets, +and the Imperialist officers attempted to rally their men; but the +Scottish shouts, "A Hepburn! A Hepburn!" and the sight of their +green scarves added to the terror of the soldiers, who were convinced +that the terrible Green Brigade of the King of Sweden was upon +them. + +Hundreds were cut down after striking scarce a blow in their defence, +numbers fled to the walls and leapt over. The panic communicated +itself to the party drawn up to repel a sortie. Hearing the yells, +screams, and shouts, accompanied by the musketry approaching from +three different quarters of the town, while a steady fire from the +castle indicated that the defenders there might, at any moment, +sally out upon them, they stood for a time irresolute; but as the +heads of the three columns approached they lost heart, quitted their +station, and withdrew in a body by a street by which they avoided +the approaching columns. On arriving at the spot Malcolm found the +guns deserted. + +"The town is won now," he said. "I will take my post here with my +men in case the Austrians should rally; do you with the rest scatter +over the town and complete the work, but bid them keep together in +parties of twenty." + +The force broke up and scattered through the town in their work +of vengeance. House after house was entered and searched, and all +who were found there put to the sword; but by this time most of +those who were not too drunk to fly had already made for the gates. + +In half an hour not an Imperialist was left alive in the town. Then +guards were placed at the gate and breaches, and they waited till +morning. Not a sign of an Imperialist was to be seen on the plain, +and parties sallying out found that they had fled in the utmost +disorder. Arms, accoutrements, and portions of plunder lay scattered +thickly about, and it was clear that in the belief that the Swedish +army was on them, the Imperialists had fled panic stricken, and +were now far away. Upwards of two hundred bodies were found in the +streets and houses. + +A huge grave was dug outside the walls, and here the fallen foes +were buried. Only three or four of the defenders of the town were +killed and a score or so wounded in the whole affair. Although there +was little fear of a return, as the Imperialists would probably +continue their headlong flight for a long distance, and would then +march with all haste to rejoin their main army with the news that +a strong Swedish force was at Mansfeld, the count set the townspeople +at once to repair the breaches. + +The people were overjoyed with their success, and delighted at +having preserved their homes from destruction, for they knew that +the Imperialists would, if unsuccessful against the castle, have +given the town to the flames before retiring. The women and children +flocked down to their homes again, and although much furniture had +been destroyed and damage done, this was little heeded when so much +was saved. + +All vied in the expression of gratitude towards Malcolm and his +Scots, but Malcolm modestly disclaimed all merit, saying that he +and his men had scarcely struck a blow. + +"It is not so much the fighting," the count said, "as the example +which you set the townsmen, and the spirit which the presence of +you and your men diffused among them. Besides, your counsel and +support to me have been invaluable; had it not been for you the +place would probably have been carried at the first attack, and +if not the townspeople would have surrendered when the enemy's +reinforcements arrived; and in that case, with so small a force at +my command I could not have hoped to defend the castle successfully. +Moreover, the idea of the sortie which has freed us of them and +saved the town from destruction was entirely yours. No, my friend, +say what you will I feel that I am indebted to you for the safety +of my wife and child, and so long as I live I shall be deeply your +debtor." + +The following day Malcolm with his party marched away. The count had +presented him with a suit of magnificent armour, and the countess +with a gold chain of great value. Handsome presents were also made +to Sergeant Sinclair, who was a cadet of good family, and a purse +of gold was given to each of the soldiers, so in high spirits the +band marched away over the mountains on their return to the village. + + + +CHAPTER IX THE BATTLE OF BREITENFELD + + +Great joy was manifested as Malcolm's band marched into the village +and it was found that they had accomplished the mission on which +they went, had saved Mansfeld, and utterly defeated the Imperialists, +and had returned in undiminished numbers, although two or three +had received wounds more or less serious, principally in the first +day's fighting. They only remained one night in the village. + +On the following morning the baggage was placed in the wagons with +a store of fruit and provisions for their march, and after another +hearty adieu the detachment set out in high spirits. After marching +for two days they learned that the Swedish army had marched to +Werben, and that Tilly's army had followed it there. + +After the receipt of this news there was no more loitering; the +marches were long and severe, and after making a detour to avoid the +Imperialists the detachment entered the royal camp without having +met with any adventure on the way. His fellow officers flocked round +Malcolm to congratulate him on his safe return and on his restored +health. + +"The change has done wonders for you, Malcolm," Nigel Graheme said. +"Why, when you marched out you were a band of tottering scarecrows, +and now your detachment looks as healthy and fresh as if they had +but yesterday left Scotland; but come in, the bugle has just sounded +to supper, and we are only waiting for the colonel to arrive. He +is at present in council with the king with Hepburn and some more. +Ah! here he comes." + +Munro rode up and leapt from his horse, and after heartily greeting +Malcolm led the way into the tent where supper was laid out. +Malcolm was glad to see by the faces of his comrades that all had +shaken off the disease which had played such havoc among them at +Old Brandenburg. + +"Is there any chance of a general engagement?" he asked Nigel. + +"Not at present," Nigel said. "We are expecting the reinforcements +up in a few days. As you see we have fortified the camp too strongly +for Tilly to venture to attack us here. Only yesterday he drew +up his army and offered us battle; but the odds were too great, +and the king will not fight till his reinforcements arrive. Some +of the hotter spirits were sorry that he would not accept Tilly's +invitation, and I own that I rather gnashed my teeth myself; but I +knew that the king was right in not risking the whole cause rashly +when a few days will put us in a position to meet the Imperialists +on something like equal terms. Is there any news, colonel?" he +asked, turning to Munro. + +"No news of importance," the colonel replied; "but the king is +rather puzzled. A prisoner was taken today --one of Pappenheim's +horsemen -- and he declares that a force of horse and foot have +been defeated at Mansfeld by a Swedish army with heavy loss. He +avers that he was present at the affair, and arrived in camp with +the rest of the beaten force only yesterday. We cannot make it +out, as we know that there are no Swedish troops anywhere in that +direction." + +Malcolm burst into a hearty laugh, to the surprise of his fellow +officers. + +"I can explain the matter, colonel," he said. "It was my detachment +that had the honour of representing the Swedish army at Mansfeld." + +"What on earth do you mean, Malcolm?" the colonel asked. + +"Well, sir, as you know I went with a detachment to the village +where I had before been well treated, and had earned the gratitude +of the people by teaching them how to destroy a party of marauders. +After having been there for a month I was on the point of marching, +for the men were all perfectly restored to health; and indeed I +know I ought to have returned sooner, seeing that the men were fit +for service; but as I thought you were still at Old Brandenburg, +and could well dispense with our services, I lingered on to the +last. But just as I was about to march the news came that a party +of Imperialist horse, three hundred strong, was about to attack +Mansfeld, a place of whose existence I had never heard; but hearing +that its count was a staunch Protestant, and that the inhabitants +intended to make a stout defence, I thought that I could not be +doing wrong in the service of the king by marching to aid them, +the place being but twenty-four miles away across the hills. We +got there in time, and aided the townspeople to repulse the first +assault. After two days they brought up a reinforcement of four +hundred infantry and some cannon. As the place is a small one, with +but about two hundred and fifty fighting men of all ages, we deemed +it impossible to defend the town, and while they were breaching +the walls fell back to the castle. The Imperialists occupied it +at sunset, and at night, leaving a party to hold the castle, we +sallied out from the other side, and marching round, entered by the +breaches, and, raising the Swedish war cry fell upon the enemy, who +were for the most part too drunk to offer any serious resistance. +We killed two hundred and fifty of them, and the rest fled in terror, +thinking they had the whole Swedish army upon them. The next day I +started on my march back here, and though we have not spared speed, +it seems that the Imperialists have arrived before us." + +A burst of laughter and applause greeted the solution of the mystery. + +"You have done well, sir," Munro said cordially, "and have rendered +a great service not only in the defeat of the Imperialists, but in +its consequences here, for the prisoner said that last night five +thousand men were marched away from Tilly's army to observe and +make head against this supposed Swedish force advancing from the +east. When I have done my meal I will go over to the king with the +news, for his majesty is greatly puzzled, especially as the prisoner +declared that he himself had seen the Scots of the Green Brigade +in the van of the column, and had heard the war cry, 'A Hepburn! +A Hepburn!' + +"Hepburn himself could make neither head nor tail of it, and was +half inclined to believe that this avenging force was led by the +ghosts of those who had been slain at New Brandenburg. Whenever we +can't account for a thing, we Scots are inclined to believe it's +supernatural. + +"Now tell me more about the affair, Malcolm. By the way do you +know that you are a lieutenant now? Poor Foulis died of the fever +a few days after you left us, and as the king had himself ordered +that you were to have the next vacancy, I of course appointed you +at once. We must drink tonight to your promotion." + +Malcolm now related fully the incidents of the siege. + +"By my faith, Malcolm Graheme," Munro said when he had finished, +"you are as lucky as you are brave. Mansfeld is a powerful nobleman, +and has large possessions in various parts of Germany and much +influence, and the king will be grateful that you have thus rendered +him such effective assistance and so bound him to our cause. I +believe he has no children." + +"He has a daughter," Malcolm said, "a pretty little maid some +fourteen years old." + +"In faith, Malcolm, 'tis a pity that you and she are not some four +or five years older. What a match it would be for you, the heiress +of Mansfeld; she would be a catch indeed! Well, there's time enough +yet, my lad, for there is no saying how long this war will last." + +There was a general laugh, and the colonel continued: + +"Malcolm has the grace to colour, which I am afraid the rest of us +have lost long ago. Never mind, Malcolm, there are plenty of Scotch +cadets have mended their fortune by means of a rich heiress before +now, and I hope there will be many more. I am on the lookout for a +wealthy young countess myself, and I don't think there is one here +who would not lay aside his armour and sword on such inducement. +And now, gentlemen, as we have all finished, I will leave you to +your wine while I go across with our young lieutenant to the king. I +must tell him tonight, or he will not sleep with wondering over the +mystery. We will be back anon and will broach a cask of that famous +wine we picked up the other day, in honour of Malcolm Graheme's +promotion." + +Sir John Hepburn was dining with Gustavus, and the meal was just +concluded when Colonel Munro was announced. + +"Well, my brave Munro, what is it?" the king said heartily, "and whom +have you here? The young officer who escaped from New Brandenburg +and Tilly, unless I am mistaken." + +"It is, sir, but I have to introduce him in a new character +tonight, as the leader of your majesty's army who have defeated +the Imperialists at Mansfeld." + +"Say you so?" exclaimed the king. "Then, though I understand you not, +we shall hear a solution of the mystery which has been puzzling us. +Sit down, young sir; fill yourself a flagon of wine, and expound +this riddle to us." + +Malcolm repeated the narrative as he had told it to his colonel, +and the king expressed his warm satisfaction. + +"You will make a great leader some day if you do not get killed in +one of these adventures, young sir. Bravery seems to be a common +gift of the men of your nation; but you seem to unite with it +a surprising prudence and sagacity, and, moreover, this march of +yours to Mansfeld shows that you do not fear taking responsibility, +which is a high and rare quality. You have done good service to +the cause, and I thank you, and shall keep my eye upon you in the +future." + +The next day Malcolm went round the camp, and was surprised at +the extensive works which had been erected. Strong ramparts and +redoubts had been thrown up round it, faced with stone, and mounted +with 150 pieces of cannon. In the centre stood an inner entrenchment +with earthworks and a deep fosse. In this stood the tents of the +king and those of his principal officers. The Marquis of Hamilton +had, Malcolm heard, arrived and gone. He had lost on the march +many of the soldiers he had enlisted in England, who had died from +eating German bread, which was heavier, darker coloured, and more +sour than that of their own country. This, however, did not disagree +with the Scotch, who were accustomed to black bread. + +"I wonder," Malcolm said to Nigel Graheme, "that when the king has +in face of him a force so superior to his own he should have sent +away on detached service the four splendid regiments which they +say the marquis brought." + +"Well, the fact was," Nigel said laughing, "Hamilton was altogether +too grand for us here. We all felt small and mean so long as he +remained. Gustavus himself, who is as simple in his tastes as any +officer in the army, and who keeps up no ostentatious show, was +thrown into the shade by his visitor. Why, had he been the Emperor +of Germany or the King of France he could not have made a braver +show. His table was equipped and furnished with magnificence; his +carriages would have created a sensation in Paris; the liveries of +his attendants were more splendid than the uniforms of generals; +he had forty gentlemen as esquires and pages, and 200 yeomen, +splendidly mounted and armed, rode with him as his bodyguard. + +"Altogether he was oppressive; but the Hamiltons have ever been +fond of show and finery. So Gustavus has sent him and his troops +away to guard the passages of the Oder and to cover our retreat +should we be forced to fall back." + +Tilly, finding that the position of Gustavus was too strong to be +forced, retired to Wolmirstadt, whence he summoned the Elector of +Saxony to admit his army into his country, and either to disband +the Saxon army or to unite it to his own. Hitherto the elector +had held aloof from Gustavus, whom he regarded with jealousy and +dislike, and had stood by inactive although the slightest movement +of his army would have saved Magdeburg. To disband his troops, however, +and to hand over his fortresses to Tilly, would be equivalent to +giving up his dominions to the enemy; rather than do this he determined +to join Gustavus, and having despatched Arnheim to treat with the +King of Sweden for alliance, he sent a point blank refusal to Tilly. + +The Imperialist general at once marched towards Leipzig, devastating +the country as he advanced. Terms were soon arranged between the +elector and Gustavus, and on the 3d of September, 1631, the Swedish +army crossed the Elbe, and the next day joined the Saxon army at +Torgau. By this time Tilly was in front of Leipzig, and immediately +on his arrival burned to the ground Halle, a suburb lying beyond +the wall, and then summoned the city to surrender. + +Alarmed at the sight of the conflagration of Halle, and with the +fate of Magdeburg in their minds, the citizens of Leipzig opened +their gates at once on promise of fair treatment. The news of this +speedy surrender was a heavy blow to the allies, who, however, after +a council of war, determined at once to march forward against the +city, and to give battle to the Imperialists on the plain around +it. + +Leipzig stands on a wide plain which is called the plain of +Breitenfeld, and the battle which was about to commence there has +been called by the Germans the battle of Breitenfeld, to distinguish +it from the even greater struggles which have since taken place +under the walls of Leipzig. + +The baggage had all been left behind, and the Swedish army lay down +as they stood. The king occupied his travelling coach, and passed +the night chatting with Sir John Hepburn, Marshal Horn, Sir John +Banner, Baron Teuffel, who commanded the guards, and other leaders. +The lines of red fires which marked Tilly's position on the slope +of a gentle eminence to the southwest were plainly to be seen. The +day broke dull and misty on the 7th of September, and as the light +fog gradually rose the troops formed up for battle. Prayers were +said in front of every regiment, and the army then moved forward. +Two Scottish brigades had the places of honour in the van, where +the regiments of Sir James Ramsay, the Laird of Foulis, and Sir +John Hamilton were posted, while Hepburn's Green Brigade formed part +of the reserve -- a force composed of the best troops of the army, +as on them the fate of the battle frequently depends. The Swedish +cavalry were commanded by Field Marshal Horn, General Banner, and +Lieutenant General Bauditzen. + +The king and Baron Teuffel led the main body of infantry; the +King of Saxony commanded the Saxons, who were on the Swedish left. +The armies were not very unequal in numbers, the allies numbering +35,000, of whom the Swedes and Scots counted 20,000, the Saxons +15,000. The Imperialists numbered about 40,000. Tilly was fighting +unwillingly, for he had wished to await the arrival from Italy +of 12,000 veterans under General Altringer, and who were within a +few days' march; but he had been induced, against his own better +judgment, by the urgency of Pappenheim, Furstenberg, and the younger +generals, to quit the unassailable post he had taken up in front of +Leipzig, and to move out on to the plain of Breitenfeld to accept +the battle which the Swedes offered. + +A short distance in his front was the village of Podelwitz. Behind +his position were two elevations, on which he placed his guns, +forty in number. In rear of these elevations was a very thick wood. +The Imperialist right was commanded by Furstenberg, the left by +Pappenheim, the centre by Tilly himself. Although he had yielded +to his generals so far as to take up a position on the plain, Tilly +was resolved, if possible, not to fight until the arrival of the +reinforcements; but the rashness of Pappenheim brought on a battle. To +approach the Austrian position the Swedes had to cross the little +river Loder, and Pappenheim asked permission of Tilly to charge them +as they did so. Tilly consented on condition that he only charged +with two thousand horse and did not bring on a general engagement. +Accordingly, as the Scottish brigade under Sir James Ramsay crossed +the Loder, Pappenheim swept down upon them. + +The Scots stood firm, and with pike and musket repelled the attack; +and after hard fighting Pappenheim was obliged to fall back, +setting fire as he retired to the village of Podelwitz. The smoke +of the burning village drifted across the plain, and was useful to +the Swedes, as under its cover the entire army passed the Loder, +and formed up ready for battle facing the Imperialists position, +the movement being executed under a heavy fire from the Austrian +batteries on the hills. + +The Swedish order of battle was different from that of the +Imperialists. The latter had their cavalry massed together in one +heavy, compact body, while the Swedish regiments of horse were placed +alternately with the various regiments or brigades of infantry. +The Swedish centre was composed of four brigades of pikemen. Guns +were behind the first line, as were the cavalry supporting the +pikemen. The regiments of musketeers were placed at intervals among +the brigades of pikemen. + +Pappenheim on his return to the camp ordered up the whole of his +cavalry, and charged down with fury upon the Swedes, while at the +same moment Furstenberg dashed with seven regiments of cavalry on +the Saxons. Between these and the Swedes there was a slight interval, +for Gustavus had doubts of the steadiness of his allies, and was +anxious that in case of their defeat his own troops should not be +thrown into confusion. The result justified his anticipations. + +Attacked with fury on their flank by Furstenberg's horse, while +his infantry and artillery poured a direct fire into their front, +the Saxons at once gave way. Their elector was the first to set +the example of flight, and, turning his horse, galloped without +drawing rein to Torgau, and in twenty minutes after the commencement +of the fight the whole of the Saxons were in utter rout, hotly +pursued by Furstenberg's cavalry. + +Tilly now deemed the victory certain, for nearly half of his opponents +were disposed of, and he outnumbered the remainder by two to one; +but while Furstenberg had gained so complete a victory over the +Saxons, Pappenheim, who had charged the Swedish centre, had met +with a very different reception. + +In vain he tried to break through the Swedish spears. The wind was +blowing full in the faces of the pikemen, and the clouds of smoke +and dust which rolled down upon them rendered it impossible for +them to see the heavy columns of horse until they fell upon them +like an avalanche, yet with perfect steadiness they withstood the +attacks. + +Seven times Pappenheim renewed his charge; seven times he fell back +broken and disordered. + +As be drew off for the last time Gustavus, seeing the rout of the +Saxons, and knowing that he would have the whole of Tilly's force +upon him in a few minutes, determined to rid himself altogether of +Pappenheim, and launched the whole of his cavalry upon the retreating +squadrons with overwhelming effect. Thus at the end of half an +hour's fighting Tilly had disposed of the Saxons, and Gustavus had +driven Pappenheim's horse from the field. + +Three of the Scottish regiments were sent from the centre to +strengthen Horn on the left flank, which was now exposed by the +flight of the Saxons. Scarcely had the Scottish musketeers taken +their position when Furstenberg's horse returned triumphant from +their pursuit of the Saxons, and at once fell upon Horn's pikemen. +These, however, stood as firmly as their comrades in the centre +had done; and the Scottish musketeers, six deep, the three front +ranks kneeling, the three in rear standing, poured such heavy +volleys into the horsemen that these fell back in disorder; the +more confused perhaps, since volley firing was at that time peculiar +to the Swedish army, and the crashes of musketry were new to the +Imperialists. + +As the cavalry fell back in disorder, Gustavus led his horse, who +had just returned from the pursuit of Pappenheim, against them. +The shock was irresistible, and Furstenberg's horse were driven +headlong from the field. But the Imperialist infantry, led by +Tilly himself, were now close at hand, and the roar of musketry +along the whole line was tremendous, while the artillery on both +sides played unceasingly. + +Just as the battle was at the hottest the Swedish reserve came up +to the assistance of the first line, and Sir John Hepburn led the +Green Brigade through the intervals of the Swedish regiments into +action. Lord Reay's regiment was in front, and Munro, leading it +on, advanced against the solid Imperialist columns, pouring heavy +volleys into them. When close at hand the pikemen passed through +the intervals of the musketeers and charged furiously with levelled +pikes, the musketeers following them with clubbed weapons. + +The gaps formed by the losses of the regiment at New Brandenburg and +the other engagements had been filled up, and two thousand strong +they fell upon the Imperialists. For a few minutes there was a +tremendous hand-to-hand conflict, but the valour and strength of +the Scotch prevailed, and the regiment was the first to burst its +way through the ranks of the Imperialists, and then pressed on to +attack the trenches behind, held by the Walloon infantry. While the +battle was raging in the plain the Swedish cavalry, after driving +away Furstenberg's horse, swept round and charged the eminence in +the rear of the Imperialists, cutting down the artillerymen and +capturing the cannon there. + +These were at once turned upon the masses of Imperialist infantry, +who thus, taken between two fires --pressed hotly by the pikemen +in front, mown down by the cannon in their rear -- lost heart and +fled precipitately, four regiments alone, the veterans of Furstenberg's +infantry, holding together and cutting their way through to the +woods in the rear of their position. + +The slaughter would have been even greater than it was, had not the +cloud of dust and smoke been so thick that the Swedes were unable +to see ten yards in front of them. The pursuit was taken up by +their cavalry, who pressed the flying Imperialists until nightfall. +So complete was the defeat that Tilly, who was badly wounded, could +only muster 600 men to accompany him in his retreat, and Pappenheim +could get together but 1400 of his horsemen. Seven thousand of the +Imperialists were killed, 5000 were wounded or taken prisoners. +The Swedes lost but 700 men, the Saxons about 2000. + +The Swedes that night occupied the Imperial tents, making great +bonfires of the broken wagons, pikes, and stockades. A hundred +standards were taken. Tilly had fought throughout the battle with +desperate valour. He was ever in the van of his infantry, and +three times was wounded by bullets and once taken prisoner, and +only rescued after a desperate conflict. + +At the conclusion of the day Cronenberg with 600 Walloon cavalry threw +themselves around him and bore him from the field. The fierce old +soldier is said to have burst into a passion of tears on beholding +the slaughter and defeat of his infantry. Hitherto he had been +invincible, this being the first defeat he had suffered in the +course of his long military career. Great stores of provision and +wine had been captured, and the night was spent in feasting in the +Swedish camp. + +The next morning the Elector of Saxony rode on to the field to +congratulate Gustavus on his victory. The latter was politic enough +to receive him with great courtesy and to thank him for the services +the Saxons had rendered. He intrusted to the elector the task of +recapturing Leipzig, while he marched against Merseburg, which he +captured with its garrison of five hundred men. + +After two or three assaults had been made on Leipzig the garrison +capitulated to the Saxons, and on the 11th of September the army was +drawn up and reviewed by Gustavus. When the king arrived opposite +the Green Brigade he dismounted and made the soldiers an address, +thanking them for their great share in winning the battle of Leipzig. + +Many of the Scottish officers were promoted, Munro being made a +full colonel, and many others advanced a step in rank. The Scottish +brigade responded to the address of the gallant king with hearty +cheers. Gustavus was indeed beloved as well as admired by his +soldiers. Fearless himself of danger, he ever recognized bravery +in others, and was ready to take his full share of every hardship +as well as every peril. + +He had ever a word of commendation and encouragement for his +troops, and was regarded by them as a comrade as well as a leader. +In person he was tall and rather stout, his face was handsome, +his complexion fair, his forehead lofty, his hair auburn, his eyes +large and penetrating, his cheeks ruddy and healthy. He had an air +of majesty which enabled him to address his soldiers in terms of +cheerful familiarity without in the slightest degree diminishing +their respect and reverence for him as their monarch. + + + +CHAPTER X THE PASSAGE OF THE RHINE + + +"I suppose," Nigel Graheme said, as the officers of the regiment +assembled in one of the Imperialist tents on the night after the +battle of Leipzig, "we shall at once press forward to Vienna;" +and such was the general opinion throughout the Swedish army; but +such was not the intention of Gustavus. Undoubtedly the temptation +to press forward and dictate peace in Vienna was strong, but the +difficulties and disadvantages of such a step were many. He had but +20,000 men, for the Saxons could not be reckoned upon; and indeed +it was probable that their elector, whose jealousy and dislike of +Gustavus would undoubtedly be heightened by the events of the battle +of Breitenfeld, would prove himself to be a more than a doubtful +ally were the Swedish army to remove to a distance. + +Tilly would soon rally his fugitives, and, reinforced by the numerous +Imperialist garrisons from the towns, would be able to overrun North +Germany in his absence, and to force the Saxons to join him even if +the elector were unwilling to do so. Thus the little Swedish force +would be isolated in the heart of Germany; and should Ferdinand +abandon Vienna at his approach and altogether refuse to treat +with him -- which his obstinacy upon a former occasion when in the +very hands of his enemy rendered probable -- the Swedes would find +themselves in a desperate position, isolated and alone in the midst +of enemies. + +There was another consideration. An Imperialist diet was at +that moment sitting at Frankfort, and Ferdinand was using all his +influence to compel the various princes and representatives of the +free cities to submit to him. It was of the utmost importance that +Gustavus should strengthen his friends and overawe the waverers +by the approach of his army. Hitherto Franconia and the Rhine +provinces had been entirely in the hands of the Imperialists, and +it was needful that a counterbalancing influence should be exerted. +These considerations induced Gustavus to abandon the tempting idea +of a march upon Vienna. The Elector of Saxony was charged with +carrying the war into Silesia and Bohemia, the Electors of Hesse +and Hesse-Cassel were to maintain Lower Saxony and Westphalia, and +the Swedish army turned its face towards the Rhine. + +On the 20th of September it arrived before Erfurt, an important +fortified town on the Gera, which surrendered at discretion. Gustavus +granted the inhabitants, who were for the most part Catholics, the +free exercise of their religion, and nominated the Duke of Saxe-Weimar +to be governor of the district and of the province of Thuringen, +and the Count of Lowenstein to be commander of the garrison, which +consisted of Colonel Foulis's Scottish regiment, 1500 strong. + +Travelling by different routes in two columns the army marched +to Wurtzburg, the capital of Franconia, a rich and populous city, +the Imperialist garrison having withdrawn to the strong castle +of Marienburg, on a lofty eminence overlooking the town, and only +separated from it by the river Maine. The cathedral at Wurtzburg +is dedicated to a Scottish saint, St. Kilian, a bishop who with two +priests came from Scotland in the year 688 to convert the heathen +of Franconia. They baptized many at Wurtzburg, among them Gospert, +the duke of that country. This leader was married to Geilana, the +widow of his brother; and Kilian urging upon him that such a marriage +was contrary to the laws of the Christian church, the duke promised +to separate from her. Geilana had not, like her lord, accepted +Christianity, and, furious at this interference of Kilian, she +seized the opportunity when the latter had gone with his followers +on an expedition against the pagan Saxons to have Kilian and his +two companions murdered. + +The cathedral was naturally an object of interest to the Scotch +soldiers in the time of Gustavus, and there was an animated argument +in the quarters of the officers of Munro's regiment on the night of +their arrival as to whether St. Kilian had done well or otherwise +in insisting upon his new convert repudiating his wife. The general +opinion, however, was against the saint, the colonel summing up +the question. + +"In my opinion," he said, "Kilian was a fool. Here was no less a +matter at stake than the conversion of a whole nation, or at least +of a great tribe of heathens, and Kilian imperilled it all on a +question of minor importance; for in the first place, the Church +of Rome has always held that the pope could grant permission for +marriage within interdicted degrees; in the second place, the marriage +had taken place before the conversion of the duke to Christianity, +and they were therefore innocently and without thought of harm +bona fide man and wife. Lastly, the Church of Rome is opposed to +divorce; and Kilian might in any case have put up with this small +sin, if sin it were, for the sake of saving the souls of thousands +of pagans. My opinion is that St. Kilian richly deserved the fate +which befell him. And now to a subject much more interesting to us +-- viz, the capture of Marienburg. + +"I tell you, my friends, it is going to be a warm business; the +castle is considered impregnable, and is strong by nature as well +as art, and Captain Keller is said to be a stout and brave soldier. +He has 1000 men in the garrison, and all the monks who were in the +town have gone up and turned soldiers. But if the task is a hard +one the reward will be rich; for as the Imperialists believe the +place cannot be taken, the treasures of all the country round are +stored up there. And I can tell you more, in the cellars are sixty +gigantic tuns of stone, the smallest of which holds twenty-five +wagon loads of wine, and they say some of it is a hundred years +old. With glory and treasure and good wine to be won we will outdo +ourselves tomorrow; and you may be sure that the brunt of the affair +will fall upon the Scots." + +"Well, there is one satisfaction," said Nigel Graheme -- who after +Leipzig had been promoted to the rank of major -- "if we get the +lion's share of the fighting, we shall have the lion's share of +the plunder and wine." + +"For shame, Graheme! You say nothing of the glory." + +"Ah! well," Graheme laughed, "we have already had so large share +of that, that I for one could do without winning any more just at +present. It's a dear commodity to purchase, and neither fills our +belly nor our pockets." + +"For shame, Graheme! for shame!" Munro said laughing. "It is a +scandal that such sentiments should be whispered in the Scottish +brigade; and now to bed, gentlemen, for we shall have, methinks, +a busy day tomorrow." + +Sir James Ramsay was appointed to command the assault. The river +Maine had to be crossed, and he sent off Lieutenant Robert Ramsay +of his own regiment to obtain boats from the peasantry. The disguise +in which he went was seen through, and he was taken prisoner and +carried to the castle. A few boats were, however, obtained by the +Swedes. + +The river is here 300 yards wide, and the central arch of the bridge +had been blown up by the Imperialists, a single plank remaining +across the chasm over the river 48 feet below. The bridge was swept +by the heaviest cannon in the fortress, and a passage appeared well +nigh hopeless. On the afternoon of the 5th of October the party +prepared to pass, some in boats, others by the bridge. A tremendous +fire was opened by the Imperialists from cannon and musketry, +sweeping the bridge with a storm of missiles and lashing the river +to foam around the boats. The soldiers in these returned the fire +with their muskets, and the smoke served as a cover to conceal them +from the enemy. + +In the meantime Major Bothwell of Ramsay's regiment led a company +across the bridge. These, in spite of the fire, crossed the plank +over the broken arch and reached the head of the bridge, from whence +they kept up so heavy a fire upon the gunners and musketeers in +the lower works by the river that they forced them to quit their +posts, and so enabled Sir James Ramsay and Sir John Hamilton to +effect a landing. + +Major Bothwell, his brother, and the greater part of his followers +were, however, slain by the Imperialists' fire from above. The +commandant of the castle now sallied out and endeavoured to recapture +the works by the water, but the Scotch repelled the attack and drove +the enemy up the hill to the castle again. The Scottish troops +having thus effected a lodgment across the river, and being protected +by the rocks from the enemy's fire, lay down for the night in the +position they had won. + +Gustavus during the night caused planks to be thrown across the broken +bridge and prepared to assault at daybreak. Just as morning was +breaking, a Swedish officer with seven men climbed up the hill to +reconnoitre the castle, and found to his surprise that the drawbridge +was down, but a guard of 200 men were stationed at the gate. He +was at once challenged, and, shouting "Sweden!" sprang with his men +on to the end of the drawbridge. The Imperialists tried in vain to +raise it; before they could succeed some companions of the Swedes +ran up, and, driving in the guard, took possession of the outer +court. + +Almost at the same moment Ramsay's and Hamilton's regiments commenced +their assault on a strong outwork of the castle, which, after two +hours' desperate fighting, they succeeded in gaining. They then +turned its guns upon the gate of the keep, which they battered +down, and were about to charge in when they received orders from the +king to halt and retire, while the Swedish regiment of Axel-Lilly +and the Blue Brigade advanced to the storm. + +The Scottish regiments retired in the deepest discontent, deeming +themselves affronted by others being ordered to the post of honour +after they had by their bravery cleared the way. The Swedish +troops forced their way in after hard fighting; and the Castle of +Marienburg, so long deemed impregnable, was captured after a few +hours' fighting. The quantity of treasure found in it was enormous, +and there were sufficient provisions to have lasted its garrison +for twenty years. + +Immediately the place was taken, Colonel Sir John Hamilton advanced +to Gustavus and resigned his commission on the spot; nor did the +assurances of the king that he intended no insult to the Scotch +soldiers mollify his wrath, and quitting the Swedish service he +returned at once to Scotland. Munro's regiment had taken no part +in the storming of Marienburg, but was formed up on the north side +of the river in readiness to advance should the first attack be +repelled, and many were wounded by the shot of the enemy while thus +inactive. + +Malcolm while binding up the arm of his sergeant who stood next to +him felt a sharp pain shoot through his leg, and at once fell to +the ground. He was lifted up and carried to the rear, where his +wound was examined by the doctor to the regiment. + +"Your luck has not deserted you," he said after probing the wound. +"The bullet has missed the bone by half an inch, and a short rest +will soon put you right again." + +Fortunately for a short time the army remained around Wurtzburg. +Columns scoured the surrounding country, capturing the various +towns and fortresses held by the Imperialists, and collecting large +quantities of provisions and stores. Tilly's army lay within a few +days' march; but although superior in numbers to that of Gustavus, +Tilly had received strict orders not to risk a general engagement +as his army was now almost the only one that remained to the +Imperialists, and should it suffer another defeat the country would +lie at the mercy of the Swedes. + +One evening when Malcolm had so far recovered as to be able to walk +for a short distance, he was at supper with Colonel Munro and some +other officers, when the door opened and Gustavus himself entered. +All leapt to their feet. + +"Munro," he said, "get the musketeers of your brigade under arms +with all haste, form them up in the square before the town hall, +and desire Sir John Hepburn to meet me there." + + +The drum was at once beaten, and the troops came pouring from their +lodgings, and in three or four minutes the musketeers, 800 strong, +were formed up with Hepburn and Munro at their head. Malcolm had +prepared to take his arms on the summons, but Munro said at once: + +"No, Malcolm, so sudden a summons augurs desperate duty, maybe a +long night march; you would break down before you got half a mile; +besides, as only the musketeers have to go, half the officers must +remain here." + +Without a word the king placed himself at the head of the men, +and through the dark and stormy night the troops started on their +unknown mission. Hepburn and Munro were, like their men, on foot, +for they had not had time to have their horses saddled. + +After marching two hours along the right bank of the Maine the +tramp of horses was heard behind them, and they were reinforced by +eighty troopers whom Gustavus before starting had ordered to mount +and follow. Hitherto the king had remained lost in abstraction, +but he now roused himself. + +"I have just received the most serious news, Hepburn. Tilly has +been reinforced by 17,000 men under the Duke of Lorraine, and is +marching with all speed against me. Were my whole army collected +here he would outnumber us by two to one, but many columns are +away, and the position is well nigh desperate. + +"I have resolved to hold Ochsenfurt. The place is not strong, but +it lies in a sharp bend of the river and may be defended for a +time. If any can do so it is surely you and your Scots. Tilly is +already close to the town; indeed the man who brought me the news +said that when he left it his advanced pickets were just entering, +hence the need for this haste. + +"You must hold it to the last, Hepburn, and then, if you can, fall +back to Wurtzburg; even a day's delay will enable me to call in +some of the detachments and to prepare to receive Tilly." + +Without halting, the little column marched sixteen miles, and then, +crossing the bridge over the Maine, entered Ochsenfurt. + +It was occupied by a party of fifty Imperialist arquebusiers, but +these were driven headlong from it. The night was extremely dark, +all were ignorant of the locality, and the troops were formed up +in the marketplace to await either morning or the attack of Tilly. +Fifty troopers were sent half a mile in advance to give warning +of the approach of the enemy. They had scarcely taken their place +when they were attacked by the Imperialists, who had been roused by +the firing in the town. The incessant flash of fire and the heavy +rattle of musketry told Gustavus that they were in force, and +a lieutenant of Lumsden's regiment with fifty musketeers was sent +off to reinforce the cavalry. The Imperialists were, however, too +strong to be checked, and horse and foot were being driven in when +Colonel Munro sallied out with a hundred of his own regiment, and +the Imperialists after a brisk skirmish, not knowing what force +they had to deal with, fell back. + +As soon as day broke the king and Hepburn made a tour of the walls, +which were found to be in a very bad condition and ill calculated +to resist an assault. The Imperialists were not to be seen, and the +king, fearing they might have marched by some other route against +Wurtzburg, determined to return at once, telling Hepburn to mine +the bridge, and to blow it up if forced to abandon the town. + +Hepburn at once set to work to strengthen the position, to demolish +all the houses and walls outside the defences, cut down and destroy +all trees and hedges which might shelter an enemy, and to strengthen +the walls with banks of earth and platforms of wood. For three days +the troops laboured incessantly; on the third night the enemy were +heard approaching. The advanced troopers and a half company of +infantry were driven in, contesting every foot of the way. When they +reached the walls heavy volleys were poured in by the musketeers +who lined them upon the approaching enemy, and Tilly, supposing +that Gustavus must have moved forward a considerable portion of +his army, called off his troops and marched away to Nuremberg. Two +days later Hepburn was ordered to return with his force to Wurtzburg. + +The king now broke up his camp near Wurtzburg, and leaving a garrison +in the castle of Marienburg and appointing Marshal Horn to hold +Franconia with 8000 men, he marched against Frankfort-on-the-Maine, +his troops capturing all the towns and castles on the way, levying +contributions, and collecting great booty. Frankfort opened its +gates without resistance, and for a short time the army had rest +in pleasant quarters. + +The regiments were reorganized, in some cases two of those which +had suffered most being joined into one. Gustavus had lately been +strengthened by two more Scottish regiments under Sir Frederick +Hamilton and Alexander Master of Forbes, and an English regiment +under Captain Austin. He had now thirteen regiments of Scottish +infantry, and the other corps of the army were almost entirely +officered by Scotchmen. He had five regiments of English and Irish, +and had thus eighteen regiments of British infantry. + +At Frankfort he was joined by the Marquis of Hamilton, who had done +splendid service with the troops under his command. He had driven +the Imperialists out of Silesia, and marching south, struck such +fear into them that Tilly was obliged to weaken his army to send +reinforcements to that quarter. By the order of Gustavus he left +Silesia and marched to Magdeburg. He had now but 3500 men with him, +2700 having died from pestilence, famine, and disease. He assisted +General Banner in blockading the Imperialist garrison of Magdeburg, +and his losses by fever and pestilence thinned his troops down to +two small regiments; these were incorporated with the force of the +Duke of Saxe-Weimar, and the Marquis of Hamilton joined the staff +of Gustavus as a simple volunteer. + +The king now determined to conquer the Palatinate, which was held +by a Spanish army. He drove them before him until he reached the +Rhine, where they endeavoured to defend the passage by burning +every vessel and boat they could find, and for a time the advance +of the Swedes was checked. It was now the end of November, the snow +lay thick over the whole country, and the troops, without tents or +covering, were bivouacked along the side of the river, two miles +below Oppenheim. The opposite bank was covered with bushes to the +water's edge, and on an eminence a short distance back could be +seen the tents of the Spaniards. + +"If it were summer we might swim across," Nigel Graheme said to +Malcolm; "the river is broad, but a good swimmer could cross it +easily enough." + +"Yes," Malcolm agreed, "there would be no difficulty in swimming if +unencumbered with arms and armour, but there would be no advantage +in getting across without these; if we could but get hold of a boat +or two, we would soon wake yonder Spaniards up." + +The next morning Malcolm wandered along the bank closely examining +the bushes as he went, to see if any boats might be concealed among +them, for the fishermen and boatmen would naturally try to save +their craft when they heard that the Imperialists were destroying +them. He walked three miles up the river without success. As he +returned he kept his eyes fixed on the bushes on the opposite bank. +When within half a mile of the camp he suddenly stopped, for his +eye caught something dark among them. He went to the water's edge +and stooped, the better to see under the bushes, and saw what +he doubted not to be the stern of a boat hauled up and sheltered +beneath them. He leapt to his feet with a joyful exclamation. Here +was the means of crossing the river; but the boat had to be brought +over. Once afloat this would be easy enough, but he was sure that +his own strength would be insufficient to launch her, and that he +should need the aid of at least one man. On returning to camp he +called aside the sergeant of his company, James Grant, who was from +his own estate in Nithsdale, and whom he knew to be a good swimmer. + + +"Sergeant," he said, "I want you to join me in an enterprise tonight. +I have found a boat hauled up under the bushes on the opposite +shore, and we must bring her across. I cannot make out her size; +but from the look of her stern I should say she was a large boat. +You had better therefore borrow from the artillerymen one of their +wooden levers, and get a stout pole two or three inches across, +and cut half a dozen two foot lengths from it to put under her +as rollers. Get also a plank of four inches wide from one of the +deserted houses in the village behind us, and cut out two paddles; +we may find oars on board, but it is as well to be prepared in case +the owner should have removed them." + +"Shall I take my weapons, sir?" + +"We can take our dirks in our belts, sergeant, and lash our swords +to the wooden lever, but I do not think we shall have any fighting. +The night will be dark, and the Spaniards, believing that we have +no boats, will not keep a very strict watch. The worst part of the +business is the swim across the river, the water will be bitterly +cold; but as you and I have often swum Scotch burns when they were +swollen by the melting snow I think that we may well manage to get +across this sluggish stream." + +"At what time will we be starting, sir?" + +"Be here at the edge of the river at six o'clock, sergeant. I can +get away at that time without exciting comment, and we will say +nothing about it unless we succeed." + +Thinking it over, however, it occurred to Malcolm that by this +means a day would be lost -- and he knew how anxious the king was +to press forward. He therefore abandoned his idea of keeping his +discovery secret, and going to his colonel reported that he had +found a boat, and could bring it across from the other side by +seven o'clock. + +The news was so important that Munro at once went to the king. +Gustavus ordered three hundred Swedes and a hundred Scots of each +of the regiments of Ramsay, Munro, and the Laird of Wormiston, the +whole under the command of Count Brahe, to form up after dark on +the river bank and prepare to cross, and he himself came down to +superintend the passage. By six it was perfectly dark. During the +day Malcolm had placed two stones on the edge of the water, one +exactly opposite the boat, the other twenty feet behind it in an +exact line. When Gustavus arrived at the spot where the troops were +drawn up, Malcolm was taken up to him by his colonel. + +"Well, my brave young Graheme," the king said, "so you are going +to do us another service; but how will you find the boat in this +darkness? Even were there no stream you would find it very difficult +to strike the exact spot on a dark night like this." + +"I have provided against that, sir, by placing two marks on the +bank. When we start lanterns will be placed on these. We shall +cross higher up so as to strike the bank a little above where I +believe the boat to be, then we shall float along under the bushes +until the lanterns are in a line one with another, and we shall +know then that we are exactly opposite the boat." + +"Well thought of!" the king exclaimed. "Munro, this lieutenant of +yours is a treasure. And now God speed you, my friend, in your cold +swim across the stream!" + +Malcolm and the sergeant now walked half a mile up the river, a +distance which, judging from the strength of the current and the +speed at which they could swim, would, they thought, take them +to the opposite bank at about the point where the boat was lying. +Shaking hands with Colonel Munro, who had accompanied them, +Malcolm entered the icy cold water without delay. Knowing that it +was possible that their strength might give out before they reached +the opposite side, Malcolm had had two pairs of small casks lashed +two feet apart. These they fastened securely, so that as they began +to swim the casks floated a short distance behind each shoulder, +giving them perfect support. The lever and paddles were towed behind +them. The lights in the two camps afforded them a means of directing +their way. The water was intensely cold, and before they were +halfway across Malcolm congratulated himself upon having thought +of the casks. Had it not been for them he would have begun to doubt +his ability to reach the further shore, for although he would have +thought nothing of the swim at other times his limbs were fast +becoming numbed with the extreme cold. The sergeant kept close to +him, and a word or two was occasionally exchanged. + +"I think it is colder than our mountain streams, Grant?" + +"It's no colder, your honour, but the water is smooth and still, +and we do not have to wrestle with it as with a brook in spate. +It's the stillness which makes it feel so cold. The harder we swim +the less we will feel it." + +It was with a deep feeling of relief that Malcolm saw something +loom just in front of him from the darkness, and knew that he was +close to the land. A few more strokes and he touched the bushes. +Looking back he saw that the two lights were nearly in a line. +Stopping swimming he let the stream drift him down. Two or three +minutes more and one of the tiny lights seemed exactly above the +other. + +"This is the spot, Grant," he said in a low voice; "land here as +quietly as you can." + + + +CHAPTER XI THE CAPTURE OF OPPENHEIM + + +The two swimmers dragged themselves on shore, but for a minute or +two could scarce stand, so numbed were their limbs by the cold. +Malcolm took from his belt a flask of brandy, took a long draught, +and handed it to his companion, who followed his example. + +The spirit sent a glow of warmth through their veins, and they +began to search among the bushes for the boat, one proceeding each +way along the bank. They had not removed their leathern doublets +before entering the water, as these, buoyed up as they were, would +not affect their swimming, and would be a necessary protection when +they landed not only against the cold of the night air but against +the bushes. + +Malcolm's beacon proved an accurate guide, for he had not proceeded +twenty yards before he came against a solid object which he at once +felt to be the boat. A low whistle called the sergeant to his side, +bringing with him the rollers and paddles from the spot where they +had landed. They soon felt that the boat was a large one, and that +their strength would have been wholly insufficient to get her into +the water without the aid of the lever and rollers. Taking the +former they placed its end under the stern post, and placing a +roller under its heel to serve as a pivot they threw their weight +on the other end of the lever and at once raised the boat some +inches in the air. + +Grant held the lever down and Malcolm slid a roller as far up +under the keel as it would go; the lever was then shifted and the +boat again raised, and the process was continued until her weight +rested upon three rollers. She was now ready to be launched, and +as the bank was steep they had no doubt of their ability to run her +down. An examination had already shown that their paddles would be +needless, as the oars were inside her. They took their places one +on each side of the bow, and applying their strength the boat glided +rapidly down. + +"Gently, Grant," Malcolm said, "don't let her go in with a splash. +There may be some sentries within hearing." + +They continued their work cautiously, and the boat noiselessly +entered the water. Getting out the oars they gave her a push, and +she was soon floating down the stream. The rowlocks were in their +places, and rowing with extreme care so as to avoid making the +slightest sound they made their way across the river. They were +below the camp when they landed, but there were many men on the +lookout, for the news of the attempt had spread rapidly. + +Leaping ashore amidst a low cheer from a group of soldiers, Malcolm +directed them to tow the boat up at once to the place where the +troops were formed ready for crossing, while he and the sergeant, +who were both chilled to the bone, for their clothes had frozen stiff +upon them, hurried to the spot where the regiment was bivouacked. +Here by the side of a blazing fire they stripped, and were rubbed +with cloths by their comrades till a glow of warmth again began +to be felt, the external heat and friction being aided by the +administration of two steaming flagons of spiced wine. Dry clothes +were taken from their knapsacks and warmed before the fire, and +when these were put on they again felt warm and comfortable. + +Hurrying off now to the spot where the troops were drawn up, they +found that the boat had already made two passages. She rowed four +oars, and would, laden down to the water's edge, carry twenty-five +men. The oars had been muffled with cloths so as to make no sound +in the rowlocks. A party of Munro's Scots had first crossed, then +a party of Swedes. Malcolm and the sergeant joined their company +unnoticed in the darkness. Each detachment sent over a boat load +in turns, and when six loads had crossed it was again the turn of +the men of Munro's regiment, and Malcolm entered the boat with the +men. The lights still burned as a signal, enabling the boat to +land each party almost at the same spot. Malcolm wondered what was +going on. A perfect stillness reigned on the other side, and it +was certain that the alarm had not yet been given. + +On ascending the bank he saw in front of him some dark figures +actively engaged, and heard dull sounds. On reaching the spot he +found the parties who had preceded him hard at work with shovels +throwing up an intrenchment. In the darkness he had not perceived +that each of the soldiers carried a spade in addition to his arms. +The soil was deep and soft, and the operations were carried on +with scarce a sound. As each party landed they fell to work under +the direction of their officers. All night the labour continued, +and when the dull light of the winter morning began to dispel the +darkness a solid rampart of earth breast high rose in a semicircle, +with its two extremities resting on the riverbank. + +The last boat load had but just arrived across, and the 600 men +were now gathered in the work, which was about 150 feet across, the +base formed by the river. The earth forming the ramparts had been +taken from the outside, and a ditch 3 feet deep and 6 feet wide +had been thus formed. + +The men, who, in spite of the cold were hot and perspiring from +their night's work, now entered the intrenched space, and sat down +to take a meal, each man having brought two days' rations in his +havresack. It grew rapidly lighter, and suddenly the sound of a +trumpet, followed by the rapid beating of drums, showed that the +Spaniards had, from their camp on the eminence half a mile away, +discovered the work which had sprung up during the night as if by +magic on their side of the river. + +In a few minutes a great body of cavalry was seen issuing from the +Spanish camp, and fourteen squadrons of cuirassiers trotted down +towards the intrenchments. Soon the word was given to charge, and, +like a torrent, the mass of cavalry swept down upon it. + +Two-thirds of those who had crossed were musketeers, the remainder +pikemen. The latter formed the front line behind the rampart, +their spears forming a close hedge around it, while the musketeers +prepared to fire between them. By the order of Count Brahe not a +trigger was pulled until the cavalry were within fifty yards, then +a flash of flame swept round the rampart, and horses and men in +the front line of the cavalry tumbled to the ground. But half the +musketeers had fired, and a few seconds later another volley was +poured into the horsemen. The latter, however, although many had +fallen, did not check their speed, but rode up close to the rampart, +and flung themselves upon the hedge of spears. + +Nothing could exceed the gallantry with which the Spaniards fought. +Some dismounted, and, leaping into the ditch, tried to climb the +rampart; others leapt the horses into it, and standing up in their +saddles, cut at the spearmen with their swords, and fired their +pistols among them. Many, again, tried to leap their horses over +ditch and rampart, but the pikemen stood firm, while at short +intervals withering volleys tore into the struggling mass. + +For half an hour the desperate fight continued, and then, finding +that the position could not be carried by horsemen, the Spanish +commander drew off his men, leaving no less than 600 lying dead +around the rampart of earth. There were no Spanish infantry within +some miles of the spot, and the cavalry rode away, some to Maintz, +but the greater part to Oppenheim, where there was a strong garrison +of 1000 men. + +A careful search among the bushes brought three more boats to light, +and a force was soon taken across the river sufficient to maintain +itself against any attack. Gustavus himself was in one of the first +boats that crossed. + +"Well done, my brave hearts!" he said as he landed, just as the +Spanish horsemen had ridden away. "You have fought stoutly and +well, and our way is now open to us. Where are Lieutenant Graheme +and the sergeant who swam across with him?" + +Malcolm and his companion soon presented themselves. + +"I sent for you to your camp," the king said, "but found that you +but waited to change your clothes, and had then joined the force +crossing. You had no orders to do so." + +"We had no orders not to do so, sire, but having begun the affair +it was only natural that we should see the end of it." + +"You had done your share and more," the king said, "and I thank +you both heartily for it, and promote you, Graheme, at once to the +rank of captain, and will request Colonel Munro to give you the +first company which may fall vacant in his regiment. If a vacancy +should not occur shortly I will place you in another regiment +until one may happen in your own corps. To you, sergeant, I give +a commission as officer. You will take that rank at once, and will +be a supernumerary in your regiment till a vacancy occurs. Such +promotion has been well and worthily won by you both." + +Without delay an advance was ordered against Oppenheim. It lay on +the Imperialist side of the Rhine. Behind the town stood a strong +and well fortified castle upon a lofty eminence. Its guns swept not +only the country around it, but the ground upon the opposite side +of the river. There, facing it, stood a strong fort surrounded by +double ditches, which were deep and broad and full of water. They +were crossed only by a drawbridge on the side facing the river, +and the garrison could therefore obtain by boats supplies or +reinforcements as needed from the town. + +The Green and Blue Brigades at once commenced opening trenches +against this fort, and would have assaulted the place without delay +had not a number of boats been brought over by a Protestant well +wisher of the Swedes from the other side of the river. The assault +was therefore delayed in order that the attack might be delivered +simultaneously against the positions on both sides of the river. +The brigade of guards and the White Brigade crossed in the boats at +Gernsheim, five miles from the town, and marched against it during +the night. + +The Spaniards from their lofty position in the castle of Oppenheim +saw the campfires of the Scots around their fort on the other side +of the river, and opened a heavy cannonade upon them. The fire was +destructive, and many of the Scots were killed, Hepburn and Munro +having a narrow escape, a cannonball passing just over their heads +as they were sitting together by a fire. + +The defenders of the fort determined to take advantage of the fire +poured upon their assailants, and two hundred musketeers made a +gallant sortie upon them; but Hepburn led on his pikemen who were +nearest at hand, and, without firing a shot, drove them back again +into the fort. At daybreak the roar of cannon on the opposite side +of the river commenced, and showed that the king with the divisions +which had crossed had arrived at their posts. The governor of the +fort, seeing that if, as was certain, the lower town were captured +by the Swedes, he should be cut off from all communication with +the castle and completely isolated, surrendered to Sir John Hepburn. + +The town had, indeed, at once opened its gates, and two hundred men +of Sir James Ramsay's regiment were placed there. Hepburn prepared +to cross the river with the Blue and Green Brigades to aid the +king in reducing the castle -- a place of vast size and strength +-- whose garrison composed of Spaniards and Italians were replying +to the fire of Gustavus. A boat was lying at the gate of the fort. + +"Captain Graheme," Hepburn said to Malcolm, "take with you two +lieutenants and twenty men in the boat and cross the river; then send +word by an officer to the king that the fort here has surrendered, +and that I am about to cross, and let the men bring over that +flotilla of boats which is lying under the town wall." + +Malcolm crossed at once. After despatching the message to the king +and sending the officer back with the boats he had for the moment +nothing to do, and made his way into the town to inquire from the +officers of Ramsay's detachment how things were going. He found +the men drawn up. + +"Ah! Malcolm Graheme," the major in command said, "you have arrived +in the very nick of time to take part in a gallant enterprise." + +"I am ready," Malcolm said; "what is to be done?" + +"We are going to take the castle, that is all," the major said. + +"You are joking," Malcolm laughed, looking at the great castle and +the little band of two hundred men. + +"That am I not," the major answered; "my men have just discovered +a private passage from the governor's quarters here up to the very +gate of the outer wall. As you see we have collected some ladders, +and as we shall take them by surprise, while they are occupied with +the king, we shall give a good account of them." + +"I will go with you right willingly," Malcolm said; but he could +not but feel that the enterprise was a desperate one, and wished +that the major had waited until a few hundred more men had crossed. +Placing himself behind the Scottish officer, he advanced up the +passage which had been discovered. Ascending flight after flight of +stone stairs, the column issued from the passage at the very foot +of the outer wall before the garrison stationed there were aware +of their approach. The ladders were just placed when the Italians +caught sight of them and rushed to the defence, but it was too +late. The Scotch swarmed up and gained a footing on the wall. + +Driving the enemy before them they cleared the outer works, and +pressed so hotly upon the retiring Imperialists that they entered +with them into the inner works of the castle, crossing the drawbridge +over the moat which separated it from its outer works before the +garrison had time to raise it. + +Now in the very heart of the castle a terrible encounter took place. +The garrison, twelve hundred strong, ran down from their places on +the wall, and seeing how small was the force that had entered fell +upon them with fury. It was a hand to hand fight. Loud rose the +war cries of the Italian and Spanish soldiers, and the answering +cheers of the Scots mingled with the clash of sword on steel armour +and the cries of the wounded, while without the walls the cannon +of Gustavus thundered incessantly. + +Not since the dreadful struggle in the streets of New Brandenburg +had Malcolm been engaged in so desperate a strife. All order and +regularity was lost, and man to man they fought with pike, sword, +and clubbed musket. There was no giving of orders, for no word +could be heard in such a din, and the officers with their swords +and half pikes fought desperately in the melee with the rest. + +Gradually, however, the strength and endurance of Ramsay's veterans +prevailed over numbers. Most of the officers of the Imperialists +had been slain, as well as their bravest men, and the rest began +to draw off and to scatter through the castle, some to look for +hiding places, many to jump over the walls rather than fall into +the hands of the terrible Scots. + +The astonishment of Gustavus and of Hepburn, who was now marching +with his men towards the castle, at hearing the rattle of musketry +and the din of battle within the very heart of the fortress was +great indeed, and this was heightened when, a few minutes later, +the soldiers were seen leaping desperately from the walls, and a +great shout arose from the troops as the Imperial banner was seen +to descend from its flagstaff on the keep. Gustavus with his staff +rode at once to the gate, which was opened for him; and on entering +he found Ramsay's little force drawn up to salute him as he entered. +It was reduced nearly half in strength, and not a man but was +bleeding from several wounds, while cleft helms and dinted armour +showed how severe had been the fray. + +"My brave Scots," he exclaimed, "why were you too quick for me?" + +The courtyard of the castle was piled with slain, who were also +scattered in every room throughout it, five hundred having been +slain there before the rest threw down their arms and were given +quarter. This exploit was one of the most valiant which was performed +during the course of the whole war. Four colours were taken, one +of which was that of the Spanish regiment, this being the first of +that nationality which had ever been captured by Gustavus. + +After going over the castle, whose capture would have tasked his +resources and the valour of his troops to the utmost had he been +compelled to attack it in the usual way, Gustavus sent for the +officers of Ramsay's companies and thanked them individually for +their capture. + +"What! you here, Malcolm Graheme!" Gustavus said as he came in at +the rear of Ramsay's officers. "Why, what had you to do with this +business?" + +"I was only a volunteer, sire," Malcolm said. "I crossed with the +parties who fetched the boats; but as my instructions ended there +I had nought to do, and finding that Ramsay's men were about to +march up to the attack of the castle, I thought it best to join +them, being somewhat afraid to stop in the town alone." + +"And he did valiant service, sire," the major said. "I marked him +in the thick of the fight, and saw more than one Imperialist go +down before his sword." + +"You know the story of the pitcher and the well, Captain Graheme," +the king said, smiling. "Some day you will go once too often, and +I shall have to mourn the loss of one of the bravest young officers +in my army." + +There was no rest for the soldiers of Gustavus, and no sooner had +Oppenheim fallen than the army marched against Maintz. This was +defended by two thousand Spanish troops under Don Philip de Sylvia, +and was a place of immense strength. It was at once invested, and +trenches commenced on all sides, the Green Brigade as usual having +the post of danger and honour facing the citadel. The investment +began in the evening, but so vigorously did the Scotch work all +night in spite of the heavy musketry and artillery fire with which +the garrison swept the ground that by morning the first parallel +was completed, and the soldiers were under shelter behind a thick +bank of earth. + +All day the Imperialists kept up their fire, the Scots gradually +pushing forward their trenches. In the evening Colonel Axel Lily, +one of the bravest of the Swedish officers, came into the trenches +to pay a visit to Hepburn. He found him just sitting down to dinner +with Munro by the side of a fire in the trench. They invited him to +join them, and the party were chatting gaily when a heavy cannonball +crashed through the earthen rampart behind them, and, passing between +Hepburn and Munro, carried off the leg of the Swedish officer. + +Upon the following day the governor, seeing that the Swedes had +erected several strong batteries, and that the Green Brigade, whose +name was a terror to the Imperialists, was preparing to storm, +capitulated, and his soldiers were allowed to march out with all +their baggage, flying colours, and two pieces of cannon. Eighty +pieces of cannon fell into the hands of the Swedes. The citizens +paid 220,000 dollars as the ransom of their city from pillage, and +the Jews 180,000 for the protection of their quarters and of their +gorgeous synagogue, whose wealth and magnificence were celebrated; +and on the 14th of December, 1631, on which day Gustavus completed +his thirty-seventh year, he entered the city as conqueror. + +Here he kept Christmas with great festivity, and his court was +attended by princes and nobles from all parts of Germany. Among them +were six of the chief princes of the empire and twelve ambassadors +from foreign powers. Among the nobles was the Count of Mansfeld, +who brought with him his wife and daughter. Three days before +Christmas Hepburn's brigade had been moved in from their bivouac +in the snow covered trenches, and assigned quarters in the town, +and the count, who arrived on the following day, at once repaired +to the mansion inhabited by the colonel and officers of Munro's +regiment, and inquired for Malcolm Graheme. + +"You will find Captain Graheme within," the Scottish soldier on +sentry said. + +"It is not Captain Graheme I wish to see," the count said, "but +Malcolm Graheme, a very young officer." + +"I reckon that it is the captain," the soldier said; "he is but +a boy; but in all the regiment there is not a braver soldier; not +even the colonel himself. Donald," he said, turning to a comrade, +"tell Captain Graheme that he is wanted here." + +In a short time Malcolm appeared at the door. + +"Ah! it is you, my young friend!" the count exclaimed; "and you +have won the rank of captain already by your brave deeds! Right +glad am I to see you again. I have come with my wife, to attend the +court of this noble king of yours. Can you come with me at once? +The countess is longing to see you, and will be delighted to hear +that you have passed unscathed through all the terrible contests +in which you have been engaged. My daughter is here too; she is +never tired of talking about her young Scottish soldier; but now +that you are a captain she will have to be grave and respectful." + +Malcolm at once accompanied the count to his house, and was most +kindly received by the countess. + +"It is difficult to believe," she said, "that 'tis but four months +since we met, so many have been the events which have been crowded +into that time. Scarce a day has passed but we have received news +of some success gained, of some town or castle captured, and your +Green Brigade has always been in the van. We have been constantly +in fear for you, and after that terrible battle before Leipzig Thekla +scarcely slept a wink until we obtained a copy of the Gazette with +the names of the officers killed." + +"You are kind indeed to bear me so in remembrance," Malcolm said, +"and I am indeed grateful for it. I have often wondered whether +any fresh danger threatened you; but I hoped that the advance of +the Marquis of Hamilton's force would have given the Imperialists +too much to do for them to disturb you." + +"Yes, we have had no more trouble," the countess replied. "The +villages which the Imperialists destroyed are rising again; and as +after the flight of the enemy the cattle and booty they had captured +were all left behind, the people are recovering from their visit. +What terrible havoc has the war caused! Our way here led through +ruined towns and villages, the country is infested by marauders, and +all law and order is at an end save where there are strong bodies +of troops. We rode with an escort of twenty men; but even then we +did not feel very safe until we were fairly through Franconia. And +so you have passed unwounded through the strife?" + +"Yes, countess," Malcolm replied. "I had indeed a ball through my +leg at Wurtzburg; but as it missed the bone, a trifle like that is +scarcely worth counting. I have been most fortunate indeed." + +"He is a captain now," the count said, "and to obtain such promotion +he must have greatly distinguished himself. I do not suppose that +he will himself tell us his exploits; but I shall soon learn all +about them from others. I am to meet his colonel this evening at +a dinner at the palace, and shall be able to give you the whole +history tomorrow." + +"But I want the history now," Thekla said. "It is much nicer to +hear a thing straight from some one who has done it, than from any +one else." + +"There is no story to tell," Malcolm said. "I had been promised my +lieutenancy at the first vacancy before I was at Mansfeld, and on +my return found that the vacancy had already occurred, and I was +appointed. I got my company the other day for a very simple matter, +namely, for swimming across the Rhine with a barrel fixed on each +side of me to prevent my sinking. Nothing very heroic about that, +you see, young lady." + +"For swimming across the Rhine!" the count said. "Then you must +have been the Scottish officer who with a sergeant swam and fetched +the boat across which enabled the Swedes to pass a body of troops +over, and so open the way into the Palatinate. I heard it spoken +of as a most gallant action." + +"I can assure you," Malcolm said earnestly, "that there was no +gallantry about it. It was exceedingly cold, I grant, but that was +all." + +"Then why should the king have made you a captain for it? You can't +get over that." + +"That was a reward for my luck," Malcolm laughed. "`Tis better to +be lucky than to be rich, it is said, and I had the good luck to +discover a boat concealed among the bushes just at the time when +a boat was worth its weight in gold." + +For an hour Malcolm sat chatting, and then took his leave, as he +was going on duty, promising to return the next day, and to spend +as much of his time as possible with them while they remained in +the city. + + + +CHAPTER XII THE PASSAGE OF THE LECH + + +For the next two months the Green Brigade remained quietly at +Maintz, a welcome rest after their arduous labours. The town was +very gay, and every house was occupied either by troops or by the +nobles and visitors from all parts of Northern Europe. Banquets +and balls were of nightly occurrence; and a stranger who arrived +in the gay city would not have dreamt that a terrible campaign had +just been concluded, and that another to the full as arduous was +about to commence. + +During this interval of rest the damages which the campaign had +effected in the armour and accoutrements of men and officers were +repaired, the deep dents effected by sword, pike, and bullet were +hammered out, the rust removed, and the stains of blood and bivouac +obliterated; fresh doublets and jerkins were served out from the +ample stores captured from the enemy, and the army looked as gay +and brilliant as when it first landed in North Germany. + +Malcolm spent much of his spare time with the Count and Countess of +Mansfeld, who, irrespective of their gratitude for the assistance +he had rendered them in time of need, had taken a strong liking to +the young Scotchman. + +"You are becoming quite a court gallant, Graheme," one of +his comrades said at a court ball where Malcolm had been enjoying +himself greatly, having, thanks to the Countess of Mansfeld, no +lack of partners, while many of the officers were forced to look +on without taking part in the dancing, the number of ladies being +altogether insufficient to furnish partners to the throng of officers, +Swedish, German, and Scottish. Beyond the scarf and feathers which +showed the brigade to which officers belonged, there was, even when +in arms, but slight attempt at uniformity in their attire, still +less so when off duty. The scene at these balls was therefore gay +in the extreme, the gallants being all attired in silk, satin, or +velvet of brilliant colours slashed with white or some contrasting +hue. The tailors at Maintz had had a busy time of it, for in so +rapid a campaign much baggage had been necessarily lost, and many +of the officers required an entirely new outfit before they could +take part in the court festivities. + +There was, however, no lack of money, for the booty and treasure +captured had been immense, and each officer having received a fixed +share, they were well able to renew their wardrobes. Some fresh +reinforcements arrived during their stay here, and the vacancies +which battle and disease had made in the ranks were filled up. + +But although the Green Brigade did not march from Maintz till the +5th of March, 1632, the whole army did not enjoy so long a rest. In +February Gustavus despatched three hundred of Ramsay's regiment under +Lieutenant Colonel George Douglas against the town of Creutzenach, +together with a small party of English volunteers under Lord Craven. +Forty-seven of the men were killed while opening the trenches, but +the next day they stormed one of the gates and drove the garrison, +which was composed of six hundred Walloons and Burgundians, out +of the town into the castle of Kausemberg, which commanded it. Its +position was extremely strong, its walls and bastions rising one +behind another, and their aspect was so formidable that they were +popularly known as the "Devil's Works." From these the garrison +opened a very heavy fire into the town, killing many of the Scots. +Douglas, however, gave them but short respite, for gathering his +men he attacked the castle and carried bastion after bastion by +storm until the whole were taken. + +About the same time the important town of Ulm on the Danube opened +its gates to the Swedes, and Sir Patrick Ruthven was appointed +commandant with 1200 Swedes as garrison, Colonel Munro with two +companies of musketeers marched to Coblentz and aided Otto Louis +the Rhinegrave, who with a brigade of twenty troops of horse was +expecting to be attacked by 10,000 Spaniards and Walloons from +Spires. Four regiments of Spanish horse attacked the Rhinegrave's +quarters, but were charged so furiously by four troops of Swedish +dragoons under Captain Hume that 300 of them were killed and the +Elector of Nassau taken prisoner; after this the Spaniards retired +beyond the Moselle. + +In other parts of Germany the generals of Gustavus were equally +successful. General Horn defeated the Imperialists at Heidelberg +and Heilbronn. General Lowenhausen scoured all the shores of +the Baltic, and compelled Colonel Graham, a Scotch soldier in the +Imperial service, to surrender the Hanse town of Wismar. Graham +marched out with his garrison, 3000 strong, with the honours of +war en route for Silesia, but having, contrary to terms, spiked +the cannon, plundered the shipping, and slain a Swedish lieutenant, +Lowenhausen pursued him, and in the battle which ensued 500 of +Graham's men were slain and the colonel himself with 2000 taken +prisoner. + +General Ottentodt was moving up the Elbe carrying all before him with +a force of 14,000 men, among whom were five battalions of Scots and +one of English. This force cleared the whole duchy of Mecklenburg, +capturing all the towns and fortresses in rapid succession. Sir +Patrick Ruthven advanced along the shores of Lake Constance, driving +the Imperialists before him into the Tyrol. Magdeburg was captured +by General Banner, the Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel reduced all +Fulda-Paderborn and the adjacent districts, the Elector of Saxony +overran Bohemia, and Sir Alexander Leslie threatened the Imperialists +in Lower Saxony. + +Thus the campaign of 1632 opened under the most favourable auspices. +The Green Brigade marched on the 5th of March to Aschaffenburg, +a distance of more than thirty miles, a fact which speaks volumes +for the physique and endurance of the troops, for this would in +the present day be considered an extremely long march for troops, +and the weight of the helmet and armour, musket and accoutrements, +of the troops of those days was fully double that now carried by +European soldiers. Here they were reviewed by the king. + +By the 10th the whole army, 23,000 strong, were collected at Weinsheim +and advanced towards Bavaria, driving before them the Imperialists +under the Count de Bucquio. The Chancellor Oxenstiern had been left +by the king with a strong force to guard his conquests on the Rhine. + +No sooner had the king marched than the Spaniards again crossed +the Moselle. The chancellor and the Duke of Weimar advanced against +them. The Dutch troops, who formed the first line of the chancellor's +army, were unable to stand the charge of the Spanish and fled in +utter confusion; but the Scottish regiment of Sir Roderick Leslie, +who had succeeded Sir John Hamilton on his resignation, and the +battalion of Sir John Ruthven, charged the Spaniards with levelled +pikes so furiously that these in turn were broken and driven off +the field. + +On the 26th of March Gustavus arrived before the important town and +fortress of Donauworth, being joined on the same day by the Laird +of Foulis with his two regiments of horse and foot. Donauworth +is the key to Swabia; it stands on the Danube, and was a strongly +fortified place, its defences being further covered by fortifications +upon a lofty eminence close by, named the Schellemberg. It was held +by the Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg with two thousand five hundred men. +The country round Donauworth is fertile and hilly, and Gustavus at +once seized a height which commanded the place. The Bavarians were +at work upon entrenchments here as the Swedes advanced, but were +forced to fall back into the town. From the foot of the hill a +suburb extended to the gates of the city. This was at once occupied +by five hundred musketeers, who took up their post in the houses +along the main road in readiness to repel a sortie should the +garrison attempt one; while the force on the hillside worked all +night, and by daybreak on the 27th had completed and armed a twenty +gun battery. + +In this was placed a strong body of infantry under Captain Semple, +a Scotchman. As this battery commanded the walls of the town, and +flanked the bridge across the Danube, the position of the defenders +was now seriously menaced, but the Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg refused +the demand of Gustavus to surrender. The battery now opened fire, +first demolishing a large stone building by the river occupied by +a force of Imperialists, and then directing its fire upon the city +gates. + +The cannonade continued after nightfall, but in the darkness a +body of Imperialist horsemen under Colonel Cronenberg dashed out at +full speed through the gate, cut a passage through the musketeers +in the suburb, galloped up the hill, and fell upon the infantry +and artillery in the battery. So furious was their charge that +the greater part of the defenders of the battery were cut down. +The guns were spiked, and the cavalry, having accomplished their +purpose, charged down the hill, cut their way through the suburb, +and regained the town. + +This gallant exploit deranged the plans of the Swedes. Gustavus +reconnoitred the town accompanied by Sir John Hepburn, and by the +advice of that officer decided upon a fresh plan of operations. +Hepburn pointed out to him that by taking possession of the angle +formed by the confluence of the Wermitz and Danube to the west of +the town the bridge crossing from Donauworth into Bavaria would be +completely commanded, and the garrison would be cut off from all +hope of escape and of receiving relief from Bavaria. + +The plan being approved, Hepburn drew off his brigade with its +artillery, and marching five miles up the Danube crossed the river +at the bridge of Hassfurt, and descended the opposite bank until he +faced Donauworth. He reached his position at midnight, and placed +his cannon so as to command the whole length of the bridge, and +then posted his musketeers in the gardens and houses of a suburb +on the river, so that their crossfire also swept it. + +The pikemen were drawn up close to the artillery at the head of +the bridge. Quietly as these movements were performed the garrison +took the alarm, and towards morning the duke, finding his retreat +intercepted, sallied out at the head of eight hundred musketeers +to cut his way through; but as the column advanced upon the bridge +the Green Brigade opened fire, the leaden hail of their musketeers +smote the column on both sides, while the cannon ploughed lanes +through it from end to end. So great was the destruction that the +Bavarians retreated in confusion back into the town again, leaving +the bridge strewn with their dead. + +Alone the gallant Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg charged through the hail +of fire across the bridge, fell upon the pikemen sword in hand, +and cutting his way through them rode away, leaving his garrison +to their fate. The roar of artillery informed Gustavus what was +going on, and he immediately opened fire against the other side of +the town and led his men to the assault of the gate. + +The instant the Scotch had recovered from their surprise at the +desperate feat performed by the duke, Hepburn, calling them together, +placed himself at their head and led them across the bridge. The +panic stricken fugitives had omitted to close the gate, and the Scotch +at once entered the town. Here the garrison resisted desperately; +their pikemen barred the streets, and from every window and roof +their musketeers poured their fire upon the advancing column. + +The day was breaking now, and the roar of battle in the city mingled +with that at the gates, where the Swedes were in vain striving to +effect an entrance. Gradually the Scotch won their way forward; +500 of the Bavarians were killed, in addition to 400 who had fallen +on the bridge. The rest now attempted to fly. Great numbers were +drowned in the Danube, and the remainder were taken prisoners. The +streets were encumbered by the heavily laden baggage wagons, and a +vast amount of booty fell into the hands of the Scotch, who thus +became masters of the town before Gustavus and his Swedes had +succeeded in carrying the gate. + +The king now entered the town, and as soon as order was restored +Hepburn's brigade recrossed the Danube and threw up a strong work +on the other side of the bridge; for Tilly was on the Lech, but +seven miles distant, and might at any moment return. He had just +struck a severe blow at Marshal Horn, who had recently taken Bamberg. +His force, 9000 strong, had been scattered to put down a rising of +the country people, when Tilly with 16,000 fell upon them. + +A column under Bauditzen was attacked and defeated, and Tilly's +horsemen pursued them hotly to the bridge leading to the town. +Marshal Horn threw a barricade across this and defended it until +nightfall. Tilly had then fallen back before the advance of Gustavus +to a very strong position on the Lech. This was an extremely rapid +river, difficult to cross and easily defensible. Tilly had broken +down the bridges, and was prepared to dispute till the last the +further advance of the Swedes. He placed his army between Rain, +where the Lech falls into the Danube, and Augsburg, a distance of +sixteen miles -- all the assailable points being strongly occupied, +with small bodies of cavalry in the intervals to give warning +of the approach of the enemy. He had been joined by Maximilian of +Bavaria, and his force amounted to 40,000 men. + +Gustavus gave his army four days' rest at Donauworth, and then +advanced with 32,000 men against the Lech. His dragoons, who had +been pushed forward, had found the bridges destroyed. He first +attempted to repair that at Rain, but the fire of the artillery +and musketry was so heavy that he was forced to abandon the idea. +He then made a careful reconnaissance of the river, whose course +was winding and erratic. + +Finding that at every point at which a crossing could be easily +effected Tilly's batteries and troops commanded the position, he +determined to make his attack at a point where the river made a +sharp bend in the form of a semicircle, of which he occupied the +outer edge. He encamped the bulk of his army at the village of +Nordheim, a short distance in the rear, and erected three powerful +batteries mounting seventy-two guns. One of these faced the centre +of the loop, the others were placed opposite the sides. + +The ground on the Swedish bank of the river was higher than that +facing it; and when the Swedish batteries opened they so completely +swept the ground inclosed by the curve of the river that the +Imperialists could not advance across it, and were compelled to +remain behind a rivulet called the Ach, a short distance in the +rear of the Lech. They brought up their artillery, however, and +replied to the cannonade of the Swedes. + +For four days the artillery duel continued, and while it was going +on a considerable number of troops were at work in the village of +Oberndorf, which lay in a declivity near the river, hidden from +the sight of the Imperialists, constructing a bridge. For that +purpose a number of strong wooden trestles of various heights and +with feet of unequal length for standing in the bed of the river +were prepared, together with a quantity of piles to be driven in +among and beside them to enable them to resist the force of the +current. + +On the night of the fourth day the king caused a number of fires +to be lighted near the river, fed with green wood and damp straw. +A favourable wind blew the smoke towards the enemy, and thus concealed +the ground from them. At daybreak on the 5th of April, a thousand +picked men crossed the river in two boats, and having reached the +other side at once proceeded to throw up intrenchments to cover +the head of the bridge, while at the same time the workmen began +to place the trestles in position. + +As soon as day broke Tilly became aware of what was being done, and +two batteries opened fire upon the work at the head of the bridge +and against the bridge itself; but the low and swampy nature of the +ground on the Imperialist side of the river prevented his placing +the batteries in a position from which they could command the works, +and their fire proved ineffective in preventing the construction +of the bridge. Seeing this, Tilly at once commenced preparations +for arresting the further advance of the Swedes. + +To reach his position they would be obliged to cross the swampy +ground exposed to the fire of his troops, and to render their +progress still more difficult he proceeded to cut down large trees, +lopping and sharpening their branches to form a chevaux-de-frise +before his troops. All the morning a heavy cannonade was kept up +on both sides, but by noon the bridge was completed and the advance +guard of the Swedes, led by Colonels Wrandel and Gassion, advanced +across it. As the other brigades were following, Tilly directed +General Altringer to lead his cavalry against them. + +Altringer led his troops round the end of the marsh and charged +with great bravery down upon the Swedes. These, however, had time +to form up, and a tremendous fire of musketry was poured into the +Imperialist horse, while the round shot from the three Swedish +batteries ploughed their ranks in front and on both flanks. Under +such circumstances, although fighting with reckless bravery, the +Imperialist cavalry were repulsed. Altringer, however, rallied them +and led them back again to the charge, but a cannonball grazed his +temple and he was carried senseless from the field. His men, shaken +by the tremendous fire and deprived of their leader, fell back in +confusion. + +Tilly at once placed himself at the head of a chosen body of troops +and advanced to the attack, fighting with the ardour and bravery +which always distinguished him. He was short in stature and remarkable +for his ugliness as well as his bravery. Lean and spare in figure, +he had hollow cheeks, a long nose, a broad wrinkled forehead, heavy +moustaches, and a sharp pointed chin. He had from his boyhood been +fighting against the Protestants. He had learned the art of war under +the cruel and pitiless Spanish general Alva in the Netherlands, of +which country he was a native, and had afterwards fought against +them in Bavaria, in Bohemia, and the Palatinate, and had served in +Hungary against the Turks. + +Until he met Gustavus at Breitenfeld he had never known a reverse. +A bigoted Catholic, he had never hesitated at any act of cruelty +which might benefit the cause for which he fought, or strike terror +into the Protestants; and the singularity of his costume and the +ugliness of his appearance heightened the terror which his deeds +inspired among them. When not in armour his costume was modelled +upon that of the Duke of Alva, consisting of a slashed doublet of +green silk, with an enormously wide-brimmed and high conical hat +adorned with a large red ostrich feather. In his girdle he carried +a long dagger and a Toledo sword of immense length. His personal +bravery was famous, and never did he fight more gallantly than when +he led his veterans to the attack of the Swedes. + +For twenty minutes a furious hand to hand conflict raged, and +the result was still uncertain when a shot from a falconet struck +Tilly on the knee and shattered the bone, and the old general fell +insensible to the ground. He was carried off the field, and his +troops, now without a leader, gave way, the movement being hastened +by two bodies of Swedish horse, who, eager for action, swam their +horses across the river and threatened to cut off the retreat. By +this time evening was at hand. The Swedes had secured the passage +of the river, but the Imperialist army still held its intrenched +position in the wood behind the Lech. Gustavus brought the rest of +his army across and halted for the night. + +The Imperialist position was tremendously strong, being unassailable +on the right and covered in the front by the marshy ground. It +could still have been defended with every prospect of success by +a determined general, but the two best Imperialist commanders were +hors de combat, and Maximilian of Bavaria, the nominal generalissimo, +had no military experience. The army, too, was disheartened by the +first success of the Swedes and by the loss of the general whom +they regarded as well nigh invincible. + +Tilly had now recovered his senses, but was suffering intense agony +from his wound, and on being consulted by Maximilian he advised +him to fall back, as the destruction of his army would leave the +whole country open to the Swedes. + +The Imperialists accordingly evacuated their position and fell back +in good order during the night on Neuberg, and then to Ingolstadt. +Rain and Neuberg were occupied the next day by the Swedes. Gustavus +despatched Marshal Horn to follow the retreating enemy to Ingolstadt, +and he himself with the rest of his army marched up the Lech to +Augsburg, which was held by Colonel Breda with four thousand five +hundred men. + +The Imperialists had broken down the bridge, but Gustavus immediately +built two others, one above and the other below the city, and +summoned it to surrender. Breda, hearing that Tilly was dying, +Altringer severely wounded, and that no help was to be expected +from Maximilian, considered it hopeless to resist, and surrendered +the town, which Gustavus, attended by the titular King of Bohemia and +many other princes, entered in triumph on the following day, April +14th. The capture of Augsburg was hailed with peculiar satisfaction, +as the city was regarded as the birthplace of the Reformation in +Germany. Leaving a garrison there the king retraced his steps along +the Lech to Neuberg, and marched thence to join Marshal Horn in +front of Ingolstadt. + +This town was one of the strongest places in Germany and had +never been captured. It was now held by a formidable garrison, and +the Imperialist army covered it on the north. Tilly had implored +Maximilian to defend it and Ratisbon at all hazards, as their +possession was a bar to the further advance of Gustavus. + +The king arrived before it on the 19th, and on the following day +advanced to reconnoitre it closely. The gunners of the town, seeing +a number of officers approaching, fired, and with so good an aim +that a cannonball carried off the hindquarters of the horse the +king was riding. A cry of alarm and consternation burst from the +officers, but their delight was great when the king rose to his +feet, covered with dust and blood indeed, but otherwise unhurt. + +On the following day a cannonball carried off the head of the +Margrave of Baden-Durlach, and on the same day Tilly expired. With +his last breath he urged Maximilian never to break his alliance +with the emperor, and to appoint Colonel Cratz, an officer of great +courage and ability, to the command of his army. + +Gustavus remained eight days before Ingolstadt, and then, finding +that the reduction of the place could not be effected without the +loss of much valuable time, he raised the siege. On his march he +took possession of Landshut and forced it to pay a ransom of 100,000 +thalers and to receive a garrison, and then continued his way to +Munich. + +The Bavarian capital surrendered without a blow on the 17th of May. +Gustavus made a triumphal entry into the town, where he obtained +possession of a vast quantity of treasure and stores. Here he +remained some little time reducing the country round and capturing +many cities and fortresses. The Green Brigade had suffered severely +at Ingolstadt. On the evening of the 19th of April the king, +expecting a sally, had ordered Hepburn to post the brigade on some +high ground near the gate and the soldiers remained under arms the +whole night. + +The glow of their matches enabled the enemy to fire with precision, +and a heavy cannonade was poured upon them throughout the whole night. +Three hundred men were killed as they stood, Munro losing twelve +men by one shot; but the brigade stood their ground unflinchingly, +and remained until morning in steady line in readiness to repel +any sortie of the enemy. + +The army suffered greatly on the march from the Lech to Ingolstadt, +and thence to Munich, from the attacks of the country people, who +were excited against them by the priests. Every straggler who fell +into their hands was murdered with horrible cruelty, the hands and +feet being cut off, and other savage mutilations being performed +upon them, in revenge for which the Swedes and Scots shot all the +Bavarians who fell into their hands, and burned two hundred towns +and villages. + + + +CHAPTER XIII CAPTURED BY THE PEASANTS + + +Malcolm Graheme was not present at the siege of Ingolstadt. The orders +after crossing the Lech had been very strict against straggling, +so soon as the disposition of the country people was seen; but it +is not easy to keep a large column of troops in a solid body. The +regiments in the march indeed, under the eye of the officers, can +be kept in column, but a considerable number of troops are scattered +along the great convoy of wagons containing the tents, stores, and +ammunition of the army, and which often extends some miles in length. +Even if the desire for plunder does not draw men away, many are +forced to fall behind either from sickness, sore feet, or other +causes. + +The number of these was comparatively small in the army of Gustavus, +for discipline was strict and the spirit of the troops good. As +soon, however, as it was found that every straggler who fell into +the hands of the peasantry was murdered under circumstances of +horrible atrocity it became very difficult for the officers to keep +the men together, so intense was their fury and desire for vengeance +against the savage peasantry, and on every possible occasion when +a village was seen near the line of march men would slip away and +slay, plunder, and burn. + +Gustavus endeavoured to repress these proceedings. He shared the +indignation of his troops at the barbarous conduct of the peasantry, +but throughout the war he always tried to carry on hostilities +so as to inflict as little loss and suffering as possible upon +noncombatants. This state of warfare too between his troops and the +country people added to his difficulties, for the peasantry drove +off their cattle and burned their stacks, and rendered it necessary +for provisions and forage to be carried with the army. Parties +were therefore sent out on the flanks of the column for the double +purpose of preventing soldiers stealing off to plunder and burn, +and of picking up stragglers and saving them from the fury of the +peasants. + +A strong rear guard followed a short distance behind the army. It +was accompanied by some empty wagons, in which those who fell out +and were unable to keep up with the march were placed. Two days +after the advance from the Lech, Malcolm was in charge of a small +party on the right flank of the column. There was no fear of an +attack from the enemy, for the Swedish horsemen were out scouring +the country, and the Imperialists were known to have fallen back to +Ingolstadt. The villages were found deserted by the male inhabitants, +the younger women too had all left, but a few old crones generally +remained in charge. These scowled at the invaders, and crossing +themselves muttered curses beneath their breath upon those whom their +priests had taught them to regard as devils. There was nothing to +tempt the cupidity of the soldiers in these villages. Malcolm's +duty was confined to a casual inspection, to see that no stragglers +had entered for the purpose of procuring wine. + +The day's march was nearly over when he saw some flames rise from +a village a short distance away. Hurrying forward with his men he +found a party of ten of the Swedish soldiers who had stolen away +from the baggage guard engaged in plundering. Two peasants lay dead +in the street, and a house was in flames. + +Malcolm at once ordered his detachment, who were twenty strong, +to arrest the Swedes and to march them back to the columns. While +they were doing this he went from house to house to see that none +of the party were lurking there. At the door of the last house of +the village three women were standing. + +"Are any of the soldiers here?" he asked. + +The women gave him an unintelligible answer in the country patois, +and passing between them he entered the cottage. On the table stood +a large jug of water, and lifting it he took a long draught. There +was a sudden crash, and he fell heavily, struck down from behind +with a heavy mallet by one of the women. He was stunned by the +blow, and when he recovered his senses he found that he was bound +hand and foot, a cloth had been stuffed tightly into his mouth, +and he was covered thickly with a heap of straw and rubbish. He +struggled desperately to free himself, but so tightly were the +cords bound that they did not give in the slightest. + +A cold perspiration broke out on his forehead as he reflected that +he was helpless in the power of these savage peasants, and that +he should probably be put to death by torture. Presently he could +hear the shouts of his men, who, on finding that he did not return, +had scattered through the village in search of him. He heard the +voice of his sergeant. + +"These old hags say they saw an officer walk across to the left. +The captain may have meant us to march the prisoners at once to the +column, and be waiting just outside the village for us, but it is +not likely. At any rate, lads, we will search every house from top +to bottom before we leave. So set to work at once; search every +room, cupboard, and shed. There may be foul play; though we see +no men about, some may be in hiding." + +Malcolm heard the sound of footsteps, and the crashing of planks as +the men searched the cottages, wrenched off the doors of cupboards, +and ransacked the whole place. Gradually the sound ceased, and +everything became quiet. Presently he heard the sound of drums, +and knew that the regiment which formed the rear guard was passing. + +It was bitterness indeed to know that his friends were within sound +of a call for aid, and that he was bound and helpless. The halting +place for the night was, he knew, but a mile or two in advance, and +his only hope was that some band of plunderers might in the night +visit the village; but even then his chances of being discovered +were small indeed, for even should they sack and burn it he would +pass unnoticed lying hidden in the straw yard. His captors were +no doubt aware of the possibility of such a visit, for it was not +until broad daylight, when the army would again be on its forward +march, that they uncovered him. + +Brave as Malcolm was he could scarce repress a shudder as he looked +at the band of women who surrounded him. All were past middle +age, some were old and toothless, but all were animated by a spirit +of ferocious triumph. Raising him into a sitting position, they +clustered round him, some shook their skinny hands in his face, +others heaped curses upon him, some of the most furious assailed +him with heavy sticks, and had he not still been clothed in his +armour, would then and there have killed him. + +This, however, was not their intention, for they intended to put +him to death by slow torture. He was lifted and carried into the +cottage. There the lacings of his armour were cut, the cords loosened +one by one, sufficient to enable them to remove the various pieces +of which it was composed, then he was left to himself, as the hags +intended to postpone the final tragedy until the men returned from +the hills. + +This might be some hours yet, as the Swedish cavalry would still be +scouring the country, and other bodies of troops might be marching +up. From the conversation of the women, which he understood +but imperfectly, Malcolm gathered that they thought the men would +return that night. Some of the women were in favour of executing +the vengeance themselves, but the majority were of opinion that +the men should have their share of the pleasure. + +All sorts of fiendish propositions were made as to the manner in +which his execution should be carried out, but even the mildest +caused Malcolm to shudder in anticipation. His arms were bound +tightly to his side at the elbows, and the wrists were fastened in +front of him, his legs were tied at the knees and ankles. Sometimes +he was left alone as the women went about their various avocations +in the village, but he was so securely bound that to him as to them +his escape appeared altogether impossible. The day passed heavily +and slowly. The cloth had been removed from his mouth, but he was +parched with thirst, while the tightly bound cords cut deeply into +his flesh. + +He had once asked for water, but his request had been answered with +such jeers and mockery that he resolved to suffer silently until +the last. At length the darkness of the winter evening began to +fall when a thought suddenly struck him. On the hearth a fire was +burning; he waited until the women had again left the hut. He could +hear their voices without as they talked with those in the next +cottage. They might at any moment return, and it was improbable +that they would again go out, for the cold was bitter, and they +would most likely wait indoors for the return of the men. + +This then was his last opportunity. He rolled himself to the fire, +and with his teeth seized the end of one of the burning sticks. +He raised himself into a sitting position, and with the greatest +difficulty laid the burning end of the stick across the cords which +bound his wrists. It seemed to him that they would never catch +fire. The flesh scorched and frizzled, and the smoke rose up with +that of the burning rope. The agony was intense, but it was for +life, and Malcolm unflinchingly held the burning brand in its place +until the cords flew asunder and his hands were free. Although +almost mad with the pain, Malcolm set to work instantly to undo +the other ropes. As soon as one of his arms was free he seized a +hatchet, which lay near him, and rapidly cut the rest. He was not +a moment too soon, for as he cut the last knot he heard the sound +of steps, and two women appeared at the door. + +On seeing their prisoner standing erect with an axe in his hand +they turned and fled shrieking loudly. It was well for Malcolm that +they did so, for so stiff and numbed were his limbs that he could +scarcely hold the axe, and the slightest push would have thrown +him to the ground. + +Some minutes passed before, by stamping his feet and rubbing his +legs he restored circulation sufficiently to totter across the +room. Then he seized a brand and thrust it into the thatch of the +house, having first put on his helmet and placed his sword and +pistols in his belt. His hands were too crippled and powerless to +enable him to fasten on the rest of his armour. He knew that he +had no time to lose. Fortunately the women would not know how weak +and helpless he was, for had they returned in a body they could +easily have overpowered him; but at any moment the men might arrive, +and if he was found there by them his fate was sealed. + +Accordingly as soon as he had fired the hut he made his way from +the village as quickly as he could crawl along. He saw behind him +the flames rising higher and higher. The wind was blowing keenly, +and the fire spread rapidly from house to house, and by the time +he reached the road along which the army had travelled the whole +village was in flames. He felt that he could not travel far, for +the intense sufferings which he had endured for twenty-four hours +without food or water had exhausted his strength. + +His limbs were swollen and bruised from the tightness of the cords, +the agony of his burned wrists was terrible, and after proceeding +slowly for about a mile he drew off from the broad trampled track +which the army had made in passing, and dragging himself to a clump +of trees a short distance from the road, made his way through some +thick undergrowth and flung himself down. The night was intensely +cold, but this was a relief to him rather than otherwise, for it +alleviated the burning pain of his limbs while he kept handfuls of +snow applied to his wrists. + +Two hours after he had taken refuge he heard a number of men come +along the road at a run. Looking through the bushes he could see +by their figures against the snow that they were peasants, and had +no doubt that they were the men of the village who had returned +and at once started in pursuit of him. + +An hour later, feeling somewhat relieved, he left his hiding place +and moved a mile away from the road, as he feared that the peasants, +failing to overtake him, might, as they returned, search every +possible hiding place near it. He had no fear of the track being +noticed, for the surface of the snow was everywhere marked by +parties going and returning to the main body. He kept on until he +saw a small shed. The door was unfastened; opening it he found that +the place was empty, though there were signs that it was usually +used as a shelter for cattle. + +A rough ladder led to a loft. This was nearly full of hay. Malcolm +threw himself down on this, and covering himself up thickly, felt +the blood again begin to circulate in his limbs. It brought, +however, such a renewal of his pain, that it was not until morning +that fatigue overpowered his sufferings and he fell asleep. + +It was late in the afternoon when he woke at the sound of shouts and +holloaing. Springing to his feet he looked out between the cracks +in the boards and saw a party of forty or fifty peasants passing +close by the shed. They were armed with hatchets, scythes, and +pikes. On the heads of four of the pikes were stuck gory heads, +and in the centre of the party were three prisoners, two Swedes +and a Scot. These were covered with blood, and were scarcely able +to walk, but were being urged forward with blows and pike thrusts +amid the brutal laughter of their captors. + +Malcolm retired to his bed full of rage and sorrow. It would have +been madness to have followed his first impulse to sally out sword +in hand and fall upon the ruffians, as such a step would only have +ensured his own death without assisting the captives. + +"Hitherto," he said to himself, "I have ever restrained my men, and +have endeavoured to protect the peasants from violence; henceforward, +so long as we remain in Bavaria, no word of mine shall be uttered +to save one of these murderous peasants. However, I am not with my +company yet. The army is two marches ahead, and must by this time +be in front of Ingolstadt. I have been two days without food, and +see but little chance of getting any until I rejoin them, and the +whole country between us is swarming with an infuriated peasantry. +The prospect is certainly not a bright one. I would give a year's +pay to hear the sound of a Swedish trumpet." + +When darkness had fairly set in Malcolm started on his way again. +Although his limbs still smarted from the weals and sores left +by the cords they had now recovered their lissomeness; but he was +weak from want of food, and no longer walked with the free elastic +stride which distinguished the Scottish infantry. His wrists gave +him great pain, being both terribly burned, and every movement of +the hand sent a thrill of agony up the arm. He persisted, however, +in frequently opening and clenching his hands, regardless of the +pain, for he feared that did he not do so they would stiffen and +he would be unable to grasp a sword. Fortunately the wounds were +principally on the upper side of the thumbs, where the flesh was +burned away to the bone, but the sinews and muscles of the wrists +had to a great extent escaped. + +He had not journeyed very far when he saw a light ahead and presently +perceived the houses of a village. A fire was lit in the centre, +and a number of figures were gathered round it. + +"Something is going on," Malcolm said to himself; "as likely as not +they have got some unfortunate prisoner. Whatever it be, I will +steal in and try to get some food. I cannot go much further without +it; and as their attention is occupied, I may find a cottage empty." + +Making his way round to the back of the houses, he approached one +of the cottages in the rear. He lifted the latch of the door and +opened it a little. All was still. With his drawn sword he entered. +The room was empty; a fire burned on the hearth, and on the table +were some loaves which had evidently been just baked. Malcolm +fell upon one of them and speedily devoured it, and, taking a long +draught of rough country wine from a skin hanging against the wall, +he felt another man. + +He broke another loaf in two and thrust the pieces into his doublet, +and then sallied out from the cottage again. Still keeping behind +the houses he made his way until he got within view of the fire. +Here he saw a sight which thrilled him with horror. Some eight or +ten peasants and forty or fifty women were yelling and shouting. +Fastened against a post in front of the fire were the remains of +a prisoner. He had been stripped, his ears, nose, hands, and feet +cut off, and he was slowly bleeding to death. + +Four other men, bound hand and foot, lay close to the fire. By its +flames Malcolm saw the green scarves that told they were Scotchmen +of his own brigade, and he determined at once to rescue them or +die in the attempt. He crept forward until he reached the edge of +the road; then he raised a pistol and with a steady aim fired at +one of the natives, who fell dead across the fire. + +Another shot laid another beside him before the peasants recovered +from their first surprise. Then with a loud shout in German, "Kill +-- kill! and spare none!" Malcolm dashed forward. The peasants, +believing that they were attacked by a strong body, fled precipitately +in all directions. Malcolm, on reaching the prisoners, instantly +severed their bonds. + +"Quick, my lads!" he exclaimed; "we shall have them upon us again +in a minute." + +The men in vain tried to struggle to their feet -- their limbs were +too numbed to bear them. + +"Crawl to the nearest cottage!" Malcolm exclaimed; "we can hold it +until your limbs are recovered." + +He caught up from the ground some pikes and scythes which the +peasants had dropped in their flight, and aided the men to make +their way to the nearest cottage. They were but just in time; for +the peasants, finding they were not pursued, had looked round, and +seeing but one opponent had gained courage and were beginning to +approach again. Malcolm barred the door, and then taking down a +skin of wine bade his companions take a drink. There were loaves +on the shelves, and these he cut up and handed to them. + +"Quick, lads!" he said; "stamp your legs and swing your arms, and +get the blood in motion. I will keep these fellows at bay a few +minutes longer." + +He reloaded his pistols and fired through the door, at which the +peasants were now hewing with axes. A cry and a heavy fall told +him that one of the shots had taken effect. Suddenly there was a +smell of smoke. + +"They have fired the roof," Malcolm said. "Now, lads, each of you +put a loaf of bread under his jerkin. There is no saying when we +may get more. Now get ready and sally out with me. There are but +six or eight men in the village, and they are no match for us. They +only dared to attack us because they saw that you couldn't walk." + +The door was opened, and headed by Malcolm the four Scotchmen +dashed out. They were assailed by a shower of missiles by the crowd +as they appeared, but as soon as it was seen that the men were on +foot again the peasants gave way. Malcolm shot one and cut down +another, and the rest scattered in all directions. + +"Now, lads, follow me while we may," and Malcolm again took to +the fields. The peasants followed for some distance, but when the +soldiers had quite recovered the use of their limbs Malcolm suddenly +turned on his pursuers, overtaking and killing two of them. Then he +and his men again continued their journey, the peasants no longer +following. When at some distance from the village he said: + +"We must turn and make for the Lech again. It is no farther than it +is to Ingolstadt, and we shall find friends there. These peasants +will go on ahead and raise all the villagers against us, and we +should never get through. What regiment do you belong to, lads?" +for in the darkness he had been unable to see their faces. + +"Your own, Captain Graheme. We were in charge of one of the wagons +with sick. The wheel came off, and we were left behind the convoy +while we were mending it. As we were at work, our weapons laid on +the ground, some twenty men sprang out from some bushes hard by +and fell upon us. We killed five or six of them, but were beaten +down and ten of our number were slain. They murdered all the sick +in the wagons and marched us away, bound, to this village where +you found us. Sandy McAlister they had murdered just as you came +up, and we should have had a like horrible fate had you been a few +minutes later. Eh, sir! but it's an awful death to be cut in pieces +by these devils incarnate!" + +"Well, lads," Malcolm said, "we will determine that they shall not +take us alive again. If we are overtaken or met by any of these +gangs of peasants we will fight till we die. None of us, I hope, are +afraid of death in fair strife, but the bravest might well shrink +from such a death as that of your poor comrade. Now let us see what +arms we have between us." + +Malcolm had his sword and pistols, two of the men had pikes, the +other two scythes fastened to long handles. + +"These are clumsy weapons," Malcolm said. "You had best fit short +handles to them, so as to make them into double handed swords." + +They were unable to travel far, for all were exhausted with the +sufferings they had gone through, but they kept on until they came +upon a village which had been fired when the troops marched through. +The walls of a little church were alone standing. It had, like the +rest of the village, been burned, but the shell still remained. + +"So far as I can see," Malcolm said, "the tower has escaped. Had it +been burned we should see through the windows. We may find shelter +in the belfry." + +On reaching the church they found that the entrance to the belfry +tower was outside the church, and to this, no doubt, it owed its +escape from the fire which had destroyed the main edifice. The door +was strong and defied their efforts to break it in. + +"I must fire my pistol through the lock," Malcolm said. "I do not +like doing so, for the sound may reach the ears of any peasants in +the neighbourhood; but we must risk it, for the cold is extreme, +and to lie down in the snow would be well nigh certain death." + +He placed his pistol to the keyhole and fired. The lock at once +yielded and the party entered the door. + +"Before we mount," Malcolm said, "let each pick up one of these +blocks of stone which have fallen from the wall. We will wedge +the door from behind, and can then sleep secure against a surprise." + +When the door was closed one of the men, who was a musketeer, +struck some sparks from a flint and steel on to a slow match which +he carried in his jerkin, and by its glow they were enabled to look +around them. The stone steps began to ascend close to the door, +and by laying the stones between the bottom step and the door +they wedged the latter firmly in its place. They then ascended the +stairs, and found themselves in a room some ten feet square, in +which hung the bell which had called the village to prayers. It +hung from some beams which were covered with a boarded floor, and +a rough ladder led to a trapdoor, showing that there was another +room above. The floor of the room in which they stood was of stone. + +"Now, lads," Malcolm said, "two of you make your way up that ladder +and rip up some of the planks of the flooring. See if there are +any windows or loopholes in the chamber above, and if so stuff your +jerkins into them; we will close up those here. In a few minutes +we will have a roaring fire; but we must beware lest a gleam of +light be visible without, for this belfry can be seen for miles +round. + +Some of the boards were soon split up into fragments; but before +the light was applied to them Malcolm carefully examined each window +and loophole to be sure that they were perfectly stopped. Then the +slow match was placed in the centre of a number of pieces of dry +and rotten wood. One of the men kneeling down blew lustily, and +in a few seconds a flame sprang up. The wood was now heaped on, +and a bright fire was soon blazing high. + +A trapdoor leading out on to the flat top of the tower was opened +for the escape of the smoke, and the party then seated themselves +round the fire, under whose genial warmth their spirits speedily +rose. They now took from their wallets the bread which they had +brought away with them. + +"If we had," one of the soldiers said, "but a few flasks of Rhine +wine with us we need not envy a king." + +"No," Malcolm replied, "we are better off at present than our +comrades who are sleeping in the snow round the watchfires; but +for all that I would that we were with them, for we have a long and +dangerous march before us. And now, lads, you can sleep soundly. +There will be no occasion to place a watch, for the door is securely +fastened; but at the first dawn of light we must be on our feet; +for although I do not mean to march until nightfall, we must remove +the stoppings from the windows, for should the eye of any passing +peasant fall upon them, he will guess at once that some one is +sheltering here, and may proceed to find out whether it be friend +or foe." + +Having finished half their bread, for Malcolm had warned them to +save the other half for the next day, the men lay down round the +fire, and soon all were sound asleep. + + + +CHAPTER XIV IN THE CHURCHTOWER + + +Malcolm was the first to awake, and was vexed to find by a stream +of light pouring down through the half open trapdoor above that it +was broad day. He roused the men, and the stoppings were at once +removed from the loopholes. The sun was already high, for the party, +overpowered with fatigue, had slept long and soundly. + +Malcolm looked cautiously from the window; no one was in sight, +and the ruins of the village below lay black and deserted. The men +resumed the clothes which had been used for blocking the loopholes, +and sat down to pass the long hours which would elapse before the +time for action arrived. It was exceedingly cold, for there were +loopholes on each side of the chamber, and the wind blew keenly +through. + +"Sergeant," Malcolm said, "we will risk a bit of fire again, for +the cold pierces to the bone; only be sure that you use perfectly +dry wood. Examine each piece to see that no drip from the roof has +penetrated it. If it is dry it will give but little smoke, and a +slight vapour is not likely to be observed rising from the top of +the tower." + +The fire was again lighted, and the smoke was so slight that Malcolm +had little fear of its being observed. + +An hour later, as the men were talking, Malcolm suddenly held up +his hand for silence, and the murmur of voices was heard without. +Malcolm rose to his feet to reconnoitre, standing far back from the +loophole as he did so. A group of some eight or ten peasants were +standing looking at the tower, while a woman was pointing to it +and talking eagerly. + +It was towards the windows that she was pointing, and Malcolm +guessed at once that, having returned in the early morning to see +what remained of her home, she had happened to notice the garments +stuffed in the windows, and had carried the news to some of her +companions. Malcolm regretted bitterly now that he had not set +a watch, so that at the first gleam of daylight the windows might +have been unblocked; but it was now too late. + +"We shall have to fight for it, lads," he said, turning round. +"Our clothes must have been seen early this morning, and there is +a party of peasants watching the tower. Of course they cannot know +at present whether we are friends or foes; but no doubt the news +of last evening's doings has travelled through the country, and the +peasants are on the lookout for us, so they may well guess that we +are here. However, we shall soon see. Sergeant, place one of your +men on sentry at the foot of the stairs, but do not let him speak +or give any signs of his presence if the door is tried." + +One of the soldiers was placed on guard. Scarcely had he taken +his station when there was a knocking at the door, and shouts were +heard outside from the peasants calling on those within, if they +were friends, to come out. No answer was returned. + +"It's fortunate for you," Malcolm muttered, "that we don't come +out, or we should make short work of you; but I know you would fly +like hares if you saw us, and would bring the whole country down +on us. No; we must hold out here. Our only hope is to escape at +night, or to hold this place till some of our troops come along. +At any moment some regiments from the Lech may be marching forward +to join the king. + +"We must make our bread last, lads," he said cheerfully to the men, +"for we may have to stand a long siege. Methinks we can hold this +stone staircase against all the peasants of this part of Bavaria; +and we must do so until we hear the sound of the Swedish drums; +they may come along at any time. If the worst comes to the worst +one of us must start at night and carry news of our peril to the +Lech. We made a good supper last night, and can fast for a bit. If +we cut our bread up into small portions we can hold out for days. +There should be snow enough on the tower top to furnish us with +drink." + +After hammering at the door for some time, the peasants retired +convinced that there were none of their own people within the tower, +and that those who had slept there were the fugitives of whom they +had been in search during the night. These might, indeed, have +departed in the interval between the time when the woman first saw +the traces of their presence and her return with them; but they did +not think that this was so, for in that case they could not have +fastened the door behind them. The peasants accordingly withdrew +a short distance from the church, and three of their number were +sent off in different directions to bring up reinforcements. As soon +as Malcolm saw this movement he knew that concealment was useless, +and began to make preparations for the defence. First, he with the +sergeant ascended to the roof of the tower. To his disappointment +he saw that the heat of the flames had melted the snow, and that +most of the water had run away. Some, however, stood in the hollows +and inequalities of the stone platform, where it had again frozen +into ice. + +As the supply would be very precious, Malcolm directed that before +any moved about on the platform every piece of ice should be +carefully taken up and carried below. Here it was melted over the +fire in one of the iron caps, and was found to furnish three quarts +of water. The appearance of Malcolm and his companion on the tower +had been hailed by a shout of hatred and exultation by the peasants; +but the defenders had paid no attention to the demonstration, and +had continued their work as if regardless of the presence of their +enemies. + +On his return to the platform Malcolm found, looking over the low +parapet, that on the side farthest from the church great icicles +hung down from the mouth of the gutter, the water having frozen +again as it trickled from the platform. These icicles were three +or four inches in diameter and many feet in length. They were +carefully broken off, and were laid down on the platform where they +would remain frozen until wanted. Malcolm now felt secure against +the attacks of thirst for some days to come. The stones of the +parapet were next tried, and were without much trouble moved from +their places, and were all carried to the side in which the door +was situated, in readiness to hurl down upon any who might assault +it. Some of the beams of the upper flooring were removed from their +places, and being carried down, were wedged against the upper part +of the door, securing it as firmly as did the stones below. These +preparations being finished, Malcolm took a survey of the situation +outside. + +The group of peasants had increased largely, some thirty or forty +men armed with pikes, bills, and scythes being gathered in a body, +while many more could be seen across the country hurrying over the +white plain towards the spot. The windows of the lower apartment +had been barricaded with planks, partly to keep out missiles, +partly for warmth. A good fire now blazed in the centre, and the +soldiers, confident in themselves and their leader, cracked grim +jokes as, their work being finished, they sat down around it and +awaited the attack, one of their number being placed on the summit +of the tower to give warning of the approach of the enemy. + +"I would that we had a musket or two," Malcolm said; "for we might +then keep them from the door. I have only some twenty charges for +my pistols, and the most of these, at any rate, I must keep for +the defence of the stairs." + +Presently the sentry from above called out that the peasants were +moving forward to the attack. + +"Sergeant," Malcolm said, "do you fasten my green scarf to a long +strip of plank and fix it to the top of the tower. We cannot fight +under a better banner. Now let us mount to the roof and give them +a warm reception." + +"Look out, sir," the sentry exclaimed as Malcolm ascended the stair, +"three or four of them have got muskets." + +"Then we must be careful," Malcolm said. "I don't suppose they are +much of marksmen, but even a random shot will tell at times, and I +want to take you all back safe with me; so keep low when you get on +the roof, lads, and don't show your heads more than you can help." + +Heralding their attack by a discharge from their muskets, whose +balls whistled harmlessly round the tower, the peasants rushed +forward to the door and commenced an assault upon it with hatchets +and axes. + +Malcolm and his men each lifted a heavy stone and rolled it over +the parapet, the five loosing the missiles simultaneously. There +was a dull crash, and with a terrible cry the peasants fled from +the door. Looking over, Malcolm saw that six or seven men had +been struck down. Five of these lay dead or senseless; two were +endeavouring to drag themselves away. + +"That is lesson number one," he said. "They will be more prudent +next time." + +The peasants, after holding a tumultuous council, scattered, most +of them making for a wood a short distance off. + +"They are going to cut down a tree and use it as a battering ram," +Malcolm observed. "They know that these large stones are too heavy +for us to cast many paces from the foot of the wall. We must get +to work and break some of them up. That will not be difficult, for +the wind and weather have rotted many of them half through." + +The stones were for the most part from two to three feet long and +nine or ten inches square. Two were laid down on the platform some +eighteen inches apart and another placed across them. The four men +then lifted another stone, and holding it perpendicularly brought +it down with all their strength upon the unsupported centre of +the stone, which broke in half at once. To break it again required +greater efforts, but it yielded to the blows. Other stones were +similarly treated, until a large pile was formed of blocks of some +ten inches each way, besides a number of smaller fragments. + +In half an hour the peasants reappeared with a slight well grown +tree some forty feet long which had been robbed of its branches. +It was laid down about fifty yards from the church, and then twenty +men lifted it near the butt and advanced to use it as a battering +ram, with the small end forward; but before they were near enough +to touch the door the bearers were arrested by a cry from the crowd +as the defenders appeared on the tower, and poising their blocks +of stone above their heads, hurled them down. Three of them flew +over the heads of the peasants, but the others crashed down among +them, slaying and terribly mutilating two of the bearers of the +tree and striking several others to the ground. The battering ram +was instantly dropped, and before the Scotchmen had time to lift +another missile the peasants were beyond their reach. + +"Lesson number two," Malcolm said. "What will our friends do next, +I wonder?" + +The peasants were clearly at a loss. A long consultation was held, +but this was not followed by any renewal of the attack. + +"I think they must have made up their minds to starve us out, +sir," the sergeant remarked as the hours went slowly by without +any renewal of the attack. + +"Yes; either that, sergeant, or a night attack. In either case I +consider that we are safe for a time, but sooner or later our fate +is sealed unless aid comes to us, and therefore I propose that one +of you should tonight try and bear a message to the Lech. We can +lower him down by the bell rope from this window in the angle where +the tower touches the church. Keeping round by the church he will +be in deep shadow until he reaches the other end, and will then be +close to the ruins of the village. Before morning he could reach +our camp." + +"I will undertake it myself, sir, if you will allow me," the sergeant +said, while the other men also volunteered for the duty. + +"You shall try first, sergeant," Malcolm said. "It will be dangerous +work, for as the news of our being here spreads the peasants will +be coming in from all quarters. Their numbers are already greatly +increased since they commenced the attack, and there must be at +least three or four hundred men around us. They will be sure to +keep a sharp lookout against our escaping, and it will need all +your care and caution to get through them." + +"Never fear, sir," the man replied confidently. "I have stalked +the deer scores of times, and it will be hard if I cannot crawl +through a number of thick witted Bavarian peasants." + +"Even beyond the village you will have to keep your eyes open, as +you may meet parties of peasants on their way here. Fortunately you +will have no difficulty in keeping the road, so well beaten is it +by the march of the army. If by tomorrow night no rescue arrives +I shall consider that you have been taken or killed, and shall try +with the others to make my way through. It would be better to die +sword in hand while we have still the strength to wield our arms +than to be cooped up here until too weak any longer to defend +ourselves, and then to be slowly tortured to death." + +As soon as it was dusk a sentry was placed on the top of the +tower, with orders to report the slightest sound or stir. During +the day this had not been necessary, for a view could be obtained +from the windows, and the men with firearms, who had now considerably +increased in numbers, kept up a constant fire at the tower. + +An hour later the sentry reported that he could hear the sound of +many feet in the darkness, with the occasional snapping as of dry +twigs. + +"They are going to burn down the door," Malcolm said. "That is +what I expected. Now, sergeant, is your time. They are all busy +and intent upon their purpose. You could not have a better time." + +The rope was fastened round the sergeant's waist, and with some +difficulty he squeezed himself through the narrow window, after +listening attentively to discover if any were below. + +All seemed perfectly still on this side, and he was gradually and +steadily lowered down. Presently those above felt the rope slack. +Another minute and it swung loosely. It was drawn up again, and +Malcolm, placing one of the men at the loophole, with instructions +to listen intently for any sound of alarm or conflict, turned his +attention to the other side. + +Soon he saw a number of dark figures bearing on their heads great +bundles which he knew to be faggots approaching across the snow. + +As they approached a brisk fire suddenly opened on the tower. +Malcolm at once called the sentry down. + +"It is of no use exposing yourself," he said, "and we could not +do much harm to them did we take to stoning them again. We have +nothing to do now but to wait." + +Soon a series of dull heavy crashes were heard as the faggots were +thrown down against the door. Malcolm descended the stairs until +he reached the lowest loophole which lighted them, and which was +a few feet above the top of the door. He took one of the men with +him. + +"Here are my flask and bullet pouch," he said. "Do you reload my +pistols as I discharge them." + +For some minutes the sound of the faggots being thrown down continued, +then the footsteps were heard retreating, and all was quiet again. + +"Now it is our turn again," Malcolm said. "It is one thing to +prepare a fire and another to light it, my fine fellows. I expect +that you have forgotten that there are firearms here." + +Presently a light was seen in the distance, and two men with blazing +brands approached. They advanced confidently until within twenty +yards of the tower, then there was the sharp crack of a pistol, +and one of them fell forward on his face, the other hesitated and +stood irresolute, then, summoning up courage, he sprang forward. + +As he did so another shot flashed out, and he, too, fell prostrate, +the brand hissing and spluttering in the snow a few feet from the +pile of brushwood. A loud yell of rage and disappointment arose +on the night air, showing how large was the number of peasants who +were watching the operations. Some time elapsed before any further +move was made on the part of the assailants, then some twenty points +of light were seen approaching. + +"Donald," Malcolm said to the soldier, "go up to the top of the +tower with your comrades. They are sure to light the pile this +time, but if it is only fired in one place you may possibly dash +out the light with a stone." + +The lights rapidly approached, but when the bearers came within +forty yards they stopped. They were a wild group, as, with their +unkempt hair and beards, and their rough attire, they stood holding +the lighted brands above their heads. A very tall and powerful man +stood at their head. + +"Come on," he said, "why do you hesitate? Let us finish with them." +And he rushed forward. + +Malcolm had his pistol lying on the sill of the loophole covering +him, and when the peasant had run ten paces he fired, and the man +fell headlong. The others stopped, and a second shot took effect +among them. With a yell of terror they hurled the brands towards +the pile and fled. Most of the brands fell short, others missed +their aim, but from his loophole Malcolm saw that one had fallen +on to the outside faggot of the pile. + +Almost instantly a heavy stone fell in the snow close by, another, +and another. Malcolm stood with his eyes fixed on the brand. The +twigs against which it leaned were catching, and the flames began +to shoot up. Higher and higher they rose, and a shout of triumph +from the peasants told how keenly they were also watching. Still +the heavy stones continued to fall. The flames rose higher, and +half the faggot was now alight. Another minute and the fire would +communicate with the pile. Then there was a crash. A shower of +sparks leapt up as the faggot, struck by one of the heavy stones, +was dashed from its place and lay blazing twenty feet distant from +the pile. There it burnt itself out, and for a time the tower was +safe. + +For an hour the defenders watched the peasants, who had now lighted +great fires just out of pistol shot from the tower, and were gathered +thickly round them, the light flashing redly from pike head and +scythe. + +The uproar of voices was loud; but though the defenders guessed +that they were discussing the next plan of attack they could catch +no meaning from such words as reached them, for the patois of the +Bavarian peasants was unintelligible. At last a large number seized +brands, some approached as before towards the pile, the others +scattered in various directions, while the men with muskets again +opened fire at the top of the tower. + +Malcolm took his post at the loophole awaiting attack, but the +men in front of him did not advance. Suddenly a light sprang up +beneath him. There was a sound of falling stones, but the light +grew brighter and brighter, and he knew that this time the pile had +been fired. As he ran upstairs he was met by one of the soldiers +from above. + +"They crept round by the back of the church, sir, and round at the +foot of the tower, and they had fired the pile before we saw that +they were there." + +"It cannot be helped," Malcolm said, "they were sure to succeed +sooner or later. Call the others down from the roof." + +The door at the top of the stairs was now closed, and the crevices +were stuffed tightly with strips torn from the men's clothes so +as to prevent the smoke from entering when the door below gave way +to the flames. A broad glare of light now lit up the scene, and +showers of sparks, and an occasional tongue of flame were visible +through the window. + +"Shut down the trapdoor in the roof," Malcolm said, "that will +check the draught through the windows." + +The wood was dry, and what smoke made its way in through the window +found its way out through the loopholes of the upper chamber without +seriously incommoding those below. + +"We can take it easy, now," Malcolm said as he set the example by +sitting down against the wall. "It will be hours before the stonework +below will be cool enough to permit them to attack." + +"They are lighting a circle of fires all round the church," one of +the soldiers said looking out. + +"They think we shall be trying to escape, now that our door is +burned. They are too late; I trust our messenger is miles away by +this time." + +In half an hour the flames died away, but a deep red glow showed +that the pile of embers was still giving out an intense heat. +One of the men was now placed on the top of the tower again, as a +measure of precaution, but it was certain that hours would elapse +before an attack could be made. The peasants, indeed, secure +of their prey, evinced no hurry to commence the attack, but spent +the night in shouting and singing round their fires, occasionally +yelling threats of the fate which awaited them against the defenders +of the tower. + +Towards daylight Malcolm commenced his preparations for defence. +The door was taken off its hinges and was laid on the stone stairs. +These were but two feet wide, the door itself being some three +inches less. The rope was fastened round its upper end to prevent +it from sliding down. + +"I wish we had some grease to pour over it," Malcolm said, "but dry +as it is it will be next to impossible for anyone to walk up that +sharp incline, and we four should be able to hold it against the +peasants till doomsday." + +It was not until broad daylight that the peasants prepared for +the attack. So long as the operation had been a distant one it had +seemed easy enough, but as in a confused mass they approached the +open doorway they realized that to ascend the narrow staircase, +defended at the top by desperate men, was an enterprise of no common +danger, and that the work which they had regarded as finished was +in fact scarcely begun. + +The greater part then hung back, but a band of men, who by their +blackened garments and swarthy faces Malcolm judged to be charcoal +burners, armed with heavy axes, advanced to the front, and with an +air of dogged resolution approached the door. The defenders gave +no sign of their presence, no pistol flashed out from window or +loophole. + +Striding through the still hot ashes the leader of the woodmen +passed through the doorway and advanced up the stairs. These ran in +short straight flights round the tower, lighted by narrow loopholes. +No resistance was encountered until he reached the last turning, +where a broader glare of light came from the open doorway, where +two of the soldiers, pike in hand, stood ready to repel them. With +a shout to his followers to come on, the peasant sprang forward. +He ascended three steps, and then, as he placed his foot upon the +sharply inclined plane of the door, which he had not noticed, he +stumbled forward. His companions, supposing he had been pierced +with a spear, pressed on after him, but each fell when they trod +upon the door until a heap of men cumbered the stair. These were +not unharmed, for with their long pikes the Scottish spearmen ran +them through and through as they lay. + +Their bodies afforded a foothold to those who followed, but these +could make but little way, for as but one could advance at a time, +each as he came on was slain by the pikes. Finding that two were +well able to hold the door, Malcolm with the other ran up to the +top of the tower, and toppled over the stones of the parapet upon +the mass gathered around the door. These at once scattered, and +those on the stairs, finding themselves unable to get forward, for +the narrow passage was now completely choked with the dead, made +their way out again and rejoined their comrades. + +"I expect they will send their musketeers first next time," Malcolm +said as he rejoined those below, leaving the soldier on the watch. +"Now let us get the door up again, and bring the dead here; we can +form a barrier with them breast high." + +The door was quickly shifted on one side, and then the troopers +brought up the dead, who were eleven in number. + +"Now replace the door," Malcolm ordered; "fill your iron caps with +blood -- there is plenty flowing from these fellows -- and pour it +over the door, it will be as good as oil." + +This was done, and the bodies were then piled shoulder high across +the door. + +"They can fire as much as they like now," Malcolm said, "they will +be no nearer, and I defy anyone to climb up that door now." + + + +CHAPTER XV A TIMELY RESCUE + + +Although unaware how much more formidable the task before them +had become, the peasants were disheartened by their defeat, and +even the boldest hesitated at the thought of again attacking foes +so formidably posted. None of those who had returned were able +to explain what was the obstacle which had checked their advance. +All that they could tell was, that those before them had fallen, +in some cases even before they were touched by the spears of the +defenders. This mystery added to the dread which the assault of so +difficult a position naturally inspired, and some hours were spent +in discussing how the next attack should be made. Many indeed +were strongly in favour of remaining quietly around the tower and +starving its defenders into surrendering. + +Others advocated an attempt to stifle them by heaping green wood +and damp straw round the tower; but the more timid pointed out +that many would be killed in carrying out the task by the firearms +of the besieged, and that even were the combustibles placed in +position and lighted the success of the experiment would be by no +means certain, as the besieged might stuff up all the orifices, or +at the worst might obtain sufficient fresh air on the top of the +tower to enable them to breathe. + +"You are forgetting," one of the peasants exclaimed, "the powder +wagon which broke down as Count Tilly retreated from the Lech. Did +we not carry off the powder barrels and hide them, partly to prevent +them falling into the hands of these accursed Swedes, partly because +the powder would last us for years for hunting the wolf and wild +boar? We have only to stow these inside the tower to blow it into +the air." + +The idea was seized with shouts of acclamation. Most of the peasants +who had assisted in carrying off the contents of the wagon were +present, and these started instantly to dig up the barrels which they +had taken as their share of the booty. The shouts of satisfaction +and the departure of forty or fifty men at full speed in various +directions did not pass unnoticed by the garrison of the tower. + +"They have got a plan of some sort," Malcolm said; "what it is I +have no idea, but they certainly seem confident about it. Look at +those fellows throwing up their caps and waving their arms. I do +not see how we can be attacked, but I do not like these signs of +confidence on their part, for they know now how strong our position +is. It seems to me that we are impregnable except against artillery." + +Unable to repress his uneasiness Malcolm wandered from window to +window watching attentively what was going on without, but keeping +himself as far back as possible from the loopholes; for the men +with muskets kept up a dropping fire at the openings, and although +their aim was poor, bullets occasionally passed in and flattened +themselves against the opposite walls. + +"There is a man returning," he said in about half an hour; "he is +carrying something on his shoulder, but I cannot see what it is." + +In another ten minutes the man had reached the group of peasants +standing two or three hundred yards from the church, and was greeted +with cheers and waving of hats. + +"Good heavens!" Malcolm exclaimed suddenly, "it is a barrel of +powder. They must have stripped some broken down ammunition wagon. +This is a danger indeed." + +The men grasped their weapons and rose to their feet at the news, +prepared to take any steps which their young officer might command, +for his promptitude and ingenuity had inspired them with unbounded +confidence in him. + +"We must at all hazards," he said after a few minutes thought, +"prevent them from storing these barrels below. Remove the barricade +of bodies and then carry the door down the stairs. We must fix it +again on the bottom steps. The bottom stair is but a foot or two +inside the doorway; if you place it there it will hinder their +rushing up to attack you, and your pikes, as you stand above it, +will prevent any from placing their barrels inside. + +"I will take my place at the loophole as before. We cannot prevent +their crawling round from behind as they did to light the faggots; +but if they pile them outside, they may blow in a hole in the wall +of the tower, but it is possible that even then it may not fall. +Two will be sufficient to hold the stairs, at any rate for the +present. Do you, Cameron, take your place on the tower, and drop +stones over on any who may try to make their way round from behind; +even if you do no harm you will make them careful and delay the +operation, and every hour now is of consequence." + +Malcolm's instructions were carried out, and all was in readiness +before the peasants, some of whom had to go considerable distances, +had returned with the powder. + +The lesson of the previous evening had evidently not been lost upon +the peasants, for Malcolm saw a tall man who was acting as their +leader wave his hand, and those who had brought the powder started +to make a detour round the church. Malcolm, finding that no movement +was being made towards the front, and that at present he could do +nothing from his loophole, ran up to the top of the tower and took +his place by the soldier who was lying down on the roof and looking +over the edge. + +Presently the first of the peasants appeared round the corner of +the main building, and dashed rapidly across to the angle of the +tower. Two heavy stones were dropped, but he had passed on long +before they had reached the bottom. Man after man followed, and +Malcolm, seeing that he could do nothing to stop them, again ran +down. As he did so he heard a scream of agony. The leading peasants +had reached the doorway, but as they dashed in to place their +barrels of powder they were run through and through by the spears +of the pikemen. They fell half in and half out of the doorway, and +the barrels rolled some distance away. Those behind them stopped +panic stricken at their sudden fall. Several of them dropped their +barrels and fled, while others ran round the angle of the tower +again, coming in violent contact with those following them; all +then hurried round behind the church. Malcolm stamped his feet with +vexation. + +"What a fool I am," he muttered, "not to have thought of a sortie! +If we had all held ourselves in readiness to spring out, we might +have cut down the whole of them; at any rate none would have got +off with their barrels." + +This unexpected failure greatly damped the spirit of the peasants, +and there was much consultation among them before any fresh move +was made. As he saw that they were fully occupied, and paying no +heed to the tower, Malcolm said to his men: + +"I am going outside; prepare to help me up over the door again +quickly if necessary. + +Leaving his sword behind him, he took a leap from the step above +the inclined plane and landed at the bottom, and at once threw +himself down outside. With his dagger he removed the hoops of one +of the barrels, and scattered the contents thickly along the front +of the tower. None of the peasants perceived him, for there were +many bodies lying round the foot of the tower; and even had any +looked that way they would not have noticed that one prone figure +had been added to the number. + +Crawling cautiously along Malcolm pushed two other barrels before +him, and opening them as before, spread the contents of one upon +the ground near the side of the tower, and the other by the hinder +face. The thick black layer on the snow would have told its tale +instantly to a soldier, but Malcolm had little fear of the peasants +in their haste paying attention to it. When his task was completed +he crawled back again to the door and laid a train from the foot +of the slide to the powder without. + +"I will remain here," he said, "for the present. Do one of you take +your place in the belfry. Tell Cameron to shout down to you what +is passing behind, and do you run instantly down the stairs to tell +me." + +The peasants advanced next time accompanied by a strong force +of their armed comrades. As before they came round from behind, +intending to stack their barrels in the angle there. As the bearers +of the first two or three powder barrels came round the corner +Cameron shouted the news, and the soldier below ran down to Malcolm, +who fired his pistol into the train. A broad flash of fire rose +round the tower followed instantaneously by two heavy explosions. +There was silence for an instant, and then a chorus of shrieks and +yells. + +The powder barrels borne by the two first men had exploded, their +heads having been knocked in previously to admit of their ignition. +Some thirty of the peasants were killed or terribly mutilated by +the explosion, and the rest took to their heels in terror, leaving +their wounded comrades on the ground. + +The echoes of the explosion had scarce died away when a shout of +terror broke from the main body of peasants, and Malcolm saw them +flying in all directions. An instant afterwards the ringing sound +of the Swedish trumpets was heard, and a squadron of horse galloped +down full speed. The peasants attempted no resistance, but fled +in all directions, hotly pursued by the Swedes, who broke up into +small parties and followed the fugitives cross the country cutting +down great numbers of them. The Swedish leader at once rode up to +the foot of the tower, where Malcolm had already sallied out. + +"I am glad indeed I am in time, Captain Graheme; we have ridden +without drawing rein since your messenger arrived at four o'clock +this morning." + +"Thanks indeed, Captain Burgh," Malcolm replied. Your coming is +most welcome; though I think we have given the peasants so hot a +lesson that they would not have attacked us again, and by tightening +our waistbelts we could have held on for another three or four +days." + +"I see that you have punished them heavily," the Swedish officer +said, looking round at the bodies; "but what was the explosion I +heard?" + +"You will see its signs behind the tower," Malcolm said as he +led the way there. "They tried to blow us up, but burnt their own +fingers." + +The scene behind the tower was ghastly. Some thirty peasants lay +with their clothes completely burned from their bodies, the greater +portion of them dead, but some still writhing in agony. Malcolm +uttered an exclamation of horror. + +"It were a kindness to put these wretches out of their misery," the +Swede said, and dismounting he passed his sword through the bodies +of the writhing men. "You know I am in favour of carrying on the +war as mercifully as may be," he continued turning to Malcolm, +"for we have talked the matter over before now; and God forbid that +I should strike a fallen foe; but these poor wretches were beyond +help, and it is true mercy to end their sufferings." + +"They have had a heavy lesson," Malcolm said; "there are eleven +more dead up in the belfry, which they tried to carry by storm, +and a dozen at least crushed by stones. + +"You and your three men have indeed given a good account of +yourselves," Captain Burgh exclaimed; "but while I am talking you +are fasting. Here is a bottle of wine, a cold chicken, and a manchet +of bread which I put in my wallet on starting; let us breakfast, +for though I do not pretend to have been fasting as you have, the +morning ride has given me an appetite. I see your fellows are hard +at work already on the viands which my orderly brought for them in +his havresack; but first let us move away to the tree over yonder, +for verily the scent of blood and of roasted flesh is enough to take +away one's appetite, little squeamish as these wars have taught us +to be." + +Captain Burgh asked no questions until Malcolm had finished his +meal. "I have plenty more food," he said, "for we have brought three +led horses well laden; but it were better that you eat no more at +present, tis ill overloading a fasting stomach. My men will not be +back from the pursuit for a couple of hours yet, for they will not +draw rein so long as their horses can gallop, so excited are they +over the tales of the horrible cruelties which have been perpetrated +on all our men who have fallen into the hands of the peasants, so +now you can tell me in full the tale of your adventures. I had no +time to ask any questions of your sergeant, for we were called up +and sent off five minutes after he arrived with the news that you +with three men were beleaguered here by a party of peasants." + +Malcolm related the whole incidents which had befallen him since +he had been suddenly felled and made captive by the women in the +hut in the village. The Swede laughed over this part of the adventure. + +"To think," he said, "of you, a dashing captain of the Green Brigade, +being made captive by a couple of old women. There is more than one +gallant Scot, if reports be true, has fallen a captive to German +maidens, but of another sort; to be taken prisoner and hid in a +straw yard is too good." + +"It was no laughing matter, I can tell you," Malcolm said, "though +doubtless it will serve as a standing jest against me for a long +time; however, I am so thankful I have got out of the scrape that +those may laugh who will." + +When Malcolm finished his story Captain Burgh said: "You have +managed marvellously well indeed, Graheme, and can well afford to +put up with a little laughter anent that matter of the women, for +in truth there are few who would with three men have held a post +against four or five hundred, as you have done --ay, and fairly +defeated them before I came on the scene. That thought of yours of +laying the door upon the stairs was a masterly one, and you rarely +met and defeated every device of the enemy. + +"Now, if you will, I will mount this stronghold of yours with you, +and see exactly how it stands, for I shall have to tell the tale +a score of times at least when I get back to camp, and I can do it +all the better after I have seen for myself the various features +of the place." + +By the time they had mounted the top of the tower and Captain Burgh +had fully satisfied himself as to the details of the defence the +troopers began to return. Their horses were far too fatigued with +the long ride from the camp and the subsequent pursuit to be able +to travel farther. Fires were accordingly lit, rations distributed, +and a halt ordered till the following morning, when, at daybreak, +they returned to the Lech. + +Two days later Malcolm and his men marched forward with a brigade +which was advancing to reinforce the army under Gustavus, and +reached Ingolstadt on the day when the king raised the siege, and +accompanied him on his march to Munich. + +Malcolm on rejoining was greeted with great pleasure by his comrades, +who had made up their minds that he had in some way fallen a victim +to the peasants. The noncommissioned officers and men of his party +had been severely reprimanded for leaving the village without finding +him. In their defence they declared that they had searched every +house and shed, and, having found no sign of him, or of any struggle +having taken place, they supposed that he must have returned alone. +But their excuses were not held to be valid, the idea of Malcolm +having left his men without orders being so preposterous that it was +held it should never have been entertained for a moment by them. + +"I shall never be anxious about you again," Nigel Graheme said, when +Malcolm finished the narrative of his adventures to the officers +of his regiment as they sat round the campfire on the evening when +he rejoined them. "This is the third or fourth time that I have +given you up for dead. Whatever happens in the future, I shall +refuse to believe the possibility of any harm having come to you, +and shall be sure that sooner or later you will walk quietly into +camp with a fresh batch of adventures to tell us. Whoever of us +may be doomed to lay our bones in this German soil, it will not be +you. Some good fairy has distinctly taken charge of you, and there +is no saying what brilliant destiny may await you." + +"But he must keep clear of the petticoats, Graheme," Colonel Munro +laughed; "evidently danger lurks for him there, and if he is caught +napping again some Delilah will assuredly crop the hair of this +young Samson of ours." + +"There was not much of Delilah in that fury who felled me with a +mallet, colonel," Malcolm laughed; "however, I will be careful in +future, and will not give them a chance." + +"Ah! it may come in another form next time, Malcolm," Munro said; +"this time it was an old woman, next time it may be a young one. +Beware, my boy! they are far the most dangerous, innocent though +they may look." + +A laugh ran round the circle. + +"Forewarned forearmed, colonel," Malcolm said sturdily, "I will be +on my guard against every female creature, young or old, in future. +But I don't think that in this affair the woman has had much to +boast about -- she and her friends had best have left me alone." + +"That is so, Malcolm," the colonel said warmly. "You have borne +yourself well and bravely, and you have got an old head on those +young shoulders of yours. You are as full of plans and stratagems +as if you had been a campaigner for the last half century; and no +man, even in the Green Brigade, no, not Hepburn himself, could have +held that church tower more ably than you did. It will be a good +tale to tell the king as we ride on the march tomorrow, for he +loves a gallant deed, and the more so when there is prudence and +good strategy as well as bravery. He has more than once asked if +you have been getting into any new adventures, and seemed almost +surprised when I told him that you were doing your duty with your +company. He evidently regards it as your special mission to get +into harebrained scrapes. He regards you, in fact, as a pedagogue +might view the pickle of the school." + +There was a general laugh at Malcolm's expense. + +"I don't know how it is I am always getting into scrapes," the lad +said half ruefully when the laugh subsided. "I am sure I don't want +to get into them, colonel, and really I have never gone out of my +way to do so, unless you call my march to help the Count of Mansfeld +going out of my way. All the other things have come to me without +any fault of my own." + +"Quite so, Graheme," the colonel said smiling; "that's always the +excuse of the boy who gets into scrapes. The question is, Why do +these things always happen to you and to nobody else? If you can +explain that your whole case is made out. But don't take it seriously, +Malcolm," he continued, seeing that the lad looked really crestfallen. + +"You know I am only laughing, and there is not a man here, including +myself, who does not envy you a little for the numerous adventures +which have fallen to your lot, and for the courage and wisdom which +you have shown in extricating yourself from them." + +"And now, please, will you tell me, colonel," Malcolm said more +cheerfully, "why we are turning our backs upon Ingolstadt and are +marching away without taking it? I have been away for ten days, you +know, and it is a mystery to me why we are leaving the only enemy +between us and Vienna, after having beaten him so heartily a +fortnight since, without making an effort to rout him thoroughly." + +"Maximilian's position is a very strong one, my lad, and covered +as he is by the guns of Ingolstadt it would be even a harder task +to dislodge him than it was to cross the Lech in his teeth. But +you are wrong; his is not the only army which stands between us +and Vienna. No sooner is old Tilly dead than a greater than Tilly +appears to oppose us. Wallenstein is in the field again. It has +been known that he has for some time been negotiating with the +emperor, who has been imploring him to forgive the slight that was +passed upon him before, and to again take the field. + +"Wallenstein, knowing that the game was in his hands, and that the +emperor must finally agree to any terms which he chose to dictate, +has, while he has been negotiating, been collecting an army; and +when the emperor finally agreed to his conditions, that he was at +the conclusion of the peace to be assured a royal title and the +fief of a sovereign state, he had an army ready to his hand, and +is now on the point of entering Bohemia with 40,000 men." + +"What his plans may be we cannot yet say, but at any rate it would +not do to be delaying here and leaving Germany open to Wallenstein +to operate as he will. It was a stern day at Leipzig, but, mark +my words, it will be sterner still when we meet Wallenstein; for, +great captain as Tilly undoubtedly was, Wallenstein is far greater, +and Europe will hold its breath when Gustavus and he, the two +greatest captains of the age, meet in a pitched battle." + +At Munich the regiments of Munro and Spynie were quartered in the +magnificent Electoral Palace, where they fared sumptuously and +enjoyed not a little their comfortable quarters and the stores of +old wines in the cellar. Sir John Hepburn was appointed military +governor of Munich. + +In the arsenal armour, arms, and clothing sufficient for 10,000 +infantry were found, and a hundred and forty pieces of cannon were +discovered buried beneath the floors of the palace. Their carriages +were ready in the arsenal, and they were soon put in order for battle. +For three weeks the army remained at Munich, Gustavus waiting to +see what course Wallenstein was taking. The Imperialist general +had entered Bohemia, had driven thence, with scarcely an effort, +Arnheim and the Saxons, and formed a junction near Eger with +the remnants of the army which had been beaten on the Lech; then, +leaving a strong garrison in Ratisbon, he had marched on with an +army of sixty thousand men. + +He saw that his best plan to force Gustavus to loose his hold of +Bavaria was to march on some important point lying between him and +North Germany. He therefore selected a place which Gustavus could +not abandon, and so would be obliged to leave Bavaria garrisoned +only by a force insufficient to withstand the attacks of Pappenheim, +who had collected a considerable army for the recovery of the +territories of Maximilian. Such a point was Nuremberg, the greatest +and strongest of the free cities, and which had been the first to +open its gates to Gustavus. The Swedish king could hardly abandon +this friendly city to the assaults of the Imperialists, and indeed +its fall would have been followed by the general defection from his +cause of all that part of Germany, and he would have found himself +isolated and cut off from the North. + +As soon as Gustavus perceived that Nuremberg was the point towards +which Wallenstein was moving, he hastened at once from Munich to +the assistance of the threatened city. The forces at his disposal +had been weakened by the despatch of Marshal Horn to the Lower +Palatinate, and by the garrisons left in the Bavarian cities, +and he had but 17,000 men disposable to meet the 60,000 with whom +Wallenstein was advancing. He did not hesitate, however, but sent +off messengers at once to direct the corps in Swabia under General +Banner, Prince William of Weimar, and General Ruthven, to join him, +if possible, before Nuremberg. + +Marching with all haste he arrived at Nuremberg before Wallenstein +reached it, and prepared at once for the defence of the city. +He first called together the principal citizens of Nuremberg and +explained to them his position. He showed them that were he to fall +back with his army he should be able to effect a junction with the +troops under his generals, and would ere long be in a position to +offer battle to Wallenstein upon more equal terms, but that were +he to do so he would be forced to abandon the city to the vengeance +of the Imperialists. He told them that did he remain before the +city he must to a great extent be dependent upon them for food and +supplies, as he would be beleaguered by Wallenstein, and should be +unable to draw food and forage from the surrounding country; he +could therefore only maintain himself by the aid of the cordial +goodwill and assistance of the citizens. + +The people of Nuremberg were true to the side they had chosen, +and placed the whole of their resources at his disposal. Gustavus +at once set his army to work to form a position in which he could +confront the overwhelming forces of the enemy. Round the city, at +a distance of about thirteen hundred yards from it, he dug a ditch, +nowhere less than twelve feet wide and eight deep, but, where most +exposed to an attack, eighteen feet wide and twelve deep. Within the +circuit of this ditch he erected eight large forts and connected them +with a long and thick earthen parapet strengthened with bastions. +On the ramparts and forts three hundred cannon, for the most part +supplied by the city of Nuremberg, were placed in position. As the +camp between the ramparts and the town was traversed by the river +Pegnitz numerous bridges were thrown across it, so that the whole +force could concentrate on either side in case of attack. So +vigorously did the army, assisted by the citizens, labour at these +works, that they were completed in fourteen days after Gustavus +reached Nuremberg. + +It was on the 19th of June that the Swedish army arrived there, and +on the 30th Wallenstein and Maximilian of Bavaria appeared before +it with the intention of making an immediate assault. The works, +however, although not yet quite completed, were so formidable that +Wallenstein saw at once that the success of an assault upon them +would be extremely doubtful, and, in spite of the earnest entreaties +of Maximilian to lead his army to the assault, he decided to +reduce the place by starvation. This method appeared at once easy +and certain. The whole of the surrounding country belonged to the +Bishop of Bamberg, who was devoted to the Imperialist cause, and +he possessed all the towns, and strong places in the circle of +country around Nuremberg. Wallenstein had brought with him vast +stores of provisions, and could draw upon the surrounding country +for the further maintenance of his army. It was only necessary then +to place himself in a position where the Swedes could not attack +him with a hope of success. + +Such a position lay at a distance of three miles from Nuremberg, +where there was a wooded hill known as the Alte Veste. Round this +Wallenstein threw up a circle of defences, consisting of a ditch +behind which was an interlacement of forest trees, baggage wagons, +and gabions, forming an almost insurpassable obstacle to an attacking +force. Within this circle he encamped his army, formed into eight +divisions, each about seven thousand strong, while two considerable +bodies of troops in the diocese of Bamberg and the Upper Palatinate +prepared to oppose any forces approaching to the aid of Nuremberg, +and the Croats, horse and foot, scoured the country day and night +to prevent any supplies entering the city. Having thus adopted every +means for starving out the beleaguered army and city, Wallenstein +calmly awaited the result. + + + +CHAPTER XVI THE SIEGE OF NUREMBERG + + +Drearily passed the days in the beleaguered camp, varied only +by an occasional raid by small parties to drive in cattle from +the surrounding country, or to intercept convoys of provisions on +their way to the Imperialists' camp. So active and watchful were +the Croats that these enterprises seldom succeeded, although, to +enable his men to move with celerity, Gustavus mounted bodies of +infantry on horseback. Thus they were enabled to get over the ground +quickly, and if attacked they dismounted and fought on foot. + +To these mounted infantry the name of dragoons was given, and so +useful were they found that the institution was adopted in other +armies, and dragoons became a recognized portion of every military +force. In time the custom of dismounting and fighting on foot was +gradually abandoned, and dragoons became regular cavalry; but in +modern times the utility of Gustavus's invention of mounted infantry +has been again recognized, and in all the small wars in which England +has been engaged bodies of mounted infantry have been organized. +Ere long mounted infantry will again become a recognized arm of +the service. + +But these raids in search of provisions occupied but a small portion +of the army. The rest passed their time in enforced idleness. +There was nothing to be done save to clean and furbish their arms +and armour; to stand on the ramparts and gaze on the distant heights +of the Alte Veste, to watch the solid columns of the Imperial army, +which from time to time Wallenstein marched down from his stronghold +and paraded in order of battle, as a challenge to the Swedes +to come out and fight, or to loiter through the narrow streets of +Nuremberg, and to talk to the citizens, whose trade and commerce +were now entirely at a standstill. Malcolm, with the restlessness +of youth, seldom stayed many hours quiet in camp. He did not care +either for drinking or gambling; nor could he imitate the passive +tranquillity of the old soldiers, who were content to sleep away +the greater part of their time. He therefore spent many hours +every day in the city, where he speedily made many acquaintances. + +In the city of Nuremberg time dragged as slowly as it did in the +camp. At ordinary times the centre of a quiet and busy trade, the +city was now cut off from the world. The shops were for the most part +closed; the artisans stood idle in the streets, and the townsfolk +had nought to do, save to gather in groups and discuss the times, +or to take occasional excursions beyond the gates into the camp +of their allies. The advances then of the young Scottish officer +were willingly responded to, and he soon became intimate in the +houses of all the principal citizens; and while the greater part +of his comrades spent their evenings in drinking and gambling, he +enjoyed the hours in conversation and music in the houses of the +citizens of Nuremberg. + +The long inaction brought its moral consequences, and the troops +became demoralized and insubordinate from their enforced idleness. +Plundering and acts of violence became so common that Gustavus was +obliged to issue the most stringent ordinances to restore discipline; +and an officer and many men had to be executed before the spirit +of insubordination was quelled. In order to pass some of the hours +of the days Malcolm obtained leave from one of the great clockmakers +of the town -- for Nuremberg was at that time the centre of the +craft of clockmaking -- to allow him to work in his shop, and to +learn the mysteries of his trade. + +Most of the establishments were closed, but Malcolm's acquaintance +was one of the wealthiest of the citizens, and was able to keep +his craftsmen at work, and to store the goods he manufactured until +better times should return. Malcolm began the work purely to occupy +his time, but he presently came to take a lively interest in it, +and was soon able to take to pieces and put together again the +cumbrous but simple machines which constituted the clocks of the +period. + +Workshops were not in those days factories. The master of a craft +worked, surrounded by his craftsmen and apprentices. Every wheel +and spring were made upon the premises, fashioned and finished with +chisel and file; and there was an interest in the work far beyond +any which it possesses in the present day, when watches are turned +out wholesale, the separate parts being prepared by machinery, +and the work of the artisan consisting solely in the finishing and +putting them together. + +Laying aside his armour and gay attire, and donning a workman's +apron, Malcolm sat at the bench by the side of the master, shaping +and filing, and listening to his stories connected with the trade +and history of Nuremberg. He anticipated no advantage from the +knowledge he was gaining, but regarded it simply as a pleasant way +of getting through a portion of the day. + +Thus for three months the armies confronted each other. Provisions +were becoming terribly scarce, the magazines of the city were +emptying fast, and although working night and day, the mills of +the place did not suffice to grind flour for the needs of so many +mouths. The population of the city itself was greatly swollen by +the crowds of Protestant fugitives who had fled there for refuge +on the approach of the Imperialists, and the magazines of the city +dwindled fast under the demands made upon them by this addition, +and that of the Swedish army, to the normal population. Fever broke +out in the city and camp. The waters of the Pegnitz were tainted +by the carcasses of dead horses and other animals. The supplies +of forage had long since been exhausted, and the baggage and troop +animals died in vast numbers. + +Still there was no sign of a change. Wallenstein would not attack, +Gustavus could not. The Swedish king waited to take advantage of some +false move on the part of the Imperial commander; but Wallenstein +was as great a general as himself, and afforded him no opening, +turning a deaf ear to the entreaties and importunities of Maximilian +that he would end the tedious siege by an attack upon the small +and enfeebled army around Nuremberg. + +All this time Gustavus was in constant communication with +his generals outside, his messengers making their way by speed or +stratagem through the beleaguering Croats, and kept up the spirits +of his men by daily reviews and by the cheerful countenance which +he always wore. + +The Swedish columns were gradually closing in towards Nuremberg. +One was led by the chancellor Oxenstiern, to whom had been committed +the care of the Middle Rhine and the Lower Palatinate, where he +had been confronted by the Spanish troops under Don Philip de Sylva. + +On the 11th July, leaving Horn with a small force to oppose the +Spaniards, the chancellor set out to join his master. On the way he +effected a junction with the forces of the Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel. +This general had been opposed in Westphalia by Pappenheim, but +he seized the opportunity when the latter had marched to relieve +Maestricht, which was besieged by Frederic of Nassau, to march away +and join Oxenstiern. + +The Scotch officers Ballandine and Alexander Hamilton were with +their regiment in the Duchy of Magdeburg. When the news of the +king's danger reached them without waiting for instructions they +marched to Halle and joining a portion of the division of the Duke +of Saxe-Weimar, to which they were attached, pushed on to Zeitz, +and were there joined by the duke himself, who had hurried on from +the Lake of Constance, attended only by his guards, but, picking +up five Saxon regiments in Franconia. Together they passed +on to Wurtzburg, where they joined Oxenstiern and the Landgrave +of Hesse-Cassel. General Banner, with the fourth corps, was at +Augsburg, opposed to Cratz, who was at the head of the remains of +Tilly's old army. + +Slipping away from his foes he marched to Windsheim, and was there +joined by a body of troops under Bernhard of Weimar. The force from +Wurtzburg soon afterwards came up, and the whole of the detached +corps, amounting to 49,000 men, being now collected, they marched +to Bruck, ten miles north of Nuremberg. Three days later, on the +16th of August, Gustavus rode into their camp, and on the 21st +marched at their head into Nuremberg, unhindered by the Imperialists. + +Gustavus probably calculated that the Imperialists would now move +down and offer battle; but Wallenstein, who had detached 10,000 men +to bring up supplies, could not place in the field a number equal +to those of the reinforcements, and preferred to await an attack +in the position which he had prepared with such care. He knew the +straits to which Nuremberg and its defenders were reduced, and the +impossibility there would be of feeding the new arrivals. + +The country round for a vast distance had been long since stripped +of provisions, and Gustavus had no course open to him but to march +away with his army and leave the city to its fate, or to attack +the Imperialists in their stronghold. + +On the day after his arrival, the 21st of August, Gustavus marched +out and opened a cannonade upon the Imperialists' position, in order +to induce Wallenstein to come down and give battle. Wallenstein was +not, however, to be tempted, but kept his whole army busy with the +spade and axe further intrenching his position. The next day the +king brought his guns nearer to the enemy's camp, and for twenty-four +hours kept up a heavy fire. The only result, however, was that +Wallenstein fell back a few hundred yards on to two ridges, on one +of which was the ruined castle called the Alte Veste; the other was +known as the Altenburg. The ascent to these was steep and craggy, +and they were covered by a thick forest. Here Wallenstein formed +in front of his position a threefold barrier of felled trees woven +and interlaced with each other, each barrier rising in a semicircle +one above the other. Before the Swedish cannon ceased to fire the +new position of the Imperialists had been made impregnable. + +Unfortunately for Gustavus he had at this moment lost the services +of the best officer in his army, Sir John Hepburn, whom he had +always regarded as his right hand. The quarrel had arisen from some +trifling circumstance, and Gustavus in the heat of the moment made +some disparaging allusion to the religion of Hepburn, who was a +Catholic and also to that officer's love of dress and finery. The +indignant Hepburn at once resigned his commission and swore never +again to draw his sword in the service of the king -- a resolution +to which he adhered, although Gustavus, when his anger cooled, +endeavoured in every way to appease the angry soldier. + +As he persisted in his resolution Colonel Munro was appointed to +the command of the Green Brigade. It is probable that the quarrel +was the consummation of a long standing grievance. Hepburn as well +as the other Scottish officers had shared the indignation of Sir +John Hamilton when the latter resigned in consequence of the Swedish +troop being placed in the post of honour at the storm of the castle +of Marienburg after the Scots had done all the work. There had, +too, been much discontent among them concerning the Marquis of +Hamilton, whom they considered that Gustavus had treated ungenerously; +and still more concerning Lieutenant Colonel Douglas, whom Gustavus +had committed to a common prison for a slight breach of etiquette, +a punishment at which the English ambassador, Sir Harry Vane, +remonstrated, and which the whole Scottish officers considered an +insult to them and their country. + +There were probably faults on both sides. The Scottish troops were +the backbone of the Swedish army, and to them were principally +due almost the whole of the successes which Gustavus had gained. +Doubtless they presumed upon the fact, and although Gustavus recognized +his obligations, as is shown by the immense number of commands and +governorships which he bestowed upon his Scottish officers, he may +well have been angered and irritated by the insistance with which +they asserted their claims and services. It was, however, a most +unfortunate circumstance that just at this critical moment he should +have lost the services of an officer whose prudence was equal to +his daring, and who was unquestionably one of the greatest military +leaders of his age. + +It is probable that had Hepburn remained by his side the king would +not have undertaken the attack upon the impregnable position of +the Imperialists. Deprived of the counsellor upon whose advice he +had hitherto invariably relied, Gustavus determined to attempt to +drive Wallenstein from his position, the decision being finally +induced by a ruse of the Imperialist commander, who desired nothing +so much as that the Swedes should dash their forces against the +terrible position he had prepared for them. Accordingly on the 24th +of August he directed a considerable portion of his force to march +away from the rear of his position as if, alarmed at the superior +strength of the Swedes, he had determined to abandon the heights +he had so long occupied and to march away. + +Gustavus fell into the trap, and prepared at once to assault the +position. Two hundred pieces of artillery heralded the advance, +which was made by the whole body of the musketeers of the army, +drafted from the several brigades and divided into battalions 500 +strong, each commanded by a colonel. It was a terrible position +which they were advancing to storm. Each of the lines of intrenchments +was surmounted by rows of polished helmets, while pikes and arquebuses +glittered in the sunshine; but it was not long that the scene was +visible, for as the battalions approached the foot of the Altenburg +80 pieces of artillery opened from its summit and from the ridge +of the Alte Veste, while the smoke of the arquebuses drifted up in +a cloud from the lines of intrenchments. + +Steadily and in good order the Scotch and Swedish infantry pressed +forward, and forcing the lower ditch strove to climb the rocky +heights; but in vain did they strive. Over and over again they reached +the intrenchments, but were unable to force their way through the +thickly bound fallen trees, while their lines were torn with a +storm of iron and lead. Never did the Scottish soldiers of Gustavus +fight with greater desperation and valour. Scores of them rolled +lifeless down the slope, but fresh men took their places and strove +to hack their way through the impenetrable screen through which +the Imperialist bullets whistled like hail. + +At last, when nigh half their number had fallen, the rest, exhausted, +broken, and in disorder, fell suddenly back. Gustavus in person +then led on his Finlanders, but these, after a struggle as obstinate +and heroic as that of their predecessors, in their turn fell back +baffled. The Livonians next made the attempt, but in vain. + +In the meantime a sharp conflict had taken place between the Imperial +cavalry and the Swedish left wing. Wallenstein's cuirassiers, hidden +by the smoke, charged right through a column of Swedish infantry; +but this success was counterbalanced by the rout of Cronenberg's +Invincibles, a magnificent regiment of 1500 horsemen, by 200 Finland +troopers. The troops of Duke Bernhard of Weimar, among whom were +still the Scottish regiments of Hamilton and Douglas, marched +against the heights which commanded the Alte Veste, and drove back +the Imperialists with great loss. Five hundred musketeers of the +Green Brigade under Colonel Munro then pushed gallantly forward +and posted themselves far in advance, resisting all attempts of the +Imperialists to drive them back, until Lieutenant Colonel Sinclair, +who was now in command of Munro's own regiment, brought it forward +to his assistance. Until the next morning this body of one thousand +men maintained the ground they had won in spite of all the efforts +of the Imperialists to dislodge them. + +Colonel Munro was severely wounded in the left side. Lieutenant +Colonel Maken, Capt. Innis, and Capt. Traill were killed, and an +immense number of other Scottish officers were killed and wounded. +The news was brought down to Gustavus of the advantage gained by +Duke Bernhard, but he was unable to take advantage of it by moving +his army round to that position, as he would have exposed himself +to a counter attack of the enemy while doing so. He therefore +launched a fresh column of attack against the Alte Veste. + +This was followed by another and yet another, until every regiment +in the army had in its turn attempted to storm the position, but +still without success. + +The battle had now raged for ten hours, and nightfall put an end +to the struggle. Hepburn had all day ridden behind the king as a +simple cavalier, and had twice carried messages through the thick +of the fire when there were no others to bear them, so great had +been the slaughter round the person of the king. + +It was the first time that Gustavus had been repulsed, and he could +hardly yet realize the fact; but as messenger after messenger came +in from the different divisions he discovered how terrible had +been his loss. Most of his generals and superior officers had been +killed or wounded, 2000 men lay dead on the field, and there were +nigh three times that number of wounded. + +The Imperialists on their side lost 1000 killed and 1500 wounded; +but the accounts of the losses on both sides differ greatly, some +placing the Imperial loss higher than that of the Swedes, a palpably +absurd estimate, as the Imperialists, fighting behind shelter, could +not have suffered anything like so heavily as their assailants, +who were exposed to their fire in the open. + +Hepburn bore the order from the king for Munro's troops and those +of Duke Bernhard to retire from the position they had won, as +they were entirely cut off from the rest of the army, and would +at daylight have had the whole of the Imperialists upon them. The +service was one of great danger, and Hepburn had to cut his way +sword in hand through the Croats who intervened between him and his +comrades of the Green Brigade. He accomplished his task in safety, +and before daylight Munro's men and the regiments of Duke Bernhard +rejoined the army in the plain. But though repulsed Gustavus was +not defeated. He took up a new position just out of cannon shot of +the Altenburg, and then offered battle to Wallenstein, the latter, +however, well satisfied with his success, remained firm in his +policy of starving out the enemy, and resisted every device of the +king to turn him from his stronghold. + +For fourteen days Gustavus remained in position. Then he could hold +out no longer. The supplies were entirely exhausted. The summer had +been unusually hot. The shrunken waters of the Pegnitz were putrid +and stinking, the carcasses of dead horses poisoned the air, and +fever and pestilence raged in the camp. Leaving, then, Kniphausen +with eight thousand men to aid the citizens of Nuremberg to defend +the city should Wallenstein besiege it, Gustavus marched on the 8th +of September by way of Neustadt to Windsheim, and there halted to +watch the further movements of the enemy. + +Five days later Wallenstein quitted his camp and marched to Forsheim. +So far the advantage of the campaign lay with him. His patience +and iron resolution had given the first check to the victorious +career of the Lion of the North. + +Munro's regiment, as it was still called -- for he was now its full +colonel, although Lieutenant Colonel Sinclair commanded it in the +field -- had suffered terribly, but less, perhaps, than some of +those who had in vain attempted to force their way up the slopes +of the Alte Veste; and many an eye grew moist as at daybreak the +regiment marched into its place in the ranks of the brigade and saw +how terrible had been the slaughter among them. Munro's soldiers +had had but little of that hand to hand fighting in which men's +blood becomes heated and all thought of danger is lost in the +fierce desire to kill. Their losses had been caused by the storm +of cannonball and bullet which had swept through them, as, panting +and breathless, they struggled up the steep slopes, incapable of +answering the fire of the enemy. They had had their triumph, indeed, +as the Imperial regiments broke and fled before their advance; +but although proud that they at least had succeeded in a day when +failure was general, there was not a man but regretted that he had +not come within push of pike of the enemy. + +Malcolm Graheme had passed scatheless through the fray -- a good +fortune that had attended but few of his brother officers. His uncle +was badly wounded, and several of his friends had fallen. Of the +men who had marched from Denmark but a year before scarce a third +remained in the ranks, and although the regiment had been strengthened +by the breaking up of two or three of the weaker battalions and +their incorporation with the other Scottish regiments, it was now +less than half its former strength. While Gustavus and Wallenstein +had been facing each other at Nuremberg the war had continued without +interruption in other parts, and the Swedes and their allies had +gained advantages everywhere except in Westphalia and Lower Saxony, +where Pappenheim had more than held his own against Baudissen, who +commanded for Gustavus; and although Wallenstein had checked the +king he had gained no material advantages and had wrested no single +town or fortress from his hands. Gustavus was still in Bavaria, +nearer to Munich than he was, his garrisons still holding Ulm, +Nordlingen, and Donauworth, its strongest fortresses. + +He felt sure, however, that it would be impossible for Gustavus +to maintain at one spot the army which he had at Windsheim, and +that with so many points to defend he would soon break it up into +separate commands. He resolved then to wait until he did so, and +then to sweep down upon Northern Germany, and so by threatening +the king's line of retreat to force him to abandon Bavaria and the +south and to march to meet him. + +At present he was in no position to risk a battle, for he had already +detached 4000 men to reinforce Holk, whom he had sent with 10,000 +to threaten Dresden. The 13,000 Bavarians who were with him under +Maximilian had separated from him on his way to Forsheim, and +on arriving at that place his army numbered but 17,000 men, while +Gustavus had more than 40,000 gathered at Windsheim. + +Gustavus, on his part, determined to carry out his former projects, +to march against Ingolstadt, which he had before failed to capture, +and thence to penetrate into Upper Austria. But fearful lest +Wallenstein, released from his presence, should attempt to recover +the fortresses in Franconia, he despatched half his force under Duke +Bernhard to prevent the Imperial general from crossing the Rhine. +Could he succeed in doing this he would be in a position to dictate +terms to the emperor in Vienna. + +On the 12th of October he reached Neuberg, on the Danube, and halted +there, awaiting the arrival of his siege train from Donauworth. +While making the most vigorous exertions to press on the necessary +arrangements for his march against Vienna he received the most +urgent messages to return to Saxony. Not only, as he was told, had +Wallenstein penetrated into that province, but he was employing +all his influence to detach its elector from the Protestant cause, +and there was great fear that the weak prince would yield to the +solicitations of Wallenstein and to his own jealousy of the King +of Sweden. + +No sooner, in fact, had Gustavus crossed the Danube than Wallenstein +moved towards Schweinfurt, and by so doing drew to that place the +Swedish army under the command of Duke Bernhard. He then suddenly +marched eastward at full speed, capturing Bamberg, Baireuth, and +Culmbach, and pushed on to Colberg. + +The town was captured, but the Swedish Colonel Dubatel, who +was really a Scotchman, by name M'Dougal, a gallant and brilliant +officer, threw himself with his dragoons into the castle, which +commanded the town, and defended it so resolutely against the +assaults of Wallenstein that Duke Bernhard had time to march to +within twenty miles of the place. Wallenstein then raised the siege, +marched east to Kronach, and then north to Weida, on the Elster. +Thence he pressed on direct to Leipzig, which he besieged at once; +and while the main body of his troops were engaged before the city, +others took possession of the surrounding towns and fortresses. + +Leipzig held out for only two days, and after its capture +Wallenstein marched to Merseburg, where he was joined by the army +under Pappenheim. Thus reinforced he was in a position to capture +the whole of Saxony. The elector, timid and vacillating, was fully +conscious of his danger and the solicitations of Wallenstein to +break off from his alliance with the King of Sweden and to join +the Imperialists were strongly seconded by Marshal Von Arnheim, +his most trusted councillor, who was an intimate friend of the +Imperialist general. + +It was indeed a hard decision which Gustavus was called upon +to make. On the one hand Vienna lay almost within his grasp, for +Wallenstein was now too far north to interpose between him and +the capital. On the other hand, should the Elector of Saxony join +the Imperialists, his position after the capture of Vienna would +be perilous in the extreme. The emperor would probably leave his +capital before he arrived there, and the conquest would, therefore, +be a barren one. Gustavus reluctantly determined to abandon his +plan, and to march to the assistance of Saxony. + + + +CHAPTER XVII THE DEATH OF GUSTAVUS + + +The determination of Gustavus to march to the assistance of Saxony +once taken, he lost not a moment in carrying it into effect. General +Banner, whom he greatly trusted, was unfortunately suffering from a +wound, and until he should recover he appointed the Prince Palatine +of Burkenfeldt to command a corps 12,000 strong which he determined +to leave on the Danube; then strengthening the garrisons of Augsburg, +Rain, and Donauworth, he set out with the remainder of his army on +his march to Saxony. + +From Donauworth he marched to Nuremberg, stayed there forty-eight +hours to recover the fortress of Lauf, and, having forced the +garrison of that place to surrender at discretion, pushed on with all +possible speed to Erfurt, which he had fixed upon as the point of +junction for his several corps. The Green Brigade formed a portion +of the force which Gustavus left behind him in Bavaria under the +Prince Palatine. So terribly weakened were the Scottish regiments +by the various battles of the campaign, in all of which they had +borne the brunt of the fighting, that Gustavus determined reluctantly +to leave them behind for rest and reorganization. + +Hepburn, Sir James Hamilton, Sir James Ramsay, and the Marquis of +Hamilton, who like Hepburn had quarrelled with Gustavus, left the +Swedish army the day after they arrived at Neustadt, after marching +away from Nuremberg. All the Scottish officers in the Swedish army +accompanied Hepburn and his three companions along the road for a +long German mile from Neustadt, and then parted with great grief +from the gallant cavalier who had led them so often to victory. + +Malcolm Graheme did not remain behind in Bavaria with his comrades +of the Green Brigade. Gustavus, who had taken a great fancy to the +young Scotch officer, whose spirit of adventure and daring were +in strong harmony with his own character, appointed him to ride on +his own personal staff. Although he parted with regret from his +comrades, Malcolm was glad to accompany the king on his northward +march, for there was no probability of any very active service in +Bavaria, and it was certain that a desperate battle would be fought +when Gustavus and Wallenstein met face to face in the open field. + +At Erfurt Gustavus was joined by Duke Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar with +his force, which raised his army to a strength of 20,000. The news +of his approach had again revived the courage of the Elector of +Saxony, who had occupied the only towns where the Elbe could be +crossed, Dresden, Torgau, and Wittenberg -- he himself, with his +main army of 15,000 men, lying at Torgau. From him Gustavus learned +that the Imperial army was divided into three chief corps -- that +of Wallenstein 12,000 strong, that of Pappenheim 10,000, those of +Gallas and Holk united 16,000, making a total of 38,000 men. + +So great was the speed with which Gustavus had marched to Erfurt that +Wallenstein had received no notice of his approach; and believing +that for some time to come he should meet with no serious opposition, +he had on the very day after the Swedes reached Erfurt despatched +Gallas with 12,000 men into Bohemia. A division of his troops was at +the same time threatening Naumburg, whose possession would enable +him to block the only easy road with which Gustavus could enter +the country held by him. + +But Gustavus at Erfurt learned that Naumburg had not yet fallen, +and marching with great rapidity reached the neighbourhood of that +town before the Imperialists were aware that he had quitted Erfurt, +and cutting up a small detachment of the enemy who lay in his way, +entered the town and at once began to intrench it. Wallenstein first +learned from the fugitives of the beaten detachment that Gustavus +had arrived at Naumburg, but as his own position lay almost centrally +between Naumburg and Torgau, so long as he could prevent the Swedes +and Saxons from uniting, he felt safe; for although together they +would outnumber him, he was superior in strength to either if +alone. The Imperialist general believed that Gustavus intended to +pass the winter at Naumburg, and he had therefore no fear of an +immediate attack. + +In order to extend the area from which he could draw his supplies +Wallenstein despatched Pappenheim to secure the fortress of Halle; +for although that town had been captured the fortress held out, +and barred the main road to the north. From Halle Pappenheim was +to proceed to the relief of Cologne, which was menaced by the enemy. + +Having done this, Wallenstein withdrew from the line of the Saale +and prepared to distribute his army in winter quarters in the towns +of the district, he himself with a portion of the force occupying +the little town of Lutzen. But Gustavus had no idea of taking up his +quarters for the winter at Naumburg; and he proposed to the Elector +of Saxony that if he would march to Eilenberg, midway to Leipzig, +he himself would make a detour to the south round Wallenstein's +position and join him there. Without waiting to receive the answer +of the elector, Gustavus, leaving a garrison in Naumburg, set out +at one o'clock in the morning on the 5th of November on his march; +but before he had proceeded nine miles he learned from a number +of gentlemen and peasants favourable to the cause that Pappenheim +had started for Halle, that the remainder of the Imperial army lay +dispersed among the towns and villages of the neighbourhood, and +that Wallenstein himself was at Lutzen. + +Gustavus called his generals together and informed them of the +news. Learning that Lutzen was but five miles distant -- as it +turned out, a mistaken piece of information, as it was nearly twice +as far -- he ordered that the men should take some food, and then +wheeling to the left, push on towards Lutzen. + +It was not until some time later that Wallenstein learned from the +Imperial scouts that Gustavus was upon him. It was then nearly five +o'clock in the evening, and darkness was at hand. Considering the +heavy state of the roads, and the fact that Gustavus would have in +the last three miles of his march to traverse a morass crossed by +a bridge over which only two persons could pass abreast, he felt +confident that the attack could not be made until the following +morning. + +Mounted messengers were sent in all directions to bring up his troops +from the villages in which they were posted, and in the meantime +the troops stationed around Lutzen were employed in preparing +obstacles to hinder the advance of the Swedes. On either side of +the roads was a low swampy country intersected with ditches, and +Wallenstein at once set his men to work to widen and deepen these +ditches, which the troops as they arrived on the ground were to +occupy. All night the troops laboured at this task. + +In the meantime Gustavus had found the distance longer and the +difficulties greater than he had anticipated; the roads were so +heavy that it was with difficulty that the artillery and ammunition +wagons could be dragged along them, and the delay caused by the +passage of the morass was very great. + +Indeed the passage would have been scarcely possible had the men +of an Imperial regiment of cuirassiers and a battalion of Croats, +who were posted in a village on the further side of the morass, +defended it; but instead of doing so they fell back to an eminence +in the rear of the village, and remained there quietly until, just +as the sun set, the whole Swedish army got across. The cuirassiers +and Croats were at once attacked and put to flight; but as darkness +was now at hand it was impossible for Gustavus to make any further +advance, and the army was ordered to bivouac as it stood. The +state of the roads had defeated the plans of Gustavus. Instead +of taking the enemy by surprise, as he had hoped, and falling upon +them scattered and disunited, the delays which had occurred had +given Wallenstein time to bring up all his forces, and at daybreak +Gustavus would be confronted by a force nearly equal to his own, +and occupying a position very strongly defended by natural obstacles. + +Before the day was won, Pappenheim, for whom Wallenstein would +have sent as soon as he heard of the Swedish advance, might be on +the field, and in that case the Imperialists would not only have the +advantage of position but also that of numbers. It was an anxious +night, and Gustavus spent the greater part of it in conversation +with his generals, especially Kniphausen and Duke Bernhard. + +The former strongly urged that the army should repass the morass +and march, as originally intended, to effect a junction with the +Saxons. He pointed out that the troops were fatigued with their +long and weary march during the day, and would have to fight without +food, as it had been found impossible to bring up the wagons with +the supplies; he particularly urged the point that Pappenheim would +arrive on the field before the victory could be won. But Gustavus +was of opinion that the disadvantages of retreat were greater than +those of action. The troops, hungry, weary, and dispirited, would +be attacked as they retired, and he believed that by beginning the +action early the Imperialists could be defeated before Pappenheim +could return from Halle. + +Gustavus proposed to move forward at two o'clock in the morning; +but fate was upon this occasion against the great Swedish leader. +Just as on the previous day the expected length of the march +and the heavy state of the roads had prevented him from crushing +Wallenstein's scattered army, so now a thick fog springing up, making +the night so dark that a soldier could not see the man standing +next to him, prevented the possibility of movement, and instead of +marching at two o'clock in the morning it was nine before the sun +cleared away the fog sufficiently to enable the army to advance. +Then, after addressing a few stirring words to his men, Gustavus +ordered the advance towards Chursitz, the village in front of them. + +The king himself led the right wing, consisting of six regiments +of Swedes, supported by musketeers intermingled with cavalry. The +left, composed of cavalry and infantry intermixed, was commanded by +Duke Bernhard. The centre, consisting of four brigades of infantry +supported by the Scottish regiments under Henderson, was commanded +by Nicholas Brahe, Count of Weissenburg. + +The reserves behind each of these divisions were formed entirely +of cavalry, commanded on the right by Bulach, in the centre by +Kniphausen, and on the left by Ernest, Prince of Anhalt. The field +pieces, twenty in number, were disposed to the best advantage between +the wings. Franz Albert of Lauenburg, who had joined the army the +day before, rode by the king. A short halt was made at Chursitz, +where the baggage was left behind, and the army then advanced +against the Imperialists, who at once opened fire. + +Wallenstein had posted his left so as to be covered by a canal, +while his right was protected by the village of Lutzen. On some +rising ground to the left of that village, where there were several +windmills, he planted fourteen small pieces of cannon, while +to support his front, which was composed of the musketeers in the +ditches on either side of the road, he planted a battery of seven +heavy pieces of artillery. + +The main body of his infantry he formed into four massive brigades, +which were flanked on both sides by musketeers intermixed with +cavalry. Count Coloredo commanded on the left, Holk on the right, +Terzky in the centre. + +As the Swedish army advanced beyond Chursitz the seven heavy pieces +of artillery on the side of the road opened upon them, doing much +execution, while their own lighter guns could not reply effectively. +The Swedes pressed forward to come to close quarters. The left +wing, led by Duke Bernhard, was the first to arrive upon the scene +of action. Gallantly led by the duke his men forced the ditches, +cleared the road, charged the deadly battery, killed or drove away +the gunners, and rushed with fury on the Imperialist right. + +Holk, a resolute commander, tried in vain to stem the assault; +the ardour of the Swedes was irresistible, and they scattered, one +after the other, his three brigades. The battle seemed already lost +when Wallenstein himself took his place at the head of the fourth +brigade, and fell upon the Swedes, who were disordered by the +rapidity and ardour of their charge, while at the same moment he +launched three regiments of cavalry on their flanks. + +The Swedes fought heroically but in vain; step by step they were +driven back, the battery was recaptured, and the guns, which in the +excitement of the advance the captors had omitted to spike, were +retaken by the Imperialists. + +In the meantime on the right the king had also forced the road, +and had driven from the field the Croats and Poles opposed to him, +and he was on the point of wheeling his troops to fall on the flank +of the Imperialist centre when one of Duke Bernhard's aides-de-camp +dashed up with the news that the left wing had fallen back broken +and in disorder. + +Leaving to Count Stalhaus to continue to press the enemy, Gustavus, +accompanied by his staff, rode at full gallop to the left at the +head of Steinboch's regiment of dragoons. Arrived on the spot +he dashed to the front at a point where his men had not yet been +forced back across the road, and riding among them roused them to +fresh exertions. By his side were Franz Albert of Lauenberg and a few +other followers. But his pace had been so furious that Steinboch's +dragoons had not yet arrived. As he urged on his broken men +Gustavus was struck in the shoulder by a musketball. He reeled in +his saddle, but exclaimed, "It is nothing," and ordered them to +charge the enemy with the dragoons. Malcolm Graheme and others +on his staff hesitated, but the king exclaimed, "Ride all, the +duke will see to me." The cavalry dashed forward, and the king, +accompanied only by Franz Albert, Duke of Lauenberg, turned to leave +the field, but he had scarcely moved a few paces when he received +another shot in the back. Calling out to Franz Albert that it was +all over with him, the mortally wounded king fell to the ground. + +Franz Albert, believing the battle lost, galloped away; the king's +page alone remained with the dying man. A minute later three +Austrian cuirassiers rode up, and demanded the name of the dying +man. The page Leubelfing refused to give it, and firing their pistols +at him they stretched him mortally wounded beside the dying king. +Gustavus then, but with difficulty, said who he was. The troopers +leapt from their horses and stripped his rich armour from him, and +then, as they saw Steinboch's dragoons returning from their charge, +they placed their pistols close to the king's head and fired, and +then leaping on their horses fled. + +Great was the grief when Malcolm, happening to ride near the body, +recognized it as that of the king. An instant later a regiment of +Imperialist cavalry charged down, and a furious fight took place +for some minutes over the king's body. It was, however, at last +carried off by the Swedes, so disfigured by wounds and by the +trampling of the horses in the fray as to be unrecognizable. + +The news of the fall of their king, which spread rapidly through +the ranks, so far from discouraging the Swedes, inspired them with +a desperate determination to avenge his death, and burning with fury +they advanced against the enemy, yet preserving the most perfect +steadiness and order in their ranks. + +In vain did Wallenstein and his officers strive to stem the attack of +the left wing, their bravery and skill availed nothing to arrest +that furious charge. Regiment after regiment who strove to bar their +way were swept aside, the guns near the windmills were captured +and turned against the enemy. Step by step the Imperial right wing +was forced back, and the centre was assailed in flank by the guns +from the rising ground, while Stalhaus with the right wing of the +Swedes attacked them on their left. + +Hopeless of victory the Imperialist centre was giving way, when the +explosion of one of their powder wagons still further shook them. +Attacked on both flanks and in front the Imperialist centre wavered, +and in a few minutes would have been in full flight. The Swedish +victory seemed assured, when a mighty trampling of horse was heard, +and emerging from the smoke Pappenheim with eight regiments of +Imperial cavalry dashed into the fray. + +Pappenheim had already captured the citadel of Halle when Wallenstein's +messenger reached him. To wait until his infantry, who were engaged +in plundering, could be collected, and then to proceed at their +pace to the field of battle, would be to arrive too late to be of +service, and Pappenheim instantly placed himself at the head of +his eight regiments of magnificent cavalry, and galloped at full +speed to the battlefield eighteen miles distant. On the way he +met large numbers of flying Poles and Croats, the remnants of the +Austrian left, who had been driven from the field by Gustavus; these +he rallied, and with them dashed upon the troops of Stalhaus who +were pursuing them, and forced them backward. The relief afforded +to the Imperialists by this opportune arrival was immense, and +leaving Pappenheim to deal with the Swedish right, Wallenstein +rallied his own right on the centre, and opposed a fresh front to +the advancing troops of Duke Bernhard and Kniphausen. Inspirited +by the arrival of the reinforcements, and burning to turn what had +just appeared a defeat into a victory, the Imperialists advanced +with such ardour that the Swedes were driven back, the guns on +the hills recaptured, and it seemed that in this terrible battle +victory was at last to declare itself in favour of the Imperialists. + +It needed only the return of Pappenheim from the pursuit of the +Swedish right to decide the day, but Pappenheim was not to come. +Though driven back by the first impetuous charge of the Imperial +cavalry, the Swedes under Stalhaus, reinforced by the Scottish +regiments under Henderson, stubbornly opposed their further attacks. + +While leading his men forward Pappenheim fell with two musketballs +through his body. While lying there the rumour for the first time +reached him that Gustavus had been killed. When upon inquiry the +truth of the rumour was confirmed, the eyes of the dying man lighted +up. + +"Tell Wallenstein," he said to the officer nearest to him, "that I +am lying here without hope of life, but I die gladly, knowing, as +I now know, that the irreconcilable enemy of my faith has fallen +on the same day." + +The Imperialists, discouraged by the fall of their general, could +not withstand the ardour with which the Swedes and Scottish infantry +attacked them, and the cavalry rode from the field. Elsewhere the +battle was still raging. Wallenstein's right and centre had driven +Count Bernhard, the Duke of Brahe, and Kniphausen across that +desperately contested road, but beyond this they could not force +them, so stubbornly and desperately did they fight. But Stalhaus +and his men, refreshed and invigorated by their victory over +Pappenheim's force, again came up and took their part in the fight. +Wallenstein had no longer a hope of victory, he fought now only to +avoid defeat. The sun had already set, and if he could but maintain +his position for another half hour darkness would save his army. + +He fell back across the road again, fighting stubbornly and in good +order, and extending his line to the left to prevent Stalhaus from +turning his flank; and in this order the terrible struggle continued +till nightfall. Both sides fought with splendid bravery. The +Swedes, eager for the victory once again apparently within their +grasp, pressed on with fury, while the Imperialists opposed them +with the most stubborn obstinacy. + +Seven times did Piccolomini charge with his cavalry upon the advancing +Swedes. Seven times was his horse shot under him, but remounting +each time, he drew off his men in good order, and in readiness to +dash forward again at the first opportunity. The other Imperialist +generals fought with equal courage and coolness, while Wallenstein, +present wherever the danger was thickest, animated all by his +courage and coolness. Though forced step by step to retire, the +Imperialists never lost their formation, never turned their backs +to the foe; and thus the fight went on till the darkness gathered +thicker and thicker, the combatants could no longer see each other, +and the desperate battle came to an end. + +In the darkness, Wallenstein drew off his army and fell back to +Leipzig, leaving behind him his colours and all his guns. In thus +doing he threw away the opportunity of turning what his retreat +acknowledged to be a defeat into a victory on the following +morning, for scarcely had he left the field when the six regiments +of Pappenheim's infantry arrived from Halle. Had he held his ground +he could have renewed the battle in the morning, with the best +prospects of success, for the struggle of the preceding day had +been little more than a drawn battle, and the accessions of fresh +troops should have given him a decided advantage over the weary +Swedes. The newcomers, finding the field deserted, and learning from +the wounded lying thickly over it that Wallenstein had retreated, +at once marched away. + +In the Swedish camp there was no assurance whatever that a victory +had been gained, for nightfall had fallen on the Imperialists +fighting as stubbornly as ever. The loss of the king, the master +spirit of the war, dispirited and discouraged them, and Duke Bernhard +and Kniphausen held in the darkness an anxious consultation as to +whether the army should not at once retreat to Weissenburg. The +plan was not carried out, only because it was considered that it +was impracticable -- as the army would be exposed to destruction +should the Imperialists fall upon them while crossing the terrible +morass in their rear. + +The morning showed them that the Imperialists had disappeared, +and that the mighty struggle had indeed been a victory for them -- +a victory won rather by the superior stubbornness with which the +Swedish generals held their ground during the night, while Wallenstein +fell back, than to the splendid courage with which the troops had +fought on the preceding day. But better far would it have been +for the cause which the Swedes championed, that they should have +been driven a defeated host from the field of Lutzen, than that +they should have gained a barren victory at the cost of the life +of their gallant monarch -- the soul of the struggle, the hope of +Protestantism, the guiding spirit of the coalition against Catholicism +as represented by Ferdinand of Austria. + +The losses in the battle were about equal, no less than 9000 +having fallen upon each side -- a proportion without precedent in +any battle of modern times, and testifying to the obstinacy and +valour with which on both sides the struggle was maintained from +early morning until night alone terminated it. + +It is said, indeed, that every man, both of the yellow regiments +of Swedish guards and of the blue regiments, composed entirely of +English and Scotchmen, lay dead on the field. On both sides many +men of high rank were killed. On the Swedish side, besides Gustavus +himself, fell Count Milo, the Count of Brahe, General Uslar, +Ernest Prince of Anhalt, and Colonels Gersdorf and Wildessein. On +the Imperialist side Pappenheim, Schenk, Prince and Abbot of Fulda, +Count Berthold Wallenstein, General Brenner, Issolani, general of +the Croats, and six colonels were killed. Piccolomini received +ten wounds, but none of them were mortal. + +Holk was severely wounded, and, indeed, so close and desperate +was the conflict, that it is said there was scarcely a man in the +Imperial army who escaped altogether without a wound. + + + +CHAPTER XVIII WOUNDED + + +A controversy, which has never been cleared up, has long raged as +to the death of Gustavus of Sweden; but the weight of evidence is +strongly in favour of those who affirm that he received his fatal +wound, that in the back, at the hand of Franz Albert of Lauenburg. The +circumstantial evidence is, indeed, almost overwhelming. By birth +the duke was the youngest of four sons of Franz II, Duke of Lauenburg. +On his mother's side he was related to the Swedish royal family, +and in his youth lived for some time at the court of Stockholm. + +Owing to some impertinent remarks in reference to Gustavus he fell +into disfavour with the queen, and had to leave Sweden. On attaining +manhood he professed the Catholic faith, entered the Imperial army, +obtained the command of a regiment, attached himself with much +devotion to Wallenstein, and gained the confidence of that general. +While the negotiations between the emperor and Wallenstein were +pending Franz Albert was employed by the latter in endeavouring to +bring about a secret understanding with the court of Dresden. + +When Gustavus was blockaded in Nuremberg by Wallenstein Franz +Albert left the camp of the latter and presented himself in that +of Gustavus as a convert to the Reformed Religion and anxious to +serve as a volunteer under him. No quarrel or disagreement had, so +far as is known, taken place between him and Wallenstein, nor has +any explanation ever been given for such an extraordinary change +of sides, made, too, at a moment when it seemed that Gustavus was +in a position almost desperate. By his profession of religious +zeal he managed to win the king's heart, but Oxenstiern, when he +saw him, entertained a profound distrust of him, and even warned +the king against putting confidence in this sudden convert. + +Gustavus, however, naturally frank and open in disposition, could +not believe that treachery was intended, and continued to treat him +with kindness. After the assault made by Gustavus upon Wallenstein's +position Franz Albert quitted his camp, saying that he was desirous +of raising some troops for his service in his father's territory. +He rejoined him, however, with only his personal followers, on the +very day before the battle of Lutzen, and was received by Gustavus +with great cordiality, although the absence of his retainers +increased the general doubts as to his sincerity. + +He was by the king's side when Gustavus received his first wound. +He was riding close behind him when the king received his second +and fatal wound in the back, and the moment the king had fallen +he rode away from the field, and it is asserted that it was he who +brought the news of the king's death to Wallenstein. + +Very soon after the battle he exchanged the Swedish service for +the Saxon, and some eighteen months later he re-embraced the Roman +Catholic faith and re-entered the Imperial army. + +A stronger case of circumstantial evidence could hardly be put +together, and it would certainly seem as if Lauenburg had entered +the Swedish service with the intention of murdering the king. That +he did not carry out his purpose during the attack on the Altenburg +was perhaps due to the fact that Gustavus may not have been in such +a position as to afford him an opportunity of doing so with safety +to himself. + +It is certainly curious that after that fight he should have absented +himself, and only rejoined on the eve of the battle of Lutzen. +The only piece of evidence in his favour is that of Truchsess, a +chamberlain of the king, who, affirmed that he saw the fatal shot +fired at a distance of ten paces from the king by an Imperial +officer, Lieutenant General Falkenberg, who at once turned and +fled, but was pursued and cut down by Luckau, master of horse of +Franz Albert. + +The general opinion of contemporary writers is certainly to the +effect that the King of Sweden was murdered by Franz Albert; but +the absolute facts must ever remain in doubt. + +On the morning after the battle Wallenstein, having been joined +by Pappenheim's infantry, sent a division of Croats back to the +battlefield to take possession of it should they find that the +Swedes had retired; but on their report that they still held the +ground he retired at once from Leipzig, and, evacuating Saxony, +marched into Bohemia, leaving the Swedes free to accomplish their +junction with the army of the Elector, thus gaining the object for +which they had fought at Lutzen. + +After the death of the king, Malcolm Graheme, full of grief and +rage at the loss of the monarch who was loved by all his troops, +and had treated him with special kindness, joined the soldiers +of Duke Bernhard, and took part in the charge which swept back +the Imperialists and captured the cannon on the hill. At the very +commencement of the struggle his horse fell dead under him, and he +fought on foot among the Swedish infantry; but when the arrival of +Pappenheim on the field enabled the Imperialists again to assume +the offensive, Malcolm, having picked up a pike from the hands +of a dead soldier, fought shoulder to shoulder in the ranks as +the Swedes, contesting stubbornly every foot of the ground, were +gradually driven back towards the road. + +Suddenly a shot struck him; he reeled backwards a few feet, strove +to steady himself and to level his pike, and then all consciousness +left him, and he fell prostrate. Again and again, as the fortune +of the desperate fray wavered one way or the other, did friend and +foe pass over the place where he lay. + +So thickly strewn was the field with dead that the combatants in +their desperate struggle had long ceased to pick their way over +the fallen, but trampled ruthlessly upon and over them as, hoarsely +shouting their battle cry, they either pressed forward after the +slowly retreating foe or with obstinate bravery strove to resist +the charges of the enemy. When Malcolm recovered his consciousness +all was still, save that here and there a faint moan was heard from +others who like himself lay wounded on the battlefield. The night +was intensely dark, and Malcolm's first sensation was that of bitter +cold. + +It was indeed freezing severely, and great numbers of the wounded +who might otherwise have survived were frozen to death before morning; +but a few, and among these were Malcolm, were saved by the frost. +Although unconscious of the fact, he had been wounded in two places. +The first ball had penetrated his breastpiece and had entered his +body, and a few seconds later another ball had struck him in the +arm. It was the first wound which had caused his insensibility; +but from the second, which had severed one of the principal veins +in the arm, he would have bled to death had it not been for the +effects of the cold. For a time the life blood had flowed steadily +away; but as the cold increased it froze and stiffened on his +jerkin, and at last the wound was staunched. + +It was none too soon, for before it ceased to flow Malcolm had lost a +vast quantity of blood. It was hours before nature recovered from +the drain. Gradually and slowly he awoke from his swoon. It was +some time before he realized where he was and what had happened, +then gradually his recollection of the fight returned to him. + +"I remember now," he murmured to himself, "I was fighting with the +Swedish infantry when a shot struck me in the body, I think, for I +seemed to feel a sudden pain like a red hot iron. Who won the day, +I wonder? How bitterly cold it is! I feel as if I were freezing +to death." + +So faint and stiff was he, partly from loss of blood, partly from +being bruised from head to foot by being trampled on again and +again as the ranks of the combatants swept over him, that it was +some time before he was capable of making the slightest movement. +His left arm was, he found, entirely useless; it was indeed firmly +frozen to the ground; but after some difficulty he succeeded in +moving his right, and felt for the flask which had hung from his +girdle. + +So frozen and stiff were his fingers that he was unable to unbuckle +the strap which fastened it; but, drawing his dagger, he at last +cut through this, and removing the stopper of the flask, took a long +draught of the wine with which it was filled. The relief which it +afforded him was almost instantaneous, and he seemed to feel life +again coursing in his veins. + +After a while he was sufficiently restored to be enabled to get +from his havresack some bread and meat which he had placed there +after finishing his breakfast on the previous morning. He ate a few +mouthfuls, took another long draught of wine, and then felt that +he could hope to hold on until morning. He was unable to rise even +into a sitting position, nor would it have availed him had he been +able to walk, for he knew not where the armies were lying, nor could +he have proceeded a yard in any direction without falling over the +bodies which so thickly strewed the ground around him. + +Though in fact it wanted but two hours of daylight when he recovered +consciousness, the time appeared interminable; but at last, to his +delight, a faint gleam of light spread across the sky. Stronger +and stronger did it become until the day was fairly broken. It was +another hour before he heard voices approaching. Almost holding +his breath he listened as they approached, and his heart gave a +throb of delight as he heard that they were speaking in Swedish. A +victory had been won, then, for had it not been so, it would have +been the Imperialists, not the Swedes, who would have been searching +the field of battle. + +"There are but few alive," one voice said, "the cold has finished +the work which the enemy began." + +Malcolm, unable to rise, lifted his arm and held it erect to call +the attention of the searchers; it was quickly observed. + +"There is some one still alive," the soldier exclaimed, "an officer, +too; by his scarf and feathers he belongs to the Green Brigade." + +"These Scotchmen are as hard as iron," another voice said; "come, +bring a stretcher along." + +They were soon by the side of Malcolm. + +"Drink this, sir," one said, kneeling beside him and placing a flask +of spirits to his lips; "that will warm your blood, I warrant, and +you must be well nigh frozen." + +Malcolm took a few gulps at the potent liquor, then he had strength +to say: + +"There is something the matter with my left arm, I can't move it, +and I think I am hit in the body." + +"You are hit in the body, sure enough," the man said, "for there +is a bullet hole through your cuirass, and your jerkin below it +is all stained with blood. You have been hit in the left arm too, +and the blood is frozen to the ground; but we will soon free that +for you. But before trying to do that we will cut open the sleeve +of your jerkin and bandage your arm, or the movement may set it +off bleeding again, and you have lost a pool of blood already." + +Very carefully the soldiers did their work, and then placing Malcolm +on the stretcher carried him away to the camp. Here the surgeons +were all hard at work attending to the wounded who were brought +in. They had already been busy all night, as those whose hurts had +not actually disabled them found their way into the camp. As he was +a Scotch officer he was carried to the lines occupied by Colonel +Henderson with his Scotch brigade. He was known to many of the +officers personally, and no time was lost in attending to him. He +was nearly unconscious again by the time that he reached the camp, +for the movement had caused the wound in his body to break out +afresh. + +His armour was at once unbuckled, and his clothes having been cut +the surgeons proceeded to examine his wounds. They shook their heads +as they did so. Passing a probe into the wound they found that the +ball, breaking one of the ribs in its course, had gone straight +on. They turned him gently over. + +"Here it is," the surgeon said, producing a flattened bullet. The +missile indeed had passed right through the body and had flattened +against the back piece, which its force was too far spent to +penetrate. + +"Is the case hopeless, doctor?" one of the officers who was looking +on asked. + +"It is well nigh hopeless," the doctor said, "but it is just +possible that it has not touched any vital part. The lad is young, +and I judge that he has not ruined his constitution, as most of +you have done, by hard drinking, so that there is just a chance +for him. There is nothing for me to do but to put a piece of lint +over the two holes, bandage it firmly, and leave it to nature. Now +let me look at his arm. + +"Ah!" he went on as he examined the wound, "he has had a narrow +escape here. The ball has cut a vein and missed the principal artery +by an eighth of an inch. If that had been cut he would have bled +to death in five minutes. Evidently the lad has luck on his side, +and I begin to think we may save him if we can only keep him quiet." + +At the earnest request of the surgeons tents were brought up and a +hospital established on some rising ground near the field of battle +for the serious cases among the wounded, and when the army marched +away to join the Saxons at Leipzig a brigade was left encamped +around the hospital. + +Here for three weeks Malcolm lay between life and death. The quantity +of blood he had lost was greatly in his favour, as it diminished +the risk of inflammation, while his vigorous constitution and the +life of fatigue and activity which he had led greatly strengthened +his power. By a miracle the bullet in its passage had passed +through without injuring any of the vital parts; and though his +convalescence was slow it was steady, and even at the end of the +first week the surgeons were able to pronounce a confident opinion +that he would get over it. + +But it was not until the end of the month that he was allowed to +move from his recumbent position. A week later and he was able to +sit up. On the following day, to his surprise, the Count of Mansfeld +strode into his tent. + +"Ah! my young friend," he exclaimed, "I am glad indeed to see you +so far recovered. I came to Leipzig with the countess and my daughter; +for Leipzig at present is the centre where all sorts of political +combinations are seething as in a cooking pot. It is enough to make +one sick of humanity and ashamed of one's country when one sees +the greed which is displayed by every one, from the highest of the +princes down to petty nobles who can scarce set twenty men in the +field. + +"Each and all are struggling to make terms by which he may better +himself, and may add a province or an acre, as the case may be, +to his patrimony at the expense of his neighbours. Truly I wonder +that the noble Oxenstiern, who represents Sweden, does not call +together the generals and troops of that country from all parts +and march away northward, leaving these greedy princes and nobles +to fight their own battles, and make the best terms they may with +their Imperial master. + +"But there, all that does not interest you at present; but I am so +full of spleen and disgust that I could not help letting it out. We +arrived there a week since, and of course one of our first inquiries +was for you, and we heard to our grief that the Imperialists had +shot one of their bullets through your body and another through your +arm. This, of course, would have been sufficient for any ordinary +carcass; but I knew my Scotchman, and was not surprised when they +told me you were mending fast. + +"I had speech yesterday with an officer who had ridden over +from this camp, and he told me that the doctors said you were now +convalescent, but would need repose and quiet for some time before +you could again buckle on armour. The countess, when I told her, +said at once, 'Then we will take him away back with us to Mansfeld.' +Thekla clapped her hands and said, `That will be capital! we will +look after him, and he shall tell us stories about the wars.' + +"So the thing was settled at once. I have brought over with me a +horse litter, and have seen your surgeon, who says that although it +will be some weeks before you can sit on a horse without the risk +of your wound bursting out internally, there is no objection to +your progression in a litter by easy stages; so that is settled, +and the doctor will write to your colonel saying that it will be +some months before you are fit for duty, and that he has therefore +ordered you change and quiet. + +"You need not be afraid of neglecting your duty or of getting out +of the way of risking your life in harebrained ventures, for there +will be no fighting till the spring. Everyone is negotiating at +present, and you will be back with your regiment before fighting +begins again. Well, what do you say?" + +"I thank you, indeed," Malcolm replied. "It will of all things be +the most pleasant; the doctor has told me that I shall not be fit +for duty until the spring, and I have been wondering how ever I +should be able to pass the time until then." + +"Then we will be off without a minute's delay," the count said. +"I sent off the litter last night and started myself at daybreak, +promising the countess to be back with you ere nightfall, so we +have no time to lose." + +The news soon spread that Malcolm Graheme was about to leave the +camp, and many of the Scottish officers came in to say adieu to +him; but time pressed, and half an hour after the arrival of the +count he started for Leipzig with Malcolm in a litter swung between +two horses. As they travelled at a foot pace Malcolm did not find +the journey uneasy, but the fresh air and motion soon made him +drowsy, and he was fast asleep before he had left the camp an hour, +and did not awake until the sound of the horses' hoofs on stone +pavements told him that they were entering the town of Leipzig. + +A few minutes later he was lying on a couch in the comfortable +apartments occupied by the count, while the countess with her own +hands was administering refreshments to him, and Thekla was looking +timidly on, scarce able to believe that this pale and helpless +invalid was the stalwart young Scottish soldier of whose adventures +she was never weary of talking. + + + +CHAPTER XIX A PAUSE IN HOSTILITIES + + +Never had Malcolm Graheme spent a more pleasant time than the two +months which he passed at Mansfeld. Travelling by very easy stages +there he was so far convalescent upon his arrival that he was able +to move about freely and could soon ride on horseback. For the time +the neighbourhood of Mansfeld was undisturbed by the peasants or +combatants on either side, and the count had acted with such vigour +against any parties of brigands and marauders who might approach +the vicinity of Mansfeld, or the country under his control, that +a greater security of life and property existed than in most other +parts of Germany. The ravages made by war were speedily effaced, +and although the peasants carried on their operations in the fields +without any surety as to who would gather the crops, they worked +free from the harassing tyranny of the petty bands of robbers. + +As soon as he was strong enough Malcolm rode with the count on his +visits to the different parts of his estates, joined in several +parties got up to hunt the boar in the hills, or to make war on a small +scale against the wolves which, since the outbreak of the troubles, +had vastly increased in number, committing great depredations upon +the flocks and herds, and rendering it dangerous for the peasants +to move between their villages except in strong parties. + +The evenings were passed pleasantly and quietly. The countess would +read aloud or would play on the zither, with which instrument she +would accompany herself while she sang. Thekla would sit at her +embroidery and would chat merrily to Malcolm, and ask many questions +about Scotland and the life which the ladies led in that, as she +asserted, "cold and desolate country." Sometimes the count's chaplain +would be present and would gravely discuss theological questions +with the count, wearying Malcolm and Thekla so excessively, that +they would slip away from the others and play checkers or cards +on a little table in a deep oriel window where their low talk and +laughter did not disturb the discussions of their elders. + +Once Malcolm was absent for two days on a visit to the village +in the mountains he had so much aided in defending. Here he was +joyfully received, and was glad to find that war had not penetrated +to the quiet valley, and that prosperity still reigned there. +Malcolm lingered at Mansfeld for some time after he felt that his +strength was sufficiently restored to enable him to rejoin his +regiment; but he knew that until the spring commenced no great +movement of troops would take place, and he was so happy with his +kind friends, who treated him completely as one of the family, that +he was loath indeed to tear himself away. At last he felt that he +could no longer delay, and neither the assurances of the count that +the Protestant cause could dispense with his doughty services for +a few weeks longer, or the tears of Thekla and her insistance that +he could not care for them or he would not be in such a hurry to +leave, could detain him longer, and mounting a horse with which +the count had presented him he rode away to rejoin his regiment. + +No military movements of importance had taken place subsequent +to the battle of Lutzen. Oxenstiern had laboured night and day to +repair as far as possible the effects of the death of Gustavus. He +had been left by the will of the king regent of Sweden until the +king's daughter, now a child of six years old, came of age, and he +at once assumed the supreme direction of affairs. It was essential +to revive the drooping courage of the weaker states, to meet the +secret machinations of the enemy, to allay the jealousy of the more +powerful allies, to arouse the friendly powers, France in particular, +to active assistance, and above all to repair the ruined edifice +of the German alliance and to reunite the scattered strength of +the party by a close and permanent bond of union. + +Had the emperor at this moment acted wisely Oxenstiern's efforts +would have been in vain. Wallenstein, farseeing and broad minded, +saw the proper course to pursue, and strongly urged upon the emperor +the advisability of declaring a universal amnesty, and of offering +favourable conditions to the Protestant princes, who, dismayed at +the loss of their great champion, would gladly accept any proposals +which would ensure the religious liberty for which they had fought; +but the emperor, blinded by this unexpected turn of fortune and +infatuated by Spanish counsels, now looked to a complete triumph +and to enforce his absolute will upon the whole of Germany. + +Instead, therefore, of listening to the wise counsels of Wallenstein +he hastened to augment his forces. Spain sent him considerable +supplies, negotiated for him with the ever vacillating Elector of +Saxony, and levied troops for him in Italy. The Elector of Bavaria +increased his army, and the Duke of Lorraine prepared again to +take part in the struggle which now seemed to offer him an easy +opportunity of increasing his dominions. For a time the Elector +of Saxony, the Duke of Brunswick, and many others of the German +princes wavered; but when they saw that Ferdinand, so far from +being disposed to offer them favourable terms to detach them from +the league, was preparing with greater vigour than ever to overwhelm +them, they perceived that their interest was to remain faithful to +their ally, and at a great meeting of princes and deputies held at +Heilbronn the alliance was re-established on a firmer basis. + +Before, however, the solemn compact was ratified scarce one of the +German princes and nobles but required of Oxenstiern the gratification +of private greed and ambition, and each bargained for some possession +either already wrested or to be afterwards taken from the enemy. To +the Landgrave of Hesse the abbacies of Paderborn, Corvey, Munster, +and Fulda were promised, to Duke Bernhard of Weimar the Franconian +bishoprics, to the Duke of Wurtemburg the ecclesiastical domains +and the Austrian counties lying within his territories, all to be +held as fiefs of Sweden. + +Oxenstiern, an upright and conscientious man, was disgusted at +the greed of these princes and nobles who professed to be warring +solely in defence of their religious liberties, and he once +exclaimed that he would have it entered in the Swedish archives as +an everlasting memorial that a prince of the German empire made a +request for such and such territory from a Swedish nobleman, and +that the Swedish noble complied with the request by granting him +German lands. However, the negotiations were at last completed, the +Saxons marched towards Lusatia and Silesia to act in conjunction +with Count Thurn against the Austrians in that quarter, a part of +the Swedish army was led by the Duke of Weimar into Franconia, and +the other by George, Duke of Brunswick, into Westphalia and Lower +Saxony. + +When Gustavus had marched south from Ingolstadt on the news of +Wallenstein's entry into Saxony he had left the Count Palatine of +Birkenfeld and General Banner to maintain the Swedish conquests in +Bavaria. These generals had in the first instance pressed their +conquests southward as far as Lake Constance; but towards the end +of the year the Bavarian General Altringer pressed them with so +powerful an army that Banner sent urgent requests to Horn to come +to his assistance from Alsace, where he had been carrying all before +him. Confiding his conquests to the Rhinegrave Otto Ludwig, Horn +marched at the head of seven thousand men towards Swabia. Before +he could join Banner, however, Altringer had forced the line of the +Lech, and had received reinforcements strong enough to neutralize +the aid brought to Banner by Horn. Deeming it necessary above all +things to bar the future progress of the enemy, Horn sent orders +to Otto Ludwig to join him with all the troops still remaining in +Alsace; but finding himself still unable to resist the advance of +Altringer, he despatched an urgent request to Duke Bernhard, who +had captured Bamberg and the strong places of Kronach and Hochstadt +in Franconia, to come to his assistance. The duke at once quitted +Bamberg and marched southward, swept a strong detachment of the +Bavarian army under John of Werth from his path, and pressing on +reached Donauwurth in March 1633. + +Malcolm had rejoined his regiment, which was with Duke Bernhard, +just before it advanced from Bamberg and was received with a hearty +welcome by his comrades, from whom he had been separated nine months, +having quitted them three months before the battle of Lutzen. + +The officers were full of hope that Duke Bernhard was going to strike +a great blow. Altringer was away on the shore of Lake Constance +facing Horn, Wallenstein was in Bohemia. Between Donauworth and +Vienna were but the four strong places of Ingolstadt, Ratisbon, +Passau, and Linz. Ingolstadt was, the duke knew, commanded by +a traitor who was ready to surrender. Ratisbon had a Protestant +population who were ready to open their gates. It seemed that the +opportunity for ending the war by a march upon Vienna, which had +been snatched by Wallenstein from Gustavus just when it appeared +in his grasp, was now open to Duke Bernhard. But the duke was +ambitious, his demands for Franconia had not yet been entirely +complied with by Oxenstiern, and he saw an opportunity to obtain +his own terms. The troops under his orders were discontented, owing +to the fact that their pay was many months in arrear, and private +agents of the duke fomented this feeling by assuring the men +that their general was with them and would back their demands. +Accordingly they refused to march further until their demands were +fully satisfied. The Scotch regiments stood apart from the movement, +though they too were equally in arrear with their pay. Munro and +the officers of the Brigade chafed terribly at this untimely mutiny +just when the way to Vienna appeared open to them. Duke Bernhard +forwarded the demands of the soldiers to Oxenstiern, sending at +the same time a demand on his own account, first that the territory +of the Franconian bishoprics should at once be erected into a +principality in his favour, and secondly, that he should be nominated +commander-in-chief of all the armies fighting in Germany for the +Protestant cause with the title of generalissimo. + +Oxenstiern was alarmed by the receipt of the mutinous demands of the +troops on the Danube, and was disgusted when he saw those demands +virtually supported by their general. His first thought was to +dismiss Duke Bernhard from the Swedish service; but he saw that if +he did so the disaffection might spread, and that the duke might +place himself at the head of the malcontents and bring ruin upon +the cause. He therefore agreed to bestow at once the Franconian +bishoprics upon him, and gave a pledge that Sweden would defend +him in that position. + +He declined to make him generalissimo of all the armies, but appointed +him commander-in-chief of the forces south of the Maine. The duke +accepted this modification, and had no difficulty in restoring +order in the ranks of his army. But precious months had been wasted +before this matter was brought to a conclusion, and the month of +October arrived before the duke had completed all his preparations +and was in a position to move forward. + +While the delays had been going on Altringer, having been joined +by the army of the Duke of Feria, quitted the line of the Danube, +in spite of Wallenstein's absolute order not to do so, and, evading +Horn and Birkenfeldt, marched into Alsace. The Swedish generals, +however, pressed hotly upon him, and finally drove him out of +Alsace. Ratisbon being left open by Altringer's disobedience to +Wallenstein's orders, Duke Bernhard marched upon that city without +opposition, and laid siege to it. Maximilian of Bavaria was himself +there with a force sufficient to defend the city had he been +supported by the inhabitants; but a large majority of the people +were Protestants, and, moreover, bitterly hated the Bavarians, who +had suppressed their rights as a free city. + +Maximilian wrote urgently to the emperor and to Wallenstein, pledging +himself to maintain Ratisbon if he could receive a reinforcement +of 5000 men. The emperor was powerless; he had not the men to +send, but he despatched to Wallenstein, one after another, seven +messengers, urging him at all hazards to prevent the fall of so +important a place. Wallenstein replied to the order that he would +do all in his power, and in presence of the messengers ordered the +Count of Gallas to march with 12,000 men on Ratisbon, but privately +furnished the general with absolute orders, forbidding him on any +account to do anything which might bring on an action with the +duke. + +Wallenstein's motives in so acting were, as he afterwards assured +the emperor, that he was not strong enough to divide his army, and +that he could best cover Vienna by maintaining a strong position +in Bohemia, a policy which was afterwards justified by the event. +Ratisbon resisted for a short time; but, finding that the promised +relief did not arrive, it capitulated on the 5th of November, +Maximilian having left the town before the surrender. + +The duke now pushed on towards Vienna, and captured Straubing and +Plattling. John of Werth, who was posted here, not being strong +enough to dispute the passage of the Isar, fell back towards the +Bohemian frontier, hoping to meet the troops which the emperor had +urged Wallenstein to send to his aid, but which never came. Duke +Bernhard crossed the Isar unopposed, and on the 12th came within +sight of Passau. + +So far Wallenstein had not moved; he had seemed to comply with the +emperor's request to save Ratisbon, but had seemed only, and had +not set a man in motion to reinforce John of Werth. He refused, +in fact, to fritter away his army. Had he sent Gallas with 12,000 +men to join John of Werth, and had their united forces been, as was +probable, attacked and defeated by the Swedes, Wallenstein would +have been too weak to save the empire. Keeping his army strong he +had the key of the position in his hands. + +He had fixed upon Passau as the point beyond which Duke Bernhard +should not be allowed to advance, and felt that should he attack +that city he and his army were lost. In front of him was the Inn, +a broad and deep river protected by strongly fortified places; +behind him John of Werth, a bitterly hostile country, and the river +Isar. On his left would be Wallenstein himself marching across the +Bohemian forest. When, therefore, he learned that Duke Bernhard +was hastening on from the Isar towards Passau he put his army in +motion and marched southward, so as to place himself in the left +rear of the duke. This movement Duke Bernhard heard of just when he +arrived in sight of Passau, and he instantly recognized the extreme +danger of his position, and perceived with his usual quickness +of glance that to be caught before Passau by Wallenstein and John +of Werth would be absolute destruction. A moment's hesitation and +the Swedish army would have been lost. Without an hour's delay he +issued the necessary orders, and the army retraced its steps with +all speed to Ratisbon, and not stopping even there marched northward +into the Upper Palatinate, to defend that conquered country against +Wallenstein even at the cost of a battle. + +But Wallenstein declined to fight a battle there. He had but one army, +and were that army destroyed, Duke Bernhard, with the prestige of +victory upon him, could resume his march upon Vienna, which would +then be open to him. Therefore, having secured the safety of the +capital, he fell back again into winter quarters in Bohemia. Thus +Ferdinand again owed his safety to Wallenstein, and should have +been the more grateful since Wallenstein had saved him in defiance +of his own orders. + +At the time he fully admitted in his letters to Wallenstein that +the general had acted wisely and prudently, nevertheless he was +continually listening to the Spaniards, the Jesuits, and the many +envious of Wallenstein's great position, and hoping to benefit by +his disgrace, and, in spite of all the services his great general +had rendered him, was preparing to repeat the humiliation which he +had formerly laid upon him and again to deprive him of his command. + +Wallenstein was not ignorant of the intrigue against him. Vast as +were his possessions, his pride and ambition were even greater. A +consciousness of splendid services rendered and of great intellectual +power, a belief that the army which had been raised by him and +was to a great extent paid out of his private funds, and which he +had so often led to victory, was devoted to him, and to him alone, +excited in his mind the determination to resist by force the +intriguers who dominated the bigoted and narrow minded emperor, +and, if necessary, to hurl the latter from his throne. + + + +CHAPTER XX FRIENDS IN TROUBLE + + +One day in the month of December, when Malcolm Graheme was with +his regiment on outpost duty closely watching the Imperialists, a +countryman approached. + +"Can you direct me to Captain Malcolm Graheme, who, they tell me, +belongs to this regiment?" + +"You have come to the right man," Malcolm said. "I am Captain +Graheme -- what would you with me?" + +"I am the bearer of a letter to you," the man said, and taking off +his cap he pulled out the lining and brought out a letter hidden +beneath it. + +"I am to ask for some token from you by which it may be known that +it has been safely delivered." + +Malcolm cut with his dagger the silk with which the letter was +fastened. It began: + +"From the Lady Hilda, Countess of Mansfeld, to Captain Malcolm +Graheme of Colonel Munro's Scottish regiment. -- My dear friend, +-- I do not know whether you have heard the misfortune which has +fallen upon us. The town and castle of Mansfeld were captured two +months since by a sudden assault of the Imperialists, and my dear +husband was grievously wounded in the defence. He was brought hither +a prisoner, and Thekla and I also carried here. As the count still +lies ill with his wounds he is not placed in a prison, but we are +treated as captives and a close watch is kept upon us. The count +is threatened with the forfeiture of all his possessions unless +he will change sides and join the Imperialists, and some of his +estates have been already conferred upon other nobles as a punishment +for the part he has taken. + +"Were my husband well and free he would treat the offers with +scorn, believing that the tide will turn and that he will recover +his possessions. Nor even were he certain of their perpetual +forfeiture would he desert the cause of Protestantism. Moreover, +the estates which I brought him in marriage lie in the north of +Pomerania, and the income there from is more than ample for our needs. +But the emperor has ordered that if the count remain contumacious +Thekla shall be taken from us and placed in a convent, where she +will be forced to embrace Catholicism, and will, when she comes +of age, be given in marriage to some adherent of the emperor, who +will with her receive the greater portion of her father's lands. + +"She is now sixteen years old, and in another year will be deemed +marriageable. My heart is broken at the thought, and I can scarce +see the paper on which I write for weeping. I know not why I send +to you, nor does the count know that I am writing, nor does it seem +possible that any aid can come to us, seeing that we are here in +the heart of Bohemia, and that Wallenstein's army lies between us +and you. But somehow in my heart I have a hope that you may aid us, +and at any rate I know that you will sympathize with us greatly. +I feel sure that if there be any mode in which we may be aided it +will be seized by your ready wit. And now adieu! This letter will +be brought to you by a messenger who will be hired by a woman who +attends us, and who has a kind heart as well as an eye to her own +interests. Send back by the messenger some token which she may +pass on to me, that I may know that you have received it. Send no +written answer, for the danger is too great." + +Malcolm twisted off two or three links of the chain which had long +before been presented to him by the count, and then, until relieved +from duty, paced up and down, slowly revolving in his mind what +could best be done to aid his friends. His mind was at last made +up, and when his company was called in he went to his colonel and +asked for leave of absence, stating his reasons for wishing to +absent himself from the regiment. + +"It is a perilous business, Malcolm," Colonel Munro said. "I have +scarce a handful of the friends with whom I joined Gustavus but +three years and a half ago remaining, and I can ill spare another; +nevertheless I will not stay you in your enterprise. The Count of +Mansfeld has been a steady ally of ours, and is one of the few who +has appeared to have at heart the cause of Protestantism rather +than of personal gain. + +"Moreover, he is as you say a friend of yours, and has shown you +real kindness in time of need. Therefore go, my boy, and Heaven +be with you! It is not likely that there will be any more serious +fighting this year. Wallenstein lies inactive, negotiating now with +Saxony, now with Oxenstiern. What are his aims and plans Heaven +only knows; but at any rate we have no right to grumble at the great +schemer, for ever since Lutzen he has kept the emperor's best army +inactive. Make it a point, Malcolm, to find out, so far as you can, +what is the public opinion in Bohemia as to his real intentions. +If you can bring back any information as to his plans you will have +done good service to the cause, however long your absence from the +camp may be." + +That evening Malcolm packed up his armour, arms, court suits, and +valuables, and sent them away to the care of his friend the syndic +of the clockmakers of Nuremberg, with a letter requesting him +to keep them in trust for him until he returned; and in the event +of his not arriving to claim them in the course of six months, to +sell them, and to devote the proceeds to the assistance of sick +or wounded Scottish soldiers. Then he purchased garments suitable +for a respectable craftsman, and having attired himself in these, with +a stout sword banging from his leathern belt, a wallet containing +a change of garments and a number of light tools used in clockmaking, +with a long staff in his hand, and fifty ducats sewed in the lining +of the doublet, he set out on foot on his journey. + +It was nigh three weeks from the time when he started before he +arrived at Prague, for not only had he to make a very long detour +to avoid the contending armies, but he was forced to wait at each +considerable town until he could join a company of travellers going +in the same direction, for the whole country so swarmed with disbanded +soldiers, plunderers, and marauding bands that none thought of +traversing the roads save in parties sufficiently strong to defend +themselves and their property. None of those with whom he journeyed +suspected Malcolm to be aught but what he professed himself -- a +craftsman who had served his time at a clockmaker's in Nuremberg, +and who was on his way to seek for employment in Vienna. + +During his three years and a half residence in Germany he had come +to speak the language like a native, and, indeed, the dialect of +the different provinces varied so widely, that, even had he spoken +the language with less fluency, no suspicion would have arisen of +his being a foreigner. Arrived at Prague, his first care was to hire +a modest lodging, and he then set to work to discover the house in +which the Count of Mansfeld was lying as a prisoner. + +This he had no difficulty in doing without exciting suspicion, for +the count was a well known personage, and he soon found that he +and his family had apartments in a large house, the rest of which +was occupied by Imperialist officers and their families. There +was a separate entrance to the portion occupied by the count, and +a sentry stood always at the door. + +The day after his arrival Malcolm watched the door from a distance +throughout the whole day, but none entered or came out. The next +morning he resumed his watch at a much earlier hour, and presently +had the satisfaction of seeing a woman in the attire of a domestic +issue from the door. She was carrying a basket, and was evidently +bent upon purchasing the supplies for the day. He followed her to +the market, and, after watching her make her purchases, he followed +her until, on her return, she entered a street where but few people +were about. There he quickened his pace and overtook her. + +"You are the attendant of the Countess of Mansfeld, are you not?" +he said. + +"I am," she replied; "but what is that to you?" + +"I will tell you presently," Malcolm replied, "but in the first +place please inform me whether you are her only attendant, and in +the next place how long you have been in her service. I can assure +you," he went on, as the woman, indignant at thus being questioned +by a craftsman who was a stranger to her, tossed her head indignantly, +and was about to move on, "that I ask not from any impertinent +curiosity. Here is a ducat as a proof that I am interested in my +questions." + +The woman gave him a quick and searching glance; she took the piece +of money, and replied more civilly. "I am the only attendant on +the countess. I cannot be said to be in her service, since I have +been placed there by the commandant of the prison, whither the +count will be moved in a few days, but I have been with them since +their arrival there, nigh three months since." + +"Then you are the person whom I seek. I am he to whom a certain +letter which you wot of was sent, and who returned by the messenger +as token that he received it two links of this chain." + +The woman started as he spoke, and looked round anxiously to see +that they were not observed; then she said hurriedly: + +"For goodness sake, sir, if you be he, put aside that grave and +earnest look, and chat with me lightly and laughingly, so that +if any observe us speaking they will think that you are trying to +persuade me that my face has taken your admiration. Not so very +difficult a task, methinks," she added coquettishly, acting the +part she had indicated. + +"By no means," Malcolm replied laughing, for the girl was really +good looking, "and were it not that other thoughts occupy me at +present you might well have another captive to look after; and now +tell me, how is it possible for me to obtain an interview with the +count?" + +"And the countess, and the Fraulein Thekla," the girl said laughing, +"for I suppose you are the young Scottish officer of whom the young +countess is always talking. I don't see that it is possible." + +"Twenty ducats are worth earning," Malcolm said quietly. + +"Very well worth earning," the woman replied, "but a costly day's +work if they lead to a prison and flogging, if not to the gallows." + +"But we must take care that you run no risk," Malcolm said. "Surely +such a clever head as I see you have can contrive some way for me +to get in." + +"Yes; it might be managed," the girl said thoughtfully. "The orders +were strict just at first, but seeing that the count cannot move +from his couch, and that the countess and the fraulein have no +motive in seeking to leave him, the strictness has been relaxed. +The orders of the sentry are stringent that neither of the ladies +shall be allowed to set foot outside the door, but I do not think +they have any orders to prevent others from going in and out had +they some good excuse for their visit." + +"Then it is not so impossible after all," Malcolm said with a smile, +"for I have an excellent excuse. + +"What is that?" the woman asked. + +"The clock in the count's chamber has stopped, and it wearies him +to lie there and not know how the time passes, so he has requested +you to fetch in a craftsman to set it going again." + +"A very good plan," the girl said. "There is a clock, and it shall +stop this afternoon. I will find out from the sentry as I go in +whether he has any orders touching the admission of strangers. If +he has I will go across to the prison and try and get a pass for +you. I shall come to market in the morning." + +So saying, with a wave of her hand she tripped on towards the +house, which was now near at hand, leaving Malcolm to arrange his +plans for next day. His first care was to purchase a suit of clothes +such as would be worn by a boy of the class to which he appeared +to belong. Then he went to one of the small inns patronized by the +peasants who brought their goods into market, and without difficulty +bargained with one of them for the purchase of a cart with two oxen, +which were to remain at the inn until he called for them. Then +he bought a suit of peasant's clothes, after which, well satisfied +with the day's work, he returned to his lodging. In the morning +he again met the servant. + +"It was well I asked," she said, "for the sentry had orders to +prevent any, save nobles and officers, from passing in. However, +I went to the prison, and saw one of the governor's deputies, and +told him that the count was fretting because his clock had stopped, +and, as while I said so I slipped five ducats the countess had +given me for the purpose into his hand, he made no difficulty about +giving me the pass. Here it is. Now," she said, "I have earned my +twenty ducats." + +"You have earned them well," Malcolm replied, handing them to her. + +"Now mind," she said, "you must not count on me farther. I don't +know what you are going to do, and I don't want to know. I have +run quite a risk enough as it is, and mean, directly the count is +lodged in the prison, to make my way home, having collected a dowry +which will enable me to buy a farm and marry my bachelor, who has +been waiting for me for the last three years. His father is an old +curmudgeon, who has declared that his son shall never marry except +a maid who can bring as much money as he will give him. I told +Fritz that if he would trust to my wits and wait I would in five +years produce the dowry. Now I have treble the sum, and shall go +off and make Fritz happy." + +"He is a lucky fellow," Malcolm said laughing. "It is not every +one who gets beauty, wit, and wealth all together in a wife." + +"You are a flatterer," the girl laughed; "but for all that I think +myself that Fritz is not unfortunate." + +"And now tell me," Malcolm asked, "at what time is the sentry +generally changed?" + +"At sunrise, at noon, at sunset, and at midnight," the girl replied; +"but what is that to you?" + +"Never mind;" Malcolm laughed; "you know you don't want to be told +what I'm going to do. I will tell you if you like." + +"No, no," the girl replied hurriedly. "I would rather be able to +always take my oath on the holy relics that I know nothing about +it." + +"Very well," Malcolm replied; "then this afternoon I will call." + +Having hidden away under his doublet the suit of boy's clothes, and +with the tools of his trade in a small basket in his hand, Malcolm +presented himself at three o'clock in the afternoon to the sentry +at the door leading to the count's apartments. The soldier glanced +at the pass and permitted him to enter without remark. + +The waiting maid met him inside and conducted him upstairs, and +ushered him into a spacious apartment, in which the count was lying +on a couch, while the countess and Thekla sat at work beside him. +She then retired and closed the door after her. The count and +Thekla looked with surprise at the young artisan, but the countess +ran to meet him, and threw her arms round his neck as if she had +been his mother, while Thekla gave a cry of delight as she recognized +him. + +"Welcome a thousand times! Welcome, my brave friend!" the countess +exclaimed. "What dangers must you not have encountered on your way +hither to us! The count and Thekla knew not that I had written to +you, for I feared a failure; and when I learned yesterday that you +had arrived I still kept silence, partly to give a joyful surprise +to my lord today, partly because, if the governor called, I was +sure that this child's telltale face would excite his suspicion +that something unusual had happened." + +"How imprudent!" the count said, holding out his hand to Malcolm. +"Had I known that my wife was sending to you I would not have +suffered her to do so, for the risk is altogether too great, and +yet, indeed, I am truly glad to see you again." + +Thekla gave Malcolm her hand, but said nothing. She had now reached +an age when girls feel a strange shyness in expressing their +feelings; but her hand trembled with pleasure as she placed it in +Malcolm's, and her cheek flushed hotly as, in accordance with the +custom of the times, she presented it to his kiss. + +"Now," the count said, "do not let us waste time; tell us quickly +by what miracle you have arrived here, and have penetrated to what +is really my prison. You must be quick, for we have much to say, +and your visit must be a short one for every third day the governor +of the prison pays me a visit to see how I am getting on, and I +expect that he will be here ere long." + +"Then," Malcolm said, "I had best prepare for his coming, for +assuredly I am not going to hurry away." + +So saying, he lifted down the great clock which stood on a bracket +on the wall, and placed it on a side table. "I am a clockmaker," +he said, "and am come to put this machine, whose stopping has +annoyed you sadly, into order." + +So saying, he took some tools from his basket, removed the works +of the clock, and, taking them in pieces, laid them on the table. + +"I spent much of my time at Nuremberg," he said, in answer to the +surprised exclamations of the count, "in learning the mysteries of +horology, and can take a clock to pieces and can put it together +again with fair skill. There, now, I am ready, and if the governor +comes he will find me hard at work. And now I will briefly tell you +how I got here; then I will hear what plans you may have formed, +and I will tell you mine." + +"For myself, I have no plans," the count said. "I am helpless, and +must for the present submit to whatever may befall me. That I will +not renounce the cause of my religion you may be sure; as for my +wife, we know not yet whether, when they remove me to the fortress, +they will allow her to accompany me or not. If they do, she will +stay with me, but it is more likely that they will not. The emperor +is merciless to those who oppose him. They will more likely keep +her under their eye here or in Vienna. But for ourselves we care +little; our anxiety is for Thekla. It is through her that they +are striking us. You know what they have threatened if I do not +abandon the cause of Protestantism. Thekla is to be placed in +a convent, forced to become a Catholic, and married to the man on +whom the emperor may please to bestow my estates." + +"I would rather die, father, than become a Catholic," Thekla +exclaimed firmly. + +"Yes, dear!" the count said gently, "but it is not death you have +to face; with a fresh and unbroken spirit, it were comparatively +easy to die, but it needs an energy and a spirit almost superhuman to +resist the pressure which may be placed on those who are committed +to a convent. The hopelessness, the silence, the gloom, to say +nothing of threats, menaces, and constant and unremitting pressure, +are sufficient to break down the firmest resolution. The body +becomes enfeebled, the nerves shattered, and the power of resistance +enfeebled. No, my darling, brave as you are in your young strength, +you could not resist the influence which would be brought to bear +upon you." + +"Then it is clear," Malcolm said cheerfully, "that we must get your +daughter out of the clutches of the emperor and the nuns." + +"That is what I have thought over again and again as I have lain +here helpless, but I can see no means of doing so. We have no +friends in the city, and, could the child be got safely out of this +place, there is nowhere whither she could go." + +"And it is for that I have sent for you," the countess said. "I knew +that if it were in any way possible you would contrive her escape +and aid her to carry it out." + +"Assuredly I will, my dear countess," Malcolm said. "You only wanted +a friend outside, and now you have got one. I see no difficulty +about it." + +At this moment the door suddenly opened; the waiting maid put in +her head and exclaimed, "The governor is alighting at the door." +Malcolm at once seated himself at the side table and began oiling +the wheels of the clock, while the countess and Thekla took up +their work again and seated themselves, as before, by the couch of +the count. A moment later the attendant opened the door and in a +loud voice announced the Baron of Steinburg. + +The governor as he entered cast a keen glance at Malcolm, and then +bowing ceremoniously approached the count and inquired after his +health, and paid the usual compliments to the countess. The count +replied languidly that he gained strength slowly, while the countess +said quietly that he had slept but badly and that his wound troubled +him much. It was well for Thekla that she was not obliged to take +part in the conversation, for she would have found it impossible to +speak quietly and indifferently, for every nerve was tingling with +joy at Malcolm's last words. The prospect had seemed so hopeless +that her spirits had sunk to the lowest ebb. Her mother had done +her best to cheer her, but the count, weakened by pain and illness, +had all along taken the most gloomy view. He had told himself that +it was better for the girl to submit to her fate than to break her +heart like a wild bird beating out its life against the bars of +its cage, and he wished to show her that neither he nor the world +would blame her for yielding to the tremendous pressure which would +be put upon her. + +For himself, he would have died a thousand times rather than renounce +his faith; but he told himself that Thekla was but a child, that +women cared little for dogmas, and that she would learn to pray as +sincerely in a Catholic as in a Protestant church, without troubling +her mind as to whether there were gross abuses in the government +of the church, in the sale of absolutions, or errors in abstruse +doctrines. But to Thekla it had seemed impossible that she could +become a Catholic. + +The two religions stood in arms against each other; Catholics and +Protestants differed not only in faith but in politics. In all +things they were actively and openly opposed to each other, and the +thought that she might be compelled to abjure her faith was most +terrible to the girl; and she was firmly resolved that, so long as +her strength lasted and her mind was unimpaired, she would resist +whatever pressure might be placed upon her, and would yield neither +to menaces, to solitary confinement, or even to active cruelty. The +prospect, however; had weighed heavily upon her mind. Her father +had appeared to consider any escape impossible; her mother had +said nothing of her hopes; and the words which Malcolm had spoken, +indicating something like a surety of freeing her from her terrible +position, filled her with surprise and delight. + +"Whom have you here?" the governor asked, indicating Malcolm by a +motion of the head. + +"It is a craftsman from Nuremberg. The clock had stopped, and the +count, with whom the hours pass but slowly, fretted himself at not +being able to count them; so I asked our attendant to bring hither +a craftsman to put it in order, first sending her with a note to +you asking for permission for him to come; as you were out your +deputy signed the order." + +"He should not have done so," the baron said shortly, "for the +orders are strict touching the entry of any here. However, as +he has taken the clock to pieces, he can put it together again." +So saying he went over to the table where Malcolm was at work and +stood for a minute or two watching him. The manner in which Malcolm +fitted the wheels into their places, filing and oiling them wherever +they did not run smoothly, satisfied him that the youth was what +he seemed. + +"You are young to have completed your apprenticeship," he said. + +"It is expired but two months, sir," Malcolm said, standing up +respectfully. + +"Under whom did you learn your trade?" the governor asked; "for I +have been in Nuremberg and know most of the guild of clockmakers +by name." + +"Under Jans Boerhoff, the syndic of the guild," Malcolm replied. + +"Ah!" the baron said shortly; "and his shop is in -- " + +"The Cron Strasse," Malcolm said promptly in answer to the implied +question. + +Quite satisfied now, the baron turned away and conversed a few +minutes with the count, telling him that as the surgeon said he +could now be safely removed he would in three days be transferred +to an apartment in the fortress. + +"Will the countess be permitted to accompany me?" the count asked. + +"That I cannot tell you," the baron replied. "We are expecting +a messenger with his majesty's orders on the subject tomorrow or +next day. I have already informed you that, in his solicitude for +her welfare, his majesty has been good enough to order that the +young countess shall be placed in the care of the lady superior of +the Convent of St. Catherine." + +A few minutes later he left the room. Not a word was spoken in +the room until the sound of horse's hoofs without told that he had +ridden off. + +As the door closed the countess and Thekla had dropped their work +and sat anxiously awaiting the continuance of the conversation. +The count was the first to speak. + +"How mean you, Malcolm? How think you it possible that Thekla can +escape, and where could she go?" + +"I like not to make the proposal," Malcolm said gravely, "nor under +any other circumstances should I think of doing so; but in a desperate +position desperate measures must be adopted. It is impossible that +in your present state you can escape hence, and the countess will +not leave you; but what is absolutely urgent is that your daughter +should be freed from the strait. Save myself you have no friends +here; and therefore, count, if she is to escape it must be through +my agency and she must be committed wholly to my care. I know it +is a great responsibility; but if you and the countess can bring +yourselves to commit her to me I swear to you, as a Scottish +gentleman and a Protestant soldier, that I will watch over her as +a brother until I place her in all honour in safe hands." + +The count looked at the countess and at Thekla, who sat pale and +still. + +"We can trust you, Malcolm Graheme," he said after a pause. "There +are few, indeed, into whose hands we would thus confide our daughter; +but we know you to be indeed, as you say, a Scottish gentleman +and a Protestant soldier. Moreover, we know you to be faithful, +honourable, and true. Therefore we will, seeing that there is no +other mode of escape from the fate which awaits her, confide her +wholly to you. And now tell us what are your plans?" + + + +CHAPTER XXI FLIGHT + + +I THANK you, count, and you, dear lady," Malcolm said gratefully, +"for the confidence you place in me, and will carry out my trust +were it to cost me my life. My plan is a simple one. The guard will +be changed in half an hour's time. I have brought hither a suit +of boy's garments, which I must pray the Countess Thekla to don, +seeing that it will be impossible for her to sally out in her own +garb. I show my pass to the sentry, who will deem that my companion +entered with me, and is my apprentice, and will suppose that, since +the sentry who preceded him suffered him to enter with me he may +well pass him out without question. In the town I have a wagon in +readiness, and shall, disguised as a peasant, start with it this +evening. Thekla will be in the bottom covered with straw. We shall +travel all night. + +"Tomorrow, when your attendant discovers that your daughter has +escaped, she will at once take the news to the governor. The sentries +will all be questioned, and it will be found that, whereas but one +clockmaker came in two went out. The city will be searched and the +country round scoured but if the horsemen overtake me they will be +looking for a craftsman and his apprentice, and will not suspect +a solitary peasant with a wagon. + +"The first danger over I must be guided by circumstances; but in +any case Thekla must travel as a boy to the end of the journey, for +in such troubled times as these it were unsafe indeed for a young +girl to travel through Germany except under a strong escort of +men-at-arms. I design to make my way to Nuremberg, and shall then +place her in the hands of my good friend Jans Boerhoff, whose wife +and daughters will, I am sure, gladly receive and care for her until +the time, which I hope is not far off, that peace be made and you +can again rejoin her." + +"The plan is a good one," the count said when Malcolm had concluded, +"and offers every prospect of success. `Tis hazardous, but there +is no escape from such a strait as ours without risk. What say you, +wife?" + +"Assuredly I can think of nothing better. But what say you, Thekla? +Are you ready to run the risks, the danger, and the hardships of +such a journey under the protection only of this brave Scottish +gentleman?" + +"I am ready, mother," Thekla said quickly, "but I wish -- I wish" +-- and she hesitated. + +"You wish you could go in your own garments, Thekla, with jewels +on your fingers and a white horse to carry you on a pillion behind +your protector," the count said with a smile, for his spirits had +risen with the hope of his daughter's escape from the peril in +which she was placed. "It cannot be, Thekla. Malcolm's plan must +be carried out to the letter, and I doubt not that you will pass +well as a `prentice boy. But your mother must cut off that long +hair of yours; I will keep it, my child, and will stroke it often +and often in my prison as I have done when it has been on your +head; your hair may be long again before I next see you." + +His eyes filled with tears as he spoke, and Thekla and the countess +both broke into a fit of crying. Leaving them by themselves, +Malcolm returned to his work, and in half an hour had replaced the +machinery of the clock and had set it in motion, while a tender +conversation went on between the count and countess and their +daughter. By this time the sun had set, and the attendant entered +and lighted the candles in the apartment, saying, as she placed one +on the table by Malcolm, "You must need a light for your work." No +sooner had she left the room than Malcolm said: + +"I would not hurry your parting, countess, but the sooner we are +off now the better." + +Without a word the countess rose, and, taking the clothes which +Malcolm produced from his doublet, retired to her chamber, followed +by Thekla. + +"Malcolm Graheme," the count said, "it may be that we shall not +meet again. The emperor is not tender with obstinate prisoners, and +I have no strength to support long hardships. Should aught happen +to me I beseech you to watch over the happiness of my child. Had +she been a year older, and had you been willing, I would now have +solemnly betrothed her to you, and should then have felt secure of +her future whatever may befall me. Methinks she will make a good +wife, and though my estates may be forfeited by the emperor her +mother's lands will make a dowry such as many a German noble would +gladly accept with his wife. + +"I might betroth her to you now, for many girls are betrothed at +a far younger age, but I would rather leave it as it is. You are +young yet, and she in most matters is but a child, and it would +be better in every way did she start on this adventure with you +regarding you as a brother than in any other light. Only remember +that if we should not meet again, and you in future years should +seek the woman who is now a child as your wife, you have my fullest +approval and consent -- nay, more, that it is my dearest wish." + +"I thank you most deeply for what you have said, count," Malcolm +replied gravely. "As I have seen your daughter growing up from a +child I have thought how sweet a wife she would make, but I have +put the thought from me, seeing that she is heiress to broad lands +and I a Scottish soldier of fortune, whose lands, though wide +enough for me to live in comfort at home, are yet but a mere farm +in comparison with your broad estates. I have even told myself that +as she grew up I must no longer make long stays in your castle, +for it would be dishonourable indeed did I reward your kindness and +hospitality by winning the heart of your daughter; but after what +you have so generously said I need no longer fear my heart, and +will, when the time comes, proudly remind you of your promise. For +this journey I will put all such thoughts aside, and will regard +Thekla as my merry playfellow of the last three years. But after I +have once placed her in safety I shall thenceforward think of her +as my wife who is to be, and will watch over her safety as over +my greatest treasure, trusting that in some happy change of times +and circumstances you yourself and the dear countess, whom I already +regard almost as my parents, will give her to me." + +"So be it," the count said solemnly. "My blessing on you both should +I ne'er see you again. I can meet whatever fate may be before me +with constancy and comfort now that her future is assured -- but +here they come." + +The door opened, and the countess appeared, followed by Thekla, +shrinking behind her mother's skirts in her boyish attire. + +"You will pass well," the count said gravely, for he knew that jest +now would jar upon her. "Keep that cap well down over your eyes, +and try and assume a little more of the jaunty and impudent air +of a boy. Fortunately it will be dark below, and the sentry will +not be able to mark how fair is your skin and how delicate your +hands. And now farewell, my child. Let us not stand talking, for +the quicker a parting is over the better. May God in heaven bless +you and keep you! Malcolm knows all my wishes concerning you, and +when I am not with you trust yourself to his advice and guidance as +you would to mine. There, my darling, do not break down. You must +be brave for all our sakes. Should the emperor hold me in durance +your mother will try and join you ere long at Nuremberg." + +While the count was embracing Thekla, as she bravely but in vain +tried to suppress her tears, the countess opened the door, and glanced +into the anteroom to see that all was clear and the attendant in +her own apartment. Then she returned, kissed her daughter fondly, +and placed her hand in Malcolm's, saying to the latter, "God bless +you, dear friend! Take her quickly away for her sake and ours." +One last adieu and Malcolm and Thekla stood alone in the anteroom. + +"Now, Thekla," he said firmly, "be brave, the danger is at hand, +and your safety and escape from your fate, and my life, depend upon +your calmness. Do you carry this basket of tools and play your part +as my apprentice. Just as we open the door drop the basket and I +will rate you soundly for your carelessness. Keep your head down, +and do not let the light which swings over the door fall upon your +face.'' + +For a minute or two Thekla stood struggling to master her emotions. +Then she said, in a quiet voice, "I am ready now," and taking up +the basket of tools she followed Malcolm down the stairs. Malcolm +opened the door, and as he did so Thekla dropped the basket. + +"How stupid you are!" Malcolm exclaimed sharply. "How often have +I told you to be careful! You don't suppose that those fine tools +can stand being knocked about in that way without injury? Another +time an' you are so careless I will give you a taste of the strap, +you little rascal." + +"What is all this?" the sentry asked, barring the way with his +pike, "and who are you who are issuing from this house with so much +noise? My orders are that none pass out here without an order from +the governor." + +"And such an order have I," Malcolm said, producing the document. +"There's the governor's seal. I have been sent for to repair the +clock in the Count of Mansfeld's apartment, and a rare job it has +been." + +The sentry was unable to read, but he looked at the seal which he +had been taught to recognize. + +"But there is only one seal," he said, "and there are two of you." + +"Pooh!" Malcolm said scornfully. "Dost think that when ten persons +are admitted to pass in together the governor puts ten seals +on the pass? You see for yourself that it is but a young boy, my +apprentice. Why, the governor himself left scarce an hour ago, and +was in the apartment with me while I was at work. Had it not been +all right he would have hauled me to the prison quickly enough." + +As the sentry knew that the governor had left but a short time +before he came on guard this convinced him, and, standing aside, +he allowed Malcolm and his companion to pass. Malcolm made his +way first to the apartment he had occupied, where he had already +settled for his lodging. + +Leaving Thekla below he ran upstairs, and hastily donned the suit +of peasant's clothes, and then making the others into a bundle +descended again, and with Thekla made his way to the quiet spot +outside the city gates where the wagon was standing ready for +a start. He had already paid the peasant half the sum agreed, and +now handed him the remainder. + +"I should scarce have known you," the peasant said, examining +Malcolm by the light of his pinewood torch. "Why, you look like +one of us instead of a city craftsman." + +"I am going to astonish them when I get home," Malcolm said, "and +shall make the old folks a present of the wagon. So I am going to +arrive just as I was when I left them." + +The peasant asked no farther questions, but, handing the torch to +Malcolm, and telling him that he would find half a dozen more in +the wagon, he took his way back to the town, where be intended to +sleep in the stables and to start at daybreak for his home. + +He thought that the transaction was a curious one; but, as he had +been paid handsomely for his wagon, he troubled not his head about +any mystery there might be in the matter. As soon as he had gone +Malcolm arranged the straw in the bottom of the wagon so as to form +a bed; but Thekla said that for the present she would rather walk +with him. + +"It is weeks since I have been out, and I shall enjoy walking for +a time; besides, it is all so strange that I should have no chance +to sleep were I to lie down." + +Malcolm at once consented, and taking his place at the head of the +oxen, he started them, walking ahead to light the way and leading +them by cords passed through their nostrils. He had not the least +fear of pursuit for the present, for it had been arranged that +the countess should inform their attendant that Thekla was feeling +unwell, and had retired to bed, and the woman, whatever she might +suspect, would take care not to verify the statement, and it would +be well on in the following morning before her absence was discovered. + +Malcolm tried his best to distract Thekla's thoughts from her +parents, and from the strange situation in which she was placed, +and chatted to her of the events of the war since he had last seen +her, of the route which he intended to adopt, and the prospects +of peace. In two hours' time the girl, unaccustomed to exercise, +acknowledged that she was tired; she therefore took her place in +the wagon. + +Malcolm covered her up with straw and threw some sacks lightly over +her, and then continued his journey. He travelled all night, and +in the morning stopped at a wayside inn, where his arrival at that +hour excited no surprise, as the peasants often travelled at night, +because there was then less chance of their carts being seized and +requisitioned by the troops. He only stopped a short time to water +and feed the oxen, and to purchase some black bread and cheese. This +he did, not because he required it, for he had an ample supply of +provisions in the cart far more suited for Thekla's appetite than +the peasant's fare, but to act in the usual manner, and so avoid +any comment. Thekla was still asleep under the covering, which +completely concealed her. Malcolm journeyed on until two miles +further he came to a wood, then, drawing aside from the road, he +unyoked the oxen and allowed them to lie down, for they had already +made a long journey. Then he woke Thekla, who leaped up gaily on +finding that it was broad daylight. Breakfast was eaten, and after +a four hours' halt they resumed their way, Thekla taking her place +in the wagon again, and being carefully covered up in such a manner +that a passerby would not suspect that anyone was lying under the +straw and sacks at one end of the wagon. Just at midday Malcolm +heard the trampling of horses behind him and saw a party of cavalry +coming along at full gallop. The leader drew rein when he overtook +the wagon. + +"Have you seen anything," he asked Malcolm, "of two seeming craftsmen, +a man and a boy, journeying along the road?" + +Malcolm shook his head. "I have seen no one on foot since I started +an hour since." + +Without a word the soldiers went on. They had no reason, indeed, +for believing that those for whom they were in search had taken +that particular road. As soon as Thekla's disappearance had been +discovered by the waiting woman she had hurried to the governor, and +with much perturbation and many tears informed him that the young +countess was missing, and that her couch had not been slept on. The +governor had at once hurried to the spot. The count and countess +resolutely refused to state what had become of their daughter. + +The sentries had all been strictly questioned, and it was found +that the mender of clocks had, when he left, been accompanied +by an apprentice whom the sentry previously on duty asserted had +not entered with him. The woman was then closely questioned; she +asserted stoutly that she knew nothing whatever of the affair. The +count had commissioned her to obtain a craftsman to set the clock +in order, and she had bethought her of a young man whose acquaintance +she had made some time previously, and who had informed her in the +course of conversation that he had come from Nuremberg, and was a +clockmaker by trade, and was at present out of work. She had met +him, she said, on several occasions, and as he was a pleasant youth +and comely, when he had spoken to her of marriage she had not been +averse, now it was plain he had deceived her; and here she began +to cry bitterly and loudly. + +Her story seemed probable enough, for any friend of the count who +had intended to carry off his daughter would naturally have begun by +ingratiating himself with her attendant. She was, however, placed +in confinement for a time. The count and countess were at once +removed to the fortress. Orders were given that the town should be +searched thoroughly, and any person answering to the description +which the governor was able to give of the supposed clockmaker should +be arrested, while parties of horse were despatched along all the +roads with orders to arrest and bring to Prague any craftsman or +other person accompanied by a young boy whom they might overtake +by the way. Several innocent peasants with their sons were pounced +upon on the roads and hauled to Prague; but no news was obtained +of the real fugitives, who quietly pursued their way undisturbed +further by the active search which was being made for them. The +anger of the emperor when he heard of the escape of the prize he had +destined for one of his favourite officers was extreme. He ordered +the count to be treated with the greatest rigour, and declared all +his estates and those of his wife forfeited, the latter part of +the sentence being at present inoperative, her estates being in a +part of the country far beyond the range of the Imperialist troops. +The waiting maid was after some weeks' detention released, as there +was no evidence whatever of her complicity in the affair. + +Malcolm continued his journey quietly towards the frontier of +Bavaria; but, on arriving at a small town within a few miles of +Pilsen, he learned that Wallenstein had fallen back with his army +to that place. Much alarmed at the news he determined to turn off +by a cross road and endeavour to avoid the Imperialists. He had +not, however, left the place before a party of Imperialist horse +rode in. + +Malcolm was at once stopped, and was told that he must accompany +the troops to Pilsen, as they had orders to requisition all carts +for the supply of provisions for the army. Malcolm knew that it +was of no use to remonstrate, but, with many loud grumblings at +his hard lot, he moved to the marketplace, where he remained until +all the wagons in the place and in the surrounding country had been +collected. + +Loud and bitter were the curses which the peasants uttered at +finding themselves taken from their homes and compelled to perform +service for which the pay, if received at all, would be scanty in +the extreme. There was, however, no help for it; and when all were +collected they started in a long procession guarded by the cavalry +for Pilsen. On arriving there they were ordered to take up their +station with the great train of wagons collected for the supply of +the army. + +Thekla had from her hiding place heard the conversation, and was +greatly alarmed at finding that they were again in the power of +the Imperialists. No one, however, approached the wagon, and it +was not until darkness had set in that she heard Malcolm's voice +whispering to her to arise quietly. + +"We must leave the wagon; it will be impossible for you to remain +concealed here longer, for tomorrow I may be sent out to bring +in supplies. For the present we must remain in Pilsen. The whole +country will be scoured by the troops, and it will not be safe to +traverse the roads. Here in Pilsen no one will think of looking +for us. + +"Wallenstein's headquarters are the last place where we should +be suspected of hiding, and you may be sure that, however close +the search may be elsewhere, the governor of Prague will not have +thought of informing Wallenstein of an affair so foreign to the +business of war as the escape from the emperor's clutches of a young +lady. I have donned my craftsman dress again, and we will boldly +seek for lodgings." + +They soon entered the town, which was crowded with troops, searching +about in the poorer quarters. + +Malcolm presently found a woman who agreed to let him two rooms. +He accounted for his need for the second room by saying that his +young brother was ill and needed perfect rest and quiet, and that +the filing and hammering which was necessary in his craft prevented +the lad from sleeping. As Malcolm agreed at once to the terms +she asked for the rooms, the woman accepted his statement without +doubt. They were soon lodged in two attics at the top of the house, +furnished only with a table, two chairs, and a truckle bed in each; +but Malcolm was well contented with the shelter he had found. + +Seeing that it would be extremely difficult at present to journey +further, he determined to remain some little time in the town, +thinking that he might be able to carry out the instructions which +he had received from Colonel Munro, and to obtain information as +to the plans of Wallenstein and the feelings of the army. + +"You will have to remain a prisoner here, Thekla, I am afraid, +almost as strictly as at Prague, for it would not do to risk the +discovery that you are a girl by your appearing in the streets +in daylight, and after dark the streets of the town, occupied by +Wallenstein's soldiers, are no place for any peaceful persons. + +"I may as well be here as at Nuremberg," Thekla said, "and as I +shall have you with me instead of being with strangers, the longer +we stay here the better." + +The next morning Malcolm sallied out into the town to see if he +could find employment. There was, however, but one clockmaker in +Pilsen, and the war had so injured his trade that he had discharged +all his journeymen, for clocks were still comparatively rare luxuries, +and were only to be seen in the houses of nobles and rich citizens. +Knowing that Wallenstein was devoted to luxury and magnificence, +always taking with him, except when making the most rapid marches, +a long train of baggage and furniture, Malcolm thought it possible +that he might obtain some employment in his apartments. He accordingly +went boldly to the castle where the duke had established himself, +and, asking for his steward, stated that he was a clockmaker from +the workshop of the celebrated horologist, Master Jans Boerhoff, +and could repair any clocks or watches that might be out of order. + +"Then you are the very man we need," the steward said. "My master, +the duke, is curious in such matters, and ever carries with him +some half dozen clocks with his other furniture; and, use what care +I will in packing them, the shaking of the wagons is constantly +putting them out of repair. It was but this morning the duke told +me to bring a craftsman, if one capable of the work could be found +in the town, and to get the clocks put in order, for it displeases +him if they do not all keep the time to the same minute. Follow +me." + +He led the way into the private apartments of the duke. These were +magnificently furnished, the walls being covered with rich velvet +hangings. Thick carpets brought from the East covered the floors. +Indeed, in point of luxury and magnificence, Wallenstein kept up +a state far surpassing that of his Imperial master. + +There were several clocks standing on tables and on brackets, for +Wallenstein, although in most respects of a clear and commanding +intellect, was a slave to superstition. He was always accompanied +by an astrologer, who read for him the course of events from the +movements of the stars, who indicated the lucky and unlucky days, +and the hours at which it was not propitious to transact important +business. Hence it was that he placed so great an importance on +the exact observance of the hour by his numerous time pieces. + +"Here are some of the clocks," the steward said, indicating them. +"Of course you cannot work here, and they are too heavy to be +removed, besides being too costly to intrust out of my charge, I +will have a room prepared in the castle where you can work. Come +again at noon with your tools, and all shall be in readiness." + +At the hour appointed Malcolm again presented himself. + +"The duke has given personal instructions," he said, "that a closet +close by shall be fitted up for you, in order that he himself if +he chooses may see you at work." + +Malcolm was conducted to a small room near at hand. Here one of +the clocks which had stopped had been placed on the table, and he +at once set to work. He soon discovered that one of the wheels had +been shaken from its place by the jolting of the wagons, and that +the clock could be set going by a few minutes work. As, however, +his object was to prolong his visit to the castle as long as +possible, he set to work and took it entirely to pieces. Two hours +later the door opened and a tall handsome man of commanding presence +entered. Malcolm rose and bowed respectfully, feeling that he was +in the presence of the great general. + +"You come from Nuremberg," Wallenstein said, "as I am told, and +have learned your craft in the workshop of Master Jans Boerhoff, +who is well known as being the greatest master of his craft." + +Malcolm bowed silently. + +"It is strange," Wallenstein muttered to himself, "that this young +man's destiny should be connected with mine; and yet the astrologer +said that he who should present himself at the castle nearest to +the stroke of nine this morning would be a factor in my future, +and, as my steward tells me, the clock sounded nine as this young +man addressed him." He then asked Malcolm several questions as to +the work upon which he was engaged, and then said abruptly: "Dost +know the day and hour on which you were born?" + +Malcolm was somewhat surprised at the question, for he had not heard +the muttered words of Wallenstein, but he at once replied that he +had heard that he was born at the stroke of midnight on the last +day in the year. + +The duke said no more, but left the closet and proceeded at once +to an apartment near his own bed chamber, which, although he had +arrived but a few hours previously, had already been fitted up for +the use of his astrologer. The walls were hidden by a plain hanging +of scarlet cloth; a large telescope stood at the window, a chart of +the heavens was spread out on the table, and piles of books stood +beside it. On the ceiling the signs of the zodiac had been painted, +and some mystical circles had been marked out on the floor. A tall +spare old man with a long white beard was seated at the table. He +rose when Wallenstein entered. + +"I cannot but think," the duke said, "that your calculations must +for once have been mistaken, and that there must have been an error +in the hour, for I see not how the destiny of this craftsman, who +seems to be a simple lad, can in any way be connected with mine." + +"I have made the calculation three times, your grace," the old man +replied, "and am sure there is no error." + +"He was born," Wallenstein said, "at midnight on December 31st, 1613. +Work out his nativity, and see what stars were in the ascendant, +and whether there are any affinities between us." + +"I will do so at once," the astrologer said; "by tonight I shall +be able to give your grace the information you require." + +"Tonight," the duke said, "we will go over your calculations together +as to our great enterprise. It is all important that there should +be no mistake. I have for a whole year remained inactive because +you told me that the time had not yet come, and now that you say +the propitious moment is approaching would fain be sure that no +error has been committed. All seems well, the troops are devoted to +me, and will fight against whomsoever I bid them. By lavish gifts +and favours I have attached all my generals firmly to me, and soon +this ungrateful emperor shall feel how rash and foolish he has been +to insult the man to whom alone he owes it that he was not long +ago a fugitive and an exile, with the Swedes victorious masters of +his capital and kingdom. + +"Have not I alone saved him? Did not I at my own cost raise an +army and stand between him and the victorious Gustavus? Have not +I alone of all his generals checked the triumphant progress of the +invaders? And yet he evades all his promises, he procrastinates +and falters. Not one step does he take to give me the sovereignty +of Bohemia which he so solemnly promised me, and seems to think +that it is honour and reward enough for me to have spent my treasure +and blood in his service. But my turn is at hand, and when the +hand which saved his throne shall cast him from it he will learn +how rash he has been to have deceived and slighted me. And you say +that the stars last night all pointed to a favourable conjunction, +and that the time for striking the great blow is at hand?" + +"Nothing could be better," the astrologer said; "Jupiter, your own +planet, and Mars are in the ascendant. Saturn is still too near +them to encourage instant action, but he will shortly remove to +another house and then your time will have come." + +"So be it," Wallenstein said, "and the sooner the better. Now I +will leave you to your studies, and will ride out to inspect the +troops, and to see that they have all that they need, for they must +be kept in the best of humours at present." + + + +CHAPTER XXII THE CONSPIRACY + + +The next day Wallenstein again entered Malcolm's workroom and said +abruptly to him: "What deeds of bravery have you performed?" + +Malcolm looked astonished. + +"In an idle moment," the duke said, "having an interest in +nativities and seeing that you were born between two years, I asked +my astrologer to work out the calculations. He tells me that it +was fated that you should perform deeds of notable bravery while +still young. It seemed the horoscope of a soldier rather than of +a craftsman, and so I told the sage; but he will have it that he +has made no mistake." + +Malcolm hesitated for a moment; the blind faith which the otherwise +intelligent and capable general placed in the science of astrology +was well known to the world. Should he deny that he had accomplished +any feats, the duke, believing implicitly the statement which his +astrologer had made him, would suspect that he was not what he +seemed; he therefore replied modestly, "I have done no deeds worthy +relating to your excellency, but I once swam across a swollen river +to direct some travellers who would otherwise have perished, and +my neighbours were good enough to say that none in those parts save +myself would have attempted such a feat." + +"Ah!" the duke exclaimed in a tone of satisfaction, "as usual the +stars have spoken correctly. Doubtless as great courage is required +to swim a river in flood as to charge into the ranks of the enemy." + +So saying Wallenstein left the room, filled with a desire to +attach to himself the young man whom his adviser had assured him +was in some way connected with his destiny. Wallenstein a day or +two later offered Malcolm to take him into his permanent service, +saying that he was frequently plagued by the stoppages of his clocks, +and desired to have a craftsman capable of attending to them on +his establishment. He even told the young man that he might expect +promotion altogether beyond his present station. + +Malcolm could not refuse so flattering an offer, and was at once +installed as a member of Wallenstein's household, declining however +the use of the apartment which the steward offered him, saying that +he had a sick brother lodging with him in the town. Mingling with +the soldiers in the evenings Malcolm learned that there were rumours +that negotiations for peace were going on with Saxony and Sweden. +This was indeed the case, but Wallenstein was negotiating on his +own behalf, and not on that of the emperor. So far but little had +come of these negotiations, for Oxenstiern had the strongest doubts +of Wallenstein's sincerity, and believed that he was only trying +to gain time and delay operations by pretended proposals for peace. +He could not believe that the great Imperialist general, the right +hand of the emperor, had any real intention of turning against +his master. Towards the end of January there was some excitement +in Pilsen owing to the arrival there of all the generals of the +Imperialist army save only Gallas, Coloredo, and Altringer. + +Malcolm was sure that such a gathering could only have been summoned +by Wallenstein upon some matter of the most vital importance, and +he determined at all hazards to learn what was taking place, in +order that he might enlighten Oxenstiern as to the real sentiments +of the duke. Learning that the principal chamber in the castle had +been cleared, and that a meeting of the officers would take place +there in the evening, he told Thekla when he went home to his meal +at midday that she must not be surprised if he did not return until +a late hour. He continued his work until nearly six o'clock, the +time at which the meeting was to begin, and then extinguishing his +light, he made his way through the passages of the castle until +he reached the council chamber, meeting with no interruption from +the domestics, who were by this time familiar with his person, +and who regarded him as one rising in favour with their master. He +waited in the vicinity of the chamber until he saw an opportunity +for entering unobserved, then he stole into the room and secreted +himself behind the arras beneath a table standing against the +wall, and where, being in shadow, the bulge in the hanging would +not attract attention. + +In a few minutes he heard heavy steps with the clanking of swords +and jingling of spurs, and knew that the council was beginning to +assemble. The hum of conversation rose louder and louder for a quarter +of an hour; then he heard the door of the apartment closed, and knew +that the council was about to commence. The buzz of conversation +ceased, and then a voice, which was that of Field Marshal Illo, one +of the three men in Wallenstein's confidence, rose in the silence. +He began by laying before the army the orders which the emperor +had sent for its dispersal to various parts of the country, and by +the turn he gave to these he found it easy to excite the indignation +of the assembly. + +He then expatiated with much eloquence upon the merits of the army +and its generals, and upon the ingratitude with which the emperor +had treated them after their noble efforts in his behalf. The +court, he said, was governed by Spanish influence. The ministry +were in the pay of Spain. Wallenstein alone had hitherto opposed +this tyranny, and had thus drawn upon himself the deadly enmity +of the Spaniards. To remove him from the command, or to make away +with him entirely, had, he asserted, been long the end of their +desires, and until they could succeed they endeavoured to abridge +his power in the field. The supreme command was to be placed in the +hands of the King of Hungary solely to promote the Spanish power in +Germany, as this prince was merely the passive instrument of Spain. + +It was only with the view of weakening the army that six thousand +troops were ordered to be detached from it, and solely to harass +it by a winter campaign that they were now called upon at this +inhospitable season to undertake the recovery of Ratisbon. The Jesuits +and the ministry enriched themselves with the treasure wrung from +the provinces, and squandered the money intended for the pay of +the troops. + +The general, then, abandoned by the court, was forced to acknowledge +his inability to keep his engagements to the army. For all the +services which for two-and-twenty years he had rendered to the house +of Austria, in return for all the difficulties with which he had +struggled, for all the treasures of his own which he had expended +in the Imperial service, a second disgraceful dismissal awaited +him. But he was resolved the matter should not come to this; he +was determined voluntarily to resign the command before it should +be wrested from his hands, "and this," continued the speaker, "is +what he has summoned you here to make known to you, and what he +has commissioned me to inform you." + +It was now for them to say whether they would permit him to leave +them; it was for each man present to consider who was to repay him +the sums he had expended in the emperor's service; how he was ever +to reap the rewards for his bravery and devotion, when the chief who +alone was cognizant of their efforts, who was their sole advocate +and champion, was removed from them. + +When the speaker concluded a loud cry broke from all the officers +that they would not permit Wallenstein to be taken from them. Then +a babel of talk arose, and after much discussion four of the officers +were appointed as a deputation to wait upon the duke to assure him +of the devotion of the army, and to beg him not to withdraw himself +from them. The four officers intrusted with the commission left +the room and repaired to the private chamber of the general. They +returned in a short time, saying that the duke refused to yield. + +Another deputation was sent to pray him in even stronger terms to +remain with them. These returned with the news that Wallenstein had +reluctantly yielded to their request; but upon the condition that +each of them should give a written promise to truly and firmly adhere +to him, neither to separate or to allow himself to be separated from +him, and to shed his last drop of blood in his defence. Whoever +should break this covenant, so long as Wallenstein should employ the +army in the emperor's service, was to be regarded as a perfidious +traitor and to be treated by the rest as a common enemy. + +As these last words appeared to indicate clearly that Wallenstein +had no thought of assuming a position hostile to the emperor, +or of defying his authority, save in the point of refusing to be +separated from his army, all present agreed with acclamations to +sign the documents required. + +"Then, gentlemen," Marshal Illo said, "I will have the document +for your signatures at once drawn up. A banquet has been prepared +in the next room, of which I invite you now all to partake, and at +its conclusion the document shall be ready." + +Malcolm from his hiding place heard the general movement as the +officers left the apartment, and looking cautiously out from beneath +the arras, saw that the chamber was entirely empty. He determined, +however, to remain and to hear the conclusion of the conference. +He accordingly remained quiet for upwards of an hour. During this +time the attendants had entered and extinguished the lights, as +the guests would not return to the council chamber. + +He now left his hiding place and made his way to the door which +separated him from the banqueting hall. Listening intently at the +keyhole, he heard the clinking of glasses and the sound of voices +loudly raised, and he guessed that the revelry was at its height. +More and more noisy did it become, for Marshal Illo was plying his +guests with wine in order that they might sign without examination +the document which he had prepared for their signatures. Feeling +confident that none would hear him in the state at which they had +now arrived, Malcolm cautiously opened the door an inch or two, +and was able to hear and see all that passed. + +It was another hour before Marshal Illo produced the document and +passed it round for signature. Many of those to whom it was handed +signed it at once without reading the engagement; but one more +sober than the rest insisted on reading it through, and at once +rising to his feet, announced to the others that the important words +"as long as Wallenstein shall employ the army for the emperor's +service," which had been inserted in the first draft agreed to by +Wallenstein and the deputation, had been omitted. + +A scene of noisy confusion ensued. Several of the officers declared +that they would not sign the document as it stood. General Piccolomini, +who had only attended the meeting in order that he might inform +the emperor, to whom he was devoted, of what took place there, +had drunk so much wine that he forgot the part he was playing, and +rose to his feet and with drunken gravity proposed the health of +the emperor. + +Louder and louder grew the din of tongues until Count Terzky, who +was alone with Illo and Colonel Kinsky in Wallenstein's confidence, +arose, and in a thundering voice declared that all were perjured +villains who should recede from their engagement, and would, +according to their agreements be treated as enemies by the rest. +His menaces and the evident danger which any who might now draw +back would run, overcame the scruples of the recalcitrants, and +all signed the paper. This done the meeting broke up, and Malcolm, +stealing away from his post of observation, made his way back to +his lodgings. + +He slept little that night. What he had seen convinced him that +Wallenstein was really in earnest in the propositions which he had +made to Oxenstiern and the Elector of Saxony, and that he meditated +an open rebellion against the emperor. It was of extreme importance +that Oxenstiern should be made acquainted with these facts; but it +would be next to impossible to escape from Pilsen, burdened as he +was with Thekla, and to cross the country which intervened between +the two armies and which was constantly traversed by cavalry parties +and scouts of both sides. + +After much deliberation, therefore, he determined upon the bold +course of frankly informing Wallenstein who he was and what he +had heard, and to beg of him to furnish him with an escort to pass +through the lines in order that he might make his way with all speed +to Oxenstiern in order to assure him of the good faith of the duke +and of the importance of his frankly and speedily accepting his +proposals. It was possible, of course, that he might fall a victim +to Wallenstein's first anger when he found out that he had been +duped, and the plot in which he was engaged discovered; but he +resolved to run the risk, believing that the duke would see the +advantage to be gained by complying with his proposal. + +It was necessary, however, to prepare Thekla for the worst. + +"Thekla," he said in the morning, "an end has come to our stay +here. Circumstances have occurred which will either enable us to +continue our journey at once and in safety or which may place me +in a prison." + +Thekla gave a cry of surprise and terror. "I do not think, +my dear girl," Malcolm went on, "that there is much fear of the +second alternative, but we must be prepared for it. You must obey +my instructions implicitly. Should I not return by nightfall you +will know that for a time at least I have been detained. You will +tell the woman of the house, who is aware that I am employed by +Wallenstein, that I have been sent by him to examine and set in +order the clocks in his palace in Vienna in readiness for his return +there, but that as you were too unwell to travel I have bade you +remain here until I return to fetch you. + +"You have an ample supply of money even without the purse of gold +which the duke presented to me yesterday. You must remain here +quietly until the spring, when the tide of war is sure to roll +away to some other quarter, and I trust that, long ere that, even +should I be detained, I shall be free to come to you again; but +if not, do you then despatch this letter which I have written for +you to Jans Boerhoff. In this I tell him where you are, in order +that, if your mother comes to him asking for you, or your parents +are able to write to him to inquire for you, he may inform them of +your hiding place. I have also written you a letter to the commander +of any Swedish force which may enter this town, telling him who +you are, and praying him to forward you under an escort to Nuremberg." + +"But what shall I do without you?" Thekla sobbed. + +"I trust, my dear, that you will not have to do without me, and feel +convinced that tomorrow we shall be upon our way to the Swedish +outposts. I only give you instructions in case of the worst. +It troubles me terribly that I am forced to do anything which may +possibly deprive you of my protection, but my duty to the country +I serve compels me to take this step, which is one of supreme +importance to our cause." + +It was long before Thekla was pacified, and Malcolm himself was +deeply troubled at the thought that the girl might be left alone +and unprotected in a strange place. Still there appeared every +probability that she would be able to remain there in safety until +an opportunity should occur for her to make her way to Nuremberg. It +was with a heavy heart, caused far more by the thought of Thekla's +position than of danger to himself, that he took his way to the +castle; but he felt that his duty was imperative, and was at heart +convinced that Wallenstein would eagerly embrace his offer. + +It was not until midday that he was able to see the duke. Wallenstein +had been greatly angered as well as alarmed at the resistance which +his scheme had met with on the previous evening. He had believed +that his favours and liberality had so thoroughly attached his +generals to his person that they would have followed him willingly +and without hesitation, even in a war against the emperor, and the +discovery that, although willing to support him against deprivation +from his command, they shrunk alarmed at the idea of disloyalty to +the emperor, showed that his position was dangerous in the extreme. + +He found that the signatures to the document had for the most +part been scrawled so illegibly that the writers would be able to +repudiate them if necessary, and that deceit was evidently intended. +In the morning he called together the whole of the generals, and +personally received them. After pouring out the bitterest reproaches +and abuse against the court, he reminded them of their opposition +to the proposition set before them on the previous evening, and +declared that this circumstance had induced him to retract his own +promise, and that he should at once resign his command. + +The generals, in confusion and dismay, withdrew to the antechamber, +and after a short consultation returned to offer their apologies +for their conduct on the previous evening and to offer to sign anew +the engagement which bound them to him. This was done, and it now +remained only for Wallenstein to obtain the adhesion of Gallas, +Altringer, and Coloredo, which, as they held important separate +commands, was necessary for the success of his plan. Messengers were +accordingly sent out at once to request them to come instantly to +Pilsen. + +After this business was despatched and Wallenstein was disengaged +he was informed that Malcolm desired earnestly to speak to him on +particular business. Greatly surprised at the request, he ordered +that he should be shown in to him. + +"Your excellency," Malcolm began when they were alone, "what I am +about to say may anger you, but as I trust that much advantage may +arise from my communication, I implore you to restrain your anger +until you hear me to the end, after which it will be for you to do +with me as you will." + +Still more surprised at this commencement, Wallenstein signed to +him to continue. + +"I am, sir," Malcolm went on, "no clockmaker, although, indeed, +having worked for some time in the shop of Master Jans Boerhoff +at the time of the siege of Nuremberg, I am able to set clocks and +watches in repair, as I have done to those which have been placed +in my hands here. In reality, sir, I am a Scottish officer, a +captain in the service of Sweden." + +Wallenstein gave a short exclamation of angry surprise. "You must +not think, sir, that I have come hither in disguise to be a spy +upon the movements of your army. I came here unwillingly, being +captured by your troops, and forced to accompany them. + +"I left the Swedish camp on a private mission, having received there +a missive from the Countess of Mansfeld, who, with her husband, +was a kind friend of mine, telling me that they were prisoners of +the emperor at Prague, and begging me to come to their assistance. +Bethinking me of the occupation which had amused my leisure hours +during the weary months when we were shut up by you in Nuremberg, +I obtained leave of absence, attired myself as a craftsman, and made +my way to Prague. There I found the count confined to his couch by +a wound and unable to move. The countess had no thought of quitting +him. Her anxiety was wholly for her daughter, a girl of fifteen, +whom the emperor purposed to shut up in a convent and force to +change her religion, and then to bestow her hand upon one of his +favourites, with her father's confiscated estates as her dowry. + +"I succeeded in effecting her escape, disguised as a boy; I myself +travelling in the disguise of a peasant with a wagon. We were +making our way towards the Swedish lines when we came across your +army, which had, unknown to me, suddenly moved hither. I and my +cart were requisitioned for the service of the army. On the night +of my arrival here I resumed my disguise as a craftsman, left my wagon, +and with my young companion took up my lodging here, intending to +remain quietly working at the craft I assumed until an opportunity +offered for continuing our journey. Accident obtained me employment +here, and as rumour said that overtures for peace were passing +between yourself and the Swedish chancellor, I may frankly say +that I determined to use the position in which I accidentally found +myself for the benefit of the country I served, by ascertaining, +if I could, how far your excellency was in earnest as to the offers +you were making. In pursuance of that plan I yesterday concealed +myself and overheard all that passed in the council chamber with +the officers, and at the banquet subsequently." + +Wallenstein leapt to his feet with an angry exclamation. + +"Your excellency will please to remember," Malcolm went on quietly, +"that I could have kept all this to myself and used it to the +benefit or detriment of your excellency, but it seemed to me that +I should benefit at once your designs and the cause I serve by +frankly acquainting you with what I have discovered. It would be +a work of time for me to make my way with my companion through the +lines of your army and to gain those of the Swedes. I might be slain +in so doing and the important information I have acquired lost. + +"It is of all things important to you that the Swedish chancellor, +whose nature is cautious and suspicious, should be thoroughly +convinced that it is your intention to make common cause with him +and to join him heart and soul in forcing the emperor to accept +the conditions which you and he united may impose upon him. This +the information I have acquired will assuredly suffice to do, and +he will, without doubt, at once set his army in motion to act in +concert with yours." + +Wallenstein paced the room for a minute or two in silence. + +"The stars truly said that you are a brave man and that your destiny +is connected with mine," he said at length, "for assuredly none +but a brave man would venture to tell me that he had spied into +my councils. I see, however, that what you say is reasonable and +cogent, and that the news you have to tell may well induce Oxenstiern +to lay aside the doubts which have so long kept us asunder and at +once to embrace my offer. What, then, do you propose?" + +"I would ask, sir," Malcolm replied, "that you would at once +order a squadron of horse to escort me and my companion through +the debatable land between your army and that of the Swedes, with +orders for us to pass freely on as soon as we are beyond your +outposts and in the neighbourhood of those of the Swedes." + +"It shall be done," Wallenstein said. "In half an hour a squadron +of horse shall be drawn up in the courtyard here, and a horse and +pillion in readiness for yourself and the maiden. In the meantime +I will myself prepare a letter for you to present to the Swedish +chancellor with fresh proposals for common action." + + + +CHAPTER XXIII THE MURDER OF WALLENSTEIN + + +Malcolm hurried back to his lodging, where he was received with a +cry of delight from Thekla, who had passed the time since he had +left her on her knees praying for his safety. He told her at once +that she was about to be restored to safety among friends, that +her troubles were at an end, and she was again to resume her proper +garments which she had brought with her in the basket containing +his tools at the time of her flight. + +A few minutes sufficed to make the change, and then she accompanied +Malcolm to the castle. Wallenstein's orders had been rapidly carried +out; a squadron of cavalry were formed up in the courtyard. and in +front of them an attendant held a horse with a pillion behind the +saddle. Malcolm lifted Thekla on to the pillion and sprang into +the saddle in front of her. One of Wallenstein's household handed +a letter to him and then gave him into the charge of the officer +commanding the squadron, who had already received his orders. The +officer at once gave the word and rode from the castle followed by +the cavalry. + +As soon as they were out of the town the pace was quickened, and the +cavalcade proceeded at a trot which was kept up with few intermissions +until nightfall, by which time twenty miles had been covered. +They halted for the night in a small town where the soldiers were +billeted on the inhabitants, comfortable apartments being assigned +to Malcolm and his charge. + +Soon after daybreak the journey was continued. A sharp watch was +now kept up, as at any moment parties of the Swedish cavalry making +a raid far in advance of their lines might be met with. No such +adventure happened, and late in the afternoon the troop halted on +the crest of a low hill. + +"Here," the officer said, "we part. That town which you see across +the river is held by the Swedes, and you will certainly meet with +no molestation from any of our side as you ride down to it." + +Malcolm thanked the officer for the courtesy he had shown him on +the journey, and then rode forward towards the town. It was getting +dusk as he neared the bridge, but as he came close Malcolm's heart +gave a bound as he recognized the green scarves and plumes worn +by the sentries at the bridge. These seeing only a single horseman +with a female behind him did not attempt to question him as he +passed; but he reined in his horse. + +"Whose regiment do you belong to?" he asked. + +The men looked up in surprise at being addressed in their own +language by one whose attire was that of a simple craftsman, but +whom they now saw rode a horse of great strength and beauty. + +"We belong to Hamilton's regiment," they replied. + +"And where shall I find that of Munro?" + +"It is lying in quarters fifteen miles away," one of the soldiers +answered. + +"Then we cannot get on there tonight," Malcolm said. "Where are +your officers quartered?" + +A soldier standing near at once volunteered to act as guide, and +in a few minutes Malcolm arrived at the house occupied by them. He +was of course personally known to all the officers, and as soon as +their surprise at his disguise and at seeing him accompanied by a +young lady had subsided, they received him most heartily. + +Thekla was at once taken to the house of the burgomaster, which +was close at hand, and handed over to the wife of that functionary +for the night, and Malcolm spent a merry evening with the Scottish +officers, to whom he related the adventures which had so satisfactorily +terminated -- making, however, no allusion to the political secrets +which he had discovered or the mission with which he was charged. +He was soon furnished from the wardrobes of the officers with a +suit of clothes, and although his craftsman attire had served him +well he was glad to don again the uniform of the Scottish brigade. + +"You have cut your narrative strangely short at the end, Graheme," +Colonel Hamilton said when Malcolm brought his story to a conclusion. +"How did you get away from Pilsen at last, and from whom did you +steal that splendid charger on whom you rode up to the door?" + +"That is not my own secret, colonel, and I can only tell you at +present that Wallenstein himself gave it to me." + +A roar of incredulous laughter broke from the officers round the +table. + +"A likely story indeed, Graheme; the duke was so fascinated with +your talents as a watchmaker that he bestowed a charger fit for +his own riding upon you to carry you across into our lines." + +"It does not sound likely, I grant you," Malcolm said, "but it is +true, as you will acknowledge when the time comes that there will +be no longer any occasion for me to keep the circumstances secret. +I only repeat, Wallenstein gave me the honour of an escort which +conducted me to the crest of the hill two miles away, where, if +your sentries and outposts had been keeping their eyes open, they +might have seen them." + +It was late before the party broke up, but soon after daylight +Malcolm was again in the saddle, and with Thekla as before on the +pillion he continued his journey, and in three hours reached the +town where his regiment was quartered. + +Alighting at the door of the colonel's quarters, he led Thekla to +his apartments. The colonel received him with the greatest cordiality +and welcomed Thekla with a kindness which soon put her at her ease, +for now that the danger was past she was beginning to feel keenly +the strangeness of her position. + +She remembered Colonel Munro perfectly, as he and the other officers +of the regiment had been frequently at her father's during the stay +of the regiment at Maintz. The colonel placed her at once in charge +of the wife of one of the principal citizens, who upon hearing that +she was the daughter of the Count of Mansfeld, well known for his +attachment to the Protestant cause, willingly received her, and +offered to retain her as her guest until an opportunity should +occur for sending her on to Nuremberg, should Malcolm not be able +at once to continue his journey to that city. + +"That," Colonel Munro said as soon as Malcolm informed him of +the extremely important information he had gained, "is out of the +question. Your news is of supreme importance, it alters the whole +course of events, and offers hopes of an early termination of the +struggle. There is no doubt that Wallenstein is in earnest now, +for he has committed himself beyond reparation. The only question +is whether he can carry the army with him. However, it is clear +that you must ride with all haste to Oxenstiern with your tidings; +not a moment must be lost. He is in the Palatinate, and it will +take you four days of hard riding at the least to reach him. + +"In the meantime, your little maid, who by the way is already nearly +a woman, had best remain here -- I will see that she is comfortable +and well cared for, and after all she is as well here as at Nuremberg, +as there is no fear now of an advance of the Imperialists. In case +of anything extraordinary occurring which might render this town +an unsafe abiding place, I will forward her in safety to Nuremberg, +even I if I have to detach a score of my men as her escort." + +Before mounting again Malcolm paid a hurried visit to Thekla, who +expressed her contentment with her new abode, and her readiness to +stay there until he should return to take her to Nuremberg, even +should it be weeks before he could do so. + +"I quite feel among friends now," she said, "and Colonel Munro and +your Scotch officers will, I am sure, take good care of me till +you return." + +Glad to feel that his charge was left in good hands Malcolm mounted +his horse with a light heart and galloped away. Four days later he +was closeted with the Swedish chancellor, and relating to him the +scene in the castle at Pilsen. When he had finished his narrative +Oxenstiern, who had, before Malcolm began, read the letter which +Wallenstein had sent him, said: + +"After what you tell me there can be no longer the slightest doubts +of Wallenstein's intention. Ever since the death of the king he has +been negotiating privately with me, but I could not believe that +he was in earnest or that such monstrous treachery was possible. +How could I suppose that he who has been raised from the rank of +a simple gentleman to that of a duke and prince, and who, save the +fortunes which he obtained with his wives, owes everything to the +bounty of the emperor, could be preparing to turn his arms against +him?" + +"It is true that he has done great things for Ferdinand, but his +ambition is even greater than his military talent. Any other man +would have been content with the enormous possessions and splendid +dignity which he has attained, and which in fact render him far richer +than his Imperial master; but to be a prince does not suffice for +him. He has been promised a kingdom, but even that is insufficient +for his ambition. It is clear that he aims to dethrone the emperor +and to set himself up in his place; however, his ingratitude does +not concern me, it suffices now that at any rate he is sincere, +and that a happy issue out of the struggle opens before us henceforth. + +"I can trust him thoroughly; but though he has the will to join +us has he the power? Wallenstein, with his generals and his army +fighting for the emperor, is a mighty personage, but Wallenstein +a rebel is another altogether. By what you tell me it seems more +than doubtful whether his officers will follow him; and although +his army is attached to him, and might follow him could he put +himself at its head, it is scattered in its cantonments, and each +section will obey the orders which the general in its command may +give. + +"Probably some of those who signed the document, pledging their +fidelity to Wallenstein, have already sent news to the emperor of +what is being done. It is a strange situation and needs great care; +the elements are all uncertain. Wallenstein writes to me as if he +were assured of the allegiance of the whole of his army, and speaks +unquestionably of his power to overthrow the emperor; but the man +is clearly blinded by his ambition and infatuated by his fixed +belief in the stars. However, one thing is certain, he and as much +of his army as he can hold in hand are now our allies, and I must +lose no time in moving such troops as are most easily disposable +to his assistance. + +"I will send to Saxony and urge the elector to put in motion a +force to support him, and Duke Bernhard shall move with a division +of our troops. I will at once pen a despatch to Wallenstein, accepting +his alliance and promising him active aid as soon as possible. + +"What say you, young sir? You have shown the greatest circumspection +and ability in this affair. Will you undertake to carry my despatch? +You must not travel as a Scottish officer, for if there are any +traitors among the officers of Wallenstein they will assuredly +endeavour to intercept any despatches which may be passing between +us in order to send them to the emperor as proofs of the duke's +guilt." + +"I will undertake the task willingly, sir," Malcolm replied, "and +doubt not that I shall be able to penetrate to him in the same +disguise which I before wore. When I once reach him is your wish +that I should remain near him, or that I should at once return?" + +"It were best that you should remain for a time," the chancellor +said. "You may be able to send me news from time to time of what +is passing around the duke. Before you start, you shall be supplied +with an ample amount of money to pay messengers to bring your +reports to me. Wallenstein hardly appears to see the danger of +his situation; but you will be more clear sighted. It is a strange +drama which is being played, and may well terminate in a tragedy. +At any rate the next month will decide what is to come of these +strange combinations." + +The horse on which Malcolm had ridden was knocked up from the speed +at which he had travelled, and, ordering it to be carefully tended +till his return, he obtained a fresh horse and again set out. He +made the journey at the same speed at which he had before passed +over the ground, and paused for a few hours only at Amberg, where +he found Thekla well and comfortable, and quite recovered from the +effects of her journeys and anxiety. She received him with delight; +but her joy was dashed when she found that, instead of returning +to remain with his regiment, as she had hoped, he was only passing +through on another mission. + +At Amberg he again laid aside his uniform and donned his costume as +a craftsman. Colonel Munro gave him an escort of twenty troopers; +with these he crossed the river at nightfall, and, making a detour +to avoid the Imperialist outposts, rode some fifteen miles on his +way. He then dismounted and handed over his horse to his escort, +who at once started on their way back to Amberg, while he pursued +his journey on foot towards Pilsen. It was late the next evening +before he reached the town; and on arriving he learned that +Wallenstein was still there. + +The Imperialist general, immediately upon obtaining the signature +of his officers, had sent to urge Altringer and Gallas, who had been +absent from the meeting, to come to him with all speed. Altringer, +on pretence of sickness, did not comply with the invitation. Gallas +made his appearance, but merely with the intention of finding out +all Wallenstein's plans and of keeping the emperor informed of +them. Piccolomini had, immediately the meeting broke up, sent full +details of its proceedings to the court, and Gallas was furnished +with a secret commission containing the emperor's orders to the +colonels and officers, granting an amnesty for their adhesion to +Wallenstein at Pilsen, and ordering them to make known to the army +that it was released from its obedience to Wallenstein, and was +placed under the command of Gallas himself, who received orders, +if possible, to arrest Wallenstein. + +Gallas on his arrival perceived the impossibility of executing his +commission, for Wallenstein's troops and officers were devoted to +him, and not even the crime of high treason could overcome their +veneration and respect for him. Finding that he could do nothing, +and fearful that Wallenstein should discover the commission with +which he was charged, Gallas sought for a pretence to escape from +Pilsen, and offered to go to Altringer and to persuade him to return +with him. + +Wallenstein had no doubts of the fidelity of the general, and +allowed him to depart. As he did not return at once Piccolomini, +who was also most anxious to get out of the grasp of Wallenstein, +offered to go and fetch both Gallas and Altringer. Wallenstein +consented, and conveyed Piccolomini in his own carriage to Lintz. +No sooner had Piccolomini left him than he hurried to his own command, +denounced Wallenstein as a traitor, and prepared to surprise the +duke in Pilsen. Gallas at the same time sent round copies of his +commission to all the Imperial camps. + +Upon his arrival Malcolm at once proceeded to the castle, and, +finding the steward, requested him to inform the duke that he had +returned. In a few minutes he was ushered into his presence, and +handed to him the letter from Oxenstiern. Wallenstein tore it +open without a word and gave an exclamation of satisfaction as he +glanced it through. + +"This is opportune indeed," he said, "and I thank you for bringing +me the news so rapidly. Well did the astrologer say that my destiny +to some extent depended on you; this is a proof that he was right. +The chancellor tells me that the Duke of Saxe-Lauenberg will march +instantly with four thousand men to join me, and that Duke Bernhard +will move down at once with six thousand of the best Swedish troops. +I may yet be even with the traitors." + +Although the defection of Gallas and Piccolomini and the news of the +issue of the Imperial proclamation had fallen with stunning force +upon Wallenstein, he had still faith in the fidelity of the army +at large, and he had already despatched Marshal Terzky to Prague, +where all the troops faithful to him were to assemble, intending +to follow himself with the regiments at Pilsen as soon as carriage +could be obtained from the country round. His astrologer still +assured him that the stars were favourable, and Wallenstein's faith +in his own destiny was unshaken. + +Upon finding that Malcolm had orders to remain with him until he +was joined by Duke Bernhard, he ordered handsome apartments to be +prepared for him, and as there was no longer any reason why the +fact that a Swedish officer was in the castle should be concealed, +he commanded that Malcolm should be furnished with handsome raiment +of all sorts and a suit of superb armour. Upon the following +morning Wallenstein sent for him. + +"I have bad news," he said. "General Suys with an army arrived +at Prague before Terzky got there, and I fear that the influence +of Piccolomini, Gallas, and Altringer have withdrawn from me the +corps which they command. Terzky will return tomorrow morning, +and I shall then march with him and the troops here to Egra. There +I shall effect a junction with Duke Bernhard, who is instructed to +march upon that town.'' + +The duke, though anxious, still appeared confident; but the +outlook seemed to Malcolm extremely gloomy. The whole army save +the regiments around Pilsen had fallen away from Wallenstein. His +princely generosity to the generals and officers and his popularity +among the troops had failed to attach them to him now that he had +declared against the emperor, and it appeared to Malcolm that he +would be able to bring over to the Swedish cause only the corps +which he immediately commanded. + +Still his defection could not but cause a vast gap in the Imperial +defences, and the loss of the services of the greatest of their +leaders would in itself be a heavy blow to the Imperialist cause, +which had been almost solely supported by his commanding talents and +his vast private income. Terzky arrived on the following morning, +and the same afternoon Wallenstein with the whole of the troops at +Pilsen marched towards Egra. + +Among the officers attached to Wallenstein's person was a Scotchman +named Leslie, to whom and a few other confidants Wallenstein had +confided his designs. Wallenstein had at once introduced Malcolm to +him, and the two rode in company during the march to Egra. Malcolm +did not find him a cheerful companion. They chatted at times of +the engagements in which both had taken part although on opposite +sides; but Malcolm saw that his companion was absent and preoccupied, +and that he avoided any conversation as to the turn which events +had taken. + +At the end of the first day's ride Malcolm came to the decided +conclusion that he did not like his companion, and, moreover, that +his heart was far from being in the enterprise on which they were +engaged. The following day he avoided joining him, and rode with +some of the other officers. Upon their arrival at Egra the gates +were opened at their approach, and Colonel Butler, an Irishman who +commanded the garrison, met Wallenstein as he entered, and saluted +him with all honour. Wallenstein was pleased to find that the +disaffection which had spread so rapidly through the army had not +reached Egra. + +A few hours after he had entered the town Wallenstein received +the news that an Imperial edict had been issued proclaiming him +a traitor and an outlaw; he also learned that the corps under the +Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg was within a day's march of Egra. As soon +as the duke retired to his apartments Leslie sought out Colonel +Butler, and revealed to him the purposes of Wallenstein, and informed +him of the Imperial order absolving the army from their allegiance +to him. The two men, with Lieutenant Colonel Gordon, another +Imperialist officer, at once determined to capture Wallenstein and +to hand him over as a prisoner to the emperor. + +In the afternoon Leslie had an interview with Wallenstein, who +told him of the near approach of the Dukes of Saxe-Lauenburg and +Saxe-Weimar, and informed him of his plans for advancing from Egra +direct into the heart of Bohemia. + +The treacherous officer at once hurried away with the news to his +two associates, and it was agreed that the near approach of the +Saxons rendered it impossible for them to carry out their first plan, +but that instant and more urgent steps must be taken. That evening +a banquet was given by Butler to Wallenstein and his officers. The +duke, however, was too anxious to appear at it, and remained in his +own apartment, the rest of the officers, among them Wallenstein's +chief confidants, Illo, Terzky, and Kinsky, together with Captain +Neumann, an intimate adviser of Terzky, were among the guests. +Malcolm was also present. + +The banquet passed off gaily, Wallenstein's health was drunk in +full bumpers, and his friends boasted freely that in a few days +he would find himself at the head of as powerful an army as he had +ever before commanded. Malcolm had naturally been placed at the +table near his compatriots, and it seemed to him that their gaiety +was forced and unnatural, and a sense of danger came over him. + +The danger indeed was great, although he knew it not. The drawbridge +of the castle had been drawn up, the avenues leading to it guarded, +and twenty infantry soldiers and six of Butler's dragoons were in +hiding in the apartment next to the banqueting hall. + +Dessert was placed on the table; Leslie gave the signal, and in an +instant the hall was filled with armed men, who placed themselves +behind the chairs of Wallenstein's trusted officers with shouts +of "Long live Ferdinand!" The three officers instantly sprang to +their feet, but Terzky and Kinsky were slain before they had time +to draw their swords. + +Neumann in the confusion escaped into the court, where he too was +cut down. Illo burst through his assailants, and placing his back +against a window stood on his defence. As he kept his assailants +at bay he poured the bitterest reproaches upon Gordon for his +treachery, and challenged him to fight him fairly and honourably. +After a gallant resistance, in which he slew two of his assailants, +he fell to the ground overpowered by numbers, and pierced with ten +wounds. + +Malcolm had sprung to his feet at the commencement of the tumult, +but was pressed down again into his chair by two soldiers, while +Leslie exclaimed, "Keep yourself quiet, sir, I would fain save you +as a fellow countryman, and as one who is simply here in the execution +of his duty; but if you draw sword to defend these traitors, you +must share their fate." + +No sooner had the murder of the four officers been accomplished +than Leslie, Butler, and Gordon issued into the town. Butler's +cavalry paraded the streets, and that officer quieted the garrison +by telling them that Wallenstein had been proclaimed a traitor and +an outlaw, and that all who were faithful to the emperor must obey +their orders. The regiments most attached to Wallenstein had not +entered the city, and the garrison listened to the voice of their +commander. + +Wallenstein knew nothing of what had taken place in the castle, +and had just retired to bed when a band of Butler's soldiers, led +by Captain Devereux, an Irishman, burst into his apartment. The +duke leaped from his bed, but before he could snatch up a sword he +was pierced through and through by the murderers' halberts. + +So fell one of the greatest men of his age. Even to the present day +there are differences of opinion as to the extent of his guilt, but +none as to the treachery with which he was murdered by his most +trusted officers. That Wallenstein owed much gratitude to the +emperor is unquestionable, but upon the other hand he had even a +greater title to the gratitude of Ferdinand, whose crown and empire +he had repeatedly saved. Wallenstein was no bigot, his views were +broad and enlightened, and he was therefore viewed with the greatest +hostility by the violent Catholics around the king, by Maximilian +of Bavaria, by the Spaniards, and by the Jesuits, who were all +powerful at court. These had once before brought about his dismissal +from the command, after he had rendered supreme services, and their +intrigues against him were again at the point of success when +Wallenstein determined to defy and dethrone the emperor. The coldness +with which he was treated at court, the marked inattention to all +his requests, the consciousness that while he was winning victories +in the field his enemies were successfully plotting at court, angered +the proud and haughty spirit of Wallenstein almost to madness, +and it may truly be said that he was goaded into rebellion. The +verdict of posterity has certainly been favourable to him, and the +dastardly murder which requited a lifetime of brilliant services has +been held to more than counterbalance the faults which he committed. + + + +CHAPTER XXIV MALCOLM'S ESCAPE + + +After the fall of Wallenstein's colonels Malcolm was led away +a prisoner, and was conducted to a dungeon in the castle. It was +not until the door closed behind him that he could fairly realize +what had taken place, so sudden and unexpected had been the scene +in the banqueting hall. Five minutes before he had been feasting +and drinking the health of Wallenstein, now he was a prisoner of +the Imperialists. Wallenstein's adherents had been murdered, and +it was but too probable that a like fate would befall the general +himself. The alliance from which so much had been hoped, which +seemed to offer a prospect of a termination of the long and bloody +struggle, was cut short at a blow. + +As to his own fate it seemed dark enough, and his captivity might +last for years, for the Imperialists' treatment of their prisoners +was harsh in the extreme. The system of exchange, which was usual +then as now, was in abeyance during the religious war in Germany. +There was an almost personal hatred between the combatants, and, +as Malcolm knew, many of his compatriots who had fallen into the +hands of the Imperialists had been treated with such harshness +in prison that they had died there. Some, indeed, were more than +suspected of having been deliberately starved to death. + +However, Malcolm had gone through so many adventures that even the +scene which he had witnessed and his own captivity and uncertain fate +were insufficient to banish sleep from his eyes, and he reposed as +soundly on the heap of straw in the corner of his cell as he would +have done in the carved and gilded bed in the apartment which had +been assigned to him in the castle. + +The sun was shining through the loophole of his dungeon when he +awoke. For an hour he occupied himself in polishing carefully the +magnificently inlaid armour which Wallenstein had presented him, +and which, with the exception of his helmet, he had not laid aside +when he sat down to the banquet, for it was very light and in no +way hampered his movements, and except when quartered in towns far +removed from an enemy officers seldom laid aside their arms. He +still retained his sword and dagger, for his captors, in their haste +to finish the first act of the tragedy, and to resist any rising +which might take place among the soldiery, had omitted to take them +from him when they hurried him away. + +On examination he found that with his dagger he could shove back +the lock of the door, but this was firmly held by bolts without. +Thinking that on some future occasion the blade might be useful +to him, he pushed the dagger well into the lock, and with a sharp +jerk snapped it off at the hilt. Then he concealed the steel within +his long boot and cast the hilt through the loophole. + +Presently a soldier brought him his breakfast -- a manchet of bread +and a stoup of wine. He was visited again at dinner and supper. +Before the soldier came in the first time Malcolm concealed his +sword in the straw, thinking that the soldier would be sure to +remove it if he noticed it. The man who brought his breakfast and +dinner was taciturn, and made no reply to his questions, but another +man brought his supper, and he turned out of a more communicative +disposition. + +"What has happened?" he repeated in reply to Malcolm's question. +"Well, I don't know much about it myself, but I do know that +Wallenstein is dead, for the trooper who rides next to me helped to +kill him. Everyone is content that the traitor has been punished, +and as the troops have all pronounced for the emperor every thing +is quiet. We had a good laugh this afternoon. The colonel sent +out one of our men dressed up in Wallenstein's livery to meet the +Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg and invite him to come on at once and join +him here. The duke suspected no danger, and rode on ahead of his +troops, with a few attendants, and you should have seen his face, +when, after passing through the gates, he suddenly found himself +surrounded by our men and a prisoner. Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar will +be here tomorrow, as they say, and we shall catch him in the same +way. It's a rare trap this, I can tell you." + +The news heightened Malcolm's uneasiness. The capture of Duke +Bernhard, the most brilliant of the German generals on the Protestant +side, would be a heavy blow indeed to the cause, and leaving his +supper untasted Malcolm walked up and down his cell in a fever of +rage at his impotence to prevent so serious a disaster. + +At last he ate his supper, and then threw himself upon the straw, +but he was unable to sleep. The death of Wallenstein had made +a deep impression upon him. The Imperialist general was greatly +respected by his foes. Not only was he admired for his immense +military talents, but he carried on the war with a chivalry and +humanity which contrasted strongly with the ferocity of Tilly, +Pappenheim, and Piccolomini. Prisoners who fell into his hands +were always treated with courtesy, and although, from motives of +policy, he placed but little check upon the excesses of his soldiery, +no massacres, such as those which had caused the names of Tilly and +Pappenheim to be held in abhorrence by the Protestants of Germany, +were associated with that of Wallenstein. Then, too, the princely +dignity and noble presence of the duke had greatly impressed +the young soldier, and the courtesy with which he had treated him +personally had attracted his liking as well as respect. To think +that this great general, this princely noble, the man who alone had +baffled the Lion of the North, had been foully murdered by those +he had trusted and favoured, filled him with grief and indignation, +the more so since two of the principal assassins were Scotchmen. + +The thought that on the morrow Duke Bernhard of Weimar -- a leader +in importance second only to the Chancellor of Sweden -- would +fall unsuspiciously into the trap set for him goaded him almost +to madness, and he tossed restlessly on the straw through the long +hours of the night. Towards morning he heard a faint creaking of +bolts, then there was a sound of the locks of the door being turned. +He grasped his sword and sprang to his feet. He heard the door +close again, and then a man produced a lantern from beneath a long +cloak, and he saw Wallenstein's steward before him. The old man's +eyes were bloodshot with weeping, and his face betokened the anguish +which the death of his master had caused him. + +"You have heard the news?" he asked. + +"Alas!" Malcolm replied, "I have heard it indeed." + +"I am determined," the old man said, "to thwart the projects of +these murderers and to have vengeance upon them. None have thought +of me. I was an old man, too insignificant for notice, and I have +passed the day in my chamber lamenting the kindest of lords, the +best of masters. Last evening I heard the soldiers boasting that +today they would capture the Duke of Saxe-Weimar, and I determined +to foil them. They have been feasting and drinking all night, and +it is but now that the troopers have fallen into a drunken slumber +and I was able to possess myself of the key of your dungeon. + +"Here is your helmet. I will lead you to the stable, where I +have saddled the best and fastest of my master's horses. You must +remain there quietly until you deem that the gates are open, then +leap upon the horse, and ride for your life. Few will know you, +and you will probably pass out of the gate unquestioned. If not, +you have your sword to cut your way. Once beyond the town ride +to meet the duke. Tell him my master has been murdered, that Egra +is in the hands of the Imperialists, and that Saxe-Lauenburg is a +prisoner. Bid him march on this place with his force, take it by +assault, and leave not one of the assassins of my lord living within +its walls." + +"You will run no risk, I hope, for your share in this adventure," +Malcolm said. + +"It matters little to me," the old man replied. "My life is +worthless, and I would gladly die in the thought that I have brought +retribution on the head of the murderers of my master. But they +will not suspect me. I shall lock the door behind us, and place +the key again in the girdle of the drunken guard, and then return +to my own chamber." + +Quietly Malcolm and his conductor made their way through the castle +and out into the courtyard. Then they entered the stables. + +"This is the horse," the steward said, again uncovering his lantern. +"Is he not a splendid animal? He was my master's favourite, and +sooner than that his murderers should ride him I would cut the throat +of the noble beast with my dagger; but he has a better mission in +carrying the avenger of his master's blood. And now farewell. The +rest is in your own hands. May Heaven give you good fortune." So +saying, the old man set down his lantern and left Malcolm alone. + +The latter, after examining the saddle and bridle, and seeing that +every buckle was firm and in its place, extinguished the light, +and waited patiently for morning. In two hours a faint light began +to show itself. Stronger and stronger it grew until it was broad +day. Still there were but few sounds of life and movement in the +castle. Presently, however, the noise of footsteps and voices was +heard in the courtyard. + +Although apprehensive that at any moment the stable door might +open, Malcolm still delayed his start, as it would be fatal were he +to set out before the opening of the gates. At last he felt sure +that they must be opened to admit the country people coming in with +supplies for the market. He had donned his helmet before leaving +his cell, and he now quietly opened the stable door, sprang into +the saddle, and rode boldly out. + +Several soldiers were loitering about the courtyard. Some were +washing at the trough and bathing their heads beneath the fountain +to get rid of the fumes of the wine they had indulged in overnight. +Others were cleaning their arms. + +The sudden appearance of a mounted officer armed from head to foot +caused a general pause in their occupation, although none had any +suspicion that the splendidly attired officer was a fugitive; but, +believing that he was one of Leslie's friends who was setting out +on some mission, they paid no further heed to him, as quietly and +without any sign of haste he rode through the gateway of the castle +into the town. The inhabitants were already in the streets, country +women with baskets were vending their produce, and the market was +full of people. Malcolm rode on at a foot pace until he was within +sight of the open gate of the town. When within fifty yards of +the gate he suddenly came upon Colonel Leslie, who had thus early +been making a tour of the walls to see that the sentries were upon +the alert, for Duke Bernhard's force was within a few miles. He +instantly recognized Malcolm. + +"Ah!" he exclaimed, "Captain Graheme -- treachery! treachery! shut +the gate there," and drawing his sword, threw himself in Malcolm's +way. + +Malcolm touched the horse with his spur and it bounded forward; he +parried the blow which Leslie struck at him, and, with a sweeping +cut full on the traitor's helmet, struck him to the ground and +then dashed onward. A sentry was beginning to shut the gate, and +his comrades were running out from the guardhouse as Malcolm galloped +up. + +The steward had fastened the holsters on to the saddle, and Malcolm, +before starting, had seen to the priming of the pistols in them. +Drawing one he shot the man who was closing the gate, and before his +comrades could run up he dashed through it and over the drawbridge. + +Several bullets whizzed around him, but he was soon out of range, +and galloping at full speed in the direction in which the steward +had told him that Duke Bernhard was encamped. In half an hour he +reached the Swedish lines, and rode at once to the tent of the duke +who was upon the point of mounting; beside him stood a man in the +livery of Wallenstein. As he rode up Malcolm drew his pistol, and +said to the man: + +"If you move a foot I will send a bullet through your head." + +"What is this?" exclaimed the duke in astonishment, "and who are +you, sir, who with such scant courtesy ride into my camp?" + +Malcolm raised his vizor. "I am Captain Graheme of Munro's +regiment," he said, "and I have ridden here to warn your excellency +of treachery. Wallenstein has been foully murdered. Egra is in +the hands of the Imperialists, the Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg has been +beguiled into a trap and taken prisoner, and this fellow, who is +one of Butler's troopers, has been sent here to lead you into a +like snare." + +"Wallenstein murdered!" the duke exclaimed in tones of horror. +"Murdered, say you? Impossible!" + +"It is but too true, sir," Malcolm replied; "I myself saw his friends +Illo, Terzky, and Kinsky assassinated before my eyes at a banquet. +Wallenstein was murdered by his favourites Leslie and Gordon and +the Irishman Butler. I was seized and thrown into a dungeon, but +have escaped by a miracle to warn you of your danger." + +"This is a blow indeed," the duke said mournfully. Turning to +his attendants he ordered them to hang the false messenger to the +nearest tree, and then begged Malcolm to follow him into his tent +and give him full details of this terrible transaction. + +"This upsets all our schemes indeed," the duke said when he had +concluded. "What is the strength of the garrison at Egra?" + +"There were Butler's dragoons and an infantry regiment in garrison +there when we arrived; six regiments accompanied us on the march, +and I fear that all these must now be considered as having gone +over to the Imperialists." + +"Then their force is superior to my own," the duke said, "for +I have but six thousand men with me, and have no artillery heavy +enough to make any impression upon the walls of the town. Much as +I should like to meet these traitors and to deal out to them the +punishment they deserve, I cannot adventure on the siege of Egra until +I have communicated this terrible news to the Swedish chancellor. +Egra was all important to us as affording an entrance into Bohemia so +long as Wallenstein was with us, but now that he has been murdered +and our schemes thus suddenly destroyed I cannot risk the destruction +of my force by an assault upon the city, which is no longer of use +to us." + +Much as Malcolm would have liked to have seen the punishment of +Wallenstein's treacherous followers, he could not but feel that +the duke's view was, under the circumstances, the correct one. The +tents were speedily struck, and the force fell back with all speed +towards Bavaria, and after accompanying them for a march or two, +Malcolm left them and rode to join his regiment, the duke having +already sent off a messenger to Oxenstiern with a full account of +the murder of Wallenstein. + +As none could say what events were likely to follow the changed +position of things, Malcolm determined at once to carry out the +original intention of placing Thekla under the care of his friends +at Nuremberg, in which direction it was not probable that the tide +of war would for the present flow. After staying therefore a day +or two with his regiment, where his relation of the events he had +witnessed caused the greatest excitement and interest, Malcolm +obtained leave from his colonel to escort Thekla to Nuremberg. + +In order that they might pass in perfect safety across the intervening +country Munro gave him an escort of twelve troopers, and with these +he journeyed by easy stages to Nuremberg, where the worthy syndic +of the clockmakers and his wife gladly received Thekla, and promised +to treat her as one of their own daughters. + +Here Malcolm took possession of his arms and valises, which he had +sent, upon starting for Prague, to the care of Jans Boerhoff; not +indeed that he needed the armour, for the suit which Wallenstein +had given him was the admiration and envy of his comrades, and +Munro had laughingly said that since Hepburn had left them no such +gallantly attired cavalier had ridden in the ranks of the Scottish +brigade. + +There were many tears on Thekla's part as her young protector bade +her adieu, for there was no saying how long a time might elapse +before she might again see him, and Malcolm was sorely tempted +to tell her that he had her father's consent to wooing her as his +wife. He thought it, however, better to abstain from speaking, for +should he fall in the campaign her grief would be all the greater +had she come to think of him as her destined husband, for her +hearty affection for him already assured him that she would make +no objection to carrying out her father's wishes. + +Shortly after rejoining his regiment Malcolm received a communication +from the Swedish chancellor expressing in high terms his approbation +of the manner in which he had carried out his instructions with +regard to Wallenstein, and especially for the great service he had +rendered the cause by warning the Duke of Saxe-Weimar of the trap +which the Imperialists had set for him. + +The death of Wallenstein was followed by a short pause in the +war. It had entirely frustrated all the plans and hopes of the +Protestants, and it caused a delay in the movement of the Imperialists. +The emperor, when he heard of Wallenstein's death, heaped favours +and honours upon the three men who had plotted and carried out his +murder, and then appointed his son Ferdinand, King of Hungary, to +the chief command of the army, with General Gallas as his principal +adviser. + +The Duke of Lorraine marched with an army to join the Imperialists, +who were also strengthened by the arrival of 10,000 Spanish veterans, +and early in May the new Imperial general entered the Palatinate +and marched to lay siege to Ratisbon. To oppose the Imperial +army, which numbered 35,000 men, Duke Bernhard, after having drawn +together all the troops scattered in the neighbourhood, could only +put 15,000 in the field. With so great a disparity of force he +could not offer battle, but in every way he harassed and interrupted +the advance of the Imperialists, while he sent pressing messages +to Oxenstiern for men and money, and to Marshal Horn, who commanded +in Alsace, to beg him march with all haste to his assistance. + +Unfortunately Horn and Duke Bernhard were men of extremely different +temperaments. The latter was vivacious, enterprising, and daring +even to rashness, ready to undertake any enterprise which offered +the smallest hope of success. Marshal Horn, on the other hand, +although a good general, was slow, over cautious and hesitating, +and would never move until his plans appeared to promise almost +a certainty of success. Besides this, Horn, a Swede, was a little +jealous that Duke Bernhard, a German, should be placed in the +position of general-in-chief, and this feeling no doubt tended to +increase his caution and to delay his action. + +Consequently he was so long a time before be obeyed the pressing +messages sent by the duke, that Ratisbon, after a valiant defence, +surrendered on the 29th of July, before he had effected a junction +with the duke's army. The Imperialists then marched upon Donauworth, +and this place, after a feeble defence, also capitulated. The duke, +heartbroken at seeing the conquests, which had been effected at so +great a loss of life and treasure, wrested from his hands while he +was unable to strike a blow to save them, in despair marched away +to Swabia to meet the slowly advancing army of Marshal Horn. + +No sooner was the junction effected than he turned quickly back and +reached the vicinity of Nordlingen, only to find the enemy already +there before him, and posted on the more advanced of the two heights +which dominate the plain. By a skillful manoeuvre, however, he was +enabled to throw within its walls a reinforcement to the garrison +of eight hundred men. + +Nordlingen, an important free town, stands on the south bank of +the Ries, some 18 miles to the northeast of Donauworth. It was +surrounded by a wall, interspersed with numerous towers, sufficiently +strong to guard it against any surprise, but not to defend it against +a regular siege by a numerous army. The vast plain on which the +town stands is broken near its centre by two heights rising at a +distance of three thousand yards from each other. + +The height nearest to the town, which is very steep and craggy, is +known as the Weinberg, the other is called Allersheim; a village +stands some three hundred yards in advance of the valley between the +heights, and is nearer to the town than either of the two eminences. + +The Scotch brigade formed part of Duke Bernhard's command. It was +now nearly two years since a pitched battle had been fought, for +although there had been many skirmishes and assaults in the preceding +year no great encounter had taken place between the armies since +Gustavus fell at Lutzen, in October, 1632, and the Scotch brigade +had not been present at that battle. In the time which had elapsed +many recruits had arrived from Scotland, and Munro's regiment had +been again raised to the strength at which it had landed at Rugen +four years before. Not half a dozen of the officers who had then, +full of life and spirit, marched in its ranks were now present. +Death had indeed been busy among them. On the evening of their +arrival in sight of the Imperialist army the two Grahemes supped +with their colonel. Munro had but just arrived from the duke's +quarters. + +"I suppose we shall fight tomorrow, Munro," Major Graheme said. + +"It is not settled," the colonel replied; "between ourselves the +duke and Horn are not of one mind. The duke wants to fight; he +urges that were we to allow Nordlingen to fall, as we have allowed +Ratisbon and Donauworth, without striking a blow to save it, it would +be an evidence of caution and even cowardice which would have the +worst possible effect through Germany. Nordlingen has ever been +staunch to the cause, and the Protestants would everywhere fall away +from us did they find that we had so little care for their safety +as to stand by and see them fall into the hands of the Imperialists +without an effort. It is better, in the duke's opinion, to fight +and to be beaten than to tamely yield Nordlingen to the Imperialists. +In the one case honour would be satisfied and the reformers +throughout Germany would feel that we had done our utmost to save +their co-religionists, on the other hand there would be shame and +disgrace." + +"There is much in what the duke says," Nigel Graheme remarked. + +"There is much," Munro rejoined; "but there is much also in the +arguments of Horn. He reasons that we are outnumbered, the enemy +is superior to us by at least a third, and to save the town we must +attack them in an immensely strong position, which it will cost us +great numbers to capture. + +"The chances against our winning a victory are fully five to one. +Granted the fall of Nordlingen will injure us in the eyes of the +princes and people of Germany; but with good management on our part +the feeling thus aroused will be but temporary, for we should soon +wipe out the reverse. Of the 35,000 men of which the Imperial army +is composed, 8000 at least are Spaniards who are on their way to +Flanders, and who will very shortly leave it. + +"On the other hand the Rhinegrave Otto Ludwig is with 7000 men within +a few marches of us; in a short time therefore we shall actually +outnumber the enemy, and shall be able to recover our prestige, +just as we recovered it at Leipzig after suffering Magdeburg to +fall. We shall recapture the towns which he has taken, and if the +enemy should dare to accept battle we shall beat him, and shall be +in a position to march upon Vienna." + +"Horn's arguments are the strongest," Nigel Graheme said gravely; +"the course he advises is the most prudent one." + +"Undoubtedly," Munro replied; "but I think that it will not be +followed. The duke is of a fiery spirit, and he would feel it, as +most of us would feel it, a disgrace to fall back without striking +a blow for Nordlingen. He has, too, been goaded nearly to madness +during the last few days by messengers and letters which have reached +him from the reformed princes and the free towns in all parts of +Germany, reproaching him bitterly for having suffered Ratisbon and +Donauworth to fall into the hands of the enemy without a blow, and +he feels that his honour is concerned. I have little doubt that we +shall fight a great battle to save Nordlingen." + + + +CHAPTER XXV NORDLINGEN + + +While Colonel Munro and his companions were discussing the matter +a council of war was being held, and Duke Bernhard's view was +adopted by all his generals, who felt with him that their honour +was involved in the question, and that it would be disgraceful to +march away without striking a blow to save the besieged city. Horn, +therefore, being outvoted, was forced to give way. Up to nightfall +the Imperialists had showed no signs of an intention to occupy the +Weinberg, their forces being massed on and around the Allersheim +Hill. It was determined therefore to seize the Weinberg at once, +and the execution of this step was committed to Horn. + +The choice was most unfortunate. The service was one upon the +prompt carrying out of which victory depended, and Horn, though a +brave and capable commander, was slow and cautious, and particularly +unfitted for executing a service which had to be performed in a +dark night across a country with which he was not familiar. Taking +with him four thousand chosen musketeers and pikemen and twelve +guns he set out at nine o'clock, but the rough road, the dikes, +and ditches which intercepted the country impeded him, and the fact +that he was unacquainted with the general position of the country +made him doubly cautious, and it was not until midnight that he +reached the foot of the hill. + +Here, unfortunately, he came to the conclusion that since he had +encountered such difficulties in crossing the flat country he should +meet with even greater obstacles and delays in ascending the hill +in the dark; he therefore took the fatal resolution of remaining +where he was until daylight, and accordingly ordered the column to +halt. Had he continued his march he would have reached the summit +of the Weinberg unopposed, and the fate of the battle on the following +day would have been changed. But the Imperialist leaders, Gallas +and Cardinal Infanta Don Fernando, had not been unmindful of the +commanding position of the hill upon which Horn was marching, and +had given orders that it should be occupied before daylight by four +hundred Spaniards. + +The commander of this force was as over prompt in the execution +of his orders as Horn was over cautious. He reached the top of +the Weinberg before midnight, and at once set his men to work to +intrench themselves strongly. As soon as daybreak enabled Horn +to see the fatal consequences which had arisen from his delay he +ordered his men to advance. With their usual gallantry the Swedes +mounted the hill and rushed at the intrenchment. It was defended +with the greatest obstinacy and courage by the Spaniards; but after +desperate fighting the Swedes forced their way into the work at +two points, and were upon the point of capturing the position when +an ammunition wagon accidentally exploded in their midst, killing +great numbers and throwing the rest into a temporary disorder, +which enabled the Spaniards to drive them out and again occupy the +intrenchments. + +Before the Swedes had fully recovered themselves the Spanish cavalry, +which at the first sound of the conflict the cardinal had ordered +to the spot, charged them in flank and forced them to a precipitate +retreat down the hillside. Bitterly regretting his delay at midnight, +Horn brought up fresh troops, and after addressing encouraging +words to those who had been already repulsed, led the united body +to the assault. + +But the Weinberg, which had been occupied in the early morning by +only four hundred men, was now defended by the whole of the Spanish +infantry. Vain now was the energy of Horn, and ineffectual the valour +of his troops. Time after time did the Swedes climb the hill and +strive to obtain a footing on its crest, each assault was repulsed +with prodigious slaughter. Duke Bernhard was now fully engaged +with the Imperialists on the Allersheim, and was gradually gaining +ground. Seeing, however, how fruitless were the efforts of Horn +to capture the Weinberg, he despatched as many of his infantry as +he could spare to reinforce the marshal. Among these was Munro's +regiment. + +"Now, my brave lads," Colonel Munro shouted, as he led his regiment +against the hill, "show them what Scottish hearts can do." With a +cheer the regiment advanced. Pressing forward unflinchingly under +a hail of bullets they won their way up the hill, and then gathering, +hurled themselves with a shout upon the heavy masses of Spanish +veterans. For a moment the latter recoiled before the onset; then +they closed in around the Scotch, who had already lost a third of +their number in ascending the hill. + +Never did the famous regiment fight with greater courage and fury; +but they were outnumbered ten to one, and their opponents were +soldiers of European reputation. In vain the Scotchmen strove to +break through the serried line of pikes which surrounded them. Here +and there a knot of desperate men would win a way through; but ere +others could follow them the Spanish line closed in again and cut +them off from their comrades, and they died fighting to the last. + +Fighting desperately in the front rank Munro and his officers +encouraged their men with shouts and example; but it was all in +vain, and he at last shouted to the remains of his followers to +form in a solid body and cut their way back through the enemy who +surrounded them. Hemmed in as they were by enemies the Scottish +spearmen obeyed, and, headed by their colonel, flung themselves +with a sudden rush upon the enemy. Before the weight and fury +of the charge the veterans of Spain gave way, and the Scots found +themselves on the crest of the hill which they had lately ascended. +No sooner were they free from the Spanish ranks than the musketeers +of the latter opened fire upon them, and numbers fell in the retreat. +When they reached the foot of the fatal hill, and bleeding and +breathless gathered round their commander, Munro burst into tears +on finding that of the noble regiment he had led up the hill scarce +enough remained to form a single company. Seven times now had Horn +striven to carry the hill, seven times had he been repulsed with +terrible slaughter, and he now began to fall back to join the +force of Duke Bernhard. The latter, recognizing that the battle +was lost, and that Horn, if not speedily succoured, was doomed, +for the Imperialists, flushed with victory, were striving to cut +him off, made a desperate attack upon the enemy hoping to draw +their whole forces upon himself, and so enable Horn to retire. For +the moment he succeeded, but he was too weak in numbers to bear +the assault he had thus provoked. John of Werth, who commanded +the Imperial cavalry, charged down upon the Swedish horsemen and +overthrew them so completely that these, forced back upon their +infantry, threw them also into complete disorder. + +The instant Horn had given the orders to retreat, Colonel Munro, +seeing the danger of the force being surrounded, formed up the +little remnant of his regiment and set off at the double to rejoin +the force of the duke. It was well that he did so, for just when +he had passed over the intervening ground the Imperialist cavalry, +fresh from the defeat of the Swedes, swept across the ground, +completely cutting off Horn's division from that of the duke. A few +minutes later Marshal Horn, surrounded on all sides by the enemy, +and feeling the impossibility of further resistance with his weakened +and diminished force, was forced to surrender with all his command. + +Duke Bernhard narrowly escaped the same fate; but in the end he +managed to rally some nine thousand men and retreated towards the +Maine. The defeat was a terrible one; ten thousand men were killed +and wounded, and four thousand under Horn taken prisoners; all the +guns, equipage, and baggage fell into the hands of the enemy. + +Nordlingen was the most decisive battle of the war; its effect was +to change a war which had hitherto been really only a civil war -- +a war of religion -- into one with a foreign enemy. Hitherto France +had contented herself with subsidizing Sweden, who had played the +principal part. Henceforward Sweden was to occupy but a secondary +position. Cardinal Richelieu saw the danger of allowing Austria to +aggrandize itself at the expense of all Germany, and now took the +field in earnest. + +Upon the other hand Nordlingen dissolved the confederacy of +the Protestant German princes against Ferdinand the Second. The +Elector of Saxony, who had ever been vacillating and irresolute in +his policy, was the first to set the example by making peace with +the emperor. The Elector of Brandenburg, Duke William of Weimar, +the Prince of Anhalt, the Duke of Brunswick-Luneburg, the Duke of +Mecklenburg, Pomerania, and the cities of Augsburg, Wurzburg, and +Coburg, and many others hastened to follow the example of all the +leading members of the Protestant Union. + +Dukes Bernhard of Weimar and William of Cassel were almost alone +in supporting the cause to maintain which Gustavus Adolphus had +invaded Germany. The Swedish army, whose exploits had made the court +of Vienna tremble, seemed annihilated, and well might the emperor +deem that his final triumph over Protestantism was complete when he +heard of the battle of Nordlingen, for as yet he dreamed not that +its result would bring France into the field against him. + +Malcolm Graheme was one of the few officers of Munro's regiment who +burst his way through the Spanish lines on the top of the Weinberg. +He was bleeding from several wounds, but none of them were serious. +Nigel was beside him as they began to descend the hill; but scarcely +had he gone a step when he fell headlong, struck by a ball from an +arquebus. Malcolm and one of the sergeants raised him, and between +them carried him to the foot of the hill; then, when the remains +of the regiments started to rejoin Duke Bernhard, they were forced +to leave him. Although Malcolm kept up with his regiment in the +retreat he was so utterly exhausted by loss of blood that he could +no longer accompany them. By the death of so many of his seniors he +was now one of the majors of the regiment, if that could be called +a regiment which was scarce a company in strength. A few days +after the battle Colonel Munro received orders to march with his +shattered remnant, scarce one of whom but was from wounds unfit for +present service, by easy stages to North Germany, there to await +the arrival of reinforcements from Scotland, which might raise +the regiment to a strength which would enable it again to take the +field. + +Malcolm remained behind until his strength slowly returned. The +colonel, before leaving, had bade him take his time before rejoining, +as months would probably elapse before the regiment would again be +fit for service. As soon as he was able to travel he journeyed to +Nuremberg. On arriving at the abode of Jans Boerhoff he learned that +Thekla was no longer an inmate of the family. The Count of Mansfeld +had died in prison, and the countess had arrived at Nuremberg and had +taken up her abode there. Malcolm made his way to the house she +occupied. The meeting was an affecting one. Malcolm was greatly grieved +over the death of his staunch friend, and joined in the sorrow of +the countess and her daughter. A few days after his arrival the +countess said to him: + +"I am of course aware, Malcolm, of the conversation which the count +had with you concerning Thekla, and my wishes fully agreed with +his on the subject. In other times one would not speak of marriage +when Thekla's father had been but two months dead; but it is no +time for conventionalities now. All Southern Germany is falling away +from the Protestant cause, and ere long we may see the Imperialists +at the gate of Nuremberg, and it may be that in a few months the +whole of Germany will be in their power. Therefore, I would that +there should be no delay. Thekla is nearly seventeen; you are +twenty-one -- over young both to enter upon the path of matrimony; +but the events of the last few months have made a woman of her, +while you have long since proved yourself both in thoughtfulness +and in valour to be a man. Thekla is no longer a great heiress. +Since Nordlingen we may consider that her father's estates have +gone for ever, mine may follow in a few months. Therefore I must +ask you, are you ready to take her without dowry?" + +"I am," Malcolm said earnestly, "and that right gladly, for I love +her with all my heart." + +"It needs no questioning on my part," the countess said, "to know +that she loves you as truly, and that her happiness depends wholly +on you. I saw her anguish when the news came of the terrible defeat +at Nordlingen and of the annihilation of some of the Scottish +regiments. My heart was wrung by her silent despair, her white and +rigid face, until the news came that you were among the few who had +survived the battle, and, in the outburst of joy and thankfulness +at the news, she owned to me that she loved you, her only fear being +that you cared for her only as a sister, since no word of love had +ever passed your lips. I reassured her on that score by telling her +of your conversation with her father, and that a feeling of duty +alone had kept you silent while she remained under your protection. + +"However, Malcolm, she will not come to you penniless, for, seeing +that it was possible that the war would terminate adversely, and +determined to quit the country should he be forbidden to worship +according to his own religion here, the count has from time to time +despatched considerable sums to the care of a banker at Hamburg, +and there are now 10,000 gold crowns in his hands. + +"There are, moreover, my estates at Silesia, but these I have for +sometime foreseen would follow those of my husband and fall into +the hands of the emperor. Before the death of the count I talked +over the whole matter with him, and he urged me in any case, even +should you fall before becoming the husband of Thekla, to leave +this unhappy country and to take refuge abroad. + +"Before his death I had an interview with my nearest kinsman, who has +taken sides with the Imperialists, and to him I offered to resign +Thekla's rights as heiress to the estate for the sum of 10,000 +crowns. As this was but three years revenue of the estates, and it +secured their possession to him whether the Imperialists or Swedes +were victorious in the struggle, he consented, after having obtained +the emperor's consent to the step, and I have this morning received +a letter from him saying that the money has been lodged in the +hands of the banker at Hamburg, and Thekla and I have this morning +signed a deed renouncing in his favour all claim to the estate. Thus +Thekla has a dowry of 20,000 gold crowns -- a sum not unworthy of +a dowry even for the daughter of a Count of Mansfeld; but with it +you must take me also, for I would fain leave the country and end +my days with her." + +"Do you keep the dowry so long as you live, countess," Malcolm said +earnestly. "It is more than the richest noble in Scotland could +give with his daughter. My own estate, though small, is sufficient +to keep Thekla and myself in ease, and my pleasure in having you +with us will be equal to hers. You would wish, of course, that I +should quit the army and return home, and, indeed, I am ready to do +so. I have had more than enough of wars and fighting. I have been +preserved well nigh by a miracle, when my comrades have fallen +around me like grass. I cannot hope that such fortune would always +attend me. The cause for which I have fought seems lost, and since +the Protestant princes of Germany are hastening to desert it, neither +honour nor common sense demand that I, a soldier of fortune and a +foreigner, should struggle any longer for it; therefore I am ready +at once to resign my commission and to return to Scotland." + +"So be it," the countess said; "but regarding Thekla's dowry I shall +insist on having my way. I should wish to see her in a position +similar to that in which she was born, and with this sum you can +largely increase your estates and take rank among the nobles of +your country. Now I will call Thekla in and leave you to ask her +to agree to the arrangements we have made. + +"My child," she went on, as Thekla in obedience to her summons +entered the apartment, "Malcolm Graheme has asked your hand of me. +He tells me that he loves you truly, and is willing to take you as +a penniless bride, and to carry you and me away with him far from +these terrible wars to his native Scotland -- what say you, my +love?" + +Thekla affected neither shyness or confusion, her colour hardly +heightened as in her sombre mourning she advanced to Malcolm, and +laying her hand in his, said: + +"He cannot doubt my answer, mother; he must know that I love him +with my whole heart." + +"Then, my daughter," the countess said, "I will leave you to +yourselves; there is much to arrange, for time presses, and your +betrothal must be quickly followed by marriage." + +It was but a few days later that Malcolm led Thekla to the altar +in St. Sebald's Church, Nuremberg. The marriage was a quiet one, +seeing that the bride had been so lately orphaned, and only Jans +Boerhoff and his family, and two or three Scottish comrades of +Malcolm's, who were recovering from their wounds at Nuremberg, were +present at the quiet ceremony. The following day the little party +started for the north. Malcolm had already received a letter from +Oxenstiern accepting his resignation, thanking him heartily for +the good services he had rendered, and congratulating him on his +approaching wedding. + +Without adventure they reached Hamburg, and there, arranging with +the banker for the transmission of the sum in his hands to Edinburgh, +they took ship and crossed to Scotland. + +Three months later Malcolm was delighted by the appearance of his +uncle Nigel. The latter was indeed in dilapidated condition, having +lost an arm, and suffering from other wounds. He had been retained +a prisoner by the Imperialists only until he was cured, when they +had freed him in exchange for an Imperial officer who had been +captured by the Swedes. + +Thekla's dowry enabled her husband largely to increase his estates. +A new and handsome mansion was erected at a short distance from the +old castle, and here Malcolm Graheme lived quietly for very many +years with his beautiful wife, and saw a numerous progeny rise +around them. + +To the gratification of both, five years after her coming to +Scotland, the Countess of Mansfeld married Nigel Graheme and the +pair took up their abode in the old castle, which was thoroughly +repaired and set in order by Malcolm for their use, while he and +Thekla insisted that the fortune he had received as a dowry with +his wife should be shared by the countess and Nigel. + + + +THE END + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE LION OF THE NORTH *** + +This file should be named lionn10.txt or lionn10.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, lionn11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, lionn10a.txt + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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