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 butt