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 t