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 plac