torm
of bullets that was being poured in upon them, dashed across the stones
of the market-place towards the spot where the guns stood. It was
madness even to dream that they could be successful, but the madness, if
madness it were, was certainly heroic. Rudolf Kellerman, the giant
corporal of Max's own company, fell, shot through the heart, before they
had advanced ten yards; fair-haired Otto Stedicz, who looked like a
poet, and who fought like a devil, was struck down a few yards further
on. The heavy fire was more than flesh and blood could face, and for a
moment the men wavered. Max, however, called to them to come on. Gaining
fresh courage by his example, they hurled themselves upon the gunners.
Once there nothing could stand against them. The men went down like corn
before the sickle. They had scarcely captured them, however, before the
welcome sound of an explosion reached them from the main gate. The great
doors, which had remained closed for so long, were burst asunder, and
immediately our troops poured into the city. Furious cannonading was
still proceeding on the other side, while the garrison, roused from
sleep, and surrounded on every hand, were unable to tell what to do or
whom to attack first. One portion of the troops hastened to the west
side, the remainder, marching to the east, were met by the brigade which
had entered through the main gate. Meanwhile, another strong detachment
of our army had crossed the river, and having made its way in, by means
of the breach by which Max and his party had entered, passed quickly
through the streets to the great square of the city, thus effectually
preventing the two forces from joining company again. So swiftly and
well were these arrangements carried out, that no hitch of any sort
occurred, and though for some little time the fighting was very severe
in certain quarters, when day dawned the enemy's general, seeing how
futile further resistance would be, capitulated, and thus the city fell
into our hands.

All the arrangements having been completed, and as soon as General
Groplau was at liberty to think of other things, he gave orders that
inquiries should be made concerning the whereabouts of the man to whom
their great success was mainly due.

To take up the thread of my story again at the point where I left off,
in order to describe the victory gained by our troops, it is necessary
that I should revert to the disastrous effect upon Max's small force.
Feeling