ate fix. From the ramparts of the
town a steady fire was being poured on the advancing Swedes, who
returned it with interest, so that the lad, finding himself between two
fires, did not know which way to turn, and at last, in his
bewilderment, started to run straight across country. Suddenly,
without any warning, he went head over heels into a cutting about six
feet deep that crossed his line of march, and proved to be neither more
nor less than one of the trenches by which the Swedish sharp-shooters
got so close up to the town.

As soon as Conrad had somewhat recovered from his sudden plunge, he
began to look about him with much astonishment. The pathway in which
he stood was so narrow he could easily touch both its sides at once by
simply stretching out his arms. As he started to hurry along it, he
stumbled on the dead bodies of several soldiers, some of which looked
so dreadful that he turned about and ran as hard as he could go in the
opposite direction. As he rounded a sharp corner, he ran into an
enemy, who seemed as much surprised as himself at the unexpected
meeting, and uttered a sudden cry of alarm. This enemy, however, was
armed, and heaved up his 'morning-star'[1] for a tremendous blow.

Conrad, in his terror, sprang back several steps, and drawing his paper
from his breast, called out: 'Stop! I've got a safe-conduct.'

At these words the man let his weapon sink, and stood staring at the
boy, who was again cautiously approaching him holding out the paper.

'Why, bless me!' said the man at last, 'isn't this Conrad Schmidt from
the Erbis Street?'

'What! is it you, Master Prieme?' said Conrad joyfully.

'What are--at least, how came you here?' asked Prieme.

'I came out with the sortie,' said Conrad.

'So did I,' grumbled Prieme. 'In the heat of battle I struck too hard
at a Swede, just on the edge of this abominable ditch, and then my foot
slipped and down I came into it myself, and the detestable thing's so
deep there is no getting out again. Perhaps, with your help, I can
manage to climb out.'

The attempt was made and proved a failure, while the continuous firing
above their heads hinted that it would be much safer to keep out of the
upper world for a time.

'So it seems I only came out of the town to tumble into this ditch,'
grumbled Prieme again. 'If the Swedes put in an appearance, things
will pretty soon begin to look ugly for me.'

'Just you keep close to me,' said Conrad patron