occupied the Peter Gate without delay, and made a
sortie in which they set fire to the enemy's batteries and advanced
works.

By about seven in the morning, when the Swedes had finally evacuated
the Hospital Church itself, Imperialists began to arrive before the
city, in small numbers at first, which, however, rapidly increased.
Their officers were astounded at sight of the ramparts and
fortifications, which in many places were almost level with the earth.
Their colonel asked as a particular favour that he might be permitted
to ride his horse into the city over the principal breach by the Peter
Gate. This was readily granted by the commandant, and as easily
accomplished by the gallant officer. Meantime the prudent Freibergers
had not in the least relaxed their diligence in filling up the enemy's
trenches and destroying their batteries, while repairing their own
barbicans and moat, building the former up with gabions, and
strengthening the latter with a stout wooden parapet.

On the 18th of February, Field-Marshal Piccolomini himself entered
Freiberg, and highly commended the courageous and unexampled defence
that had been made by a town so slightly fortified. The Emperor and
the Elector did not fail to distribute weighty gold chains of office,
patents of nobility, badges of honour, and similar acknowledgments to
the commandant, the Burgomaster, and the city; and Freiberg's fame was
heard far and wide through Europe. Its inhabitants attributed the
glory of their successful defence to God alone; and just as on the 17th
of February 1643, there went up from all the churches of Freiberg, and
from every lip, the devout and thankful song, 'Lord our God, to Thee
our praises,' so has it been on each anniversary since, as each year
has brought round afresh the mountain city's day of joy and
thanksgiving.

It has never been fully known whether the approach of the Imperial
army, or the failure of the treachery they had planned, or the brave
and desperate resistance of the besieged citizens, caused the Swedes at
last to abandon their idea of a general assault. But one thing is
certain, that the brave Defensioner Hillner was fully cleared of blame
by both Commandant von Schweinitz and Burgomaster Schoenleben. Nor was
it long before he was made a free citizen and a master-craftsman, and
that without any cost to himself.

'My son,' said Schweinitz to the newly made master-carpenter, 'you may
take my word for it, that in war