moon appeared to
welcome it back to its country, and shone full upon it, whereby the
four fields with their charges were plainly exhibited to view. On a
large flag of red silk were wove the arms of Wuertemberg, with its
escutcheon and four fields. In the first were the stag horns of
Wuertemberg, in the second the balls of Teck, the third had the
storming flag of the empire, which belonged by right to the Duke as
banner-bearer of the empire, and in the fourth were the fish of
Moempelgard: the whole being surmounted by the crown and the bugle of
Urach. The strong arm of the young man could scarcely hold the heavy
flag in the breeze. He was attended by three trumpeters, who now
sounded their wild tones before the closed gate.

A window above it opened, and a voice asked their business. Albert von
Sturmfeder answered, "Ulerich, by the grace of God Duke of Wuertemberg
and Teck, Count of Urach and Moempelgard, summons for the second and
last time his city of Stuttgardt, to open its gates willingly and
instantly to him, else he will storm the walls and treat the town as an
enemy."

During the time Albert was delivering his message, a confused noise as
of a crowd in motion mingled with voices in the streets was heard,
which approaching nearer and nearer, at length broke out into tumult
and shouting.

"May my soul be punished, if they are not about to make a sortie!" said
Long Peter, loud enough to be heard by the Duke.

"Perhaps you are right," answered the Duke, turning abruptly to the
startled lansquenet: "close in together, present your pikes, and have
the matches ready, that we may receive them as they deserve."

The whole line retreated some distance from the ditch, leaving only the
three first companies at the point where the drawbridge fell. A wall of
pikes bristled in formidable array against a sudden attack, the guns
were presented and the match held at the touchhole ready to fire. The
dead stillness of expectation which reigned without the walls was
broken by the tumultuous noise within the town. The drawbridge fell,
but no enemy sallied forth to repel the invaders: three old grey-headed
men alone proceeded through the gate, bearing the arms of the city,
with its keys.

When the Duke saw the peaceable mission approach, he rode towards them
in a friendly manner, followed by Albert. Two of these men appeared to
be councillors or magistrates: they bent their knee before their lord
and master, and tendered him the