ue,
who, according to the reports of spies, could muster three thousand
horses, he hoped the flanks of this position, having the Neckar on one
side and a thick wood on the other, which he intended to take up in the
valley, would make up for the deficiency in numbers.

Though the opinion of Lichtenstein, with many others, was against this
plan, fearing the army would be exposed to the fire of artillery from
the surrounding heights, Ulerich would not be dissuaded from it, and
ordered the army to march accordingly. Having arranged his order of
battle close to the town of Tuerkheim, he there awaited his enemy.
Albert von Sturmfeder was directed to remain near him with the cavalry,
which had been entrusted to his command, to be ready to strike a
decisive blow, and at the same time to form his body guard; whilst
Lichtenstein, with four-and-twenty other knights, joined themselves to
this mounted body of burghers, ready to support them in the event of an
attack of cavalry. In those days a battle was often an affair of so
many single-handed combats. The knights who followed an army seldom
fought in solid masses; but with a quick eye, they marked out an
adversary from among the ranks of the enemy, rode at him, and fought
him with lance and sword. Such a band of gallant men, headed by old
Lichtenstein, was that which now closed with Albert's troop. The Duke
himself, burning with the desire of wielding his powerful arm, and
proving the renown of his far-famed prowess in single combat, was only
controlled in this romantic idea by the pressing exhortations of his
friends. A most extraordinary figure was seen to keep his station by
the side of the Duke, in appearance more like a tortoise on horseback,
than a human being. A helmet, with a large feather, protruded high
above a small body, upon the back of which sat an arched coat of mail.
The little horseman's knees were bent high up on the saddle, whilst his
hand kept a fast hold of the pummel. The closed vizor of the unknown
knight concealed his face from Albert's observation; who, curious to
ascertain who the ridiculous looking warrior might be, rode up to the
Duke to satisfy himself, and said:

"Upon my word, your highness has provided yourself with a marvellous
looking animal as a guide. Only observe his withered legs, his
trembling arm, the enormous helmet between his shoulders;--who may this
pigmy be?"

"Don't you recognize the hump?" asked the Duke, laughing. "Just observe
t