n Gemmingen, march with your division, and take
position in the middle space between the wood and the Neckar. And you,
Albert von Sturmfeder, remain here with your brigade of cavalry, and be
ready to advance at a moment's notice. And now may God be with you all,
my friends! Should we be destined not to see each other again in this
world, we shall meet the sooner in the next." He saluted them by
lowering his immense sword. The knights returned it, and advanced with
their respective bodies of men towards the enemy, rending the air with
loud vivas of "Ulerich for ever!"

The army of the League having taken up the ground which the Duke's men
had shortly before occupied, saluted their enemy from the mouths of
several pieces of heavy ordnance, moving slowly down into the valley,
with the apparent intention of crushing them by superior numbers. At
the moment when their last division had quitted this position, the Duke
turned to Albert von Sturmfeder, and said, "Do you see those guns on
the height?"

"Yes, and they are supported by a very few men apparently," he
answered.

"Fronsberg supposes that because we cannot fly over to him, it would be
impossible to take his pieces. But there is a path in the wood there,"
said the Duke, pointing with his hand, "which leads to the left, into a
field, which field skirts the hill. If you advance cautiously with your
cavalry, and follow the path, you will get almost into the rear of the
enemy. And if you succeed, pull up your horses a moment to give them
wind, and then gallop up the hill, and their artillery is ours."

Albert bowed to him at parting, whilst the Duke gave him his hand.
"Farewell, young man," said he; "it grieves us to send so young a
married man upon such dangerous service; but we know of none other
better calculated or more determined than yourself to perform it."

The cheeks of the young hero glowed with ardour when he heard these
words, and his eyes bespoke confidence in the bold enterprise he was
about to undertake. "I thank you, my lord, for this new proof of your
consideration," he replied; "you do me a greater kindness than if you
had endowed me with one of your most valuable estates. Farewell,
father," turning to old Lichtenstein, "remember me to my beloved wife."

"I don't mean to let you go alone," replied the old knight, smiling:
"I'll accompany you. Under your conduct----"

"No, remain with me, old friend," entreated the Duke; "do you wish me
to follow th