e chancellor's counsel in the field also? He might lead me
into a much worse scrape than he has already done. Stay by my side, old
man; make a hasty farewell with your son, for there is not a moment to
lose."

The old knight pressed the hand of the young man, who returned it
smiling, and, in a cheerful mood, placed himself at the head of his
gallant band, when he galloped away with the Stuttgardt burghers,
leading them towards the enemy in this critical moment, crying,
"Ulerich for ever!" Having reached the skirt of the wood, he had a
moment's leisure to run his eye over the field of battle. The
Wuertembergers were in very good position, their flanks being covered by
the wood and the Neckar, and their centre arranged in such a manner as
to be able to repel any serious charge of cavalry. It was therefore
evident, that any alteration in their present line of battle would
subject them to extreme danger. The great disadvantage under which they
laboured was the fact of their being inferior to their enemy by
two-thirds of the number of combatants and though the Leaguists were
unable to bring their whole force into action at once, in consequence
of the confined space of the valley, their superiority of numbers
compensated for the want of room to man[oe]uvre in, which consideration
alone required the most strenuous exertions of Ulerich's small band to
maintain their ground. They, indeed, with such fearful odds against
them, kept their line unbroken, and their courage appeared to rise
still higher as their ranks began to thin. But, though the brave
Swabians valiantly disputed every inch of ground, it was to be
apprehended lest, by dint of renewed attacks by fresh troops, they
would ultimately be forced to give way.

These fleeting observations which Albert had been enabled to make,
convinced him that upon some daring piece of service depended the
success of the day. The energies of his mind rose in proportion to the
difficulties he had to contend with. He felt that Ulerich's destiny was
now in his keeping, and that one bold stroke, such as he was about to
undertake, would decide the fate of the contest.

His troop having now reached the wood, they proceeded through it in
silence and with caution, aware of the advantage which infantry possess
over cavalry under such circumstances. But they arrived at the point
leading to the field which the Duke had described, without molestation.
To the right beyond the wood the battle raged