from their
horses, and fell into the hands of the Leaguists; but the major part,
arriving safely at the foot of the hill, were engaged hand to hand with
the enemy, and the helmet plumes of their leader were seen to wave high
in the midst of the fray. The ranks of the infantry were soon broken by
the impetuous charge of the Wuertembergers, who now pushed for the bank
of the Neckar, and following their leader, dashed into the water to
cross it. Though his horse was a powerful beast he had not strength
sufficient to bear the weight of his rider, clad in armour, nor to stem
its stream, at present swollen beyond its ordinary height by heavy
rains. He was on the point of sinking, calling to his men not to think
of him, but to push on to the Duke, and give him his last farewell,
when at this critical moment two gallant blacksmiths, having
disencumbered themselves of their horses, seized the young knight, one
by his arms, and the other taking his horse's bridle, landed him in
safety on the opposite bank.

The Leaguists sent many a shot after their flying enemy, but
fortunately they fell harmless. In the sight of both armies, this
daring band continued its further route unmolested to the Duke. Having
passed a deep ford, not far from the spot where Ulerich was stationed,
they were received with loud shouts of joy and applause by their
companions.

Though a considerable part of the enemy's artillery had been rendered
unserviceable by the no less bold than rapid attack of Albert von
Sturmfeder, such was the unhappy fate of Duke Ulerich, that even this
brilliant feat of arms could not avert the spell which seemed to hang
over his destiny. The strength of his people began to fail under
renewed attacks of superior numbers. In spite of the experience and
bravery of the lansquenets, who gave proofs of the honesty of their
promises to the Duke, and though they continued to uphold their
accustomed warlike character, and did not cede an inch of ground, the
loss they had sustained obliged their commanders to form them into
circles to repel the charges of cavalry. The line of battle being
thereby broken, the vacant spaces were but feebly filled up and
sustained by the country people, badly armed, and worse soldiers,
having been brought into the field in haste, and almost without
discipline. At this critical moment intelligence arrived of the Duke of
Bavaria having suddenly surprised and taken possession of Stuttgardt,
that a fresh army w