e
effected his escape with a few faithful adherents, whilst they directed
their route towards Stuttgardt. The enemy's cavalry only came up with
them just as they had reached the gates of the city, when great was
their disappointment not to capture either the Duke or any of his
principal partisans, whom they expected to find among them. Ambrosius
Bolland was their only prize. He, more dead than alive from excessive
fright and fatigue, was not able to dismount from his elevated position
without assistance. After having peeled his body of its unaccustomed
covering, the Leaguists vented their rage and disappointment upon the
unfortunate man, by beating him and other ill-usage; for they
attributed to his supposed bravery, which appeared to them to exceed
all they had ever witnessed, the loss of a thousand gold florins, set
as a reward upon the capture of the Duke. And so it happened that the
gallant chancellor, not like his master beaten in battle, was beaten
after it.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

Think on the many gallant deeds
_One_ valiant hand has done,
And follow where your country needs,
Where a hero's grave is won.
Here, here they flee! pursue the way they go:
The light of heaven shows our flying foe.
L. UHLAND.

The Duke and his followers passed the night after the day of the
decisive battle in a narrow deep ravine of a wood, which, being
surrounded by high rocks and thick underwood, offered a safe retreat
for the moment, and is called, to this day, "Ulerich's cavern," by the
people of the country. It was the fifer of Hardt who appeared again as
a saviour in their flight, and led them to this place, known only to
the peasantry and shepherds of the neighbourhood. The Duke determined
to repose in this secluded spot, and, as soon as the following day
broke, to continue his flight towards Switzerland. He would have
preferred continuing his route under cover of the night, as being more
favourable to elude the vigilance of his enemies. The fate of the
disastrous day having given them full possession of the country again,
it seemed next to impossible to escape through their numerous patroles,
which would now scour the country to intercept his retreat. Delay was
therefore dangerous; but the horses being unable to proceed after the
heat and fatigue of the battle, he was compel