to
the fifer, who stood between him and the doctor, with his axe raised to
his shoulder in attitude of defence, "just stand on one side. Close in,
my friends: we'll fall on them suddenly, and perhaps may succeed in
cutting through." Albert was the only one who heard this order, for the
other two knights were ten paces at least in their rear, already
engaged with the Leaguist cavalry, who were unable to force their way
past the gallant men to get at the Duke. Albert, therefore, closed with
the Duke, with the intention of making a rush with him through the
ranks of his opponents; but the doctor, perceiving it, called out to
his people, "At him, my men! that's him in the green cloak; take him,
dead or alive!" pushing forward at the same time to the attack. He
carried a spear of unusual length, and made a thrust at Ulerich, which
might have been fatal, for it was still dark, and the Duke did not
remark it immediately; but the quick-sighted Hans parried the thrust of
the renowned Doctor Calmus, which was on the point of piercing the
breast of his master, and with one blow of his axe felled him to the
ground, where he lay sprawling among his companions. They were
staggered at the deadly blow of the countryman, who, wielding his axe
high in the air, drove them back a few paces. Albert took advantage of
this moment to possess himself of the Duke's cloak, which he threw over
his own shoulders, and whispered to him to give his horse the spur, and
force him over the breastwork of the bridge. Ulerich cast a look at the
high swollen waters of the Neckar, and then up to heaven, in doubtful
despair. Escape appeared hopeless. The fearful leap was his only choice
between life or death, or falling into the hands of his enemies. A
circumstance, however, arrested his attention for a moment before he
decided upon it.

The enemy, with outstretched spears, advanced on the Duke. The fifer
still kept his ground, though wounded and bleeding in many places,
beating them down with his axe. His eyes flashed fire, his bold
features carried the expression of joyful animation, and the smile
about his mouth did not indicate despair; no, his noble soul feared not
the approach of death, he rather looked to it in proud anticipation, as
the reward for all the troubles and dangers he had taken upon himself.
As he cut one of his opponents to the ground with his right hand, the
halberd of another pierced his breast, that true breast, which even in
death pro