eplied Axel, modestly, "and the
bridge shall immediately be lowered."

At this the foreign barbarian foamed with rage, snatched his carbine
from his saddle and fired it at Axel. The bullet missed, and Axel in
return sent a bullet from his gun whizzing through the cap of the Croat.

"This is to teach you uncivilized fellows the usage of war, that no
shot should be fired during a parley," he cried. "My shot was only to
warn you of this; but if you do not draw off, the next shall be in
earnest." Upon this the captain swearing turned his horse round and
galloped madly back into the village with his troops.

As Axel was turning to descend, he saw Tugendreich standing before him
as pale and motionless as a statue. "For heaven's sake, Fraeulein," he
cried, "what are you doing up here? this is not a place for a gentle
lady."

"I heard firing," said the lovely girl, sighing deeply; "I thought you
were in danger, and could not longer remain below."

"Faithful heart!" exclaimed he, with emotion and affection. "By all
that I hold sacred I will some day requite you." And quickly taking
her in his strong arms he carried her down the steps, and consigned her
to her attendant, whom he strictly enjoined not to allow the Fraeulein
to ascend the walls again. He then returned quickly to his post, as he
already heard resounding through the night the march of the approaching
enemy threatening the castle.

Suddenly the thatched cottages of the villages were blazing up in a
terrible manner. Amid the light of the flames the Croats assaulted the
castle in close bodies and with wild fury. But the garrison made a
brave resistance, and their rifles created great havoc among the
enemies' ranks. Axel was everywhere, and though the Croats attempted
in different places to scale the walls by the aid of ladders, he
immediately was at the spot, to strike down the foremost, and then with
powerful hand to precipitate ladder and all into the moat. For an hour
the most furious combat had been raging when the enemies' trumpets
sounded the retreat, and the infuriated captain who led the rear cried
out with a savage laugh, "At sunrise we shall return with heavy cannon,
and show you who we are."

The morning dawned after a sleepless night, and found the two old
gentlemen sitting sorrowfully in Talander's closet, which was
bomb-proof. The lamp was nearly out, and they started up terrified on
hearing the trumpet sound outside the castle walls.