the circle of country around Nuremberg. Wallenstein had
brought with him vast stores of provisions, and could draw upon the
surrounding country for the further maintenance of his army. It was only
necessary then to place himself in a position where the Swedes could not
attack him with a hope of success.

Such a position lay at a distance of three miles from Nuremberg, where
there was a wooded hill known as the Alte Veste. Round this Wallenstein
threw up a circle of defences, consisting of a ditch behind which was an
interlacement of forest trees, baggage wagons, and gabions, forming an
almost insurpassable obstacle to an attacking force. Within this circle
he encamped his army, formed into eight divisions, each about seven
thousand strong, while two considerable bodies of troops in the diocese
of Bamberg and the Upper Palatinate prepared to oppose any forces
approaching to the aid of Nuremberg, and the Croats, horse and foot,
scoured the country day and night to prevent any supplies entering the
city. Having thus adopted every means for starving out the beleaguered
army and city, Wallenstein calmly awaited the result.

CHAPTER XVI THE SIEGE OF NUREMBERG

Drearily passed the days in the beleaguered camp, varied only by an
occasional raid by small parties to drive in cattle from the surrounding
country, or to intercept convoys of provisions on their way to the
Imperialists' camp. So active and watchful were the Croats that these
enterprises seldom succeeded, although, to enable his men to move with
celerity, Gustavus mounted bodies of infantry on horseback. Thus they
were enabled to get over the ground quickly, and if attacked they
dismounted and fought on foot.

To these mounted infantry the name of dragoons was given, and so useful
were they found that the institution was adopted in other armies, and
dragoons became a recognized portion of every military force. In time
the custom of dismounting and fighting on foot was gradually abandoned,
and dragoons became regular cavalry; but in modern times the utility of
Gustavus's invention of mounted infantry has been again recognized,
and in all the small wars in which England has been engaged bodies of
mounted infantry have been organized. Ere long mounted infantry will
again become a recognized arm of the service.

But these raids in search of provisions occupied but a small portion
of the army. The rest passed their time in enforced idleness. There was
nothing to