arked.

"There is much," Munro rejoined; "but there is much also in the
arguments of Horn. He reasons that we are outnumbered, the enemy is
superior to us by at least a third, and to save the town we must attack
them in an immensely strong position, which it will cost us great
numbers to capture.

"The chances against our winning a victory are fully five to one.
Granted the fall of Nordlingen will injure us in the eyes of the princes
and people of Germany; but with good management on our part the feeling
thus aroused will be but temporary, for we should soon wipe out the
reverse. Of the 35,000 men of which the Imperial army is composed, 8000
at least are Spaniards who are on their way to Flanders, and who will
very shortly leave it.

"On the other hand the Rhinegrave Otto Ludwig is with 7000 men within a
few marches of us; in a short time therefore we shall actually outnumber
the enemy, and shall be able to recover our prestige, just as we
recovered it at Leipzig after suffering Magdeburg to fall. We shall
recapture the towns which he has taken, and if the enemy should dare
to accept battle we shall beat him, and shall be in a position to march
upon Vienna."

"Horn's arguments are the strongest," Nigel Graheme said gravely; "the
course he advises is the most prudent one."

"Undoubtedly," Munro replied; "but I think that it will not be followed.
The duke is of a fiery spirit, and he would feel it, as most of us would
feel it, a disgrace to fall back without striking a blow for Nordlingen.
He has, too, been goaded nearly to madness during the last few days by
messengers and letters which have reached him from the reformed princes
and the free towns in all parts of Germany, reproaching him bitterly for
having suffered Ratisbon and Donauworth to fall into the hands of the
enemy without a blow, and he feels that his honour is concerned. I have
little doubt that we shall fight a great battle to save Nordlingen."

CHAPTER XXV NORDLINGEN

While Colonel Munro and his companions were discussing the matter a
council of war was being held, and Duke Bernhard's view was adopted by
all his generals, who felt with him that their honour was involved in
the question, and that it would be disgraceful to march away without
striking a blow to save the besieged city. Horn, therefore, being
outvoted, was forced to give way. Up to nightfall the Imperialists had
showed no signs of an intention to occupy the Weinberg, their forces