ry of artillery, the guns of which were levelled
at the St. Peter's Tower. Before commencing hostilities, however, the
Swedish marshal sent a trumpeter to the town to inquire whether the
commandant intended to defend the place, what was his name, and whether
he knew him, Torstenson. The intrepid commandant returned for answer
that his name was George Hermann von Schweinitz, and that he hoped the
marshal would spend no more time in asking questions, but set at once
to work, when he trusted to find him a right valiant soldier.

On the same day an extraordinary surprise befell Conrad Schmidt. He
was setting things straight in the workshop, which now stood silent and
deserted, when he heard heavy footsteps approaching, and behold, in
marched an armed man whom he seemed to know and yet not to know. The
visitor wore a broad cocked hat with a little bunch of feathers at the
side, and a short tunic of green cloth, the collar and edges of which
were thickly laced with gold brocade wherever the broad sword-belt girt
round his body permitted them to be seen. From left shoulder to right
hip hung the bandolier or cartridge-belt, which was adorned with many
golden tufts, and partly hid the lion of the Freiberg city arms
embroidered on his breast. Tight breeches of green cloth reached to
the ankles, where they were met by high shoes slashed on the inner
side, and fitting much more neatly to the foot than do the shoes worn
in the present day. A long gun with a large old-fashioned German lock,
and a curved sabre, completed the equipment of the soldier, in whom
Conrad recognised first a member of the city guard known as the
'Defensioners,' and then his old comrade, John Hillner.

[Illustration: Conrad recognised an old comrade, John Hillner.]

'Do I look better now,' asked the newly-fledged soldier, 'than in my
blue apron and coloured jerkin, in the days when I handled the plane
and square?'

'Whoever could have guessed,' cried Conrad, heedless of the question,
'that you would be made a Defensioner! But are you a citizen, and do
you know your drill? The Defensioners never admit a man unless he is a
citizen and knows his exercises.'

'I know my drill all right enough,' replied John, 'and I daresay I
shall get my certificate of citizenship. Your own eyes can tell you
whether I am a Defensioner or not.'

'And you have got a beard coming too,' said Conrad, laughing. 'It's
only a little one yet, but anybody can see that it is