ed to be the din of battle in the distance. They climbed a height
in the neighbourhood, whence, from between the trees, they could look
down on an open space in the distance, with a rapid stream on one side.
Here a large body of peasants were collected, while another body in
front were desperately engaged with some imperial troops, as they
appeared to be by their glittering arms and closely serried ranks.

"May God have mercy on them!--for they will have no mercy on each
other," exclaimed Moretz, as, leaning his hand on Karl's shoulder, he
stood gazing eagerly down on the raging fight, and scarcely able to
retain the young lad, who, had he been alone, would probably have rushed
down and joined it. The peasants who had hitherto borne the brunt of
the battle--being evidently the best armed and bravest--were now driven
back on the main body. The latter, seized with a panic, gave way, the
imperialists pursuing them, cutting to pieces with their sharp swords,
or running through with their pikes, all they overtook. Moretz and his
grandson watched the fugitives and their pursuers. The latter, like a
devastating conflagration or a fierce torrent, swept all before them,
till they disappeared in the distance.

"We may be able to help some of the unfortunate people who may yet
survive," observed the old man.

"Oh, yes--yes. Let us hurry on, grandfather," exclaimed Karl. "I fancy
that even at this distance I have seen more than one attempt to rise,
and then fall back again to the ground."

Moretz and Karl soon reached the spot where the conflict began. From
thence, far, far away, was one long broad road covered thickly with the
dead and dying and badly wounded. The old man and boy moved among the
ghastly heaps, giving such assistance as they were able to those who
most needed it. Karl ran to the stream to bring water, for which many
were crying out, while Moretz, kneeling down, bound up the poor fellows'
wounds. He had thus tended several of the unfortunate men, when he saw
a person at a little distance trying to lift himself up on his arm. He
had several times made the attempt, when he once more fell back with a
groan. Moretz hurried towards him. In the features, pallid from loss
of blood and racked with pain, he recognised those of Herr Herder.

"Ah, old man! have you come to mock at me?" exclaimed the latter, as he
saw Moretz approaching.

Moretz made no answer, but kneeling down, lifted up the farmer's head,