“And now,” the farmer said to Malcolm, “what is your advice? That we
will fight is settled. When, where, and how? This house is strongly
built, and we could so strengthen its doors and windows with beams that
we might hold out for a long time against them.”
“No,” Malcolm said, “that would not be my advice. Assuredly we might
defend the house; but in that case the rest of the village, the herds
and granaries, would fall into their hands. To do any good, we must
fight them in the wood on their way hither. But although I hope for
a favourable issue, I should strongly advise that you should have the
herds and horses driven away. Send off all your more valuable goods in
the wagons, with your women and children, to a distance. We shall fight
all the better if we know that they are all in safety. Some of the old
men and boys will suffice for this work. And now, methinks, you had best
summon the men, for there will be work for them tonight.”
The bell which was used to call the hands from their work in the fields
and woods at sunset soon sounded, and the men in surprise came trooping
in at the summons. When they were assembled the farmer told them the
news he had heard, and the determination which had been arrived at to
defend the village.
After the first movement of alarm caused by the name of the dreaded band
of the Wolfsburg had subsided Malcolm was glad to see an expression
of stout determination come over the faces of the assemblage, and all
declared themselves ready to fight to the last. Four of the elder men
were told off at once to superintend the placing of the more movable
household goods of the village in wagons, which were to set out at
daybreak with the cattle and families.
“Now,” Malcolm said, “I want the rest to bring mattocks and shovels and
to accompany me along the road. There is one spot which I marked as I
came along as being specially suited for defence.”
This was about half a mile away, and as darkness had now set in the men
lighted torches, and with their implements followed him. At the spot
which he had selected there was for the distance of a hundred yards a
thick growth of underwood bordering the track on either side. Across the
road, at the end of the passage nearest to the farm, Malcolm directed
ten of the men to dig a pit twelve feet wide and eight feet deep. The
rest of the men he set to work to cut nearly through the trunks of the
trees standing nearest the road until they were ready to fall.
Ten trees were so treated, five on either side of the road. Standing, as
they did, among the undergrowth, the operation which had been performed
on them was invisible to any one passing by. Ropes were now fastened to
the upper part of the trees and carried across the road, almost hidden
from sight by the foliage which met over the path. When the pit was
completed the earth which had been taken from it was scattered in the
wood out of sight. Light boughs were then placed over the hole. These
were covered with earth and sods trampled down until the break in the
road was not perceptible to a casual eye.
This was done by Malcolm himself, as the lightest of the party, the
boughs sufficing to bear his weight, although they would give way
at once beneath that of a horse. The men all worked with vigour and
alacrity as soon as they understood Malcolm's plans. Daylight was
breaking when the preparations were completed. Malcolm now divided the
party, and told them off to their respective posts. They were sixteen in
all, excluding the pastor.
Eight were placed on each side of the road. Those on one side were
gathered near the pit which had been dug, those on the other were
opposite to the tree which was farthest down the valley. The freebooters
were to be allowed to pass along until the foremost fell into the pit.
The men stationed there were at once to haul upon the rope attached to
the tree near it and to bring it down. Its fall would bar the road and
prevent the horsemen from leaping the pit. Those in the rear were,
if they heard the crash before the last of the marauders had passed
through, to wait until they had closed up, which they were sure to do
when the obstacle was reached, and then to fell the tree to bar their
retreat.
The instant this was done both parties were to run to other ropes and
to bring down the trees upon the horsemen gathered on the road, and were
then to fall upon them with axe, pike, and arquebus.
“If it works as well as I expect,” Malcolm said, “not one of them will
escape from the trap.”
Soon after daybreak bowls of milk and trays of bread and meat were
brought down to the workers by some of the women. As there was no
immediate expectation of attack, the farmer himself, with the pastor,
went back to the village to cheer the women before their departure.
“You need not be afraid, wife,” the farmer said. “I shall keep to my
plans, because when you have once made a plan it is foolish to change
it; but I deem not that there is any real need for sending you and
the wagons and beasts away. This young Scotch lad seems made for a
commander, and truly, if all his countrymen are like himself, I wonder
no longer that the Poles and Imperialists have been unable to withstand
them. Truly he has constructed a trap from which this band of villains
will have but little chance of escape, and I trust that we may slay them
without much loss to ourselves. What rejoicings will there not be in
the fifty villages when the news comes that their oppressors have
been killed! The good God has assuredly sent this youth hither as His
instrument in defeating the oppressors, even as He chose the shepherd
boy David out of Israel to be the scourge of the Philistines.”
By this time all was ready for a start, and having seen the wagons
fairly on their way the farmer returned to the wood, the pastor
accompanying the women. Three hours passed before there were any signs
of the marauders, and Malcolm began to think that the idea might
have occurred to them that he had gone to Glogau, and that they might
therefore have postponed their raid upon that village until they could
make sure of taking it by surprise, and so capturing all the horses
and valuables before the villagers had time to remove them. Glogau was,
however, quite out of Malcolm's direct line for the Swedish camp, and
it was hardly likely that the freebooters would think that their late
captive would go out of his way to warn the village, in which he had no
interest whatever; indeed they would scarcely be likely to recall the
fact that he had been present when they were discussing their proposed
expedition against it.
All doubts were, however, set at rest when a boy who had been stationed
in a high tree near the edge of the wood ran in with the news that a
band of horsemen were riding across the plain, and would be there in a
few minutes. Every one fell into his appointed place. The farmer himself
took the command of the party on one side of the road, Malcolm of that
on the other. Matches were blown, and the priming of the arquebuses
looked to; then they gathered round the ropes, and listened for the
tramp of horses.
Although it was but a few minutes before it came, the time seemed long
to those waiting; but at last a vague sound was heard, which rapidly
rose into a loud trampling of horses. The marauders had been riding
quietly until they neared the wood, as speed was no object; but as they
wished to take the village by surprise--and it was just possible that
they might have been seen approaching--they were now riding rapidly.
Suddenly the earth gave way under the feet of the horses of the captain
and his lieutenant, who were riding at the head of the troop, and men
and animals disappeared from the sight of those who followed. The two
men behind them pulled their horses back on their haunches, and checked
them at the edge of the pit into which their leaders had fallen.
As they did so a loud crack was heard, and a great tree came crashing
down, falling directly upon them, striking them and their horses to the
ground. A loud cry of astonishment and alarm rose from those behind,
followed by curses and exclamations of rage. A few seconds after the
fall of the tree there was a crash in the rear of the party, and to
their astonishment the freebooters saw that another tree had fallen
there, and that a barricade of boughs and leaves closed their way behind
as in front. Deprived of their leaders, bewildered and alarmed at this
strange and unexpected occurrence, the marauders remained irresolute.
Two or three of those in front got off their horses and tried to make
their way to the assistance of their comrades who were lying crushed
under the mass of foliage, and of their leaders in the pit beyond.
But now almost simultaneously two more crashes were heard, and a tree
from each side fell upon them. Panic stricken now the horsemen strove to
dash through the underwood, but their progress was arrested, for among
the bushes ropes had been fastened from tree to tree; stakes had been
driven in, and the bushes interlaced with cords. The trees continued to
fall till the portion of the road occupied by the troop was covered by a
heap of fallen wood and leaf. Then for the first time the silence in the
wood beyond them was broken, the flashes of firearms darted out from the
brushwood, and then with a shout a number of men armed with pikes and
axes sprang forward to the attack.
A few only of the marauders were in a position to offer any resistance
whatever. The greater portion were buried under the mass of foliage.
Many had been struck down by the trunks or heavy arms of the trees.
All were hampered and confused by the situation in which they found
themselves. Under such circumstances it was a massacre rather than a
fight. Malcolm, seeing the inability of the freebooters to oppose any
formidable resistance, sheathed his sword, and left it to the peasants
to avenge the countless murders which the band had committed, and the
ruin and misery which they had inflicted upon the country.
In a few minutes all was over. The brigands were shot down, piked, or
slain by the heavy axes through the openings in their leafy prison.
Quarter was neither asked for nor given. The freebooters knew that it
would be useless, and died cursing their foes and their own fate in
being thus slaughtered like rats in a trap. Two or three of the peasants
were wounded by pistol shots, but this was all the injury that their
success cost them.
“The wicked have digged a pit, and they have fallen into it themselves,”
the farmer said as he approached the spot where Malcolm was standing,
some little distance from the scene of slaughter. “Verily the Lord hath
delivered them into our hands. I understand, my young friend, why you
as a soldier did not aid in the slaughter of these villains. It is your
trade to fight in open battle, and you care not to slay your enemies
when helpless; but with us it is different. We regard them as wild
beasts, without heart or pity, as scourges to be annihilated when we
have the chance; just as in winter we slay the wolves who come down to
attack our herds.”
“I blame you not,” Malcolm said. “When men take to the life of wild
beasts they must be slain as such. Now my task is done, and I will
journey on at once to join my countrymen; but I will give you one piece
of advice before I go.
“In the course of a day or two the party left at Wolfsburg will grow
uneasy, and two of their number are sure to ride hither to inquire as to
the tarrying of the band. Let your men with arquebuses keep watch night
and day and shoot them down when they arrive. Were I in your place I
would then mount a dozen of your men and let them put on the armour of
these dead robbers and ride to Wolfsburg, arriving there about daybreak.
If they see you coming they will take you to be the band returning. The
two men below you will cut down without difficulty, and there will then
be but three or four to deal with in the castle.
“I recommend you to make a complete end of them; and for this reason: if
any of the band survive they will join themselves with some other party
and will be sure to endeavour to get them to avenge this slaughter;
for although these bands have no love for each other, yet they would be
ready enough to take up each other's quarrel as against country folk,
especially when there is a hope of plunder. Exterminate them, then, and
advise your men to keep their secret. Few can have seen the brigands
riding hither today. When it is found that the band have disappeared the
country around will thank God, and will have little curiosity as to how
they have gone. You will of course clear the path again and bury their
bodies; and were I you I would prepare at once another ambush like that
into which they have fallen, and when a second band of marauders comes
into this part of the country set a watch night and day. Your men will
in future be better armed than hitherto, as each of those freebooters
carries a brace of pistols. And now, as I would fain be off as soon as
possible, I would ask you to let your men set to work with their axes
and cut away the boughs and to get me out a horse. Several of them
must have been killed by the falling trees, and some by the fire of the
arquebuses; but no doubt there are some uninjured.”
In a quarter of an hour a horse was brought up, together with the helmet
and armour worn by the late captain of the band.
As Malcolm mounted, the men crowded round him and loaded him with thanks
and blessings for the danger from which he had delivered them, their
wives and families.
When the fugitives had left the village a store of cooked provisions
had been left behind for the use of the defenders during the day. As
the women could not be fetched back before nightfall, the farmer had
despatched a man for some of this food and the wallets on the saddle
were filled with sufficient to last Malcolm for three or four days.
A brace of pistols were placed in the holsters, and with a last farewell
to the farmer Malcolm gave the rein to his horse and rode away from the
village. He travelled fast now and without fear of interruption. The
sight of armed men riding to join one or other of the armies was too
common to attract any attention, and avoiding large towns Malcolm rode
unmolested across the plain.
He presently heard the report that the Swedes had captured
Frankfort-on-the-Oder, and as he approached that town, after four days'
riding, heard that they had moved towards Landsberg. Thither he followed
them, and came up to them outside the walls of that place six days after
leaving Glogau. The main body of the Swedish army had remained in and
around Frankfort, Gustavus having marched against Landsberg with only
3200 musketeers, 12 pieces of cannon, and a strong body of horse.
Hepburn and Reay's Scotch regiments formed part of the column, and
Malcolm with delight again saw the green scarves and banners.
As he rode into the camp of his regiment he was unnoticed by the
soldiers until he reached the tents of the officers, before which
Colonel Munro was standing talking with several others. On seeing
an officer approach in full armour they looked up, and a cry of
astonishment broke from them on recognizing Malcolm.
“Is it you, Malcolm Graheme, or your wraith?” Munro exclaimed.
“It is I in the flesh, colonel, sound and hearty.”
“Why, my dear lad,” Munro exclaimed, holding out his hand, “we thought
you had fallen at the sack of New Brandenburg. Innes and Lumsden were
believed to be the only ones who had escaped.”
“I have come through it, nevertheless,” Malcolm said; “but it is a long
story, colonel, and I would ask you first if the king has learned what
Tilly is doing.”
“No, he has received no news whatever of him since he heard of the
affair at New Brandenburg, and is most anxious lest he should fall upon
the army at Frankfort while we are away. Do you know aught about him?”
“Tilly marched west from New Brandenburg,” Malcolm said, “and is now
besieging Magdeburg.”
“This is news indeed,” Munro said; “you must come with me at once to the
king.”
Malcolm followed Colonel Munro to the royal tent, which was but a
few hundred yards away. Gustavus had just returned after visiting the
advanced lines round the city. On being told that Colonel Munro wished
to speak to him on important business, he at once came to the entrance
of his tent.
“Allow me to present to you, sire, Malcolm Graheme, a very gallant young
officer of my regiment. He was at New Brandenburg, and I deemed that
he had fallen there; how he escaped I have not yet had time to learn,
seeing that he has but now ridden into the camp; but as he is bearer
of news of the whereabouts of Tilly and his army, I thought it best to
bring him immediately to you.”
“Well, sir,” Gustavus said anxiously to Malcolm, “what is your news?”
“Tilly is besieging Magdeburg, sire, with his whole strength.”
“Magdeburg!” Gustavus exclaimed incredulously. “Are you sure of your
news? I deemed him advancing upon Frankfort.”
“Quite sure, sire, for I accompanied his column to within two marches of
the city, and there was no secret of his intentions. He started for that
town on the very day after he had captured New Brandenburg.”
“This is important, indeed,” Gustavus said; “follow me,” and he turned
and entered the tent. Spread out on the table was a large map, which the
king at once consulted.
“You see, Colonel Munro, that to relieve Magdeburg I must march
through Kustrin, Berlin, and Spandau, and the first and last are strong
fortresses. I can do nothing until the Elector of Brandenburg declares
for us, and gives us leave to pass those places, for I dare not march
round and leave them in my rear until sure that this weak prince will
not take sides with the Imperialists. I will despatch a messenger
tonight to him at Berlin demanding leave to march through his territory
to relieve Magdeburg. In the meantime we will finish off with this
place, and so be in readiness to march west when his answer arrives.
And now, sir,” he went on, turning to Malcolm, “please to give me the
account of how you escaped first from New Brandenburg, and then from
Tilly.”
Malcolm related briefly the manner of his escape from the massacre at
New Brandenburg, and how, after accompanying Tilly's army as a teamster
for two days, he had made his escape. He then still more briefly related
how he had been taken prisoner by a band of freebooters, but had managed
to get away from them, and had drawn them into an ambush by peasants,
where they had been slain, by which means he had obtained a horse and
ridden straight to the army.
Gustavus asked many questions, and elicited many more details than
Malcolm had deemed it necessary to give in his first recital.
“You have shown great prudence and forethought,” the king said when he
had finished, “such as would not be looked for in so young a soldier.”
“And he behaved, sire, with distinguished gallantry and coolness at
Schiefelbrune, and in the destructive fight outside Colberg,” Colonel
Munro put in. “By the slaughter on the latter day he would naturally
have obtained his promotion, but he begged to be passed over, asserting
that it was best that at his age he should remain for a time an ensign.”
“Such modesty is unusual,” the king said, “and pleases me; see the next
time a step is vacant, colonel, that he has it. Whatever his age, he has
shown himself fit to do man's work, and years are of no great value in a
soldier; why, among all my Scottish regiments I have scarcely a colonel
who is yet thirty years old.”
Malcolm now returned with Colonel Munro to the regiment, and there had
to give a full and minute account of his adventures, and was warmly
congratulated by his fellow officers on his good fortune in escaping
from the dangers which had beset him. The suit of armour was a handsome
one, and had been doubtless stripped off from the body of some knight
or noble murdered by the freebooters. The leg pieces Malcolm laid aside,
retaining only a cuirass, back piece, and helmet, as the full armour was
too heavy for service on foot.
Two days later the king gave orders that the assault upon Landsberg was
to be made that night. The place was extremely strong, and Gustavus had
in his previous campaign twice failed in attempts to capture it.
Since that time the Imperialists had been busy in strengthening the
fortification, and all the peasantry for ten miles round had been
employed in throwing up earthworks; but its principal defence was in
the marsh which surrounded it, and which rendered the construction of
approaches by besiegers almost impossible. Its importance consisted in
the fact that from its great strength its garrison dominated the whole
district known as the Marc of Brandenburg. It was the key to Silesia,
and guarded the approaches to Pomerania, and its possession was
therefore of supreme importance to Gustavus. The garrison consisted of
five thousand Imperialist infantry and twelve troops of horse, the whole
commanded by Count Gratz. The principal approach to the town was guarded
by a strong redoubt armed with numerous artillery.
Colonel Munro had advanced his trenches to within a short distance of
this redoubt, and had mounted the twelve pieces of cannon to play upon
it, but so solid was the masonry of the fort that their fire produced
but little visible effect. Gustavus had brought from Frankfort as guide
on the march a blacksmith who was a native of Landsberg, and this man
had informed him of a postern gate into the town which would not be
likely to be defended, as to reach it it would be necessary to cross a
swamp flanked by the advanced redoubt and covered with water.
For two days previous to the assault the troops had been at work
cutting bushes and trees, and preparing the materials for constructing
a floating causeway across the mud and water. As soon as night fell
the men were set to work laying down the causeway, and when this was
finished the column advanced to the attack. It consisted of 250 pikemen
under Colonel Munro, and the same number of the dragoons under Colonel
Deubattel. Hepburn with 1000 musketeers followed a short distance behind
them.
The pikemen led the way, and passed along the floating causeway without
difficulty, but the causeway swayed and often sank under the feet of the
cavalry behind them. These, however, also managed to get across. Their
approach was entirely unobserved, and they effected an entrance into the
town.
Scarcely had they done so when they came upon a body of three hundred
Imperialists who were about to make a sally under Colonel Gratz, son of
the governor. The pikemen at once fell upon them. Taken by surprise the
Imperialists fought nevertheless stoutly, and eighty of the Scots fell
under the fire of their musketry. But the pikemen charged home; Colonel
Gratz was killed, with many of his men, and the rest taken prisoners.
Hepburn marching on behind heard the din of musketry and pressed
forward; before reaching the town he found a place in the swamp
sufficiently firm to enable his men to march across it, and, turning
off, he led his troops between the town and the redoubt, and then
attacked the latter in the rear where its defences were weak, and after
three minutes' fighting with its surprised and disheartened garrison the
latter surrendered.
The redoubt having fallen, and Munro's men having effected a lodgment
in the town, while the retreat on one side was cut off by the force of
Gustavus, and on the other by a strong body of cavalry under Marshal
Horn, the governor sent a drummer to Colonel Munro to say that he
was ready to surrender, and to ask for terms. The drummer was sent to
Gustavus, who agreed that the garrison should be allowed to march away
with the honours of war, taking their baggage and effects with them.
Accordingly at eight o'clock the Count of Gratz at the head of his
soldiers marched out with colours flying and drums beating, and retired
into Silesia. A garrison was placed in Landsberg, and the blacksmith
appointed burgomaster of the town. Landsberg fell on the 15th of April,
and on the 18th the force marched back to Frankfort.