Beleaguered; A Story of the Uplands of Baden in the Seventeenth Century (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1898 edition. Excerpt: ...sickly smile, as he partly turned to his subaltern and gave the necesssary order to call in the riders, several dozens of whom had left the road and tried to get between Carol us and his column. As they were called back by their trumpeters, a wicked laugh rang out from the head of the column of Carolus's soldiers. "Now, Bernhard von Gultlingen, I ask in due form that I may return to Villingen and be allowed to do so peaceably. If not, the consequences will be on your own head. Which shall it be?" Carolus looked the Suabian squarely in the eyes as he demanded answer. Von Gultlingen looked at Carolus, then at the troopers who blocked the entire road ahead of him, then he turned his back to the daring man and said: "I will see you again soon. The parley is over." He made a mock bow and touched his helmet as he walked his horse towards his command. Carolus wheeled likewise, reached his column and ordered an advance. Deliberately he started his troopers on the return to Villingen, wondering whether the foot folk on the other road had reached the bridge. Contrary to his expectation, he was apparently not followed as his troopers trotted briskly along the main road from Nordstetten towards Villingen. Not five minutes had elapsed, however, before the tumult of battle reached his ears. Shot after shot rang out upon the stillness of the smoky autumn afternoon, and the hoarse and muffled cries of men in combat rolled over the undulating plain behind the riders. Carolus instantly ordered a halt, and after a quick glance in the direction of the tumult, ordered his troopers back again at a gallop. The intervening space between the bend of the road and the thicket where Bernhard and Carolus had conferred but a few minutes before, was...