Page:Stories after Nature.pdf/45

Rh heath. As soon as Frederick and his men were passed in silence and supposed security, they rose up quietly, with a staunch arrow in each bow, and discharged upon them with a horrid shout; and many a brave fellow fell, wounded in the back. They turned, however, as savage as wolves, and fought a bloody battle with their enemies, who were ten times their number; but the valour of Frederick was a host in itself, and he ever cheered on his men with enthusiastic shouts of liberty. Although his numbers were so great, the captain of the guard began to doubt the issue of the fight; and to put more spirit in his men, promised them each a piece of gold if they were conquerors. This did much, but Frederick and his fellows fought till every man lay stretched amongst the grass; most of them hacked to death, and but a few wounded. Frederick had received three wounds, and having fainted from loss of blood, they took him prisoner, and carried him into the city with the poor remnant of his men, and there cast him in prison, till he should be cured or die.

Christian waited in his fastness with painful impatience for the return of his friend and colleague, and at last summoned a troop of horse and went in search of him. When he came upon the field of battle the cause of this delay