The
rest of Munro's regiment accompanied him, having arrived safely
at their destination, and the whole were ordered to aid in the
investment of Colberg, while Hepburn was to seize the town and
castle of Schiefelbrune, five miles distant, and there to check the
advance of the Imperialists, who were moving forward in strength
towards it.
Hepburn performed his mission with a party of cavalry, and reported
that although the castle was dilapidated it was a place of strength,
and that it could be held by a resolute garrison; whereupon Munro
with 500 men of his regiment was ordered to occupy it. Nigel
Graheme's company was one of those which marched forward on the
6th of November, and entering the town, which was almost deserted
by its inhabitants, set to work to prepare it for defence. Ramparts
of earth and stockades were hastily thrown up, and the gates were
backed by piles of rubbish to prevent them being blown in by petards.
Scarcely were the preparations completed before the enemy were seen
moving down the hillside.
"How many are there of them, think you?" Malcolm asked Lieutenant
Farquhar.
"I am not skilled in judging numbers, Malcolm, but I should say
that there must be fully five thousand."
There were indeed eight thousand Imperialists approaching, led by
the Count of Montecuculi, a distinguished Italian officer, who had
with him the regiments of Coloredo, Isslani, Goetz, Sparre, and
Charles Wallenstein, with a large force of mounted Croats.
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