Plundering at once began, and several houses were set on fire; but
Gustavus ordered the drums to beat, and the soldiers to repair to
their colours outside the town, which was committed to the charge
of Sir John Hepburn, with his regiment.
The rumour that Magdeburg was the next object of attack circulated
among Tilly's troops the day after they marched west from New
Brandenburg. It originated in some chance word dropped by a superior
officer, and seemed confirmed by the direction which they were
taking which was directly away from the Swedish army. There was a
report, too, that Count Pappenheim, who commanded a separate army,
would meet Tilly there, and that every effort would be made to
capture the town before Gustavus could march to its assistance.
Malcolm could easily have made his escape the first night after
leaving New Brandenburg; but the distance to be traversed to join the
Swedish army was great, confusion and disorder reigned everywhere,
and he had decided that it would be safer to remain with the
Imperialist army until Gustavus should approach within striking
distance. On the road he kept with the other two men who had been
taken with the horses from the syndic of the weavers, and, chatting
with them when the convoy halted, he had not the least fear of being
questioned by others. Indeed, none of those in the long train of
carts and wagons paid much attention to their fellows, all had been
alike forced to accompany the Imperialists, and each was too much
occupied by the hardships of his own lot, and by thoughts of the
home from which he had been torn, to seek for the companionship of
his comrades in misfortune.
Pages:
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77