"
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.
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