"
"For shame, Graheme! You say nothing of the glory."
"Ah! well," Graheme laughed, "we have already had so large share
of that, that I for one could do without winning any more just at
present. It's a dear commodity to purchase, and neither fills our
belly nor our pockets."
"For shame, Graheme! for shame!" Munro said laughing. "It is a
scandal that such sentiments should be whispered in the Scottish
brigade; and now to bed, gentlemen, for we shall have, methinks,
a busy day tomorrow."
Sir James Ramsay was appointed to command the assault. The river
Maine had to be crossed, and he sent off Lieutenant Robert Ramsay
of his own regiment to obtain boats from the peasantry. The disguise
in which he went was seen through, and he was taken prisoner and
carried to the castle. A few boats were, however, obtained by the
Swedes.
The river is here 300 yards wide, and the central arch of the bridge
had been blown up by the Imperialists, a single plank remaining
across the chasm over the river 48 feet below. The bridge was swept
by the heaviest cannon in the fortress, and a passage appeared well
nigh hopeless. On the afternoon of the 5th of October the party
prepared to pass, some in boats, others by the bridge. A tremendous
fire was opened by the Imperialists from cannon and musketry,
sweeping the bridge with a storm of missiles and lashing the river
to foam around the boats.
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