A strong rear guard followed a short distance behind the army. It
was accompanied by some empty wagons, in which those who fell out
and were unable to keep up with the march were placed. Two days
after the advance from the Lech, Malcolm was in charge of a small
party on the right flank of the column. There was no fear of an
attack from the enemy, for the Swedish horsemen were out scouring
the country, and the Imperialists were known to have fallen back to
Ingolstadt. The villages were found deserted by the male inhabitants,
the younger women too had all left, but a few old crones generally
remained in charge. These scowled at the invaders, and crossing
themselves muttered curses beneath their breath upon those whom their
priests had taught them to regard as devils. There was nothing to
tempt the cupidity of the soldiers in these villages. Malcolm's
duty was confined to a casual inspection, to see that no stragglers
had entered for the purpose of procuring wine.
The day's march was nearly over when he saw some flames rise from
a village a short distance away. Hurrying forward with his men he
found a party of ten of the Swedish soldiers who had stolen away
from the baggage guard engaged in plundering. Two peasants lay dead
in the street, and a house was in flames.
Malcolm at once ordered his detachment, who were twenty strong,
to arrest the Swedes and to march them back to the columns.
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