We shall recapture the towns which he has taken, and if the
enemy should dare to accept battle we shall beat him, and shall be
in a position to march upon Vienna."
"Horn's arguments are the strongest," Nigel Graheme said gravely;
"the course he advises is the most prudent one."
"Undoubtedly," Munro replied; "but I think that it will not be
followed. The duke is of a fiery spirit, and he would feel it, as
most of us would feel it, a disgrace to fall back without striking
a blow for Nordlingen. He has, too, been goaded nearly to madness
during the last few days by messengers and letters which have reached
him from the reformed princes and the free towns in all parts of
Germany, reproaching him bitterly for having suffered Ratisbon and
Donauworth to fall into the hands of the enemy without a blow, and
he feels that his honour is concerned. I have little doubt that we
shall fight a great battle to save Nordlingen."
CHAPTER XXV NORDLINGEN
While Colonel Munro and his companions were discussing the matter
a council of war was being held, and Duke Bernhard's view was
adopted by all his generals, who felt with him that their honour
was involved in the question, and that it would be disgraceful to
march away without striking a blow to save the besieged city. Horn,
therefore, being outvoted, was forced to give way. Up to nightfall
the Imperialists had showed no signs of an intention to occupy the
Weinberg, their forces being massed on and around the Allersheim
Hill.
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