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Page 58
Hardly had the words escaped his lips, before the war-cry of
Saxony--"St. Peter! St. Peter!" burst from three thousand throats, and
the noble Otto and the Count Palatine Frederick could be seen leading on
their troops, all fresh and panting for the fight. Borne down by this
vigorous assault, the pursuing column fell back in confusion, and were
routed with great slaughter. Rodolph, having rallied his men, rushed on
to where the imperial standard was waving, and with his own hand cut
down the banner of his rival. A cry now arose: "Henry is dead!"
Dispirited and borne down, the troops of Henry turned and fled in
confusion. They were pursued up to the gates of W�rtzburg, where the
vanquished monarch found an asylum. The Saxons passed the night on the
battle-field, amid hymns of praise and cries of joy.
In the morning, Rodolph, from his inferiority being unable to pursue
his victory, reentered Merseburg in triumph; and Henry, unwilling to
hazard another engagement, fell back upon Ratisbon to levy new troops.
Thus ended the battle of Melrichstadt: all night the waters of the
Strewe, as they glided carelessly along, were red with the noblest blood
in Germany.
Some hours after nightfall, when all the requisite precautions had been
taken, Gilbert de Hers, unharmed, but worn out by the fatigues of the
day, retired to his father's tent. He was alone, for the Lord of Hers
was in council with the king. It was a sultry night in August, and,
stripping off his armor, he threw himself upon a couch, and gazed
languidly but steadily at the flickering watch fires. He had been
knighted on the field by the king, and had nobly worn his spurs, but his
thoughts were evidently not running on his own prowess or the praises of
his monarch. A listless calm had succeeded his late excitement. His
meditations were rather rudely interrupted by the entrance of a man who
dashed aside the curtains of his tent and pressed the young noble's hand
to his lips.
"Humbert!" exclaimed the astonished youth, springing to his feet; and
embracing his trusty follower, he poured forth question upon question
with such rapidity that Humbert did not even attempt a reply. When
Gilbert had composed himself sufficiently to listen, the gallant
retainer began to relate all that had occurred at the lordship of
Stramen. Gilbert listened mute and breathless until informed of the Lady
Margaret's safe arrival and princely reception at the fortress of
T�bingen. Then, forgetting his rank in his joy and gratitude, he threw
his arms around his companion's neck, and forced into his hands the
chain of gold which had nearly proved fatal to him at the tournament.
"The morning after our arrival at T�bingen--" resumed Humbert.
"Yes--go on!" said the youth, who not until then had reflected upon the
danger of her position, even at T�bingen, and was eagerly drinking in
the words of his companion.
"The morning after our arrival we saw Henry's whole army drawn out in
the plain. We were summoned to surrender. The whole court replied: 'A
Montfort holds no parley with a perjured king and false knight.'
Instantly we were furiously assaulted on all sides. But the defences
were complete and completely manned, and they fell back foiled at every
point. For three long days we held the barbican against their united
efforts. On the morning of the fourth they began to retire, and before
sunset we were left without an enemy. When I found that my services were
no longer required, I determined to return to Hers, and then seek you
here."
"Had the Lady Margaret recovered from her fright and fatigue?" asked the
youth.
"With the exception of a slight cough, brought on, I suppose, by the
rain."
Gilbert's next question related to his paternal estate.
"The chapel stands uninjured," said Humbert.
"And the castle?"
"The blackened walls alone remain!"
"We shall be avenged!" cried the young knight, drawing a deep breath.
"How was the chapel preserved?"
"Numbers of women and children had fled there for protection, and our
good Father Herman, standing in the doorway, told the miscreants they
must pass over his body. He would have fallen a victim to his zeal, had
not the Duke Godfrey de Bouillon interposed and driven back his soldiers
with loud reproaches."
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