“Ride to my noble Otto,” he said to Gilbert, who was at his side, “and bid him charge at once.”  Before Rodolph had altered his array, Gilbert brought back the Saxon’s answer: 

“Otto of Nordheim declines to abandon the advantages of his position, and says he will not fail you, should you require his assistance.”

“It is well,” said the king, frowning slightly; “he will not fail us.”  Then turning to Albert of Hers, he said, in a whisper:  “Otto wishes the glory, of deciding the day, as at Melrichstadt.  Let us try that he may obtain the laurel of victory instead of the odium of defeat.  Gentlemen!” he said, in a loud voice, exchanging cheerful smiles with the Suabian nobles around him, “you have now an opportunity of meeting face to face the desolators of your country.  Soldiers!” he said, mingling among his troops, “there are the Bohemians who butchered your wives and families!” As the whole body clamored for the signal to begin, Rodolph gave the word, and the chivalry and yeomanry of Suabia swept rapidly down the hill.  They were met at the base by the whole army of Henry.  Still, nothing daunted, Rodolph displayed his impetuous valor, the lords of Hers and Stramen rushed on the destroyers of their castles, and Gilbert and Henry fought side by side, each trying to outstrip the other.  At this moment, as Rodolph was tugging at his lance to draw it from a body of a knight he had pierced, it was seized by Vratislaus, Duke of Bohemia.  As Vratislaus put forth all his strength to disarm his antagonist, Rodolph suddenly yielded up the weapon, and as the duke staggered back, sprang upon him with his sword.  Timely succor alone saved the Bohemian.

“He will be rewarded for capturing my lance,” said Rodolph, calmly.  “Had not his friends been so fleet, he might have had his recompense in another world.”

But the Suabians, opposed to three times their number, were beginning to retreat, when Otto of Nordheim, true to his word, emerged from the mist and fell upon the enemy’s flank.

“Well done, thou Saxon eagle!” exclaimed Rodolph, eagerly, seeing the discomfited foe staggering before this unexpected and vigorous attack.  “Henry of Stramen, ride to the duke, and tell him he has won the day.”

Rodolph, surrounded by some of his barons, among whom were the lords of Hers and Stramen and Gilbert, was posted upon a little knoll, watching the progress of the fight, when Henry returned with Otto’s acknowledgments to the king.

“Sire!” said Albert of Hers, riding up to the monarch, “your cunning rival there has profited by this mist, and I think we may now turn it to our account.”

“How?” asked the king.

“The enemy has left his camp in our rear—­we may cross the river unperceived and surprise it.  Give me five hundred men, and I will not leave him as much as would satisfy a peasant.”