In a few minutes a great body of cavalry was seen issuing from the Spanish camp, and fourteen squadrons of cuirassiers trotted down towards the intrenchments.  Soon the word was given to charge, and, like a torrent, the mass of cavalry swept down upon it.

Two-thirds of those who had crossed were musketeers, the remainder pikemen.  The latter formed the front line behind the rampart, their spears forming a close hedge around it, while the musketeers prepared to fire between them.  By the order of Count Brahe not a trigger was pulled until the cavalry were within fifty yards, then a flash of flame swept round the rampart, and horses and men in the front line of the cavalry tumbled to the ground.  But half the musketeers had fired, and a few seconds later another volley was poured into the horsemen.  The latter, however, although many had fallen, did not check their speed, but rode up close to the rampart, and flung themselves upon the hedge of spears.

Nothing could exceed the gallantry with which the Spaniards fought.  Some dismounted, and, leaping into the ditch, tried to climb the rampart; others leapt the horses into it, and standing up in their saddles, cut at the spearmen with their swords, and fired their pistols among them.  Many, again, tried to leap their horses over ditch and rampart, but the pikemen stood firm, while at short intervals withering volleys tore into the struggling mass.

For half an hour the desperate fight continued, and then, finding that the position could not be carried by horsemen, the Spanish commander drew off his men, leaving no less than 600 lying dead around the rampart of earth.  There were no Spanish infantry within some miles of the spot, and the cavalry rode away, some to Maintz, but the greater part to Oppenheim, where there was a strong garrison of 1000 men.

A careful search among the bushes brought three more boats to light, and a force was soon taken across the river sufficient to maintain itself against any attack.  Gustavus himself was in one of the first boats that crossed.

“Well done, my brave hearts!” he said as he landed, just as the Spanish horsemen had ridden away.  “You have fought stoutly and well, and our way is now open to us.  Where are Lieutenant Graheme and the sergeant who swam across with him?”

Malcolm and his companion soon presented themselves.

“I sent for you to your camp,” the king said, “but found that you but waited to change your clothes, and had then joined the force crossing.  You had no orders to do so.”

“We had no orders not to do so, sire, but having begun the affair it was only natural that we should see the end of it.”

“You had done your share and more,” the king said, “and I thank you both heartily for it, and promote you, Graheme, at once to the rank of captain, and will request Colonel Munro to give you the first company which may fall vacant in his regiment.  If a vacancy should not occur shortly I will place you in another regiment until one may happen in your own corps.  To you, sergeant, I give a commission as officer.  You will take that rank at once, and will be a supernumerary in your regiment till a vacancy occurs.  Such promotion has been well and worthily won by you both.”