The enemy's sharpshooters appeared on the other side of the river. "Skirmishers, forward!" cried Colonel von Landesberg. The lines opened out with exemplary precision, and in a short time the Hanoverian skirmishers were close to the river, received by the fire of the enemy. Several grenadiers fell; but the firing from the Hanoverian lines was so certain and regular, that the most advanced of the enemy's sharpshooters soon sought cover, and replied but feebly. The second battalion of guards had come up in the meantime. Colonel von Alten galloped up to Colonel von Landesberg, who had ridden down to the river, and was in the midst of his men. "What is going on here?" asked Alten; "is the plan for the day changed?" "You see this spot," said Colonel von Landesberg,--"it must not be taken, and I mean to hold it." "Have you received an order?" asked Colonel von Alten. "I do not want an order, for I see that the fate of the day and of the army depends on its being kept," cried Landesberg. "Fire!" The report of fire-arms rolled along the line. Colonel von Alten gave a scrutinizing look around, then he rode back to his battalion, which was about a hundred paces off. "Right about turn!" he cried. The battalion replied, like the first, with an echoing "Hurrah!" A few moments afterwards his sharpshooters were drawn up along the bank of the Unstrut, and the advancing enemy found itself opposed by a steady fire. Although the grenadiers fell, the lines filled up silently and regularly, and not an inch of ground was yielded. Colonel von Landesberg placed himself in the front ranks, cool and calm as if on parade. The battalions of the enemy which had advanced to the river halted. An uneasy movement appeared amongst them. An aide-de-camp galloped up. "Colonel," he cried, "the general expects you in the prescribed position!" "Tell him I am engaged by the enemy!" replied von Landesberg curtly. The aide-de-camp glanced at what was going on, saluted, turned his horse, and galloped back without a word. The enemy's fire grew weaker. After a short time, bugle calls were heard on the opposite bank, and the enemy was withdrawn out of reach of fire. Colonel von Landesberg put up his sword. "So," said he, "the first thing is done; do you think the river is fordable?" "Certainly!" replied the adjutant, riding down close to it; "I can see the bottom almost everywhere." "We can swim if needful," said Landesberg, calmly. "They shall rest ten minutes, then I will go first." Colonel de Vaux's brigade stood at some little distance, close to the village of Merxleben; the Cambridge dragoons were halted near the banks of the Unstrut. The officers looked anxiously at the movements of the troops, who were retiring on the two wings, the centre keeping up an energetic artillery fire.