"We have crossed the Unstrut," exclaimed von Wendenstein; "it is really scandalous--where will this retreat end? We shall go back and back, until we march into the jaws of the enemy coming down upon us from the north, and then--" "Then at last we shall capitulate," said von Stolzenberg, bitterly; "this kind of war can have no other end." Lieutenant-Colonel Kielmansegge trotted quickly up to the troop in which the young officers rode. "Look there, gentlemen," he cried, and pointed to the river bank at some distance along the plain. "What is that?--active firing is going on there." "They are exchanging shots as they retreat--the Knesebeck Brigade it must be," said von Wendenstein. "We shall soon have the enemy on our flank," said Stolzenberg; and both the officers took their glasses and looked in the direction in which Count Kielmansegge was still gazing attentively. "It is the guards," said von Stolzenberg, "and actually they are not retreating, they have made a stand on the bank!" "The enemy's sharpshooters are retreating!" exclaimed Wendenstein joyfully. "They halt," said Count Kielmansegge, still looking through his glass,--"our battalions form,--they are going down to the river--into it--hurrah!" he cried, "they are advancing to the attack." "And we are standing still here," cried von Wendenstein, whilst he drew his sword half out of the scabbard, and put it back with a clang. At this moment Colonel de Vaux galloped up with the brigade staff. "The guards are crossing the Unstrut," cried Count Kielmansegge, as they came up. "So I see!" exclaimed Colonel de Vaux, "and devil take me if I stand still here; now the die must be cast. It is bad enough that we shall have to retake all the positions we have so quietly abandoned to the enemy! What regiments are close here?" he enquired of his adjutant. "The first battalion of the second regiment, and the first Jäger battalion," he replied. "Bring them here at once." The adjutant galloped to the columns close by, and led them at quick march up to the colonel. He dismounted and placed himself at their head. "And what shall I do?" asked Count Kielmansegge. "Ride down by the river," replied de Vaux, "cross where you can, and act according to circumstances; if possible fall on the right flank of the enemy, and silence that hostile battery." "At your command, colonel!" cried Kielmansegge. In a few moments the regiments formed and rode at a sharp trot along the river. From the place where the two battalions of guards had crossed the stream, a heavy fire had commenced. The first battalion under the gallant Landesberg advanced slowly in a straight line upon Langensalza, the second battalion turned to the left towards the mill which formed the central point of the enemy's position, and which was in a diagonal line from Colonel de Vaux. "Now is the time!" he cried, and commanding his adjutant to give the order to advance, he at the same time ordered the assault to be sounded.