the Free Corps; then the Jagors, with cannon
and lancers in the rear.  It was soon dark, but
though the network of lanes was most intricate,
the guides knew the country so well that they
never hesitated.  But the roads were of the
worst, and, in spite of the dry weather, the
tenacious mire and deep ruts made it cruel work
to drag the guns. The progress of the force
was therefore slow.

The pale new moon and stars threw a cold
light down upon us as we toiled on.  Presently
I felt the sea-breeze on my cheek, and knew that
Flaxbye must be near.  We were in a wild
country, full of meres and brooks, with high
dykes and stone walls on each side the narrow
road.  But the Germans were confident of an
easy victory, and I heard the officers mutter
congratulations to each other as we pressed on.
For my own part, I was puzzled.  The calm of
Voss's bearing, the pride of the son's manner,
which would have become a victor rather than
a traitor, perplexed me.  Then, if Lilien had
passed me as I lay, whither was she bound, and
wherefore?  To these mental queries a tremendous
answer was about to be returned.

The column was labouring through miry
ground, where the feet sank into deep mud at
every step.  Suddenly a bugle sounded, and
at the first note old Captain Bluenose sprang
like a tiger on the dragoon at his side, wrested
his sabre from him, and, cutting the cords that
bound himself and Han to their captors, waved
his hat high in air with his left hand, shouting,
"Hurrah for old Denmark and the King!"

In an instant the long wall was bristling with
levelled muskets and the heads of soldiers in the
well known Danish uniform, while with a cheer
of "God save Denmark!" they poured a heavy
volley into the closely-packed ranks of the
Prussians.  Thus much I saw.  I heard, too,
the galloping of horse in our front, the cheers
and shouts of infantry and cavalry rushing forward,
the word of command among the Prussians,
the yells, cries, clamour, and groans,
mingled with the incessant ring of musketry.
It was plain that the German troops were
caught in a trap, and, from what I heard, I
gathered that the raw levies of the Free Corps
had given way, and that the surprise was
successful and complete.  Around the spot
where I stood the confusion was fearful, and, as
I was swept forward and driven against the
bank by a rush of plunging horses, I saw a
dozen sabres and pistols raised in vengeance,
while I heard an angry shout to kill the guides.
For one of these I was probably mistaken: a
trooper spurred upon me, and dealt me a furious
stroke with his sabre.  The flat of the blade
alone, by good luck, fell on my head; but I was
beaten down on the bank, and the hussar, with
a savage curse, swung back his arm for a surer
blow.  Then I remember Lilien's angel face
and golden hair coming between me and the
soldier, and her outstretched arm as she lifted it
over me in mute entreaty.  Perhaps the trooper
had a recollection of child-sisters of his own at
home in Germany; for he hesitated to strike,
and as he did so, a stray shot brought his horse
to the ground.  He was taken prisoner by the
Danish troops, who were now in full pursuit of
the retreating enemy.

Poor Captain Bluenose was not alive to
share the triumph of his countrymen.  He had
been shot dead by one of the hussars, and
lay, calm and stern as in life, while Han lay
beside him, wounded, but living; and Lilian
threw herself on her dear father's body with
a piteous cry that I shall never forget.  Han
recovered from his wounds, and, when he came
out of hospital, sold house and land, and took
his little sister away with him to Laaland, I
believe, where the old man had relations.  I
never saw the bright little face again; but it
was well known in Denmark and Schleswig that
my old friend had feigned to lead the enemy
against his countrymen merely to serve the
cause he loved better than life itself.  He had
formed the resolution in haste, and as a child
would not be suspected of carrying intelligence,
he had found means secretly to despatch Lilian
by a shorter route with a few written words to
the Danish general at Flaxbye, and hence the
ambuscade and its successful results.

No man's memory is more honoured among
the honest Danes of Fladswäst than that of poor
old Voss, or as they love best to call him,
Captain Bluenose.  Nor have I ever seen the
Captain's grave, in my subsequent visits to the
place, in a neglected condition, or without a
wreath of the freshest flowers, all the summer
through.  Fladswäst fell for a time into Danish
hands, though the Germans soon regained it.
Before that day came my parents, alarmed for
my safety, recalled me to England, and it was
not till long after that I revisited Denmark.

       NEW WORK BY MR.DICKENS
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