with flour and wine taken at New Brandenburg and the other towns
they had stormed. The marches were long, for Tilly was anxious
to accomplish his object before Gustavus should be aware of the
direction he was taking.

This object was the capture of the town of Magdeburg, a large and
important city, and one of the strongholds of Protestantism. Here
he was resolved to strike a blow which would, he believed, terrify
Germany into submission.

When Gustavus heard that Tilly had marched west, he moved against
Frankfort-on-the-Oder, where the Imperialists were commanded by
Count Schomberg. The latter had taken every measure for the defence
of the town, destroying all the suburbs, burning the country houses
and mills, and cutting down the orchards and vineyards.

Gustavus, accompanied by Sir John Hepburn, at once reconnoitred
the place and posted his troops. The Blue and Yellow Brigades
were posted among the vineyards on the road to Custrin; the White
Brigade took post opposite one of the two gates of the town. Hepburn
and the Green Brigade were stationed opposite the other.

As the Swedes advanced the Imperialist garrison, who were 10,000
strong, opened fire with musketry and cannon from the walls. The
weakest point in the defence was assigned by Schomberg to Colonel
Walter Butler, who commanded a regiment of Irish musketeers in the
Imperialist service. In the evening Hepburn and some other officers
accompanied the king to reconnoitre near the walls. A party
of Imperialists, seeing some officers approaching, and judging by
their waving plumes they were of importance, sallied quietly out