Karl Ludwig Sand | Page 5

reflected the great battles that were at that time steeping Germany in
blood, was generally a plain extending from the town of Wonsiedel to
the mountain of St. Catherine, which had ruins at its top, and amid the
ruins a tower in excellent preservation. Sand, who was one of the most
eager fighters, seeing that his side had several times been defeated on
account of its numerical inferiority, resolved, in order to make up for
this drawback, to fortify the tower of St. Catherine, and to retire into it

at the next battle if its issue proved unfavourable to him. He
communicated this plan to his companions, who received it with
enthusiasm. A week was spent, accordingly, in collecting all possible
weapons of defence in the tower and in repairing its doors and stairs.
These preparations were made so secretly that the army of the enemy
had no knowledge of them.
Sunday came: the holidays were the days of battle. Whether because
the boys were ashamed of having been beaten last time, or for some
other reason, the band to which Sand belonged was even weaker than
usual. Sure, however, of a means of retreat, he accepted battle,
notwithstanding. The struggle was not a long one; the one party was
too weak in numbers to make a prolonged resistance, and began to
retire in the best order that could be maintained to St. Catherine's tower,
which was reached before much damage had been felt. Having arrived
there, some of the combatants ascended to the ramparts, and while the
others defended themselves at the foot of the wall, began to shower
stones and pebbles upon the conquerors. The latter, surprised at the new
method of defence which was now for the first time adopted, retreated a
little; the rest of the defenders took advantage of the moment to retire
into the fortress and shut the door. Great was the astonishment an the
part of the besiegers: they had always seen that door broken down, and
lo! all at once it was presenting to them a barrier which preserved the
besieged from their blows. Three or four went off to find instruments
with which to break it down and meanwhile the rest of the attacking
farce kept the garrison blockaded.
At the end of half an hour the messengers returned not only with levers
and picks, but also with a considerable reinforcement composed of lads
from, the village to which they had been to fetch tools.
Then began the assault: Sand and his companions defended themselves
desperately; but it was soon evident that, unless help came, the garrison
would be forced to capitulate. It was proposed that they should draw
lots, and that one of the besieged should be chosen, who in spite of the
danger should leave the tower, make his way as best he might through
the enemy's army, and go to summon the other lads of Wonsiedel, who
had faint-heartedly remained at home. The tale of the peril in which
their Comrades actually were, the disgrace of a surrender, which would
fall upon all of them, would no doubt overcome their indolence and

induce them to make a diversion that would allow the garrison to
attempt sortie. This suggestion was adopted; but instead of leaving the
decision to chance, Sand proposed himself as the messenger. As
everybody knew his courage, his skill, and his lightness of foot, the
proposition was unanimously accepted, and the new Decius prepared to
execute his act of devotion. The deed was not free from danger: there
were but two means of egress, one by way of the door, which would
lead to the fugitive's falling immediately into the hands of the enemy;
the other by jumping from a rampart so high that the enemy had not set
a guard there. Sand without a moment's hesitation went to the rampart,
where, always religious, even in his childish pleasures, he made a short
prayer; then, without fear, without hesitation, with a confidence that
was almost superhuman, he sprang to the ground: the distance was
twenty-two feet. Sand flew instantly to Wonsiedel, and reached it,
although the enemy had despatched their best runners in pursuit. Then
the garrison, seeing the success of their enterprise, took fresh courage,
and united their efforts against the besiegers, hoping everything from
Sand's eloquence, which gave him a great influence over his young
companions. And, indeed, in half an hour he was seen reappearing at
the head of some thirty boys of his own age, armed with slings and
crossbows. The besiegers, on the point of being attacked before and
behind, recognised the disadvantage of their position and retreated. The
victory remained with Sand's party, and all the honours of the day were
his.
We have related this anecdote in detail, that our readers