THEOBALD, THE IRON-HEARTED.
CHAPTER I.
GOTTFRIED AND ERARD—PURSUIT OF A HORSEMAN—RESCUE OF THE WOUNDED CHEVALIER
In the long and bloody war which followed the martyrdom of John Huss and Jerome of Prague,[[1]] two hostile armies met, in 1423, in one of the most beautiful valleys of Bohemia.
The battle commenced towards the close of day, and continued until after sunset.
It was then that old Gottfried, accompanied by Erard, his grandson, climbed to the summit of a steep hill, from the edge of which might be perceived, in the depth of the valley, behind a wood, some troops still fighting.
The old man and the child, (Erard was scarcely nine years of age,) were sad and silent. They both looked towards the plain, and it was with a profound sigh that Erard at last said, "O, how good is the Lord, if he has preserved my father!"
"The Lord can preserve him!" said Gottfried, with solemnity, "Arnold belongs to him; yes, my son, your father is one of his dear children!"