"Have the lots already been drawn?" said Bertel.
"No. You are just in time to try your luck."
As all the younger officers desired the honour of leading the forlorn hope, the difficulty was settled by drawing lots. After these were shaken up in a helmet, Bertel was the successful competitor.
"Look out for yourself, my boy!" cried little Larsson. "Thunder and lightning, remember that the castle is full of Jesuits. Trap-doors everywhere, a dagger in every crucifix, and at the moment of victory the castle will be blown up."
It was half an hour to the dawn. Bertel with seven men was ordered to closely reconnoitre the fortress. The rest of the troops were held in readiness.
The night was pitch dark. Bertel's men approached the drawbridge without being challenged: To their complete astonishment they found it down.*
* Some authors say that the drawbridge could not be drawn up on account of the weight of the many dead who were left there after the strife.
Bertel stopped for an instant, remembering Larsson's warnings. Was this a trap? All was silent. Then Bertel and his men stepped softly over the bridge.
"Who goes there?" thundered a German sentinel through the darkness.
"Swede!" cried Bertel, cleaving his head. "Comrades, the castle is ours!"