VII
MUTINY IN THE WILDERNESS
It was a lovely morning in July when Prince Roland walked into theshadow of the handsome tower which to-day is all that survives of theElector's palace at Hochst, on the river Main. He found Greusel thereawaiting him, but none of the others. When the two had greeted oneanother, the Prince said:
"Joseph, I determined several days ago to appoint you my lieutenant onthis expedition."
"If you take my advice, Roland, you will do nothing of the kind."
"Why?"
"Because it may be looked upon as favoritism, and so promote jealouslyin the ranks, which is a thing to avoid."
"Whom would you suggest for the place?"
"Conrad Kurzbold."
"What! and run the risk of divided authority? I am determined to becommander, you know."
"Kurzbold, even if made lieutenant, would be as much under your ordersas the rest of us. He is an energetic man, and you may thus direct hisenergy along the right path. From being a critic, he will become one ofthe criticised, giving him something to think about. Then yourappointment of him would show that you bear no ill-feeling for what hesaid last night."
"You appear to think, Greusel, that it is the duty of a commander tocurry favor with his following."
"No; but I regard tact as a useful quality. You see, you are not in theposition of a general with an army. The members of the guild can deposeyou whenever they like and elect a successor, or they may desert you ina body, and you have no redress. Your methods should not be drastic, butrather those of a man who seeks election to some high office."
"I fear I am not constituted for such a role, Greusel."
"If you are to succeed in the task you have undertaken, Roland, you mustadapt yourself to your situation as it actually is, and not as you wouldwish to have it. I stood by you yesterday evening, and succeeded ininfluencing the others to do the same, yet there is no denying that youspoke to those men in a most overbearing manner. Why, you could not havebeen more downright had you been an officer of the Emperor himself. Whatpassed through my mind as I listened was, 'Where did this youth get hisswagger?' You ordered Kurzbold out of the ranks, you know."
"Then why favor my action?"
"Because I was reluctant to see a promising marauding adventure wreckedat the very outset for lack of a few soothing words."
Roland laughed heartily. The morning was inspiring, and he was in goodfettle.
"Your words to Kurzbold were anything but soothing."
"Oh, I was compelled to crush him. He was the cause of the disturbance,and therefore I had no mercy so far as the affair impinged upon him. Butthe others, with the exception of Gensbein perhaps, are good, honest,sweet-tempered fellows, whom I did not wish to see misled. I think youmust put out of your mind all thought of punishment, no matter what theoffense against your authority may be."
"Then how would you deal with insubordination when it arises?"
"I should trust to the good sense of the remaining members of yourcompany to make it uncomfortable for the offender."
"But suppose they don't?"
Greusel shrugged his shoulders.
"In that case you are helpless, I fear. At any rate, talking of hanging,or the infliction of any other punishment, is quite futile so long asyou do not possess the power to carry out your sentence. To return to mysimile of the general: a general can order any private in his army to behanged, and the man is taken out and hanged accordingly, but if one ofthe guild is to be executed, he must be condemned by an overwhelmingvote of his fellows, because even if a bare majority sentenced onebelonging to the minority it would mean civil war among us. Suppose, forexample, it was proposed to hang you, and eleven voted for the executionand nine against it. Do you think we nine would submit to the verdict ofthe eleven? Not so. I am myself the most peaceful of men, but the momentit came to that point, I should run my sword through the proposer of theexecution before he had time to draw his weapon. In other words, I'dmurder him to lessen the odds, and then we'd fight it out like men."
"Why didn't you say all this last night, Greusel?"
"Last night my whole attention was concentrated on inducing Kurzbold toforget that you had threatened the company with a hangman's rope. Had heremembered that, I could never have carried the vote of confidence. Butyou surely saw that the other men were most anxious to support you ifyour case was placed fairly before them, a matter which, for somereason, you thought it beneath your dignity to attempt."
"My dear Joseph, your wholesale censure this morning does much tonullify the vote I received last night."
"My dear Roland, I am not censuring you at all; I am merely endeavoringto place facts before you so that you will recognize them."
"Quite so, but what I complain of is that these facts were not exhibitedin time for me to shoulder or shirk the responsibility. I do not believethat military operations can be successfully carried on by a littlefamily party, the head of which must coddle the others in the group, andbeg pardon before he says 'Devil take you!' I would not have acceptedthe leadership last night had I known the conditions."
"Well, it is not yet too late to recede. The barge does not leaveFrankfort until this evening, and it is but two leagues back to thatcity. Within half an hour at the farthest, every man of us will beassembled here. Now is the time to have it out with them, becauseto-morrow morning the opportunity to withdraw will be gone."
"It is too late even now, Greusel. If last night the guild could notmake up the money we owe to Goebel, what hope is there that a singlecoin remains in their pockets this morning? Do I understand, then, thatyou refuse to act as my lieutenant?"
"No; but I warn you it will be a step in the wrong direction. You arequite sure of me; and as merely a man-at-arms, as you called us lastnight, I shall be in a better position to speak in your favor than if Iwere indebted to you for promotion from the ranks."
"I see. Therefore you counsel me to nominate Kurzbold?"
"I do."
"Why not Gensbein, who was nearly as mutinous as Kurzbold?"
"Well, Gensbein, if you prefer him."
"He showed a well-balanced mind last night, being part of the time onone side and part on the other."
"My dear commander, we were all against you last night, when you spokeof hanging, and even when you only went as far as expulsion."
"Yes, I suppose you were, and the circumstances being such as you state,doubtless you were justified. I am to command, then, a regiment that mayobey or not, according to the whim of the moment; a cheering prospect,and one I had not anticipated. When I received the promise of twenty menthat they would carry out faithfully whatever I undertook on theirbehalf, I expected them to stand by it."
"I think you are unjust, Roland. No one has refused, and probably no onewill. If any one disobeys a command, then you can act as seems best toyou, but I wish you fully to realize the weakness of your status shouldit come to drastic punishment."
"Quite so, quite so," said Roland curtly. He clasped his hands behindhis back, and without further words paced up and down along the bank ofthe river, head bowed in thought.
Ebearhard was the next arrival, and he greeted Greusel cordially, thenone after another various members of the company came upon the scene. Tothe new-comers Roland made no salutation, but continued his meditatingwalk.
At last the bell in the tower pealed forth nine slow, sonorous strokes,and Roland raised his head, ceasing his perambulations. Greusel lookedanxiously at him as he came forward to the group, but his countenancegave no indication whether or not he had determined to abandon theexpedition.
"Are we all here?" asked Roland.
"No," was the reply; "Kurzbold, Eiselbert, Rasselstein, and Gensbeinhave not arrived yet."
"Then we will wait for them a few moments longer," said the commander,with no trace of resentment at their unpunctuality, and from thisGreusel assumed that he not only intended to go on, but had taken toheart the warning given him. Ebearhard and a comrade walked up the
roadrapidly toward Frankfort, hoping for some sign of the laggards, andRoland resumed his stroll beside the river. At last Ebearhard and hiscompanion returned, and the former approached Roland.
"I see nothing of those four," he said. "What do you propose to do?"
Roland smiled.
"I think sixteen good men, all of a mind, will accomplish quite as muchas twenty who are divided in purpose. I propose, therefore, to go on,unless you consider the missing four necessary, in which case we can donothing but wait."
"I am in favor of going forward," said Ebearhard; then turning to therest, who had gathered themselves around their captain, he appealed tothem. All approved of immediate action.
"Do you intend to follow the river road, Captain?" asked Ebearhard.
"Yes, for two or three leagues, but after that we strike across thecountry."
"Very well. We can proceed leisurely along the road, and our friends mayovertake us if they have any desire to do so."
"Right!" said Roland. "Then let us set out."
The seventeen walked without any company formation through the village,then, approaching a wayside tavern, they were hailed by a loud shoutfrom the drinkers in front of it. Kurzbold was the spokesman for theparty of four, which he, with his comrades, made up.
"Come here and drink success to glory," he shouted. "Where have you ladsbeen all the morning?"
"The rendezvous," said Roland sternly, "was at the Elector's tower."
"My rendezvous wasn't. I have been here for more than an hour," saidKurzbold. "I told you last night that when I arrived at Hochst I shouldbe thirsty, and would try to mitigate the disadvantage at a tavern."
"Yes," said Ebearhard, with a laugh, "we can all see you have succeededin removing the disadvantage."
"Oh, you mean I'm drunk, do you? I'll fight any man who says I'm drunk.It was a tremendous thirst caused by the dryness of my throat from lastnight, and the dust on the Frankfort road this morning. It takes a greatdeal of wine to overcome two thirsts. Come along, lads, and drink to thesuccess of the journey. No hard feeling. Landlord, set out the wine herefor seventeen people, and don't forget us four in addition."
The whole company strolled in under the trees that fronted the tavern,except Roland, who stood aloof.
"Here's a salute to you, Captain," cried Kurzbold. "I drink wine withyou."
"Not till we return from a successful expedition," said Roland.
"Oh, nonsense!" hiccoughed Kurzbold. "Don't think that your officeplaces you so high above us that it is _infra dig_. to drink with yourcomrades."
To this diatribe Roland made no reply, and the sixteen, seeing theattitude of their leader, hesitated to raise flagon to lip. Thediplomatic Ebearhard seized a measure of wine and approached Roland.
"Drink with us, Commander," he said aloud; and then in a whisper,"Greusel and I think you should."
"Thank you, comrade," said Roland, taking the flagon from him. "And now,brethren, I give you a toast."
"Good, good, good!" cried Kurzbold, with drunken hilarity. "Here's tothe success of the expedition. That's the toast, I make no doubt, eh,Captain?"
"The sentiment is included in the toast I shall offer you. Drink to thehealth of Joseph Greusel, whom I have this morning appointed mylieutenant. If we all conduct ourselves as honorably and capably as he,our project is bound to prosper."
Greusel, who was seated at a table, allowed his head to sink into hishands. Here was his advice scouted, and a direct challenge flung in theface of the company. He believed now that, after all, Roland hadresolved to return to Frankfort, money or no money. If he intended toproceed to the Rhine, then even worse might happen, for it was plain hewas bent on rule or ruin. Instantly the challenge was accepted. Kurzboldstood up, swaying uncertainly, compelled to maintain his uprightposition by grasping the top of the table at which he had been seated.
"Stop there, stop there!" he cried. "No man drinks to that toast justyet. Patience, patience! all things in their order. If we claim thepower to elect our captain, by the cock-crowned Cross of the old bridgewe have a right to name the lieutenant! This is a question for thecompanionship to decide, and a usurpation on the part of Roland."
"Sit down, you fool!" shouted Ebearhard savagely. "You're drunk. TheCaptain couldn't have made a better selection. What say you, comrades?"
A universal shout of "Aye!" greeted the question, and even Kurzbold'sthree comrades joined in it.
"And now, gentlemen, no more talk. Here's to the health of the newlieutenant, Joseph Greusel."
The toast was drunk enthusiastically, all standing, with the exceptionof Kurzbold, who came down in his seat with a thud.
"All right!" he cried, waving his hand. "All right; all right! That'swhat I said. Greusel's good man, and now he's elected by thecompanionship, he's all right. I drink to him. Drink to anybody, Iwill!"
In groping round for the flagon, he upset it, and then roared loudly forthe landlord to supply him again.
"Now, comrades," said Roland sharply, "fall in! We've a long march aheadof us. Come, Greusel, we must lead the van, for I wish to instruct youin your duties."
It was rather a straggling procession that set out from Hochst.
"Perhaps," began Roland, as he strode along beside Greusel, "I shouldmake some excuse for not following the advice you so strenuously urgedupon me this morning regarding the appointment of a lieutenant. Thetruth is I wished to teach you a lesson, and could not resist thetemptation of proving that a crisis firmly and promptly met disappears,whereas if you compromise with it there is a danger of beingoverwhelmed."
"I admit. Commander, that you were successful just now, and the reasonis that most of our brigade are sane and sober this morning. But waituntil to-night, when the wine passes round several times, and if you tryconclusions with them then you are likely to fail."
"But the wine won't pass round to-night."
"How can you prevent it?"
"Wait, and you will see," said Roland, with a laugh.
By this time they arrived at a fork in the road, one section goingsouthwest and the other straight west. The left branch was infinitelythe better thoroughfare, for the most part following the Main until itreached the Rhine. Roland, however, chose the right-hand road.
"I thought you were going along by the river," said his lieutenant.
"I have changed my mind," replied Roland, without further explanation.
At first Kurzbold determined to set the pace. He would show the companyhe was not drunk, and tax them to follow him, but, his stout legsproving unable to carry out this excellent resolution, he gradually fellto the rear. As the sun rose higher, and grew hotter, the pace began totell on him, and he accepted without protest the support of two comradeswho had been drinking with him at Hochst. He retrograded into acondition of pessimistic dejection as the enthusiasm of the wineevaporated. A little later he wished to lie down by the roadside andallow a cruel and unappreciative world to pass on its own way, but hiscomrades encouraged him to further efforts, and in some manner theysucceeded in dragging him along at the tail of the procession.
As they approached the village of Zeilsheim, Roland requested hislieutenant to inform the marchers that there would be no halt until_mittagessen_.
Zeilsheim is rather more than a league from Hochst, and Kurzbold allowedhimself to wake up sufficiently to maintain that the distance earnedanother drink, but his supporters dragged him on with difficulty pastthose houses which displayed a bush over the door. At the larger town ofHofheim, five leagues from Frankfort, the same command was passed downthe ranks, and at this there was some grumbling, for the day had becomevery hot, and the way was exceedingly trying, up hill and down dale.
Well set up as these city lads were, walking had never been theiraccustomed exercise. The interesting Taunus mountains, which to-dayconstitute an exercise ground full of delights to the pedestrian,forming, as they do, practically a suburb of Frankfort, were at thattime an unexplored wilderness, whose forests were infested by rovingbrigands, where no m
an ventured except at the risk of an untimely grave.The mediaeval townsman rarely trusted himself very far outside the citygates, and our enterprising marauders, whom to outward view seemedstalwart enough to stand great fatigue, proved so soft under the hot sunalong the shadeless road that by the time they reached Breckenheim,barely six leagues from Frankfort, there was a mopping of brows and ageneral feeling that the limit of endurance had been reached.
At Breckenheim Roland called a halt for midday refreshment, and he wascompelled to wait nearly half an hour until the last straggler of hiswoebegone crew limped from the road on to the greensward in front of the_Weinstaube_ which had been selected for a feeding-place. Black breadand a coarse kind of country cheese were the only provisions obtainable,but of these eatables there was an ample supply, and, better than all tothe jaded wayfarers, wine in abundance, of good quality, too, forBreckenheim stands little more than a league to the north of thecelebrated Hochheim.
The wanderers came in by ones and twos, and sank down upon the benchesbefore the tavern, or sprawled at full length on the short grass, whereKurzbold and his three friends dropped promptly off into sleep. A moredejected and amenable gang even Roland could not have wished to command.Every ounce of fight, or even discussion, was gone from them. They carednot where they were, or what any one said to them. Their sole desire wasto be let alone, and they took not the slightest interest even in thepreparing of their frugal meal. A mug of wine served to each mitigatedthe general depression, although Kurzbold showed how far gone he was byswearing dismally when roused even to drink the wine. He said he wasresolved to lead a temperate life in future, but nevertheless managed todispose of his allowance in one long, parched draught.
Greusel approached his chief.
"There will be some difficulty," he said, "when this meal has to be paidfor. I find that the men are all practically penniless."
"Tell them they need anticipate no trouble about that," replied Roland."I have settled the bill, and will see that they do not starve or die ofthirst before we reach the Rhine."
"It is proposed," continued Greusel, "that each man should give all themoney he possesses into a general fund to be dealt with by a committeethe men will appoint. What do you say to this?"
"There is nothing to say. I notice that the proposal was not made untilthe proposers' pouches were empty."
"They know that some of us have money," Greusel went on, "myself, forinstance, and they wish us to share as good comrades should--at least,that is their phrase."
"An admirable phrase, yet I don't agree with it. How much money haveyou, Greusel?"
"The thirty thalers are practically intact, and Ebearhard has about thesame."
"Well, fifty thalers lie safe in my pouch, but not a coin goes into thetreasury of any committee the men may appoint. If they choose acommittee, let them finance it themselves."
"There will be some dissatisfaction at that decision, Commander."
"I dare say. Still, as you know, I am always ready to do anythingconducive to good feeling, so you may inform them that you and Ebearhardand myself, that is, three of us, will contribute to the committee'sfunds an amount equal to that subscribed by the other eighteen. Suchlavishness on our part ought to satisfy them."
"It won't, Commander, because there's not a single kreuzer among theeighteen."
"So be it. That's as far as I am willing to go. Appeal to theirreasoning powers, Greusel. If each of the eighteen contributes onethaler, we three will contribute six thalers apiece. Ask them whetherthey do not think we are generous when we do six times more than any oneof them towards providing capital for a committee."
"'Tis not willingness they lack, Commander, but ability."
"They are not logical, Joseph. They prate of comradeship, and when itcomes to an exercise of power they demand equality. How, then, can they,with any sense of fairness, prove ungrateful to us when we offer to bearsix times the burden they are asked to shoulder?"
The lieutenant said no more, but departed to announce the decision tothe men, and either the commander's reasoning overcame all opposition,or else the company was too tired to engage in a controversy.
When the black bread and cheese were served, with a further supply ofwine, all sat up and ate heartily. The banquet ended, Greusel made anannouncement to the men. There would now be an hour's rest, he said,before taking to the road again. The meal and the wine had been paid forby the commander, so no one need worry on that account, but if any manwished more wine he must pay the shot himself. However, before theafternoon's march was begun flagons of wine would be served at thecommander's expense. This information was received in silence, and themen stretched themselves out on the grass to make the most of their hourof rest. Roland strolled off alone to view the village. The lieutenantand Ebearhard sat together at a table, conversing in low tones.
"Well," said Ebearhard, "what do you think of it all?"
"I don't know what to think," replied Greusel. "If the Barons of theRhine could see us, and knew that we intended to attack them, I imaginethere would be a great roar of laughter."
Ebearhard emulated the Barons, and laughed. He was a cheerful person.
"I don't doubt it," he said; "and talking of prospects, what's youropinion of the Commander?"
"I am quite adrift on that score also. This morning I endeavored to givehim some good advice. I asked him not to appoint me lieutenant, but tochoose Kurzbold or Gensbein from among the malcontents, for I thought ifresponsibility were placed on their shoulders we should be favored withless criticism."
"A very good idea it seems to me," remarked Ebearhard.
"Well, you saw how promptly he ignored it, yet after all there may bemore wisdom in that head of his than I suspected. Look you how he hasmade a buffer of me. He gives no commands to the men himself, but merelyorders me to pass along the word for this or that. He appears determinedto have his own way, and yet not to bring about a personal conflictbetween himself and his following."
"Do you suppose that to be cowardice on his part?"
"No; he is not a coward. He doubtless intends that I shall stand thebrunt of any ill-temper on the part of the men. Should disobediencearise, it will be my orders that are disobeyed, not his. If the matteris of no importance one way or the other, I take it he will say nothing,but I surmise that when it comes to the vital point, he will brush measide as though I were a feather, and himself confront the menregardless of consequences. This morning I thought they would win insuch a case, but, by the iron Cross, I am not so confident now. Rememberhow he sprung my appointment on the crowd, counting, I am sure, on yourhelp. He said to me, when we were alone by the tower, that you were themost fair-minded man among the lot, and he evidently played on that,giving them not a moment to think, and you backed him up. He carried hispoint, and since then has not said a word to them, all orders goingthrough me, but I know he intended, as he told you, to take the riverroad, instead of which he has led us over this hilly district untilevery man is ready to drop. He is himself very sparing of wine, and isin fit condition. I understand he has tramped both banks of the Rhine,from Ehrenfels to Bonn, so this walk is nothing to him. At the end of ithe was off for a stroll, and here are these men lying above the sod likethe dead underneath it."
"I cannot make him out," mused Ebearhard. "What has been his training?He appears to be well educated, and yet in some common matters isignorant as a child, as, for instance, not knowing the difference instatus between a skilled artisan and a chaffering merchant! What canhave been his up-bringing? He is obviously not of the merchant class, yethe persuades the chief of our merchants, and the most conservative, toengage in this wild goose chase, and actually venture money and goods insupporting him. This expedition will cost Herr Goebel at least fivethousand thalers, all because of the blandishments of a youth who walkedin from the street, unintroduced. Then he is not an artisan of any sort,for when he joined us his hands were quite useless, except upon thesword-hilt."
"He said he was a fencing-master," explained Greusel.<
br />
"I know he did, and yet when he was offered a fee to instruct us hewouldn't look at it. The first duty of a fencing-master, like the restof us, is to make money. Roland quite evidently scorns it, and at thelast instructs us for nothing. Fencing-masters don't promote freebootingexpeditions, and, besides, a fencing-master is always urbane and polite,cringing to every one. I have watched Roland closely at times, trying tostudy him, and in doing so have caught momentary glimpses of suchcontempt for us, that, by the good Lord above us, it made me shrivel up.You know, Greusel, that youth has more of the qualities usuallyattributed to a noble than those which go to the make-up of anytradesman."
"He is a puzzle to me," admitted Greusel, "and if this excursion doesnot break up at the outset, I am not sure that it will be a success."
Noticing a look of alarm in Ebearhard's eyes, Greusel cast a glance overhis shoulder, and saw Roland standing behind him. The young man saidquietly:
"It hasn't broken up at the outset, for we are already more than fiveleagues from Frankfort. Our foray must be a success while I have twosuch wise advisers as I find sitting here."
Neither of the men replied. Both were wondering how much their leaderhad overheard. He took his place on the bench beside Ebearhard, and saidto him:
"I wish you to act as my second lieutenant. If anything happens to me,Greusel takes my place and you take his. This, by the way, is anappointment, rather than an election. It is not to be put before theguild. You simply act as second lieutenant, and that is all there isabout it."
"Very good, Commander," said Ebearhard.
"Greusel, how much money have you?"
"Thirty thalers."
"Economical man! Will you lend me the sum until we reachAssmannshausen?"
"Certainly." Greusel pulled forth his wallet, poured out the gold, andRoland took charge of it.
"And you, Ebearhard? How are you off for funds?"
"I possess twenty-five thalers."
"May I borrow from you as well?"
"Oh, yes."
"I was thinking," continued the young man, as he put away the gold,"that this committee idea of the men has merits of its own; therefore Ihave formed myself into a committee, appointed, not elected, and willmake the disbursements. How much money does our company possess?"
"Not a stiver, so far as I can learn."
"Ah, in that case there is little use in my attempting a collection.Now, as I was saying, Greusel, if anything happens to me, you carry onthe enterprise along the lines I have laid down. The first thing, ofcourse, is to reach Assmannshausen."
"Nothing can happen to you before we arrive there," hazarded Greusel.
"I'm not so sure. The sun is very powerful to-day, and should it beat medown, let me lie where I fall, and allow nothing to interrupt the march.Once at Assmannshausen, you two must keep a sharp lookout up the river.When you see the barge, gather your men and lead them up to it. It is toawait us about half a league above Assmannshausen."
The three conversed until the hour was consumed, then Roland, throwinghis cloak over his arm, rose, and said to his lieutenant:
"Just rouse the men, if you please; and you, Ebearhard, tell thelandlord to give each a flagon of wine. We take the road to Wiesbaden. Ishall walk slowly on ahead, so that you and the company may overtakeme."
With this the young leader sauntered indifferently away, leaving to hissubordinates the ungracious task of setting tired men to their workagain. Greusel looked glum, but Ebearhard laughed.
Some distance to the east of Wiesbaden the leader deflected his companyfrom the road, and thus they passed Wiesbaden to the left, arriving atthe village of Sonnenberg. The straggling company made a halt for ashort time, while provisions were purchased, every man carrying his ownshare, which was scantly sufficient for supper and breakfast, and aquantity of wine was acquired to gratify each throat with about a literand a half; plenty for a reasonable thirst, but not enough for acarouse.
The company grumbled at being compelled to quit Sonnenberg. They hadhoped to spend the night at Wiesbaden, and vociferously proclaimedthemselves satisfied with the amount of country already traversed. Theirleader said nothing, but left Greusel and Ebearhard to deal with them.He paid for the provisions and the wine, and then, with his cloakloosely over his arm, struck out for the west, as if the declining sunwere his goal. The rest followed him slowly, in deep depression ofspirits. They were in a wild country, unknown to any of them. The hillshad become higher and steeper, and there was not even a beaten path tofollow; but Roland, who apparently knew his way, trudged steadily on inadvance even of his lieutenants. A bank of dark clouds had risen in theeast, the heat of the day being followed by a thunderstorm that growledmenacingly above the Taunus mountains, evidently accompanying a torrentof rain, although none fell in the line of march.
The sun had set when the leader brought his company down into the valleyof the Walluf, about two and a half leagues from Sonnenberg. Here themen found themselves in a wilderness through which ran a brawlingstream. Roland announced to them that this would be their camping placefor the night. At once there was an uproar of dissent. How were they tocamp out without tents? A heavy rain was impending. Listen to thethunder, and taking warning from the swollen torrent.
"Wrap your cloaks around you," said Roland, "and sleep under the trees.I have often done it myself, and will repeat the experience to-night. Ifyou are not yet tired enough to ensure sound slumber, I shall bedelighted to lead you on for another few leagues."
The men held a low-voiced, sullen consultation, gathered in a circle.They speedily decided upon returning to Sonnenberg, which it was theunanimous opinion of the company they should never have left. Townsmenall, who had not in their lives spent a night without a roof over theirheads, such accommodation as their leader proposed they should endureseemed like being cast away on a desert island. The mystery of theforest affrighted them. For all they could tell the woods were full ofwild animals, and they knew that somewhere near lurked outlaws no lesssavage. The eighteen, ignoring Greusel and Ebearhard, who stood on oneside, watching their deliberations with anxious faces, moved in a bodyupon their leader, who sat on the bank of the torrent, his feet danglingdown towards the foaming water.
"We have resolved to return to Sonnenberg," said the leader of theconclave.
"An excellent resolution," agreed Roland cheerfully. "It is a pleasantvillage, and I have passed through it several times. By the way,Wiesbaden, which is much larger, possesses the advantage to tired men ofbeing half a league nearer."
The spokesman seemed taken aback by Roland's nonchalant attitude.
"We do not know the road to Wiesbaden, and, indeed, are in some doubtwhether or no we can find our way to Sonnenberg with darkness comingon."
"Then if I were you, I shouldn't attempt it. Why not eat your supper,and drink your wine in this sheltering grove?"
"By that time it will be as dark as Erebus," protested the spokesman.
"Then remain here, as I suggested, for the night."
"No; we are determined to reach Sonnenberg. A storm impends."
"In that case, gentlemen, don't let me detain you. The gloom thickens asyou spend your time in talk."
"Oh, that's all very well, but when we reach Sonnenberg we shall needmoney."
"So you will."
"And we intend to secure it."
"Quite right."
"We demand from you three thalers for each man."
"Oh, you want the money from me?"
"Yes, we do."
"That would absorb all the funds I possess."
"No matter. We mean to have it."
"You propose to take it from me by force?"
"Yes."
"Ah, well, such being the case, perhaps it would be better for me toyield willingly?"
"I think so."
"I quite agree with you. There are eighteen of you, all armed withswords, while I control but one blade."
Saying this he unfastened his cloak, which he had put on in thegathering chill of the
evening, and untying from his belt a well-filledwallet, held it up to their gaze.
"As this bag undisputedly belongs to me, I have a right to dispose of itas I choose. I therefore give it to the brook, whose outcry is asinsistent as yours, and much more musical."
"Stop, Roland, stop!" shouted Ebearhard, but the warning came too late.The young man flung the bag into the torrent, where it disappeared in asmother of foam. He rose to his feet and drew his sword.
"If you wish a fight now, it will be for the love of it, no filthy lucrebeing at stake."
"By Plutus, you are an accursed fool!" cried the spokesman, making nofurther show of aggression now that nothing but steel was to be gainedby a contest.
"A fool; yes!" said Roland. "And therefore the better qualified to leadall such. Now go to Sonnenberg, or go to Hades!"
The men did neither. They sat down under the trees, ate their supper,and drank their wine.
"Will you dine with me?" said Roland, approaching his two gloomylieutenants, who stood silent at some distance from the circle formed bythe others.
"Yes," said Greusel sullenly, "but I would have dined with greaterpleasure had you not proven the spokesman's words true."
"You mean about my being a fool? Oh, you yourself practically called methat this morning. Come, let us sit down farther along the stream, wherethey cannot overhear what we say."
This being done, Roland continued cheerfully:
"I may explain to you that a week ago I had only a wallet of my own, butbefore leaving on this journey I called upon my mother, and shepresented me with another bag. I foresaw during _mittagessen_ that ademand would be made upon us for money, therefore I borrowed all thatyou two possessed. Walking on ahead, I prepared for what I knew mustcome, filling the empty wallet with very small stones picked up alongthe road. That wallet went into the stream. It is surprising how pronehuman nature is to jump at conclusions. Why should any of you think thatI am simpleton enough to throw away good money? Dear, dear, what a worldthis is, to be sure!"
Half an hour later all were lying down enveloped in their cloaks,sleeping soundly because of their fatigue, despite being out of doors.Next morning there was consternation in the camp, real or pretended.Roland was nowhere to be found, nor did further search reveal hiswhereabouts.