"Thatisgood，"saidHans，"thenIwillloosethygaguntilthouhasttoldme；onlybearinmindwhatIsaidconcerningmydagger。"
　　Thereupon，heunboundhisprisoner，andthefellowslowlyrosetohisfeet。Heshookhimselfandlookedallabouthiminaheavy，bewilderedfashion，asthoughhehadjustawakenedfromadream。
　　Hisrighthandslidfurtivelydowntohisside，butthedagger—
　　sheathwasempty。
　　"Come，brother!"saidHans，impatiently，"timeispassing，andoncelostcanneverbefoundagain。ShowmethewaytotheyoungBaronOttoor—。"Andhewhettedtheshiningbladeofhisdaggeronhishornypalm。
　　Thefellowneedednofurtherbidding；turning，heledtheway，andtogethertheywereswallowedupintheyawningshadows，andagainthehushofnight—timelayupontheCastleofTrutz—
　　Drachen。
　　XI。
　　HowOttowasSaved。
　　LittleOttowaslyinguponthehardcouchinhiscell，tossinginrestlessandfeverishsleep；suddenlyaheavyhandwaslaiduponhimandavoicewhisperedinhisear，"Baron，BaronOtto，waken，rouseyourself；Iamcometohelpyou。IamOne—eyedHans。"
　　Ottowasawakeinaninstantandraisedhimselfuponhiselbowinthedarkness。"One—eyedHans，"hebreathed，"One—eyedHans；
　　whoisOne—eyedHans？"
　　"True，"saidtheother，"thoudostnotknowme。Iamthyfather’strustedservant，andamtheonlyoneexceptinghisownbloodandkinwhohasclungtohiminthishouroftrouble。Yes，allaregonebutmealone，andsoIhavecometohelptheeawayfromthisvileplace。"
　　"Oh，dear，goodHans!ifonlythoucanst!"criedOtto；"ifonlythoucansttakemeawayfromthiswickedplace。Alas，dearHans!
　　Iamwearyandsicktodeath。"AndpoorlittleOttobegantoweepsilentlyinthedarkness。
　　"Aye，aye，"saidHans，gruffly，"itisnoplaceforalittlechildtobe。Canstthouclimb，mylittlemaster？canstthouclimbaknottedrope？"
　　"Nay，"saidOtto，"Icanneverclimbagain!See，Hans；"andheflungbackthecoversfromoffhim。
　　"Icannotsee，"saidHans，"itistoodark。"
　　"Thenfeel，dearHans，"saidOtto。
　　Hansbentoverthepoorlittlewhitefigureglimmeringpalelyinthedarkness。Suddenlyhedrewbackwithasnarllikeanangrywolf。
　　"Oh!theblack，bloodywretches!"hecried，hoarsely；"andhavetheydonethattothee，alittlechild？"
　　"Yes，"saidOtto，"theBaronHenrydidit。"Andthenagainhebegantocry。
　　"There，there，"saidHans，roughly，"weepnomore。Thoushaltgetawayfromhereevenifthoucanstnotclimb；Imyselfwillhelpthee。
　　Thyfatherisalreadywaitingbelowthewindowhere，andthoushaltsoonbewithhim。There，there，crynomore。"
　　WhilehewasspeakingHanshadstrippedoffhispeddler’sleathernjacket，andthere，aroundhisbody，waswrappedcoilaftercoilofstouthempenropetiedinknotsatshortdistances。Hebeganunwindingtherope，andwhenhehaddonehewasasthinaseverhehadbeenbefore。Nexthedrewfromthepouchthathungathissideaballoffinecordandaleadenweightpiercedbyahole，bothofwhichhehadbroughtwithhimfortheusetowhichhenowputthem。Hetiedtheleadtotheendofthecord，thenwhirlingtheweightabovehishead，heflungituptowardthewindowhighabove。Twicethepieceofleadfellbackagainintotheroom；thethirdtimeitflewoutbetweentheironbarscarryingthecordwithit。Hansheldtheballinhishandandpaidoutthestringastheweightcarrieditdownwardtowardthegroundbeneath。Suddenlythecordstoppedrunning。Hansjerkeditandshookit，butitmovednofarther。
　　"Prayheaven，littlechild，"saidhe，"thatithathreachedtheground，forifithathnotwearecertainlylost。"
　　"Idopray，"saidOtto，andhebowedhishead。
　　Then，asthoughinanswertohisprayer，therecameatwitchuponthecord。
　　"See，"saidHans，"theyhaveheardtheeupaboveinheaven；itwasthyfatherwhodidthat。"Quicklyanddeftlyhetiedthecordtotheendoftheknottedrope；thenhegaveanansweringjerkuponthestring。Thenextmomenttheropewasdrawnuptothewindowanddowntheoutsidebythosebelow。Ottolaywatchingtheropeasitcrawleduptothewindowandoutintothenightlikeagreatsnake，whileOne—eyedHansheldtheotherendlestitshouldbedrawntoofar。Atlastitstopped。"Good，"
　　mutteredHans，asthoughtohimself。"Theropeislongenough。"
　　Hewaitedforafewminutesandthen，drawingupontheropeandfindingthatitwasheldfrombelow，hespatuponhishandsandbeganslowlyclimbinguptothewindowabove。Windinghisarmaroundtheironbarsofthegratingthatguardedit，hethrusthishandintothepouchthathungbyhisside，anddrawingforthafile，felltoworkcuttingthroughallthatnowlaybetweenOttoandliberty。
　　Itwasslow，slowwork，anditseemedtoOttoasthoughHanswouldneverfinishhistask，aslyinguponhishardcouchhewatchedthatfigure，blackagainstthesky，bendingoveritswork。Nowandthenthefilescreechedagainstthehardiron，andthenHanswouldceaseforamoment，butonlytobeginagainasindustriouslyasever。Threeorfourtimeshetriedtheeffectsofhiswork，butstilltheironheld。Atlasthesethisshoulderagainstit，andasOttolookedhesawtheironbend。
　　Suddenlytherewasasharpcrack，andapieceofthegratingwentflyingoutintothenight。
　　Hanstiedtheropesecurelyaboutthestumpofthestoutironbarthatyetremained，andthensliddownagainintotheroombelow。
　　"Mylittlelord，"saidhe，"dostthouthinkthatifIcarrythee，thouwiltbeableandstrongenoughtoclingtomyneck？"
　　"Aye，"saidOtto，"methinksIwillbeabletodothat。"
　　"Thencome，"saidHans。
　　Hestoopedashespoke，andgentlyliftingOttofromhisrudeandruggedbedhedrewhisbroadleathernbeltaroundthemboth，bucklingitfirmlyandsecurely。"Itdoesnothurtthee？"saidhe。
　　"Notmuch，"whisperedOttofaintly。
　　ThenHansspatuponhishands，andbeganslowlyclimbingtherope。
　　Theyreachedtheedgeofthewindowandtheretheyrestedforamoment，andOttorenewedhisholdaroundtheneckofthefaithfulHans。
　　"Andnowartthouready？"saidHans"Aye，"saidOtto。
　　"Thencourage，"saidHans，andheturnedandswunghislegovertheabyssbelow。
　　Thenextmomenttheywerehanginginmid—air。
　　Ottolookeddownandgaveagasp。"Themotherofheavenblessus，"hewhispered，andthenclosedhiseyes，faintanddizzyatthesightofthatsheerdepthbeneath。Hanssaidnothing，butshuttinghisteethandwrappinghislegsaroundtherope，hebeganslowlydescending，handunderhand。Down，down，downhewent，untiltoOtto，withhiseyesshutandhisheadleaninguponHans’shoulder，itseemedasthoughitcouldneverend。
　　Down，down，down。SuddenlyhefeltHansdrawadeepbreath；
　　therewasaslightjar，andOttoopenedhiseyes；Hanswasstandingupontheground。
　　Afigurewrappedinadarkcloakarosefromtheshadowofthewall，andtookOttoinitsarms。ItwasBaronConrad。
　　"Myson—mylittlechild!"hecried，inachoked，tremblingvoice，andthatwasall。AndOttopressedhischeekagainsthisfather’sandbegancrying。
　　SuddenlytheBarongaveasharp，fiercecry。"DearHeaven!"hecried；"whathavetheydonetothee？"ButpoorlittleOttocouldnotanswer。
　　"Oh!"gaspedtheBaron，inastrangledvoice，"mylittlechild!
　　mylittlechild!"Andtherewithhebrokedown，andhiswholebodyshookwithfierce，drysobs；formeninthosedaysdidnotseektohidetheirgriefastheydonow，butwerefierceandstrongintheexpressionofthatasofallelse。
　　"Nevermind，dearfather，"whisperedOtto；"itdidnothurtmesoverymuch，"andhepressedhislipsagainsthisfather’scheek。
　　LittleOttohadbutonehand。
　　XII。
　　ARideForLife。
　　ButnotyetwasOttosafe，andalldangerpastandgoneby。
　　Suddenly，astheystoodthere，theharshclangorofabellbrokethesilenceofthestarrynightabovetheirheads，andastheyraisedtheirfacesandlookedup，theysawlightsflashingfromwindowtowindow。Presentlycamethesoundofahoarsevoiceshoutingsomethingthat，fromthedistance，theycouldnotunderstand。
　　One—eyedHanssmotehishanduponhisthigh。Looksaidhe，"hereiswhatcomesofhavingasoftheartinone’sbosom。Iovercameandboundawatchmanupyonder，andforcedhimtotellmewhereouryoungBaronlay。Itwasonmymindtorunmyknifeintohimafterhehadtoldmeeverything，butthen，bethinkinghowtheyoungBaronhatedthethoughtofbloodshed，Isaidtomyself，’No，Hans，Iwillsparethevillain’slife。’Seenowwhatcomesofbeingmerciful；here，byhookorbycrook，thefellowhasloosedhimselffromhisbonds，andbringsthewholecastleaboutourearslikeanestofwasps。"
　　"Wemustfly，"saidtheBaron；"fornothingelseintheworldisleftme，nowthatallhavedesertedmeinthisblacktimeoftrouble，exceptingthesesixfaithfulones。"
　　Hisvoicewasbitter，bitter，ashespoke；thenstooping，heraisedOttoinhisarms，andbearinghimgently，beganrapidlydescendingtherockyslopetothelevelroadthatranalongtheedgeofthehillbeneath。Closebehindhimfollowedtherest；
　　Hansstillgrimedwithsootandinhisbarefeet。Alittledistancefromtheroadandundertheshadeoftheforesttrees，sevenhorsesstoodwaiting。TheBaronmounteduponhisgreatblackcharger，seatinglittleOttouponthesaddleinfrontofhim。"Forward!"hecried，andawaytheyclatteredandoutupontheroad。Then—"ToSt。Michaelsburg，"saidBaronConrad，inhisdeepvoice，andthehorses’headswereturnedtothewestward，andawaytheygallopedthroughtheblackshadowsoftheforest，leavingTrutz—Drachenbehindthem。
　　Butstillthesoundofthealarmbellrangthroughthebeatingofthehorses’hoofs，andasHanslookedoverhisshoulder，hesawthelightoftorchesflashinghitherandthitheralongtheouterwallsinfrontofthegreatbarbican。
　　InCastleTrutz—Drachenallwasconfusionanduproar：flashingtorcheslitupthedullgraywalls；horsesneighedandstamped，andmenshoutedandcalledtooneanotherinthebustleofmakingready。PresentlyBaronHenrycamestridingalongthecorridorcladinlightarmor，whichhehadhastilydonnedwhenrousedfromhissleepbythenewsthathisprisonerhadescaped。
　　Belowinthecourtyardhishorsewasstanding，andwithoutwaitingforassistance，heswunghimselfintothesaddle。Thenawaytheyallrodeanddownthesteeppath，armorringing，swordsclanking，andiron—shodhoofsstrikingsparksoffirefromthehardstones。AttheirheadrodeBaronHenry；histriangularshieldhungoverhisshoulder，andinhishandheborealong，heavy，steel—pointedlancewithapennantflickeringdarklyfromtheend。
　　Atthehigh—roadatthebaseoftheslopetheypaused，fortheywereatalosstoknowwhichdirectionthefugitiveshadtaken；
　　ahalfascoreoftheretainersleapedfromtheirhorses，andbeganhurryingabouthitherandthither，andupanddown，likehoundssearchingforthelostscent，andallthetimeBaronHenrysatstillasarockinthemidstoftheconfusion。
　　Suddenlyashoutwasraisedfromtheforestjustbeyondtheroad；theyhadcomeupontheplacewherethehorseshadbeentied。ItwasaneasymattertotracethewaythatBaronConradandhisfollowershadtakenthencebacktothehigh—road，butthereagaintheywereataloss。Theroadranstraightasanarroweastwardandwestward—hadthefugitivestakentheirwaytotheeastortothewest？
　　BaronHenrycalledhishead—man，NicholasStein，tohim，andthetwospoketogetherforawhileinanundertone。AtlasttheBaron’slieutenantreinedhishorseback，andchoosingfirstoneandthenanother，dividedthecompanyintotwoparties。ThebaronplacedhimselfattheheadofonebandandNicholasSteinattheheadoftheother。"Forward!"hecried，andawayclatteredthetwocompaniesofhorsemeninoppositedirections。
　　ItwastowardthewestwardthatBaronHenryofTrutz—Drachenrodeattheheadofhismen。
　　Theearlyspringtidesunshotitsraysofmisty，yellowlightacrosstherollingtopsoftheforesttreeswherethelittlebirdsweresinginginthegloryoftheMaymorning。ButBaronHenryandhisfollowersthoughtnothingofthebeautyofthepeacefulday，andheardnothingofthemultitudinoussoundofthesingingbirdsas，withaconfusedsoundofgallopinghoofs，theysweptalongthehighway，leavingbehindthemaslow—
　　curling，low—trailingcloudofdust。
　　Asthesunrosemorefullandwarm，themistywreathsbegantodissolve，untilatlasttheypartedandrolledasunderlikeawhitecurtainandthere，beforethepursuinghorsemen，laythecrestofthemountaintowardwhichtheywereriding，andupwhichtheroadwoundsteeply。
　　"Yondertheyare，criedasuddenvoicebehindBaronHenryofTrutz—Drachen，andatthecryalllookedupward。
　　Farawayuponthemountain—sidecurledacloudofdust，fromthemidstofwhichcamethestar—likeflashofburnishedarmorgleaminginthesun。
　　BaronHenrysaidneveraword，buthislipscurledinagrimsmile。
　　AndasthemistwreathspartedOne—eyedHanslookedbehindanddownintotheleafyvalleybeneath。"Yondertheycome，"saidhe。
　　"Theyhavefollowedsharplytogainsomuchuponus，eventhoughourhorsesareweariedwithallthetravellingwehavedonehitherandyonthesefivedayspast。Howfarisit，LordBaron，fromheretoMichaelsburg？"
　　"Abouttenleagues，"saidtheBaron，inagloomyvoice。
　　Hanspuckeredhismouthasthoughtowhistle，buttheBaronsawnothingofit，forhewasgazingstraightbeforehimwithasetandstonyface。Thosewhofollowedhimlookedatoneanother，andthesamethoughtwasinthemindofeach—howlongwoulditbebeforethosewhopursuedwouldclosethedistancebetweenthem？
　　Whenthathappeneditmeantdeathtooneandall。
　　Theyreachedthecrestofthehill，anddowntheydashedupontheotherside；fortheretheroadwassmoothandlevelasitslopedawayintothevalley，butitwasindeadsilencethattheyrode。NowandthenthosewhofollowedtheBaronlookedbackovertheirshoulders。Theyhadgainedamileupontheirpursuerswhenthehelmetedheadsroseabovethecrestofthemountain，butwhatwasthegainofamilewithasmoothroadbetweenthem，andfreshhorsestowearyones？
　　Ontheyrodeandontheyrode。Thesunrosehigherandhigher，andhotterandhotter。Therewasnotimetorestandwatertheirpantinghorses。Onlyonce，whentheycrossedashallowstretchofwater，thepooranimalsbenttheirheadsandcaughtafewgulpsfromthecoolstream，andtheOne—eyedHanswashedapartofthesootfromhishandsandface。Onandontheyrode；neveroncedidtheBaronConradmovehisheadoralterthatsteadfastlookas，gazingstraightbeforehim，herodesteadilyforwardalongtheendlessstretchofroad，withpoorlittleOtto’syellowheadandwhitefacerestingagainsthissteel—cladshoulder—andSt。Michaelsburgstilleightleaguesaway。
　　Alittleriseofgroundlaybeforethem，andastheyclimbedit，all，exceptingthebaron，turnedtheirheadsaswithoneaccordandlookedbehindthem。Thenmorethanoneheartfailed，forthroughtheleavesofthetreesbelow，theycaughttheglintofarmorofthosewhofollowed—notmorethanamileaway。Thenextmomenttheysweptoverthecrest，andthere，belowthem，laythebroadshiningriver，andneareratributarystreamspannedbyarude，narrow，three—arched，stonebridgewheretheroadcrossedthedeep，slow—movingwater。
　　Downtheslopeploddedthewearyhorses，andsotothebridge—
　　head。
　　"Halt，"criedthebaronsuddenly，anddrewrein。
　　Theothersstoodbewildered。Whatdidhemeantodo？HeturnedtoHansandhisblueeyesshonelikesteel。
　　"Hans，"saidhe，inhisdeepvoice，"thouhastservedmelongandtruly；wiltthouforthisonelasttimedomybidding？"
　　"Aye，"saidHans，briefly。
　　"Swearit，"saidtheBaron。
　　"Iswearit，"saidHans，andhedrewthesignofthecrossuponhisheart。
　　"Thatisgood，"saidtheBaron，grimly。"Thentakethouthischild，andwiththeothersridewithallthespeedthatthoucansttoSt。Michaelsburg。GivethechildintothechargeoftheAbbotOtto。TellhimhowthatIhaveswornfealtytotheEmperor，andwhatIhavegainedthereby—mycastleburnt，mypeopleslain，andthispoor，simplechild，myonlyson，mutilatedbymyenemy。
　　"Andthou，myLordBaron？"saidHans。
　　"Iwillstayhere，"saidtheBaron，quietly，"andkeepbackthosewhofollowaslongasGodwillgivemegracesotodo。"
　　Amurmurofremonstranceroseamongthefaithfulfewwhowerewithhim，twoofwhomwerenearofkin。ButConradofDrachenhausenturnedfiercelyuponthem。
　　"Hownow，"saidhe，"haveIfallensolowinmytroublesthatevenyedaretoraiseyourvoicesagainstme？BythegoodHeaven，Iwillbeginmyworkherebyslayingthefirstmanwhodarestoraisewordagainstmybidding。"Thenheturnedfromthem。"Here，Hans，"saidhe，"taketheboy；andremember，knave，whatthouhastsworn。"
　　HepressedOttoclosetohisbreastinonelastembrace。"Mylittlechild，"hemurmured，"trynottohatethyfatherwhenthouthinkestofhimhereafter，eventhoughhebehardandbloodyasthouknowest。"
　　Butwithhissufferingandweakness，littleOttoknewnothingofwhatwaspassing；itwasonlyasinafaintflickeringdreamthathelivedinwhatwasdonearoundhim。
　　"Farewell，Otto，"saidtheBaron，butOtto’slipsonlymovedfaintlyinanswer。Hisfatherkissedhimuponeithercheek。
　　"Come，Hans，"saidhe，hastily，"takehimhence；"andheloosedOtto’sarmsfromabouthisneck。
　　HanstookOttouponthesaddleinfrontofhim。
　　"Oh!mydearLordBaron，"saidhe，andthenstoppedwithagulp，andturnedhisgrotesquelytwitchingfaceaside。
　　"Go，"saidtheBaron，harshly，"thereisnotimetoloseinwoman’stears。"
　　"Farewell，Conrad!farewell，Conrad!"saidhistwokinsmen，andcomingforwardtheykissedhimuponthecheekthentheyturnedandrodeawayafterHans，andBaronConradwasleftalonetofacehismortalfoe。
　　XIII。
　　HowBaronConradHeldtheBridge。
　　Asthelastofhisfollowerssweptaroundthecurvingroadandwaslosttosight，BaronConradgavehimselfashake，asthoughtodriveawaythethoughtsthatlayuponhim。Thenherodeslowlyforwardtothemiddleofthebridge，wherehewheeledhishorsesoastofacehiscomingenemies。Heloweredthevizorofhishelmetandboltedittoitsplace，andthensawthatswordanddaggerwerelooseinthescabbardandeasytodrawwhentheneedfordrawingshouldarise。
　　Downthesteeppathfromthehillabovesweptthepursuinghorsemen。Downthesteeppathtothebridge—headandtheredrewrein；forinthemiddleofthenarrowwaysatthemotionless，steel—cladfigureuponthegreatwar—horse，withwide，red，pantingnostrils，andbodystreakedwithsweatandfleckedwithpatchesoffoam。
　　Onesideoftheroadwayofthebridgewasguardedbyalowstonewall；theothersidewasnakedandopenandbaretothedeep，slow—movingwaterbeneath。Itwasadangerousplacetoattackadesperatemancladinarmorofproof。
　　"Forward!"criedBaronHenry，butnotasoulstirredinanswer，andstilltheiron—cladfiguresatmotionlessanderectuponthepantinghorse。
　　"How，"criedtheBaronHenry，"areyeafraidofoneman？Thenfollowme!"andhespurredforwardtothebridge—head。Butstillnoonemovedinanswer，andtheLordofTrutz—Drachenreinedbackhishorseagain。Hewheeledhishorseandglaredrounduponthestolidfacesofhisfollowers，untilhiseyesseemedfairlytoblazewithpassionbeneaththebarsofhisvizor。
　　BaronConradgavearoaroflaughter。"Hownow，"hecried；"areyeallafraidofoneman？Istherenoneamongyethatdarescomeforwardandmeetme？Iknowthee，BaronHenrythouartnotafraidtocutoffthehandofalittlechild。Hastthounotnowthecouragetofacethefather？"
　　BaronHenrygnashedhisteethwithrageasheglaredarounduponthefacesofhismen—at—arms。Suddenlyhiseyelitupononeofthem。"Ha!CarlSpigler，"hecried，"thouhastthycross—bowwiththee；—shootmedownyonderdog!Nay，"hesaid，"thoucanstdohimnoharmunderhisarmor；shootthehorseuponwhichhesits。"
　　BaronConradheardthespeech。"Oh!thoucowardvillain!"hecried，"stay；donotshootthegoodhorse。Iwilldismountandfightyeuponfoot。"Thereupon，armedashewas，heleapedclashingfromhishorseandturningtheanimal’shead，gaveitaslapupontheflank。Thegoodhorsefirsttrottedandthenwalkedtothefurtherendofthebridge，whereitstoppedandbegancroppingatthegrassthatgrewbesidetheroad。
　　"Nowthen!"criedBaronHenry，fiercely，"nowthen，yecannotfearhim，villains!Downwithhim!forward!"
　　Slowlythetroopersspurredtheirhorsesforwarduponthebridgeandtowardthatonefigurethat，graspingtightlythegreattwo—
　　handedsword，stoodtherealoneguardingthepassage。
　　ThenBaronConradwhirledthegreatbladeabovehishead，untilitcaughtthesunlightandflashedagain。Hedidnotwaitfortheattack，butwhenthefirstoftheadvancinghorsemenhadcomewithinafewfeetofhim，heleapedwithashoutuponthem。
　　Thefellowthrustathimwithhislance，andtheBaronwentstaggeringafewfeetback，butinstantlyherecoveredhimselfandagainleapedforward。Thegreatswordflashedintheair，whistling；itfell，andthenearestmandroppedhislance，clattering，andwithaloud，inarticulatecry，graspedthemaneofhishorsewithbothhands。Againthebladewhistledintheair，andthistimeitwasstainedwithred。Againitfell，andwithanothershrillcrythemantoppledheadlongbeneaththehorse’sfeet。Thenextinstanttheywereuponhim，eachstrivingtostrikeattheonefigure，toridehimdown，ortothrusthimdownwiththeirlances。Therewasnoroomnowtoswingthelongblade，butholdingthehiltinbothhands，BaronConradthrustwithitasthoughitwerealance，stabbingathorseorman，itmatterednot。Crowdeduponthenarrowroadwayofthebridge，thosewhoattackedhadnotonlytoguardthemselvesagainstthedreadfulstrokesofthatterriblesword，buttokeeptheirwoundedhorses（rearingandmadwithfright）fromtopplingbodilyoverwiththemintothewaterbeneath。
　　Presentlythecrywasraised，"Back!back!"AndthosenearesttheBaronbeganreiningintheirhorses。"Forward!"roaredBaronHenry，fromthemidstofthecrowd；butinspiteofhiscommand，andeventheblowsthathegave，thosebehindwerebornebackbythoseinfront，strugglingandshouting，andthebridgewasclearedagainexceptingforthreefiguresthatlaymotionlessupontheroadway，andthatonewho，withthebrightnessofhisarmordimmedandstained，leanedpantingagainstthewallofthebridge。
　　TheBaronHenryragedlikeamadman。Gnashinghisteethtogether，herodebackalittleway；thenturningandcouchinghislance，hesuddenlyclappedspurstohishorse，andthenextinstantcamethunderingdownuponhissolitaryenemy。
　　BaronConradwhirledhisswordintheair，ashesawtheothercominglikeathunderboltuponhim；heleapedaside，andthelancepassedclosetohim。Asitpassedhestruck，andtheironpointflewfromtheshaftofthespearattheblow，andfellclatteringuponthestoneroadwayofthebridge。
　　BaronHenrydrewinhishorseuntilitresteduponitshaunches，thenslowlyreineditbackwarddownthebridge，stillfacinghisfoe，andstillholdingthewoodenstumpofthelanceinhishand。Atthebridge—headheflungitfromhim。
　　"Anotherlance!"hecried，hoarsely。Onewassilentlyreachedtohimandhetookit，hishandtremblingwithrage。Againherodetoalittledistanceandwheeledhishorse；then，drivinghissteelspursintoitsquiveringside，hecameagainthunderingdownupontheother。Oncemoretheterribleswordwhirledintheairandfell，butthistimethelancewassnatchedtoonesideandtheblowfellharmlessly。Thenextinstant，andwithatwitchofthebridle—rein，thehorsestruckfullandfairagainsttheman。
　　ConradofDrachenhausenwaswhirledbackwardanddownward，andthecruelironhoofscrashedoverhisprostratebody，ashorseandmanpassedwitharushbeyondhimandtothebridge—headbeyond。Ashoutwentupfromthosewhostoodwatching。Thenextmomenttheprostratefigureroseandstaggeredblindlytothesideofthebridge，andstoodleaningagainstthestonewall。
　　AtthefurtherendofthebridgeBaronHenryhadwheeledhishorse。Onceagainhecouchedlance，andagainhedrovedownuponhisbruisedandwoundedenemy。Thistimethelancestruckfullandfair，andthosewhowatchedsawthesteelpointpiercetheironbreast—plateandthensnapshort，leavingthebarbedpointwithinthewound。
　　BaronConradsunktohiskneesandtheRoderburg，loominguponhishorseabovehim，unsheathedhisswordtofinishtheworkhehadbegun。
　　Thenthosewhostoodlookingonsawawondrousthinghappen：thewoundedmanrosesuddenlytohisfeet，andbeforehisenemycouldstrikeheleaped，withagreatandbittercryofagonyanddespair，uponhimashesatinthesaddleabove。
　　HenryofTrutz—Drachengraspedathishorse’smane，buttheattackwassofierce，sosudden，andsounexpectedthatbeforehecouldsavehimselfhewasdraggedtoonesideandfellcrashinginhisarmoruponthestoneroadwayofthebridge。
　　"Thedragon!thedragon!"roaredBaronConrad，inavoiceofthunder，andwiththeenergyofdespairhedraggedhisprostratefoetowardtheopensideofthebridge。
　　"Forward!"criedthechiefoftheTrutz—Drachenmen，anddowntheyrodeuponthestrugglingknightstotherescueoftheirmasterinthisnewdanger。Buttheyweretoolate。
　　Therewasapauseattheedgeofthebridge，forBaronHenryhadgainedhisfeetand，stunnedandbewilderedashewasbythesuddennessofhisfall，hewasnowstrugglingfiercely，desperately。Foramomenttheystoodswayingbackwardandforward，claspedinoneanother’sarms，thebloodfromthewoundedman’sbreaststainingthearmorofboth。Themomentpassedandthen，withashowerofstonesandmortarfrombeneaththeiriron—shodheels，theytoppledandfell；therewasathunderoussplashinthewaterbelow，andasthemen—at—armscamehurryingupandpeeredwithawe—struckfacesovertheparapetofthebridge，theysawthewhirlingeddiessweepdownwiththecurrentofthestream，afewbubblesrisetothesurfaceofthewater，andthen—nothing；forthesmoothriverflowedonwardassilentlyasever。
　　Presentlyaloudvoiceburstthroughtheawedhushthatfollowed。ItcamefromWilliamofRoderburg，BaronHenry’skinsman。
　　"Forward!"hecried。Amurmurofvoicesfromtheotherswasalltheanswerthathereceived。"Forward!"criedtheyoungmanagain，"theboyandthosewithhimarenotsofarawaybutthatwemightyetcatchupwiththem。"
　　Thenoneofthemenspokeupinanswer—amanwithaseamed，weather—beatenfaceandcrispgrizzledhair。"Nay，"saidhe，"ourLordBaronisgone，andthisisnoquarrelofours；herebefourofusthatarewoundedandthreeImisdoubtthataredead；
　　whyshouldwefollowfurtheronlytosuffermoreblowsfornogain？"Agrowlofassentrosefromthosethatstoodaround，andWilliamofRoderburgsawthatnothingmorewastobedonebytheTrutz—Dragonsthatday。
　　XIV。
　　HowOttoSawtheGreatEmperor。
　　Throughweaknessandsicknessandfaintness，OttohadlaininahalfswoonthroughallthatlongjourneyunderthehotMaysun。
　　Itwasasinadreadfulnightmarethathehadheardonandonandonthatmonotonousthrobbingofgallopinghoofsupontheground；hadfeltthatlastkissthathisfatherhadgivenhimuponhischeek。Thentheonwardrideagain，untilallfadedawayintoadullmistandheknewnomore。Whennexthewokeitwaswiththepungentsmellofburnedvinegarinhisnostrilsandwiththefeelingofacoolnapkinbathinghisbrow。Heopenedhiseyesandthenclosedthemagain，thinkinghemusthavebeeninadream，forhelayinhisoldroomatthepeacefulmonasteryoftheWhiteCrossonthehill；thegoodFatherAbbotsatnearby，gazinguponhisfacewiththeoldabsentstudentlook，BrotherJohnsatinthedeepwindowseatalsogazingathim，andBrotherTheodore，theleechofthemonastery，satbesidehimbathinghishead。Besidetheseoldfamiliarfaceswerethefacesofthosewhohadbeenwithhiminthatlongflight；theOne—eyedHans，oldMasterNicholashiskinsman，andtheothers。Soheclosedhiseyes，thinkingthatmaybeitwasalladream。Butthesharpthrobbingofthepoorstumpathiswristsoontaughthimthathewasstillawake。
　　"AmIthenreallyhomeinSt。Michaelsburgagain？hemurmured，withoutunclosinghiseyes。
　　BrotherTheodorebegansnufflingthroughhisnose；therewasapause。"Yes，"saidtheoldAbbotatlast，andhisgentlevoicetrembledashespoke；"yes，mydearlittlechild，thouartbackagaininthineownhome；thouhastnotbeenlongoutinthegreatworld，buttrulythouhasthadasharpandbittertrialofit。"
　　"Buttheywillnottakemeawayagain，willthey？"saidOttoquickly，unclosinghisblueeyes。
　　"Nay，"saidtheAbbot，gently；"notuntilthouarthealedinbodyandartreadyandwillingtogo。"
　　Threemonthsandmorehadpassed，andOttowaswellagain；andnow，escortedbyOne—eyedHansandthosefaithfulfewwhohadclungtotheBaronConradthroughhislastfewbitterdays，hewasridingintothequaintoldtownofNurnburg；fortheEmperorRudolphwasthereatthattime，waitingforKingOttocarofBohemiatocomethitherandanswertheimperialsummonsbeforetheCouncil，andOttowastravellingtothecourt。
　　Astheyrodeinthroughthegatesofthetown，Ottolookedupatthehigh—peakedhouseswiththeiroverhanginggables，thelikeofwhichhehadneverseenbefore，andhestaredwithhisroundblueeyesatseeingthemsocrowdedtogetheralongthelengthofthestreet。Butmostofallhewonderedatthenumberofpeoplethatpassedhitherandthither，jostlingeachotherintheirhurry，andatthetradesmen’sboothsopeninguponthestreetwiththewonderfulwareshangingwithin；armoratthesmiths，glitteringornamentsatthegoldsmiths，andrichfabricsofsilksandsatinsatthemercers。Hehadneverseenanythingsorichandgrandinallofhislife，forlittleOttohadneverbeeninatownbefore。
　　"Oh!look，"hecried，"atthatwonderfullady；see，holyfather!
　　suretheEmperor’swifecanbenofinerthanthatlady。"
　　TheAbbotsmiled。"Nay，Otto，"saidhe，"thatisbutaburgher’swifeordaughter；theladiesattheEmperor’scourtarefargranderthansuchasshe。"
　　"So!"saidOtto，andthenfellsilentwithwonder。
　　Andnow，atlastthegreatmomenthadcomewhenlittleOttowithhisowneyeswastobeholdthemightyEmperorwhoruledoverallthepowerfulkingdomsofGermanyandAustria，andItalyandBohemia，andotherkingdomsandprincipalitiesandstates。Hisheartbeatsothathecouldhardlyspeakas，foramoment，thegoodAbbotwhoheldhimbythehandstoppedoutsideofthearraseddoorwaytowhispersomelastinstructionsintohisear。
　　Thentheyenteredtheapartment。
　　Itwasalong，stone—pavedroom。Thefloorwascoveredwithrichrugsandthewallswerehungwithwoventapestrywhereinweredepictedknightsandladiesinleafygardensandkingsandwarriorsatbattle。Alongrowofhighglazedwindowsextendedalongthelengthoftheapartment，floodingitwiththemellowlightoftheautumnday。Atthefurtherendoftheroom，faraway，andstandingbyagreatcarvedchimneyplacewhereinsmoulderedtheremainsofafire，stoodagroupofnoblesingorgeousdressofvelvetandsilks，andwithglitteringgoldenchainshungabouttheirnecks。
　　Onefigurestoodaloneinfrontofthegreatyawningfireplace。
　　Hishandswereclaspedbehindhim，andhislookbentthoughtfullyuponthefloor。Hewasdressedonlyinasimplegrayrobewithoutornamentoradornment，aplainleathernbeltgirdedhiswaist，andfromithungaswordwithabonehiltencasedinabrownleathernscabbard。Anoblestag—houndlayclosebehindhim，curledupuponthefloor，baskinginthegratefulwarmthofthefire。
　　AstheFatherAbbotandOttodrewnearheraisedhisheadandlookedatthem。Itwasaplain，homelyfacethatOttosaw，withawrinkledforeheadandalongmouthdrawndownatthecorners。
　　Itwasthefaceofagood，honestburgherburdenedwiththecaresofaprosperoustrade。"Whocanhebe，"thoughtOtto，"andwhydoesthepoormanstandthereamongallthegreatnobles？"
　　ButtheAbbotwalkedstraightuptohimandkneeleduponthefloor，andlittleOtto，fullofwonder，didthesame。ItwasthegreatEmperorRudolph。
　　"Whohavewehere"saidtheEmperor，andhebenthisbrowupontheAbbotandtheboy。
　　"Sire，"saidAbbotOtto，"wehavehumblybesoughtyoubypetition，inthenameofyourlatevassal，BaronConradofVuelphofDrachenhausen，forjusticetothishisson，theBaronOtto，whom，sire，asyoumaysee，hathbeencruellymutilatedatthehandsofBaronHenryofRoderburgofTrutz—Drachen。Hehathmoreoverbeendespoiledofhislands，hiscastleburnt，andhishouseholdmadeprisoner。"
　　TheEmperorfrowneduntiltheshaggyeyebrowsnearlyhidthekeengraytwinkleoftheeyesbeneath。"Yes，"saidhe，"Idoremembermeofthatpetition，andhavegivenitconsiderationbothinprivateandincouncil。"Heturnedtothegroupoflisteningnobles。"Look，"saidhe，"atthislittlechildmarredbytheinhumanityandthecrueltyofthoserobbervillains。Byheavens!Iwillputdowntheirlawlessrapine，ifIhavetogiveeverycastlefromthenorthtothesouthtotheflamesandtothesword。"ThenturningtoOttoagain，"Poorlittlechild，"
　　saidhe，"thywrongsshallberighted，andsofarastheyareable，thosecruelRoderburgsshallpaytheepennyforpenny，andgrainforgrain，forwhatthouhastlost；anduntilsuchindemnityhathbeenpaidthefamilyofthemanwhowroughtthisdeedshallbeheldassurety。"
　　LittleOttolookedupinthekind，ruggedfaceabovehim。"Nay，LordEmperor，"saidhe，inhisquaint，quietway，"therearebuttwointhefamily—themotherandthedaughter—andIhavepromisedtomarrythelittlegirlwhensheandIareoldenough；
　　so，ifyouplease，Iwouldnothaveharmhappentoher。"
　　TheEmperorcontinuedtolookdownatthekneelingboy，andatlasthegaveashort，drylaugh。"Sobeit，"saidhe，"thyplanisnotwithoutitswisdom。Mayhapitisallforthebestthattheaffairshouldbeendedthuspeacefully。TheestatesoftheRoderburgsshallbeheldintrustfortheeuntilthouartcomeofage；otherwiseitshallbeasthouhastproposed，thelittlemaidenshallbetakenintowardunderourowncare。Andastothee—artthouwillingthatIshouldtaketheeundermyownchargeintheroomofthyfather，whoisdead？"
　　"Aye，"saidOtto，simply，"Iamwilling，foritseemstomethatthouartagoodman。"
　　Thenobleswhostoodnearsmiledattheboy’sspeech。AsfortheEmperor，helaughedoutright。"Igivetheethanks，myLordBaron，"saidhe；"thereisnooneinallmycourtwhohaspaidmegreatercourtesythanthat。"
　　Socomestheendofourtale。
　　Butperhapsyoumayliketoknowwhathappenedafterward，fornoonecarestoleavethethreadofastorywithouttyingaknotinit。
　　Eightyearshadpassed，andOttogrewuptomanhoodintheEmperor’scourt，andwaswithhimthroughwarandpeace。
　　Buthehimselfneverdrewswordorstruckablow，fortherighthandthathungathissidewasofpuresilver，andthehard，coldfingersneverclosed。Folkscalledhim"OttooftheSilverHand，"butperhapstherewasanotherreasonthanthatforthenamethathadbeengivenhim，forthepure，simplewisdomthattheoldmonksoftheWhiteCrossonthehillhadtaughthim，clungtohimthroughallthehonorsthattheEmperorbestoweduponhisfavorite，andashegrewolderhiswordswerelistenedtoandweighedbythosewhowerehighinCouncil，andevenbytheEmperorhimself。
　　Andnowfortheendofall。
　　OnedayOttostooduncertainlyatthedoorwayofaroomintheimperialcastle，hesitatingbeforeheentered；andyettherewasnothingsoverydreadfulwithin，onlyonepoorgirlwhoseheartflutteredmorethanhis。PoorlittlePauline，whomhehadnotseensincethatlastdayintheblackcellatTrutz—Drachen。
　　Atlasthepushedasidethehangingsandenteredtheroom。
　　Shewassittinguponarudebenchbesidethewindow，lookingathimoutofhergreat，darkeyes。
　　Hestoppedshortandstoodforamomentconfusedandsilent；forhehadnothoughtinhismindbutofthelittlegirlwhomhehadlastseen，andforamomenthestoodconfusedbeforethefairmaidenwithhergreat，beautifuldarkeyes。
　　Sheonherpartbeheldatall，slenderyouthwithcurling，goldenhair，onehandwhiteanddelicate，theotherofpureandshiningsilver。
　　Hecametoherandtookherhandandsetittohislips，andallthatshecoulddowastogazewithhergreat，darkeyesupontheheroofwhomshehadheardsomanytalk；thefavoriteoftheEmperor；thewiseyoungOttooftheSilverHand。
　　AfterwordTheruinsofDrachenhausenwererebuilt，forthewallswereassoundasever，thoughemptyandgapingtothesky；butitwasnolongerthedenofarobberbaronforbeneaththescutcheonoverthegreatgatewascarvedanewmottooftheVuelphs；amottowhichtheEmperorRudolphhimselfhadgiven：
　　"Manusargenteaquammanusferreameliorest"