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The Sword Maker by Robert Barr

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"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 much
as twenty who are divided in purpose. I propose, therefore, to go on,
unless you consider the missing four necessary, in which case we can do
nothing but wait."

"I am in favor of going forward," said Ebearhard; then turning to the
rest, who had gathered themselves around their captain, he appealed to
them. 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 the
country."

"Very well. We can proceed leisurely along the road, and our friends may
overtake 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 shout
from the drinkers in front of it. Kurzbold was the spokesman for the
party of four, which he, with his comrades, made up.

"Come here and drink success to glory," he shouted. "Where have you lads
been 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," said
Kurzbold. "I told you last night that when I arrived at Hochst I should
be thirsty, and would try to mitigate the disadvantage at a tavern."

"Yes," said Ebearhard, with a laugh, "we can all see you have succeeded
in 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 last
night, and the dust on the Frankfort road this morning. It takes a great
deal of wine to overcome two thirsts. Come along, lads, and drink to the
success of the journey. No hard feeling. Landlord, set out the wine here
for 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 with
you."

"Not till we return from a successful expedition," said Roland.

"Oh, nonsense!" hiccoughed Kurzbold. "Don't think that your office
places you so high above us that it is _infra dig_. to drink with your
comrades."

To this diatribe Roland made no reply, and the sixteen, seeing the
attitude of their leader, hesitated to raise flagon to lip. The
diplomatic 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 to
the 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 the
health of Joseph Greusel, whom I have this morning appointed my
lieutenant. 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 his
hands. Here was his advice scouted, and a direct challenge flung in the
face of the company. He believed now that, after all, Roland had
resolved to return to Frankfort, money or no money. If he intended to
proceed to the Rhine, then even worse might happen, for it was plain he
was bent on rule or ruin. Instantly the challenge was accepted. Kurzbold
stood up, swaying uncertainly, compelled to maintain his upright
position 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 just
yet. Patience, patience! all things in their order. If we claim the
power to elect our captain, by the cock-crowned Cross of the old bridge
we have a right to name the lieutenant! This is a question for the
companionship to decide, and a usurpation on the part of Roland."

"Sit down, you fool!" shouted Ebearhard savagely. "You're drunk. The
Captain couldn't have made a better selection. What say you, comrades?"

A universal shout of "Aye!" greeted the question, and even Kurzbold's
three comrades joined in it.

"And now, gentlemen, no more talk. Here's to the health of the new
lieutenant, Joseph Greusel."

The toast was drunk enthusiastically, all standing, with the exception
of Kurzbold, who came down in his seat with a thud.

"All right!" he cried, waving his hand. "All right; all right! That's
what I said. Greusel's good man, and now he's elected by the
companionship, he's all right. I drink to him. Drink to anybody, I
will!"

In groping round for the flagon, he upset it, and then roared loudly for
the landlord to supply him again.

"Now, comrades," said Roland sharply, "fall in! We've a long march ahead
of us. Come, Greusel, we must lead the van, for I wish to instruct you
in your duties."

It was rather a straggling procession that set out from Hochst.

"Perhaps," began Roland, as he strode along beside Greusel, "I should
make some excuse for not following the advice you so strenuously urged
upon me this morning regarding the appointment of a lieutenant. The
truth is I wished to teach you a lesson, and could not resist the
temptation of proving that a crisis firmly and promptly met disappears,
whereas if you compromise with it there is a danger of being
overwhelmed."

"I admit. Commander, that you were successful just now, and the reason
is that most of our brigade are sane and sober this morning. But wait
until to-night, when the wine passes round several times, and if you try
conclusions 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 going
southwest and the other straight west. The left branch was infinitely
the better thoroughfare, for the most part following the Main until it
reached 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 company
he was not drunk, and tax them to follow him, but, his stout legs
proving unable to carry out this excellent resolution, he gradually fell
to the rear. As the sun rose higher, and grew hotter, the pace began to
tell on him, and he accepted without protest the support of two comrades
who had been drinking with him at Hochst. He retrograded into a
condition of pessimistic dejection as the enthusiasm of the wine
evaporated. A little later he wished to lie down by the roadside and
allow a cruel and unappreciative world to pass on its own way, but his
comrades encouraged him to further efforts, and in some manner they
succeeded in dragging him along at the tail of the procession.

As they approached the village of Zeilsheim, Roland requested his
lieutenant to inform the marchers that there would be no halt until
_mittagessen_.

Zeilsheim is rather more than a league from Hochst, and Kurzbold allowed
himself to wake up sufficiently to maintain that the distance earned
another drink, but his supporters dragged him on with difficulty past
those houses which displayed a bush over the door. At the larger town of
Hofheim, five leagues from Frankfort, the same command was passed down
the ranks, and at this there was some grumbling, for the day had become
very hot, and the way was exceedingly trying, up hill and down dale.

Well set up as these city lads were, walking had never been their
accustomed exercise. The interesting Taunus mountains, which to-day
constitute an exercise ground full of delights to the pedestrian,
forming, as they do, practically a suburb of Frankfort, were at that
time an unexplored wilderness, whose forests were infested by roving
brigands, where no man ventured except at the risk of an untimely grave.
The mediaeval townsman rarely trusted himself very far outside the city
gates, and our enterprising marauders, whom to outward view seemed
stalwart enough to stand great fatigue, proved so soft under the hot sun
along the shadeless road that by the time they reached Breckenheim,
barely six leagues from Frankfort, there was a mopping of brows and a
general feeling that the limit of endurance had been reached.

At Breckenheim Roland called a halt for midday refreshment, and he was
compelled to wait nearly half an hour until the last straggler of his
woebegone crew limped from the road on to the greensward in front of the
_Weinstaube_ which had been selected for a feeding-place. Black bread
and a coarse kind of country cheese were the only provisions obtainable,
but of these eatables there was an ample supply, and, better than all to
the jaded wayfarers, wine in abundance, of good quality, too, for
Breckenheim stands little more than a league to the north of the
celebrated Hochheim.

The wanderers came in by ones and twos, and sank down upon the benches
before the tavern, or sprawled at full length on the short grass, where
Kurzbold and his three friends dropped promptly off into sleep. A more
dejected and amenable gang even Roland could not have wished to command.
Every ounce of fight, or even discussion, was gone from them. They cared
not where they were, or what any one said to them. Their sole desire was
to be let alone, and they took not the slightest interest even in the
preparing of their frugal meal. A mug of wine served to each mitigated
the general depression, although Kurzbold showed how far gone he was by
swearing dismally when roused even to drink the wine. He said he was
resolved to lead a temperate life in future, but nevertheless managed to
dispose 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 paid
for. 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 of
thirst before we reach the Rhine."

"It is proposed," continued Greusel, "that each man should give all the
money he possesses into a general fund to be dealt with by a committee
the men will appoint. What do you say to this?"

"There is nothing to say. I notice that the proposal was not made until
the proposers' pouches were empty."

"They know that some of us have money," Greusel went on, "myself, for
instance, 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 have
you, Greusel?"

"The thirty thalers are practically intact, and Ebearhard has about the
same."

"Well, fifty thalers lie safe in my pouch, but not a coin goes into the
treasury of any committee the men may appoint. If they choose a
committee, 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 anything
conducive to good feeling, so you may inform them that you and Ebearhard
and myself, that is, three of us, will contribute to the committee's
funds an amount equal to that subscribed by the other eighteen. Such
lavishness on our part ought to satisfy them."

"It won't, Commander, because there's not a single kreuzer among the
eighteen."

"So be it. That's as far as I am willing to go. Appeal to their
reasoning powers, Greusel. If each of the eighteen contributes one
thaler, we three will contribute six thalers apiece. Ask them whether
they do not think we are generous when we do six times more than any one
of 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 it
comes 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 bear
six times the burden they are asked to shoulder?"

The lieutenant said no more, but departed to announce the decision to
the 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 of
wine, all sat up and ate heartily. The banquet ended, Greusel made an
announcement 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 for
by the commander, so no one need worry on that account, but if any man
wished more wine he must pay the shot himself. However, before the
afternoon's march was begun flagons of wine would be served at the
commander's expense. This information was received in silence, and the
men stretched themselves out on the grass to make the most of their hour
of rest. Roland strolled off alone to view the village. The lieutenant
and 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 the
Rhine could see us, and knew that we intended to attack them, I imagine
there 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 your
opinion of the Commander?"

"I am quite adrift on that score also. This morning I endeavored to give
him some good advice. I asked him not to appoint me lieutenant, but to
choose Kurzbold or Gensbein from among the malcontents, for I thought if
responsibility were placed on their shoulders we should be favored with
less criticism."

"A very good idea it seems to me," remarked Ebearhard.

"Well, you saw how promptly he ignored it, yet after all there may be
more wisdom in that head of his than I suspected. Look you how he has
made a buffer of me. He gives no commands to the men himself, but merely
orders me to pass along the word for this or that. He appears determined
to have his own way, and yet not to bring about a personal conflict
between 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 the
brunt of any ill-temper on the part of the men. Should disobedience
arise, it will be my orders that are disobeyed, not his. If the matter
is 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 me
aside as though I were a feather, and himself confront the men
regardless of consequences. This morning I thought they would win in
such a case, but, by the iron Cross, I am not so confident now. Remember
how he sprung my appointment on the crowd, counting, I am sure, on your
help. He said to me, when we were alone by the tower, that you were the
most 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 his
point, and since then has not said a word to them, all orders going
through me, but I know he intended, as he told you, to take the river
road, instead of which he has led us over this hilly district until
every man is ready to drop. He is himself very sparing of wine, and is
in 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 it
he was off for a stroll, and here are these men lying above the sod like
the 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 is
ignorant as a child, as, for instance, not knowing the difference in
status between a skilled artisan and a chaffering merchant! What can
have been his up-bringing? He is obviously not of the merchant class, yet
he persuades the chief of our merchants, and the most conservative, to
engage in this wild goose chase, and actually venture money and goods in
supporting him. This expedition will cost Herr Goebel at least five
thousand thalers, all because of the blandishments of a youth who walked
in 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 the
sword-hilt."

"He said he was a fencing-master," explained Greusel.

"I know he did, and yet when he was offered a fee to instruct us he
wouldn't look at it. The first duty of a fencing-master, like the rest
of us, is to make money. Roland quite evidently scorns it, and at the
last instructs us for nothing. Fencing-masters don't promote freebooting
expeditions, and, besides, a fencing-master is always urbane and polite,
cringing to every one. I have watched Roland closely at times, trying to
study him, and in doing so have caught momentary glimpses of such
contempt for us, that, by the good Lord above us, it made me shrivel up.
You know, Greusel, that youth has more of the qualities usually
attributed to a noble than those which go to the make-up of any
tradesman."

"He is a puzzle to me," admitted Greusel, "and if this excursion does
not 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 over
his shoulder, and saw Roland standing behind him. The young man said
quietly:

"It hasn't broken up at the outset, for we are already more than five
leagues from Frankfort. Our foray must be a success while I have two
such wise advisers as I find sitting here."

Neither of the men replied. Both were wondering how much their leader
had overheard. He took his place on the bench beside Ebearhard, and said
to 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 an
appointment, rather than an election. It is not to be put before the
guild. You simply act as second lieutenant, and that is all there is
about it."

"Very good, Commander," said Ebearhard.

"Greusel, how much money have you?"

"Thirty thalers."

"Economical man! Will you lend me the sum until we reach
Assmannshausen?"

"Certainly." Greusel pulled forth his wallet, poured out the gold, and
Roland 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 I
have formed myself into a committee, appointed, not elected, and will
make 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 on
the enterprise along the lines I have laid down. The first thing, of
course, 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 me
down, 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 to
await us about half a league above Assmannshausen."

The three conversed until the hour was consumed, then Roland, throwing
his cloak over his arm, rose, and said to his lieutenant:

"Just rouse the men, if you please; and you, Ebearhard, tell the
landlord to give each a flagon of wine. We take the road to Wiesbaden. I
shall walk slowly on ahead, so that you and the company may overtake
me."

With this the young leader sauntered indifferently away, leaving to his
subordinates the ungracious task of setting tired men to their work
again. Greusel looked glum, but Ebearhard laughed.

Some distance to the east of Wiesbaden the leader deflected his company
from the road, and thus they passed Wiesbaden to the left, arriving at
the village of Sonnenberg. The straggling company made a halt for a
short time, while provisions were purchased, every man carrying his own
share, which was scantly sufficient for supper and breakfast, and a
quantity of wine was acquired to gratify each throat with about a liter
and a half; plenty for a reasonable thirst, but not enough for a
carouse.

The company grumbled at being compelled to quit Sonnenberg. They had
hoped to spend the night at Wiesbaden, and vociferously proclaimed
themselves satisfied with the amount of country already traversed. Their
leader said nothing, but left Greusel and Ebearhard to deal with them.
He paid for the provisions and the wine, and then, with his cloak
loosely over his arm, struck out for the west, as if the declining sun
were his goal. The rest followed him slowly, in deep depression of
spirits. They were in a wild country, unknown to any of them. The hills
had become higher and steeper, and there was not even a beaten path to
follow; but Roland, who apparently knew his way, trudged steadily on in
advance even of his lieutenants. A bank of dark clouds had risen in the
east, the heat of the day being followed by a thunderstorm that growled
menacingly above the Taunus mountains, evidently accompanying a torrent
of rain, although none fell in the line of march.

The sun had set when the leader brought his company down into the valley
of the Walluf, about two and a half leagues from Sonnenberg. Here the
men found themselves in a wilderness through which ran a brawling
stream. Roland announced to them that this would be their camping place
for the night. At once there was an uproar of dissent. How were they to
camp out without tents? A heavy rain was impending. Listen to the
thunder, 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. If
you are not yet tired enough to ensure sound slumber, I shall be
delighted 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 the
unanimous opinion of the company they should never have left. Townsmen
all, who had not in their lives spent a night without a roof over their
heads, such accommodation as their leader proposed they should endure
seemed like being cast away on a desert island. The mystery of the
forest affrighted them. For all they could tell the woods were full of
wild animals, and they knew that somewhere near lurked outlaws no less
savage. The eighteen, ignoring Greusel and Ebearhard, who stood on one
side, watching their deliberations with anxious faces, moved in a body
upon their leader, who sat on the bank of the torrent, his feet dangling
down towards the foaming water.

"We have resolved to return to Sonnenberg," said the leader of the
conclave.

"An excellent resolution," agreed Roland cheerfully. "It is a pleasant
village, and I have passed through it several times. By the way,
Wiesbaden, which is much larger, possesses the advantage to tired men of
being 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 doubt
whether or no we can find our way to Sonnenberg with darkness coming
on."

"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 as
you spend your time in talk."

"Oh, that's all very well, but when we reach Sonnenberg we shall need
money."

"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 to
yield willingly?"

"I think so."

"I quite agree with you. There are eighteen of you, all armed with
swords, while I control but one blade."

Saying this he unfastened his cloak, which he had put on in the
gathering chill of the evening, and untying from his belt a well-filled
wallet, held it up to their gaze.

"As this bag undisputedly belongs to me, I have a right to dispose of it
as I choose. I therefore give it to the brook, whose outcry is as
insistent as yours, and much more musical."

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