\"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\"
