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"Proving that the joys of both are transitory, perhaps," said Ellerey, who sat beside him. He spoke only to Grigosie, but Stefan heard him. "Love, Captain a snap of the fingers for love; but wine's the very heart of life. There's wisdom and truth in wine, there's valor in it, and it's powerful enough to make even good sound men fall in love.
Grigosie is a good scout, and I warrant is likely to prove useful," said Anton. "For cooking and bedmaking maybe. "A stroke or two of the whip would make you tell a different tale," said Ellerey; "and you may thank your lucky fortune that I will not take you, for the whip would certainly follow." "I have heard of Captain Ellerey," said the boy, "but never that he was a bully."
"Do I relieve Stefan?" asked Grigosie. "No; Anton. Rest while you can. There will be little enough sleep for any of us." "And little enough food, too," said Grigosie, when Anton had cast himself down in a corner. "We are truly in a sad case, Princess." "Grigosie, please; let me remain Grigosie. It will be easier for both of us."
Ellerey let Grigosie enter the narrow way first, and then paused in the entrance. Only two men followed them, and seeing Ellerey stop, they fired. Ellerey fired twice in answer, and without waiting to see if the shots had taken effect dashed after Grigosie. The boy had made no mistake. They had come out half-way down the rising ground which they had climbed directly after dismounting.
At the same time Stefan, looking across the open country, pointed out a cloud of dust on the horizon. "That means a moving body of men," he said. "In the pass lies our greatest security until we are prepared to meet the enemy," Ellerey answered. "If that castle of yours has not crumbled to dust, Grigosie, it will make excellent quarters for us." The Drekner pass had long ago ceased to be used.
How many are you?" "Ten in all." "Your numbers guarantee a friendly message," was the smiling answer. "We will await you at the foot of the path." As the men departed Grigosie lowered the rifle which he had held ready for use, his finger resting lightly on the trigger; but he did not move from his post until Ellerey called him. "Ready, lad; we march at once." "You are satisfied with the embassy?"
They were silent for a while, their sharp set appetites fully occupying them, but a draught of wine set the tongues wagging again. "A song, Stefan: I've heard you roar a good stave ere this." "Not a love song, surely?" said Grigosie. "No, of wine." "In all the verse I ever heard love and wine strangely go together," said the boy.
"Let them talk, we need not listen." "I suppose it is natural in youth to shudder at some things they talk of, and much I do not understand." "Keeping such ignorance you will be the happier. And do not drink much wine to-night, Grigosie; you must take your turn at sentry duty. It is share and share alike in an enterprise like this." "Grant, then, there be stars to-night.
No question of duty or expediency seemed to bind him; only a boastful enemy was before him to be answered in the same fashion as he questioned, and if that did not suffice, to be punished as he merited. "That is the token as I received it," said Ellerey. As the brigand had held up the token Grigosie had leant forward to see it, the color mounting into his cheeks.
The new arrivals were not soldiers, were strangers to them, and one at least was a mere lad. What good was he in their company? Stefan did not complain. He noted Anton from head to foot, and did not like him. He looked at Grigosie and he laughed aloud. He turned to find Ellerey close beside him. "This is the first day of the festival, then, Captain?" "Festival?"
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