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Had not Koppel and a few younger men been more open to influence, his agricultural schemes could hardly have begun; but Friedel's persuasions were not absolutely without success, and every rood that was dug was achieved by his patience and perseverance. Next came home the Graf von Schlangenwald.
"It never was so seen before, Herr Freiherr," remonstrated Heinz; "fang and hang was ever the word." "What shrift had my lord's father, or mine?" added Koppel. "Look you!" said Ebbo, turning sharply. "If Schlangenwald be a godless ruffian, pitiless alike to soul and body, is that a cause that I should stain myself too?" "It were true vengeance," growled Koppel.
Tidings reached the castle in such good time that the two brothers, with Heinz, the two Ulm grooms, Koppel, and a troop of serfs, fell on the marauders before they had effected much damage, and while some remained to trample out the fire, the rest pursued the enemy even to the village of Schlangenwald. "Burn it, Herr Freiherr," cried Heinz, hot with victory.
It same from old Hyams, who had been sitting quietly with brow corrugated under his black velvet koppel. "Mr. Levine," he said, in low grave tones, "I have been thinking, and I am afraid that what you have done is serious." The earnestness of his tones arrested the attention of the company. The laughter ceased. "What do you mean?" said Samuel.
There is Koppel almost up with them with his big axe Heinz's broad shoulders near. Heaven strike with them! Visit not their forefathers' sin on those pure spirits. Some are flying. Some one has fallen! O heavens! on which side? Ah! it is into the Schlangenwald woods that the fugitives direct their flight. Three four the whole troop pursued! Go not too far! Run not into needless risk!
So, motherling, are you going to sup? I shall not sleep till I have seen him!" "Hold, dear son." She leant over him and spoke low. "See him thou must, but let me first station Heinz and Koppel at the door with halberts, not within earshot, but thou art so entirely defenceless." She had the pleasure of seeing him laugh. "Less defenceless than when the kinsman of Wildschloss here visited us, mother?
Open the gates and receive them honourably! Mother, mother, trust me, all is well. I know what I am saying." The men looked one upon another. Christina wrung her hands, uncertain whether her son were not under some strange fatal deception. "My lord has his fancies," growled Koppel. "I'll not be balked of my right of vengeance for his scruples!
We have been there, craving your pardon, Herr Graf," said Ebbo, "after a dead chamois that rolled into a cleft, but it is the worst crag on all the hill, and the frost will make it slippery. Sire, if you do venture it, I conjure you to take Koppel, and climb by the rocks from the left, not the right, which looks easiest.
The men stood daunted Christina in extreme terror for her son, who lay gasping, breathless, but still clutching the stranger's hand, and with eyes of fire glaring on the mutinous warriors. Another bugle-blast! Heinz was almost in the act of grappling with the silent foe, and Koppel cried as he raised his halbert, "Now or never!" but paused. "Never, so please you," said the strange guest.
Art too stiff to go down the rock path?" "No; nor down the abyss, could I strike a good stroke against Schlangenwald at the bottom of it," quoth Heinz. "Nor see vermin set free by the Freiherr," growled Koppel; but the words were lost in Ebbo's loud commands to the men, as Friedel and Hatto handed down the weapons to them. The convoy had by this time halted, evidently to try the ford.
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