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Updated: May 26, 2025
His step-father's absence and his mother's quiet slumber having given Conrad the opportunity he wanted, he was on the way to his mistress' house to find his friend Hillner, when he saw the Defensioner coming along the street, closely surrounded by the guard, and followed by a crowd of curious people.
Quick, Defensioner, and show the fellow that there are men in here. Put a bullet through his head. Alert and willing, Hillner at once placed the muzzle of his piece in the loop-hole. Just as he had covered the Swede, however, he lowered his weapon and turned pale. 'What's the matter? cried Schweinitz. 'Why do you tremble? Are you hurt? Here, then, give me your weapon.
Your own eyes can tell you whether I am a Defensioner or not. 'And you have got a beard coming too, said Conrad, laughing. 'It's only a little one yet, but anybody can see that it is a beard. Hallo! Why, I declare you look uncommonly like that Swede who shot' Hillner's face darkened suddenly, as he interrupted Conrad with the abrupt question, 'Is the mistress in the house?
I will chastise the insolent scoundrel myself. As he spoke, Schweinitz grasped at the arquebuse, on which Hillner's hand closed like a vice. 'So please your excellency and my gracious commandant, said the Defensioner in a tone of entreaty, 'do whatever you please with my life, but I cannot shoot the man out yonder; neither can I give you my weapon for you to do it. 'What! shouted Schweinitz.
On the second morning after the night of Conrad's return, Schweinitz approached the Defensioner Hillner where he stood at a loop-hole in the tower at the Kreuz Gate. Hillner respectfully made way for his superior officer, who wished to look out. 'Just see that impudent rascal! cried the commandant, after a few moments' survey. 'He is riding his horse right up to the city moat in sheer bravado.
And Hillner the Defensioner has got on first-rate; the officers all like him, and the governor himself talks to him ever so often. Our mistress loves to see him come into the house, and I'm sure she will marry him as soon as the siege is over, and he is made a citizen and a master carpenter.
'Whoever could have guessed, cried Conrad, heedless of the question, 'that you would be made a Defensioner! But are you a citizen, and do you know your drill? The Defensioners never admit a man unless he is a citizen and knows his exercises. 'I know my drill all right enough, replied John, 'and I daresay I shall get my certificate of citizenship.
When the news of Hillner's arrest reached Mistress Blüthgen's house, where it produced great excitement, the miller, who had not yet fully recovered, remarked dryly to the women: 'Seems to me as though our Defensioner must have acted rather like one of my donkeys. He could have obeyed the commandant's order, aimed his weapon, and fired over the Swede's head. He had it all in his own hands.
The boy was standing by his friend the Defensioner, who now sprang up from the ground and hastened to his commanding officer. 'Your excellency! he cried, 'down in that corner the Swedes can be distinctly heard tunnelling through the earth. They are almost under the gallery now. 'Quick, then, to countermine them! said Schweinitz, and immediately left the gallery to give the necessary orders.
While I stand here debating with a traitor, the villain yonder has prudently taken himself out of range. Defensioner, you will give me your weapons, both firelock and sabre. You are my prisoner. Ha! Schönleben doubtless had sound reasons for warning me against you.
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