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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.
Therefore, lieutenants, let each man know he will receive a bag of coin, and may land unmolested to accompany the brave and intelligent Kurzbold." As he finished this declamation, that caused even some of the beaten warriors to laugh at their leader, the barge came gently alongside the strand, well out of sight of Bacharach.
Every one stood up promptly enough except the two recalcitrants, and of those two John Gensbein showed signs of hesitation and uneasiness. He half rose, sat down again; then, apparently at the urging of the man next him, stood up, a picture of irresolution. Kurzbold, finding himself now alone, laughed, and got upon his feet, thus making the vote unanimous.
Once more Kurzbold was the spokesman. "We have determined to return to Frankfort." "Very good." "I suppose you remember enough of the way to lead us at least as far as Wiesbaden. Beyond that point we can look to ourselves." "I should be delighted," said Greusel, "to be your guide, but unfortunately I am traveling in the other direction with Ebearhard."
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."
They belong to him, and not to me. Where they are, there they remain." The lieutenants, with one impulse, advanced to their Commander, who frowned as they did so. A cry of despair went up from the pinioned men, but Kurzbold shouted: "Cut him down, Ebearhard, and then release us. In the name of the guild I call on you to act! He is unarmed; cut him down! 'Tis foul murder to desert us thus."
The daylight had so increased that all might see the gentle smile coming to Roland's lips, and the twinkle in his eye as he looked at the wrathful Kurzbold. "A most intelligent leader of men are you, Herr Conrad. I suppose this dozen will stampede to join your leadership. They must indeed be proud of you when they learn the truth.
"Now, as we cannot ask our leader to put that motion, I shall take the liberty of submitting it myself," continued Greusel. "All in favor of the vote of censure which you have heard, make it manifest by standing up." Every one arose except Roland, Gensbein, and Kurzbold.
Kurzbold and his lieutenant broke out into alternate curses and appeals, protesting that Greusel and Ebearhard had not been expelled from the guild, and calling upon them by their solemn oath of brotherhood to release them now that they possessed the power. To these appeals the newly-appointed judges made no reply, and for once Ebearhard did not laugh.
The barge swung round broadside on the current, and lay there with the water rushing like hissing serpents along its side, the bell pealing out a loud alarm that seemed to keep time with the shuddering of the helpless boat. "What's wrong, captain?" cried Kurzbold, getting on his feet again and running aft. "I fear, sir, 'tis an anchored chain." "Can't you cut it?" "That is impossible, mein Herr."
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