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Updated: May 12, 2025
"But there were huntsmen among them who were eager to see what Winkelsee could do and argued that if he failed, it would then be time enough to have him executed, so they decided that as soon as the clock struck twelve the next morning they would allow him the trial of his skill. "A deputation was sent to tell him of the decision.
When I saw the fine houses I thought to myself that it took gold-pieces like mine to build them. When I saw the tower and heard the story of Winkelsee, I thought that I would not give my gold-piece for his rifle and when I walk along the streets I think that perhaps I may find a gold-piece like the one I lost."
If I only had my good rifle in my hand and was upon the ground, I would shoot a bullet hole through it for every night it has robbed me of sleep. "'Now, Winkelsee, do you really imagine that you could shoot to the top of the tower from the ground? "'I don't imagine it. I know it, and it would be a joy to me to have revenge upon it for robbing me of sleep.
"'Hans Winkelsee, the burgomaster and the judge who condemned you would believe you a boaster, or out of your mind did they hear you say this, for it is simply impossible. "'You can go and tell them, and say that if I lose my life upon the gallows, they lose the best marksman in the kingdom. "The jailor shook his head, then turned the key in the lock and went slowly down the steps.
"'Well, Winkelsee, said the jailor one evening as he stood at the cell door, 'you must feel it a great relief to be safely in here, as would a bear that had escaped the hunters and the dogs, and was safe in the depths of his cave. "'I could endure it if it were not for that fiendish weather-vane.
"Did you ever hear of Hans Winkelsee, who was once imprisoned there?" asked Uncle Braun. "No. Please tell us about him," said the three eagerly. "Hans Winkelsee was, in his time, one of the boldest, most daring robbers that ever infested the Frankfort forests and the foresters did their best to entrap him and make him their prisoner, but for a long time he eluded them.
"All expected Winkelsee to accept this offer with gratitude, but he waved his hand in refusal. "'I do not wish the place, he said. 'All my life I have been free and free I will be. My imprisonment let me see what it is to be buried alive. I would feel if enclosed by the walls of a city as a chaffinch would feel in the craw of a hawk.
Now you can leave me to myself, and to-morrow I will leave this martyr cage and be as free as the birds of the air. "'Winkelsee, I advise you not to take the affair so lightly. If you fail, your last chance for life fails with it. "The news of the trial of his skill spread through the city and the next day at twelve a great crowd assembled to witness the test of skill.
No matter if your city walls enclose a larger place, it is yet a cage. No, I will not stay. Hans Winkelsee seeks the woods. There he was born, there he will die and be buried under a shady oak tree." The boys were so interested in the story that they did not realize that it was past their supper hour, but Uncle Braun knew that they must be hungry.
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