"Thatisgood，"saidHans，"thenIwillloosethygaguntilthouhasttoldme；onlybearinmindwhatIsaidconcerningmydagger。"
Thereupon，heunboundhisprisoner，andthefellowslowlyrosetohisfeet。Heshookhimselfandlookedallabouthiminaheavy，bewilderedfashion，asthoughhehadjustawakenedfromadream。
Hisrighthandslidfurtivelydowntohisside，butthedagger—
sheathwasempty。
"Come，brother!"saidHans，impatiently，"timeispassing，andoncelostcanneverbefoundagain。ShowmethewaytotheyoungBaronOttoor—。"Andhewhettedtheshiningbladeofhisdaggeronhishornypalm。
Thefellowneedednofurtherbidding；turning，heledtheway，andtogethertheywereswallowedupintheyawningshadows，andagainthehushofnight—timelayupontheCastleofTrutz—
Drachen。
XI。
HowOttowasSaved。
LittleOttowaslyinguponthehardcouchinhiscell，tossinginrestlessandfeverishsleep；suddenlyaheavyhandwaslaiduponhimandavoicewhisperedinhisear，"Baron，BaronOtto，waken，rouseyourself；Iamcometohelpyou。IamOne—eyedHans。"
Ottowasawakeinaninstantandraisedhimselfuponhiselbowinthedarkness。"One—eyedHans，"hebreathed，"One—eyedHans；
whoisOne—eyedHans？"
"True，"saidtheother，"thoudostnotknowme。Iamthyfather’strustedservant，andamtheonlyoneexceptinghisownbloodandkinwhohasclungtohiminthishouroftrouble。Yes，allaregonebutmealone，andsoIhavecometohelptheeawayfromthisvileplace。"
"Oh，dear，goodHans!ifonlythoucanst!"criedOtto；"ifonlythoucansttakemeawayfromthiswickedplace。Alas，dearHans!
Iamwearyandsicktodeath。"AndpoorlittleOttobegantoweepsilentlyinthedarkness。
"Aye，aye，"saidHans，gruffly，"itisnoplaceforalittlechildtobe。Canstthouclimb，mylittlemaster？canstthouclimbaknottedrope？"
"Nay，"saidOtto，"Icanneverclimbagain!See，Hans；"andheflungbackthecoversfromoffhim。
"Icannotsee，"saidHans，"itistoodark。"
"Thenfeel，dearHans，"saidOtto。
Hansbentoverthepoorlittlewhitefigureglimmeringpalelyinthedarkness。Suddenlyhedrewbackwithasnarllikeanangrywolf。
"Oh!theblack，bloodywretches!"hecried，hoarsely；"andhavetheydonethattothee，alittlechild？"
"Yes，"saidOtto，"theBaronHenrydidit。"Andthenagainhebegantocry。
"There，there，"saidHans，roughly，"weepnomore。Thoushaltgetawayfromhereevenifthoucanstnotclimb；Imyselfwillhelpthee。
Thyfatherisalreadywaitingbelowthewindowhere，andthoushaltsoonbewithhim。There，there，crynomore。"
WhilehewasspeakingHanshadstrippedoffhispeddler’sleathernjacket，andthere，aroundhisbody，waswrappedcoilaftercoilofstouthempenropetiedinknotsatshortdistances。Hebeganunwindingtherope，andwhenhehaddonehewasasthinaseverhehadbeenbefore。Nexthedrewfromthepouchthathungathissideaballoffinecordandaleadenweightpiercedbyahole，bothofwhichhehadbroughtwithhimfortheusetowhichhenowputthem。Hetiedtheleadtotheendofthecord，thenwhirlingtheweightabovehishead，heflungituptowardthewindowhighabove。Twicethepieceofleadfellbackagainintotheroom；thethirdtimeitflewoutbetweentheironbarscarryingthecordwithit。Hansheldtheballinhishandandpaidoutthestringastheweightcarrieditdownwardtowardthegroundbeneath。Suddenlythecordstoppedrunning。Hansjerkeditandshookit，butitmovednofarther。
"Prayheaven，littlechild，"saidhe，"thatithathreachedtheground，forifithathnotwearecertainlylost。"
"Idopray，"saidOtto，andhebowedhishead。
Then，asthoughinanswertohisprayer，therecameatwitchuponthecord。
"See，"saidHans，"theyhaveheardtheeupaboveinheaven；itwasthyfatherwhodidthat。"Quicklyanddeftlyhetiedthecordtotheendoftheknottedrope；thenhegaveanansweringjerkuponthestring。Thenextmomenttheropewasdrawnuptothewindowanddowntheoutsidebythosebelow。Ottolaywatchingtheropeasitcrawleduptothewindowandoutintothenightlikeagreatsnake，whileOne—eyedHansheldtheotherendlestitshouldbedrawntoofar。Atlastitstopped。"Good，"
mutteredHans，asthoughtohimself。"Theropeislongenough。"
Hewaitedforafewminutesandthen，drawingupontheropeandfindingthatitwasheldfrombelow，hespatuponhishandsandbeganslowlyclimbinguptothewindowabove。Windinghisarmaroundtheironbarsofthegratingthatguardedit，hethrusthishandintothepouchthathungbyhisside，anddrawingforthafile，felltoworkcuttingthroughallthatnowlaybetweenOttoandliberty。
Itwasslow，slowwork，anditseemedtoOttoasthoughHanswouldneverfinishhistask，aslyinguponhishardcouchhewatchedthatfigure，blackagainstthesky，bendingoveritswork。Nowandthenthefilescreechedagainstthehardiron，andthenHanswouldceaseforamoment，butonlytobeginagainasindustriouslyasever。Threeorfourtimeshetriedtheeffectsofhiswork，butstilltheironheld。Atlasthesethisshoulderagainstit，andasOttolookedhesawtheironbend。
Suddenlytherewasasharpcrack，andapieceofthegratingwentflyingoutintothenight。
Hanstiedtheropesecurelyaboutthestumpofthestoutironbarthatyetremained，andthensliddownagainintotheroombelow。
"Mylittlelord，"saidhe，"dostthouthinkthatifIcarrythee，thouwiltbeableandstrongenoughtoclingtomyneck？"
"Aye，"saidOtto，"methinksIwillbeabletodothat。"
"Thencome，"saidHans。
Hestoopedashespoke，andgentlyliftingOttofromhisrudeandruggedbedhedrewhisbroadleathernbeltaroundthemboth，bucklingitfirmlyandsecurely。"Itdoesnothurtthee？"saidhe。
"Notmuch，"whisperedOttofaintly。
ThenHansspatuponhishands，andbeganslowlyclimbingtherope。
Theyreachedtheedgeofthewindowandtheretheyrestedforamoment，andOttorenewedhisholdaroundtheneckofthefaithfulHans。
"Andnowartthouready？"saidHans"Aye，"saidOtto。
"Thencourage，"saidHans，andheturnedandswunghislegovertheabyssbelow。
Thenextmomenttheywerehanginginmid—air。
Ottolookeddownandgaveagasp。"Themotherofheavenblessus，"hewhispered，andthenclosedhiseyes，faintanddizzyatthesightofthatsheerdepthbeneath。Hanssaidnothing，butshuttinghisteethandwrappinghislegsaroundtherope，hebeganslowlydescending，handunderhand。Down，down，downhewent，untiltoOtto，withhiseyesshutandhisheadleaninguponHans’shoulder，itseemedasthoughitcouldneverend。
Down，down，down。SuddenlyhefeltHansdrawadeepbreath；
therewasaslightjar，andOttoopenedhiseyes；Hanswasstandingupontheground。
Afigurewrappedinadarkcloakarosefromtheshadowofthewall，andtookOttoinitsarms。ItwasBaronConrad。
"Myson—mylittlechild!"hecried，inachoked，tremblingvoice，andthatwasall。AndOttopressedhischeekagainsthisfather’sandbegancrying。
SuddenlytheBarongaveasharp，fiercecry。"DearHeaven!"hecried；"whathavetheydonetothee？"ButpoorlittleOttocouldnotanswer。
"Oh!"gaspedtheBaron，inastrangledvoice，"mylittlechild!
mylittlechild!"Andtherewithhebrokedown，andhiswholebodyshookwithfierce，drysobs；formeninthosedaysdidnotseektohidetheirgriefastheydonow，butwerefierceandstrongintheexpressionofthatasofallelse。
"Nevermind，dearfather，"whisperedOtto；"itdidnothurtmesoverymuch，"andhepressedhislipsagainsthisfather’scheek。
LittleOttohadbutonehand。
XII。
ARideForLife。
ButnotyetwasOttosafe，andalldangerpastandgoneby。
Suddenly，astheystoodthere，theharshclangorofabellbrokethesilenceofthestarrynightabovetheirheads，andastheyraisedtheirfacesandlookedup，theysawlightsflashingfromwindowtowindow。Presentlycamethesoundofahoarsevoiceshoutingsomethingthat，fromthedistance，theycouldnotunderstand。
One—eyedHanssmotehishanduponhisthigh。Looksaidhe，"hereiswhatcomesofhavingasoftheartinone’sbosom。Iovercameandboundawatchmanupyonder，andforcedhimtotellmewhereouryoungBaronlay。Itwasonmymindtorunmyknifeintohimafterhehadtoldmeeverything，butthen，bethinkinghowtheyoungBaronhatedthethoughtofbloodshed，Isaidtomyself，’No，Hans，Iwillsparethevillain’slife。’Seenowwhatcomesofbeingmerciful；here，byhookorbycrook，thefellowhasloosedhimselffromhisbonds，andbringsthewholecastleaboutourearslikeanestofwasps。"
"Wemustfly，"saidtheBaron；"fornothingelseintheworldisleftme，nowthatallhavedesertedmeinthisblacktimeoftrouble，exceptingthesesixfaithfulones。"
Hisvoicewasbitter，bitter，ashespoke；thenstooping，heraisedOttoinhisarms，andbearinghimgently，beganrapidlydescendingtherockyslopetothelevelroadthatranalongtheedgeofthehillbeneath。Closebehindhimfollowedtherest；
Hansstillgrimedwithsootandinhisbarefeet。Alittledistancefromtheroadandundertheshadeoftheforesttrees，sevenhorsesstoodwaiting。TheBaronmounteduponhisgreatblackcharger，seatinglittleOttouponthesaddleinfrontofhim。"Forward!"hecried，andawaytheyclatteredandoutupontheroad。Then—"ToSt。Michaelsburg，"saidBaronConrad，inhisdeepvoice，andthehorses’headswereturnedtothewestward，andawaytheygallopedthroughtheblackshadowsoftheforest，leavingTrutz—Drachenbehindthem。
Butstillthesoundofthealarmbellrangthroughthebeatingofthehorses’hoofs，andasHanslookedoverhisshoulder，hesawthelightoftorchesflashinghitherandthitheralongtheouterwallsinfrontofthegreatbarbican。
InCastleTrutz—Drachenallwasconfusionanduproar：flashingtorcheslitupthedullgraywalls；horsesneighedandstamped，andmenshoutedandcalledtooneanotherinthebustleofmakingready。PresentlyBaronHenrycamestridingalongthecorridorcladinlightarmor，whichhehadhastilydonnedwhenrousedfromhissleepbythenewsthathisprisonerhadescaped。
Belowinthecourtyardhishorsewasstanding，andwithoutwaitingforassistance，heswunghimselfintothesaddle。Thenawaytheyallrodeanddownthesteeppath，armorringing，swordsclanking，andiron—shodhoofsstrikingsparksoffirefromthehardstones。AttheirheadrodeBaronHenry；histriangularshieldhungoverhisshoulder，andinhishandheborealong，heavy，steel—pointedlancewithapennantflickeringdarklyfromtheend。
Atthehigh—roadatthebaseoftheslopetheypaused，fortheywereatalosstoknowwhichdirectionthefugitiveshadtaken；
ahalfascoreoftheretainersleapedfromtheirhorses，andbeganhurryingabouthitherandthither，andupanddown，likehoundssearchingforthelostscent，andallthetimeBaronHenrysatstillasarockinthemidstoftheconfusion。
Suddenlyashoutwasraisedfromtheforestjustbeyondtheroad；theyhadcomeupontheplacewherethehorseshadbeentied。ItwasaneasymattertotracethewaythatBaronConradandhisfollowershadtakenthencebacktothehigh—road，butthereagaintheywereataloss。Theroadranstraightasanarroweastwardandwestward—hadthefugitivestakentheirwaytotheeastortothewest？
BaronHenrycalledhishead—man，NicholasStein，tohim，andthetwospoketogetherforawhileinanundertone。AtlasttheBaron’slieutenantreinedhishorseback，andchoosingfirstoneandthenanother，dividedthecompanyintotwoparties。ThebaronplacedhimselfattheheadofonebandandNicholasSteinattheheadoftheother。"Forward!"hecried，andawayclatteredthetwocompaniesofhorsemeninoppositedirections。
ItwastowardthewestwardthatBaronHenryofTrutz—Drachenrodeattheheadofhismen。
Theearlyspringtidesunshotitsraysofmisty，yellowlightacrosstherollingtopsoftheforesttreeswherethelittlebirdsweresinginginthegloryoftheMaymorning。ButBaronHenryandhisfollowersthoughtnothingofthebeautyofthepeacefulday，andheardnothingofthemultitudinoussoundofthesingingbirdsas，withaconfusedsoundofgallopinghoofs，theysweptalongthehighway，leavingbehindthemaslow—
curling，low—trailingcloudofdust。
Asthesunrosemorefullandwarm，themistywreathsbegantodissolve，untilatlasttheypartedandrolledasunderlikeawhitecurtainandthere，beforethepursuinghorsemen，laythecrestofthemountaintowardwhichtheywereriding，andupwhichtheroadwoundsteeply。
"Yondertheyare，criedasuddenvoicebehindBaronHenryofTrutz—Drachen，andatthecryalllookedupward。
Farawayuponthemountain—sidecurledacloudofdust，fromthemidstofwhichcamethestar—likeflashofburnishedarmorgleaminginthesun。
BaronHenrysaidneveraword，buthislipscurledinagrimsmile。
AndasthemistwreathspartedOne—eyedHanslookedbehindanddownintotheleafyvalleybeneath。"Yondertheycome，"saidhe。
"Theyhavefollowedsharplytogainsomuchuponus，eventhoughourhorsesareweariedwithallthetravellingwehavedonehitherandyonthesefivedayspast。Howfarisit，LordBaron，fromheretoMichaelsburg？"
"Abouttenleagues，"saidtheBaron，inagloomyvoice。
Hanspuckeredhismouthasthoughtowhistle，buttheBaronsawnothingofit，forhewasgazingstraightbeforehimwithasetandstonyface。Thosewhofollowedhimlookedatoneanother，andthesamethoughtwasinthemindofeach—howlongwoulditbebeforethosewhopursuedwouldclosethedistancebetweenthem？
Whenthathappeneditmeantdeathtooneandall。
Theyreachedthecrestofthehill，anddowntheydashedupontheotherside；fortheretheroadwassmoothandlevelasitslopedawayintothevalley，butitwasindeadsilencethattheyrode。NowandthenthosewhofollowedtheBaronlookedbackovertheirshoulders。Theyhadgainedamileupontheirpursuerswhenthehelmetedheadsroseabovethecrestofthemountain，butwhatwasthegainofamilewithasmoothroadbetweenthem，andfreshhorsestowearyones？
Ontheyrodeandontheyrode。Thesunrosehigherandhigher，andhotterandhotter。Therewasnotimetorestandwatertheirpantinghorses。Onlyonce，whentheycrossedashallowstretchofwater，thepooranimalsbenttheirheadsandcaughtafewgulpsfromthecoolstream，andtheOne—eyedHanswashedapartofthesootfromhishandsandface。Onandontheyrode；neveroncedidtheBaronConradmovehisheadoralterthatsteadfastlookas，gazingstraightbeforehim，herodesteadilyforwardalongtheendlessstretchofroad，withpoorlittleOtto’syellowheadandwhitefacerestingagainsthissteel—cladshoulder—andSt。Michaelsburgstilleightleaguesaway。
Alittleriseofgroundlaybeforethem，andastheyclimbedit，all，exceptingthebaron，turnedtheirheadsaswithoneaccordandlookedbehindthem。Thenmorethanoneheartfailed，forthroughtheleavesofthetreesbelow，theycaughttheglintofarmorofthosewhofollowed—notmorethanamileaway。Thenextmomenttheysweptoverthecrest，andthere，belowthem，laythebroadshiningriver，andneareratributarystreamspannedbyarude，narrow，three—arched，stonebridgewheretheroadcrossedthedeep，slow—movingwater。
Downtheslopeploddedthewearyhorses，andsotothebridge—
head。
"Halt，"criedthebaronsuddenly，anddrewrein。
Theothersstoodbewildered。Whatdidhemeantodo？HeturnedtoHansandhisblueeyesshonelikesteel。
"Hans，"saidhe，inhisdeepvoice，"thouhastservedmelongandtruly；wiltthouforthisonelasttimedomybidding？"
"Aye，"saidHans，briefly。
"Swearit，"saidtheBaron。
"Iswearit，"saidHans，andhedrewthesignofthecrossuponhisheart。
"Thatisgood，"saidtheBaron，grimly。"Thentakethouthischild，andwiththeothersridewithallthespeedthatthoucansttoSt。Michaelsburg。GivethechildintothechargeoftheAbbotOtto。TellhimhowthatIhaveswornfealtytotheEmperor，andwhatIhavegainedthereby—mycastleburnt，mypeopleslain，andthispoor，simplechild，myonlyson，mutilatedbymyenemy。
"Andthou，myLordBaron？"saidHans。
"Iwillstayhere，"saidtheBaron，quietly，"andkeepbackthosewhofollowaslongasGodwillgivemegracesotodo。"
Amurmurofremonstranceroseamongthefaithfulfewwhowerewithhim，twoofwhomwerenearofkin。ButConradofDrachenhausenturnedfiercelyuponthem。
"Hownow，"saidhe，"haveIfallensolowinmytroublesthatevenyedaretoraiseyourvoicesagainstme？BythegoodHeaven，Iwillbeginmyworkherebyslayingthefirstmanwhodarestoraisewordagainstmybidding。"Thenheturnedfromthem。"Here，Hans，"saidhe，"taketheboy；andremember，knave，whatthouhastsworn。"
HepressedOttoclosetohisbreastinonelastembrace。"Mylittlechild，"hemurmured，"trynottohatethyfatherwhenthouthinkestofhimhereafter，eventhoughhebehardandbloodyasthouknowest。"
Butwithhissufferingandweakness，littleOttoknewnothingofwhatwaspassing；itwasonlyasinafaintflickeringdreamthathelivedinwhatwasdonearoundhim。
"Farewell，Otto，"saidtheBaron，butOtto’slipsonlymovedfaintlyinanswer。Hisfatherkissedhimuponeithercheek。
"Come，Hans，"saidhe，hastily，"takehimhence；"andheloosedOtto’sarmsfromabouthisneck。
HanstookOttouponthesaddleinfrontofhim。
"Oh!mydearLordBaron，"saidhe，andthenstoppedwithagulp，andturnedhisgrotesquelytwitchingfaceaside。
"Go，"saidtheBaron，harshly，"thereisnotimetoloseinwoman’stears。"
"Farewell，Conrad!farewell，Conrad!"saidhistwokinsmen，andcomingforwardtheykissedhimuponthecheekthentheyturnedandrodeawayafterHans，andBaronConradwasleftalonetofacehismortalfoe。
XIII。
HowBaronConradHeldtheBridge。
Asthelastofhisfollowerssweptaroundthecurvingroadandwaslosttosight，BaronConradgavehimselfashake，asthoughtodriveawaythethoughtsthatlayuponhim。Thenherodeslowlyforwardtothemiddleofthebridge，wherehewheeledhishorsesoastofacehiscomingenemies。Heloweredthevizorofhishelmetandboltedittoitsplace，andthensawthatswordanddaggerwerelooseinthescabbardandeasytodrawwhentheneedfordrawingshouldarise。
Downthesteeppathfromthehillabovesweptthepursuinghorsemen。Downthesteeppathtothebridge—headandtheredrewrein；forinthemiddleofthenarrowwaysatthemotionless，steel—cladfigureuponthegreatwar—horse，withwide，red，pantingnostrils，andbodystreakedwithsweatandfleckedwithpatchesoffoam。
Onesideoftheroadwayofthebridgewasguardedbyalowstonewall；theothersidewasnakedandopenandbaretothedeep，slow—movingwaterbeneath。Itwasadangerousplacetoattackadesperatemancladinarmorofproof。
"Forward!"criedBaronHenry，butnotasoulstirredinanswer，andstilltheiron—cladfiguresatmotionlessanderectuponthepantinghorse。
"How，"criedtheBaronHenry，"areyeafraidofoneman？Thenfollowme!"andhespurredforwardtothebridge—head。Butstillnoonemovedinanswer，andtheLordofTrutz—Drachenreinedbackhishorseagain。Hewheeledhishorseandglaredrounduponthestolidfacesofhisfollowers，untilhiseyesseemedfairlytoblazewithpassionbeneaththebarsofhisvizor。
BaronConradgavearoaroflaughter。"Hownow，"hecried；"areyeallafraidofoneman？Istherenoneamongyethatdarescomeforwardandmeetme？Iknowthee，BaronHenrythouartnotafraidtocutoffthehandofalittlechild。Hastthounotnowthecouragetofacethefather？"
BaronHenrygnashedhisteethwithrageasheglaredarounduponthefacesofhismen—at—arms。Suddenlyhiseyelitupononeofthem。"Ha!CarlSpigler，"hecried，"thouhastthycross—bowwiththee；—shootmedownyonderdog!Nay，"hesaid，"thoucanstdohimnoharmunderhisarmor；shootthehorseuponwhichhesits。"
BaronConradheardthespeech。"Oh!thoucowardvillain!"hecried，"stay；donotshootthegoodhorse。Iwilldismountandfightyeuponfoot。"Thereupon，armedashewas，heleapedclashingfromhishorseandturningtheanimal’shead，gaveitaslapupontheflank。Thegoodhorsefirsttrottedandthenwalkedtothefurtherendofthebridge，whereitstoppedandbegancroppingatthegrassthatgrewbesidetheroad。
"Nowthen!"criedBaronHenry，fiercely，"nowthen，yecannotfearhim，villains!Downwithhim!forward!"
Slowlythetroopersspurredtheirhorsesforwarduponthebridgeandtowardthatonefigurethat，graspingtightlythegreattwo—
handedsword，stoodtherealoneguardingthepassage。
ThenBaronConradwhirledthegreatbladeabovehishead，untilitcaughtthesunlightandflashedagain。Hedidnotwaitfortheattack，butwhenthefirstoftheadvancinghorsemenhadcomewithinafewfeetofhim，heleapedwithashoutuponthem。
Thefellowthrustathimwithhislance，andtheBaronwentstaggeringafewfeetback，butinstantlyherecoveredhimselfandagainleapedforward。Thegreatswordflashedintheair，whistling；itfell，andthenearestmandroppedhislance，clattering，andwithaloud，inarticulatecry，graspedthemaneofhishorsewithbothhands。Againthebladewhistledintheair，andthistimeitwasstainedwithred。Againitfell，andwithanothershrillcrythemantoppledheadlongbeneaththehorse’sfeet。Thenextinstanttheywereuponhim，eachstrivingtostrikeattheonefigure，toridehimdown，ortothrusthimdownwiththeirlances。Therewasnoroomnowtoswingthelongblade，butholdingthehiltinbothhands，BaronConradthrustwithitasthoughitwerealance，stabbingathorseorman，itmatterednot。Crowdeduponthenarrowroadwayofthebridge，thosewhoattackedhadnotonlytoguardthemselvesagainstthedreadfulstrokesofthatterriblesword，buttokeeptheirwoundedhorses（rearingandmadwithfright）fromtopplingbodilyoverwiththemintothewaterbeneath。
Presentlythecrywasraised，"Back!back!"AndthosenearesttheBaronbeganreiningintheirhorses。"Forward!"roaredBaronHenry，fromthemidstofthecrowd；butinspiteofhiscommand，andeventheblowsthathegave，thosebehindwerebornebackbythoseinfront，strugglingandshouting，andthebridgewasclearedagainexceptingforthreefiguresthatlaymotionlessupontheroadway，andthatonewho，withthebrightnessofhisarmordimmedandstained，leanedpantingagainstthewallofthebridge。
TheBaronHenryragedlikeamadman。Gnashinghisteethtogether，herodebackalittleway；thenturningandcouchinghislance，hesuddenlyclappedspurstohishorse，andthenextinstantcamethunderingdownuponhissolitaryenemy。
BaronConradwhirledhisswordintheair，ashesawtheothercominglikeathunderboltuponhim；heleapedaside，andthelancepassedclosetohim。Asitpassedhestruck，andtheironpointflewfromtheshaftofthespearattheblow，andfellclatteringuponthestoneroadwayofthebridge。
BaronHenrydrewinhishorseuntilitresteduponitshaunches，thenslowlyreineditbackwarddownthebridge，stillfacinghisfoe，andstillholdingthewoodenstumpofthelanceinhishand。Atthebridge—headheflungitfromhim。
"Anotherlance!"hecried，hoarsely。Onewassilentlyreachedtohimandhetookit，hishandtremblingwithrage。Againherodetoalittledistanceandwheeledhishorse；then，drivinghissteelspursintoitsquiveringside，hecameagainthunderingdownupontheother。Oncemoretheterribleswordwhirledintheairandfell，butthistimethelancewassnatchedtoonesideandtheblowfellharmlessly。Thenextinstant，andwithatwitchofthebridle—rein，thehorsestruckfullandfairagainsttheman。
ConradofDrachenhausenwaswhirledbackwardanddownward，andthecruelironhoofscrashedoverhisprostratebody，ashorseandmanpassedwitharushbeyondhimandtothebridge—headbeyond。Ashoutwentupfromthosewhostoodwatching。Thenextmomenttheprostratefigureroseandstaggeredblindlytothesideofthebridge，andstoodleaningagainstthestonewall。
AtthefurtherendofthebridgeBaronHenryhadwheeledhishorse。Onceagainhecouchedlance，andagainhedrovedownuponhisbruisedandwoundedenemy。Thistimethelancestruckfullandfair，andthosewhowatchedsawthesteelpointpiercetheironbreast—plateandthensnapshort，leavingthebarbedpointwithinthewound。
BaronConradsunktohiskneesandtheRoderburg，loominguponhishorseabovehim，unsheathedhisswordtofinishtheworkhehadbegun。
Thenthosewhostoodlookingonsawawondrousthinghappen：thewoundedmanrosesuddenlytohisfeet，andbeforehisenemycouldstrikeheleaped，withagreatandbittercryofagonyanddespair，uponhimashesatinthesaddleabove。
HenryofTrutz—Drachengraspedathishorse’smane，buttheattackwassofierce，sosudden，andsounexpectedthatbeforehecouldsavehimselfhewasdraggedtoonesideandfellcrashinginhisarmoruponthestoneroadwayofthebridge。
"Thedragon!thedragon!"roaredBaronConrad，inavoiceofthunder，andwiththeenergyofdespairhedraggedhisprostratefoetowardtheopensideofthebridge。
"Forward!"criedthechiefoftheTrutz—Drachenmen，anddowntheyrodeuponthestrugglingknightstotherescueoftheirmasterinthisnewdanger。Buttheyweretoolate。
Therewasapauseattheedgeofthebridge，forBaronHenryhadgainedhisfeetand，stunnedandbewilderedashewasbythesuddennessofhisfall，hewasnowstrugglingfiercely，desperately。Foramomenttheystoodswayingbackwardandforward，claspedinoneanother’sarms，thebloodfromthewoundedman’sbreaststainingthearmorofboth。Themomentpassedandthen，withashowerofstonesandmortarfrombeneaththeiriron—shodheels，theytoppledandfell；therewasathunderoussplashinthewaterbelow，andasthemen—at—armscamehurryingupandpeeredwithawe—struckfacesovertheparapetofthebridge，theysawthewhirlingeddiessweepdownwiththecurrentofthestream，afewbubblesrisetothesurfaceofthewater，andthen—nothing；forthesmoothriverflowedonwardassilentlyasever。
Presentlyaloudvoiceburstthroughtheawedhushthatfollowed。ItcamefromWilliamofRoderburg，BaronHenry’skinsman。
"Forward!"hecried。Amurmurofvoicesfromtheotherswasalltheanswerthathereceived。"Forward!"criedtheyoungmanagain，"theboyandthosewithhimarenotsofarawaybutthatwemightyetcatchupwiththem。"
Thenoneofthemenspokeupinanswer—amanwithaseamed，weather—beatenfaceandcrispgrizzledhair。"Nay，"saidhe，"ourLordBaronisgone，andthisisnoquarrelofours；herebefourofusthatarewoundedandthreeImisdoubtthataredead；
whyshouldwefollowfurtheronlytosuffermoreblowsfornogain？"Agrowlofassentrosefromthosethatstoodaround，andWilliamofRoderburgsawthatnothingmorewastobedonebytheTrutz—Dragonsthatday。
XIV。
HowOttoSawtheGreatEmperor。
Throughweaknessandsicknessandfaintness，OttohadlaininahalfswoonthroughallthatlongjourneyunderthehotMaysun。
Itwasasinadreadfulnightmarethathehadheardonandonandonthatmonotonousthrobbingofgallopinghoofsupontheground；hadfeltthatlastkissthathisfatherhadgivenhimuponhischeek。Thentheonwardrideagain，untilallfadedawayintoadullmistandheknewnomore。Whennexthewokeitwaswiththepungentsmellofburnedvinegarinhisnostrilsandwiththefeelingofacoolnapkinbathinghisbrow。Heopenedhiseyesandthenclosedthemagain，thinkinghemusthavebeeninadream，forhelayinhisoldroomatthepeacefulmonasteryoftheWhiteCrossonthehill；thegoodFatherAbbotsatnearby，gazinguponhisfacewiththeoldabsentstudentlook，BrotherJohnsatinthedeepwindowseatalsogazingathim，andBrotherTheodore，theleechofthemonastery，satbesidehimbathinghishead。Besidetheseoldfamiliarfaceswerethefacesofthosewhohadbeenwithhiminthatlongflight；theOne—eyedHans，oldMasterNicholashiskinsman，andtheothers。Soheclosedhiseyes，thinkingthatmaybeitwasalladream。Butthesharpthrobbingofthepoorstumpathiswristsoontaughthimthathewasstillawake。
"AmIthenreallyhomeinSt。Michaelsburgagain？hemurmured，withoutunclosinghiseyes。
BrotherTheodorebegansnufflingthroughhisnose；therewasapause。"Yes，"saidtheoldAbbotatlast，andhisgentlevoicetrembledashespoke；"yes，mydearlittlechild，thouartbackagaininthineownhome；thouhastnotbeenlongoutinthegreatworld，buttrulythouhasthadasharpandbittertrialofit。"
"Buttheywillnottakemeawayagain，willthey？"saidOttoquickly，unclosinghisblueeyes。
"Nay，"saidtheAbbot，gently；"notuntilthouarthealedinbodyandartreadyandwillingtogo。"
Threemonthsandmorehadpassed，andOttowaswellagain；andnow，escortedbyOne—eyedHansandthosefaithfulfewwhohadclungtotheBaronConradthroughhislastfewbitterdays，hewasridingintothequaintoldtownofNurnburg；fortheEmperorRudolphwasthereatthattime，waitingforKingOttocarofBohemiatocomethitherandanswertheimperialsummonsbeforetheCouncil，andOttowastravellingtothecourt。
Astheyrodeinthroughthegatesofthetown，Ottolookedupatthehigh—peakedhouseswiththeiroverhanginggables，thelikeofwhichhehadneverseenbefore，andhestaredwithhisroundblueeyesatseeingthemsocrowdedtogetheralongthelengthofthestreet。Butmostofallhewonderedatthenumberofpeoplethatpassedhitherandthither，jostlingeachotherintheirhurry，andatthetradesmen’sboothsopeninguponthestreetwiththewonderfulwareshangingwithin；armoratthesmiths，glitteringornamentsatthegoldsmiths，andrichfabricsofsilksandsatinsatthemercers。Hehadneverseenanythingsorichandgrandinallofhislife，forlittleOttohadneverbeeninatownbefore。
"Oh!look，"hecried，"atthatwonderfullady；see，holyfather!
suretheEmperor’swifecanbenofinerthanthatlady。"
TheAbbotsmiled。"Nay，Otto，"saidhe，"thatisbutaburgher’swifeordaughter；theladiesattheEmperor’scourtarefargranderthansuchasshe。"
"So!"saidOtto，andthenfellsilentwithwonder。
Andnow，atlastthegreatmomenthadcomewhenlittleOttowithhisowneyeswastobeholdthemightyEmperorwhoruledoverallthepowerfulkingdomsofGermanyandAustria，andItalyandBohemia，andotherkingdomsandprincipalitiesandstates。Hisheartbeatsothathecouldhardlyspeakas，foramoment，thegoodAbbotwhoheldhimbythehandstoppedoutsideofthearraseddoorwaytowhispersomelastinstructionsintohisear。
Thentheyenteredtheapartment。
Itwasalong，stone—pavedroom。Thefloorwascoveredwithrichrugsandthewallswerehungwithwoventapestrywhereinweredepictedknightsandladiesinleafygardensandkingsandwarriorsatbattle。Alongrowofhighglazedwindowsextendedalongthelengthoftheapartment，floodingitwiththemellowlightoftheautumnday。Atthefurtherendoftheroom，faraway，andstandingbyagreatcarvedchimneyplacewhereinsmoulderedtheremainsofafire，stoodagroupofnoblesingorgeousdressofvelvetandsilks，andwithglitteringgoldenchainshungabouttheirnecks。
Onefigurestoodaloneinfrontofthegreatyawningfireplace。
Hishandswereclaspedbehindhim，andhislookbentthoughtfullyuponthefloor。Hewasdressedonlyinasimplegrayrobewithoutornamentoradornment，aplainleathernbeltgirdedhiswaist，andfromithungaswordwithabonehiltencasedinabrownleathernscabbard。Anoblestag—houndlayclosebehindhim，curledupuponthefloor，baskinginthegratefulwarmthofthefire。
AstheFatherAbbotandOttodrewnearheraisedhisheadandlookedatthem。Itwasaplain，homelyfacethatOttosaw，withawrinkledforeheadandalongmouthdrawndownatthecorners。
Itwasthefaceofagood，honestburgherburdenedwiththecaresofaprosperoustrade。"Whocanhebe，"thoughtOtto，"andwhydoesthepoormanstandthereamongallthegreatnobles？"
ButtheAbbotwalkedstraightuptohimandkneeleduponthefloor，andlittleOtto，fullofwonder，didthesame。ItwasthegreatEmperorRudolph。
"Whohavewehere"saidtheEmperor，andhebenthisbrowupontheAbbotandtheboy。
"Sire，"saidAbbotOtto，"wehavehumblybesoughtyoubypetition，inthenameofyourlatevassal，BaronConradofVuelphofDrachenhausen，forjusticetothishisson，theBaronOtto，whom，sire，asyoumaysee，hathbeencruellymutilatedatthehandsofBaronHenryofRoderburgofTrutz—Drachen。Hehathmoreoverbeendespoiledofhislands，hiscastleburnt，andhishouseholdmadeprisoner。"
TheEmperorfrowneduntiltheshaggyeyebrowsnearlyhidthekeengraytwinkleoftheeyesbeneath。"Yes，"saidhe，"Idoremembermeofthatpetition，andhavegivenitconsiderationbothinprivateandincouncil。"Heturnedtothegroupoflisteningnobles。"Look，"saidhe，"atthislittlechildmarredbytheinhumanityandthecrueltyofthoserobbervillains。Byheavens!Iwillputdowntheirlawlessrapine，ifIhavetogiveeverycastlefromthenorthtothesouthtotheflamesandtothesword。"ThenturningtoOttoagain，"Poorlittlechild，"
saidhe，"thywrongsshallberighted，andsofarastheyareable，thosecruelRoderburgsshallpaytheepennyforpenny，andgrainforgrain，forwhatthouhastlost；anduntilsuchindemnityhathbeenpaidthefamilyofthemanwhowroughtthisdeedshallbeheldassurety。"
LittleOttolookedupinthekind，ruggedfaceabovehim。"Nay，LordEmperor，"saidhe，inhisquaint，quietway，"therearebuttwointhefamily—themotherandthedaughter—andIhavepromisedtomarrythelittlegirlwhensheandIareoldenough；
so，ifyouplease，Iwouldnothaveharmhappentoher。"
TheEmperorcontinuedtolookdownatthekneelingboy，andatlasthegaveashort，drylaugh。"Sobeit，"saidhe，"thyplanisnotwithoutitswisdom。Mayhapitisallforthebestthattheaffairshouldbeendedthuspeacefully。TheestatesoftheRoderburgsshallbeheldintrustfortheeuntilthouartcomeofage；otherwiseitshallbeasthouhastproposed，thelittlemaidenshallbetakenintowardunderourowncare。Andastothee—artthouwillingthatIshouldtaketheeundermyownchargeintheroomofthyfather，whoisdead？"
"Aye，"saidOtto，simply，"Iamwilling，foritseemstomethatthouartagoodman。"
Thenobleswhostoodnearsmiledattheboy’sspeech。AsfortheEmperor，helaughedoutright。"Igivetheethanks，myLordBaron，"saidhe；"thereisnooneinallmycourtwhohaspaidmegreatercourtesythanthat。"
Socomestheendofourtale。
Butperhapsyoumayliketoknowwhathappenedafterward，fornoonecarestoleavethethreadofastorywithouttyingaknotinit。
Eightyearshadpassed，andOttogrewuptomanhoodintheEmperor’scourt，andwaswithhimthroughwarandpeace。
Buthehimselfneverdrewswordorstruckablow，fortherighthandthathungathissidewasofpuresilver，andthehard，coldfingersneverclosed。Folkscalledhim"OttooftheSilverHand，"butperhapstherewasanotherreasonthanthatforthenamethathadbeengivenhim，forthepure，simplewisdomthattheoldmonksoftheWhiteCrossonthehillhadtaughthim，clungtohimthroughallthehonorsthattheEmperorbestoweduponhisfavorite，andashegrewolderhiswordswerelistenedtoandweighedbythosewhowerehighinCouncil，andevenbytheEmperorhimself。
Andnowfortheendofall。
OnedayOttostooduncertainlyatthedoorwayofaroomintheimperialcastle，hesitatingbeforeheentered；andyettherewasnothingsoverydreadfulwithin，onlyonepoorgirlwhoseheartflutteredmorethanhis。PoorlittlePauline，whomhehadnotseensincethatlastdayintheblackcellatTrutz—Drachen。
Atlasthepushedasidethehangingsandenteredtheroom。
Shewassittinguponarudebenchbesidethewindow，lookingathimoutofhergreat，darkeyes。
Hestoppedshortandstoodforamomentconfusedandsilent；forhehadnothoughtinhismindbutofthelittlegirlwhomhehadlastseen，andforamomenthestoodconfusedbeforethefairmaidenwithhergreat，beautifuldarkeyes。
Sheonherpartbeheldatall，slenderyouthwithcurling，goldenhair，onehandwhiteanddelicate，theotherofpureandshiningsilver。
Hecametoherandtookherhandandsetittohislips，andallthatshecoulddowastogazewithhergreat，darkeyesupontheheroofwhomshehadheardsomanytalk；thefavoriteoftheEmperor；thewiseyoungOttooftheSilverHand。
AfterwordTheruinsofDrachenhausenwererebuilt，forthewallswereassoundasever，thoughemptyandgapingtothesky；butitwasnolongerthedenofarobberbaronforbeneaththescutcheonoverthegreatgatewascarvedanewmottooftheVuelphs；amottowhichtheEmperorRudolphhimselfhadgiven：
"Manusargenteaquammanusferreameliorest"
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