noon
It had grown warmer and was beginning to snow heavily . Walking became more and more difficult ; his headache grew unendurable , yet his feet still moved , though it seemed as if he wore heavy leaden shoes . Several freight-wagons with armed escorts , and a few peasants , with rosaries in their hands , who were on their way to church , met the lad , but no one had overtaken him . On the hinge of noon he heard behind him the tramp of horses ' hoofs and the rattle of wheels , approaching nearer and nearer with ominous haste . If it should be the troopers ! Ulrich 's heart stood still , and turning to look back , he saw several horsemen , who were trotting past a spur of the hill around which the road wound . Through the falling flakes the boy perceived glittering weapons , gay doublets and scarfs , and now -- now -- all hope was over , they wore Count Frohlinger 's colors !