Chapter 7 of The Swordmaker. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Rita Boutros. The Swordmaker by Robert Barr. Chapter 7, Mutiny in the Wilderness. It was a lovely morning in July when Prince Roland walked into the shadow of the handsome tower which today is all that survives of the electors palace at Haakst on the river Main. He found Grussell there awaiting him but none of the others. When the two had greeted one another the prince said, Joseph I determined several days ago to appoint you my lieutenant on this expedition. If you take my advice Roland you will do nothing of the kind. Why? Because it may be looked upon as favoritism and so promote jealousy in the ranks which is a thing to avoid. Whom would you suggest for the place? Conrad Kurzbold. What? And run the risk of divided authority I am determined to be the commander you know. Kurzbold even if made lieutenant would be as much under your orders as the rest of us. He is an energetic man and you may thus direct his energy along the right path. From being a critic he will become one of the criticized giving him something to think about. Then your appointment of him would show that you bear no ill feeling for what he said last night. You appear to think Grussell that it is the duty of a commander to curry favor with his following. No but I regard tact as a useful quality. You see you are not in the position of a general with an army. The members of the guild can depose you whenever they like and elect a successor. Or they may desert you in a body and you have no redress. Your methods should not be drastic but rather those of a man who seeks election to some high office. I fear I am not constituted for such a role Grussell. If you are to succeed in the task you have undertaken Roland you must adapt yourself to your situation as it actually is and not as you would wish to have it. I stood by you yesterday evening and succeeded in influencing the others to do the same yet there is no denying that you spoke to those men in a most overbearing manner. Why you could not have been more downright had you been an officer of the emperor himself. What passed through my mind as I listened was where did this youth get his swagger. You ordered Kurzbold out of the ranks you know. Then why favor my action. Because I was reluctant to see a promising marauding adventure wrecked at the very outset for lack of a few soothing words. Roland laughed heartily. The morning was inspiring and he was in good fettle. Your words to Kurzbold were anything but soothing. Oh I was compelled to crush him. He was the cause of the disturbance and therefore I had no mercy so far as the affair impinged upon him. But the others with the exception of Gensbein perhaps are good honest sweet tempered fellows whom I did not wish to see misled. I think you must put out of your mind all thought of punishment no matter what the offense against your authority may be. Then how would you deal with insubordination when it arises. I should trust to the good sense of the remaining members of your company to make it uncomfortable for the offender. But suppose they don't. Grusel shrugged his shoulders. In that case you are helpless I fear. At any rate talking of hanging or the inflection of any other punishment is quite futile so long as you do not possess the power to carry out your sentence. To return to my simile of the general. A general can order any private in his army to be hanged and the man is taken out and hanged accordingly. But if one of the guild is to be executed he must be condemned by an overwhelming vote of his fellows because even if a bare majority sentenced one belonging to the minority it would mean civil war among us. Suppose for example it was proposed to hang you and eleven voted for the execution and nine against it. Do you think we nine would submit to the verdict of the eleven? Not so. I am myself the most peaceful of men but the moment it came to that point I should run my sword through the proposer of the execution before he had time to draw his weapons. In other words I'd murder him too less in the odds and then we'd fight it out like men. Why didn't you say all this last night Grusel? Last night my whole attention was concentrated on inducing Kersbald to forget that you had threatened the company with a hangman's rope had he remembered that I could never have carried the vote of confidence. But you surely saw that the other men were most anxious to support you if your case was placed fairly before them a matter which for some reason you thought it beneath your dignity to attempt. My dear Joseph, your wholesale censure this morning does much to nullify the vote I received last night. My dear Roland, I am not censuring you at all. I am merely endeavoring to place facts before you so that you will recognize them. Quite so. But what I complain of is that these facts were not exhibited in time for me to shoulder or shirk the responsibility. I do not believe that military operations can be successfully carried on by a little family party, the head of which must coddle the others in their group and beg pardon before he says devil take you. I would not have accepted the leadership last night had I known the conditions. Well, it is not yet too late to recede. The barge does not leave Frankfurt until this evening and it is but two leagues back to that city. Within half an hour at the farthest every man of us will be assembled here. Now is the time to have it out with them because tomorrow morning the opportunity to withdraw will be gone. It is too late even now, Grussell. If last night the guild could not make up the money we owe to Gobel, what hope is there that a single coin remains in their pockets this morning? Do I understand then that you refuse to act as my lieutenant? No, but I warn you it will be a step in the wrong direction. You are quite sure of me and as merely a man at arms as you called us last night, I shall be in a better position to speak in your favor than if I were indebted to you for promotion from the ranks. I see. Therefore you counsel me to nominate Kurzbold. I do. Why not Gensbein, who is nearly as mutinous as Kurzbold? Well, Gensbein, if you prefer him, he showed a well-balanced mind last night being part of the time on one side and part on the other.   I am to command then, a regiment that may obey or not according to the whim of the moment. A cheering prospect and one I had not anticipated. When I received the promise of twenty men that they would carry out faithfully whatever I undertook on their behalf, I expected them to stand by it. I think you are unjust, Roland. No one has refused, and probably no one will. If anyone disobeys a command, then you can act as seems best to you. But I wish you fully to realize the weakness of your status should it come to drastic punishment. Quite so, quite so, said Roland curtly. He clasped his hands behind his back and without further words, paced up and down along the bank of the river, head bowed in thought. Eberhardt was the next arrival, and he greeted Grosselle cordially, then, one after another, various members of the company came upon the scene. To the newcomers, Roland made no salutation, but continued his meditating walk. At last the bell in the tower peeled forth nine slow, sonorous strokes, and Roland raised his head, seizing his perambulations. Grosselle looked anxiously at him as he came forward to the group, but his countenance gave no indication whether or not he had determined to abandon the expedition. Are we all here? asked Roland. No, was the reply. Kurzboldt, Eiselbert, Rasselstein, and Gensbein have not arrived yet. Then we will wait for them a few moments longer, said the commander, with no trace of resentment at their unpunctuality. And from this Grosselle assumed that he not only intended to go on, but had taken to heart the warning given him. Eberhardt and a comrade walked up the road rapidly toward Frankfurt, hoping for some sign of the laggards, and Roland resumed his stroll beside the river. At last Eberhardt and his companion returned, and the former approached Roland. I see nothing of those four, he said. What do you propose to do? Roland smiled. I think sixteen good men, all of a mind, will accomplish quite as much as twenty who are divided in purpose. I propose, therefore, to go on unless you consider the missing four necessary, in which case we can do nothing but wait. I am in favor of going forward, said Eberhardt, then turning to the rest, who had gathered themselves around their captain. He appealed to them, all approved of immediate action. Do you intend to follow the river road, captain? asked Eberhardt. Yes, for two or three leagues, but after that we strike across the country. Very well, we can proceed leisurely along the road, and our friends may overtake us if they have any desire to do so. Right, said Roland, then let us set out. The seventeen walked without any company formation through the village, then approaching a wayside tavern. They were hailed by a loud shout from the drinkers in front of it. Kurzbold was the spokesman for the party of four, which he, with his comrades, made up. Come here and drink success to glory, he shouted. Where have you lads been all the morning? The rendezvous, said Roland sternly, was at the Elector's Tower. My rendezvous wasn't. I have been here for more than an hour, said Kurzbold. I told you last night that when I arrived at Haast I should be thirsty and would try to mitigate the disadvantage at a tavern. Yes, said Eberhardt with a laugh, we can also you have succeeded in removing the disadvantage. Oh, you mean I'm drunk, do you? I'll fight any man who says I'm drunk. It was a tremendous thirst caused by the dryness of my throat from last night and the dust on the Frankfurt Road this morning. It takes a great deal of wine to overcome too thirst. Come along lads and drink to the success of the journey. No hard feeling. Landlord, set out the wine here for seventeen people and don't forget us four in addition. 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, hiccuped Kurzbold, don't think that your office places you so high above us that it is infradig to drink with your comrades. To this diatribe, Roland made no reply and the sixteen, seeing the attitude of their leader, hesitated to raise flag and to lip. The diplomatic Eberhardt seized a measure of wine and approached Roland. Drink with us, commander, he said aloud, and then in a whisper, Grussell and I think you should. Thank you, comrade, said Roland, taking the flag in from him. And now, brethren, I give you a toast. Good, good, good, cried Kurzbold with drunken hilarity. Here's to the success of the expedition. That's the toast I make no doubt, eh, captain? The sentiment is included in the toast I shall offer you. Drink to the health of Joseph Grussell, whom I have this morning appointed my lieutenant. If we all conduct ourselves as honorably and capably as he, our project is bound to prosper. Grussell, who was seated at a table, allowed his head to sink into his hands. Here was his advice scouted and a direct challenge flung in the face of the company. He believed now that, after all, Roland had resolved to return to Frankfurt money or no money. 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. Patience, patience, all things in their order. If we claim the power to elect our captain by the cock-crowned cross of the old bridge, we have a right to name the lieutenant. This is a question for the companionship to decide and a usurpation on the part of Roland.  You're drunk! The captain couldn't have made a better selection. What say you comrades? A universal shout of I greeted the question and even Kurzbold's three comrades joined in it. And now, gentlemen, no more talk. Here's to the health of the new lieutenant, Joseph Grusel. The toast was drunk enthusiastically, all standing, with the exception of Kurzbold, who came down in his seat with a thud. All right, he cried, waving his hand. All right, all right. That's what I said. Grusel's good man, and now he's elected by the companionship. He's all right. I drink to him. Drink to anybody, I will. In groping round for the flag and he upset it, and then roared loudly for the landlord to supply him again. Now, comrades, said Roland sharply, fallen, we've a long march ahead of us. Come, Grusel, we must lead the van, for I wish to instruct you in your duties. It was rather a straggling procession that set out from Haast. Perhaps began Roland as he strode along beside Grusel. I should make some excuse for not following the advice you so strenuously urged upon me this morning regarding the appointment of a lieutenant. The truth is, I wished to teach you a lesson and could not resist the temptation of proving that a crisis firmly and promptly met disappears, whereas if you compromise with it, there is a danger of being overwhelmed. I admit, commander, that you are successful just now, and the reason is that most of our brigade are sane and sober this morning. But wait until tonight, when the wine passes round several times, and if you try conclusions with them then, you are likely to fail. But the wine won't pass round tonight. How can you prevent it? Wait, and you will see, said Roland, with a laugh. By this time they arrived at a fork in the road, one section going south-west and the other straight-west. The left branch was infinitely the better thoroughfare for the most part following the main until it reached the Rhine. Roland, however, chose the right-hand road. I thought you were going along by the river, said his lieutenant. I have changed my mind, replied Roland, without further explanation. At first Kurzbold determined to set the pace. He would show the company he was not drunk and taxed them to follow him. But his stout legs, proving unable to carry out this excellent resolution, he gradually fell to the rear. As the sun rose higher and grew hotter, the pace began to tell on him. And he accepted without protest the support of two comrades who had been drinking with him at Hochst. He retrograded into a condition of pessimistic dejection as the enthusiasm of the wine evaporated. A little later, he wished to lie down by the roadside and allow a cruel and unappreciative world to pass on its own way. But his comrades encouraged him to further efforts and in some manner they succeeded in dragging him along at the tail of the procession. As they approached the village of Zilsheim, Roland requested his lieutenant to inform the marchers that there would be no halt until Mitte Gessen. Zilsheim is rather more than a league from Hochst and Kurzbold allowed himself to wake up sufficiently to maintain that the distance earned another drink, but his supporters dragged him on with difficulty past those houses which displayed a bush over the door. In a larger town of Hofheim, five leagues from Frankfurt, the same command was passed down the ranks and at this there was some grumbling for the day had become very hot and the way was exceedingly trying uphill and downdale. Well set up as these city lads were, walking had never been their accustomed exercise. The interesting Taunus Mountains which today constitute an exercise ground full of delights to the pedestrian forming as they do practically a suburb of Frankfurt were at that time an unexplored wilderness whose forests were infested by roving brigands where no man ventured except at the risk of an untimely grave. The medieval town's man rarely trusted himself very far outside the city gates and our enterprising marauders whom to outward view seemed stalwart enough to stand great fatigue proved so soft under the hot sun along the shadeless road that by the time they reached Breckenheim barely six leagues from Frankfurt there was a mopping of brows and a general feeling that the limit of endurance had been reached. At Breckenheim, Roland called a halt for midday refreshment and he was compelled to wait nearly half an hour until the last straggler of his woe be gone crew limped from the road onto the Greensward in front of the wine stub which had been selected for a feeding place. Black bread and a coarse kind of country cheese were the only provisions obtainable but of these eatables there was an ample supply and better than all to the jaded wayfarers wine in abundance of good quality too for Breckenheim stands little more than a league to the north of the celebrated Hockheim. The wanderers came in by ones and twos and sank down upon the benches before the tavern or sprawled at full length on the short grass where Kurzbold and his three friends dropped promptly off into sleep. A more dejected and amenable gang even Roland could not have wished to command every ounce of fight or even discussion was gone from them they cared not where they were or what anyone said to them their sole desire was to be let alone and they took not the slightest interest even in the preparing of their frugal meal a mug of wine served to each mitigated the general depression although Kurzbold showed how far gone he was by swearing dismally when roused even to drink the wine he said he was resolved to lead a temperate life in future but nevertheless managed to dispose of his allowance in one long parched draft Grossell approached his chief there will be some difficulty he said when this meal has to be paid for I find that the men are all practically penniless tell them they need anticipate no trouble about that replied Roland I have settled the bill and we'll see that they do not starve or die of thirst before we reach the Rhine it is proposed continued Grossell that each man should give all the money he possesses into a general fund to be dealt with by a committee the men will appoint what do you say to this there is nothing to say I noticed that the proposal was not made until the proposers pouches were empty they know that some of us have money Grossell went on myself for instance and they wish us to share as good comrades should at least that is their phrase admirable phrase yet I don't agree with it how much money have you Grossell the 30 thailers are practically intact and Eberhard has about the same well 50 thailers lie safe in my pouch but not a coin goes into the treasury of any committee the men may appoint if they choose a committee let them finance it themselves there will be some dissatisfaction at that decision commander I dare say still as you know I am always ready to do anything conducive to good feeling so you may inform them that you and Eberhard and myself that is three of us will contribute to the committee's funds an amount equal to that subscribed by the other 18 such lavishness on our part or to satisfy them it won't commander because there's not a single cruiser among the 18 so be it that's as far as I am willing to go appeal to their reasoning powers Grossell if each of the 18 contributes one thailer we three will contribute six thailers a piece ask them whether they do not think we are generous when we do six times more than any one of them towards providing capital for a committee tis not willingness they lack commander but ability they are not logical Joseph they prayed of comradeship and when it comes to an exercise of power they demand equality how then can they with any sense of fairness prove ungrateful to us when we offer to bear six times the burden they are asked to shoulder the lieutenant said no more but departed to announce the decision to the men and either the commanders reasoning overcame all opposition or else the company was too tired to engage in a controversy when the black bread and cheese were served with a further supply of wine all sat up and ate heartily the banquet ended Grossell made an announcement to the men there would now be an hours rest he said before taking to the road again the meal and the wine had been paid for by the commander so no one need worry on that account but if any man wished more wine he must pay the shot himself however before the afternoon's march was begun flagons of wine would be served at the commander's expense this information was received in silence and the men stretched themselves out on the grass to make the most of their hour of rest Roland strolled off alone to view the village the lieutenant and Eberhardt sat together at a table conversing in low tones well said Eberhardt what do you think of it all I don't know what to think replied Grossell if the barons of the Rhine could see us and knew that we intended to attack them I imagine there would be a great roar of laughter Eberhardt emulated the barons and laughed he was a cheerful person I don't doubt it he said and talking of prospects what's your opinion of the commander I am quite adrift on that score also this morning I endeavored to give him some good advice I asked him not to appoint me lieutenant but to choose Kurzbold or Gensbein from among the malcontents for I thought if responsibility were placed on their shoulders we should be favored with less criticism a very good idea it seems to me remarked Eberhardt well you saw how promptly he ignored it yet after all there may be more wisdom in that head of his than I suspected look you how he has made a buffer of me he gives no commands to the men himself but merely orders me to pass along the word for this or that he appears determined to have his own way and yet not to bring about a personal conflict between himself and his following do you suppose that to be cowardice on his part no he is not a coward he doubtless intends that I shall stand the brunt of any ill temper on the part of the men should disobedience arise it will be my orders that are disobeyed not his if the matter is of no importance one way or the other I take it he will say nothing but I surmise that when it comes to the vital point he will brush me aside as though I were a feather and himself confront the men regardless of consequences this morning I thought they would win in such a case but by the iron cross I am not so confident now remember how he sprung my appointment on the crowd counting I am sure on your help he said to me when we were alone by the tower that you were the most fair-minded man among the lot and he evidently played on that giving them not a moment to think and you backed him up he carried his point and since then has not said a word to them all orders going through me but I know he intended as he told you to take the river road instead of which he has led us over this hilly district until every man is ready to drop he is himself very sparing of wine and is in fit condition I understand he has tramped both banks of the Rhine from Errenfels to Bonn so this walk is nothing to him at the end of it he was off for a stroll and here are these men lying above the sod like the dead underneath it I cannot make him out mused Eberhard what has been his training he appears to be well educated and yet in some common manners is ignorant as a child as for instance not knowing the difference in status between a skilled artisan and a cheffering merchant what can have been his upbringing he is obviously not of the merchant class yet he persuades the chief of our merchants and the most conservative to engage in this wild goose chase and actually venture money and goods in supporting him this expedition will cost Herr Gobel at least 5,000 thalers all because of the blandishments of a youth who walked in from the street unintroduced then he is not an artisan of any sort for when he joined us his hands were quite useless except upon the sword hilt he said he was a fencing master explained Grosselle I know he did and yet when he was offered a fee to instruct us he wouldn't look at it the first duty of a fencing master like the rest of us is to make money Roland quite evidently scorns it and at the last instructs us for nothing fencing masters don't promote free-booting expeditions and besides a fencing master is always urbane and polite cringing to everyone I have watched Roland closely at times trying to study him and in doing so have caught momentary glimpses of such contempt for us that by the good Lord above us it makes me shrivel up you know Grosselle that youth has more of the qualities usually attributed to a noble than those which go to the makeup of any tradesman he is a puzzle to me admitted Grosselle and if this excursion does not break up at the outset I am not sure that it will be a success noting a look of alarm in Eberhard's eyes Grosselle cast a glance over his shoulder and saw Roland standing behind him the young man said quietly it hasn't broken up at the outset for we are already more than five leagues from Frankfurt our foray must be a success while I have two such wise advisors as I find sitting here neither of the men replied both were wondering how much their leader had overheard he took his place on the bench beside Eberhard and said to him I wish you to act as my second lieutenant if anything happens to me Grosselle takes my place and you take his this by the way is an appointment rather than an election it is not to be put before the guild you simply act as second lieutenant and that is all there is about it very good commander said Eberhard Grosselle how much money have you thirty thailers economical man will you lend me the sum until we reach Essamanshausen certainly Grosselle pulled forth his wallet poured out the gold and Roland took charge of it and you Eberhard how are you off for funds I possess twenty five thailers may I borrow from you as well oh yes I was thinking continued the young man as he put away the gold that this committee idea of the men has merits of its own therefore I have formed myself into a committee appointed not elected and will make the disbursements how much money does our company possess not a stiver so far as I can learn ah in that case there is little use in my attempting a collection now as I was saying Grosselle if anything happens to me you carry on the enterprise along the lines I have laid down the first thing of course is to reach Essamanshausen nothing can happen to you before we arrive there I'm not so sure the sun is very powerful today and should it beat me down let me lie where I fall and allow nothing to interrupt the march once at Essamanshausen you too must keep a sharp lookout up the river when you see the barge gather your men and lead them up to it it is to await us about half a leg above Essamanshausen the three conversed until the hour was consumed then Roland, throwing his cloak over his arm rose and said to his lieutenant just rouse the men if you please and you Eberhard tell the landlord to give each a flagon of wine we take the road to Wiesbaden I shall walk slowly on ahead so that you and the company may overtake me with this the young leader sauntered indifferently away leaving to his subordinates the ungracious task of setting tired men to their work again Grosse looked glum but Eberhard laughed some distance to the east of Wiesbaden the leader deflected his company from the road and thus they passed Wiesbaden to the left arriving at the village of Sonnenberg the straggling company made a halt for a short time while provisions were purchased every man carrying his own share which was scantily sufficient for supper and breakfast and a quantity of wine was acquired to gratify each throat with about a liter and a half plenty for a reasonable thirst but not enough for a carouse the company grumbled at being compelled to quit Sonnenberg they had hoped to spend the night at Wiesbaden and vociferously proclaimed themselves satisfied with the amount of country already traversed their leader said nothing but Grosse and Eberhard to deal with them he paid for the provisions and the wine and then with his cloak loosely over his arm struck out for the west as if the declining sun were his goal the rest followed him slowly in deep depression of spirits they were in a wild country unknown to any of them the hills had become higher and steeper and there was not even a beaten path to follow but Roland who apparently knew his way trudged steadily on in advance even of his lieutenants a bank of dark clouds had risen in the east the heat of the day being followed by a thunderstorm that growled menacingly above the Taunus Mountains evidently accompanying a torrent of rain although none of it fell in the line of March the sun had set when the leader brought his company down into the valley of the Walloof about two and a half leagues from Sonnenberg here the men found themselves in a wilderness through which ran a brawling stream Roland announced to them that this would be their camping place for the night at once there was an uproar of descent how were they to camp out without tents a heavy rain was impending listen to the thunder and take warning from the swollen torrent wrap your cloaks around you said Roland and sleep under the trees I have often done it myself and will repeat the experience tonight if you are not yet tired enough to ensure sound slumber I shall be delighted to lead you on for another few leagues the men held a low-voiced sullen consultation gathered in a circle they speedily decided upon returning to Sonnenberg which it was the unanimous opinion of the company they should never have left townsmen all who had not in their lives spent a night without a roof over their heads such accommodation as their leader proposed they should endure seemed like being cast away on a desert island the mystery of the forest affrighted them for all they could tell the woods were full of wild animals and they knew that somewhere near lurked outlaws no less savage the 18 ignoring Grussell and Eberhard who stood on one side watching their deliberations with anxious faces moved in a body upon their leader who sat on the bank of the torrent his feet dangling down towards the foaming water we have resolved to return to Sonnenberg said the leader of the conclave an excellent resolution agreed Roland cheerfully it is a pleasant village and I have passed through it several times by the way Wiesbaden which is much larger possesses the advantage to tired men of being half a league nearer the spokesman seemed taken aback by Roland's nonchalant attitude we do not know the road to Wiesbaden and indeed are in some doubt whether or no we can find our way to Sonnenberg with darkness coming on then if I were you I shouldn't attempt it why not eat your supper and drink your wine in this sheltering grove by that time it will be as dark as Erebus protested the spokesman then remain here as I suggested for the night no we are determined to reach Sonnenberg a storm impends in that case gentlemen don't let me detain you the gloom thickens as you spend your time and talk oh that's all very well but when we reach Sonnenberg we shall need money so you will and we intend to secure it quite right we demand from you three fellers for each man oh you want the money from me yes we do that would absorb all the funds I possess no matter we need to have it you propose to take it from me by force yes ah well such being the case perhaps it would be better for me to yield willingly I think so I quite agree with you there are 18 of you all armed with swords while I control but one blade saying this he unfastened his cloak which he had put on in the gathering chill of the evening and untying from his belt a well-filled wallet held it up to their gaze as this bag undisputedly belongs to me I have a right to dispose of it as I choose I therefore give it to the brook whose outcry is as insistent as yours and much more musical stop Roland stop shouted Eberhardt but the warning came too late the young man flung the bag into the torrent where it disappeared in a smother of foam he rose to his feet and drew his sword if you wish I fight now it will be for the love of it no filthy looker being at stake by Plutus you are in a cursed fool cried the spokesman making no further show of aggression now that nothing but steel was to be gained by a contest a full yes said Roland and therefore the better qualified to lead all such now go to Sonnenberg or go to Hades the men did neither they sat down under the trees ate their supper and drank their wine will you dine with me said Roland approaching his two gloomy lieutenants who stood silent at some distance from the circle formed by the others yes said Grussell Sonny but I would have dined with greater pleasure had you not proven the spokesman's words true are you mean about me being a fool oh you yourself practically called me that this morning come let us sit down further along the stream I cannot overhear what we say this being done Roland continued cheerfully I may explain to you that a week ago I had only a wallet of my own but before leaving on this journey I called upon my mother and she presented me with another bag I foresaw during Mitigessen that a demand would be made upon us for money therefore I borrowed all that you too possessed walking on ahead I prepared for what I knew must come filling the empty wallet with very small stones picked up along the road that wallet went into the stream it is surprising how prone human nature is to jump at conclusions why should any of you think that I am simple enough to throw away good money dear dear what a world this is to be sure half an hour later all were lying down enveloped in their cloaks sleeping soundly because of their fatigue despite being out of doors next morning there was consternation in the camp real or pretended Roland was nowhere to be found nor did further search reveal his whereabouts End of Chapter 7 Chapter 8 of The Swordmaker This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Rita Butros The Swordmaker by Robert Barr Chapter 8 The Missing Leader and The Missing Gold Probably because of the new responsibility resting upon him Joseph Grusel was the first to awaken next morning He let his long cloak fall from his shoulders as he sat up and gazed about him with astonishment it seemed as if some powerful wizard of the hills had spirited him away during the night He had gone to sleep in a place of terror the thunder rolled threateningly among the peaks of Taunus and the reflection of the lightning flash almost incessant in its recurrence had lit up the grove with an unholy yellow glare The never-ceasing roar of the foaming torrent which in the darkness gleamed with ghostly pallor had somehow got on his nerves Under the momentary illumination of the lightning the waves appeared to leap up at him like a pack of hungry wolves flecked with froth and the noise strove to emulate the distant thunder The grove itself was ominous in its gloom and sinister shapes seemed to be moving about among the trees How different was the aspect now The sun was still beneath the eastern horizon The cloudless sky gave promise of another warm day and the air of crystalline clearness was inspiring to breathe To Grusel's mind tinged with religious feeling the situation in which he found himself seemed like a section of the Garden of Eden The stream which the night before had been to his superstitious mind a thing of terror was this morning a placid smiling, rippling brook that a man might without effort leap across He rubbed his eyes in amazement thinking the miss of sleep must be responsible for this magic transformation until he remembered the distant thunderstorm of the night before among the eastern mountains and surmised that a heavy rainfall had deluged these speedily drained peaks and valleys What a blessed thing he said to himself fervently is the ever-recurring morning how it clears away the errors and the passions of darkness It's as if God desired to give man repeated opportunities of reform and of encouragement How sane everything seems now as compared with the turbulence of the sulfurous night As he rose he became aware of an unaccustomed weight by his side and putting down his hand was astonished to encounter a bag evidently filled with coin It had been tied by a steerskin thong to his belt just as was his own empty wallet He sat down again, drew it round to the front of him and unfastened it Pouring out the gold he found that the wallet contained 115 thalers mostly in gold with the addition of a few silver coins At once it occurred to him that these were Roland's 60 thalers his own 30 and Eberhard's 25 For some reason probably fearing the men would suspect the ruse practiced on them the night before Roland had made him treasurer of the company but why should he have done it surreptitiously Re-adjusting the leather and sack he again rose to his feet but now cast his cloak about him thus concealing the purse Eberhard lay sound asleep near him Farther away the 18 remaining members of the company were huddled closely together as if they had gone to rest in a room too small for them although the whole country was theirs from which to choose sleeping quarters Remembering how the brook had decreased in size and was now running clear and palusid he feared that the bag of stones Roland had so dramatically flung into it might be plainly visible He determined to rouse his commander and seek the bag for some distance downstream for he knew that when the men awakened all night fear would have departed from them and seeing the shrinkage of the brook they might themselves institute a search On looking round for Roland he saw no sign of him but this caused little disquietude for he supposed that the leader had risen still earlier than himself wishing to stroll through the forest or up and down the rivulet Grussell with the purpose of finding the bag and in the hope also of encountering his chief walked down the valley by the margin of the waterway peering constantly into the limpid waters he discovered no trace of what he sought down and down the valley which was wooded all the way he walked and sometimes he was compelled to forsake his liquid guide and clamber through thickets to reach its border again At last he arrived at a little waterfall and here occurred a break in the woods causing him to stand entranced by the view which presented itself Down the declivity the forest lasted for some distance then it gave place to ever descending vineyards with here and there a house showing among the vines At the foot of this hill ran a broad blue ribbon which he knew to be the Rhine although he had never seen it before Over it floated a silvery gauze of rapidly disappearing mist the western shore appeared to be flat and farther along the horizon was formed by hills not so lofty as that on which he stood but beautiful against the blue sky made to seem nearer than they were by the first rays of the rising sun which tipped the summits with crimson Groussell drew a long breath of deep satisfaction he had never before realized that the world was so enchanting and so peaceful it seemed impossible that men privileged to live in such a land could find no better occupation than cutting one another's throats the gentle plash of the waterfall at his right hand accentuated the stillness from his height he glanced down into the broad pelucid pool into which depths the water fell and there perfectly visible lay the bag of bogus treasure consciously he worked his way down to the gravelly border of the little lake flung off his clothes and plunged head first into this Diana's pool it was a delicious experience and he swam round and round the circular basin clambered up on the gravel and allowed the stream to fall over his glistening shoulders reveling in nature's shower bath satisfied at length he indulged in another rainbow plunge and rose again to the surface coming ashore he unloosened the swollen thongs poured out the stones along the strand then after a moment's thought he wrung the water out of the bag itself and tied it to his belt for there was no predicting where the men would wander when once they awoke and if he threw it away among the bushes it might be found breeding first wonder how it came there and then suspicion of the trick Grossell walked back to camp by the other bank of the stream although the early rays of the sun percolated through the upper branches of the trees above them the 18 prone men slept as if they were but seven he sprang over the brook touched the recumbent Eberhard with his foot and so awoke him this excellent man yawned and stretched out his arms above his head you're an early bird Grossell he said have you got the worm yes I have replied the latter I found it in the basin of a waterfall nearly a leak from here and with that he drew aside his cloak showing the still wet but empty bag for a few moments Eberhard did not understand he rose and shook himself glancing about him great jovi cried this surely isn't the stream by which we lay down last night do you mean to tell me that thread of water struck terror into my heart only a few hours ago I never slept out of doors before in all my life and could not have imagined it would produce such an effect I see what you mean now you have found the bag which rolling through into the foaming torrent yes I was as much astonished at the transformation as you when I awoke and then it occurred to me that when our friends saw the reduction of the rivulet they would forthwith begin a treasure hunt so I determined to obliterate the evidence was the bag really full of stones oh yes well that is a lesson to me I believe after all that Roland is helplessly truthful but last night I thought he be fooled us I was certain it was the bag of coin he had thrown away and becoming ashamed of himself had lied to us how can you imagine that he showed us both the bag of money he produced a bag full of something but I being the doubting Thomas of the group was not convinced it contained money ah that reminds me Eberhard here is the bag we saw last night I discovered it attached to my belt this morning he attached it to the wrong belt then for you believed him he should have tied it to mine what reason does he give for presenting it to you now you touch a point of anxiety in my own mind I have seen nothing of Roland this morning I surmised that he had arisen before me and expected to meet him somewhere down the stream but have not done so he may have gone farther afield as you found the bag he of course missed it and probably continued his search I doubt that because I came upon a point of view reaching to the Rhine and the hills beyond I could trace the stream for a considerable distance and watched it for a long time but there appeared to be nothing alive in the forest you don't suppose he has gone back to Frankfurt do you I am at loss what to think if he has abandoned this gang of malcontents I should be the last to blame him the way these pigs acted yesterday was disgraceful ending up their day with rank mutiny and threats of violence by the iron cross grew so he has forsaken this misbegotten lot and it serves them perfectly right prating about comradeship and carrying themselves like cutthroats this is Roland's method of returning our money for I suppose that bag contains your 30 thailers and my 25 yes and his own 60 as well poor disappointed devil generous to the last it was he who obtained all the money at the beginning then these drunken swine spent it on wine and prove so generous and brave that 18 of them muster courage enough to face one man and he the man who had bestowed the gold upon them Grosselle the whole situation fills me with disgust I propose we leave the lot sleeping there go to Wiesbaden for breakfast and then trudge back to Frankfurt it would serve the brute's right no said Grosselle quietly I shall carry out Roland's instructions I thought you hadn't seen him this morning not a trace of him you heard his orders at Breckenheim I don't remember what were they that if anything happened to him I was to drive the herd to Esmond's housing I quite agree with you Eberhardt that he is justified in deserting this menagerie but on the other hand you and I have stood faithfully by him and it doesn't seem to me right that he should leave us without a word I don't believe he has done so and I expect any moment to see him return you're wrong Grosselle he's gone that purse is sufficient explanation and as you recall to my mind his instructions I believe something of this must have suggested itself to him even that early in the day he has divested himself of every particle of money in his possession turning it over to you but instead of returning to Frankfurt he has made his way over the hills to Esmond's housing and will await us there what would be the object of that? one reason may be that he will learn whether or not you have enough control over these people to bring them to the Rhine he will satisfy himself that your discipline is such as to improve their manners it may be in his mind to resign and make you leader if you prove yourself able to control them suppose I fell in that well then this is all fancy remember I imagine he may look around Esmond's housing to find another company who will at least obey him what you say sounds very reasonable still I do not see why he should have left two friends like us without a word my dear Grusel would have led to another and another and another one of the first questions asked him would be but what are Eberhard and I to do? that's exactly what he doesn't wish to answer he desires to know what you will do of your own accord he is likely rather hopeless about this mob but is giving you an opportunity and then another chance why his design is clear as that rivulet there and as easily seen through you will either bring those men over the hills or you won't if you and I are compelled to clamber over to Esmond's housing alone Roland will probably be more pleased to see us than if we brought this rogue's contingent straggling at our heels he will appoint you chief officer of his new company and me the second if you doubt my conclusions I'll wager 25 sailors against your 30 that I am in the right I never gamble Eberhard especially when certain to lose you are a shrewder man than I by a long bow shot in a work of fiction it would of course be concealed till the proper time came that all of these men were completely wrong in their prognostications regarding the fate of Roland but this being history it may be stated that the young man had not the least desire to test Grusel's ability nor would his lieutenants find him awaiting them when they reached Esmond's housing hello rouse up there what have we for breakfast has all the wine been drunk I hope not my mouth's like a brick furnace it was the brave Kurzbold who spoke as he playfully kicked not too gently those of his comrades who lay nearest him he was answered by groans and implications as one by one the sleeping beauties looked at themselves and wondered where the deuce they were who has stolen the river cried Gensbein oh stealing the river doesn't matter said a third it's only running water who drank all the wine that's a more serious question well whoever's taken away the river I can swear without searching my pouch has made no theft for me for I spent my last stiver yesterday don't boast Groud Kurzbold you're not alone in your poverty we're all in the same case curse that fool of a Roland for throwing away good money just when it's most needed good money is always most needed exclaimed the philosophic Gensbein he rose and shook himself then looked down at the beautiful but unimportant rivulet I say lads were we as drunk as all that last night was there an impassable torrent here or not how could we be drunk you fool on little more than a liter of wine each cried Kurzbold please be more civil in your talk return to his friend you were drunk all day the leader and a half was a mere nightcap if you are certain there was a torrent then I must have been in the same condition as yourself the spokesman of the previous night who had been chided for not springing on Roland and he succeeded in doing away with the treasure here uttered a shout this water he said is clear as air you can see every pebble at the bottom get to work your sleepyheads and search down the stream we'll recover that bag yet and then it's back to Sonnenberg for breakfast whoever finds it finds it for the guild a fair and equal division amongst us that is amongst the 18 of us I propose that Roland, Grussell and Eberhard do not share they were all in the plot to rob us a greed cried the others and the treasure hunt impetuously began Grussell and Eberhard watch them disappear through the forest down the stream Grussell said Eberhard what a deplorable passion is the frant to quest for money in these days especially money that we have not earned excited treasure hunters do not realize that at such a moment in the early morning the only subject worth consideration is breakfast being unsparing and prodigal last night it would take a small miracle of the fishes to suffice them today there is barely enough for two hungry men and as we are rid of these chaps for half an hour at least I propose we sit down to our first meal Grussell made no comment upon this remark but the advice commended itself to him for he followed it sometime after they had finished breakfast the unsuccessful company returned by twos and threes apparently they had not wandered so far as the waterfall for no one said anything of the amazing view of the Rhine indeed it was plain that they considered themselves involved in a boundless wilderness and were too perplexed to suggest a way out after a storm of malediction over the breakfastless state of things and a good deal of quarreling among themselves and then who had been most greedy the night before they now turned their attention to the silent men who were watching them where's Roland they demanded I don't know replied Grussell didn't he tell you where he was going we have not seen him this morning explained Eberhard gently he seems to have disappeared in the night perhaps he fell into the stream perhaps on the other hand he has deliberately deserted us he gave us no hint of his intentions last night and we are as ignorant as yourselves regarding his whereabouts this is outrageous cried Kurzbold it is the duty of a leader to provide for his following yes if the following follows we have followed said Kurzbold indignantly and have been led into this desert not in the least knowing where in heaven's name we are and now to be left like this breakfastless thirsty here Kurzbold's language failed him and he drew the back of his hand across parched lips when you remember gentlemen continued Eberhard in accents of honey that your last dealings with your leader took place with 18 swords drawn when you recollect that you expressed your determination to rob him and when you call to mind that you brave 18 threatened him with personal violence if he resisted this brigandage on your part I cannot understand why you should be surprised at his withdrawal from your fellowship oh you always were a glib talker but the question now is what are we to do yes and that is a question for you to decide said Eberhard when you mutin need last night you practically deposed Roland from the leadership to my mind he had no further obligations towards you so having roughly taken the power into your own hands it is for you to deal with it as you think best I should never so far forget myself as to venture even a suggestion as I hinted to you said curse both you are talking too much you are merely one of ourselves although you have kept yourself separate from us Grosselle has been appointed lieutenant by our unanimous vote and if his chief proves a paltrone he is the man to act therefore Joseph Grosselle I ask on behalf of the company what you intend to do before I can answer that question replied Grosselle I must know whether or not you will act as you did yesterday what do you mean by that several speaking together put the question I wish to know whether you will follow cheerfully and without demure where I lead I refuse to act as guide if I run the risk of finding 18 sword points at my throat when I have done my best oh you talk like a fool commented curse bold we followed Roland faithfully enough and brought us into this impasse you make entirely too much of last night's episode none of us intended to hurt him as you are very well aware and besides we don't want a leader who is frightened and runs away at the first sign of danger make up your minds what you propose to do said Grosselle stubbornly and give me your decision then you will receive mine Grosselle saw that although curse bold talked like the bully he was the others were rather subdued and no voice but his was raised in defense of their previous conduct there is one thing you must tell us before we can come to a decision went on curse bold how much money have you and Eberhardt at midday yesterday I had 30 thalers and Eberhardt had 25 while you were all sleeping on the grass after our meal at Breckenheim Roland asked us for the money you surely were not such idiots as to give it to him he was our commander and we both considered it right to do what he asked of us he said put in Eberhardt that your suggestion about a finance committee was a good one and that he had determined to be that committee he asked us if any of you had money but I told him I thought it was all spent which probably accounts for his restricting the application to us too then we are here in an unknown wilderness 20 men hungry and without a flooring amongst us wailed curse bold and the comments of those behind him were painful to hear I am glad that at last you thoroughly appreciate our situation and I hope that in addition you realize it has been brought about not through any fault of Roland's who gave into your whims and childishness until you came to the point of murder and robbery therefore blame yourselves and not him you now know as much of our position as I do so make up your minds about the next step and inform me what conclusion you come to you're a mighty courageous leader cried curse bold scornfully and with this the hungry ones retired some distance into the grove from whence echoes of an angry debate came the two men who sat by the margin of the stream after a time they strode forward again once more curse bold was the spokesman we have determined to return to Frankfurt very good I suppose you remember enough of the way to lead us at least as far as we spot in beyond that point we can look to ourselves I should be delighted said Grussell to be your guide but unfortunately I am traveling in the other direction with Eberhard why in the name of starvation roared curse bold you know no more of the country ahead of us than we do by going back we can get something to eat and a drink at one of the farmhouses we passed this side of Sonnenberg how inquired Grussell why if they ask for payment we will give them iron instead of silver no man needs starve with a sword by his side granted that this is feasible and that the farmers yield instead of raising the countryside against you when you reach Frankfurt what are you going to do eat and drink with the landlord of the Reingold until he becomes bankrupt you must remember that it was Roland who liquidated our last debt there without asking or receiving a word of thanks and he did that not a moment too soon for the landlord was at the end of his resources and would have closed his tavern within another week curse bold stormed at this harping on the subject of Roland and his generosity but those with him were hungry and they now remembered too late that what Grussell said was strictly true if Roland had put in an appearance then he would have found a most docile company to lead they were actually murmuring against curse bold and blaming him and his clan for the disaster that had overtaken them why will you not come back with us pleaded the penitents with surprising mildness because the future in Frankfurt strikes me as hopeless not one amongst us has the brains of Roland whom we have thrown out besides it is nine and a half long leagues to Frankfurt and only three and a half leagues to Esmond'shausen I expect to find Roland there and although I know nothing of his intentions I imagine he has gone to enlist a company of a score or thereabouts that will obey his commands there is some hope by going forward to Esmond'shausen there is absolutely none in retreating to Frankfurt then as I said Esmond'shausen is little more than three leagues away a fact worth consideration by hungry men on the Rhine we are in the rich wine country where there is plenty to eat and drink probably for the asking because if we turn our faces towards the east we are marching upon starvation the buzz of comment aroused by this speech proved to the two men that Kurzbold stood once more alone Grossell without seeming to care which way the cat jumped had induced that unreasoning animal to leap as he liked his air of supreme indifference aroused Eberhardt's admiration especially when he remembered that under his cloak he greeted 115 thalers in gold and silver but you know nothing of the way protested Kurzbold none of us are acquainted with the country to the west we don't need to be acquainted with it said Grossell we steer westward by glancing at the sun now and then and cannot go astray because we must come to the Rhine then it's either up or down the river as the case may be to reach Esmond'shausen to the Rhine, to the Rhine was now the universal cry before we begin our journey said Grossell as if he accepted the leadership with reluctance I must have your promise that you will obey me without question I am not so patient a man as Roland but on my part I guarantee you an excellent meal and good wine as soon as we reach Esmond'shausen now can you promise that growled Kurzbold when you have given away your money because as I told you I expect to meet Roland there but he threw away his bag yes I told him it was a foolish thing to do and perhaps that is why he left without saying a word even to me he is an ingenious man Esmond'shausen is familiar to him and I daresay he would not have discarded his money without knowing where to get more to the Rhine, to the Rhine, to the Rhine cried the impatient hosts gathering up their cloaks and tightening their belts as the savage does when he is hungry to the Rhine then said Grossell springing along the little stream in company with Eberhard you did that very well Grossell complimented the latter I would rather have gone alone with you replied the new leader for I have condemned myself to wear this heavy cloak which is all very well to sleep in but burdensome under a hot sun the sun won't be so oppressive predicted his friend well we keep to the forest that is very true but remember we are somewhere in the Rhine Gaul and that we must come out into the vineyards by and by don't grumble Grossell but hold up your head as a great diplomatist Roland himself could not have managed these chaps so well you flaunting hypocrite the only capitalist amongst us yet talking as if you were a monk sworn to eternal poverty Grossell changed the subject do you notice he said that we are following some sort of path which we must have trodden last evening without seeing it in the dusk I imagine said Eberhard that Roland knew very well where he was going he strode along ahead of us as if sure of his ground I don't doubt but this will lead us to Esmond's house in which it may be remarked it did not the path was little more than a trail which a sharp-eyed man might follow and it led uphill and down dale direct to the archbishop's castle of Erenfels the forest lasted for a distance that the men in front estimated to be about two leagues then they emerged into open country and saw the welcome vines growing climbing out of the valley they observed to the right near the top of a hill a small hamlet which had the effect of instantaneously raising the spirits of the woe be gone company hooray for breakfast they shouted and had it not been for their own fatigue and the steepness of the hill they would have broken into a run halt! cried Groussel sternly standing before and above them at once they obeyed the word of command which caused Eberhard to smile you will climb to the top of this hill said Groussel and there rest under command of my lieutenant Eberhard as we now emerge into civilization I warn you that if we are to obtain breakfast it must be by persuasion and not by force therefore while you wait on the hilltop I shall go alone into the houses on the right and see what can be done towards providing a meal for 18 men Eberhard and I will fast until we reach Esmond's house and on the other hand you should be prepared for disappointment loaves of bread are not to be picked up on the point of a sword if I return and order you to march on unfed you must do so as cheerfully as you can this ultimatum called forth not a word of opposition and Eberhard led the van while Groussel deflected up the hill to his right the sooner to reach the village he learned that the name of the place was Anton Cap that the route he had been following would take him to Ehrenfels and that he must adopt a reasonably rough mountain road to the right in order to reach Esmond's house by somewhat straining the resources of the place which proved to possess no inn he collected bread enough for the 18 and there was no dearth of wine although it proved a coarse drink that reflected little credit on the reputation of the Rheingau he paid for this meal in advance saying that they were all in a hurry to reach Esmond's house and wished to leave as soon as the frugal breakfast was consumed mounting a small elevation to the west of the village he signaled to the patient men to come on which they lost no time in doing the bread was eaten and the wine drunk without a word being said by anyone and now they took their way down the hill again crossed the little Geisenheim stream and up once more traversing a high table land giving them a view of the Rhine finally descending through another valley which led them into Esmond's house and celebrated for its red wine a color they had not yet met with Esmond's house and proved to be a city as compared with the hamlets they had passed yet was small enough to make a thorough search of the place a matter that consumed neither much effort nor time Grosse led his men to a wine stop a short distance out of the village and to their delight succeeded in establishing a credit for them to the extent of one liter of wine each with a substantial meal of meat, eggs, and whatnot Grosse and Eberhard left them there in the height of great enjoyment all the more delightful after the hunger and fatigue they had encountered for the three and a half leagues had proved almost without a single stretch of level land the two officers inquired for Roland without success at the various houses of entertainment which Esmond's housing boasted then canvassed every home in the village but no one had seen anything of the man they described coming out to the riverfront deeply discouraged the two gazed across the empty water from which all enlivening traffic had departed it was now evident to both that Roland had not entered Esmond's housing for in so small and gossipy a hamlet no stranger could even have passed through without being observed well Joseph asked Eberhard what do you intend to do there is nothing to do but to wait until our money is gone it is absolutely certain that Roland is not here can it be possible that after all he returned how could he have done so we know him to have been without money therefore why to Frankfurt even if such a trip were possible for a penniless man I am sorry now said Grosselle despondently that I did not follow a suggestion that occurred to me which was to take the men direct down the valley where we encamped to the banks of the Rhine and there make inquiries you think he went that way I did until you persuaded me out of it again I ask what could be his object it seems to me that this mutiny made a greater impression on his mind than I had supposed well he is not one of us and never has been you yourself pointed that out when we were talking of him at Breckenheim if you caught glances of contempt for us while we were all one jolly family in the Kaiser cellar what must be his loathing for the guild after such a day as yesterday that's true you must travel with a man before you learn his real character meaning Roland his crew guzzling up at the tavern meaning you meaning me yes and meaning Roland also I never knew until yesterday and today what a capable fellow you were and when I remember that I nominated Kurzbold for our leader before Roland appeared on the scene I am amazed at my lack of judgment of men as for Roland himself my opinion of him has fallen nothing could have persuaded me that he would desert us all without a word of explanation no matter what happened my predictions regarding his conduct are evidently wrong what do you think has actually occurred it's my opinion that the more he thought over the mutiny the angrier he became a cold stubborn anger not vocal at all as Kurzbold's would be I think that after fastening the money to my belt he went down the valley to the Rhine he knows the country you must remember he would then either wait there until the barge appeared or more likely would proceed up along the margin of the river and hail the boat when it came in sight the captain would recognize him and turn in and we know the captain is under his command at this moment they are doubtless polling slowly up the Rhine to the main again and will thus reach Frankfurt Hergobel has confidence in Roland otherwise he would never have noticed so much on his bare word he will confess to his financier that he has been mistaken in us and doubtless tell him all that happened and the merchant will appreciate that even though he has lost his 500 thailers Roland would not permit him to lose his goods as well do you suppose Roland will enlist another company it is very likely for Hergobel trust him and goodness knows there are enough unemployed men in Frankfurt for Roland to select a better score than we have proved to be it was quite certain that Roland was not in Esmanshausen yet Grussell was a prophet as false as Eberhard End of Chapter 8 Chapter 9 of The Swordmaker This is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Rita Butros The Swordmaker by Robert Barr Chapter 9 a solemn proposal of marriage when Roland wrapped his cloak about him and lay down on the sword at some distance from the spot where his officers already slept he found that he could not follow their example although he had remained outwardly calm when the attack was made upon him his mind was greatly perturbed over the outlook he reviewed his own conduct wondering whether it would be possible for him so to amend it that he could acquire the respect and maintain the obedience of his men if he could not accomplish this then was his plan for doomed to failure his cogitations drove away sleep and he called to mind the last occasion on which he made this same spot his bedroom then he had slumbered dreamlessly the night through he was on the direct trail between Errenfeld's castle and the town of Wiesbaden the route over which supplies had been carried to the castle time and again when the periodical barges for mayants failed to arrive it had been pointed out to him by the custodian of the castle when the young man first became irked by the confined limits of the Schloss and frequently since that time he had made his way through the forest to Wiesbaden and back never before had he seen the little waloof so boisterous pretending that it was important and he quite rightly surmised that the cause was a sudden downpour mountains farther east the distant mutterings of thunder having long since ceased he recognized that the volume of the stream was constantly lessening as the brook gradually subsided to its customary level the forest became more and more silent the greater his endeavour to sleep the less dormant Roland felt and all his senses seemed unduly quickened by this ineffectual beckoning to somnolence he judged by the position of the stars as he lay on his back that it was past midnight when suddenly he became aware of a noise to the west of him on the other side of the brook sitting up and listening intently he suspected from the rustle of the underbrush that someone was following the trail and would presently come upon his sleeping men he rose stealthily unsheathed his sword leaped across the rivulet and proceeded with caution up the eclivity keeping on the trail as best he could in the darkness he was determined to learn the business of the wayfarer without disturbing his men so crept rapidly up the hill presently he saw the glimmer of a light and conjectured that someone was coming impetuously down guided swinging in his hand Roland stood on guard with sword extended straight in front of him and the oncomer's breast was almost at the point of it when he hauled himself up with a sudden cry of dismay as the lanthorn revealed an armed man holding the path I have no money were the first words of the stranger little matter for that replied Roland his information I wish I could not wait for daylight said the stranger breathing heavily I carry a message of the greatest importance do not delay me I beg of you I travel on affairs of state imperial matters and it is necessary I should reach frankfort in time or heads may fall so serious as that asked Roland lowering the point of his sword for he saw the messenger was unarmed whom do you seek that I dare not tell you the message concerns those of the highest and I am pledged to secrecy be assured sir that I speak the truth your voice sounds honest hold up the lanthorn at arms length that I may learn if your face corresponds with it that is most satisfactory and now my hurrying youth will you reveal your mission or shall I be compelled to run my sword through your body you would not learn it even then gasped the young man shrinking still farther up the hill Roland laughed that is true enough he said therefore shall I not impale you but will instead relate to you the secret you carry you are not making for frankfort I assure you sir by the sacred word that I am and grieve my oath does not allow me to do your bidding even though you would kill me which is easily done since I am unarmed you pass through frankfort I doubt not but your goal is a certain small room in the neighboring suburb of Saxon housing and he whom you seek is a youth of about your own age named Roland you travel on the behest of your father who was much agonized in mind when you left him and he I take it is custodian of Erenfels castle in God's name cried the youth a guest how did you guess all that again Roland laughed quietly why Henry he said your agitation causes you to forget old friends hold up your lantern again and learn whether or not you recognize me as I recognized you heaven be praised Prince Roland yes your journey is at an end my good Heinrich thank the fortune that kept me awake tonight do you know why you are sent on this long and breathless journey yes highness there has come to the castle from the Archbishop of Mayans a lengthy document for you to sign and you are informed that the day after tomorrow their lordships of Mayans, Trev and Cologne meet together at the castle to hold some conversation with you by my sword then Heinrich had you found me in Saxon housing we had never attained Erenfels in time I think I could have accomplished it replied the young man I should have reached we spot in before daybreak and there bought the fastest horse that could be found my father told me to time myself and if by securing another horse at Frankfurt for you I could not make the return journey speedily enough I was to engage a boat with 20 rowers if necessary and convey you to Erenfels before the archbishop's arrived then Heinrich you must have deluded me when you said you had no money no highness I have none but I carry an order for plenty upon a merchant and we spot in who would also supply me with a horse Heinrich there are many stars burning above us tonight and I have been watching them but your star must be blazing the brightest of all sit you down and rest until you return make no noise for there are 20 others asleep by the stream my cloak is at the bottom of the hill and I must fetch it I shall be with you shortly so keep your candle alight that I may not miss you with that Roland returned rapidly down the slope untieing his bag of money as he descended cautiously he fastened it to the belt of Grussell then snatching his cloak from the spring once more across the stream and climbed to the waiting Heinrich it was broad daylight before they saw the towers of Erenfels and they found little difficulty in rousing Heinrich's father for he had slept as badly that night as Roland himself the caretaker flung his arms around the young prisoner oh thank God thank God was all he could cry and thank God again he was not defeated never before have I felt my head so insecure upon my shoulders had you not been here when they came Heinrich their lordships would have listened to no explanation really you were in little danger with such a clever son the archbishops would never have suspected that he was not I for none of the three has ever seen me I am quite sure Heinrich would have effected my signature satisfaction all questions they might ask so long as he complied with their wishes there would be no inquiries set afoot for none would suspect the change indeed custodian you have missed the opportunity of your life and not suppressing me thus allowing your son to be elected emperor your highness forgets that my poor boy cannot write his own name much less yours besides it would be a matter of high treason and not a signature so again I thank God you are here indeed your highness I am in great trouble about my son oh the danger is not so serious as you think it is not the danger heinous that it is his duty to face but he takes advantage of his position as prisoner he knows I dare refuse him nothing and he calls for wine wine wine spending his days in revelry and his nights in stupor you astonish me why not cudgel the nonsense out of him your arm is strong enough I dare not lay stick on him and I beg you to breathe nothing of what I have told you for he holds us both in his grasp and he knows it if I called for help to put him in a real dungeon he would blurt out the whole secret in that case you must even make terms with him twill be for but a very short time and after that he will reform him he was frightened enough of my sword in the forest and I shall make him dance to its point once this crisis is over I shall do the best I can heinous but you must have been on your way to Erenfels had you heard out of what is a foot nothing it was mere chance that Heinrich and I met in the forest and he was within a jot of impinging himself upon my sword in his hurry I stood in the darkness while he himself held a light for the better convenience of any chance marauder who wished to undo him unarmed and without money said the custodian I thought he was safer than otherwise but you are surely hungry heinous advance then within and I will see to your needs so presently the errant prince consumed an excellent if early breakfast and without troubling to undress flung himself upon a couch sleeping dreamlessly through the time that Grussell and Eberhard were conjuring up motives for him of which he was entirely innocent when Roland woke in the afternoon he had quite forgotten that a score of men who nominally at least acknowledged him master were wondering what had become of him he called the custodian and asked for a sight of the parchment that his lordship of Mayans had sent across the river for his proposal he found the documents to be a very carefully written series of demands disguised under the form of requests the pledges which were asked of the young prince were beautifully engrossed on three parchments each one a duplicate of the other two if Roland accepted them they were to be signed next day in presence of the three archbishops two certainties were impressed upon him when he read the scroll first the archbishops were determined to rule and second if he did not promise to obey they would elect some other than himself emperor on the death or deposition of his father the young man resolved to be acquiescent and allow the future to settle the question whether he or the archbishops should be the head of the empire a strange exultation filled him at the prospect of other things vanished from his mind leaving the parchment on the table in the night's hall where he had examined them he mounted to the battlements to enjoy the fresh breeze that no matter how warm the day blows round the towers of Erenfels here a stone promenade hung high above the Rhine gave a wonderful view up and down the river and along the opposite shore from this elevated paved plateau he could see down the river the strongholds of Rheinstein and Falkenberg and up the river almost as far as Mayans he judged by the altitude of the sun that it was about four o'clock in the afternoon the sight of Rheinstein should have suggested to him his deserted company for that was the first castle he intended to attack but the prospect opened up to him by the communication of the archbishops had driven everything else from his mind presently the cautious custodian joined him in his airy and Roland knew instinctively why he had come the old man was wondering whether or not he would make difficulties about signing the parchment he feared the heedless impetuosity and conceit of youth the natural dislike on the part of a proud young prince to be restricted and bound down by his elders and the jailer could not conceal his determination when the prisoner informed him that of course he would comply with the desires of the three prelates you see he continued with a smile I must attach my signature to those instruments in order to make good my promises to you he was interrupted by a cry of astonishment from his aged comrade Will wonders never cease cry the old man those merchants in Frankfurt must be irredeemable fools to their highness do you see that barge coming down the river heavily laden as I am a sinner for she lies low in the water it is one of the largest of the Frankfurt boats and those hopeful simpletons doubtless imagine they can make their way through to Cologne with enough goods left to pay for the journey to his madness why the knights of rhinestine and falconberg alone will loot them before they are out of our sight if they think to avoid those rovers by hugging our shore their mistake will be apparent before they have gone far Roland gazed at the approaching craft and instantly remembered that he was responsible for its appearance on the Rhine he recognized her gobel's great barge with its thick mast in the prow on which no sail was hoisted because the wind blew upstream on recollecting his deserted men he wondered whether or not Grussell had brought them across the hills to Esmen'shausen had they yet discovered that Joseph carried the bag of gold he laughed aloud as he thought of the scrimmage that would ensue when this knowledge came to them but little as he cared for the 18 he experienced a pang of regret as he estimated the predicament in which both Grussell and Eberhard had stood on learning he had left them without a word still even now he could not see how any explanation on his part was possible without revealing his identity and that he was determined not to do turning round he said abruptly to the custodian were the 700 thailers paid to you each month? of a surety was the reply that will be 2100 thailers all together did you spend the money? single coin that amount is yours and yours alone Prince Rowland if I have been of service I am quite content to wait for my reward or should I not be here I know you will remember my family may the lord forget me if I don't still the 2100 thailers are all yours remember but I beg of you to lend me a thousand for I possess not a single gold piece in my bag indeed if it comes to that I do not possess even a bag I had two yesterday but one I gave away and the other I threw away the old man hurried down and presently returned with the bag of money that Rowland had asked of him before this happened however Rowland watching the barge saw it round two and tie up at the shore some distance above Esmond's house and he took the gold and passed down the stone stair to the courtyard on return he said before the sun sets and without more ado this extraordinary captive left his prison and descended the hill in the direction of the barge after greeting captain Blumenfels he learned that the boat had been delayed by running on a sand bank in the main during the night but they had got it off at daybreak and here they were as standing on the shore Rowland talked with the captain on the barge he saw approaching from Esmond's house and two men whom he recognized telling the captain he might not be ready for several days he walked along the shore to meet his astonished friends who as was usual with them jumped at an erroneous conclusion and supposed that he arrived on the barge which they had seen rounding two for the purpose of taking up her birth by the river bank Grossell and Eberhard stood still until he came up to them good afternoon gentlemen are you here alone or have you brought the mob with you your capable lieutenant sir said Eberhard before his slower companion could begin to frame a sentence allowed the men to think they were having their own way but in reality diverted them into his so they are now enjoying a credit of one liter each at the tavern of the golden anchor that said Rowland is but as a drop of water in a parched desert have they discovered you hold the money Grossell no not yet but I fear they will begin to suspect buy and buy I suppose you went down the valley of the brook to the Rhine and overhauled the barge there I suppose so said Rowland what else did you think I could do I was sure you had done that but I feared you would turn the barge back to Frankfurt for such a thing indeed the captain told me he met difficulty enough navigating the shallow main and I think he prefers the deeper Rhine of course you know why I left you the men looked at each other without reply and Rowland laughed I see you have been harboring dark suspicions but the case is very simple the pious monks tell us that the scriptures say if a man asks us to go one league with him we go two my good friends of the guild last night made a most reasonable request namely that I should bestow upon them three thailers each and surely to quote the monks again the laborer is worthy of his hire oh that is the way you look upon it then said Grossell from a scriptural point of view yes and I am going to better the teachings of my young days by giving each of the men ten times the amount he desired thirty thailers each are waiting in this bag for them by my sword cried Eberhard if that isn't setting a premium on mutiny it comes perilously close not so Eberhard not so you and Grossell did not mutiny therefore to each of you I give a hundred and thirty thailers which is the thirty thailers the mutiners receive and a hundred thailers extra as a reward of virtue because you did not join them after all there is much to be said for the men's point of view I had led them ruthlessly under a burning july sun along a rough and shadeless road then dragged them away from the ample wine vaults of Sonnenberg next guided them on through brambles over streams into bogs and out again and lastly when they were dog tired hungry and ill tempered I carelessly pointed to a section of the landscape and said there my dear chaps is your bedroom lads who had never before slept without blankets and a roof no wonder they mutinied but even then by the love of God for his creatures they did not actually attack me when I stood up with drawn sword in my hand of course you have that at least to be thankful for said Eberhard eighteen to one was foul odds I be thankful surely you are dreaming Eberhard why should I be thankful except that I escaped the remorse for at least killing a dozen of them Eberhard laughed heartily oh if so sure of yourself as all that you need no sympathy from me you thought I would be outmatched by the three kings do you imagine me such a fool as to teach you artisans the higher qualities of the sword in a woeful surprise for the eighteen had they ventured another step farther however that's all past and done with and we'll say no more about it let us sit down here on the sword and indulge in the more agreeable recreation of counting money he spread his cloak on the grass and poured out the gold upon it I am keeping two hundred thalers for myself as leader of the expedition and covetous here are your hundred and thirty thalers Grussell and yours Eberhard you will find remaining five hundred and forty which if divided with reasonable accuracy should afford thirty thalers to each of our precious eighteen aren't you coming with us to Esmen's house and that you may give this money to the men yourself asked Grussell no that pleasure falls to my lieutenants first and second one may divide the money while the other delivers the moral lecture against mutiny illustrated by the amount that good behavior gains say nothing to the men about the barge being here merely telling them to prepare for action now that you are in funds engage a large room exclusively for yourselves at the golden anchor thus you will be the better able to keep the men from talking with strangers and so prevent any news of our intentions drifting across the river to rhinestine or falcon burg you might put it to them should they object to the special room that you are reconstituting as it were the Kaiser seller of frankfort in the village of Esmen's housing go forward therefore with your usual meetings of the guild as it was before I lowered its tone by becoming a member knowing the lads as I do I suggest that you make your bargain with them before you deliver the money no promise no 30 thailers and now goodbye I shall be exceedingly busy for some days arranging for a further supply of money so do not seek me out no matter what happens with this Rowland shook hands and returned to Erenfels castle the three sumptuous barges of the archbishop's Hove insight at midday two coming up the river and one floating down they maneuvered to the landing so that all reached it at the same time and thus the three archbishop's were enabled to set foot simultaneously on the firm ground as was right and proper no one of them obtaining precedence over the other two on entering the castle of Erenfels in state they proceeded to the large hall of the knights and seated themselves in three equal chairs that were set along the solid table here a repast was spread before them accompanied by the finest wine the Reingau produced and although the grand prelates ate lustily they were most sparing in their drink for when they acted in concert none dared risk putting himself at a disadvantage with the others they would make up for their abstinence when each rested in the security of his own castle the board being cleared Roland was summoned and bowing deeply to each of the three he took his place modestly standing on the opposite side of the table the archbishop of Mayans as the oldest of the trio occupied the middle chair Trev the next in age at his right hand and Cologne at his left a keen observer might have noticed that the deferential yet dignified bearing of the young prince made a favorable impression upon these rulers who when they acted together formed a power that only nominally was second in the realm it was Mayans who broke the silence Prince Roland some months ago turbulence in the state rendered it advisable that you as a probable nominee to the throne should be withdrawn from the capital to the greater safety which this house affords I hope it has never been suggested to you that this unavoidable detention merited the harsh name of imprisonment never your lordship said Roland with perfect truth the three slightly inclined their heads and Mayans continued I trust that in the carrying out of our behest you have been put to no inconvenience during your residence in my castle of Erenfeld but if you find cause for complaint I shall see to it that the transgressor is sharply punished my lord had that been the case I should at once have communicated with your lordship at Mayans the fact that you have received no such protest from me answers your question but I should like to add emphasis to this reply by saying I have met with the greatest courtesy and kindness within these walls I speak for my brothers and myself when I assert we are all gratified to hear the expression that has fallen from your lips there was sent for your perusal a document in triplicate have you found time to read it yes my lord and I beg to state at once that I will sign it with the greater pleasure since in any case if called to the high position you propose I should have consulted your lordships on every matter that I deemed important enough to be worthy of your attention and in no instance could I think of setting up my own opinion against the united wisdom of your lordships for a few minutes there ensued a whispered conversation among the three then Mayans spoke again once more I voiced the sentiments of my colleagues Prince Rowland when I assure you that the words you have just spoken give us the utmost satisfaction in the whole world today there is no prouder honor than that which it is in the electors power to bestow upon you and it is a blessed augury for the welfare of our country when the energy and aspiration of youth in this high place associates itself with the experience of age here he made a signal and the aged custodian who had been standing with his back against the door well out of earshot for the conversation was carried on in the most subdued and gentle tones hurried forward and Mayans requested him to produce the documents and trusted to his care these spread out before the young man who signed each of them amidst a deep silence broken only by the scratching of the quill up to this point Rowland had been merely a prince of the empire now to all practical purposes he was heir apparent to the throne this distinction was delicately indicated by Mayans who asked the attendant to bring forward a chair and then requested the young man to seat himself Rowland had supposed the ceremonies at an end but it was soon evident that something further remained for the three venerable heads were again in juxtaposition and apparently there was some whispered difference as to the manner of procedure then Cologne as the youngest of the three was prevailed upon to act as spokesman and with a smile he regarded the young man before he began I reside farther than my two colleagues from your fair if turbulent city of Frankfurt and perhaps that is one reason why I know little of the town and its ways from personal observation you are a young man who I may say has greatly commended himself to us all and so in whatever questions I may put you will not I hope imagine that there is anything underneath them which does not appear on the surface Rowland drew a long breath the color left his face what in the name of heaven is coming now he said to himself that calls for so ominous a prelude it must be something more than usually serious may the good lord give me courage to face it but outwardly he merely inclined his head we have all been young ourselves and I trust none of us forget the temptations and perhaps the dangers that surround youth especially I am told that Frankfurt is a gay city and doubtless you have mixed to some extent at least in its society here the archbishop paused and as he evidently expected a reply Rowland spoke I regret to say my lord that my opportunities for social intercourse have hitherto been somewhat limited greatly absorbed in study there has been little time for me to acquire companions much less friends what your highness says so far from being a drawback as you seem to imagine is all to the good it leaves a future clear of complications that might otherwise cause you embarrassment here the archbishop smiled again and Rowland found himself liking the august prelate it was not however of men that I desire to speak but of women oh is that all cried the impetuous youth I feared my lord that you were about to treat of some serious subject so far as women are concerned I am unacquainted with any accepting only my mother at this the three prelates smiled in differing degrees even the stern lips of mayans relaxing at the young man's confident assumption that consideration of women was not a matter of importance your highness clears the ground admirably for me continued cologne and takes a great weight from my mind because I am entrusted by my brethren with a proposal which I have found some difficulty in setting forth it is this the choice of an empress is one of the most momentous questions that an emperor is called upon to decide in all except the highest rank personal preference has much to do with the selection of a wife but in the case of a king do you agree with me that state considerations must be kept in view undoubtedly my lord this is a matter to which we three electors have given the weightiest consideration finally agreeing on one whom we believe to possess the necessary qualifications a lady highly born deeply religious enormously wealthy and exceedingly beautiful she is related to the most noble in the land I refer to Hildegund Loretta Priscilla Agnes Countess of Sain if there is any reason why your preference should not coincide with ours I beg you quite frankly to state it there is no reason at all your lordships cried Roland with a deep sigh of relief on learning that his fears were so unfounded I shall be most happy and honored to wed the lady at any time your lordships and she may select a large bishop of meons rising to his feet and speaking with great solemnity you are chosen as the future emperor of our land end of chapter 9