Fisthefort，asbefore。Gisthegun，asbefore。E，theelephants，aswehavepreviouslyseenthem。WhatthenisX？XIS
THELINETAKENBYTHEBALLFIREDFROMG，whichtookoffONEHUNDRED
ANDTHIRTY-FOURelephants’trunks，andonlyspentitselfinthetuskofaveryoldanimal，thatstoodthehundredandthirty-fifth。
Isaythatsuchashotwasneverfiredbeforeorsince；thatagunwasneverpointedinsuchaway。SupposeIhadbeenacommonman，andcontentedmyselfwithfiringbangattheheadofthefirstanimal？Anasswouldhavedoneit，pridedhimselfhadhehithismark，andwhatwouldhavebeentheconsequence？Why，thattheballmighthavekilledtwoelephantsandwoundedathird；buthere，probably，itwouldhavestopped，anddonenofurthermischief。TheTRUNKwastheplaceatwhichtoaim；therearenobonesthere；andaway，consequently，wentthebullet，shearing，asIhavesaid，throughonehundredandthirty-fiveprobosces。Heavens！whatahowltherewaswhentheshottookeffect！WhatasuddenstoppageofHolkar’sspeech！Whatahideoussnortingofelephants！Whatarushbackwardswasmadebythewholearmy，asifsomedemonwaspursuingthem！
Awaytheywent。NosoonerdidIseetheminfullretreat，than，rushingforwardmyself，Ishoutedtomymen，”Myfriends，yonderliesyourdinner！”Weflungopenthegates——wetoredowntothespotwheretheelephantshadfallen:sevenofthemwerekilled；andofthosethatescapedtodieoftheirhideouswoundselsewhere，mosthadlefttheirtrunksbehindthem。Agreatquantityofthemweseized；andImyself，cuttingupwithmyscimitaracoupleofthefallenanimals，asabutcherwouldacalf，motionedtothementotakethepiecesbacktothefort，wherebarbacuedelephantwasservedroundfordinner，insteadofthemiserableallowanceofanoliveandaglassofwine，whichIhadpromisedtomyfemalefriends，inmyspeechtothem。Theanimalreservedfortheladieswasayoungwhiteone——thefattestandtenderestIeverate，inmylife:theyareveryfaireating，butthefleshhasanIndia-rubberflavor，which，untiloneisaccustomedtoit，isunpalatable。
ItwaswellthatIhadobtainedthissupply，for，duringmyabsenceontheworks，Mrs。Vandegobbleschroyandoneortwoothershadforcedtheirwayintothesupper-room，anddevouredeverymorselofthegarrisonlarder，withtheexceptionofthecheeses，theolives，andthewine，whichwerelockedupinmyownapartment，beforewhichstoodasentinel。DisgustingMrs。Van！WhenIheardofhergluttony，IhadalmostamindtoeatHER。However，wemadeaverycomfortabledinneroffthebarbacuedsteaks，andwheneverybodyhaddone，hadthecomfortofknowingthattherewasenoughforonemealmore。
Thenextday，asIexpected，theenemyattackedusingreatforce，attemptingtoescaladethefort；butbythehelpofmyguns，andmygoodsword，bythedistinguishedbraveryofLieutenantMacgillicuddyandtherestofthegarrison，webeatthisattackoffcompletely，theenemysustainingalossofsevenhundredmen。Wewerevictorious；butwhenanotherattackwasmade，whatwerewetodo？
Wehadstillalittlepowderleft，buthadfiredoffalltheshot，stones，iron-bars，&c。inthegarrison！Onthisday，too，wedevouredthelastmorselofourfood:IshallneverforgetMrs。
Vandegobbleschroy’sdespairinglook，asIsawhersittingalone，attemptingtomakesomeimpressiononthelittlewhiteelephant’sroastedtail。
Thethirddaytheattackwasrepeated。Theresourcesofgeniusareneveratanend。YesterdayIhadnoammunition；to-day，I
discoveredchargessufficientfortwoguns，andtwoswivels，whichweremuchlonger，buthadboresofaboutblunderbusssize。
ThistimemyfriendLollMahommed，whohadreceived，asthereadermayremember，suchabastinadoingformysake，headedtheattack。
Thepoorwretchcouldnotwalk，buthewascarriedinanopenpalanquin，andcameonwavinghissword，andcursinghorriblyinhisHindustanjargon。Behindhimcametroopsofmatchlock-men，whopickedoffeveryoneofourmenwhoshowedtheirnosesabovetheramparts:andagreathostofblackamoorswithscaling-ladders，bundlestofilltheditch，fascines，gabions，culverins，demilunes，counterscarps，andalltheotherappurtenancesofoffensivewar。
Ontheycame:mygunsandmenwerereadyforthem。Youwillaskhowmypieceswereloaded？Ianswer，thatthoughmygarrisonwerewithoutfood，Iknewmydutyasanofficer，andhadputthetwoDutchcheesesintothetwoguns，andhadcrammedthecontentsofabottleofolivesintoeachswivel。
Theyadvanced，——whish！wentoneoftheDutchcheeses，——bang！wenttheother。Alas！theydidlittleexecution。Intheirfirstcontactwithanopposingbody，theycertainlyflooreditbuttheybecameatoncelikesomuchWelsh-rabbit，anddidnoexecutionbeyondthemanwhomtheystruckdown。”Hogree，pogree，wongree-fumpraisetoAllahandtheforty-nineImaums！”shoutedouttheferociousLollMahommedwhenhesawthefailureofmyshot。”Onward，sonsoftheProphet！theinfidelhasnomoreammunition。AhundredthousandlakhsofrupeestothemanwhobringsmeGahagan’shead！”
Hismensetupashout，andrushedforward——he，todohimjustice，wasattheveryhead，urgingonhisownpalanquin-bearers，andpokingthemwiththetipofhisscimitar。Theycamepantingupthehill:Iwasblackwithrage，butitwasthecold，concentratedrageofdespair。”Macgillicuddy，”saidI，callingthatfaithfulofficer，”youknowwherethebarrelsofpowderare？”Hedid。”Youknowtheusetomakeofthem？”Hedid。Hegraspedmyhand。”Goliah，”saidhe，”farewell！Iswearthatthefortshallbeinatoms，assoonasyonderunbelievershavecarriedit。Oh，mypoormother！”addedthegallantyouth，assighing，yetfearless，heretiredtohispost。
Igaveonethoughttomyblessed，mybeautifulBelinda，andthen，steppingintothefront，tookdownoneoftheswivels；——ashowerofmatchlockballscamewhizzingroundmyhead。Ididnotheedthem。
Itooktheswivel，andaimedcoolly。LollMahommed，hispalanquin，andhismen，werenownotabovetwohundredyardsfromthefort。
Lollwasstraightbeforeme，gesticulatingandshoutingtohismen。
Ifired——bang！！！
Iaimedsotrue，thatonehundredandseventeenbestSpanisholiveswerelodgedinalumpinthefaceoftheunhappyLollMahommed。
Thewretch，utteringayellthemosthideousandunearthlyIeverheard，fellbackdead；thefrightenedbearersflungdownthepalanquinandran——thewholehostranasoneman:theirscreamsmightbeheardforleagues。”Tomasha，tomasha，”theycried，”itisenchantment！”Awaytheyfled，andthevictoryathirdtimewasours。Soonasthefightwasdone，IflewbacktomyBelinda。Wehadeatennothingfortwenty-fourhours，butIforgothungerinthethoughtofoncemorebeholdingHER！
ThesweetsoulturnedtowardsmewithasicklysmileasIentered，andalmostfaintedinmyarms；butalas！itwasnotlovewhichcausedinherbosomanemotionsostrong——itwashunger！”Oh！myGoliah，”whisperedshe，”forthreedaysIhavenottastedfood——
Icouldnoteatthathorridelephantyesterday；butnow——oh！
heaven！……”Shecouldsaynomore，butsankalmostlifelessonmyshoulder。Iadministeredtoheratriflingdramofrum，whichrevivedherforamoment，andthenrusheddownstairs，determinedthatifitwereapieceofmyownleg，sheshouldstillhavesomethingtosatisfyherhunger。LuckilyIrememberedthatthreeorfourelephantswerestilllyinginthefield，havingbeenkilledbyusinthefirstaction，twodaysbefore。Necessity，thoughtI，hasnolaw；myadorablegirlmusteatelephant，untilshecangetsomethingbetter。
Irushedintothecourtwherethemenwere，forthemostpart，assembled。”Men，”saidI，”ourlarderisempty；wemustfillitaswedidthedaybeforeyesterday。WhowillfollowGahaganonaforagingparty？”Iexpectedthat，asonformeroccasions，everymanwouldoffertoaccompanyme。
Tomyastonishment，notasoulmoved——amurmuraroseamongthetroops；andatlastoneoftheoldestandbravestcameforward。”Captain，”hesaid，”itisofnouse；wecannotfeeduponelephantsforever；wehavenotagrainofpowderleft，andmustgiveupthefortwhentheattackismadeto-morrow。Wemayaswellbeprisonersnowasthen，andwewon’tgoelephant-huntinganymore。””Ruffian！”Isaid，”hewhofirsttalksofsurrender，dies！”andI
cuthimdown。”Isthereanyoneelsewhowishestospeak？”
Noonestirred。”Cowards！miserablecowards！”shoutedI；”what，youdarenotmoveforfearofdeath，atthehandsofthosewretcheswhoevennowfledbeforeyourarms——what，doIsayYOURarms？——beforeMINE！——aloneI
didit；andasaloneIroutedthefoe，aloneIwillvictualthefortress！Ho！openthegate！”
Irushedout；notasinglemanwouldfollow。Thebodiesoftheelephantsthatwehadkilledstilllayonthegroundwheretheyhadfallen，aboutfourhundredyardsfromthefort。Idescendedcalmlythehill，averysteepone，andcomingtothespot，tookmypickoftheanimals，choosingatolerablysmallandplumpone，ofaboutthirteenfeethigh，whichthevultureshadrespected。Ithrewthisanimalovermyshoulders，andmadeforthefort。
AsImarcheduptheacclivity，whiz——piff——whir！cametheballsovermyhead；andpitter-patter，pitter-patter！theyfellonthebodyoftheelephantlikedropsofrain。Theenemywerebehindme；
Iknewit，andquickenedmypace。Iheardthegallopoftheirhorse:theycamenearer，nearer；Iwaswithinahundredyardsofthefort——seventy——fifty！Istrainedeverynerve；Ipantedwiththesuperhumanexertion——Iran——couldamanrunveryfastwithsuchatremendousweightonhisshoulders？
Upcametheenemy；fiftyhorsemenwereshoutingandscreamingatmytail。Oheaven！fiveyardsmore——onemoment——andIamsaved！Itisdone——Istrainthelaststrain——Imakethelaststep——Iflingforwardmypreciousburdenintothegateopenedwidetoreceivemeandit，and——Ifall！Thegatethundersto，andIamleftONTHE
OUTSIDE！Fiftyknivesaregleamingbeforemybloodshoteyes——fiftyblackhandsareatmythroat，whenavoiceexclaims，”Stop！——killhimnot，itisGujputi！”Afilmcameovermyeyes——exhaustednaturewouldbearnomore。
CHAPTERIX。
SURPRISEOFFUTTYGHUR。
WhenIawokefromthetranceintowhichIhadfallen，Ifoundmyselfinabath，surroundedbyinnumerableblackfaces；andaHindoopothukoorwhenceourwordapothecaryfeelingmypulseandlookingatmewithanairofsagacity。”WhereamI？”Iexclaimed，lookingroundandexaminingthestrangefaces，andthestrangeapartmentwhichmetmyview。”Bekhusm！”
saidtheapothecary。”Silence！GahaganSahibisinthehandsofthosewhoknowhisvalor，andwillsavehislife。””Knowmyvalor，slave？Ofcourseyoudo，”saidI；”butthefort——
thegarrison——theelephant——Belinda，mylove——mydarling——
Macgillicuddy——thescoundrellymutineers——thedealbo……”
Icouldsaynomore；thepainfulrecollectionspressedsoheavilyuponmypoorshatteredmindandframe，thatbothfailedoncemore。
Ifaintedagain，andIknownothowlongIlayinsensible。
Again，however，Icametomysenses:thepothukoorappliedrestoratives，andafteraslumberofsomehoursIawoke，muchrefreshed。Ihadnowound；myrepeatedswoonshadbeenbroughtonasindeedwelltheymightbymygiganticeffortsincarryingtheelephantupasteephillaquarterofamileinlength。Walking，thetaskisbadenough:butrunning，itisthedeuce；andIwouldrecommendanyofmyreaderswhomaybedisposedtotryandcarryadeadelephant，never，onanyaccount，togoapaceofmorethanfivemilesanhour。
ScarcelywasIawake，whenIheardtheclashofarmsatmydoorplainlyindicatingthatsentinelswerepostedthere，andasingleoldgentleman，richlyhabited，enteredtheroom。Didmyeyesdeceiveme？Ihadsurelyseenhimbefore。No——yes——no——yes——itWAShe:thesnowywhitebeard，themildeyes，thenoseflattenedtoajelly，andlevelwiththerestofthevenerableface，proclaimedhimatoncetobe——SaadutAleeBegBimbukchee，Holkar’sprimevizier；whosenose，asthereadermayrecollect，hisHighnesshadflattenedwithhiskaleawnduringmyinterviewwithhiminthePitan’sdisguise。Inowknewmyfatebuttoowell——IwasinthehandsofHolkar。
SaadutAleeBegBimbukcheeslowlyadvancedtowardsme，andwithamildairofbenevolence，whichdistinguishedthatexcellentmanhewastorntopiecesbywildhorsestheyearafter，onaccountofadifferencewithHolkar，hecametomybedside，andtakinggentlymyhand，said，”Lifeanddeath，myson，arenotours。Strengthisdeceitful，valorisunavailing，fameisonlywind——thenightingalesingsoftheroseallnight——whereistheroseinthemorning？
Booch，booch！itiswitheredbyafrost。Therosemakesremarksregardingthenightingale，andwhereisthatdelightfulsong-bird？
Penabekhoda，heisnetted，plucked，spitted，androasted！Whoknowshowmisfortunecomes？IthascometoGahaganGujputi！””Itiswell，”saidI，stoutly，andintheMalaylanguage。”GahaganGujputiwillbearitlikeaman。””Nodoubt——likeawisemanandabraveone；butthereisnolanesolongtowhichthereisnotaturning，nonightsoblacktowhichtherecomesnotamorning。Icywinterisfollowedbymerryspring-
time——griefisoftensucceededbyjoy。””Interpret，Oriddler！”saidI；”GahaganKhanisnoreaderofpuzzles——nopratingmollah。Gujputilovesnotwords，butswords。””Listen，then，OGujputi:youareinHolkar’spower。””Iknowit。””Youwilldiebythemosthorribletorturesto-morrowmorning。””Idaresay。””Theywilltearyourteethfromyourjaws，yournailsfromyourfingers，andyoureyesfromyourhead。””Verypossibly。””Theywillflayyoualive，andthenburnyou。””Well；theycan’tdoanymore。””Theywillseizeuponeverymanandwomaninyonderfort，”——itwasnotthentaken！——”andrepeatuponthemthesametortures。””Ha！Belinda！Speak——howcanallthisbeavoided？””Listen。Gahaganlovesthemoon-facecalledBelinda。””Hedoes，Vizier，todistraction。””OfwhatrankisheintheKoompani’sarmy？””Acaptain。””Amiserablecaptain——ohshame！Ofwhatcreedishe？””IamanIrishman，andaCatholic。””Buthehasnotbeenveryparticularabouthisreligiousduties？””Alas，no。””Hehasnotbeentohismosqueforthesetwelveyears？””’Tistootrue。””Hearkennow，GahaganKhan。HisHighnessPrinceHolkarhassentmetothee。Youshallhavethemoon-faceforyourwife——yoursecondwife，thatis；——thefirstshallbetheincomparablePutteeRooge，wholovesyoutomadness；——withPutteeRooge，whoisthewife，youshallhavethewealthandrankofBobbachyBahawder，ofwhomhisHighnessintendstogetrid。YoushallbesecondincommandofhisHighness’sforces。Look，hereishiscommissionsignedwiththecelestialseal，andattestedbythesacrednamesoftheforty-nineImaums。Youhavebuttorenounceyourreligionandyourservice，andalltheserewardsareyours。”
Heproducedaparchment，signedashesaid，andgaveittomeitwasbeautifullywritteninIndianink:Ihaditforfourteenyears，butarascallyvalet，seeingitverydirty，WASHEDit，forsooth，andwashedoffeverybitofthewriting。Itookitcalmly，andsaid，”Thisisatemptingoffer。OVizier，howlongwiltthougivemetoconsiderofit？”
Afteralongparley，heallowedmesixhours，whenIpromisedtogivehimananswer。Mymind，however，wasmadeup——assoonashewasgone，Ithrewmyselfonthesofaandfellasleep……
AttheendofthesixhourstheViziercameback:twopeoplewerewithhim；one，byhismartialappearance，IknewtobeHolkar，theotherIdidnotrecognize。Itwasaboutmidnight。”Haveyouconsidered？”saidtheVizierashecametomycouch。”Ihave，”saidI，sittingup，——Icouldnotstand，formylegsweretied，andmyarmsfixedinaneatpairofsteelhandcuffs。”I
have，”saidI，”unbelievingdogs！Ihave。DoyouthinktopervertaChristiangentlemanfromhisfaithandhonor？Ruffianblackamoors！doyourworst；heaptorturesonthisbody，theycannotlastlong。Tearmetopieces:afteryouhavetornmeintoacertainnumberofpieces，Ishallnotfeelit；andifIdid，ifeachtorturecouldlastalife，ifeachlimbweretofeeltheagoniesofawholebody，whatthen？Iwouldbearall——all——all——
all——all——ALL！”Mybreastheaved——myformdilated——myeyeflashedasIspokethesewords。”Tyrants！”saidI，”dulceetdecorumestpropatriamori。”Havingthusclinchedtheargument，Iwassilent。
ThevenerableGrandVizierturnedaway；Isawateartricklingdownhischeeks。”Whataconstancy，”saidhe。”Oh，thatsuchbeautyandsuchbraveryshouldbedoomedsosoontoquittheearth！”
Histallcompaniononlysneeredandsaid，”ANDBELINDA——？””Ha！”saidI，”ruffian，bestill！——heavenwillprotectherspotlessinnocence。Holkar，Iknowthee，andthouknowestMEtoo！Who，withhissinglesword，destroyedthyarmies？Who，withhispistol，cleftintwainthynose-ring？Whoslewthygenerals？Whoslewthyelephants？Threehundredmightybeastswentforthtobattle:oftheseIslewonehundredandthirty-five！Dog，coward，ruffian，tyrant，unbeliever！Gahaganhatesthee，spurnsthee，spitsonthee！”
Holkar，asImadetheseuncomplimentaryremarks，gaveascreamofrage，and，drawinghisscimitar，rushedontodespatchmeatonceitwastheverythingIwishedfor，whenthethirdpersonsprangforward，andseizinghisarm，cried——”Papa！oh，savehim！”ItwasPutteeRooge！”Remember，”continuedshe，”hismisfortunes——remember，oh，remembermy——love！”——andheresheblushed，andputtingonefingerintohermouth，andbangingdownherhead，lookedtheverypictureofmodestaffection。
Holkarsulkilysheathedhisscimitar，andmuttered，”’Tisbetterasitis；hadIkilledhimnow，Ihadsparedhimthetorture。Noneofthisshamelessfooling，PutteeRooge，”continuedthetyrant，draggingheraway。”CaptainGahagandiesthreehoursfromhence。”
PutteeRoogegaveonescreamandfainted——herfatherandtheViziercarriedheroffbetweenthem；norwasIlothtopartwithher，for，withallherlove，shewasasuglyasthedeuce。
Theyweregone——myfatewasdecided。Ihadbutthreehoursmoreoflife:soIflungmyselfagainonthesofa，andfellprofoundlyasleep。Asitmayhappentoanyofmyreaderstobeinthesamesituation，andtobehangedthemselves，letmeearnestlyentreatthemtoadoptthisplanofgoingtosleep，whichIformyparthaverepeatedlyfoundtobesuccessful。Itsavesunnecessaryannoyance，itpassesawayagreatdealofunpleasanttime，anditpreparesonetomeetlikeamanthecomingcatastrophe……
Threeo’clockcame:thesunwasatthistimemakinghisappearanceintheheavens，andwithitcametheguards，whowereappointedtoconductmetothetorture。Iwoke，rose，wascarriedout，andwassetontheverywhitedonkeyonwhichLollMahommedwasconductedthroughthecampafterhewasbastinadoed。BobbachyBahawderrodebehindme，restoredtohisrankandstate；troopsofcavalryhemmedusinonallsides；myasswasconductedbythecommonexecutioner:
acrierwentforward，shoutingout，”Makewayforthedestroyerofthefaithful——hegoestobearthepunishmentofhiscrimes。”Wecametothefatalplain:itwastheveryspotwhenceIhadborneawaytheelephant，andinfullsightofthefort。Ilookedtowardsit。Thankheaven！KingGeorge’sbannerwavedonitstill——acrowdweregatheredonthewalls——themen，thedastardswhohaddesertedme——andwomen，too。AmongthelatterIthoughtIdistinguishedONE
who——Ogods！thethoughtturnedmesick——Itrembledandlookedpaleforthefirsttime。”Hetrembles！heturnspale，”shoutedoutBobbachyBahawder，ferociouslyexultingoverhisconqueredenemy。”Dog！”shoutedI——Iwassittingwithmyheadtothedonkey’stail，andsolookedtheBobbachyfullintheface——”notsopaleasyoulookedwhenIfelledyouwiththisarm——notsopaleasyourwomenlookedwhenIenteredyourharem！”Completelychop-fallen，theIndianruffianwassilent:atanyrate，IhaddoneforHIM。
Wearrivedattheplaceofexecution。Astake，acoupleoffeetthickandeighthigh，wasdriveninthegrass:roundthestake，aboutsevenfeetfromtheground，wasanironring，towhichwereattachedtwofetters；inthesemywristswereplaced。Twoorthreeexecutionersstoodnear，withstrange-lookinginstruments:otherswereblowingatafire，overwhichwasacaldron，andintheemberswerestuckotherprongsandinstrumentsofiron。
Thecriercameforwardandreadmysentence。ItwasthesameineffectasthatwhichhadbeenhintedtomethedaypreviousbytheGrandVizier。IconfessIwastooagitatedtocatcheverywordthatwasspoken。
Holkarhimself，onatalldromedary，wasatalittledistance。TheGrandViziercameuptome——itwashisdutytostandby，andseethepunishmentperformed。”Itisyettime！”saidhe。
Inoddedmyhead，butdidnotanswer。
TheViziercastuptoheavenalookofinexpressibleanguish，andwithavoicechokingwithemotion，said，”EXECUTIONER——DO——YOUR——
DUTY！”
Thehorridmanadvanced——hewhisperedsulkilyintheearsoftheGrandVizier，”Gugglykaghee，humkhedgeree，”saidhe，”theoildoesnotboilyet——waitoneminute。”Theassistantsblew，thefireblazed，theoilwasheated。TheVizierdrewafewfeetaside:
takingalargeladlefulloftheboilingliquid，headvanced……”Whish！bang，bang！pop！”theexecutionerwasdeadatmyfeet，shotthroughthehead；theladleofscaldingoilhadbeendashedinthefaceoftheunhappyGrandVizier，wholayontheplain，howling。”Whish！bang！pop！Hurrah！——charge！——forwards！——cutthemdown！——noquarter！”
Isaw——yes，no，yes，no，yes！——IsawregimentuponregimentofgallopingBritishhorsemenridingovertheranksoftheflyingnatives。Firstofthehost，Irecognized，Oheaven！myAHMEDNUGGAR
IRREGULARS！Oncamethegallantlineofblacksteedsandhorsemen，swift，swiftbeforethemrodemyofficersinyellow——Glogger，Pappendick，andStuffle；theirsabresgleamedinthesun，theirvoicesrungintheair。”D——them！”theycried，”giveitthem，boys！”Astrengthsupernaturalthrilledthroughmyveinsatthatdeliciousmusic:byonetremendouseffort，Iwrestedthepostfromitsfoundation，fivefeetintheground。Icouldnotreleasemyhandsfromthefetters，itistrue；but，graspingthebeamtightly，Isprungforward——withoneblowIlevelledthefiveexecutionersinthemidstofthefire，theirfallupsettingthescaldingoil-can；
withthenext，IsweptthebearersofBobbachy’spalanquinofftheirlegs；withthethird，Icaughtthatchiefhimselfinthesmalloftheback，andsenthimflyingontothesabresofmyadvancingsoldiers！
Thenextminute，GloggerandStufflewereinmyarms，PappendickleadingontheIrregulars。Friendandfoeinthatwildchasehadsweptfaraway。Wewerealone；Iwasfreedfrommyimmensebar；
andtenminutesafterwards，whenLordLaketrottedupwithhisstaff，hefoundmesittingonit。”LookatGahagan，”saidhislordship。”Gentlemen，didInottellyouweshouldbesuretofindhimATHISPOST？”
Thegallantoldnoblemanrodeon:andthiswasthefamousBATTLEOF
FURRUCKABAD，ORSURPRISEOFFUTTYGHUR，foughtonthe17thofNovember，1804……
Aboutamonthafterwards，thefollowingannouncementappearedintheBoggleywollahHurkaruandotherIndianpapers:——”Married，onthe25thofDecember，atFuttyghur，bytheRev。Dr。Snorter，CaptainGoliahO’GradyGahagan，CommandingIrregularHorse，Abmednuggar，toBelinda，seconddaughterofMajor-GeneralBulcher，C。B。HisExcellencytheCommander-in-Chiefgaveawaythebride；
andafterasplendiddejeune，thehappypairsetofftopasstheMangoseasonatHurrygurrybang。Venusmustrecollect，however，thatMarsmustnotALWAYSbeatherside。TheIrregularsarenothingwithouttheirleader。”
Suchwastheparagraph——suchtheevent——thehappiestintheexistenceofG。O’G。G。，M。H。E。I。C。S。，C。I。H。A。
ALEGENDOFTHERHINE。
CHAPTERI。
SIRLUDWIGOFHOMBOURG。
Itwasinthegoodolddaysofchivalry，wheneverymountainthatbathesitsshadowintheRhinehaditscastle:notinhabited，asnow，byafewratsandowls，norcoveredwithmossandwallflowers，andfunguses，andcreepingivy。No，no！wheretheivynowclusterstheregrewstrongportcullisandbarsofsteel；wherethewallflowernowquiversintherampartthereweresilkenbannersembroideredwithwonderfulheraldry；men-at-armsmarchedwherenowyoushallonlyseeabankofmossorahideousblackchampignon；
andinplaceoftheratsandowlets，Iwarrantmetherewereladiesandknightstorevelinthegreathalls，andtofeast，andtodance，andtomakelovethere。Theyarepassedaway:——thoseoldknightsandladies:theirgoldenhairfirstchangedtosilver，andthenthesilverdroppedoffanddisappearedforever；theirelegantlegs，soslimandactiveinthedance，becameswollenandgouty，andthen，frombeingswollenandgouty，dwindleddowntobarebone-
shanks；theroseslefttheircheeks，andthentheircheeksdisappeared，andlefttheirskulls，andthentheirskullspowderedintodust，andallsignofthemwasgone。Andasitwaswiththem，soshallitbewithus。Ho，seneschal！fillmeacupofliquor！
putsugarinit，goodfellow——yea，andalittlehotwater；averylittle，formysoulissad，asIthinkofthosedaysandknightsofold。
They，too，haverevelledandfeasted，andwherearethey？——gone？——
nay，notaltogethergone；fordothnottheeyecatchglimpsesofthemastheywalkyonderinthegraylimboofromance，shiningfaintlyintheircoatsofsteel，wanderingbythesideoflong-
hairedladies，withlong-tailedgownsthatlittlepagescarry？
Yes！oneseesthem:thepoetseesthemstillinthefar-offCloudland，andhearstheringoftheirclarionsastheyhastentobattleortourney——andthedimechoesoftheirluteschantingofloveandfairladies！Graciousprivilegeofpoesy！ItisastheDervish’scollyriumtotheeyes，andcausesthemtoseetreasuresthattothesightofdonkeysareinvisible。Blessedtreasuresoffancy！Iwouldnotchangeye——no，notformanydonkey-loadsofgold……Fillagain，jollyseneschal，thoubravewag；chalkmeuptheproduceonthehosteldoor——surelythespiritsofoldaremixedupinthewondrousliquor，andgentlevisionsofbygoneprincesandprincesseslookblandlydownonusfromthecloudyperfumeofthepipe。DoyouknowinwhatyearthefairieslefttheRhine？——longbeforeMurray’s”Guide-Book”waswrote——longbeforesquatsteamboats，withsnortingfunnels，camepaddlingdownthestream。DoyounotknowthatonceuponatimetheappearanceofeleventhousandBritishvirginswasconsideredatCologneasawonder？Nowtherecometwentythousandsuchannually，accompaniedbytheirladies’-maids。Butofthemwewillsaynomore——letusbacktothosewhowentbeforethem。
Many，manyhundredthousandyearsago，andattheexactperiodwhenchivalrywasinfullbloom，thereoccurredalittlehistoryuponthebanksoftheRhine，whichhasbeenalreadywritteninabook，andhencemustbepositivelytrue。’Tisastoryofknightsandladies——ofloveandbattle，andvirtuerewarded；astoryofprincesandnoblelords，moreover:thebestofcompany。Gentles，anyewill，yeshallhearit。Fairdamesanddamsels，mayyourlovesbeashappyasthoseoftheheroineofthisromaunt。
OnthecoldandrainyeveningofThursday，the26thofOctober，intheyearpreviouslyindicated，suchtravellersasmighthavechancedtobeabroadinthatbitternight，mighthaveremarkedafellow-wayfarerjourneyingontheroadfromOberwintertoGodesberg。Hewasamannottallinstature，butofthemostathleticproportions，andTime，whichhadbrownedandfurrowedhischeekandsprinkledhislockswithgray，declaredprettyclearlythatHemusthavebeenacquaintedwiththewarriorforsomefiftygoodyears。Hewasarmedinmail，androdeapowerfulandactivebattle-horse，whichthoughthewaythepairhadcomethatdaywaslongandwearyindeed，yetsupportedthewarrior，hisarmorandluggage，withseemingease。Asitwasinafriend’scountry，theknightdidnotthinkfittowearhisheavydestrier，orhelmet，whichhungathissaddlebowoverhisportmanteau。Bothweremarkedwiththecoronetofacount；andfromthecrownwhichsurmountedthehelmet，rosethecrestofhisknightlyrace，anarmproperliftinganakedsword。
Athisrighthand，andconvenienttothewarrior’sgrasp，hunghismangonelormace——aterrificweaponwhichhadshatteredthebrainsofmanyaturbanedsoldan；whileoverhisbroadandamplechesttherefellthetriangularshieldoftheperiod，whereonwereemblazonedhisarms——argent，aguleswavy，onasaltirereversedofthesecond:thelatterdevicewasawardedforadaringexploitbeforeAscalon，bytheEmperorMaximilian，andareferencetotheGermanPeerageofthatday，oraknowledgeofhighfamilieswhicheverygentlemanthenpossessed，wouldhavesufficedtoshowatoncethattheriderwehavedescribedwasofthenoblehouseofHombourg。Itwas，infact，thegallantknightSirLudwigofHombourg:hisrankasacount，andchamberlainoftheEmperorofAustria，wasmarkedbythecapofmaintenancewiththepeacock’sfeatherwhichheworewhennotarmedforbattle，andhisprincelybloodwasdenotedbytheoiledsilkumbrellawhichhecarriedaverymeetprotectionagainstthepitilessstorm，andwhich，asitisknown，inthemiddleages，nonebutprinceswerejustifiedinusing。Abag，fastenedwithabrazenpadlock，andmadeofthecostlyproduceofthePersianloomsthenextremelyrareinEurope，toldthathehadtravelledinEasternclimes。This，too，wasevidentfromtheinscriptionwritoncardorparchment，andsewedonthebag。Itfirstran”CountLudwigdeHombourg，Jerusalem；”butthenameoftheHolyCityhadbeendashedoutwiththepen，andthatof”Godesberg”substituted。Sofarindeedhadthecavaliertravelled！——anditisneedlesstostatethatthebaginquestioncontainedsuchremainingarticlesofthetoiletasthehigh-bornnobledeemedunnecessarytoplaceinhisvalise。”BySaintBugoofKatzenellenbogen！”saidthegoodknight，shivering，”’tiscolderherethanatDamascus！Marry，IamsohungryIcouldeatoneofSaladin’scamels。ShallIbeatGodesbergintimefordinner？”Andtakingouthishorologewhichhunginasmallside-pocketofhisembroideredsurcoat，thecrusaderconsoledhimselfbyfindingthatitwasbutsevenofthenight，andthathewouldreachGodesbergerethewarderhadsoundedthesecondgong。
Hisopinionwasborneoutbytheresult。Hisgoodsteed，whichcouldtrotatapinchfourteenleaguesinthehour，broughthimtothisfamouscastle，justasthewarderwasgivingthefirstwelcomesignalwhichtoldthattheprincelyfamilyofCountKarl，MargraveofGodesberg，wereabouttopreparefortheirusualrepastateighto’clock。Crowdsofpagesandhorse-keeperswereinthecourt，when，theportcullisbeingraised，andamidsttherespectfulsalutesofthesentinels，themostancientfriendofthehouseofGodesbergenteredintoitscastle-yard。Theunder-butlersteppedforwardtotakehisbridle-rein。”Welcome，SirCount，fromtheHolyLand！”exclaimedthefaithfuloldman。”Welcome，SirCount，fromtheHolyLand！”criedtherestoftheservantsinthehall。A
stablewasspeedilyfoundfortheCount’shorse，Streithengst，anditwasnotbeforethegallantsoldierhadseenthattrueanimalwellcaredfor，thatheenteredthecastleitself，andwasconductedtohischamber。Wax-candlesburningbrightonthemantel，flowersinchinavases，everyvarietyofsoap，andaflaskofthepreciousessencemanufacturedattheneighboringcityofCologne，weredisplayedonhistoilet-table；acheeringfire”crackledonthehearth，”andshowedthatthegoodknight’scominghadbeenlookedandcaredfor。Theserving-maidens，bringinghimhotwaterforhisablutions，smilingasked，”Wouldhehavehiscouchwarmedateve？”Onemighthavebeensurefromtheirblushesthatthetougholdsoldiermadeanarchreply。ThefamilytonsorcametoknowwhetherthenobleCounthadneedofhisskill。”BySaintBugo，”saidtheknight，asseatedinaneasysettlebythefire，thetonsorridhischinofitsstubbygrowth，andlightlypassedthetongsandpomatumthrough”thesablesilver”ofhishair，——”BySaintBugo，thisisbetterthanmydungeonatGrandCairo。HowismygodsonOtto，masterbarber；andtheladycountess，hismother；andthenobleCountKarl，mydearbrother-
in-arms？””Theyarewell，”saidthetonsor，withasigh。”BySaintBugo，I’mgladon’t；butwhythatsigh？””Thingsarenotastheyhavebeenwithmygoodlord，”answeredthehairdresser，”eversinceCountGottfried’sarrival。””Hehere！”roaredSirLudwig。”GoodnevercamewhereGottfriedwas！”andthewhilehedonnedapairofsilkenhose，thatshowedadmirablytheproportionsofhislowerlimbs，andexchangedhiscoatofmailforthespotlessvestandblacksurcoatcollaredwithvelvetofGenoa，whichwasthefittingcostumefor”knightinladye’sbower，”theknightenteredintoaconversationwiththebarber，whoexplainedtohim，withtheusualgarrulousnessofhistribe，whatwasthepresentpositionofthenoblefamilyofGodesberg。
Thiswillbenarratedinthenextchapter。
CHAPTERII。
THEGODESBERGERS。
’TisneedlesstostatethatthegallantwarriorLudwigofHombourgfoundinthebosomofhisfriend’sfamilyacordialwelcome。Thebrother-in-armsoftheMargraveKarl，hewastheesteemedfriendoftheMargravine，theexaltedandbeautifulTheodoraofBoppum，andalbeitnotheologian，andalthoughthefirstprincesofChristendomcovetedsuchanhonor，hewasselectedtostandassponsorfortheMargrave’ssonOtto，theonlychildofhishouse。
ItwasnowseventeenyearssincetheCountandCountesshadbeenunited:andalthoughheavenhadnotblessedtheircouchwithmorethanonechild，itmaybesaidofthatonethatitwasaprize，andthatsurelyneverlightedontheearthamoredelightfulvision。
WhenCountLudwig，hasteningtotheholywars，hadquittedhisbelovedgodchild，hehadlefthimaboy；henowfoundhim，asthelatterrushedintohisarms，growntobeoneofthefinestyoungmeninGermany:tallandexcessivelygracefulinproportion，withtheblushofhealthmantlinguponhischeek，thatwaslikewiseadornedwiththefirstdownofmanhood，andwithmagnificentgoldenringlets，suchasaRowlandmightenvy，curlingoverhisbrowandhisshoulders。Hiseyesalternatelybeamedwiththefireofdaring，ormeltedwiththemoistglanceofbenevolence。Wellmightamotherbeproudofsuchaboy。WellmightthebraveLudwigexclaim，asheclaspedtheyouthtohisbreast，”BySt。BugoofKatzenellenbogen，Otto，thouartfittobeoneofCoeurdeLion’sgrenadiers！”anditwasthefact:the”Childe”ofGodesbergmeasuredsixfeetthree。
Hewashabitedfortheeveningmealinthecostly，thoughsimpleattireofthenoblemanoftheperiod——andhiscostumeagooddealresembledthatoftheoldknightwhosetoiletwehavejustdescribed；withthedifferenceofcolor，however。ThepourpointwornbyyoungOttoofGodesbergwasofblue，handsomelydecoratedwithbuttonsofcarvedandembossedgold；hishaut-de-chausses，orleggings，wereofthestuffofNanquin，thenbroughtbytheLombardargosiesatanimmensepricefromChina。TheneighboringcountryofHollandhadsuppliedhiswristsandbosomwiththemostcostlylaces；andthusattired，withanopera-hatplacedononesideofhishead，ornamentedwithasingleflower，thatbrilliantone，thetulip，theboyrushedintohisgodfather’sdressing-room，andwarnedhimthatthebanquetwasready。
Itwasindeed:afrownhadgatheredonthedarkbrowsoftheLadyTheodora，andherbosomheavedwithanemotionakintoindignation；
forshefearedlestthesoupsintherefectoryandthesplendidfishnowsmokingthereweregettingcold:shefearednotforherself，butforherlord’ssake。”Godesberg，”whisperedshetoCountLudwig，astremblingonhisarmtheydescendedfromthedrawing-room，”Godesbergissadlychangedoflate。””BySt。Bugo！”saidtheburlyknight，starting，”thesearetheverywordsthebarberspake。”
Theladyheavedasigh，andplacedherselfbeforethesoup-tureen。
ForsometimethegoodKnightLudwigofHombourgwastoomuchoccupiedinladlingouttheforced-meatballsandrichcalves’headofwhichthedeliciouspottagewasformedinladlingthemout，didwesay？ay，marry，andineatingthem，too，tolookathisbrother-in-armsatthebottomofthetable，wherehesatwithhissononhislefthand，andtheBaronGottfriedonhisright。
TheMargravewasINDEEDchanged。”BySt。Bugo，”whisperedLudwigtotheCountess，yourhusbandisassurlyasabearthathathbeenwoundedo’thehead。”Tearsfallingintohersoup-platewereheronlyreply。Thesoup，theturbot，thehaunchofmutton，CountLudwigremarkedthattheMargravesentallawayuntasted。”Thebotelerwillserveyewithwine，Hombourg，”saidtheMargravegloomilyfromtheendofthetable:notevenaninvitationtodrink！howdifferentwasthisfromtheoldtimes！
ButwhenincompliancewiththisorderthebotelerproceededtohandroundthemantlingvintageoftheCapetotheassembledparty，andtofillyoungOtto’sgoblet，whichthelatterheldupwiththeeagernessofyouth，theMargrave’srageknewnobounds。Herushedathisson；hedashedthewine-cupoverhisspotlessvest:andgivinghimthreeorfourheavyblowswhichwouldhaveknockeddownabonassus，butonlycausedtheyoungChildetoblush:”YOUtakewine！”roaredouttheMargrave；”YOUdaretohelpyourself！Whotimed-v-lgaveYOUleavetohelpyourself？”andtheterribleblowswerereiteratedoverthedelicateearsoftheboy。”Ludwig！Ludwig！”shriekedtheMargravine。”Holdyourprate，madam，”roaredthePrince。”BySt。Buffo，mayn’tafatherbeathisownchild？””HISOWNCHILD！”repeatedtheMargravewithaburst，almostashriekofindescribableagony。”Ah，whatdidIsay？”
SirLudwiglookedabouthiminamaze；SirGottfriedattheMargrave’srighthandsmiledghastily；theyoungOttowastoomuchagitatedbytherecentconflicttowearanyexpressionbutthatofextremediscomfiture；butthepoorMargravineturnedherheadasideandblushed，redalmostasthelobsterwhichflankedtheturbotbeforeher。
Inthoserudeoldtimes，’tisknownsuchtablequarrelswerebynomeansunusualamongstgallantknights；andLudwig，whohadoftseentheMargravecastalegofmuttonatanoffendingservitor，oremptyasauce-boatinthedirectionoftheMargravine，thoughtthiswasbutoneoftheusualoutbreaksofhisworthythoughirasciblefriend，andwiselydeterminedtochangetheconverse。”Howismyfriend，”saidhe，”thegoodknight，SirHildebrandt？””BySaintBuffo，thisistoomuch！”screamedtheMargrave，andactuallyrushedfromtimeroom。”BySaintBugo，”saidhisfriend，”gallantknights，gentlesirs，whatailsmygoodLordMargave？””Perhapshisnosebleeds，”saidGottfried，withasneer。”Ah，mykindfriend，”saidtheMargravinewithuncontrollableemotion，”Ifearsomeofyouhavepassedfromthefrying-panintothefire。”Andmakingthesignalofdeparturetotheladies，theyroseandretiredtocoffeeinthedrawing-room。
TheMargravepresentlycamebackagain，somewhatmorecollectedthanhehadbeen。”Otto，”hesaidsternly，”gojointheladies:itbecomesnotayoungboytoremaininthecompanyofgallantknightsafterdinner。”ThenobleChildewithmanifestunwillingnessquittedtheroom，andtheMargrave，takinghislady’splaceattheheadofthetable，whisperedtoSirLudwig，”Hildebrandtwillbehereto-nighttoanevening-party，giveninhonorofyourreturnfromPalestine。Mygoodfriend——mytruefriend——myoldcompanioninarms，SirGottfried！youhadbestseethatthefiddlersbenotdrunk，andthatthecrumpetsbegottenready。”SirGottfried，obsequiouslytakinghispatron’shint，bowedandlefttheroom。”Youshallknowallsoon，dearLudwig，”saidtheMargrave，withaheart-rendinglook。”YoumarkedGottfried，wholefttheroomanon？””Idid。””Youlookincredulousconcerninghisworth；butItellthee，Ludwig，thatyonderGottfriedisagoodfellow，andmyfastfriend。
Whyshouldhenotbe！Heismynearrelation，heirtomyproperty:
shouldI”heretheMargrave’scountenanceassumeditsformerexpressionofexcruciatingagony，——”SHOULDIHAVENOSON。””ButIneversawtheboyinbetterhealth，”repliedSirLudwig。”Nevertheless，——ha！ha！——itmaychancethatIshallsoonhavenoson。”
TheMargravehadcrushedmanyacupofwineduringdinner，andSirLudwigthoughtnaturallythathisgallantfriendhaddrunkenratherdeeply。Heproceededinthisrespecttoimitatehim；forthesternsoldierofthosedaysneithershrunkbeforethePaynimnorthepunch-bowl:andmanyarousingnighthadourcrusaderenjoyedinSyriawithlion-heartedRichard；withhiscoadjutor，GodfreyofBouillon；nay，withthedauntlessSaladinhimself。”YouknewGottfriedinPalestine？”askedtheMargrave。”Idid。””Whydidyenotgreethimthen，asancientcomradesshould，withthewarmgraspoffriendship？ItisnotbecauseSirGottfriedispoor？Youknowwellthatheisofraceasnobleasthineown，myearlyfriend！””Icarenotforhisracenorforhispoverty，”repliedthebluntcrusader。”WhatsaystheMinnesinger？’Marry，thattherankisbutthestampoftheguinea；themanisthegold。’AndItellthee，KarlofGodesberg，thatyonderGottfriedisbasemetal。””BySaintBuffo，thoubeliesthim，dearLudwig。””BySaintBugo，dearKarl，Isaysooth。Thefellowwasknowni’
thecampofthecrusaders——disreputablyknown。ErehejoinedusinPalestine，hehadsojournedinConstantinople，andlearnedtheartsoftheGreek。Heisacoggerofdice，Itellthee——achanterofhorseflesh。HewonfivethousandmarksfrombluffRichardofEnglandthenightbeforethestormingofAscalon，andIcaughthimwithfalsetrumpsinhispocket。HewarrantedabaymaretoConradofMontSerrat，andtheroguehadfiredher。””Ha！meanyethatSirGottfriedisaLEG？”criedSirKarl，knittinghisbrows。”Now，bymyblessedpatron，SaintBuffoofBonn，hadanyotherbutLudwigofHombourgsosaid，Iwouldhaveclovenhimfromskulltochine。””BySaintBugoofKatzenellenbogen，IwillprovemywordsonSirGottfried’sbody——notonthine，oldbrother-in-arms。Andtodotheknavejustice，heisagoodlance。HolyBugo！buthedidgoodserviceatAcre！Buthischaracterwassuchthat，spiteofhisbravery，hewasdismissedthearmy；norevenallowedtosellhiscaptain’scommission。””Ihaveheardofit，”saidtheMargrave；”Gottfriedhathtoldmeofit。’Twasaboutsomesillyquarreloverthewine-cup——ameresillyjape，believeme。HugodeBrodenelwouldhavenoblackbottleontheboard。Gottfriedwaswroth，andtosaysooth，flungtheblackbottleatthecounty’shead。Hencehisdismissionandabruptreturn。Butyouknownot，”continuedtheMargrave，withaheavysigh，”ofwhatusethatworthyGottfriedhasbeentome。Hehasuncloakedatraitortome。””NotYET，”answeredHombourg，satirically。”BySaintBuffo！adeep-dyeddastard！adangerous，damnabletraitor！——anestoftraitors。Hildebranndtisatraitor——Ottoisatraitor——andTheodoraOheaven！she——sheisANOTHER。”TheoldPrinceburstintotearsattheword，andwasalmostchokedwithemotion。”Whatmeansthispassion，dearfriend？”criedSirLudwig，seriouslyalarmed。”Mark，Ludwig！markHildebrandtandTheodoratogether:markHildebrandtandOTTOtogether。Like，likeItelltheeastwopeas。
Oholysaints，thatIshouldbeborntosufferthis！——tohaveallmyaffectionswrenchedoutofmybosom，andtobeleftaloneinmyoldage！But，hark！theguestsarearriving。Anyewillnotemptyanotherflaskofclaret，letusjointheladyesi’thewithdrawingchamber。Whenthere，markHILDEBRANDTANDOTTO！”
CHAPTERIII。
THEFESTIVAL。
Thefestivalwasindeedbegun。Comingonhorseback，orintheircaroches，knightsandladiesofthehighestrankwereassembledinthegrandsaloonofGodesberg，whichwassplendidlyilluminatedtoreceivethem。Servitors，inrichliveries，theywereattiredindoubletsofthesky-bluebroadclothofYpres，andhoseoftherichestyellowsammit——thecolorsofthehouseofGodesberg，boreaboutvariousrefreshmentsontraysofsilver——cakes，bakedintheoven，andswimminginmeltedbutter；manchetsofbread，smearedwiththesamedeliciouscondiment，andcarvedsothinthatyoumighthaveexpectedthemtotakewingandflytotheceiling；
coffee，introducedbyPetertheHermit，afterhisexcursionintoArabia，andteasuchasonlyBohemiacouldproduce，circulatedamidstthefestivethrong，andwereeagerlydevouredbytheguests。
TheMargrave’sgloomwasunheededbythem——howlittleindeedisthesmilingcrowdawareofthepangsthatarelurkinginthebreastsofthosewhobidthemtothefeast！TheMargravinewaspale；butwomanknowshowtodeceive；shewasmorethanordinarilycourteoustoherfriends，andlaughed，thoughthelaughwashollow，andtalked，thoughthetalkwasloathsometoher。”Thetwoaretogether，”saidtheMargrave，clutchinghisfriend’sshoulder。”NOWLOOK！”
SirLudwigturnedtowardsaquadrille，andthere，sureenough，wereSirHildebrandtandyoungOttostandingsidebysideinthedance。
Twoeggswerenotmorelike！ThereasonoftheMargrave’shorridsuspicionatonceflashedacrosshisfriend’smind。”’Tisclearasthestaffofapike，”saidthepoorMargrave，mournfully。”Come，brother，awayfromthescene；letusgoplayagameatcribbage！”andretiringtotheMargravine’sboudoir，thetwowarriorssatdowntothegame。
Butthough’tisaninterestingone，andthoughtheMargravewon，yethecouldnotkeephisattentiononthecards:soagitatedwashismindbythedreadfulsecretwhichweigheduponit。Inthemidstoftheirplay，theobsequiousGottfriedcametowhisperawordinhispatron’sear，whichthrewthelatterintosuchafury，thatapoplexywasapprehendedbythetwolookers-on。ButtheMargravemasteredhisemotion。”ATWHATTIME，didyousay？”saidhetoGottfried。”Atdaybreak，attheoutergate。””Iwillbethere。””ANDSOWILLITOO，”thoughtCountLudwig，thegoodKnightofHombourg。
CHAPTERIV。
THEFLIGHT。
Howoftendoesman，proudman，makecalculationsforthefuture，andthinkhecanbendsternfatetohiswill！Alas，wearebutcreaturesinitshands！Howmanyaslipbetweenthelipandtheliftedwine-cup！Howoften，thoughseeminglywithachoiceofcouchestoreposeupon，dowefindourselvesdashedtoearth；andthenwearefaintosaythegrapesaresour，becausewecannotattainthem；orworse，toyieldtoangerinconsequenceofourownfault。SirLudwig，theHombourger，wasNOTATTHEOUTERGATEatdaybreak。
Hesleptuntiltenoftheclock。Thepreviousnight’spotationshadbeenheavy，theday’sjourneyhadbeenlongandrough。Theknightsleptasasoldierwould，towhomafeatherbedisararity，andwhowakesnottillhehearstheblastofthereveille。
Helookedupashewoke。AthisbedsidesattheMargrave。Hehadbeenthereforhourswatchinghisslumberingcomrade。Watching？——
no，notwatching，butawakebyhisside，broodingoverthoughtsunutterablybitter——overfeelingsinexpressiblywretched。”What’so’clock？”wasthefirstnaturalexclamationoftheHombourger。”Ibelieveitisfiveo’clock，”saidhisfriend。Itwasten。Itmighthavebeentwelve，two，half-pastfour，twentyminutestosix，theMargravewouldstillhavesaid，”IBELIEVEITISFIVEO’CLOCK。”
Thewretchedtakenocountoftime:itflieswithunequalpinions，indeed，forTHEM。”Isbreakfastover？”inquiredthecrusader。”Askthebutler，”saidtheMargrave，noddinghisheadwildly，rollinghiseyeswildly，smilingwildly。”GraciousBugo！”saidtheKnightofHombourg，”whathasailedthee，myfriend？Itisteno’clockbymyhorologe。Yourregularhourisnine。Youarenot——no，byheavens！youarenotshaved！Youwearthetightsandsilkenhoseoflastevening’sbanquet。Yourcollarisallrumpled——’tisthatofyesterday。YOUHAVENOTBEENTOBED！
Whathaschanced，brotherofmine:whathaschanced？””Acommonchance，LouisofHombourg，”saidtheMargrave:”onethatchanceseveryday。Afalsewoman，afalsefriend，abrokenheart。
THIShaschanced。Ihavenotbeentobed。””Whatmeanye？”criedCountLudwig，deeplyaffected。”Afalsefriend？Iamnotafalsefriend。Afalsewoman？SurelythelovelyTheodora，yourwife——””Ihavenowife，Louis，now；Ihavenowifeandnoson。”……
Inaccentsbrokenbygrief，theMargraveexplainedwhathadoccurred。Gottfried’sinformationwasbuttoocorrect。TherewasaCAUSEforthelikenessbetweenOttoandSirHildebrandt:afatalcause！HildebrandtandTheodorahadmetatdawnattheoutergate。
TheMargravehadseenthem。Theywalkedlongtogether；theyembraced。Ah！howthehusband’s，thefather’s，feelingswereharrowedatthatembrace！Theyparted；andthentheMargrave，comingforward，coldlysignifiedtohisladythatshewastoretiretoaconventforlife，andgaveordersthattheboyshouldbesenttoo，totakethevowsatamonastery。
Bothsentenceshadbeenexecuted。Otto，inaboat，andguardedbyacompanyofhisfather’smen-at-arms，wasontherivergoingtowardsCologne，tothemonasteryofSaintBuffothere。TheLadyTheodora，undertheguardofSirGottfriedandanattendant，wereontheirwaytotheconventofNonnenwerth，whichmanyofourreadershaveseen——thebeautifulGreenIslandConvent，lavedbythebrightwatersoftheRhine！”WhatroaddidGottfriedtake？”askedtheKnightofHombourg，grindinghisteeth。”Youcannotovertakehim，”saidtheMargrave。”MygoodGottfried，heismyonlycomfortnow:heismykinsman，andshallbemyheir。
Hewillbebackanon。””Willheso？”thoughtSirLudwig。”Iwillaskhimafewquestionserehereturn。”Andspringingfromhiscouch，hebeganforthwithtoputonhisusualmorningdressofcompletearmor；and，afterahastyablution，donned，nothiscapofmaintenance，buthishelmetofbattle。Herangthebellviolently。”Acupofcoffee，straight，”saidhe，totheservitorwhoansweredthesummons；”bidthecookpackmeasausageandbreadinpaper，andthegroomsaddleStreithengst；wehavefartoride。”
Thevariousorderswereobeyed。Thehorsewasbrought；therefreshmentsdisposedof；theclatteringstepsofthedepartingsteedwereheardinthecourt-yard；buttheMargravetooknonoticeofhisfriend，andsat，plungedinsilentgrief，quitemotionlessbytheemptybedside。
CHAPTERV。
THETRAITOR’SDOOM。
TheHombourgerledhishorsedownthewindingpathwhichconductsfromthehillandcastleofGodesbergintothebeautifulgreenplainbelow。Whohasnotseenthatlovelyplain，andwhothathasseenithasnotlovedit？Athousandsunnyvineyardsandcornfieldsstretcharoundinpeacefulluxuriance；themightyRhinefloatsbyitinsilvermagnificence，andontheoppositebankrisethesevenmountainsrobedinmajesticpurple，themonarchsoftheroyalscene。
Apleasingpoet，LordByron，indescribingthisveryscene，hasmentionedthat”peasantgirls，withdarkblueeyes，andhandsthatoffercakeandwine，”areperpetuallycrowdingroundthetravellerinthisdeliciousdistrict，andprofferingtohimtheirrusticpresents。Thiswasnodoubtthecaseinformerdays，whenthenoblebardwrotehiselegantpoems——inthehappyancientdays！whenmaidenswereasyetgenerous，andmenkindly！Nowthedegeneratepeasantryofthedistrictaremuchmoreinclinedtoaskthantogive，andtheirblueeyesseemtohavedisappearedwiththeirgenerosity。
Butasitwasalongtimeagothattheeventsofourstoryoccurred，’tisprobablethatthegoodKnightLudwigofHombourgwasgreeteduponhispathbythisfascinatingpeasantry；thoughweknownothowheacceptedtheirwelcome。HecontinuedhisrideacrosstheflatgreencountryuntilhecametoRolandseck，whencehecouldcommandtheIslandofNonnenwerththatliesintheRhineoppositethatplace，andallwhowenttoitorpassedfromit。
OvertheentranceofalittlecaverninoneoftherockshangingabovetheRhine-streamatRolandseck，andcoveredwithodoriferouscactusesandsilverymagnolias，thetravellerofthepresentdaymayperceivearudebrokenimageofasaint:thatimagerepresentedthevenerableSaintBuffoofBonn，thepatronoftheMargrave；andSirLudwig，kneelingonthegreensward，andrecitingacenser，anave，andacoupleofacolytesbeforeit，feltencouragedtothinkthatthedeedhemeditatedwasabouttobeperformedundertheveryeyesofhisfriend’ssanctifiedpatron。Hisdevotiondoneandtheknightofthosedayswasaspiousashewasbrave，SirLudwig，thegallantHombourger，exclaimedwithaloudvoice:——”Ho！hermit！holyhermit，artthouinthycell？””WhocallsthepoorservantofheavenandSaintBuffo？”exclaimedavoicefromthecavern；andpresently，frombeneaththewreathsofgeraniumandmagnolia，appearedanintenselyvenerable，ancient，andmajestichead——’twasthat，weneednotsay，ofSaintBuffo’ssolitary。Asilverbeardhangingtohiskneesgavehispersonanappearanceofgreatrespectability；hisbodywasrobedinsimplebrownserge，andgirtwithaknottedcord:hisancientfeetwereonlydefendedfromthepricklesandstonesbytherudestsandals，andhisbaldandpolishedheadwasbare。”Holyhermit，”saidtheknight，inagravevoice，”makereadythyministry，forthereissomeoneabouttodie。””Where，son？””Here，father。””Ishehere，now？””Perhaps，”saidthestoutwarrior，crossinghimself；”butnotsoifrightprevail。”Atthismomenthecaughtsightofaferry-boatputtingofffromNonnenwerth，withaknightonboard。Ludwigknewatonce，bythesinoplereversedandthetruncatedgulesonhissurcoat，thatitwasSirGottfriedofGodesberg。”Beready，father，”saidthegoodknight，pointingtowardstheadvancingboat；andwavinghishandbywayofrespecttothereverendhermit，withoutafurtherword，hevaultedintohissaddle，androdebackforafewscoreofpaces；whenhewheeledround，andremainedsteady。Hisgreatlanceandpennonroseintheair。Hisarmorglistenedinthesun；thechestandheadofhisbattle-horseweresimilarlycoveredwithsteel。AsSirGottfried，likewisearmedandmountedforhishorsehadbeenleftattheferryhardby，advanceduptheroad，healmoststartedatthefigurebeforehim——aglisteningtowerofsteel。”Areyouthelordofthispass，SirKnight？”saidSirGottfried，haughtily，”ordoyouholditagainstallcomers，inhonorofyourlady-love？””Iamnotthelordofthispass。Idonotholditagainstallcomers。Iholditbutagainstone，andheisaliarandatraitor。””Asthematterconcernsmenot，Iprayyouletmepass，”saidGottfried。”ThematterDOESconcernthee，GottfriedofGodesberg。Liarandtraitor！artthoucoward，too？””HolySaintBuffo！’tisafight！”exclaimedtheoldhermitwho，too，hadbeenagallantwarriorinhisday；andliketheoldwar-
horsethathearsthetrumpet’ssound，andspiteofhisclericalprofession，hepreparedtolookonatthecombatwithnoordinaryeagerness，andsatdownontheoverhangingledgeoftherock，lightinghispipe，andaffectingunconcern，butinrealitymostdeeplyinterestedintheeventwhichwasabouttoensue。
Assoonastheword”coward”hadbeenpronouncedbySirLudwig，hisopponent，utteringacursefartoohorribletobeinscribedhere，hadwheeledbackhispowerfulpiebald，andbroughthislancetotherest。”Ha！Beauseant！”criedhe。”Allahhumdillah！”’Twasthebattle-
cryinPalestineoftheirresistibleKnightsHospitallers。”Looktothyself，SirKnight，andformercyfromheaven！Iwillgivetheenone。””ABugoforKatzenellenbogen！”exclaimedSirLudwig，piously:that，too，wasthewell-knownwar-cryofhisprincelyrace。”Iwillgivethesignal，”saidtheoldhermit，wavinghispipe。”Knights，areyouready？One，two，three。LOS！”letgo。
Atthesignal，thetwosteedstoreupthegroundlikewhirlwinds；
thetwoknights，twoflashingperpendicularmassesofsteel，rapidlyconverged；thetwolancesmetuponthetwoshieldsofeither，andshivered，splintered，shatteredintotenhundredthousandpieces，whichwhirledthroughtheairhereandthere，amongtherocks，orinthetrees，orintheriver。Thetwohorsesfellbacktremblingontheirhaunches，wheretheyremainedforhalfaminuteorso。”HolyBuffo！abravestroke！”saidtheoldhermit。”Marry，butasplinterwellnightookoffmynose！”Thehonesthermitwavedhispipeindelight，notperceivingthatoneofthesplintershadcarriedofftheheadofit，andrenderedhisfavoriteamusementimpossible。”Ha！theyaretoitagain！Omy！howtheygotowiththeirgreatswords！Wellstricken，gray！Wellparried，piebald！
Ha，thatwasaslicer！Goit，piebald！goit，gray！——goit，gray！
goit，pie——Peccavi！peccavi！”saidtheoldman，heresuddenlyclosinghiseyes，andfallingdownonhisknees。”IforgotIwasamanofpeace。”Andthenextmoment，mutteringahastymatin，hesprungdowntheledgeofrock，andwasbythesideofthecombatants。
Thebattlewasover。GoodknightasSirGottfriedwas，hisstrengthandskillhadnotbeenabletoovercomeSirLudwigtheHombourger，withRIGHTonhisside。Hewasbleedingateverypointofhisarmor:hehadbeenrunthroughthebodyseveraltimes，andacutintierce，deliveredwithtremendousdexterity，hadcloventhecrownofhishelmetofDamascussteel，andpassingthroughthecerebellumandsensorium，hadsplithisnosealmostintwain。
Hismouthfoaming——hisfacealmostgreen——hiseyesfullofblood——
hisbrainsspatteredoverhisforehead，andseveralofhisteethknockedout，——thediscomfitedwarriorpresentedaghastlyspectacle，as，reelingundertheeffectsofthelasttremendousblowwhichtheKnightofHombourgdealt，SirGottfriedfellheavilyfromthesaddleofhispiebaldcharger；thefrightenedanimalwhiskedhistailwildlywithashriekandasnort，plungedouthishindlegs，tramplingforonemomentuponthefeetoftheprostrateGottfried，therebycausinghimtoshriekwithagony，andthengallopedawayriderless。
Away！ay，away！——awayamidthegreenvineyardsandgoldencornfields；awayupthesteepmountains，wherehefrightenedtheeaglesintheireyries；awaydowntheclatteringravines，wheretheflashingcataractstumble；awaythroughthedarkpine-forests，wherethehungrywolvesarehowlingawayoverthedrearywolds，wherethewildwindwalksalone；awaythroughtheplashingquagmires，wherethewill-o’-the-wispslunkfrightenedamongthereeds；awaythroughlightanddarkness，stormandsunshine；awaybytowerandtown，high-roadandhamlet。Onceaturnpike-manwouldhavedetainedhim；but，ha！ha！hechargedthepike，andcleareditatabound。OncetheCologneDiligencestoppedtheway:hechargedtheDiligence，heknockedoffthecapoftheconductorontheroof，andyetgallopedwildly，madly，furiously，irresistiblyon！Bravehorse！gallantsteed！snortingchildofAraby！Onwentthehorse，overmountains，rivers，turnpikes，apple-women；andneverstoppeduntilhereachedalivery-stableinColognewherehismasterwasaccustomedtoputhimup。