The daylight had so increased that all might see the gentle smile coming to Roland’s lips, and the twinkle in his eye as he looked at the wrathful Kurzbold.

“A most intelligent leader of men are you, Herr Conrad.  I suppose this dozen will stampede to join your leadership.  They must indeed be proud of you when they learn the truth.  I shall present to each of you, out of my own store of gold that came from the castle you so bravely attacked last night, one half the amount that is your due.  This will be more money than any of you ever possessed before; each portion, indeed, excelling the total that you eighteen accumulated during your whole lives.  I could easily bestow your share without perceptible diminution of the fund we three, unaided, extracted from the coffers of the Red Margrave.  The reason I do not pay in full is this.  When you reach Frankfort, I must be assured that you will keep your foolish tongues silent.  If any man speaks of our labors, I shall hear of it on my return, and will fine that man his remaining half-share.

“It distresses me to expose your ignorance, Kurzbold, but I put you ashore amply provided with money, barely two-thirds of a league from Lorch, where you spent so jovial an evening, and where a man with gold in his pouch need fear neither hunger nor thirst.  Lorch may be attained by a leisurely walker in less than half an hour; indeed, it is barely two leagues from this spot to Assmannshausen, and surely you know the road from that storehouse of red wine to the capital city of Frankfort, having once traversed it.  A child of six, Kurzbold, might be safely put ashore where you shall set foot on land.  Therefore, lieutenants, let each man know he will receive a bag of coin, and may land unmolested to accompany the brave and intelligent Kurzbold.”

As he finished this declamation, that caused even some of the beaten warriors to laugh at their leader, the barge came gently alongside the strand, well out of sight of Bacharach.  Each of the dozen swore the terrible, unbreakable oath of the Three Kings to be an obedient henchman to Roland.

“You may,” said Roland, “depart to the cabin, where a flagon of wine will be served to every man, and also an early breakfast.  After that you are permitted to lie down and relax your swollen limbs, meditating on the extract from Holy Writ which relates the fate of the blind when led by the blind.”

When the dozen limped away, the chief turned to his prisoners.

“Against you four I bear resentment that I thought could not be appeased except by your expulsion, but reflection shows me that you acted under instruction from the foolish leader you selected, and therefore the principal, not the agent, is most to blame.  I give you the same choice I have accorded to the rest.  Unloose them, captain; and while this is being done, Greusel, get two empty bags from the locker, open one of the casks, and place in each bag an amount which you estimate to be one half the share which is Kurzbold’s due.”