The sun had set when the leader brought his company down into the valley of the Walluf, 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 dissent.  How were they to camp out without tents?  A heavy rain was impending.  Listen to the thunder, and taking 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 to-night.  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 eighteen, ignoring Greusel and Ebearhard, 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 in 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 thalers for each man.”

“Oh, you want the money from me?”

“Yes, we do.”

“That would absorb all the funds I possess.”