“Meaning Roland?”

“Meaning this crew, guzzling up at the tavern.  Meaning you, meaning me; yes, and meaning Roland also.  I never knew until yesterday and to-day 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 poling slowly up the Rhine to the Main again, and will thus reach Frankfort.  Herr Goebel has confidence in Roland, otherwise he would never have risked 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 five hundred thalers, Roland would not permit him to lose his goods as well.”

“Do you suppose Roland will enlist another company?”

“It is very likely, for Herr Goebel trusts him, and, goodness knows, there are enough unemployed men in Frankfort for Roland to select a better score than we have proved to be.”

It was quite certain that Roland was not in Assmannshausen, yet Greusel was a prophet as false as Ebearhard.

IX

A SOLEMN PROPOSAL OF MARRIAGE

When Roland wrapped his cloak about him, and lay down on the sward 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 foredoomed 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 Ehrenfels Castle and the town of Wiesbaden, the route over which supplies had been carried to the Castle time and again when the periodical barges from Mayence 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.