“‘Without weapons, you mean to say,’ added Petard.

“‘Without weapons I defy your best man,’ said the stranger, evidently desiring to display some prowess which should gain him admission to the band.

“There was a consultation between Petard and a few of his officers and men, and finally there stepped forth a large, powerful member of the troop-the bully of the band-who offered without weapons to contend with the new comer.  The terms were properly stated by the captain, the ground chosen, and the contest begun.  The skill, strategy and strength of the stranger were confounding to the robber, and he was cast upon the ground totally disabled in a very few moments.  The robbers being angry at this, another stepped forward, was vanquished as quickly, and another, and still another, until Petard himself interfered, declaring that he who could thus fight without weapons, and with such skill and decision, must be a strong auxiliary in time of need.  He was installed, therefore, with due ceremony, as a member of the band.

“It was a fine, clear night,” continued Carlton, “that on which it came the turn of the new comer to guard the tower in which Bettina Etzwell was confined.  The stars shone out like mystic lamps, and the broad turrets of the robbers’ stronghold cast deep shadows upon the open plats that had been cleared about the spot.  All was still.  After an evening of revelry, the band was sleeping, and the single guard paced to and fro, apparently not daring to sit down lest he should fall asleep.  In the lone tower above him was the fair prisoner.  She realized her true situation, and she knew that her father would use every endeavor to raise the sum requisite for her ransom.  She knew enough about the habits and practices of the banditti, not to have any fears for her personal safety, since it was so much for their pecuniary advantage to protect and respect her.  Indeed, Petard had frankly told her of the communications that had taken place between her father and himself concerning her ransom.

“But hark!  What startles the fair girl so suddenly?  See, she hastens to the turret window, and listens absorbedly to the low but musical notes of a human voice.  Is it because the song is so familiar to her ear, that she is thus moved?  Perhaps there are recollections connected with this air that are particularly affecting to her, for her fair bosom heaves quickly, and her whole figure seems agitated, as she gazes out upon the night, and her eyes rest upon the person of the robber who guards her captivity, while a clear, manly voice, though in subdued cadence, pours forth the touching notes of a Rhine song with singular delicacy and sweetness.

“‘Can there be two such voices?’ she asked herself.  ’Is there magic at work?  That is certainly the voice of Egbert, but yonder guard who sings thus is one of these detested banditti!’

“In her excitement, she leaned forth from the turret-window, while at the same moment the new member of the band drew towards it.  All was still; the revellers slept.  Petard himself slept.  Only this single sentinel and the prisoner were awake!