The Sword Maker

suitable for a youth of his station, he interested himself keenly in only two studies, but as one of these challenged the other, as it were, the result

f the Rhine. The mixture of history, fiction, and superstition which he found in these vellum pages, so daintily limned, and so artistically embellished with initial letters in gold and crimson and blue, fascinated him, and filled him with that desire to see tho

my bookworm, his intellect saturated with the sentimental and romantic mysticism permeating Germany even un

, whom gold tempted across the Alps for the purpose of instructing the Emperor's son in Frankfort. He was a man of grace and politeness, and young Roland took to him from the first

h rather than skill in their manipulation. Between the Italian method and the German was all the contrast that exists between the catching of salmon

opinions of his own, believing there was some merit in strength which the Italian ignored; so, studying the subject, he himself invented a sword which, while lacking th

ry muscle in the body, and Roland's constant bouts with Rinaldo did more than make him a master of the weapon, with equal facility in his right arm

grasped by stronger but unauthorized hands. Roland's surreptitious excursions into the city to confer with the sword makers taught him little of politics, for his conversations with these mechanics were devoted entirely to metal-working. He was hustled now and again by the turbulent mob, in going to and fro, but he did not know why

e grip of alien hands on his shoulders. During that night ride in the boat he said nothing but thought much. He had heard his mother plead for him without for a moment delaying his departure. She, evidently, was powerless. There was then in the land a force superior to that of the Throne. Something that had been said quieted his mother's fears, for at last she allowed him to go without further protest

s of the country. He learned now in what a deplorable state the capital stood, through the ever-increasing exactions of the robber Barons along the Rhine. He asked his instructor why the merchants did not send their goods by some other route, which was a very natural query, but was told there existed no othe

ck of a strong hand in the capital. A strong hand is needed by nobles and outlaws alike. We want a new Fre

anner if he chose, but had he uttered these sentiments farther down the Rhine, he would himself have exper

hbishops put a stop to it

er shrugged

neutralize one another. No two of them will allow the other to act, fearing he may gain in power, and thus upset the balance of responsibility, which I assure your Highness is very nicely adjusted.

g an occasional question, he thought much, and came to certain conclusions. He arrived at a

now familiar door in the Fahrgasse. In the room on the first floor he found with Herr Goebel a thick-set, h

nfidence that the young man might succeed in his mission. There was now no hesitation in the merchant's manner; alert and decided, all mistrust seemed to have vanished. "This

hall attend to that por

"this young man is commander. You are to obey hi

bowed with

n, as you will be anxious to see the bales

conclusion that he liked this rough-and-ready mariner with so

rned his atten

have given the captain an inventory showing the price of each. I suppose you despise our vulgar traffic, and, indeed, I had no thought of asking so highly

intend to be quit of them long before I see Cologne. Indeed, should I prosper, I hope your

zed up at him i

ible. There is no sale

ks prove you unacqua

river between Ehrenfels and Bonn. There are m

he merchants. Are you not aware that each of these castles is inhabited by

ting the boar, the bear, and the deer, tearing recklessly through thicket and over forest-covered ground. Why, our noble friends must be in ra

st at this senseless talk so seriously pu

rse, you know as well as I that the Barons will buy nothing. They will take such goods as they want if you but give them opportunity. What you s

five hundred,

garding the extra five hundred as paid for services

as your captain; one whom you trust implicitly, for I hope to send back with him four thousand five h

ere can be no gold

e money. You will be anxious to know how we pros

gold, he cannot ret

nkf

s no castle between Lorch and Frankfort except Ehrenfels, and t

l await you at Lorch. In

er's

g but one day in which to replenish the wardrobes, which involved the acquiring of garments already made. However no trouble was experienced about this, for each branch of the metal-workers had its own recognized outfit, which was kept on hand in all sizes by various dealers catering to the wants of artisans, from apprentices to masters of their trade. The costumes were admirably adapted to the use for which t

st time that he was actually one of themselves. Hitherto something in the fashioning of his wearing apparel had in a manner differentiated him from

Two accomplishments he possessed endeared Roland to his comrades: first, the ability to sing a good song; and second, his talent for telling an interesting story, whether it was a personal adventure, a legend of the Rhine, or some tale of the gnomes which,

n the meal was finished, and the landlord, after replenishing the flagons,

uty to inform you minutely of what is before us, and if I speak with some solemnity, it is because I realize we may never a

zbold, "don't mar a jovial evening with a

to Roland. He was the oldest of the company; an ambitious man, a glib talker, with great influence among

to do. I am very anxious not to minimize the danger. I wish no man to follow me blindfold, thus I speak early in the evening, that you may not be influenced by the enthus

he help of my comrades, I would endeavor to open the Rhine to merca

make itself heard above the tumult. These lads had no conception of the perils they were to face, and Roland alone remained imperturbable, becoming more

le, while we march across the country to Assmannshausen, and there join this craft. It is essential that no hint of our intention shall spread abroad in gossipy Frankfort, therefore, depending on Captain Blumenfels to get his boat clear of the city without observati

old. "Make it the tavern of the Nassauer Hof, Roland.

you in the shadow of the tower at nine o'clock. Let every man drink his f

ried John Gensbein. "Give us till

o-morrow we begin our work, with a long day's march ahead

that it cannot carry over till next day, except in so far as a headache is concerned, and a certain dryness of the mouth. It is futile to bid us lay in a supply to-night that will be of

made no reply, but contin

When the sun is well risen, Captain Blumenfels will navigate his boat down the river, and as it approaches Rheinstein we shall probably enjoy the privilege of seeing the gates open wide, as the company from the Castle descend precipitously to the water. While they rifle the barge we shall rifle the Castle, overpowering whoever we may find there, and taking in return for the cloth they steal such gold or silver

as Rheinstein, and within a short distance from the stronghold, but the plan with ea

cried several; but John Ge

to say that after we had secured the gold we would fall

and, "for at some point our scheme may go awry. It is not my intention

unnecessary to search for trouble, because we shall find enough of it awaiting us at one point or another. But Roland stopped

will be the payment of four thousand

ves, and I don't see why he should reach out his claws. He wi

goods, besides providing barge, captain, and crew. He also furnished us with the five hundred tha

tter which it seemed ungracious to mention last night. The merchant offered him a thousand thalers in gold, and he, with a generosity which I must point out to him was exercised at our expense, returned half that money to Herr Goebel. I confess that all I received has been spent; my hand is lonesome when it enters my pouch.

is room. If you know so much better than I how to procure money, why did you not do so? I should not

, who stood stubbornly in his place, and Gensbein, who sat

Ebearhard above the din, "to s

rzbold. "In the interests of our leader, no less

ght hand, seemed to reque

rge will not be loaded until to-morrow night, so the order may even yet be countermanded. The five hundred thalers which belonged t

Kurzbold sat down w

ne man. If that promise is not to be kept in spirit as well as in letter, I shall retire from the position I now hold, and you may elect in my stead Conrad Kurzbold, John Gensbein, or any one else that please

opposition in that spirit, Roland." "We are all free-speaking

o his feet for

s no money, and it is impossible for me to refund. I imagine, if the truth were told, we a

his love of good wine. Up to this point Roland had carried the assemblage with him,

o the fair treatment of Herr Goebel, for you are all of the merc

affairs, of which on several occasions the merchant himself had complained, led him quite unconsciously to to

rn out creditable work, while the merchants are merely the vendors of our products. Which, therefore, takes the higher place in a community, and which deserves it better: he who with artistic instinct unites

nce over another. He himself felt immeasurably superior to those present, sensible of a fathomless gulf between him and them, which he, in his condescension, might cro

n at their heads, but some hitherto undiscovered stubbornness in his nature asserted itself,

raw it, but I apologize to you for my folly in making it. It was merely thoughtlessness on

tion to Conrad Kurzbold, ignoring John Gensbein, who had sat down flushed after his d

nd sternly, "have you any f

d by what I hav

our honest expression of

u cannot accompany

confidence of his auditors, and they w

wn word to cast out one of us from the fellowship. I may add, Roland, that you seem to harbor strange ideas concerning rank and power. I have been a member of this guild much longer than you, and perhaps understand better its purpose. Our leader is not elected to govern a band of serfs. Indeed, and I say it subject

rd sat down all were seated except Roland, who stood at

successful, defying alike the Government and the people. It was my hope that we might reverse this condition of things. Now, Brother Ebearhard, na

ard, "that we do not model our

ssful. It is success we are after, also a portion of that gol

ur men-at-arms, then,

would empl

tain

erty of expelling

ty to hang any of you i

is went beyond him. He gazed up and down the table as m

ate expression of its a

bold apologizes to me for the expressions he has use

sort," asserted Kurzbo

put me in a position to repay Herr Goebel the money I extracted fr

them. Joseph Greusel, seeing that no one else made a move, uprose, and spoke slowly. He was a man who never had much to say for himself; a listener rather than a talker, in whom Roland re

see no one else ready to make a suggestion. I cannot claim to be non-partisan in the matter. This crisis has bee

ent, but Greusel proceeded

o refund the amount when his unjust remarks produce their natural effect. He is like a man who makes a wager knowing he hasn't the money to pay

"you were misnamed in your infancy. You should have been cal

est and most capable of our circle; the one who pr

first. Now you rate us as if we were no better than thieves. Dishonest gamblers, you call us, and Lord knows what else, and then you threaten withdrawal. I submit that your diatribe is quite undeserved. We all condemn Kurzbold for censuring Roland's generosity to the merchant, unani

ginal provocation. I must know where we stand. I therefore move a vote of censure on Conra

th great pleasure

iberty of submitting it myself," continued Greusel. "All in favor of the

cept Roland, Gensb

efore I formally deliver this vote of censure to Herr Kurzbold, I request him to

authority to expel whom he pleases fr

It is the case!

nces his own withdrawal from it. You have allowed Kurzbold to put you in the position of being compelled to choose between himself and Roland. If you are logical men you cannot pass a vote of censure on Kurzbold, and then choose him instead of Roland. I therefore move a vote of confidence in our chief, the man who has produced the money, a thousand thalers in all, half of which was his own, and has divided it equally amongst us, when the landlord's bill was paid, withholding not a single thaler, nor arrogating-I think that

although you usually persist in hiding your light under a bushel. I desire to asso

on which you have all h

in favor of

e half rose, sat down again; then, apparently at the urging of the man next him, stood up, a picture of irresolution. Kurzbold, finding hims

s and confidence of the iron-workers' guild, and before calling upon you to make any reply, if such should be y

ct that Joseph Greusel's diplomacy had made a co

not have resented, and there is little use in recapitulating what followed. As, however, my utterances gave offense which was not intended by me, I have no hesitation in apologizing for them, and wi

" said Greusel, and Roland

nd ruthless. If any one in this company holds rancor against me, I ask him to turn it towards the Barons,

ng, passed down along the table, and thrust across his hand to Kurzb

meet you all under the shadow of the Elector's tower in Hochst to-morrow morning at nine," and with that the president departed,