A Ride For Life.

But not yet was Otto safe, and all danger past and gone by.
Suddenly, as they stood there, the harsh clangor of a bell broke
the silence of the starry night above their heads, and as they
raised their faces and looked up, they saw lights flashing from
window to window. Presently came the sound of a hoarse voice
shouting something that, from the distance, they could not
understand.

One-eyed Hans smote his hand upon his thigh. Look said he, "here
is what comes of having a soft heart in one's bosom. I overcame
and bound a watchman up yonder, and forced him to tell me where
our young Baron lay. It was on my mind to run my knife into him
after he had told me every thing, but then, bethinking how the
young Baron hated the thought of bloodshed, I said to myself,
'No, Hans, I will spare the villain's life.' See now what comes
of being merciful; here, by hook or by crook, the fellow has
loosed himself from his bonds, and brings the whole castle about
our ears like a nest of wasps."

"We must fly," said the Baron; "for nothing else in the world is
left me, now that all have deserted me in this black time of
trouble, excepting these six faithful ones."

His voice was bitter, bitter, as he spoke; then stooping, he
raised Otto in his arms, and bearing him gently, began rapidly
descending the rocky slope to the level road that ran along the
edge of the hill beneath. Close behind him followed the rest;
Hans still grimed with soot and in his bare feet. A little