distance from the road and under the shade of the forest trees,
seven horses stood waiting. The Baron mounted upon his great
black charger, seating little Otto upon the saddle in front of
him. "Forward!" he cried, and away they clattered and out upon
the road. Then - "To St. Michaelsburg," said Baron Conrad, in
his deep voice, and the horses' heads were turned to the
westward, and away they galloped through the black shadows of
the forest, leaving Trutz-Drachen behind them.

But still the sound of the alarm bell rang through the beating
of the horses' hoofs, and as Hans looked over his shoulder, he
saw the light of torches flashing hither and thither along the
outer walls in front of the great barbican.

In Castle Trutz-Drachen all was confusion and uproar: flashing
torches lit up the dull gray walls; horses neighed and stamped,
and men shouted and called to one another in the bustle of
making ready. Presently Baron Henry came striding along the
corridor clad in light armor, which he had hastily donned when
roused from his sleep by the news that his prisoner had escaped.
Below in the courtyard his horse was standing, and without
waiting for assistance, he swung himself into the saddle. Then
away they all rode and down the steep path, armor ringing,
swords clanking, and iron-shod hoofs striking sparks of fire
from the hard stones. At their head rode Baron Henry; his
triangular shield hung over his shoulder, and in his hand he
bore a long, heavy, steel-pointed lance with a pennant
flickering darkly from the end.

At the high-road at the base of the slope they paused, for they