The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-02-23

last battle Five years ago, next September,
one of my corn ships lay IN the Elbe having
thus far overcome all dangers In that dry
season the llmenau was shallow, and the vessel
could not come up. Must give up such a
prize to the highwaymen who Turk about hereP
] asked myself. Itook two drivers with strong
wagons; several neighbors accompanied me,
well armed, and we hoped to be able to secure
the goods, and TO conceal them. But as we
came into the Hawks Woods party of armed
rufians set upon Us, took the corn, and gave
me blow in the eye which made me blind"
who did that, father ?" asked the girl at his
feet, softly stroking his hand
=" ! do not know, child Who knows all the
sneaking thieves and knight robbers around
here? Some thought it was the lord of the
mountain of the Castle Bleckede on the Elbe
and since this last occurrence with Greta, Bal
thazar firmly believes it."
He did not know that the women hardly
heard him, their attention being absorbed by
the tumult and cries outside Now came loud
knock upon the house-do0r: Katherine peeped
out and admitted Lucas who ran into the room.
out of breath.
=" It's Duke Magnus. They are in the market
place. The people are yelling that the enemy
are in league with the devil, and that the hob
goblin Hoidoke helped them over the wall.
Burgomaster Biskule is dead. and l saw Hans
Won MOlen carried of, Our Captain, Herr u
IlCu Won u0I hSlSSeHDuiF, Is IdlhlBg Win thS
knights Some say he will give them the key
to the wne-cellar of the City Hall. The mar
ket-place is full of torches and the armed citi-
zens are marching through the streets"
Another knock at the door Katherine opens
it quickly. Hans, the apprentice, rushes up to
the old man.
" Master Balthazar says you must put little
candles in every pane to brighten the street,
and the women must pour scalding water upon
tho Nyb will thro1pb
must run and tell the neighbors," and with a
spring the excited boy was gone. Lucas had
gathered fresh courage, and did not need kath-
crime to push him out of the door. Katherine
proceeded to give her orders:
Come more quickly, and help mel" she
cried to Gertrude Gesche sits crying on the
stairs. She must take hold, too. Bring all the
iron pots and kettles from the bake-house and
don't forget the pals. Run to the well for
water, and turn on all the spigots Let us get
all the fluid that we can, that we may do our
part toward destroying the enemy when he
weakens"
Her sharp features were distorted by hatred
and revenge as she spoke and pushing back her
dark hair, she seized Gertrude by the arm,
jerked her from her seat, pushed her before her,
and soon had the trembling sister and the weep
ing maid engaged in jealous labor. The small
window panes flashed with their resinOus lights
in the front gable, similar to those in the
neighbOring houses, while timid women occa-
sonally peeped out. All were expectant and
eager TO do their part toward the destruction OF
their foes. Again Lucas came. He supported,
and endeavored TO assist along the street, man
who had been wounded The red glow of the
torchlights streamed upon both of them as they
crossed the way. Trudy called aloud:
Sister, it is FlOrian They have killed
Florian
She sprang down the winding stair Gesche
quickly opened the house-door. The two ap-
prentices stepped upon the threshold together,
but one sank to the floor and it required the
united strength of the maid and Lucas to lift
him to his feet. Trudy moaned, "Florian
poor Florian 2"
The words seemed to revive him. By an
effort he succeeded in rising, and tottered to
the old mans room, where he sank down upon
a bench behind the stove. The blind man
CROPPED his way to him.
" What is the matter, my boy? Where art
thou hurt? he asked.
" A stab in the breast" Whispered the youth,
leaning back against the stove. The small
lamp before the Holy Family threw a faint
light across his pale features
!" He is dying!" walled Trudy, and sank
upon her knees.
At this moment Katherine came busting in.
g Let me pass, child; / must see whether any
thing can be done TO help him."
With quick and skillful hand she opened the
jacket Of the wounded lad Gesche brought
her hot water and old linen and she washed
and bandaged the wound, and laid the sufferer
upon the bench behind the stove. She then
reached for the cup beside her fathers bed,
4 containing a few drops left from his night
draft, and the youth eagerly quaffed the dregs
Of the wine In little while he was refreshed
and gave them some of the particulars for which
| they were anxiously waiting.
The Captain of the city parleyed with the
/ knights who had laid waste everything be-
caase he knew that he must gain time. No
| body dreamed Of such an attack, and very few
4 people were in the streets. With fattering
/ tongue and much liquor he brought them to q
/ halt While they discussed with him in the
/ Inarket-place the possibilities of a surrender
and compensation, the citizens were behind the
/ City Hall, emptying the Armory and piling
! the weapons in heaps on all sides When the
! knights found out what was going on they
felled the Captain TO the earth, and threw them
selves upon rs The battle ragged fercely, and
] ] was struck down."
The tumult the shrieks and the clang of
/ firearms came nearer Katherine left Trudy
! beside the wounded man, begging her to apply
| fresh bandages. She called Lucas and ordered
! him to bring hot water, while she ran up stairs
with Gesche 70 peep out. She soon perceived
/ that knight was leaving the market place
no fight, but visible surrender The troops
1 that had been surrounded by the Infatuated
/ citizens and driven into a corner were released
and many of them threw down their heavy
| weapons with loud chatter. Battle-axes and
| kniie-thrusts had done their work When an
| individual attempted to come out alone, he
watched his opportunity TO escape the incensed
women, who were waiting to turn upon the
| enemy a torrent Of scalding water, under which
the unfortunate men, often suffering much
pain, finally succumbed
A narrow street ran close 10 Herr Amburg
er's house at one side, and led TO the courtyard
! and cellar. Several persons, realizing theil
| danger. FASTENED toward it, but very few wer,
/ capable Of rejecting at such time. The crowC
! presses, TeyolVes, cbatters and stamps along thu
! street beneath; citizens and foes intermingled
all Fastening toward the nearest gate Kath
crime sees her brothers powerful frame covered
with white dust, his ak swung high in the air
surrounded by his associates and his angr,
enemies, and concludes that as she might reael
friends as well as foes, it would be better to re
frain from throwing the hot water.
Now the great thing has passed by, and ii
path is strewn with clothes and weapons
Wounded citizens are carried into houses, bu
the enemy lies neglected and alone. Rather
inc sees that there is nothing more for her b
do up stairs, and she hastens down to inform
the family that she has seen her brave and vic
torious brother defend his rights among hi
foes
what blessing" she exclaimed, THROWN
her arms above her head, to be able to see tn
dangers Of this night turned aside from US