The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-12-19


man in all the Alf-thal, and few could lift
the iron siedge hammer he welded as
though 1t were toy. Arras had twelve sons scarce
less stalwart than himself some of whom heped him
in his occupation of blacksmith and armorer while
the others titled the ground by, earning from
the rich soil of the valley what sustenance the whole
family needed. The blacksmith heard coming up the
valley OF the ALT the hoof- beats of horse and
his quick, experienced ear told him. though the ami
NAL was yet affair." that one of its shoes was loose A.
the hurrying rider within CALL the blacksmith
shouted to him in stentorian tones
FRIEND, pause a moment, until fasten again the
shoe on your horses foot"
l cannot STOP the brief answer
blacksmith. ~
Better lose horse than empire" replied the
rider, hurrying by
Now what does that mean7" said the blacksmith
20 himself as he watched the disappearing rider while
the cck-clack of the loosened shoe became fainter
and fainter in the distance.
Could the blacksmith have followed the rider into
Castle Bertrich short distance further up the val
ley he would speedily have learned the meaning OF
the hasty phrase the horseman had flung behind him
as ne T0oe past Ascending the winding road that
4ed TO the gates Of the castle hurriely as the faded
CONDITION OF his beast would permit the horseman
paused unloosed the horn from his belt and bIevv
blast that echoed from the wooded hills around
presently an officer appeared above the gateway ac-
cofnpaned by two or three men, and demanded
who the stranger was and why he asked admission
The horseman, amazed at the officers ignorance of
heraldry that caused him to INQUIRE as to his quality
answered with haughtiness:
Messenger of the Archbishop Of Treves demand
instant audience with Count Bertrich"
the
casue walls and presently the great leaves the
gate We're thrown open whereupon the horseman rode
his tired animal into the courtyard flung himself
MY horses shoe is loose" he said to the captain
L ask you to have your armorer Immediately at
tend to it"
In truth" replied the officer Struggling his
shoulders there is more drinking than fighting In
Castle .Bertrich; consequently do not possess an
armorer. If you want blacksmithing done you must
betake yourself to armorer Arras the valley who
viii put either horse armor right for you"
With this the messenger was forced to be con-
tent; and begging the attendants who took charge
OF his horse to remember that it had Travelled far
had STILL when rested long journey before it, he
followed the captain great rittersaa of the
nOQced he found the Count Bertrich sitting at the
head of long table, holding a gigantic wine Aapon
which he industriously emptying. Extending
down each side Of the table were many mobiles
knights and warriors, who, to Judge by the hasty
glance bestowed upon them by the Archbishop's mes
seRger seemed to be theoretically following the ex-
ample set them by their lord the head Count
Bertrich's hair was unkempt, his face purpsh red
MS eye DIoodshot; and his corselet at the
throat showed the great bull-neck of the man, on
whose gigantic frame constant dissipation seemed to
have merely temporary effect.
Welt" roared the noblenan in a voice that made
the rafters ring. What would you with Count Ber-
tTich?"
Il bear an urgent dispatch to you from my lord
the Archbishop of Treves," replied the messenger.
"Then down your knees and present it," cried
the Count, beating the table with his hagon.
I envoy Of his Lordship of TreVes,' said the
messenger, sternly.
you told US that before" shouted the Count land
you stand in the hall Bertrich. KneeI there
fore, to its master"
st represent the Archbishop" reiterated the mes
senger, and I kneel to none but God and the EN-
peror."
Count Bertrich rose somewhat uncertainty to his
feet, his whole frame trembling with anger vol
lsyed forth oaths upon threats. The tall nobeman at
his right hand also rose, as did many of the others
who sat st the table, and, placing his hand the
arm Of his furious host, said warnngly:
MY lord Count the is right. 1t is against
the feudal law that he should knee that you should
demand it. The Archbishop of Treves is your
lord as well as ours and it is not hitting that his
messenger should kneel before u.s.
THAT is truth-the feudaI law" muttered others
down each side of table
The enraged Count glared upon them one after an
other, partially subdued by their breaking away from
him.
The envoy stood calm and collected, awaiting the
outcome Of the tumult Count cursing the absent
Archbishop and his present guests with equal i'm
partially, sat slowly down again, and finging his
empty fagon at attendant, demanded that it
should be refled. The others likewise resumed their
seats; and the Count cried out, but with less of
turbulence in his tone:
What message sent the Archbishop to Castle Ber-
trich?"
MY lord. the Archbishop of Treves requires me to
inform Count Berrich and the assembled mobiles that
the Hungarans have forced passage Rhine,
snd about to make their way through the de-
files of the Efe into this valley intending to march
thence upon Treves laying that ancient city in ruin
and carrying havoc the surrounding country.
His Lordship commands you Count Bertrich, to rally
your about you and to hold the nidels in check
in the deles of the EifeI until the Archbishop
at the head of his army to your relief from Treves
There deep silence in the vast hall after this
startling announcement Then the Count replied
Tell the Archbishop of Treves that if the Lords
the Rhine cannot keep back the Hungarians it is
hardly likely that We less powerful near the Mosee
can 90 it."
His Lordship urges instant compliance with his
request, and l to say that you refuse at your
peril. A few hundred men can hold the Hungarians
in check while they passing through the narrow
ravines Of the Efel, while many thousands might
cfTIa fheV reach
the open valleys of the ALT and the Moselle His
I,ordship would also have you know that this cam
paign is much in own interest as in his, for
the Hungarans in their devastating march, spare
her highn low"