Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-30
The Daily Story
The Ministrel-By +. A. Mitchell
Copyrighted. 1914 by Associated Literary Bureau.

I tina, She had listened with rant a,
tention to his music and when bs
had gone said to her father that sonoa
thing told her the young man would
bring them deliverance But the baron
was Respondent. and she failed 10
arouse hope in him.
The next day the minstrel returned
and asked to see the baron. When tba
latter appeared Wilhelm said TO him.
II have been 70 the home Of Conn,
KeIlernaD. where / offered to sing fo-
him. He listened to my song. in which
/ predicted that he would marry a
beautiful woman and become feudal
lord. He was so pleased that he gave
orders that be well treated. I Learned
where the prisoners were kept and
during the night made an inspection N
the building. Give me force of picked
men, and tonight will liberate them
They are guarded by a hundred hire.
lings, who. if surprised. may be put to
fight by half their number Of real mon
at arms"
The baron. inspired by hope. at onco
gave orders for the selection Of tba
men required. He Ionged to head the
expedition himself, but this would nor
be just to Wilhelm. Besides. the haron
was too deeply interested to retain
that GOODNESS which was required. At
nightfall fifty of the best men among
the baron's retainers were gathered f.
the courtyard of the castle, and the
minstrel, who now carried a sword in.
stead of harp. after telling them that
- 20 Al
rades and save the Countess Bertha
from marriage with a villain. gave
them their instructions. They were 10
go separately and by different routes
to a wood near Count Kellerman's es-
tate. where they would lie concealed
till the minstrel appeared TO lead them
to the rescue. They would hear the
castle clock strike the hour of mid
night and must then be ready for what
was to folIc:v.
As soon as the men had received
these instructions they began to leave
the castle, some in groups of two or
three, but most of them singly. 1t was
an hour before the last man, The min
strel himself, left. Before going Ber-
tina pressed his hand and baGe him
shortest route to his destination. reach
ing the rendezvous just as the castle
clock in the distance could be faintly
heard striking the hour of midnight.
Kellerman's precautions against a
rescue had been fairly well taken. He
had put out a picket on the road by
which a force might approach from the
castle, but he had relied upon this and
guard of 200 men to protect the
building containing the prisoners, d.
yiding it into reliefs, so that half the
guard would be always under arms.
The rescuing party not having gone TO
the attack in a body and not in any
case by the road, the counts guards
were ignorant of the few but resolute
men in the wood not half league dis
ant from them.
Wilhelm led his men crouching
among the bushes toward their goal
till but few hundred yards remained
to be traversed. Six men carried log.
with which they were to batter down
the doors of the prison and release the
prisoners. When a signal-two shots
from an arquebus-was given the at
lacking party were to engage the
guards while the six men used the
battering ram.
Suddenly two shots rang ont on the
still air and were followed by terrific
yells. The guards on duty sprang 10
arms. but had not time TO form before
, wedge shaped body OF men split
hem in two parts. driving them from
The building they were charged With
IA riQ
If loud thuds on the prison door. In
/ few minutes it yielded, and the pris-
,ners poured forth. each man being
handed arms as he appeared.
Meanwhile the hundred men of the
yuard who were sleeping were arous-
ID. Those who were engaged were
allied. and an overwhelming force
vas ready to repel the enemy. Too
ate. A shriIl whistle gave the signal
or retreat. and Wilhelm. IN command
If rear guard. engaged Kellerman's
men, while the advance. in which were
he released prisoners. made their way
Jack in the direction OF the castle
shortly before dawn all passed over
he drawbridge in no haste. for the
cunt. having lost his prisoners. h'S
his men.
The courtyard was ab!aZe Wild
orches; all the inmates were present
D welcome their returned victorious
omrades and the rescued prisoners
he old pile rang with acclamatiors
he baron. with Bertha, stepped form
, thank the minstrel. and. after doins
D. the baron said:
what can ! bestow upon yon Tor
his great service?'
Nothing. except what I came Tor.
am Wilhelm Ballenstein. the son ana
cir Of Baron 3allenstein. whose cas-
c stands near the confluence OF the
hine and the Moselle. Hearing OF
lie Lady Bertha. / came in the G'iiS'
minstrel 10 satisfy myself as 10
lie truth of reports of her beauty ana
bod qualities before asking 10 DC
,nored With her hand. / am more
an satisfied and beg 10 be entereu
the list of her many suitOrS.