The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1915-04-08

time the terms must be accepted or re-
jected and was informed that only
three days remained for decision.
"Since you require military service OF
me-" said Wilhelm, Il will not waste
time in song. Adieu. Perhaps | shall
soon see you again." And the harpist
took his departure.
He was not seen after that for some
hours. Baron Wrentheim attached no
Importance to his coming and was not
impressed by his going. Not so Ber-
tina. She had listened with rapt at
tention to his music and when he
had gone said to her father that some
thing told her the young man would
bring them deliverance. But the baron
was respondent, and she failed to
arouse hope in him.
The next day the minstrel returned
and asked to see the baron. When the
latter appeared Wilhelm said to him:
II have been to the home of Count
Kellerman, where / offered to sing for
him. He listened to my song. in which
l predicted that he would marry a
beautiful woman and become feudal
lord. He was so pleased that he gave
orders that be well treated. learned
where the prisoners were kept and
during the night made an inspection of
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 men
at arms"
The baron, inspired by hope. at once
gave orders for the selection of the
men required. He longed to head the
expedition himself, but this would not
be just to Wilhelm. Besides. the baron
,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 in
the courtyard of the castle, and the
minstrel, who now carried sword in
stead of harp, after telling them that
they were to go to rescue their CON-
rades and save the Countess Bertha
from marriage with a villain. gave
them their instructions. They were to
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 follow.
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 babe him
godspeed. Then he struck out by the
shortest route to his destination. reach
ing the rendezvous just as the castle
clock In the distance could be family
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 force might approach from the
castle. but he had relied upon this and
guard OF 200 men to protect the
building containing the prisoners, di-
viding 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 a league dis
tant 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 a log,
with which they were to batter down
the doors of the prison and release the
prisoners. When 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 to
arms, but had not time to form before
a wedge shaped body Of men split
them in two parts. driving them from
the building they were charged with
protecting. Then commenced series
of loud thuds on the prison door. In
a few minutes it yielded, and the pris-
oners poured forth, each man being
handed arms as he appeared.
Meanwhile the hundred men of the
guard who were sleeping were arous-
ed. Those who were engaged were
rallied. and an overwhelming force
was ready to repel the enemy. Too
late A shrill whistle gave the signal
for retreat, and Wilhelm. in command
Of rear guard. engaged Kellerman's
men, while the advance, in which were
the released prisoners. made their way
back in the direction of the castle.
Shortly before dawn all passed over
the drawbridge in no haste. for the
count, having lost his prisoners. had
withdrawn his men.
The courtyard was ablaZe with
torches; all the inmates were present
to welcome their returned victorious
comrades and the rescued prisoners.
The old pile rang with acclamations.
The baron, with Bertha, stepped forth
to thank the minstrel. and. after doing
so, the baron said:
what can I bestow upon you for
this great service?"
Nothing, except what I came for.