The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1915-11-11

time the terms must be- accepted or re-
/ icctcd and was Informed that only
three days remained Cor a decision.
Since you require military service II
me, said Wilhelm, II viii not waste
time In song. Adieu Perhaps shalt
soon see you again" Aud the harpist
! took his departure
lie was not seen after that for some
hours Baron Wrentheim attached no
Importance TO his coming aud was not
impressed by his going Not SO Rcr-
tina. She had listened with rapt at.
tention 10 his music and when he
had gone said 10 her father that some.
thing told her the young man would
bring them dclverance but the baron
was Respondent, and she failed to
arouse hope in him.
The next day the minstrel returned
and asked 10 see the baron. When the
latter appeared Wilhelm said 10 him:
Il have been 10 the home OF Count
kellerman. where | offered 10 sing for
him. He listened 10 my song. I'm which
! predicted that he would marry
beautiful woman and become n feudaf
lord He was so pleased that he gave
orders that | he well treated | learned
where the prisoners were kept aud
during the night made an inspection OF
the building Give me force of picked
men, and tonight | will llberate them.
They are guarded by hundred hire
lings, who, II 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 10 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
nightfal fifty of the best men among
the baron's retalners were gathered In
the courtyard OF the castle, and the
minstrel, who now carried sword in
stead Of a harp, after telling them that
they were TO 90 to rescue their COM
rades and save the Countess Bertha
from marriage with a villain. gave
them their instructions. They were to
go separately and by different routes
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 MS the men had received
these instructions they began to leave
the castle, some in groups OF two or
three but most of them singly. II was
nm hour before the last man, the min
strel himself, left Before going Ber-
tina pressed his hand and bade him
godspeed Then he struck ont 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.
KeIlerman's precautions against
rescue had been fairly well taken He
had put out n picket on the road by
which force might approach from the
.astle, but he had relied upon this and
, guard of 200 men to protect the
building containing the prisoners, d.
riding ii into relefs, so that half the
guard would be always under arms.
fhe rescuing party not having gone 10
he attack in a body and not in any
'ase by the road, the counts guards
we're ignorant Of the few but resolute
men In the wood not half league dis
ant from them.
Wilhelm led his men croucbing
mong the bushes toward their goal
i'll but n few hundred yards remained
0 be traversed Six men carried a log,
With which they were to batter down
he doors of the prison and reease the
risoners When a signal-two shots
rom an arquebus- was given the at
lcking party were to engage the
yards while the six men used the
altering ram.
Suddenly two shots rang out on the
till air and were followed by terrific
ellis The guards on duty sprang to
rms, but had not time TO form before
wedge shaped body Of men split
lem in, two parts. driving them from
le building they were charged with
Then commenced series
T loud thuds on the prison door. In
few minutes it yielded. and the pris"
ners poured forth. each man being
anded arms rs he appeared
Meanwhile the hundred men of the
lard who were sleeping were arous~
/ Those who were engaged were
lllied. and an overwhelming force
as ready TO repel the enemy Too
te. A shrIl whistle gave the signal
n retreat. and Wilhelm. In commnDd
q rear guard. engaged KellermaDs
en-. while the advance, In which were
e released prisoners, made their way
ick In the direction Of the castle.
l0rtly before dawn all passed over
e drawbridge In no haste, for the
unit. having lost his prisoners. had
ithdrawn his men.
The courtyard was ablaze with
riches; all the inmates were present
welcome their returned victorious