Count Ulrich of Lindburg | Page 8

I mistake his looks and mode of utterance."
"What think you, my young sir, if he should prove to be Dr Martin
himself?" said Hans.
"It more than once occurred to me that such might be the case; but is Dr
Martin likely to be out in these parts, and would he be habited in such a
costume as that worn by this stranger?" asked Eric.
"It was Dr Martin notwithstanding that," exclaimed the little Platter;
"you will see, my masters, when we get to Wittemburg, you will see."
This incident added very much to the interest of the journey. They rode

on for some leagues, when, as they were not far off from the place
where they purposed resting for the night, they saw a band of horsemen
approaching them. It was easy to see by their dress and general
appearance that he who rode at their head was their lord, with two
companions of inferior rank, and that the rest were his retainers. They
had a particular swaggering look which showed that they belonged to a
class of persons common in those days, who followed the fortunes of
any lawless noble who could employ them, and were ever ready to
commit any deed of violence their master might command. Eric kept as
close to one side of the road as he could to avoid giving cause of
offence. They eyed him narrowly as he passed, and especially looked at
Hans, who wore the livery of his house.
"Who can those people be?" asked Eric. "Their looks are far from
pleasant, nor did they deign to give us the usual salutation which
courtesy demands as they rode by."
"Alas! I know them well," answered Hans. "He who rode at their head
is no other than Baron Schenk of Schweinsburg, your father's greatest
and, I may say, only enemy. If he guesses who you are, my dear young
master, I fear that he will not let us escape unmolested; for he is a man
who delights in blood and violence, and were not our Castle a strong
one, and defended by brave hearts and willing hands, it is my belief
that he would long ago have attacked it, and carried off all he could
find of value within. My advice, therefore, is that we put spurs to our
horses, and place as great a distance as we can as soon as possible
between him and ourselves. Hold on, little Platter, away we go!"
"Your advice is good, Hans," said Eric, as he urged on his steed. It was
likely to be of little avail, however, for at that instant the clatter of
horses' hoofs was heard, and looking round they saw that half-a-dozen
of the Baron's retainers were spurring after them. This, of course, only
made Eric and his attendant more anxious than ever to escape. Their
horses were good ones, and they might still distance their pursuers.
"Let me drop, kind sir," exclaimed little Platter; "I am only delaying
you, and it little matters if I fall into the Baron's hands; I am not worth
killing!"

Hans laughed, and answered, "You would break your limbs if I let you
go, and your weight is but as that of a feather to my old steed Schwartz.
Hold on boy--hold on! We have promised to protect you, and we are
not the people to cast you off at the first sign of danger."
They galloped on as fast as their steeds could put feet to the ground; but
they had already performed a good day's journey, and were somewhat
tired. Their pursuers' horses, on the contrary, were fresh, it seemed, and
when Hans looked over his shoulder, he saw at once that they were
gaining on them. Still he was not a man to give in without an effort.
"We'll try it on a little longer, my young master, and then face about
and show them the edges of our swords. Maybe, like bullies in general,
they are cowards, and if we put on a bold front, they will make off."
This counsel was too good not to be followed. Still the Baron's
retainers were gaining on them. A wood was on either side. They might
dash into it, and make their escape, but that was not then a mode of
proceeding to suit Eric's taste. "Now then we'll do as you suggest,
Hans," he exclaimed. Pulling up their steeds, they turned sharply round
and drew their swords. This, however, did not produce the effect they
had hoped. They now saw, indeed, that the remainder of the band were
coming up. At this moment little Platter let himself slip from behind
Hans to the ground, saying, as he did so, "I can be of no service to you
here; but I can, maybe,