on the high roads, and here in this very wood? With
her own ears, she heard us say that the town constable required us
to take seven mounted men as outriders, by reason that the day before
yesterday the whole train of waggons of the Borchtels and the Schnods
was overtaken, and the convoy would of a certainty have been beaten if
they had not had the aid, by good-hap, of the fellowship marching with
the Maurers and the Derrers.--And it was pitch dark, owls were flitting,
foxes barking; it was enough to make even an old scarred soldier's blood
run cold. It is a sin and a shame how the rogues ply their trade, even
close under the walls of the city! They cut off a bleacher's man's ears,
and when I wished that young Eber of Wichsenstein, and all the rout that
follows him might come to the gallows, Ann made bold to plead for them,
by reason that he only craved to visit on the Nurembergers the cruel
death they brought upon his father the famous thief. As if she did not
know full well that, since Eppelein of Gailingen was cast into prison,
our land has never been such a den of murder and robbery as at this day.
If there is less dust to be seen on the high-ways, said the keeper, it
is by reason that it is washed away in blood. And notwithstanding all
this the crazy maid runs straight into the Devil's arms, with that old
dolt."

Then, when I went into the stable to mount, Uncle Conrad turned on
Kubbeling in stormy ire for that he had suffered Uhlwurm to lead Ann
into such peril; howbeit the Brunswicker knew how to hold his own, and
declared at last that he could sooner have looked to see a falcon grow a
lion's tail in place of feathers, than that old death-watch make common
cause with a young maiden. "He had come forth," quoth he, "to counsel
their excellencies to take horse." But my uncle's question, whether
he, Kubbeling, believed that they had come forth to the stables to
hear mass, put an end to his discourse; the gentlemen called to the
serving-men to make speed, and I was already in the saddle. Then, when
I had commanded Endres to open the great gate, I bowed my head low
and rode out through the stable door, and bade the company a hearty
good-day. To this they made reply, while Uncle Conrad asked whether
I had forgotten his counsels, and whither it was my intent to ride;
whereupon I hastily replied: "Under safe guidance, that is to say yours,
to follow Ann."

My uncle slashed his boot with his whip, and asked in wrath wheth