ew
that it was hard to contend with the powers beyond seas.

He and Cousin Maud had ever been on terms of good-fellowship with Uncle
Christian, but to-day my uncle was ill to please; neither look nor word
had he for his heart's darling, Ann; and when he presently recovered
somewhat, he stormed around, with so red a face and such furious ire
that we feared lest he should have another dizzy stroke, saying "that
Kubbeling and Cousin Maud might be ashamed of themselves, inasmuch as
they were old enough to know better and were acting like a pair of
young madcaps." And thus he went on, till it was overmuch for the
Brunswicker's endurance, and on a sudden he cried out in great wrath
that that he had promised was in truth not wise, forasmuch as that he
would gain nought but mischief thereby, yet that it concerned him alone
and he took it all on himself, although Master Pfinzing might yet ask
for why and to what end he should risk a hurt by it, whereas, to his
knowledge, the ill-starred Junker Schopper could be little more to him
than the man in the moon. He was wont, quoth he, to take good care not
to risk his skin for other folks, but in this matter it seemed to him
not too dear a bargain. Neither the stoutest will nor the strongest fist
might avail against Mistress Ursula, the veriest witch in all the land
of Egypt; a better head was needed for that, than the heavy brain-pan
which God Almighty had set on his short neck, and yet he had sworn to
bring her knavery to nought. Our faithful hearts and shrewd heads would
be the aid he needed. He trusted to Cousin Maud to dare to dance with
old Nick himself, if need should arise. And he was man enough to protect
us all three. And now Master Pfinzing knew all about it and, if he yet
craved to hear more, he would find him among the birds, whereas Uhlwurm
was to depart on his way with them that very day, without him.

And he turned his back on my uncle, and quitted the chamber with a heavy
tread; but he turned on the threshold and cried: "Yet keep your lips
from telling what you have in your mind, Master, and in especial to
those who are at their meal in there, as touching that Tetzel-adder; for
the wind flies over seas faster than we can."

While he spoke thus Uncle Christian had recovered his temper, and he
followed after Kubbeling with such a haste as his huge body would allow,
nor was it to quarrel with him any more.

The rest, who had sat at breakfast, had by good hap heard noug