the sign of a Golden Stag, and a spear and shield, over
the door. A little bare-footed boy led his horse to the stable, whilst
he was received at the entrance by a young, good-natured looking woman,
who conducted him into the room common to all. This was a large dark
apartment, around the walls of which were placed heavy oak tables and
benches. The number of well-polished cans and jugs, placed in regular
order upon shelves, proved that the Stag was much frequented. As it
was, there were already many men seated, drinking wine, although it was
only just mid-day. They scrutinized the distinguished-looking knight
very closely, as he passed their table to the place of honour which was
situated at the top of the room, in a kind of bow window of the shape
of a lantern, with six glass sides; but their conversation was in no
wise interrupted by the appearance of the stranger, for they went on
talking of peace and war, battles and sieges, in the way which
independent citizens were wont to do, Anno Domini 1519.

The hostess appeared pleased with the bearing of her new guest. She
peered at him with a smiling look as she passed him, and when she
brought him a can of old Heppacher wine, and set a silver tankard
before him for his use, her mouth, which was somewhat large, expressed
friendly intentions. She promised to roast a chicken, and prepare a
table for him, if he would wait patiently a little while; in the mean
time, she hoped the wine was to his taste. The bow window, in which
Albert had taken his seat, was a couple of steps higher than the floor
of the room, so that he could easily look down upon and examine the
company. Though he was not accustomed to pass much time in inns and
drinking rooms, he had a peculiar tact in judging of the characters of
men, and from the circumstance of his being more a man of observation
than of talk, he now had an opportunity of putting this talent into
practice.

The party which was sitting around one of the large oak tables,
consisted of ten or twelve men. There did not appear to be much
difference in point of circumstances among them, at the first glance;
large beards, short hair, round caps, dark jackets, were common to them
all; but, upon a closer inspection, three of them were to be
particularised from the rest. One, sitting nearest to Albert, was a
short, fat, good-humoured looking man; his hair, which fell over his
neck, was longer and more carefully combed than his neighbours'; his
da