eacherous conduct of his nobility. Instead of which, though
he could not conceal the intensity of suffering he was struggling with,
he was composed and resigned, and his features exhibited a mildness and
resignation which they had scarcely ever seen before.

"Maxx," said he, "how have they acted towards the people of the
country?"

"Like robbers," he answered: "they wantonly desolate the vineyards, cut
down the fruit trees, and burn them at the guard houses; Sickingen's
cavalry ride through the corn fields and tread down what they cannot
consume; they ill treat the women, and extort money from the men. The
people every where begin to murmur; and should the present drought
continue, followed by a failing harvest, a time when the poor people
will be called upon to pay the heavy expenses of the war which the
league's administration will exact, misery and poverty will then be at
its height."

"Oh, what villains!" cried the Duke, "they who boasted, with high
sounding words, that they came to free Wuertemberg of her tyrant, and to
liberate her people from oppression now commit abominations even worse
than Turks. But I vow that if God will assist me, and his holy saints
be merciful to my soul, I will return to the wasted vallies of the
Neckar and its vineless banks, with the scythe of vengeance, cut down
their ranks like sheaves of corn, and, as a revengeful vine dresser,
tread and crush them under foot. I will avenge myself of all the
calamities they have brought on me and my country, so help me God!"

"Amen!" responded the knight of Lichtenstein. "But before you venture
to the rescue of your country, you must first withdraw from it, for a
season. No time is to be lost, if you would escape unmolested."

The Duke considered awhile, and then answered, "You are right, I will
go to Moempelgard, where I shall be able to make arrangements, and, I
trust, collect men sufficient to venture to make a blow. Come here,
thou faithful dog, thou wilt follow me into the misery of banishment.
Thou knowest not what it is to break an oath or forfeit thy faith."

"Here stands another, who also knows nothing of treachery," said
Schweinsberg, and approached the Duke. "I will accompany you to
Moempelgard, if you do not disdain my services."

The knight of Lichtenstein, animated by the same generous feeling, next
said:. "Take me also with you, Duke! my feeble arm indeed is not worth
much in the field, but my voice in council may still be hear