take care of Lelaps for me. Poor dog! That feels good, doesn't it? Well
then . . . I can be here again at midnight. Have you a handcart in the
house?"

For coal and iron."

"That will answer. Let the woman make a kettle of soup, and if you have a
few hams. . . ."

"There are four in the store-room," cried Ruth.

"Take some bread, a few jugs of wine, and a keg of beer, too, and then
follow me quietly. I have the password, my servant will accompany me, and
I'll make the Spaniards believe you belong to us, and are bringing my men
their supper. Blacken your pretty face a little, my dear girl, wrap
yourself up well, and if we find Ulrich we will put him in the empty
cart, and I will accompany you home again. Take yonder spicesack, and if
we find the poor fellow, dead or alive, hide him with it. The sack was
intended for other things, but I shall be well content with this booty.
Take care of these silver toys. What pretty things they are! How the
little horse rears, and see the bird in the cage! Don't look so fierce,
Meister! In catching fish we must be content even with smelts; if I
hadn't taken these, others would have done so; they are for my sister's
children, and there is something else hidden here in my doublet; it shall
help me to pass my leisure hours. One man's meat is another man's
poison."

When Hans Eitelfritz returned at midnight, the cart with the food and
liquor was ready. Adam's warnings were unavailing. Ruth resolutely
insisted upon accompanying him, and he well knew what urged her to risk
safety and life as freely as he did himself.

Old Rahel had done her best to conceal Ruth's beauty.

The dangerous nocturnal pilgrimage began.

The smith pulled the cart, and Ruth pushed, Hans Eitelfritz, with his
sword-bearer, walking by her side. From time to time Spanish soldiers met
and accosted them; but Hans skilfully satisfied their curiosity and
dispelled their suspicions.

Pillage and murder had not yet ceased, and Ruth saw, heard, and
mistrusted scenes of horror, that congealed her blood. But she bore up
until they reached the rampart.

Here Eitelfritz was among his own men.

He delivered the meat and drink to them, told them to take it out of the
cart, and invited them to fall to boldly. Then, seizing a lantern, he
guided Ruth and the smith, who drew the light cart after them, through
the intense darkness of the November night to the rampart.

Hans Eitelfritz lighted the way, and all three search