itcher to
the yard gate, gave in the milk, and received the wine from the growling
forester. The Pole continued: "Even if you be well supplied with wine,
it can not serve instead of water. Your garrison is numerous, and we
hear that you have many women and children in the house."

"I should consider it no hardship," replied Fink, "for these women and
children to drink wine, as well as we men, till you do us the favor
which I yesterday requested, of leaving this estate and the brook yonder
altogether."

"Do not hope it, sir," said the Pole, gravely; "we shall employ all our
strength to disarm you; we know now that you have no artillery, and it
would be at any time in our power to force an entrance. But you have
held out like brave men, and we do not wish to go further than is
absolutely necessary."

"Prudent and sensible," replied Fink.

"Therefore I make you a proposal which need not offend your
self-respect. You have no relief to hope for. Between your soldiers and
this village there is a strong body of our troops. A collision of the
armies is expected in the course of the next few days at no great
distance from here, and your generals are, therefore, unable to detach
any number of men. I am telling you no news; you know this as well as I;
therefore I promise to you and to all within these walls a safe-conduct,
if you will give up the castle and your fire-arms. We are ready to
escort you and the ladies in any direction that you may wish, as far as
our occupation of the country extends."

Fink replied more seriously than he had hitherto done, "May I ask who it
is whose word of honor would be pledged to me?"

"Colonel Zlotowsky," replied the horseman, with a slight bow.

"Your offer, sir," returned Fink, "demands our thanks. I have no doubt
of its sincerity, and will assume that you have influence enough over
your companions to carry it out. But, as I am not the master of this
house, I must communicate your proposal to him."

"I will wait," replied the Pole, retreating to a distance of about
thirty yards, and stopping opposite the door.

Fink closed it, and said to Anton, "Let us go to the baron at once. What
should you think best?"

"To hold out," replied Anton.

They found the baron in his room, his head resting on his hands, his
face distorted, a picture of distress and nervous agitation. Fink told
him of the Pole's offer, and begged for his decision.

The baron replied, "I have perhaps suffered more hi