the spring flowers on the
escutcheon, he remembered having doubted in the morning whether he
should see any flowers that year. Now their colors were gleaming out
brightly on the shield of his fatherland. But what a day this had been
to him!

Much against his will, he was summoned to the council convened to take
measures for the public safety. Ere long he had a pen in his hand, and
was writing, at the long green table, a report of the events of the day
to the authorities. Prompt steps were taken: messengers were sent off to
the next military station; the houses of the suspected searched; such of
the country people as were willing to remain till the evening billeted
in different houses. Patrols were sent out in all directions, a few
prisoners examined, and information as to the state of the surrounding
district collected. Discouraging tidings poured in on all sides. Bands
of Poles from several villages round were said to be marching on the
town. An insurrection had been successful in the next circle, and the
town was in the hands of a set of Polish youths. There were tales of
plunder, and of incendiarism too, and fearful rumors of an intended
general massacre of the Germans. The faces of the men of Rosmin grew
long again; their present triumph gave way to fears for the future. Some
timid souls were for making a compromise with Herr von Tarow, but the
warlike spirit of the majority prevailed, and it was determined to pass
the night under arms, and hold the town against all invaders till the
military should arrive.

By this time it was evening. Anton, alarmed at the numerous reports of
plundering going on in the open country, left the town council, and sent
the bailiff to collect all the Germans of their immediate district to
march home together. When they reached the wooden bridge at the
extremity of the suburb, the townsmen who had accompanied them thither
with beat of drum and loud hurrahs took a brotherly leave of their
country allies.

"Your carriage is the last that shall pass to-day," said the locksmith;
"we will break up the pavement of the bridge, and station a sentinel
here. I thank you in the name of the town and of the militia. If bad
times come, as we have reason to fear, we Germans will ever hold
together."

"That shall be our rallying cry," called out the bailiff; and all the
country people shouted their assent.

On their homeward way Anton and his associates fell into earnest
conversation. All felt el