ving slowly down the stony road
behind them. He called out for help, and a man's voice replied,
promising assistance, but bidding him have patience; and, soon after,
two gray horses appeared through the bushes, and beside them the
driver in the white smock of a carter; a great white linen cloth was
next visible, covering the goods apparently contained in the wagon. At
a loud shout from their master the obedient horses halted. The driver
then came toward the knight and helped him restrain his foaming
animal. "I see well," said he, "what ails the beast. When I first
traveled this way my horses acted no better. The fact is, there is
an evil water-spirit haunting the place, and he takes delight in
this sort of mischief. But I have learned a charm; if you will let me
whisper it in your horse's ear he will stand at once just as quiet as
my gray beasts are doing there."

"Try your luck then, only help us quickly!" exclaimed the impatient
knight.

The wagoner then drew down the head of the rearing charger close to
his own, and whispered something in his ear. In a moment the animal
stood still and quiet, and his quick panting and reeking condition
were all that remained of his previous unmanageableness. Huldbrand had
no time to inquire how all this had been effected. He agreed with the
carter that he should take Bertalda on his wagon, where, as the man
assured him, there was a quantity of soft cotton bales upon which
she could be conveyed to Castle Ringstetten, and the knight was to
accompany them on horseback. But the horse appeared too much exhausted
by its past fury to be able to carry its master so far, so the Carter
persuaded Huldbrand to get into the wagon with Bertalda. The horse
could be tethered on behind. "We are going down hill," said he, "and
that will make it light for my gray beasts." The knight accepted
the offer and entered the wagon with Bertalda; the horse followed
patiently behind, and the wagoner, steady and attentive, walked by the
side.

In the stillness of the night, as its darkness deepened and the
subsiding tempest sounded more and more remote, encouraged by
the sense of security and their fortunate escape a confidential
conversation arose between Huldbrand and Bertalda. With flattering
words he reproached her for her daring flight; she excused herself
with humility and emotion, and from every word she said a gleam shone
forth which disclosed distinctly to the lover that the beloved was
his. The kni