ssault?"

"When it is time."

"When will it at last be time?"

"Not before the moon has vanished from the sky."

"Have the wise women read that to you in the runes of destiny?" asked
Adalo wrathfully.

"I do not consult old women, when I am to fight; but neither will I
risk the victory for young ones. The moon must not shine; the night
must be dark. And another thing: the torrents of rain were a great
help, they kept the Romans in their camp, shut them out of the marshes
and forests. But now everything must get dry again, that it may burn
merrily. The god of wishes has already sent the right wind. Only have
patience a short time. Something else, too, must first be
accomplished."

"Then at least let me try to inform her by a secret messenger how she
can surely escape."

"No, by my wrath! Before we storm, I will show you why it is impossible
for her to escape by the way of which you are thinking. It would lead
her into the very midst of the guards outside the camp and betray
everything to them. But, did you not meet Zercho on the way back?"

"No; but my companions told me. So you sent him?"

"Sent him? No; he went without my orders. But hark--voices--there he
is, and some one with him."

Zercho and Sippilo came hurrying into the tent. The young noble was
amazed to see his fair-haired brother in such a disguise.

"Boy, what have you dared to do? You went with him as a spy?" he cried
wrathfully. "How you look!"

"Like an elf of darkness; but the soot rubs off easily. See!" Laughing
merrily, he threw his arms around Adalo's neck and pressed his curly
black head against his brother's cheek.

"Don't scold him until you know all--if you can do it then," pleaded
Zercho.

"Make your report," the Duke commanded.

"My lord, much--almost all is well! Yet not everything. Unfortunately I
could not get into the camp. But Bruna did," he added, grinning, as he
turned to Adalo, "and she'll find the little mistress."

"Can the she-bear fly out again and bring us information about the
camp?" said Hariowald angrily.

"Not she, but perhaps this paper can," replied Sippilo, laughing, as he
drew a roll of papyrus from his breast. "While Zercho and Bruna were
making the sentries laugh and stare, I succeeded, unnoticed, in
reaching the ditch, slipped down, and climbed part way up the wall on
the opposite side, I dared not risk going to the top, some one would
have seen me there. I'm as slender and supple as an eel. Part of