ill die ere I approach you again with words of
entreaty."

"Alas!" wailed the blind woman, "alas for my dearest wish! Is it never
to be fulfilled?"

"If it should be. Mother Waldrun, Albfledis must first come to me in my
hall, and say: 'Adalo, here I am! Take me for your wife!'"

"Oh, what shameless insolence!" cried Bissula, frantic with grief and
rage. Seizing one of the blocks of stone which formed the rude table
before the oak, she tried to hurl it at the hated man. Her little hands
tore at the jagged rock without avail, till the fingers bled, but the
heavy block remained unmoved, and bursting into tears of helpless rage,
she flung herself upon the ground.

The old woman bent over her, listening anxiously to her sobs, but Adalo
had neither seen nor heard aught of these things. Even as he uttered
the last words, he turned his back upon the women, his face dark with
pride and anger, and throwing his spear over his shoulder, leaped down
the slope so swiftly that his yellow locks floated wildly around his
handsome head.

CHAPTER VIII.

Days had passed since the incident related in the last chapter. The
Romans had entered the country without encountering the slightest
resistance. After encamping on the summit of Meersburg and resting
during the following day, they had set forth again and, turning
somewhat inland from the lake and its swampy shores, reached the
Idisenhang.

Finding this commanding position undefended, they had formed a
permanent camp here at the spot agreed upon with the troops which had
embarked on the fleet. As soon as this seemed sufficiently fortified to
be defended by a small garrison left behind, and their comrades in
Arbon had the fleet ready, the latter were to cross, land, and begin
the pursuit of the invisible Barbarians.

But scarcely had Nannienus seen from Arbon on the opposite shore that
the column sent by land had reached the spot appointed and established
a camp, when he despatched by a swift fisher-boat tidings which
threatened to defer the progress of the enterprise for an indefinite
time. As soon as the experienced commander reached the Roman post he
discovered that the equipment of the necessary vessels would require
far more time than had been expected.

The reports of the magistrates and officers to the distant Emperor,
which represented a considerable portion of the old Roman fleet as
still in existence and, moreover, strengthened by newl