s and bristling hair. While Arwed was observing the alteration which
extreme anxiety caused in the countenance of his adversary, the latter
elevated his weapon and continued slowly to approach, with his eye
intently fixed upon Arwed's breast. Then swelled Arwed's heart, and the
thirst for blood which now sparkled in Baumgardt's eyes, reminded him
of the fiendlike expression of his face on the morning of the execution
of Goertz.

'Your time has come! Forward!' cried the youth, in the same words
Baumgardt had used on that occasion, raising his arm at the same
moment. With sudden terror Baumgardt fired and missed--whilst his arm,
struck and shattered by Arwed's ball, fell helplessly by his side.

'My God!' cried his second, springing to his side, and supporting the
fainting man.

'My arm is gone!' said Baumgardt, grating his teeth and sinking upon
the grass over which his blood was streaming. 'I am an invalid for
life. Why could not the booby's bullet have struck my heart or head,
and so have ended the matter at once!'

Arwed now approached his adversary with Rank, who had bound a
handkerchief upon his bleeding arm.

'I am sorry, general,' said he, kindly, 'and my anger vanishes with
your running blood. May this misfortune awaken in you a true and
heartfelt repentance for what you have done. I am appeased,--make your
peace with God!'

'What are you chattering there?' cried Rank indignantly, whilst
Baumgardt scornfully rejected Arwed's proffered hand.

'Take my hand,' said Arwed; 'it is the hand of reconciliation. Imagine
that it is offered to you by the innocent Goertz, whom your conduct led
to the scaffold.'

'Did not I tell you,' cried Baumgardt to his second, 'that this
senseless quarrel had a political origin? You will be a witness for me
with her majesty.'

Overcome by pain, he fell back powerless.

'Your thoughtless words will cost you your head,' said Rank, hastily
dragging the youth with him down to the shore.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Arwed was sitting in his quarters, and his regimental surgeon had just
finished bandaging the wound in his arm, when old Brodin entered in
great perplexity.

'His excellency, your father,' whispered he, 'desires to speak with you
alone. He will be here directly.'

'It will not be a very pleasant interview,' sighed Arwed, motioning the
surgeon to absent himself.

'You are not far out of the way,' said Brodin, after the surgeon had
retir