vi] ._ THE RED BARON. 317

 

‘It was from the lips of a wounded retainer that I
at last gathered the truth; and sad enough it was
when known and realised. It seems that for some
time past some of my discontented vassals, leaguing
themselves with those of other lords whose masters I
had at different times dispossessed or slain, had taken
refuge in the great forests beyond the village. They
had, I suppose, had friends among the peasants, and
although they occasionally committed depredations,
yet for the most part they carried on their robbing
and marauding business so stealthily and craftily, that
I had no idea of the existence of such a formidable
band as they had become.

‘In an evil hour, my boy Rudolf formed the ac-
quaintance of some of these men. Stung by my
neglect, and beyond measure irritated at my prefer-
ence for Sir Smith, and the influence which the latter
had acquired over his sister, Rudolf began by absent-
ing himself, as if on hunting excursions, from_ the
castle, in. order to join these men in their lawless ex-
peditions. Ere long, as he was the only man of rank
among them, and a brawe lad withal, they elected him
as their captain. It was very shortly after this event
that the outbreak occurred of which I have told you,
and which resulted in my son’s flight from the castle.
He went direct to the haunts of his freebooting band,
and declaring the insult to which he had been sub-
jected on the Englander’s account, vowed vengeance
on the latter. His followers were only too ready to
encourage him in such a design, but were uncertain
how to carry it out. .

‘Rudolf, however, was a youth full of ability, and