or, The Silver Skates 147

XVIII
FRIENDS IN NEED

I EANTIME the other boys were listening to Peter’s
account of an incident which had long ago occurred !

in a part of the city where stood an ancient castle, whose lord
had tyrannized over the burghers of the town to such an ex-
tent that they surrounded his castle, and laid siege to it. Just
at the last extremity, when the haughty lord felt that he could
hold out no longer, and was preparing to sell his life as dearly
as possible, his lady appeared on the ramparts, and offered to
surrender everything, provided she was permitted to bring out,
and retain, as much of her most precious household goods as
she could carry upon her back. ‘The promise was given; and
forth came the lady from the gateway, bearing her husband
upon her shoulders. The burghers’ pledge preserved him
from the fury of the troops, but left them free to wreak their
vengeance upon the castle.

“Do you believe that story, Captain Peter?” asked Carl, in
an incredulous tone.

“ Of course I do: it is historical. Why should I doubt
it?”

“Simply because no woman could do it; and, if she could,
she wouldn’t. That is my opinion.”

“And J believe there are many who would; that is, to save
any one they really cared for,” said Ludwig.

1 Sir Thomas Carr’s ‘Tour through Holland.