This morning I thought they would win in
such a case, but, by the iron Cross, I am not so confident now. Remember
how he sprung my appointment on the crowd, counting, I am sure, on your
help. He said to me, when we were alone by the tower, that you were the
most fair-minded man among the lot, and he evidently played on that,
giving them not a moment to think, and you backed him up. He carried his
point, and since then has not said a word to them, all orders going
through me, but I know he intended, as he told you, to take the river
road, instead of which he has led us over this hilly district until
every man is ready to drop. He is himself very sparing of wine, and is
in fit condition. I understand he has tramped both banks of the Rhine,
from Ehrenfels to Bonn, so this walk is nothing to him. At the end of it
he was off for a stroll, and here are these men lying above the sod like
the dead underneath it."
"I cannot make him out," mused Ebearhard. "What has been his training?
He appears to be well educated, and yet in some common matters is
ignorant as a child, as, for instance, not knowing the difference in
status between a skilled artisan and a chaffering merchant! What can
have been his up-bringing? He is obviously not of the merchant class, yet
he persuades the chief of our merchants, and the most conservative, to
engage in this wild goose chase, and actually venture money and goods in
supporting him.
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