I shall say the
words, however, that will cause you to draw your sword, and they are:
Commander, I will stand by you whatever you do."
"And I," said Greusel curtly.
Roland shook hands in turn with the two men.
"Right," he cried. "If we are fated to go down, we will fall with
banners flying."
After a time the captain returned with his supplies, but still the
majority of the guild remained engaged in deliberation. Evidently
discussion was not proceeding with that unanimity which Kurzbold always
insisted was the case.
At noon Roland requested the captain to send some of his men with a meal
for those in prolonged session, and also to carry them a cask which had
been half-emptied either that morning or the night before.
"They will enjoy a picnic under the trees by the margin of the river,"
said Roland, as he and his two backers sat down in the empty cabin to
their own repast.
"Do you think they are purposely delaying, so that you cannot cross over
this afternoon?"
"'Tis very likely," said Roland.
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