Kurzbold,
with half a dozen others, mounted on deck.
"Disarm him!" he commanded, and one of the men drew Roland's sword from
its sheath, flinging it along the deck to Kurzbold's feet. The others
now came up, bringing the two lieutenants, both gagged, with their arms
tied behind them. Roland ceased his struggles, which he knew to be
fruitless.
"We wish an amicable settlement of this matter," said Kurzbold,
addressing the lieutenants, "and regret being compelled to use measures
that may appear harsh. I do this only to prevent unnecessary bloodshed.
Earlier in the day," he continued, turning to Roland, "when we found all
appeals to you were vain, we unanimously deposed you from the
leadership, which is our right, and also our duty."
"Not under martial law," said Roland.
"I beg to point out that there was no talk of martial law before we left
Frankfort. It was not till later that we learned we had appointed an
unreasoning tyrant over us. We have deposed him, and I am elected in his
place, with John Gensbein as my lieutenant.
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