Keep close to this shore, but if they
order you into the middle of the river, or across it, dally, my good
Blumenfels, dally, until you are stopped by the chain for the third
time."
When the captain returned to his barge, he found Kurzbold pacing the
deck in a masterly manner, impatient to be off. For once the combatants,
with an effort, were refraining from drink.
"We will open a cask," said Kurzbold, "as soon as we have passed the
Schloss."
He ordered the captain to follow the shore as closely as was safe, and
take care that they did not come within sight of Furstenberg's tall,
round tower. All sat or reclined on the dark deck, saying no word as the
barge slid silently down the swift Rhine. Suddenly the speed of the boat
was checked so abruptly that one or two of the standing men were flung
off their feet. From up on the hillside there tolled out the deep note
of a bell. The barge swung round broadside on the current, and lay there
with the water rushing like hissing serpents along its side, the bell
pealing out a loud alarm that seemed to keep time with the shuddering of
the helpless boat.
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