"
As he finished this declamation, that caused even some of the beaten
warriors to laugh at their leader, the barge came gently alongside the
strand, well out of sight of Bacharach. Each of the dozen swore the
terrible, unbreakable oath of the Three Kings to be an obedient henchman
to Roland.
"You may," said Roland, "depart to the cabin, where a flagon of wine
will be served to every man, and also an early breakfast. After that you
are permitted to lie down and relax your swollen limbs, meditating on
the extract from Holy Writ which relates the fate of the blind when led
by the blind."
When the dozen limped away, the chief turned to his prisoners.
"Against you four I bear resentment that I thought could not be appeased
except by your expulsion, but reflection shows me that you acted under
instruction from the foolish leader you selected, and therefore the
principal, not the agent, is most to blame. I give you the same choice I
have accorded to the rest. Unloose them, captain; and while this is
being done, Greusel, get two empty bags from the locker, open one of the
casks, and place in each bag an amount which you estimate to be one half
the share which is Kurzbold's due.
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