"
"'Tis very likely," replied Roland.
"Still," added Ebearhard consolingly, "I think we have made a good
exchange. There appears to be more money in Stahleck's bags than in our
two barrels."
"By the Three Kings!" cried Roland, staring upstream, "the barge is
getting away. They have looted her completely, and are giving her a
parting salute. The robbers evidently bear no malice against our popular
captain. Hear them inviting him to call again!"
They listened to the rattle of the big chain. It was more amenable than
that at Furstenberg, confirming Roland in his belief that Stahleck was
the inventor of the device. They saw half a dozen men paying out a rope,
while the first section of the chain sank, leaving a passage-way for the
barge. Silhouetted against the torchlight, the boatmen were getting
ready with their sweeps, prepared to dip them into the water as soon as
the vessel got clear of the rocky island.
"We will paddle alongside before they begin to row," said Roland; and
Captain Blumenfels was gently hailed from the river, much to his
astonishment.
Pages:
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455