The peak towered over them,
and beneath, the castle lights seemed as if it would be easy to let a
stone fall straight down on them.
Friedel's cry seemed to come from under their feet. "I am here! I
am safe; only it grew so dark that I durst not climb up or down."
The Schneiderlein explained that he would lower down a rope, which,
when fastened round Friedel's waist, would enable him to climb safely
up; and, after a breathless space, the torchlight shone upon the
longed-for face, and Friedel springing on the path, cried, "The
mother!--and here!" -
"Oh, Friedel, where have you been? What is this in your arms?"
He showed them the innocent face of a little white kid.
"Whence is it, Friedel?"
He pointed to the peak, saying, "I was lying on my back by the tarn,
when my lady eagle came sailing overhead, so low that I could see
this poor little thing, and hear it bleat."
"Thou hast been to the Eyrie--the inaccessible Eyrie!" exclaimed
Ebbo, in amazement.
"That's a mistake. It is not hard after the first" said Friedel.
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