"We must speed the short way down the rock," said Ebbo, "and cannot
be cumbered with heavy harness. Sweet motherling, fear not; but let
a meal be spread for our rescued captives. Ho, Heinz, 'tis against
the Schlangenwald rascals. Art too stiff to go down the rock path?"
"No; nor down the abyss, could I strike a good stroke against
Schlangenwald at the bottom of it," quoth Heinz.
"Nor see vermin set free by the Freiherr," growled Koppel; but the
words were lost in Ebbo's loud commands to the men, as Friedel and
Hatto handed down the weapons to them.
The convoy had by this time halted, evidently to try the ford. A
horseman crossed, and found it practicable, for a waggon proceeded to
make the attempt.
"Now is our time," said Ebbo, who was standing on the narrow ledge
between the castle and the precipitous path leading to the meadow.
"One waggon may get over, but the second or third will stick in the
ruts that it leaves. Now we will drop from our crag, and if the
Snake falls on them, why, then for a pounce of the Eagle.
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