A youth beforehand enough with the world
to be building bridges should know that, when all our troops are
provided with such an arm, then will their platoons in serried ranks
be as a solid wall breathing fire, and as impregnable as the lines of
English archers with long bows, or the phalanx of Macedon. And, when
each man bears a pistol instead of the misericorde, his life will be
far more his own."
Ebbo's face was in full light, and his visitor marked his contracted
brow and trembling lip. "Ah!" he said, "thou hast had foul
experience of these weapons."
"Not mine own hurt," said Ebbo; "that was but fair chance of war."
"I understand," said the knight; "it was the shot that severed the
goodly bond that was so fair to see. Young man, none has grieved
more truly than King Max."
"And well he may," said Ebbo. "He has not lost merely one of his
best servants, but all the better half of another."
"There is still stuff enough left to make that ONE well worth
having," said Theurdank, kindly grasping his hand, "though I would it
were more substantial! How didst get old Wolfgang down, boy? He
must have been a tough morsel for slight bones like these, even when
better covered than now.
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