As,
for instance, that some impartial arbitrator should be demanded from
the Swabian League to define the boundary; and that next Rogation-
tide the two knights should ride or climb it in company, while
meantime the serfs should be strictly charged not to trespass, and
any transgressor should be immediately escorted to his own lord.
"But," quoth Sir Dankwart, in a most serious tone, "I am told that a
she-bear wons in a den on yonder crag, between the pass you call the
Gemsbock's and the Schlangenwald valley. They told me the right in
it had never been decided, and I have not been up myself. To say
truth, I have lived so long in the sand plains as to have lost my
mountain legs, and I hesitated to see if a hunter could mount thither
for fear of fresh offence; but, if she bide there till Rogation-tide,
it will be ill for the lambs."
"Is that all?" cried Maximilian. "Then will I, a neutral, kill your
bear for you, gentlemen, so that neither need transgress this new
crag of debate. I'll go down and look at your bear spears, friend
Ebbo, and be ready so soon as Kasimir has done with his bridal.
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