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Page 40
"Come with me," he said, in a whisper.
"Where?" inquired Gilbert.
"To the other side of the drawbridge?"
"But--I cannot leave Humbert," said the youth, pointing to the
frightened minnesinger.
"He shall go with you--they care not for him."
At a beck from the duke, Humbert was at his side. "Follow me," said
Rodolph.
But Gilbert lingered a moment to press Father Omehr's hand to his lips,
and then the three passed silently, out of the apartment. They soon
gained the terrace, where, to his surprise, Gilbert found his own
horses that had been tied in the ravine. Bertha had brought them there.
The two adventurers were conducted by the duke beyond the castle bounds.
The clouds had passed away, and the moon and stars shone brightly.
"Away now!" cried the hero of Hohenburg.
Bidding the noble duke an affectionate farewell, Gilbert and his
follower sprang to the saddle and galloped off. But the adventures of
the night were not yet over. Hardly had they passed the ravine, before
Humbert's quick ear detected the tramp of a horse behind them.
"Faster!" said Gilbert, putting spurs to the somewhat jaded animal he
rode.
Faster they went, but the sound came nearer and nearer. Again Gilbert
urged on his horse, and again the galled creature bounded forward, but
the pursuing sound came faster than they. Humbert looked behind, and by
the bright moonlight saw a solitary horseman advancing at a furious
pace.
"It is but one man," said he.
"So much the worse!" replied the youth, without checking his speed.
"He must overtake us!" continued Humbert; "he gains at every leap!"
It was true. The horseman was almost on them.
"Fly not so fast, gentlemen!" he cried as he came up.
"I knew it was he," muttered Gilbert, halting.
"You have given me some trouble to overtake you!" said Henry of Stramen,
with a bitter sneer, as he wheeled his swift horse, which had darted
ahead, and confronted them.
"Had I been well mounted," answered Gilbert, "you should have had your
trouble in vain!"
"I conjectured as much, from your determined flight," returned Henry.
Gilbert was stung to the quick, but he constrained himself to reply:
"With your permission, sir, we will ride on."
"My permission can only be obtained in one way, and that way should
already have been embraced by a Suabian noble."
Saying this, the young knight leaped to the ground, and drew his sword.
"You will dismount, I trust!" he continued, as Gilbert sat steadily in
his saddle.
"No! Let me pass, I entreat you!" said Gilbert, putting his horse in
motion. But Henry of Stramen, with a sudden spring, caught the reins,
and forced the animal well-nigh upon his haunches.
"I knew it!" cried Henry, with a bitter laugh. "You took advantage of my
absence to insult my sister, but I returned too soon for your chivalry.
Dismount! The truce of God covers not to-day. Dismount! Add not
cowardice to deceit!"
This was more than Gilbert could bear. Quick as lightning he stood
beside the challenger. It was but the work of a moment to throw off his
coarse cloak and draw his sword. Having chosen his position, he awaited
the assault of his adversary. Humbert looked on in breathless interest,
while the two young nobles fought in the moonlight. For some minutes
Gilbert maintained his ground, despite the furious efforts of his
assailant. There was a strong contrast between the desperate energy of
Henry and the calm courage of Gilbert. But at length the latter began to
recede rapidly down a gentle slope. His antagonist recklessly pursued.
The motive of Gilbert's retreat soon became evident. Henry's foot
slipped on the long grass, slimy from the recent rain, and he fell at
full length upon the ground. Before he could rise, Gilbert had mounted
the far fleeter steed of his opponent.
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