yet. Patience, patience! all things in their order. If we claim the
power to elect our captain, by the cock-crowned Cross of the old bridge
we have a right to name the lieutenant! This is a question for the
companionship to decide, and a usurpation on the part of Roland."

"Sit down, you fool!" shouted Ebearhard savagely. "You're drunk. The
Captain couldn't have made a better selection. What say you, comrades?"

A universal shout of "Aye!" greeted the question, and even Kurzbold's
three comrades joined in it.

"And now, gentlemen, no more talk. Here's to the health of the new
lieutenant, Joseph Greusel."

The toast was drunk enthusiastically, all standing, with the exception
of Kurzbold, who came down in his seat with a thud.

"All right!" he cried, waving his hand. "All right; all right! That's
what I said. Greusel's good man, and now he's elected by the
companionship, he's all right. I drink to him. Drink to anybody, I
will!"

In groping round for the flagon, he upset it, and then roared loudly for
the landlord to supply him again.

"Now, comrades," said Roland sharply, "fall in! We've a long march ahead
of us. Come, Greusel, we must lead the van, for I wish to instruct you
in your duties."

It was rather a straggling procession that set out from Hochst.

"Perhaps," began Roland, as he strode along beside Greusel, "I should
make some excuse for not following the advice you so strenuously urged
upon me this morning regarding the appointment of a lieutenant. The
truth is I wished to teach you a lesson, and could not resist the
temptation of proving that a crisis firmly and promptly met disappears,
whereas if you compromise with it there is a danger of being
overwhelmed."

"I admit. Commander, that you were successful just now, and the reason
is that most of our brigade are sane and sober this morning. But wait
until to-night, when the wine passes round several times, and if you try
conclusions with them then you are likely to fail."

"But the wine won't pass round to-night."

"How can you prevent it?"

"Wait, and you will see," said Roland, with a laugh.

By this time they arrived at a fork in the road, one section going
southwest and the other straight west. The left branch was infinitely
the better thoroughfare, for the most part following the Main until it
reached the Rhine. Roland, however, chose the right-hand road.

"I thought you were going along by the river," said his lieutenant.

"I have c