Margarita was caught to her
father's breast.
'You shall have vengeance for this, sweet chuck,' cried old Gottlieb in
the intervals of his hugs.
'Fear not, my father; they are punished': and Margarita related the story
of the stranger's prowess, elevating him into a second Siegfried. The
guard huzzaed him, but did not pursue the Baron.
Old Gottlieb, without hesitation, saluted the astonished champion with a
kiss on either cheek.
'My best friend! You have saved my daughter from indignity! Come with
us home, if you can believe that a home where the wolves come daring us,
dragging our dear ones from our very doorsteps. Come, that we may thank
you under a roof at least. My little daughter! Is she not a brave lass?'
'She's nothing less than the white rose of Germany,' said the stranger,
with a good bend of the shoulders to Margarita.
'So she's called,' exclaimed Gottlieb; 'she 's worthy to be a man!'
'Men would be the losers, then, more than they could afford,' replied the
stranger, with a ringing laugh.
'Come, good friend,' said Gottlieb; 'you must need refreshment. Prove
you are a true hero by your appetite. As Charles the Great said to
Archbishop Turpin, "I conquered the world because Nature gave me a
gizzard; for everywhere the badge of subjection is a poor stomach."
Come, all! A day well ended, notwithstanding!'
THE SILVER ARROW
At the threshold of Gottlieb's house a number of the chief burgesses of
Cologne had corporated spontaneously to condole with him.
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