Page:The Lady's Book Vol. V.pdf/78

 74 THE ROBBER STURMWIND.

“I am already dismounted, and will accompany this poor child on foot. “And I will be an escort, “added his companion, alighting. The servants followed, and Susanna walked silently with her noble protectors, who forbore to distress her, by asking any farther questions. They reached the inn, or rather pot house, for it was no better, and she was recommended to the especial protection of the host. It happened to be a holyday, and as a good number of farmers and peasants were assembled there, the two noblemen considered that the place was sufficiently secure for their fair charge, even should Opalinsky track her flight; they left her, therefore, promising to return for her soon. Susanna sat silent in a corner of the public room, whilst the Courland peasants were singing and bustling about. She understood not a word of their language, nor did they trouble themselves about her: only the host, who was a German, came in sometimes, and asked her, with a knavish smile, “if Mamsell had no commands? “Susanna's dress and appearance, for she had re arranged her beautiful hair, gave her the style of a person of higher class; but seeing her arrive on foot, in the company of two noblemen, it was not very extraordinary that he should imagine her to be some adventuress. His manner annoyed and abashed her, and she drew still further into the corner. But her attention was presently attracted by the discourse of two young men who sat near her, and spoke in German. They had called for a jug of beer; and one of them unbuckled his knapsack, took out the contents which appeared to be in great confusion, and re arranged them, while the other looked on with some curiosity, and said: “It was fortunate, Master Andrew, that your money was not packed with the rest of your articles. “I think so myself, “said Andrew, “considering my adventure. I was cautioned, when I left Wildau, to avoid travelling alone, because the robber Sturmwind had made the roads unsafe; and I followed the advice as far as I could, travelling with the carriers, and came safely enough into Schamait. * But on the borders, the carriers thought proper to halt a day, to rest their horses. The delay appeared useless to me, for beyond the Courland frontier I thought there was nothing to fear, and went alone to Schonberg, where I slept, and this morning set out to Bauslee. "

“I went nearly the same road, “said the other, “and met with no mishap. "

“You were luckier than I, “replied Andrew; “I had not walked above two hours when the robbers came upon me. It was in an open field, and I could see no one far or near, when suddenly two men rushed from behind a low hill, where they must have been lurking, armed with cudgels and knives. I pretended to be so terrified as to drop my walking stick, and begged for mercy; for, shabby as it looks, I have nine ducats in a hollow place near the top; and I was sure if I did not defend myself with it they would never


 * Samagitia.

think of taking it. Of course they seized my knapsack, and rummaged over the contents, and not finding what they wanted, they examined my pockets, threatening me dreadfully if I did not give them my money. I told them, that except the few pence which they had already found, I had nothing; but I should still have been worse used if they had not been interrupted by a horseman who rode up to them in great haste, and cried in Samagitian: “Up! up! and back to the forest. The Captain has lost his mistress; his little bird is flown. There must be treachery in the house: but the girl cannot be far off; and if we search the bushes and the nearest houses, we shall surely find her. Come, leave that beggar's pack, and be alive; the Captain is beside himself with rage! “and then, with some more information and a great deal more swearing in the same language he rode off, and the other two left me to collect my traps as I could. It was not long after that I met you. “I suppose, “said his attentive listener, “this must be some young Countess whom they have carried off. “More likely some wandering girl has remained with them till she was tired of her life. “Well, “replied the other, “thank God we are quit of them, “and he drank the remainder of the beer with an air of great satisfaction.

This conversation renewed all Susanna's fears. It is true she was surrounded by a number of harmless, and perhaps well meaning men, who could protect her in case of need; but she trembled when she thought of the reckless daring of Opalinsky and his band. Her fears were not unfounded. Two men, apparently Lithuanian peasants, entered the house and called loudly for brandy. “God preserve us, “said Andrew, in a low voice, to his companion, “if my eyes do not fail me, yon fellow is one of the two who attacked me this morning. They are come for no good, depend upon it. “Scarcely were the words spoken when several panes in one of the windows were broken with a sudden crash, and without two armed men were seen, who thrust the barrels of their muskets into the room, as if about to fire. A sudden movement was made, and a confused noise begun to be heard, when one of the Lithuanians, who was within, exclaimed: “Keep your seats, all of you, and be still: we want none of you, and will do you no harm: it is only the lady who sits in that corner that we come for. But if any one moves from his place, he is a dead man. “The confusion was becoming general, when this sudden threat produced comparative stillness, and each again took his seat, looking in astonishment for the sequel of this strange adventure. The two armed accomplices thus preventing a rescue, the Lithuanians within approached the almost fainting Susanna, and had already seized her, when a great noise was heard without. The two men at the window seemed to be suddenly attacked and thrown down; a musket went off, and the others thus interrupted in the very beginning of their proceedings, hastened to the door where a crowd was already assembled.