Page:Zodiac stories by Blanche Mary Channing.pdf/307

290 raise his head and glance eagerly about. The two horsemen came out into an open space at the instant, and Ludwig rode on a few paces, suddenly wheeled his horse around, and, riding back, stooped as if to pick up something. It was the saffron colored kerchief.

Suddenly, from a low thicket sprang out a dozen armed men and surrounded the Duke. But, quickly as it all happened, Dolf's arrow was quicker still, as it flew to summon Albrecht and his men to their master's aid.

A second arrow struck the foremost of the enemy, and a third and fourth made a breach through which Dolf rushed, dagger in hand, to the Duke's rescue.

Conrad, recovered from his first surprise, was, now fighting vigorously in his own defense, and, with Dolf's help, he kept the Altenbauer retainers at bay until Albrecht's band came upon the scene.

This reinforcement soon decided the