'Sathanas once more!' they murmured, and drew together.
The name passed through them like a watchword.
'Not he this time,' cried the two new-comers, emerging from the foliage.
'He's safe under Cologne--the worse for all good men who live there! But
come! follow to the Rhine! there 's work for us on the yonder side, and
sharp work.'
'Why,' answered several, 'we 've our challenge with the lads of
Leutesdorf and Wied to-day.'
'D' ye see this?' said the foremost of the others, pointing to a carved
ivory white rose in his cap.
'Brothers!' he swelled his voice, 'follow with a will, for the White Rose
is in danger!'
Immediately they ranked, and followed zealously through the buds of young
bushes, and over heaps of damp dead leaves, a half-hour's scramble, when
they defiled under Hammerstein, and stood before the Rhine. Their leader
led up the river, and after a hasty walk, stopped, loosened his hood, and
stripped.
'Now,' said he, strapping the bundle to his back, 'let me know the hound
that refuses to follow his leader when the White Rose is in danger.
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