A soldier stepped from the
sentry box and challenged them.
"Lower the drawbridge," ordered the officer. "It is Captain
Krantzwort on a mission for the king."
The soldier approached, raising a lantern, which he had brought from
the sentry box, and inspected the captain's face. He seemed ill at
ease. In the light of the lantern, the American saw that he was
scarce more than a boy--doubtless a recruit. He saw the expression
of fear and awe with which he regarded the officer, and it occurred
to him that the effect of the king's presence upon him would be
absolutely overpowering. Still the soldier hesitated.
"My orders are very strict, sir," he said. "I am to let no one
leave without a written order from Prince Peter. If the sergeant or
the lieutenant were here they would know what to do; but they are
both at the castle--only two other soldiers are at the gates with
me. Wait, and I will send one of them for the lieutenant."
"No," interposed the American. "You will send for no one, my man.
Come closer--look at my face."
The soldier approached, holding his lantern above his head. As its
feeble rays fell upon the face and uniform of the man on horseback,
the sentry gave a little gasp of astonishment.
"Now, lower the drawbridge," said Barney Custer, "it is your king's
command."
Quickly the fellow hastened to obey the order. The chains creaked
and the windlass groaned as the heavy planking sank to place across
the moat.
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