"I do not consult old women, when I am to fight; but neither will I risk the victory for young ones. The moon must not shine; the night must be dark. And another thing: the torrents of rain were a great help, they kept the Romans in their camp, shut them out of the marshes and forests. But now everything must get dry again, that it may burn merrily. The god of wishes has already sent the right wind. Only have patience a short time. Something else, too, must first be accomplished." "Then at least let me try to inform her by a secret messenger how she can surely escape." "No, by my wrath! Before we storm, I will show you why it is impossible for her to escape by the way of which you are thinking. It would lead her into the very midst of the guards outside the camp and betray everything to them. But, did you not meet Zercho on the way back?" "No; but my companions told me. So you sent him?" "Sent him? No; he went without my orders. But hark--voices--there he is, and some one with him." Zercho and Sippilo came hurrying into the tent. The young noble was amazed to see his fair-haired brother in such a disguise. "Boy, what have you dared to do? You went with him as a spy?" he cried wrathfully. "How you look!" "Like an elf of darkness; but the soot rubs off easily. See!" Laughing merrily, he threw his arms around Adalo's neck and pressed his curly black head against his brother's cheek. "Don't scold him until you know all--if you can do it then," pleaded Zercho. "Make your report," the Duke commanded. "My lord, much--almost all is well! Yet not everything. Unfortunately I could not get into the camp. But Bruna did," he added, grinning, as he turned to Adalo, "and she'll find the little mistress." "Can the she-bear fly out again and bring us information about the camp?" said Hariowald angrily. "Not she, but perhaps this paper can," replied Sippilo, laughing, as he drew a roll of papyrus from his breast. "While Zercho and Bruna were making the sentries laugh and stare, I succeeded, unnoticed, in reaching the ditch, slipped down, and climbed part way up the wall on the opposite side, I dared not risk going to the top, some one would have seen me there. I'm as slender and supple as an eel. Part of the earth in the wall had been washed away by the rain between the palisades in many places; I squeezed into one and got my head and one arm through, but could go no farther, my shoulders were too broad. Then for a while I was very uncomfortable; I couldn't move forward and did not want to go back without having seen something; besides, the cramping hurt. Suddenly I heard voices, footsteps, and saw hurrying toward me along the inner path of the camp, close to the wall--Bissula." Adalo uttered a cry of joy, and the Duke, too, looked at the bold lad with surprise and pleasure.