"Thus," said Rudolph Donnerhugel, "our illustrious ancestors, the fathers of Swiss independence, met in the immortal field of Rutli, between Uri and Unterwalden. Thus they swore to each other, under the blue firmament of heaven, that they would restore the liberty of their oppressed country; and history can tell how well they kept their word." "And she shall record," said the Blue Cavalier, "how well the present Switzers can preserve the freedom which their fathers won.--Proceed in your rounds, good Rudolph, and be assured that at the signal of the Hauptman the soldiers will not be far absent;--all is arranged as formerly, unless you have new orders to give us." "Hark thee hither, Lawrenz," said Rudolph to the Blue Cavalier,--and Arthur could hear him say,--"Beware, my friend, that the Rhine wine be not abused;--if there is too much provision of it, manage to destroy the flasks;--a mule may stumble, thou knowest, or so. Give not way to Rudiger in this. He is grown a wine-bibber since he joined us. We must bring both heart and hand to what may be done to-morrow."--They then whispered so low, that Arthur could hear nothing of their further conference, and bid each other adieu, after clasping hands, as if they were renewing some solemn pledge of union. Rudolph and his party then moved forward, and were scarce out of sight of their new associates, when the vidette, or foremost of their patrol, gave the signal of alarm. Arthur's heart leaped to his lips--"It is Anne of Geierstein!" he said internally. "The dogs are silent," said the Bernese. "Those who approach must be the companions of our watch." They proved, accordingly, to be Rudiger and his party, who, halting on the appearance of their comrades, made and underwent a formal challenge; such advance had the Swiss already made in military discipline, which was but little and rudely studied by the infantry in other parts of Europe. Arthur could hear Rudolph take his friend Rudiger to task for not meeting him at the halting-place appointed. "It leads to new revelry on your arrival," he said, "and to-morrow must find us cool and determined." "Cool as an icicle, noble Hauptman," answered the son of the Landamman, "and determined as the rock it hangs upon." Rudolph again recommended temperance, and the young Biederman promised compliance. The two parties passed each other with friendly though silent greeting; and there was soon a considerable distance between them. The country was more open on the side of the castle, around which their duty now led them, than where it lay opposite to the principal gate. The glades were broad, the trees thinly scattered over pasture land, and there were no thickets, ravines, or similar places of ambush, so that the eye might, in the clear moonlight, well command the country.