Travelling in Germany, I dropped my Italian incognito, but took another, Von Sparndorf (a name in my father’s family), and as a petty nobleman with only one servant, I found not a little amusement and pleasure in mingling with the commonalty upon the road, and even sharing their discomforts. We had again our nights in unspeakable inns. Once I was beset by a band of sturdy beggars who called themselves pilgrims to St. James of Compostella, but who became almost threatening when I refused to cast them an alms. I met also a company of young children marching with a great cross and banner and headed for St. Michael’s in Normandy. They had left their home near Breslau despite their parents’ tears “because voices sent by the dear Lord Christ compelled them to start, and surely He was guiding them.” They were sleeping in haystacks and living on charity: but how they fared after the winter set in, I do not dare to say. Once I was halted by a band of mounted ritters who courteously let me pass when they saw I was a poor gentleman, but said they were watching the roads for some Nürnberg merchant’s wagons. As I rode on I heard their leader whistling:-- “To ride and to rob is no shame, The best in the land do the same.” And later I learned they were part of the famous plunderers under Götz von Berlichingen. Again I came upon small hordes of wandering scholars led by tall ne’er-do-well _Bacchanten_, drifting from Latin school to Latin School. Each “Bacchant” was maintained by the begging and thieving of a number of sorely tyrannized young _Schützen_, to whom he was supposed to act as guide, protector, tutor and adviser; but whom too often he led into nothing but every manner of idleness and vice. Everywhere I heard of Dr. Luther, and almost everywhere with praise. If a few monks had hostile feelings, they were wise to keep their mutterings to the cloisters. And I heard a deal too about the declining health of old Kaiser Maximilian, whose life was ebbing away in Austria. “And then,” wagged many tongues “we shall see whether the prince electors will give us Prince Charles of the Low Countries or King Francis of France to rule over us.” A question, which, as I soon gathered, involved many things of vast import, and among others the final fate of Dr. Luther. “For it’s the new Emperor who will have to settle his case with the Pope.” Thus at last, just before winter blocked the roads, I came to the Harzland, and reëntered the Regenstein. * * * * * The white mantle of snow was decking the Harzland when I reëntered Schloss Regenstein. White and glittering under a cold sun lay all the hills, slopes and valleys,--contrast indeed to verdant Palaestro. An effusive and prolonged welcome was given me by all my good retainers at the castle. Adolf in particular was almost beside himself with delight, for he had been cut to the quick when I dismissed him at Mainz.