Against the open attack of a brave foe we felt that we could make a good defence.

Our fighting force consisted of Max, myself, and two lusty squires.

We had also a half-score of men who led the sumpter mules.
Castleman had purchased two beautiful chargers in Basel, pretending that he wished to take them to Peronne for sale.

He asked Max to ride one and offered the other for my use.

I was sure that his only reason for buying the horses was his desire to present them to us, which he afterward did.
Max named his charger "Night," because of its spotless coat of black.
Yolanda rode a beautiful white mare which we re-christened "Day." Castleman bestrode an ambling Flemish bay, almost as fat as its master and quite as good-natured, which, because of its slowness, Yolanda dubbed "Last Week." We travelled slowly down the Rhine, enjoying the scenery and filling our hearts with the sunshine of the soft spring days.