Fred did not mean to come; he had seen that in the morning; but Fani, where was he?
As he asked himself this question, Oscar raised his fist threateningly in the air and muttered to himself:-- "Oh, that Emma! that Xanthippe!" His original intention had been to march to the windmill to the music of fife and drum, flute and harmonicon, but he had given up part of this plan; chiefly, he said to himself, on account of his father's advice not to make any disturbance in a strange place; but also because he could not get a drum, and Feklitus would not play the flute.
Now it was time to move, and the procession began to march.

The lad from Lucerne went first, playing briskly upon the harmonicon; the others followed two and two, and Oscar in the middle held aloft the banner.

The staff was quickly planted as previously arranged; the beautiful banner floated proudly over the land.

Oscar took his stand by it, and the others formed a circle, lying on the grass about him.

With a loud ringing voice he began:-- "Friends and brothers!" "What does this mean?
What is this all about ?" suddenly thundered a voice behind him.
The boys sprang to their feet.