Roars of laughter greeted this sally. Friesshardt, in spite of the fact
that he enjoyed a joke, turned pink.

   "'E's blushing!" shrieked a voice.

   Friesshardt turned purple.

   Then things got still more exciting.

   "'Ere," said a rough voice in the crowd impatiently, "wot's the good of

    torkin'

   to 'em? Gimme that 'ere egg, missus!"

   And in another instant an egg flew across the meadow, and burst over
Leuthold's shoulder. The crowd howled with delight. This was something

    like

   fun, thought they, and the next moment eggs, cabbages,
cats, and missiles of every sort darkened the air. The two soldiers
raved and shouted, but did not dare to leave their post. At last, just
as the storm was at its height, it ceased, as if by magic. Everyone in
the crowd turned round, and, as he turned, jumped into the air and
waved his hat.

   [Illustration: PLATE III]

   A deafening cheer went up.

   "Hurrah!" cried the mob; "here comes good old Tell!

    Now

   there's
going to be a jolly row!"

   Tell came striding along, Walter by his side, and his cross-bow over
his shoulder. He knew nothing about the hat having been placed on the

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