Frederic admitted the justice of the policy, and determined to dare everything. He rode through the streets of the camp, striving to encourage his troops. Erwin was always at his side, although he had frequently implored his young kinsman to return to Germany.
"You must go beyond the Alps," he said. "I wish it; and as soon as this Roman question is settled, I will join you."
"But I will not go, my dear godfather, even were the camp peopled with corpses."
The Emperor was deeply touched by this mark of affection, and he pressed the young man's hand with emotion.
One day, Barbarossa returned to his tent, after his usual round of inspection. The destruction of his army seemed inevitable, if it was not soon removed from this pestilential atmosphere, and his indomitable pride was crushed at last.
He ordered the immediate attendance of his chancellor.
Rinaldo was writing in his tent; near him sat his favorite pupil Hillin, who had been nominated upon his recommendation to the bishopric of Augsburg, and the Chancellor was then dispatching his orders and instructions to the chapter, for which Hillin was to start at once.
"You have scarcely as yet the age which is prescribed by the canons," said Dassel; "but the canons are out of date, like many other things. What an absurdity it is to leave talent unrewarded on the pretext of youth! How old are you, Hillin?"
There was no reply.
"I ask you your age."