"We thank you—you are most kind," replied the mollified Burgomaster, who never doubted for a moment that his vast importance caused him to be known to all the world; "but what will become of your sledge?"
"Oh, I don't fear for the sledge—that can remain here among the underwood; and my horse can be attached in front of yours."
This arrangement was soon effected, and the stranger, who was so muffled up in fur cap and coat, that scarcely a feature could be distinguished, mounted beside Max, and seized the reins.
Donnerwetter! how he shouted at the horses! cracking his whip, and calling them all manner of strange names. "Now, then, pig with a wooden head! Get along with you, toad of serpents! To the mischief with the whole team!" till the foam flew on all sides, the iron-clad heels of the steeds rang like hammer upon anvil on the frozen ground, and sparks scintillated in the air!
Meanwhile, however, the effect of this rapid motion on the Burgomaster's family was anything but exhilarating. Now that the bustle of setting out was at an end, they one and all began to feel afraid of their strange guide, and to think there was something more than common in their adventure.
"He's a very odd-looking man, after all," whispered the Burgomaster's wife; "how do we know what sort of a fellow he is, and if he is taking us to Olè's at all? I, for my part, believe he's in league with some robber band, and we shall all be murdered."
"Potstausend! it looks very much like it!" exclaimed the Burgomaster, who, although so big a man, was mighty chicken-hearted. "I wish Max had not been so confoundedly hasty in accepting his advice."
"I beg thy pardon there, father-in-law," returned Walther; "it was thou who bade him come in."
The Burgomaster was about to make some peppery reply, when Max suddenly broke upon the whispered conversation by exclaiming:
"Since you are so good, sir, as to drive us, perhaps you will inform us to whom we are obliged."