He knew that, even if he went on,
he would have to stop at some village sooner or later. And if he was
suspected here, he would be at the next place.
And so, trying to ignore the little crowd that was following him, he
turned off and began climbing toward the mansion above the village.
It was like a signal. From behind him there rose a dull murmur. A lad
not much older than himself raced up and stood threateningly in his
path.
"If you are an American and honest, why are you going there?" asked this
boy, a peasant, and rather stupid in his appearance.
"None of your business!" said Fred, aroused. He didn't think that the
advice of his friend Lieutenant Ernst to answer questions covered this.
"You can't go there. There are spies enough there already!" cried the
other.
And then without any warning, he lunged forward and tried to grapple
with Fred.
That aroused all the primitive fight in Fred. He met the attack joyously
for wrestling was something he understood very well. And in a moment he
had pinned the peasant boy, strong as he was, to the earth.
But he had got rid of one opponent only to have a dozen others spring
up.
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