Wilhelm thought upon the merry evening party, upon his adventure with the poor hackney-coachman, then took down his violin from the wall and began to play certain variations.
The last remaining guests from the honorable carousal, merrier than when Wilhelm left them, now came wandering up the street.

One of them jodeled sweetly, and no watchman showed himself as a disturbing principle.

They heard Wilhelm violin and recognized the musician.
"Play us a Francaise, thou up there!" cried they.
"But the watchman ?" whispered one of the less courageous.
"Zounds, there he sits!" cried a third, and pointed toward a sleeping object which leaned its head upon a large wooden chest before a closed booth.
"He is happy!" said the first speaker.

"If we had only the strong Icelander here, he would soon hang him up by his bandelier upon one of the iron hooks.

He has done that before now; he has the strength of a bear.