,transcriber's note3 ,unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed4 ,illustration3 ,a ,,mean ,,action4 ,illustration ,,stick ,,to ,,the ,,raft4 ,,by ,,mrs4 ,,george ,,gladstone ,author of ,,waiting ,,for ,,sailing ,,orders1 ,,norwegian ,,stories1 ,,etc4 ,london3 ,,the ,,religious ,,tract ,,society #ef1 ,,paternoster ,,row2 #fe1 ,,st4 ,,paul',s ,,churchyard2 ,,and #afd1 ,,piccadilly4 ,,manchester3 ,,corporation ,,street4 ,,brighton3 ,,western ,,road4 ,,contents4 ,,chapter4 ,i4 ,,the ,,raft ,,ii4 ,k,,sen ,,iii4 ,,karl ,,schmidt ,,iv4 ,,the ,,miller',s ,,son ,v4 ,,the ,,martyr ,,spirit ,,vi4 ,,the ,,promised ,,holiday ,,vii4 ,,the ,,secret ,,viii4 ,,the ,,schutzen ,,fest ,,ix4 ,,wrong ,,set ,,right ,x4 ,,the ,,interview ,,xi4 ,,the ,,pool ,,of ,,bethesda ,,xii4 ,,saved ,,by ,,the ,,raft ,illustration ,,stick ,,to ,,the ,,raft4 ,illustration ,,chapter ,i4 ,,the ,,raft4 ,,the ,fichtel-,gebirge1 or ,fir ,mountains1 in ,bavaria1 have been compared to the garden of ,eden1 because four rivers rise in their midst1 which were once supposed to be rich in gold1 and to abound in precious stones4 ,some of the poor people in this region have been known to search diligently1 hoping to find treasures concealed in the beds of the ,maine1 ,eger1 ,saale1 or ,naab1 which would enrich them1 so that they might dispense with hard labour and dwell in luxury for the remainder of their days4 ,but only a few peasants indulged in such dreams4 ,for the most part1 the people were1 and are1 employed in felling the forest trees1 laying out new plantations1 and burning charcoal4 ,hans ,richter was a wood-cutter and charcoal-burner2 he was but a poor man1 as far as this world's goods were concerned1 but he was rich towards ,god1 for he had a large store of faith and earnest trust in his ,heavenly ,father4 ,in fact1 in his simple way1 he scarcely knew what care meant1 just because he realised these words in their full meaning1 and not in a halfhearted manner--,casting all your care upon ,him1 for ,he careth for you4 ,he had but little book knowledge1 and could with difficulty spell out the words of his ,bible1 but he could pray3 he could talk to his ,god as he went about his daily work1 or as he watched the charcoal smouldering4 ,and he learnt so easily1 and had such a good memory that he made many of the rich promises contained in ,god's ,word his own4 ,richter was a widower with one son1 a lad of fifteen1 who was a great solace to him4 ,young ,hans was a tolerable scholar1 for during the winter months the forest life was exchanged for a cottage in a little village1 and then he went to school1 and applied himself to study so eagerly that he acquired more information in the five winter months than his fellow-companions who attended the classes regularly all the year round4 ,when our story opens1 ,hans ,richter was suffering from a severe cold4 ,the winter had been a trying one1 and money so scarce that very often he could not afford to heat his stove4 ,the long illness of his wife1 and her subsequent death1 exhausted his resources1 and incurred some debts which he had only just paid off4 ,in spite of these trials1 he did not lose his faith in ,god1 but hoped that the spring and summer work would be plentiful1 and that the united efforts of himself and son would enable him once more to accumulate a little hoard for future needs4 ,the snow had disappeared1 and the firs looked green and fresh when ,richter and his son gave up their room in the village1 removed to the forest1 and erected their hut4 ,it did not take them long to build up their summer dwelling-house1 it was so simply constructed4 ,the shape of it was conical1 and the poles with which it was made were covered with the bark of the fir-tree4 ,this rude hut served to shelter them from storm and wind4 ,it stood about two miles from the village to which they had to go in order to buy bread and other necessaries4 ,richter did not remove all his household goods1 though they were few enough1 to his hut4 ,he left some of his furniture in the care of the poor woman with whom he lodged during the cold weather1 and only carried to the forest such articles as were absolutely needed4 ,father1 said young ,hans1 some three weeks after the hut was completed1 you look very tired this afternoon1 and seem so weak2 lie down and rest1 while ,i go to work4 ,carl and ,wilhelm will come when they have finished their dinners1 and we can get along quite well without your help4 ,i am very tired1 my boy1 answered ,richter4 ,i cannot tell you exactly why1 but ,i have never been the same since your mother died1 and ,i think the cold of last winter injured me4 ,your young bones are not so tender as mine1 for you can run about and warm yourself2 my cough prevents me from taking sharp exercise1 and lately it has hurt my chest4 ,but don't look so sad1 ,hans2 if my ,heavenly ,father wants me home1 ,i am ready to go4 ,and ,i am not afraid of leaving you alone1 for ,he will not forsake the orphan1 but care for you as ,he has cared for me4 ,i'll have a sleep while you cut down the branches of your fir2 you'll manage to do that easily when ,carl and ,wilhelm come4 ,but wait for me before you set to work on the trunk4 ,is it to go to ,ksen1 father8 ,yes2 it is the last one we have to fell to complete the order sent by the ,burgomaster4 ,i shall take you with me to ,ksen so soon as the raft is ready4 ,when your mother was living1 ,i did not like to leave her alone for so many days1 but now ,i shall be glad of your help4 ,one pair of hands cannot guide a large raft through the twists and turns of the ,saale4 ,you've had good practice in your time1 my boy1 and ,i think are as clever as your father4 ,i want to see ,ksen1 answered ,hans4 ,i've never been so far2 and ,i've heard it's such a pretty little village4 ,it is a town1 lad2 the people were anxious enough to have it made into one1 thinking they would have more privileges1 but all they seem to have gained is having to pay heavier taxes and support a ,burgomaster1 to whom they give a regular annual income4 ,there is more to be seen and learnt in a town than in our tiny village1 or among these fir-trees1 said ,hans4 ,perhaps for you1 but not for me4 ,i spent some of my early years at ,leipzie1 yet ,i was glad when my father accepted the post of head forester1 and we came to our quiet little village for the winter1 and lived in the forest during the fine weather4 ,but then1 father1 you had good reason to be glad2 you have often told me about your early life4 ,yes1 lad2 ,i never grow weary of telling you how ,i learnt to know the ,lord4 ,i was a stranger to ,him before1 and so was your grandfather4 ,your mother first taught us there was a better world to live for than this4 ,but ,i needed sorrow to make me think4 ,it was on the day that your darling sister died ,i prayed my first prayer1 and promised to give myself to my ,master's service4 ,ah1 lad1 such a world of care has been moved off my shoulders since then6 ,how well ,i remember starting on a raft down the ,saale some few days after that blessed hour when ,i cried1 ',i am not my own1 ,lord1 for ,thou hast redeemed me with ,thy precious blood1 and ,i give myself to ,thee4' ,your mother came to see me off1 holding you1 who were a baby about a year old1 in her arms4 ,before ,i unchained the raft1 ,i kissed her and said1 ',good-bye6 ,take care of yourself1 and our only little one4' ',good-bye1 my dear husband1' she replied2 'stick to the raft1 and mind how you pass the weir at ,ksen4 ,how glad ,i am to think that there's another ,raft you'll stick to besides this one2 a ,raft which cannot come to any harm1 but which will support you in the deepest waters and amid the fiercest storms1 when the sun shines1 and when the rain falls4' ,i looked at her in astonishment1 for ,i didn't catch her meaning4 ,but she soon cleared up the mystery1 for she added1 ',i mean the ,lord ,jesus ,christ2 stick to that ,raft1 and pray for ,his ,spirit to guide you4' ,it was a good saying of hers1 ,hans2 ,i've never forgotten it1 and ,i have ever called out to any one who was guiding a raft1 ',stick to it4' ,and what's more1 if ,i have an opportunity1 ,i tell them there is a heavenly ,raft to stick to as well as fir-stems1 and ,i say1 ',hold on to the ,saviour1 forget self1 and cling to ,god's promises in ,christ4' ,hans1 lad1 as a sinking man would hug his raft if any accident upset him in the river1 so ,i beseech you cling to ,jesus4 ,don't forget my words4 ,now go to your work1 and ,i will rest4 ,richter closed his eyes wearily when his son left him4 ,some day soon ,i shall fall into the sleep that knows no waking4 ,but when my summons comes1 ,i shall go gladly1 and without fear1 he murmured4 ,o ,father1 for ,christ's sake1 make my boy true to ,thee4 ,the sun set1 and yet the sick man slept heavily1 nor did he rouse up to take his supper4 ,after young ,hans had finished his day's work1 he watched his father for some time1 and then he too fell into a sound slumber4 ,the morning was breaking when the lad was awakened by hearing his name called4 ,he was in time to catch his father's last words4 ,i am dying1 gasped ,richter2 the end has been coming for some time1 but ,i have fast hold of the ,raft1 ,hans2 ,i am not afraid of crossing the river2 ,i hold my ,saviour's hand1 and ,he holds mine4 ,i can say truly1 ',yea1 though ,i walk through the valley of the shadow of death1 ,i will fear no evil1 for ,thou art with me2 ,thy rod and ,thy staff they comfort me4' ,stick to the ,raft1 my boy2 stick to the ,raft4 ---------------- ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,k,,sen4 ,k,,sen is a charming little city on the ,saale4 ,it lies in a valley surrounded by hills which are well-cultivated and finely wooded4 ,during the summer1 the river is thickly studded with rafts made of the trunks of fir-trees1 principally cut from the forests about the ,fichtel-,gebirge4 ,these rafts are formed by boring holes at the top and bottom of each stem1 and fastening them together with twigs4 ,when completed1 they are launched on to the river1 and the stream carries them down to their destination4 ,so help me ,god1 ,i will stick to the ,raft1 said ,hans ,richter1 when he left the village cemetery about a month after his father's funeral4 ,he had been there to plant forest-flowers on his parent's grave1 and to pray4 ,and with a firm step he took the road which led to his old landlady's house4 ,i have called to bid you good-bye1 he said as he entered her cottage and shook her warmly by the hand4 ,i expect not to return to this part again for at least some years to come4 ,so ,i hear1 she replied4 ,you must take a cup of coffee with me this afternoon1 and tell me why you are so anxious to leave your old home4 ,the last time ,i saw you ,i thought you were inclined to stay in these parts4 ,i am so lonely without my father1 and feel ,i had rather go to some place where ,i can learn more and see more4 ,i mean to try and get some work to do at ,ksen4 ,that is a long way off1 over seventy miles as the crow flies1 and perhaps double the distance by the river4 ,it's my native place2 ,i was born there4 ,i know it is a good distance1 but ,i can't help that1 for business takes me to ,ksen2 ,i am going to help ,wilhelm ,andrea4 ,he is appointed to take the wood to the ,burgomaster1 now father's dead4 ,the head forester has written to a friend of his who keeps the toll-house1 and asked him to give me some employment4 ,he says lads are often wanted to help the rafts over the weir4 ,that's true enough1 for the weir is full four feet high4 ,i can tell you it needs a good rush of water to enable them to pass it at all4 ,i can't quite understand how they get over1 said ,hans4 ,you know what a weir is1 ,i suppose8 ,oh yes4 ,explain it to me4 ,wherever there's a great mill to be worked1 there's a weir4 ,it's only a dam in the river to collect enough water behind it so as to turn the mill wheel4 ,quite right4 ,you'll soon see the old flour-mill2 it is a very large one1 and grinds nearly all the wheat needed in ,ksen for bread4 ,now ,i will tell you how the rafts go over4 ,every raft1 as you know1 has a man and a boy on it who steer with a fir pole1 to which is attached a boat-hook4 ,so soon as the weir is reached1 the master of the toll-house1 or his assistant1 wades through the water from the shore1 and stands on the weir4 ,he also holds a long fir pole in his hands1 with which he pushes the raft1 so as to prevent it from drifting out of the middle of the stream and missing the best point to shoot the fall4 ,the two on the raft have to stand perfectly still1 and balance themselves carefully while they glide down the rapid1 and they very often get a good shower-bath4 ,i have watched many hundred rafts over the weir at ,ksen1 and also under the bridge2 for the little town boasts a long and very handsome old bridge over the ,saale4 ,the moment the raft crosses the weir1 there is a deal of steering wanted1 for the water is often very shallow under the archways1 and it needs some skill to escape the buttresses4 ,i like to hear all this1 said ,hans1 but ,i thought the ,saale had always plenty of water in it4 ,not always2 ,i have known it almost dry in some places after a long drought4 ,and ,i have sometimes seen the river so full in the early spring1 and the current so rapid that it tore the rafts apart1 and dashed the stems of the trees against the bridge4 ,father used to say the rafts made a noise when they passed over the weir4 ,and he was right4 ,i know that ,i often thought it thundered when several went over in succession4 ,i must be leaving now2 we start away early to-morrow morning4 ,i only wish ,i had some friends at ,ksen1 for ,i would speak a good word for you1 my dear1 said the kind landlady4 ,but ,i've been away so long that all my acquaintances have forgotten me4 ,i1 like you1 ,hans1 have no relations1 for ,i was an only child4 ,thank you all the same1 answered the lad4 ,i don't feel so lonely as ,i thought ,i should1 for ,i have been so used to hear father talk to ,god that since he's been dead1 ,i've begun to talk to ,him myself much more than ,i used to do4 ,that's well4 ,your father was a good man1 ,hans2 do you follow in his footsteps4 ,i am glad ,wilhelm is to be your companion2 though ,i hear he does not remain at ,ksen1 but is going on to ,halle4 ,you'll not be long without finding new friends2 only choose those who will raise you higher1 and not sink you lower1 for we've plenty to pull us down here4 ,we need to have the constant presence of ,god's ,spirit in our hearts if we would live upright and noble lives4 ,farewell2 may ,god go with you4 ,hans ,richter and his companion arrived at ,ksen on a beautiful evening in ,june4 ,the moon was at its full1 and shone directly over the weir1 giving the rapid a silvery appearance4 ,so exquisite was the scene that many of the townspeople and visitors gathered on the old bridge to watch the effect of the moonlight on the water4 ,ksen is one of the smallest towns in ,germany2 it is not thickly populated1 save in the summer months when its saline waters attract many strangers1 as they are considered to be especially beneficial for children4 ,we will not go so far as the toll-house1 said ,wilhelm ,andrea2 it is too late to pay duty to-night4 ,we will just moor our raft to a stake4 ,the raft was soon securely fastened to one of the many stakes which are placed at intervals along the banks of the ,saale4 ,and then ,hans and his companion went off in search of a night's lodging4 ,they slept soundly in the small double-bedded room which they secured at a little inn1 nor did they awake until the sun was high in the heavens4 ,hans was the first to rouse up1 but ,wilhelm was too tired to think of the day's work which lay before him4 ,so the lad determined to go at once to the forester's friend at the toll-house1 and ask if he could find him any employment1 for he did not wish to lose time2 he had to win his bread by his own exertions4 ,the bundle which lay on his bed contained his best suit of clothes1 a pair of boots1 two shirts1 and his father's ,bible2 all besides he had disposed of1 and after meeting outstanding expenses with the results of the sale he had one thaler1 or three shillings1 left4 ,before the boy set out1 he read the twenty-third ,psalm1 and thought of his father's dying words2 then he knelt in prayer to ,god1 and asked for a blessing to rest on him1 and that he might find friends and employment1 and be honest1 and not afraid of holding on to the right in time of temptation4 ,when he had ended his prayer1 he rolled his ,bible carefully up in his clothes1 then tied the bundle in a large silk pocket-handkerchief1 and went in search of the forester's friend1 who was known in ,ksen as ,karl ,schmidt the toll-master4 ---------------- ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,karl ,,schmidt4 ,,every raft which passes through ,ksen has to pay duty1 and therefore the little four-roomed cottage built on the banks of the ,saale just above the weir is inhabited by the toll-master4 ,karl ,schmidt had served in this capacity at ,ksen for many years4 ,he was a quaint1 queer1 strange-looking man1 rough in his manners1 but with a good honest heart beneath a rather unpleasing exterior4 ,he had no wife1 nor had he ever been married2 his neighbours often wondered that he was a single man4 ,he and his ,god1 and one other1 knew why he chose a bachelor's life1 for ,karl never talked about his own affairs4 ,many townspeople and strangers were admitted into the pretty parlour1 which commanded a view of the river1 where ,schmidt transacted his business when the weather was too wet or the days too cold to admit of his taking his chair outside the door1 but only a few of these were his friends4 ,he was known to some in ,ksen as ,old ,karl1 and yet he was neither grey nor infirm4 ,it is true he had stray white hairs mingling with his brown locks1 but he was still in the prime of manhood1 so perhaps he earned his name because he was quiet in manner and naturally grave in disposition4 ,he was rarely found at a fte1 and certainly never seen in the public-house4 ,yet he filled a great place in ,ksen1 for he was regarded by many as a friend in need1 and his advice was sought after and given cheerfully4 ,by a few he was thought proud1 but they were among the prosperous people in his own class who had never asked for his sympathy4 ,on the morning when ,hans ,richter sought him1 he was up betimes1 and busy about household matters4 ,first he lighted the stove and put the kettle on2 then he swept out the little kitchen and dusted and arranged the parlour4 ,afterwards he went upstairs again and made his bed and set his room in order4 ,this done1 he tapped at the door which faced his own4 ,a feeble voice answered1 ,come in4 ,karl entered4 ,on a clean bed lay a sickly woman1 his mother1 who had been partially paralysed for some years4 ,she was his great duty in life2 for her sake he had never thought of marriage4 ,she had always been an invalid1 and needed many luxuries2 and when she grew so ill as to be unable to move without assistance1 he was doubly thankful to ,god that he could keep her in tolerable comfort4 ,he loved her intensely2 to her he showed the gentle nature which lay concealed beneath the rough exterior4 ,how have you slept1 mother dear8 he asked1 coming to her side and kissing her4 ,much better than usual1 ,karl1 she answered1 smiling at him fondly4 ,i mean to get up when ,maria comes4 ,maria was an old woman employed by ,karl for a few hours every day to attend upon his mother4 ,i am so glad to hear this1 he answered4 ,i'll make coffee at once1 and then ,i must go to business1 for ,i hear the ,burgomaster's wood arrived late last night1 and ,i know he is in a great hurry to begin building4 ,besides1 that boy will come on the raft who has been recommended to me4 ,i really think ,i shall try him1 for ,i have been obliged to dismiss ,robert4 ,i am glad he is gone1 for your sake1 but sorry for his own4 ,he has too indulgent a father1 and a bad companion in ,paul ,ebhardt1 so that he has no one to influence him for good4 ,i did hope he would have turned over a new leaf4 ,i like the boy1 with all his faults1 though ,i fear he will be a constant source of trouble to the miller4 ,you'll read with me as usual1 ,karl1 before you go out8 ,certainly1 mother4 ,i shouldn't expect a blessing on my day's work if we neglected to read the ,bible and pray together morning and night4 ,our daily services have been a great joy and a pleasant duty1 my son1 for many years4 ,i never understand how people like to go out into the turmoil of this world's work without first seeking strength to struggle with any difficulty1 danger1 or temptation that may arise4 ,i should as soon think of going without food as going without prayer2 even in my quiet life1 ,karl1 ,i have my battles to fight4 ,i often feel cross and irritable1 and1 but for ,god's help1 ,i should tire you with my grumbling4 ,never1 mother4 ,i love you too well4 ,i can't fancy you cross or irritable4 ,i rarely leave the room but what ,i say1 ',god help me to endure trouble as she does4' ,and ,he will help you when trouble comes1 ,karl2 the back is made to fit the burden4 ,i used to wonder how people who were afflicted could be so patient1 but ,i wonder no longer now1 if they are the followers of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 for ,i have found that as ,i have grown weaker and my bodily ailments more severe1 ,god has come nearer and nearer4 ,you may depend upon it1 the sick ones whom ,jesus loves have a closer union with ,him than those who bustle about the world4 ,when we are ill1 we are kept quiet by ,god2 ,his ,spirit holds communion with our spirit1 and we hail the communion all the more because we have no hope1 no help1 but in ,him4 ,oh1 mother6 ,how ,i like to hear you talk6--,and it's not mere talk with you4 ,i am ashamed of myself when ,i see you suffer1 for ,i would fain keep you here1 in spite of it all2 and yet ,i know you must long to be at rest4 ,my son1 ,i am at rest now4 ,this is the rest of faith2 the rest of heaven will follow in ,god's good time4 ,the morning meal was over1 and the morning reading and prayer1 when ,hans ,richter arrived at the toll-house4 ,karl ,schmidt was standing outside the door smoking his pipe4 ,if you please1 sir1 said ,hans1 ,i am the boy that you had a note about4 ,please can you give me employment8 ,what can you do8 ,anything4 ,anything sometimes means nothing4 ,i'd rather know what you are able to do4 ,i can cut down trees1 sir1 make rafts1 and since mother died1 ,i've cooked for father and tidied the room2 and ,i'm a bit of a carpenter2 and ,i want so much to stay here that ,i'll try very hard and learn to do any work you set me4 ,i must think over all your qualifications4 ,you seem to me to know a little about many things1 but ,i hope that does not mean that you are steady to nothing4 ,no1 sir2 ,i don't think that's a bad fault of mine4 ,but may ,i tell you what ,i want to do most of all8 ,certainly4 ,i want to help the rafts over the weir4 ,i heard you always employed a lad for that1 and ,i do so wish you would take me4 ,why do you so particularly wish to help the rafts over the weir8 ,hans hesitated1 and ,karl noted his hesitation4 ,speak out1 boy1 he said1 somewhat sternly4 ,if you and ,i are to come to terms1 you must tell the truth4 ,i never told a lie in my life1 sir1 and ,i hope ,i shall never be tempted to tell one4 ,i was only wondering if ,i dare just talk to you as ,i used to do to my father4 ,try me1 answered ,karl4 ,what ,i'm going to say has to do with my dead father1 sir4 ,the last conversation we had was about the rafts1 and the last words he said were1 ',stick to the raft4' ,and ,i mean to stick to the raft1 and that's why ,i want to stand on the weir4 ,but ,i don't yet see what standing on the weir has to do with sticking to the raft4 ,you only stand on the weir to guide the rafts into the right channel4 ,i know that1 sir4 ,but don't you see ,i can say to all the lads and men as they come over1 ',stick to the raft1' and that'll1 maybe1 lead to further conversation8 ,what further conversation8 ,it's my dead mother's idea1 sir4 ,soon after father gave himself to the ,lord1 he had to take a raft to a neighbouring village4 ,and when he started1 mother told him to stick to it1 and explained that she wanted him to hold on to a ,raft which would bear him at all times4 ,she meant the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,i like that idea4 ',there is a ,friend that sticketh closer than a brother4' ,i'm not a man of many words1 but ,i think ,i could say to strangers1 ',stick to the raft1' and maybe in some case ,i could explain my words1 and bid them stick to the raft in a spiritual sense4 ,boy1 you have taught me something to-day4 ,i'm a little too much inclined to let people come and go without trying to do them good4 ,but now tell me why you have left your forest life4 ,because ,i've no parents living1 sir1 and ,i'm very lonely4 ,i had to come to ,ksen with the ,burgomaster's wood1 and ,i thought ,i'd rather remain than go back1 if ,i could find employment4 ,and ,i want to get a better education1 for ,i'm at the top of the village school4 ,you'll meet with many temptations here1 and with boys who have no principle to guide them1 who will try and lead you into sin4 ,are you strong enough to refuse to be led away8 ,hans thought for a moment before he answered1 ,i hope ,i am4 ,in whose strength shall you resist8 ,your own8 ,no1 sir2 from a baby ,i've been taught this1 ',cast all your care on ,god2 ,he careth for you2 and will not suffer you to be tempted beyond what you are able to bear4' ,father had a habit of talking to ,god about everything1 and ,i try to follow his example4 ,that's well1 ,hans4 ,i like the look of you1 and my friend gave you a good character1 so ,i'll engage you to help men and boys stick to the raft in both senses4 ,but mind1 if ,i find you have only talked fairly1 and are untrue or dishonest1 ,i shall dismiss you4 ,i am quite ready to serve you on those terms1 sir4 ,when may ,i come8 ,to-day2 this morning1 if you like4 ,where did you sleep last night8 ,hans explained that he and ,wilhelm ,andrea had found accommodation at a little inn1 and that his companion would soon be coming to pay duty on his raft4 ,i know he wants to start again in good time1 he added1 for some of the wood we brought down last night is going on to ,halle4 ,it is not all for the ,burgomaster4 ,may ,i go back and help him8 ,certainly4 ,i have only one more question to ask1 ,where are you going to lodge8 ,can't ,i be with you1 sir8 ,it will be so handy for me to be near in case you want my services late at night or early in the morning4 ,i've no place for you4 ,but you will have little difficulty in finding a room in one of the cottages4 ,i will arrange that matter for you4 ,hans left ,karl ,schmidt with a light heart1 and spent the rest of the morning in assisting ,wilhelm4 ,there was plenty to do1 for the raft was an unusually large and heavy one1 and it took some time to break it in pieces4 ,then the stems for the ,burgomaster had to be dragged up the bank1 and the rest tied together again1 so that it was late in the afternoon before ,wilhelm was ready to leave ,ksen4 ,his raft was now so small he was quite able to manage it by himself4 ,hans was waiting1 pole in hand1 on the weir when ,andrea came1 and ,karl was close behind1 ready to give the lad his first lesson4 ,he proved an apt scholar1 and guided the raft skilfully on to the lowest part of the weir1 crying1 ,stick to it1 ,wilhelm6 as it passed over4 ,wilhelm called back1 ,i will stick to the raft1 ,hans1 and ,i'll remember all you mean by those words4 ,good-bye4 ,i hope you'll be happy at ,ksen4 ---------------- ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,the ,,miller',s ,,son4 ,,herr ,,klein1 to whom the mill at ,ksen belonged1 was a hard-working man who had a wife and eight children to support2 morning1 noon1 and sometimes far into the night1 he was at his business4 ,he was a good husband and an indulgent father4 ,perhaps it was the easy manner he had of dealing with the faults of his young ones that made his eldest and only son ,robert so determined to lead an idle life4 ,he was a lad of sixteen who had no particular principle to guide him1 and liked to do nothing that gave him any trouble4 ,the only thing he excelled in was archery2 he had carried off the ,burgomaster's prize for two years in succession at the ,schutzen ,fest 7shooting festival71 and they were about the only prizes he had ever won1 or tried after1 in his life4 ,finding that his son was so averse to work in his mill1 ,herr ,klein asked ,karl ,schmidt to allow him to try his hand at helping the rafts over the weir4 ,and as the toll-master was just then without a boy1 he engaged ,robert4 ,but the latter1 instead of helping1 so often nearly brought both men and rafts into dangerous positions that at last ,schmidt was compelled to dismiss him1 and1 as we know1 ,hans was engaged in his stead4 ,in all probability ,robert would have seen his place filled without being at all troubled had it not been for a very bad companion of his1 the closest and dearest friend he had1 one ,paul ,ebhardt1 the son of the master tailor in ,ksen1 who considered that it was an infringement upon the rights of the town for a stranger to come and1 as he termed it1 turn out a fellow who was born and bred close to the weir4 ,it was evident that ,herr ,klein admired the look and bearing of ,hans1 for he said to his son soon after the lad came to live with the toll-master1 ,i do wish1 ,robert1 you were as steady as ,schmidt's new boy2 ,i very much dislike seeing you constantly idling about4 ,but the miller did not enforce obedience1 and truly he had no confidence in his first-born1 and was afraid of giving him any position of trust connected with the mill4 ,he hoped that as he grew older he would be wiser4 ,nevertheless he did not set before him the miseries which must accrue from laziness1 nor that ,satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do4 ,he was proud of his son1 who was a well-grown1 handsome1 good-natured lad1 but beyond this had nothing much to commend him4 ,hans had been in his situation for several weeks1 and had given the toll-master so much satisfaction that the latter proposed to his mother that a bed should be placed in the kitchen to accommodate him4 ,he is so handy at accounts1 ,i shall be glad to have him to help me with the books1 said ,karl4 ,frau ,schmidt gave her hearty consent to the arrangement1 and added1 ,he will be a companion for you during the winter4 ,i like the boy very much1 and ,i think if he is in the house1 you can carry on his education during the long evenings4 ,so a bed was bought1 and ,hans was installed in his new quarters4 ,the orphan was very happy to be there1 and thankful to ,god that the influences of his home were such that he would be helped forward in the pilgrimage of life4 ,he already loved patient ,frau ,schmidt1 and hailed the days when she was well enough to sit up in her easy-chair and chat to him4 ,hans was in the habit of taking off his boots and socks when he stood in the water to help the rafts over the weir4 ,he removed them as usual one morning1 and left them on the shore1 without giving a thought as to their safety1 while he went1 pole in hand1 to assist four rafts1 which had been waiting for a good supply of water to pass over the weir4 ,robert and his friend ,paul were sauntering along the banks of the river when they observed ,hans take off his boots and socks4 ,let's hide them1 suggested ,paul4 ,i hate that boy1 and should like to make ,ksen too hot for him4 ,it's not worth while1 answered ,robert4 ,if any one owes him a grudge1 ,i do1 for he turned me out of my situation4 ,but he's not worth a thought4 ,that's one reason why ,i dislike him so much1 said ,paul4 ,and he might have added1 the chief reasons are that he rather avoids me than seeks to know me1 and on several occasions when ,i've invited him to go for a walk1 he has refused to accompany me4 ,and one evening when ,i was drinking at a public-house1 he turned away4 ,this was true1 for ,hans had been warned by his master to have no companionship with ,robert or ,paul4 ,one is idle1 and the other bad1 added ,karl ,schmidt2 therefore you had better try to keep clear of them4 ,hans knew this was sound advice1 for he had seen ,paul behave in such a manner that his own good sense would have told him to avoid ,ebhardt if he would cling to the good4 ,now do let's pay him off1 urged ,paul4 ,well1 just as you like4 ,we'll put his boots and socks under that rubbish4 ,accordingly they were pushed under a nasty heap of refuse1 and then the boys hid behind the trunk of an old tree1 and waited to see how ,hans would behave4 ,in the meantime1 the latter was fully employed4 ,the first raft had only one man in it1 who was accompanied by a favourite dog4 ,the creature whined piteously1 and was evidently frightened by the noise of the rushing water4 ,stick to the raft1 and mind your dog1 shouted ,hans4 ,the stranger1 thus admonished1 took the animal into his arms1 and planting his feet down firmly1 passed the weir in safety4 ,give me a help with your pole until ,i'm under the bridge1 called the man2 ,i'm not strong enough to keep clear of it single-handed1 my cough is so bad4 ,hans sprang on to the raft1 and gave a few vigorous thrusts with his pole4 ,it's all right now1 he said4 ,i'm afraid you are very ill4 ,it seems to me you are not fit to come down alone on this raft4 ,i know that as well as you can tell me1 answered the stranger1 curtly1 but a man must live4 ,mine will be a short life1 and by no means a merry one4 ,you managed to stick well to the raft as you passed over the weir1 replied ,hans2 and if you'll stick to another kind of ,raft1 you'll be able to meet any sickness that comes4 ,what do you mean8 ,why1 the ,bible tells us that ,jesus ,christ came into the world to save us from sin2 and if we cling to ,him in all our troubles1 we shall be able to bear them4 ,what stuff are you talking to me1 boy8 exclaimed the man1 angrily4 ,i want no more help1 now we are safely under the bridge4 ,thank you for what you've done1 but let me give you a word of advice3 if you use that sort of talk to strangers1 you'll get a thrashing one of these days4 ,the idea of a child like you setting up to teach grown men6 ,hans felt very sore as he walked quickly back to the weir2 he was more than sore1 quite cross1 and indignant that his words had been received in such an uncourteous spirit4 ,but he had no time then to indulge his vexation1 for the three remaining rafts had to be helped over4 ,he did his best1 save only that no words escaped him beyond what he was compelled to say2 he did not cry out cheerily1 ,stick to the raft2 take care2 keep in the current6 ,so soon as he had completed his morning's work1 he prepared to go home1 but1 to his dismay1 he found that his boots and socks were gone4 ,hans looked about in every direction in vain1 and at last relinquished the search1 fearing his master would be waiting dinner for him4 ,paul had no mind to allow his victim to escape thus easily1 so he broke into a derisive laugh4 ,then1 for the first time1 ,hans discovered that ,robert and his friend were watching his movements1 and he felt sure they had played him a trick4 ,where are my boots8 ,you've taken them away1 he called out4 ,that's like your impudence1 young fellow1 said ,paul1 coming toward him1 followed by ,robert2 it's as good as calling us thieves4 ,take that for being so impertinent6 ,and he struck ,hans a violent blow across the mouth4 ,as we know1 ,hans was out of temper1 not only annoyed at the stranger1 but vexed at losing his boots4 ,he sprang on to ,paul1 and before the latter could defend himself1 he was stretched full length on the grass4 ,you coward6 ,how dare you hit me8 he cried4 ,you're in my power now4 ,tell me where are my boots1 or ,i will thrash you4 ,help me1 help me6 screamed ,paul1 ,robert1 he'll kill me4 ,no1 ,i shall not1 answered ,hans4 ,give me your hand2 ,i'm sorry ,i was in such a temper4 ,for a still small voice whispered1 ,is that sticking to the ,raft8 ,i really call that first-rate behaviour1 said easy ,robert1 roused for once to have an opinion of his own4 ,he had you down1 and no mistake1 ,paul4 ,you'll find your boots under the rubbish heap1 ,hans4 ,you shall answer for this1 muttered ,paul1 slowly rising from the ground4 ,i will be revenged on you1 ,hans ,richter4 ,paul ,ebhardt generally remembers to pay off any grudge he owes4 ,come along1 ,robert4 ,hans found his boots and socks1 but it took him some minutes to shake off the dust and dirt with which they were covered4 ,and thus he was fully a quarter of an hour late for dinner4 ,the toll-master was busy with a customer1 so that he made no comment on his want of punctuality4 ,the meal passed almost in silence1 for the lad was so busy with himself1 and though his master addressed him once or twice he only replied in monosyllables4 ,it was ,karl ,schmidt's habit to spend half-an-hour with his mother after dinner1 and latterly ,hans had been admitted to the conference1 and very much he valued the advice and counsel he received from the sick woman4 ,on this day1 a friend came to see ,karl1 so ,hans went up alone to the invalid4 ,oh1 ,frau ,schmidt1 may ,i tell you all--everything8 he asked1 kneeling down by the side of her arm-chair4 ,what have you to tell me8 she asked1 passing her hands over the upturned face4 ,there has been something amiss to-day2 you have been crying4 ,and ,i'm sure you will say ,i ought to cry1 dear frau1 for ,i have been so very wicked4 ,i am a regular hypocrite4 ,and ,hans poured into her ears the history of the morning's adventures4 ,poor boy6 she said1 kindly4 ,yes1 you have failed to stick to the ,raft2 you have forgotten to cling to the ,one who is mighty to save1 and have allowed self to gain a victory4 ,the hardest battle we have to fight in our ,christian course is the battle with ourselves4 ,we think we are doing great things1 and then perhaps a rebuff comes1 and1 instead of searching into our motives and crying out for the ,spirit of the living ,god to show us ourselves and bring us anew to ,jesus1 we grow angry and vexed that we are despised and misunderstood4 ,yes1 yes2 you are right1 dear frau1 said ,hans1 the tears coming afresh at the words he heard4 ,i was so angry with the stranger1 and wounded because he scolded me4 ,the next time you receive a rebuff1 contrast your trials with ,his who endured such contradiction of sinners against ,himself--who was tempted in all points1 and yet without sin4 ,pray for the indwelling of ,his ,spirit when you try to do ,his work1 and ever remember that when ,he was reviled1 ,he reviled not again1 but was despised and rejected of men1 a man of sorrows1 and acquainted with grief1 and we hid as it were our faces from ,him4 ,we have many lessons to learn1 which will only be learnt through tears1 but they will be blessed tears1 for 'they that sow in tears shall reap in joy4' ,karl entered the room at this moment1 and ,hans made his escape1 and left ,frau ,schmidt to explain to his master why he went away so abruptly4 ,i am sorry all this has happened1 remarked ,karl1 when he had heard the particulars4 ,i do not mean that ,i am sorry ,hans received a scolding from the man on the raft1 for in the ,master's service he must not expect all sunshine4 ,but ,i am sorry he has provoked ,paul ,ebhardt1 for that boy will not easily forget that he has for once been conquered4 ---------------- ,,chapter ,v4 ,,the ,,martyr ,,spirit4 ,,hans never found his days too long2 he had lessons to learn when his master did not require his services1 and besides this1 he practised shooting at the target4 ,the festival was to be held in ,august1 when the ,burgomaster invited all the boys of ,ksen to enter their names among the lists of competitors for his prize1 and ,karl ,schmidt advised him to try for it1 promising to give him instruction in archery4 ,the toll-keeper's cottage stood alone in quiet nook1 and behind it a pathway ran up a slope--which was richly carpeted with flowers and furze1 with here and there an old tree standing--on to higher ground1 where was a pretty pine-wood with rustic seats placed in all directions for the accommodation of visitors4 ,this spot commanded a delightful view of the town of ,ksen and its winding river4 ,hans was able to set up his target behind the toll-house1 and practise there under the superintendence of his master1 who had shot well in his youthful days1 and who not only gave him lessons in the art1 but furnished his pupil with his own bow and arrows4 ,no sort of teaching came amiss to ,hans2 he was naturally so clever that he soon mastered difficulties1 for he gave his whole attention to whatever he undertook4 ,they say that ,hans ,richter has entered his name on the list of competitors for the ,burgomaster's prize1 said ,paul ,ebhardt to his friend ,robert4 ,do you mean to let him win it away from you8 ,he is not likely to get it1 answered ,robert4 ,he is only a raw fellow from the forest who has had no practice2 ,i'm not afraid of him4 ,i say he means to win1 said ,paul4 ,i am told he has put his target on the low ground by the toll-house and that he practises there every evening1 and ,karl ,schmidt helps him4 ,my father says ,karl knows what he is about2 some years ago he was the best shot in ,ksen4 ,for all that1 ,i'm not afraid1 replied ,robert4 ,don't be such a dolt6 exclaimed his friend1 angrily4 ,i detest ,hans1 and ,i can't think what you mean by being so careless over your prize4 ,i suppose if he wins it away from you1 you will say1 ,thank you4 ,no1 indeed ,i shan't1 answered ,robert1 with some spirit4 ,but1 he added1 more quietly1 he'll stand no chance1 never fear4 ,you don't know how well he shoots4 ,come with me this evening1 and let us watch him4 ,and then you will better understand that you will be beaten if you don't take care4 ,accordingly1 that evening ,paul and his friend secreted themselves behind a tree which stood very near to the target1 where they could see1 yet not be seen1 without running any risk of being struck by a stray arrow4 ,it was well that ,karl ,schmidt was present1 otherwise ,paul would have done his best to excite his friend to pick a quarrel with ,hans4 ,robert found that the arrows went near the bull's-eye1 and even into its centre now and then--showing that ,hans had a correct eye1 and only needed to persevere in order to equal if not excel him4 ,every time he shot an arrow1 ,paul whispered triumphantly1 ,i told you he would be a match for you4 ,yes1 certainly ,robert had a rival to fear4 ,when ,hans and his master went into the cottage1 the friends emerged from their hiding-place4 ,paul's face expressed his gladness1 for he saw that ,robert was more annoyed and vexed than he had ever seen him before4 ,so1 instead of deriding his companion1 he changed his tactics and began to pity him4 ,old fellow1 he said1 laying his hand on ,robert's shoulder1 ,i'm sorry for you4 ,he is sure to win1 and you'll lose4 ,it is a great shame that this fellow who is a stranger in ,ksen1 should put himself forward and gain a prize from our ,burgomaster1 over one who belongs to our town4 ,but he has not won it yet4 ,and what is more1 he shall not win it1 said ,robert--that is1 if ,i can beat him4 ,you may try1 but as sure as my name is ,paul ,ebhardt1 so sure am ,i he'll win2 so make up your mind to lose4 ,his hand is more steady and his eye more correct than yours2 he only wants practice4 ,he will not win the prize1 said ,robert1 confidently4 ,he ought not to1 but ,i am afraid he will succeed4 ,i wish1 with all my heart1 we could contrive some means of preventing him from shooting in the match4 ,shall we go to the ,burgomaster and say that he is a stranger here1 and that we pray he will only permit our ,ksen boys to compete8 ,no2 that won't do exactly4 ,the ,burgomaster will tell you that he can make no rules of the kind4 ,perhaps ,i shall think of some other plan4 ,i have to pay the rascal off for insulting me4 ,paul felt he had a right to annoy ,hans1 and he wanted to be revenged on him1--forgetting he had in the first instance thrown down the gauntlet1 and that1 before that unfortunate encounter by the river-side1 he had no real reason to dislike him4 ,it was on ,saturday evening when the friends watched ,hans ,richter shoot2 we will see in what spirit they awoke on ,sunday morning4 ,robert's first thoughts were these3 ,i'll lose no time1 but practise hard1 so that ,i may enter into fair competition with ,richter--for1 after all1 he has as much right to try for the ,burgomaster's prize as ,i have1 but he is not going to succeed4 ,away from his friend he was more inclined to act fairly towards ,hans4 ,paul ,ebhardt's waking thoughts were these3 ,that fellow1 ,richter1 shall not have the prize if ,i can make him lose it4 ,this shall be my revenge for his behaviour to me4 ,i must try and work out some plan to prevent him from winning1 for ,i see he is very anxious to be first4 ,but how it's to be done ,i don't exactly know4 ,there are1 fortunately1 some days before the festival4 ,to ,hans1 this ,sunday morning brought very different feelings4 ,when he awoke1 he remembered it was ,god's own day1 and that he would hear the gospel of ,jesus ,christ preached in the old church4 ,he would go to a ,bible-class in the afternoon1 and the remainder of the day would be spent with ,frau ,schmidt and his master4 ,the hours sped along only too quickly for him4 ,and as soon as he had taken afternoon coffee to the invalid and his master1 he joined them1 ,bible in hand4 ,frau ,schmidt had been unusually well1 and had enjoyed the beautiful summer day from her open window2 the air was so still1 the sun so bright1 and the peace and rest of the scene without harmonised so well with the abiding sense of peace and rest which filled her own soul4 ,though she was unable to go beyond her bedroom1 she was thankful to be able to sit in her comfortable arm-chair and enjoy the pretty landscape4 ,i have something very interesting to read to you1 said ,karl ,schmidt1 as ,hans entered the room4 ,you will be surprised to hear that it has to do with a fte and that ,i mean to give you a holiday to attend it4 ,thank you1 sir1 but please tell me something about the fte before you begin to read4 ,it is called a 'cherry feast4' ,the reason why this name is given to it1 ,i will explain later4 ,where is it held1 sir8 ,at ,naumburg1 a town about five miles from here4 ,thither many young men and maidens1 as well as old folks and children1 repair on the #bhth of ,july4 ,the name of ,john ,huss1 the great reformer1 is associated with this fte4 ,do you know who he was8 ,no1 sir4 ,i thought1 if you approved1 mother1 ,i would read ,hans an account of this good man1 because he will learn from it how much a true ,christian can endure1 who rests entirely on his ,saviour4 ,do1 ,karl2 ,i shall enjoy listening to it1 answered ,frau ,schmidt4 ,john ,huss was a very great man1 and above all1 great in his abounding love towards ,god4 ,he cared not for prison1 nor chains1 nor mockings4 ,his persecutors could not hurt his soul1 however much they might inflict pain on his body4 ,read on1 ,karl4 ,john ,huss was born at ,hussineez1 a town on the borders of ,bavaria1 in ,july1 #acfi4 ,his parents were poor1 and he was early accustomed to do hard work and take very sparingly of food4 ,at the age of twenty-seven he entered the university of ,prague1 and at the close of the #adth century became confessor to ,sophia1 ,queen of ,bohemia1 and preacher in what was called the ,bethlehem ,chapel1 attached to the university4 ,wycliffe1 who has been justly styled the greatest of all reformers before the ,reformation1 was at this time creating a formidable revolution in the religious life of ,england and ,scotland by his preaching1 and writing2 nor was it long before this new teaching penetrated to the ,continent1 and spread even into ,bohemia1 where it stirred the spirits of some good men4 ,among the number was ,john ,huss1 who said1 when speaking of the effect of these writings of ,wycliffe on his mind1 ',i am drawn to them by the manner in which they strive to lead all men back to ,christ4' ,in the year #adad ,huss was charged with teaching heresy1 and summoned by the ,emperor ,sigismund to appear before the ,council of ,constance4 ,he obeyed the summons1 and went in the strength of ,god1 having besought of his ,heavenly ,father wisdom to answer his accusers and strength to remain firm to his ,saviour4 ,the ,emperor furnished him with a letter to ensure his safe-conduct2 and1 accompanied by several friends1 he set out to ,constance1 and reached that town on the #crd of ,november4 ,he was permitted to remain unmolested during four weeks2 and that time he employed in freely explaining his opinions and entreating to be heard publicly4 ,but such was not the intention of his enemies1 for on the #bhth of ,november he was thrown into a dungeon2 nor did the ,emperor interfere1 in spite of his promise1 beyond procuring poor ,huss a more airy prison4 ,for seven months he remained in confinement1 and during this period his health became greatly impaired from the rigorous treatment he received at the hands of his tormentors4 ,in the month of ,june he was brought before the ,council1 and ordered to abjure errors which he had never believed4 ,nor was it only on one occasion1 for four times did ,huss appear before these cruel men4 ',how can ,i abjure what ,i never held8' he asked repeatedly4 ,after his fourth appearance the ,council gave him a choice of two things--recantation or death2 and sent him back to prison to deliberate as to which of the two he would accept4 ,but ,huss needed no time for deliberation2 he made his choice when he determined to know only ,christ1 and ,him crucified2 and he never proved false to his ,master1 though his friends entreated him to save his life at any cost4 ',i write in prison and chains1' he says in a letter to some friends1 'expecting to-morrow to receive sentence of death1 but full of hope in ,god that ,i shall not swerve from the truth1 nor abjure errors imputed to me by false witnesses4' ,the sentence of death was soon passed upon ,john ,huss4 ,it was read to him in the presence of the ,emperor and ,council4 ,the persecuted man fell on his knees1 and cried1 ',lord ,jesus1 forgive my enemies4 ,thou knowest ,i have been falsely accused by them2 forgive them for the sake of ,thy great mercy4' ,his persecutors answered this prayer with loud laughter and shouts of derision1 which followed him even to the place of execution4 ,when he was heavily laden with chains and led to the stake1 he exclaimed1 ',i willingly wear these for ,christ's sake1 who bore still more grievous ones4' ,before the fire was kindled he was again besought to recant4 ',what error should ,i recant1' he cried1 'when ,i am conscious of none8 ,the chief aim of my preaching has been to teach men repentance and the forgiveness sins1 according to the truth of the gospel of ,jesus ,christ4' ,so the fire was kindled1 and the smoke and flames rose around him2 but in the midst of it all his voice was heard1 and these were his words3 ',jesus1 ,son of the living ,god1 have mercy on me4' ,hans drew a deep sigh when ,karl closed the little book from which he had been reading4 ,what a grand death to die6 he said4 ,it reminds me of the martyr ,stephen4 ,i've been reading about him to-day4 ,he fell asleep in ,jesus after he had cried with a loud voice1 ',lord1 lay not this sin to their charge4' ,i wonder if ,i could forgive my enemies like that6 ,yes1 my dear boy1 you could1 if you were sticking to the ,raft1 said ,frau ,schmidt4 ,the law of forgiveness was taught these good men by their blessed ,master1 and they were ,his followers4 ,methinks that ,master's words were yet ringing in the ears of ,stephen1 ',father1 forgive them1 they know not what they do4' ,he found it no hard task to pray1 as did his ,lord1 that his cruel tormentors might be forgiven4 ,i see it all1 answered ,hans2 mother's words must be felt in my heart if ,i mean them to come out in my life4 ,i must really 'stick to the ,raft' so tightly that ,god's promises will be mine4 ,but1 sir1 ,i don't quite understand what the death of ,john ,huss has to do with the fte4 ,i am going to tell you now1 answered ,karl2 ,i only waited until my mother had spoken4 ,in the year #adhb1 ,procopius1 the wild leader of the ,hussites1 came with his army to ,naumburg1 and besieged the city1 because ,bishop ,gerhard of that town1 who was a member of the ,council of ,constance1 was one of the men who condemned the noble ,huss to be burnt at the stake4 ,he was induced to raise the siege by the entreaties of the children who flocked to his camp1 and prayed him to depart and leave them in peace4 ,so earnestly did these young ones plead that ,procopius heard them1 and promised to withdraw his army4 ,nor did he send the children away empty1 for he gave them a liberal supply of cherries2 hence this event is commemorated by what is called 'the cherry feast4' ,how much ,i shall like to go6 ,i suppose it is very gay at ,naumburg4 ,what do the people do8 said ,hans4 ,you shall see for yourself1 replied his master4 ,and now come1 my boy1 let us stroll along the river-side this beautiful summer evening4 ---------------- ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,the ,,promised ,,holiday4 ,,the #bhth of ,july came on the following ,thursday4 ,hans counted the days1 nay1 almost the hours1 which must intervene2 he longed so much to see what the cherry feast was like4 ,the special train which left ,ksen at mid-day was not to return until late in the evening2 for fireworks were to conclude the entertainment1 and they could not be let off until after nine o'clock4 ,hans was dressed in a new suit of clothes1 a present from his master4 ,karl was growing increasingly fond of him2 he had never met his equal before1 and was fast forgetting the relations they bore to one another4 ,the lad was growing to be more like an adopted son than a hired servant4 ,i have come to show myself in my new suit1 said ,hans1 after tapping at ,frau ,schmidt's door to ascertain if he might enter4 ,isn't it a nice one8 ,it fits capitally4 ,oh1 ,i am so happy1 dear frau1 ,i have such a kind master2 and ,i love you so much--you seem to help me on my way4 ,illustration3 ,,hans ,,in ,,his ,,new ,,suit4 ,the invalid smiled kindly on the boy4 ,i'm glad ,i help you1 my dear1 she replied2 it's pleasant for a sick woman to know she is some use in ,god's world4 ,yes1 ,hans1 even ,i have my work to do1 or my ,master would call me hence4 ,perhaps it is to cheer and strengthen you on in your pilgrimage4 ,but ,i will not sermonise to-day1 but wish that you may enjoy yourself1 and remember you can do so and yet stick to the ,raft4 ,hans reached the railway-station in good time1 and before the train started some hundred and fifty young people1 and children1 with a sprinkling of old folks1 were gathered on the platform4 ,among the number were ,paul ,ebhardt and ,robert ,klein4 ,hans had not spoken to the former since their quarrel by the river-side1 and the latter had only addressed him once1 and then it was to say1 ,how could you attack ,paul8 ,he hates you now1 and will not forgive you in a hurry4 ,naumburg is pleasantly situated in the valley of the ,saale2 it lies in the midst of vine-covered hills3 for this is one of the most northerly places in ,europe where the vine is cultivated1 though the wine it produces is little better than vinegar4 ,an old wall runs round part of the town1 which contains some fine streets and handsome public buildings4 ,just without the wall is a meadow in which the ,friedens ,hgel1 or ,hill of ,peace1 stands1 where ,procopius pitched his camp1 and where the children flocked to entreat him to spare their beloved city4 ,the fte was unusually well attended4 ,there were sports of all kinds which lasted through the day and into which the young people entered heartily1 while their parents sat under the trees and looked on4 ,hans enjoyed the fun intensely4 ,it was quite a new scene for this forest boy4 ,he came across ,paul and ,robert several times1 but they seemed quite as anxious as he was to avoid any intercourse2 indeed1 only ,robert returned the nod which ,hans gave when he recognised them on the platform4 ,nor were refreshments forgotten2 various places were established in different parts of the meadow where a good supper could be had1 and cherries abounded4 ,it seemed as if all the old women in ,naumburg had turned out1 so many were there1 with baskets full of cherries1 from which they filled plates and offered them for sale at the rate of an ,english halfpenny per plate4 ,hans had money given to him by his master for refreshment1 and he very soon settled what he should eat4 ,there was an old man who had taken up his position in a quiet corner1 just within the wooden paling that ran on one side of the meadow2 he sold hot sausages1 and to him the lad repaired when he felt hungry4 ,the old man was bent with age1 but looked shrewd and quite competent to execute the work he had undertaken4 ,he had a strange sort of cooking-stove2 he put twelve bricks side by side1 on to a wooden table1 and made a fire on them1 so that the gridiron could stand on the hot embers and thus keep the sausages simmering2 while some rolls and half-a-dozen plates were ranged round the bricks to be in readiness for customers4 ,hans entered into conversation with him1 for it so happened no other customer was waiting to be served4 ,thus he learnt that the old man earned his living by going about the country selling sausages4 ,it's a hard life1 young master1 he said1 and sometimes ,i long for a room where ,i may end my days1 but the money doesn't come in fast enough for that4 ,i can just manage to get a living1 and that's all4 ,but ,i thank my ,god for ,his great mercy to me4 ,if ,i grow downhearted1 ,i think of my dear ,jesus1 who said1 ',foxes have holes1 and the birds of the air have nests2 but the ,son of ,man hath not where to lay his head1' and that comforts me4 ,you stick to the ,raft1 ,i can see1 answered ,hans1 and then he explained what he meant by these words4 ,afterwards they chatted about the different ftes the old man had in prospect1 and the latter said he expected to be at the ,schutzen ,fest1 and that he went to it every year because he always did a brisk trade after the match was over4 ,the exercise seems to give them all an appetite1 he added2 and even those who don't take any part in the shooting1 but only look on1 get very hungry4 ,sometimes ,i stay at ,ksen for several days4 ,on hearing this1 ,hans told his new friend his name1 where he lived1 what a good master he had1 and that he was practising at the target every day1 for he meant to try and win the ,burgomaster's prize4 ,i shall be sure to find you out at the festival1 continued the boy1 and ,i will recommend all the people ,i know to buy sausages of you1 for ,i've taken a great liking to you4 ,so have ,i to you1 replied the old man1 shaking the hand that ,richter held out to him4 ,good-bye4 ,just as ,hans was saying the last words1 ,robert and his friend came up4 ,has that fellow been eating sausages8 asked ,paul1 pointing to ,hans1 and addressing the old man4 ,yes2 and a nice1 civil-spoken young lad he is4 ,smooth-tongued enough1 ,i dare say1 sneered ,paul4 ,give me three sausages1 and my friend wants three4 ,the old man was so accustomed to hear rough words that he made no reply1 but busied himself in preparing the sausages1 while the boys sat down and watched him4 ,robert1 ,i've a splendid idea just come into my head--how odd that ,i never thought of it before6 ,i see how we can pay ,hans off1 said ,paul4 ,i've been worrying and worrying to no purpose1 but now ,i've got it1 and no mistake4 ,when the fireworks are let off1 in the darkness we may thrust a squib which is fired into his hand1 and that'll give him such a dose that he won't be able to shoot at the festival4 ,but it will hurt him1 answered ,robert2 and though ,i want the prize1 ,i should be ashamed to be such a coward as to injure another to gain my own end4 ,richter has as good a right to try and win as ,i have4 ,no1 no1 ,paul2 ,i'm not quite such a bad fellow as that4 ,i've no patience with you6 exclaimed ,paul1 angrily4 ,you may go your own way1 and lose the prize4 ,here come the sausages2 let us eat them while they are hot4 ,the old man had not been too much engrossed with his cooking to listen to what ,paul and ,robert said4 ,he noted every word that passed1 and resolved to look out for ,hans and warn him to be careful not to go near any boys who had squibs1 and also to tell him of the conversation he had overheard4 ,but the customers came so fast that he was too full of business to carry out his kind intention1 for the shades of evening were falling before the last one was served1 and then the fireworks began1 and the old man dared not venture into the crowd which had gathered at the lower end of the meadow4 ,when ,paul found ,robert so averse to his plan of revenge1 he determined to part company with him1 and carry out his scheme alone4 ,so he made the excuse of wishing to see some particular friends1 and promised to meet him at the station when the fireworks were over4 ,he had been so accustomed all his life to do just what pleased him best1 without heeding if it were right or wrong1 that he gloried in the cleverness of his plot1 only regretting that he had mentioned it to ,robert4 ,there was a great concourse of people round the ring from whence the rockets1 wheels1 and other pretty devices were let off4 ,and at the same time1 a few boys began letting off squibs1 though it had been strictly forbidden by the authorities4 ,hans was standing at the edge of the crowd lost in wonder1 for he had never seen such a display before1 when he felt something thrust into his left hand which exploded almost instantaneously1 but in the explosion1 he was severely burnt4 ,just at this moment came the grand finale1 which closed the evening's entertainment4 ,and the shouting and clapping were so noisy that the report of the squib was not noticed1 and it fortunately harmed no one else4 ,in the first few moments1 ,hans was bewildered1 and scarcely realised what had happened2 he was only conscious of sharp pain in his hand4 ,the crowd dispersed quickly1 and he knew the train would start almost immediately1 so he wrapped it in his handkerchief1 and1 trying to bear the pain as he best could1 walked to the station and jumped into the first carriage4 ,his condition excited the attention of his fellow-travellers1 and induced many questions4 ,every one had some particular remedy to recommend1 but poor ,hans paid little heed to their words4 ,he sat still1 holding his wounded left hand with his right1 and suffering too much to be able to enter into conversation4 ,at last he reached home1 and found his master standing outside the toll-house awaiting his arrival4 ,i've had an accident1 sir1 he said1 trying to speak cheerfully4 ,i'm afraid my hand is very much burnt4 ,and then he remembered no more until he returned to consciousness1 and found himself stretched on his bed1 for thither ,karl ,schmidt had carried him in a fainting condition4 ,you'll soon be better1 my boy4 ,you're a brave fellow to come home alone after such an accident1 said his master4 ,i expect the pain was too much for you to bear4 ,you have a nasty burn4 ,how did it happen8 ,but perhaps you had better not tell me until to-morrow1 you look so pale4 ,i've wrapped your hand in cotton wool2 let it stay on until you see the doctor1 and be very careful that the air does not get to it4 ,i feel quite comfortable now1 sir1 and able to talk4 ,i wish ,i could tell you how it happened4 ,i only know ,i felt as if some one forced a squib into my hand which went off directly4 ,it must have been a pure accident4 ,i don't think any boy would be so cruel as to harm another for amusement1 remarked ,karl4 ,the authorities ought to punish the rascals who dare to let off squibs4 ,i know this is not the first time some one has been hurt4 ,you must show your hand to the doctor early to-morrow morning4 ,i am afraid you will have no more shooting for many days to come4 ,won't it soon be well1 sir8 ,i did not think that ,i should lose the chance of the prize because of this burn4 ,and don't think of it now2 but go to sleep1 and try to forget you have been hurt4 ,next day ,hans paid an early visit to the doctor1 who pronounced that the hand must be put into a sling1 it was so much injured1 and would require care for some weeks4 ,the boy went slowly home1 feeling thoroughly depressed and ill4 ,the world and his prospects looked very gloomy2 he could not work--for how could he push rafts over the weir with one hand8 ,and perhaps his master would dismiss him if he did not get well quickly2 and last1 though not least1 there was the shooting match coming on1 and he would be unable to join in it1 and that was a sore disappointment4 ,in the short walk from the doctor's house to the toll-master's cottage1 ,hans managed to conjure up all kinds of dismal things3 so is it that we often make troubles before they really exist4 ,karl was in his mother's room when ,richter appeared in sight4 ,he called him from the window to come up1 for ,frau ,schmidt was anxious to hear the doctor's opinion4 ,you look as if you had all the cares of the world on your shoulders1 ,hans1 he exclaimed1 when he saw the boy's face4 ,what's the matter8 ,hans tried to speak in a clear1 unconcerned tone1 but his voice failed1 and he burst into tears instead4 ,come1 don't be so downhearted1 said ,karl4 ,it will only be a matter of a few weeks2 you will not learn idle habits in that time4 ,in fact1 you can work all the same2 we shall only change places3 you must take the tolls1 and will look after the rafts4 ,why1 ,i used to do both in former days--levy the duty on the raft1 and afterwards help it over the weir6 ,then you will keep me on1 sir1 even if my hand is a long time getting well8 ,certainly4 ,this explains why you look so dismal2 you thought ,i should turn you away because you could not work4 ,why1 ,hans1 ,i hoped you knew me better4 ,his faith in you has only failed for the moment1 said ,frau ,schmidt4 ,hans feels ill1 and his depression of body dims his trust in you4 ,my dear boy1 it is an old1 old fault--this want of faith2 would that it did not run through our lives4 ,in your walk home from the doctor's1 you have lost the ,raft1 and in losing the ,raft you have conjured up doubts and difficulties which have no foundation4 ,mother1 mother1 you are in a higher world than we are1 replied ,karl4 ,poor ,hans has not reached it1 and ,i am sure ,i have not2 nevertheless1 would that we were as patient and trustful as you are4 ,you see the boy has another cause of disappointment which you have not thought of1 perhaps3 he will be unable to shoot at the match4 ,and ,i lose my lessons from you1 sir1 added ,hans1 in a doleful voice2 and ,i did so enjoy having them every evening4 ,i hope they will be renewed some day4 ,my dear boy1 ,i am a stern teacher when ,i bid you rouse up to see your mercies1 and be thankful for your many blessings1 answered ,frau ,schmidt4 ,are you only going to stick to the ,raft when the sun is high and the water smooth8 ,you must take all your disappointments in life as part of the education which is to fit you for a higher and better world4 ,hans smiled through his tears as the invalid spoke4 ,he felt ashamed of murmuring over his temporary sickness when he contrasted it with her days1 weeks1 months1 nay1 years of continuous suffering4 ,he had only time to say1 ,thank you1 dear frau1 for your advice1 for his master exclaimed1 ,there are a couple of rafts in sight4 ,we had better go down1 ,hans2 the men are pushing along as if they are in a hurry to pay toll and pass over the weir4 ,can you take the money8 ,oh yes1 sir1 quite well1 replied the lad1 hurrying away after his master4 ---------------- ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,the ,,secret4 ,,after ,paul had shaken off his companion1 he accomplished1 as we know1 his cruel purpose1 and according to appointment joined ,robert after the fireworks were over4 ,he was careful not to run across ,hans1 as he did not wish to tell his friend what he had done until the following morning2 for ,paul was sure that he was revenged on ,hans when he heard the exclamation of intense pain which escaped him before he had time to glide away4 ,let me see you first thing to-morrow1 said ,paul1 when he parted from ,robert1 just after they had passed the bridge4 ,i've some work to finish off1 but shall be ready by ten o'clock2 ,i want to tell you something4 ,tell me now4 ,i'm afraid there are too many people about4 ,it's a great secret4 ,to-morrow is time enough4 ,good night4 ,robert wondered for a few moments what secret ,paul could have to tell him1 but he forgot all about it when he reached home1 for he had to give an account of his day spent at ,naumburg to his mother and sisters1 who had not ventured to the fte4 ,the next morning ,robert was taking his coffee in the kitchen with the rest of the family1 except his father1 who came in before the meal was ended4 ,i've been talking to ,karl ,schmidt1 he said1 and didn't know it was so late4 ,did you hear of an accident which happened to young ,hans last night8 he asked his son4 ,no1 father4 ,he managed to get his left hand badly burnt by a squib2 and what is very odd about the accident is that he felt the squib was pushed into his hand1 and then it exploded4 ,robert turned pale1 and red4 ,no one was observing him1 for all eyes were fixed on the miller1 so he had time to regain his self-possession2 and right glad was he that a customer came to see his father on business1 and he was able to make his escape4 ,robert was not a bad boy at heart1 nor would he ever have injured another in the cruel manner in which ,paul had injured ,hans4 ,he was appalled at what he had heard1 and all that was noble in his character rose up for the moment in judgment against ,paul4 ,he walked quickly away from the mill1 and took the back road into the town1 nor did he slacken his pace until he reached ,herr ,ebhardt's house4 ,he found his friend stitching away diligently in a little parlour at the back of his father's shop4 ,you're early1 old fellow1 said ,paul1 scarcely looking up from his work1 but ,i've nearly done1 and then we'll go as far as the ,hmmel-reich1 for ,i've to take this coat home to a customer who lives on the way4 ,all right2 ,i'll wait outside until you're ready1 replied ,robert4 ,as he passed into the street again1 he found himself face to face with ,hans1 who was going to the doctor4 ,he looked pale and ill1 very different to the bright lad of the previous day4 ,robert could not help stopping him1 and asking1 in a concerned tone1 ,is your hand very bad8 ,i heard from my father that you met with an accident last night4 ,it's very bad1 answered ,hans1 dreadfully burnt4 ,good-bye1 ,i'm going to see the doctor4 ,robert was thoroughly unhinged2 though he was really innocent1 he felt in some degree guilty1 and he was glad when ,paul joined him1 for he was most anxious to hear his secret1 and was sure that it had some connection with the accident that had befallen ,hans4 ,now for your secret1 he said to ,paul4 ,wait a bit2 let's get up the ,hmmel-reich4 ,it will take us a good half-hour to walk there1 and ,i want to hear what you've got to say1 urged ,robert1 impatiently4 ,gently1 old fellow2 we've plenty of time before us4 ,it's a jolly morning for an outing4 ,let us get rid of the coat1 and then we'll enjoy ourselves4 ,you will be right glad to hear what ,i've got to tell you4 ,i know what it is before you speak1 and ,i call it a wicked shame of you to hurt a fellow as you've hurt ,hans4 ,i've a great mind to tell of you1 that ,i have6 burst out ,robert4 ,the boys were out of the village and walking through a field when he spoke thus angrily4 ,what do you mean8 asked ,paul1 scowling at his companion4 ,why1 ,i mean that ,i've a great mind to tell every one in ,ksen that it was you who put the squib into the hand of poor ,hans1 and that you did it out of revenge4 ,there was something so resolute in ,robert's face1 and so different from the idle1 careless expression it usually wore1 that ,paul felt a little afraid1 for he was a coward at heart4 ,oh1 ,robert1 how can you be so unkind6 ,it was all for you ,i did it2 and now you find fault with me4 ,and his voice trembled as if he were about to cry4 ,it wasn't all for me1 and you know that1 ,paul2 you hate ,hans1 and you made up your mind to pay him off after he tripped you up4 ,but you've gone too far this time1 and what's more1 ,i think you've put me in such a corner that ,i can't shoot for the prize this year4 ,not shoot1 ,robert6 answered ,paul1 standing still in his astonishment4 ,you don't mean what you say4 ,why1 ,i've made it an easy matter for you4 ,now1 old fellow1 shake hands1 and tell me you're glad ,i got rid of your rival thus4 ,he would certainly have come off conqueror1 so you must thank me1 for ,i'm a true friend to you4 ,and1 really1 if ,i hadn't been so fond of you1 ,i shouldn't have interfered1 but suffered ,hans to win4 ,i'm not so sure he would have won2 and ,i declare ,i'd rather he had beaten than see him look so ill4 ,when did you see him8 ,a few minutes ago2 he was on his way to the doctor's4 ,then he is really hurt8 ,how can you ask me that question8 ,you know he is1 ,paul4 ,it was nothing but revenge that made you push the squib into his hand2 ,i see it in your face1 you look so spiteful4 ,what's come to you to-day1 ,robert8 ,i tell you what it is1 you may try me too far4 ,you're my friend1 and ,i'm your friend1 but ,i can't stand being preached at4 ,now1 let's forget this little difference2 what is done can't be undone4 ,and1 remember1 if ,i have acted unkindly to ,hans1 it was all for you1 so don't blame me4 ,i'll just run in1 and leave this coat at yonder house1 and then we'll go on to the ,hmmel-reich1 as we are so near1 and be jolly for the rest of the way4 ,this pretty spot derives its name from the great beauty of its situation4 ,it merely consists of a little hotel built on a flat hill-top1 which commands the valley of the ,saale at a point where the river makes a bend in the shape of a horse-shoe4 ,on the opposite side are the ruins of two old castles1 the ,rudolsburg and the ,saalech2 while1 as far as the eye can reach1 little villages with their quaint old churches lie nestling among the trees of this highly-cultivated valley1 and thus add to the picturesqueness of the scene4 ,robert was not convinced1 but he nevertheless accompanied ,paul on to the ,hmmel-reich1 which was not thronged with visitors so early in the day4 ,the friends spent a couple of hours pleasantly1 for there was a target so that ,robert was able to practise for the festival1 and ,paul stood by and praised him4 ,they only left off in time to reach home by one o'clock1 and1 as ,paul was going out with his father1 they parted at ,herr ,ebhardt's door1 and made no plans for the evening4 ,ain't we just as good friends as ever8 ,paul asked ,robert1 as they entered the village4 ,oh yes1 he replied4 ,but though ,robert answered ,paul in the affirmative1 he was oppressed and out of spirit1 and could not resist taking a stroll in the direction of the toll-house after dinner2 he had no definite object in view beyond a sort of restless feeling to see ,hans4 ,the latter was sitting outside the door with a book on his knee1 looking very pale1 and with his left arm in a sling4 ,he was so absorbed in the contents of his volume that he started when ,robert addressed him in these words3 ,i'm so sorry you're hurt4 ,i am alone this afternoon1 and thought ,i would come and see if ,i could do anything for you4 ,hans was very much surprised1 but ,robert seemed so thoroughly in earnest that he answered3 ,thank you2 no one can help me bear the pain1 but it is very kind of you to think of me4 ,my master does not mind my being idle until ,i am better4 ,it would be much worse if ,i were thrown out of my place4 ,what are you reading out of8 ,you seem to have got a queer old book there1 asked ,robert1 by way of continuing the conversation4 ,queer outside1 perhaps1 replied ,hans1 but the inside is all gold4 ,let me see it4 ,hans opened his father's old ,bible4 ,why1 it's a ,bible6 exclaimed ,robert1 in a tone of disappointment4 ,i thought it was something very particular4 ,so it is1 answered ,hans2 if you will sit down1 ,i will read you a few verses that are worth more than thousands of sovereigns4 ,at another time ,robert would have laughed1 and jeered1 and perhaps run away1 but he was softened towards ,hans1 and wanted to show him some attention1 so he quietly sat down on the door-step by his side4 ,hans felt sure his master would not be angry at his speaking to ,robert when he told him that he had an opportunity of bidding him stick to the ,raft2 so he turned over the pages of his ,bible to find a suitable passage to read1 and in that moment he asked ,god to help him for ,christ's sake to say something to ,robert that would make him think4 ,i declare it is difficult to settle what to read to you1 there are so many beautiful things in this book2 but1 of course1 you know your ,bible8 said ,hans4 ,i can't say ,i'm much up to it1 replied his companion4 ,but you read it1 or hear it read1 every day1 don't you8 ,no1 ,i don't2 please go on where you were reading when ,i came up4 ,i had just got to these words3 ',a new commandment ,i give unto you1 ,that ye love one another2 as ,i have loved you1 that ye also love one another4' ,i will read the chapter through4 ,you read splendidly1 said ,robert1 at its conclusion4 ,where did you learn8 ,in our village1 and in the forest4 ,my mother was a very good scholar1 and ,i'm so fond of learning4 ,my master gives me lessons every evening4 ,are not those grand words1 ',a new commandment ,i give unto you1 ,that ye love one another'8 ,oddly enough1 you were in my thoughts when ,i first read them--,i mean just before you spoke to me4 ,i6 ,how8 ,i will tell you4 ,i have been practising hard at the target1 and meant to try for the ,burgomaster's prize1 which you have won for the last two years4 ,my master said that you had no rival to fear in ,ksen1 and that the ,burgomaster wished to find another who would compete with you2 for though many boys usually entered their names on the list1 it was only for the pleasure of being mixed up with the fte1 but with no chance of success4 ,my master found ,i had a steady hand and a correct eye1 so he lent me his bow and arrows1 and ,i have been practising regularly with him every evening2 and ,i think ,i had a fair chance of winning the prize4 ,but this morning the doctor said that ,i should be unable to use my hand for at least three weeks1 and1 as you know1 the ,schutzen ,fest comes off in eight days4 ,i was very jealous of you this morning1 and inclined to murmur and rebel because ,i could not use my hand4 ,but1 thank ,god1 the feeling is passing away1 for it came into my mind that if ,i were to encourage it1 ,i should break ,christ's new commandment1 and shut out love1 for love and jealousy cannot live together2 and1 ,robert1 ,i had rather stick to the ,raft than win the prize4 ,robert looked his astonishment1 and ,hans explained his meaning1 and added3 ,christ gave ,himself for us--that was ,his love2 and ,he asks us in return to give ourselves to ,him4 ,will you give yourself to ,him8 ,i shall bear my pain and disappointment without murmuring if any words which ,i have read out of ,god's book make you think about ,him1 for ,i shall remember that you would not have spoken to me if you had not been sorry for my accident1 and that it was because you knew ,i was in pain that you took the trouble to come here to see me4 ,robert could scarcely bear these words1 they made him inclined to tell ,hans the whole truth1 but the fear of ,paul kept him silent1 and right glad was he to see ,karl ,schmidt walking towards them4 ,your master is coming1 he said2 ,i had better be off4 ,i know he will not care to see me here1 so good-bye4 ,i dare say ,i shall come again soon to hear how you are getting on4 ,and ,robert walked away in a more thoughtful mood than usual4 ,there was something so manly and noble about ,hans4 ,he was so different to his chosen friend ,paul4 ,he felt a few pricks of conscience too when he recalled the words which ,hans had spoken about the ,burgomaster's prize4 ,i wish ,paul hadn't interfered1 he muttered1 that ,i do1 with all my heart4 ,i would rather have been beaten fairly than win and carry about the secret knowledge that if it hadn't been for ,ebhardt's cowardly behaviour to ,hans1 we should have tried our luck together4 ,and to think of his saying that he didn't mind the pain if it made me stick to the ,raft2 that beat's all4 ---------------- ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,the ,,schutzen ,,fest4 ,,robert could not shake off the impression which ,hans had produced upon him1 and he did not awake in a very good humour with himself next morning4 ,when he met ,paul1 he entered at once upon the subject which engrossed his thoughts1 and ended by saying3 ,i've almost made up my mind not to shoot4 ,i feel as if ,i were a great rascal to stand up before the people of ,ksen and carry away the prize1 knowing what ,i do4 ,paul was very angry4 ,i tell you what it is1 ,robert1 he replied1 ,i've had enough of this sort of thing4 ,if you don't shoot1 ,i declare ,i'll go to ,hans and tell him you pushed the squib into his hand because you didn't want him to shoot against you4 ,you dare not1 ,paul4 ,but if you were to be so wicked1 it would be easy for me to tell the truth about you4 ,one against the other1 my boy4 ,my word is as good as yours2 we are known as close friends in ,ksen4 ,but now1 ,robert1 don't be stupid2 ,i shall be all right if you will just shoot for the prize1 and win it1 and that will make an end of the matter4 ,and to show you that ,i am sorry ,i have vexed you1 ,i promise ,i will never tease ,hans again4 ,don't let us fall out2 we are old chums1 and ,ksen boys1 and it wouldn't sound well if we were to give evidence against one another2 nor would your parents1 or even mine1 care to have this affair made a matter of talk in the town4 ,robert was afraid to refuse ,paul's terms2 and so he tried to forget that ,hans had been ill-used1 nor did he call on him again before the ,schutzen ,fest4 ,paul felt secretly thankful he had constrained his friend to keep silence2 for1 bad as he was1 he did not relish the affair being sifted1 so certain was he that if the truth were made public1 even he would feel uncomfortable and cowed by the black looks which he knew his companions and acquaintances would cast upon him4 ,his fear was for himself2 he was not ashamed of his sin4 ,the market-place in ,ksen consists of a clump of green trees which stand in the high street1 and this was the meeting-place of those who competed for the ,burgomaster's prize4 ,ksen put on its gayest appearance for the fte2 the day was exquisite1 the sky blue1 and the air still2 flags were flying in all directions1 and parents and children appeared in their holiday attire4 ,the shooting began at four o'clock4 ,long before that hour1 there was quite a crowd in the market-place waiting for the band to come and strike up the national air1 which was a signal for the twenty boys who competed for the prize to form themselves into a double column4 ,each of the boys carried his own bow and arrows and wore a scarlet cap wreathed with oak-leaves4 ,the marker led the way1 dressed in a scarlet tunic1 white trousers1 and a cap with a plume of many colours2 the band came next1 then banners carried by boys1 and lastly the twenty competitors for the prize4 ,in this order they proceeded to the ,burgomaster's house4 ,he was awaiting their arrival arrayed in his robes of office2 and now he took the lead1 and marched away in the direction of the bridge4 ,instead of crossing it1 the procession turned off to the right1 passed the mill1 and onwards until it reached the ,katze--a pretty1 elevated spot covered with green trees1 with the ,saale running a few feet below4 ,here many chairs and tables were ranged2 and there were temporary tents erected where refreshments could be had1 for most of the company remained to supper after the shooting was over4 ,every one of the twenty competitors shot twelve arrows1 and if the bull's-eye were hit1 the marker signified the fact by dancing in front of the target1 flag in hand1 while at the same moment a gun fired4 ,robert was quite himself2 the excitement of the scene made him forget everything but his own enjoyment and importance4 ,he did not meet ,hans on the way1 so he had nothing to damp his pleasure4 ,paul was as close to his friend as the rules permitted1 for only those who competed for the prize were allowed to enter the ring4 ,the boys shot better than on the previous year1 but ,robert shot the best1 and so to him the prize was awarded4 ,he had to come before the ,burgomaster1 who complimented him on his skill1 and crowned him with a wreath of laurel-leaves4 ,afterwards1 he presented a drinking-cup to him mounted in silver4 ,illustration3 ,,robert ,,wins ,,the ,,prize4 ,when this ceremony was concluded1 the ,burgomaster returned home1 and ,robert became the hero of the evening4 ,at ten o'clock the band left the orchestra in order to conduct him home1 and a large concourse of young friends and acquaintances accompanied him1 lighting the way with their many coloured lanterns1 and shouting1 ,hoch1 ,hoch 7,hurrah74 ,the music ceased when the mill was reached1 and amid renewed shouts ,robert entered his father's house1 and the rest of his friends dispersed to their several homes1 save ,paul1 for ,robert could not spare him4 ,he wanted to chat over the events of the day with his friend1 and to express his surprise at not seeing ,hans ,richter4 ,but even ,paul bade him ,good night as soon as he found there was company in the kitchen1 for he did not care to face kind ,pastor ,hahn who was chatting with the miller and his wife4 ,when he caught sight of him through the open door1 he whispered to ,robert3 ,good night1 old fellow4 ,i shall slip off1 for ,i don't care to have a lecture from the minister to-night4 ,come to me in the morning4 ,all hail to the conqueror6 exclaimed the pastor1 as ,robert entered the kitchen4 ,you shot well1 my boy1 said his father1 better than usual1 ,i thought4 ,and you had an easy victory1 added ,pastor ,hahn2 you had no competitor4 ,i think you would have found your match if ,hans ,richter had been able to try his skill4 ,poor fellow6 ,i have been so sorry for him2 he set his heart on shooting for the prize4 ,at the same time1 ,i must say ,i never saw a lad take his disappointment so well4 ,ah1 ,robert1 would that you had the same strong principle to guide you1 that ,hans has4 ,it is such a mystery how that lad met with his accident4 ,i confess from his account it seems to me as if some one had thrust the squib into his hand out of sheer mischief1 or even revenge1 and-- ,hold up your cup1 ,robert1 called out the miller2 you will drop your prize4 ,my boy1 you are tired out1 you look deadly pale4 ,now your colour is returning3 ,i thought you were going to faint4 ,get your supper1 and go to bed at once4 ,i've had enough to eat1 thank you1 father1 answered ,robert1 but ,i will go to bed1 for ,i am very tired1 so good night all4 ,good night1 ,pastor ,hahn4 ,good night1 said the pastor1 taking the hand ,robert stretched out to him1 and holding it in his own4 ,you have won an earthly prize to-day2 how ,i wish you would be as eager in striving to win a heavenly prize4 ,god has given us many prizes1 but the greatest and best is ,his ,son1 and ,i fear you despise this prize4 ,the day will come when your ,father in heaven will ask why you have neglected your ,saviour2 what answer will you give then8 ,the lad is too tired to think to-night1 good pastor1 said the miller2 don't damp his pleasure by a long sermon4 ,it seems to me as if it were never the right moment to speak to you of those things which make for our everlasting salvation1 answered the pastor1 sadly3 for he was rarely permitted to enlarge on the theme he loved so well within those walls4 ,and yet he did not cease his visits1 hoping that the seed he dropped from time to time would1 by the ,spirit's blessing1 bear fruit at last4 ,robert went to bed1 but not to sleep4 ,now that the excitement was over1 and ,paul away from him1 he began to be uncomfortable again4 ,he would willingly have relinquished his prize if he could have undone the cruel injury which ,paul had inflicted on ,hans4 ,he tossed about his bed1 wondering why he could not sleep1 for he never remembered lying awake for five minutes before4 ,but turn as he might1 he got no real rest1 for if he fell asleep1 he dreamed of terrible things and was thankful to awake and find them unreal4 ,he was very glad to see morning dawn1 and watch the sun rise1 for he did not feel quite so miserable as during the long hours of the night4 ,hans was not present at the ,schutzen ,fest1 for a very good reason4 ,he and his master had fully determined to go1 but at the last moment several rafts came along1 and the men were anxious to pay duty on their wood and start forward at once4 ,as soon as they had been attended to1 another delay came3 a friend from ,naumburg called to see ,karl2 so1 as his master was engaged1 ,hans went quietly upstairs to chat with ,frau ,schmidt4 ,not gone6 she said1 when he entered her room4 ,surely1 dear boy1 you are not smarting so much under your disappointment that you cannot see another win6 ,no1 dear frau1 but we've been so busy1 and now my master's engaged1 and ,i feel very tired4 ,there is really no other reason why ,i do not go4 ,i could see ,robert win1 and not be one bit jealous of him4 ,i have had a battle to fight1 nevertheless1 he added1 smiling1 so don't think me better than ,i am4 ,it's sticking to the ,raft1 dear frau1 that enabled me to think quietly of ,robert's currying off a prize that might have been mine4 ,i seem to understand better since this struggle has passed away how easily those who have no ,raft to cling to may commit any sin to gain their ends4 ,you are quite right1 ,hans2 had you encouraged the feeling of jealousy1 it might have grown so fast that it would have mastered you at last4 ,christ's new commandment carried out into daily life is the best cure for the indulgence of sin4 ,there is an old man coming to the fest to-day1 ,hans said1 after a pause1 in whom ,i am much interested2 he is such a fine1 manly ,christian1 and yet so poor4 ,i cannot forget my talk with him1 though ,i have never told you about it4 ,and ,hans gave ,frau ,schmidt an account of his conversation with the old man who sold sausages1 adding1 ,i must try and find him out to-morrow2 he told me he intended to spend a few days at ,ksen4 ,there is a sort of freemasonry between ,christians1 answered ,frau ,schmidt4 ,i hope you may find him2 ,i should like to see him if ,i am tolerably well4 ,hans little thought when he spoke about the old man how much he was engrossing the thoughts of the latter4 ,among the spectators who watched the shooting was ,franz ,nieper1 the seller of sausages4 ,he arranged his apparatus some little distance from the ring1 but in a good position for trade4 ,and when the attention of all was directed to the competitors for the ,burgomaster's prize1 he also joined the crowd and watched the progress of the match4 ,he recognised one face inside the ring1 and one just without4 ,he would have known ,robert and ,paul anywhere2 their countenances were impressed on his memory4 ,he looked about in vain for another face he expected to see--a pleasant one1 which had smiled on him1 and given him cheery words4 ,but though he looked again and again at the twenty boys wearing scarlet caps1 he could not find it4 ,at length he ventured to make a remark to a pretty1 bright-looking girl who stood beside him looking on3 ,i thought the lad who lives with the toll-master was going to try his luck1 he said4 ,so he was1 replied the maiden1 who happened to be one of the miller's daughters1 but he has had an accident and burnt his hand4 ,how did it happen8 ,he was at the cherry feast at ,naumburg1 and some of the rough boys of the town began letting off squibs1 though it is forbidden by the authorities4 ,and in some way1 ,i don't know how1 ,hans ,richter got hold of a squib1 which went off in his hand and hurt him dreadfully4 ,he's getting better now1 but is not well enough to shoot4 ,who's likely to win the day8 ,i don't know for certain1 but ,i think my brother1 for he's the best shot in ,ksen4 ,they do say that if ,hans had been able to shoot1 ,robert might have lost the prize4 ,where is your brother ,robert8 ,there1 standing close to that large tree1 replied the girl1 pointing to one of the faces ,franz had recognised4 ,and the boy talking to him1 who is he8 ,that's ,paul ,ebhardt1 his greatest friend4 ,where do you live8 ,at the mill4 ,and where does ,paul ,ebhardt live8 ,in the town2 his father is a master tailor4 ,but why do you ask so many questions1 do you want any help8 ,you look so very old1 and seem very poor4 ,yes1 young girl1 ,i am both old and poor1 replied ,franz1 but ,i don't require help1 for my ,master never forgets me1 and ,he can send me all the help ,i want4 ,thank you for answering my questions4 ,and the old man turned away4 ,he walked slowly back to his wooden table1 and attended to his fire1 muttering1 ,poor lad1 poor lad1 ,i'm so sorry for him6 ,i wish ,i'd left my sausages and found him4 ,well1 well1 it can't be helped now1 but old ,franz must try and set wrong right4 ,he seated himself on his wooden stool1 nor did he rise when a great noise of shouting announced that the prize was won4 ,he made no comment when he heard ,robert ,klein was the victor1 he merely stamped on the ground impatiently1 and then he seemed to remember that such a feeling was wrong1 for he said aloud3 ,that won't do1 ,franz2 that's not the way to set wrong right2 be a ,christian1 and just do the ,master's work1 and copy ,him4 ,did ,he ever grow impatient8 ,when customers came1 the old man was calm as before1 and served them with the care he generally exercised4 ,but all the time1 he was thinking1 and the results of his meditations were comprised in these words1 which fell from his lips before he lay down upon a heap of straw in an out-house3 ,to-morrow morning1 the first thing you do1 ,franz1 must be to go to the toll-house and ask to see the toll-master4 ---------------- ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,wrong ,,set ,,right4 ,,the next morning1 ,hans started off early to make some purchases in the town1 and find out if the old man who sold sausages had arrived on the previous day4 ,he had been absent more than an hour when ,franz ,nieper reached the toll-keeper's house4 ,is ,hans ,richter at home8 he asked of ,karl ,schmidt1 who was sitting in the parlour making up his books4 ,no2 he is gone over to the town4 ,i expect him back every minute2 in fact1 ,i can't think why he is so long away4 ,do you want him8 ,i presume my business is with you as much as with him1 answered ,franz4 ,did he tell you he bought sausages at ,naumburg of an old man8 ,yes1 to be sure he did2 and one of his errands this morning is to try and find him1 for he expects he came to ,ksen yesterday4 ,i am that old man4 ,i want to greet the lad once more2 and ,i have something important to say to him1 and to you too1 for ,i suppose ,i'm speaking to the toll-master4 ,yes1 ,i am ,karl ,schmidt1 but ,i do not quite understand what you have of importance to say to me1 seeing we are strangers to one another1 and ,hans only knows you because he bought your sausages and had a chat with you while he ate them4 ,i wish to set wrong right1 master1 replied old ,franz1 emphatically4 ,the lad has been cruelly wronged4 ,how8 asked ,karl1 feeling and looking sorely puzzled4 ,it's a long story1 master1 and ,i am an old man4 ,i can only tell it my own way4 ,will you listen to all ,i have to say8 ,certainly ,i will4 ,sit down1 my friend1 for you look tired1 and don't hurry yourself4 ,old ,franz took the chair that ,karl offered him1 and began his story by speaking first of his interview with ,hans1 and how much he liked the boy4 ,then he repeated the substance of the conversation which passed between ,paul and ,robert1 and alluded to his own determination of trying to find ,hans out in order to tell him to take care of himself2 and how his customers came and prevented him from carrying out his intention4 ,he further spoke of missing ,hans among the twenty boys with scarlet caps on the previous day1 and that he made inquiry of the miller's daughter1 and learnt the sad truth4 ,it needs no words of mine to tell you1 he said1 in conclusion1 how that lad met with his accident1 and ,i really think the boy1 or boys1 who had to do with it ought to be punished1 or some one else will be served in like manner4 ,karl was extremely angry4 ,i thought ,paul was a very bad fellow1 he replied1 but scarcely so bad as this proves him to be4 ,i wonder if ,robert was persuaded to be a party to the cowardly action1 or whether he maintained his refusal4 ,at any rate1 he knew when ,hans was hurt that it was no accident1 but foul play1 and certainly he should have refused to accept the ,burgomaster's prize2 an honourable boy would have quietly withdrawn from the contest4 ,i scarcely know how to move in this matter4 ,try and set the wrong right1 master1 reiterated old ,franz4 ,the prize is given now1 so ,i suppose it can't be taken away1 but the miller's son has not won it fairly4 ,no2 for ,i am almost sure ,hans would have come off conqueror had he been able to take his place4 ,the grave question to be settled now is1 how to prove that ,paul deliberately thrust the squib into ,richter's hand4 ,but here comes ,hans2 he is the one who has the best right to decide what steps we should take4 ,let us consult with him4 ,i'm so glad to see you once more6 exclaimed the boy1 shaking old ,franz warmly by the hand4 ,i've just come from the town1 and ,i looked about for you everywhere4 ,i was sorry to miss seeing you yesterday4 ,i have had an accident1 and that prevented me from shooting1 but ,i'm getting better1 and ,i hope very soon to be able to use my hand again and do all my work4 ,your old friend came to see me about your so-called accident1 said ,karl4 ,i think we have found out how it happened4 ,yes1 young lad4 ,i ought to have saved you from it1 but my customers came so quickly ,i could not leave them to find you4 ,i overheard the tailor's son propose to the miller's boy that you should have a fired squib pushed into your hand4 ,i must give credit where credit is due1 and say that the miller's boy was up in arms when his friend proposed this2 but one or both of them did the deed1 or your hand would not have been hurt4 ,paul fired the squib1 and thrust it into my hand1 answered ,hans1 quietly2 ,robert had nothing to do with it4 ,how do you know this8 asked ,karl4 ,because ,i left ,robert half-an-hour ago1 and he gave me a full account of the whole thing4 ,robert told you all about it6 exclaimed ,karl4 ,i wonder he was not too ashamed for that4 ,it is because he is so repentant1 master2 and he has promised me to give up ,paul's friendship and turn over a new leaf4 ,he has promised that a hundred times before1 said ,karl4 ,but ,i believe he is in earnest this time4 ,i am sure if he will keep away from ,paul's influence1 he will be a better fellow4 ,still1 ,i fear it is all talk with him2 he is not to be trusted4 ,let us try him once more1 master4 ,but what did he say to you8 ,i should like to tell you1 if you will agree not to let his confession go further until we have decided what it is best to do1 said ,hans1 looking first at ,karl ,schmidt1 and then at the old man4 ,certainly1 ,i will keep my counsel1 replied his master4 ,and so will ,i2 indeed1 ,i only want to set wrong right1 my boy4 ,and if you1 who are injured1 are satisfied1 ,i ought to be1 remarked ,franz4 ,i crossed the river in your boat1 master1 said ,hans1 smiling at the old man1 and went directly to the mill to order the flour4 ,as ,i came out1 ,i met ,robert1 so ,i stopped and asked him how he enjoyed himself yesterday1 and ,i congratulated him on winning the prize1 adding1 ',i was not miserable about it1 for ,i lived down my first feelings of vexation2 they were nearly gone when you came to see me the day after my accident1 so ,i was able to be glad that the sun shone1 and it was so still and bright4' ,to my astonishment1 ,robert burst out3 ',oh1 ,hans1 don't talk to me like that2 ,i'm the most unhappy fellow living4' ',what's the matter8' ,i asked4 ,and seeing that he looked ready to cry1 ,i said1 ',come along with me and have a talk4' ,so we walked by the side of the river until we found a nook where we could sit down and be quite out of the way of any one who chanced to pass by4 ',now1 tell me why you are unhappy1' ,i asked1 'for ,i must confess you look wretched and ill2 let me be your friend4' ,when ,i said this1 he gave a great sob1 and then he began to laugh1 and then he cried1 and it was some time before ,i could get him to speak out4 ,at last he told me what it was that weighed on his mind4 ,he said that ,paul ,ebhardt had disliked me from the very first time he saw me1 but since the day we had quarrelled by the river-side1 he had hated me1 and watched for an opportunity of paying me off4 ,then he spoke of the conversation that my old friend there overheard1 and he assured me he had no idea ,paul would carry out his cruel purpose4 ',i give you my word1' he continued1 'that1 careless as ,i am1 ,i should never have been such a dastard as to hurt you4 ,i have been wretched ever since ,i heard that you were injured4 ,i went home miserable after you had spoken to me about sticking to the ,raft1 and had read to me out of the ,bible4 ,the next morning ,i fell out with ,paul about you1 but we made it up again1 and ,i tried to forget you1 because ,i was afraid of him4 ,but last night ,i could not sleep for thinking1 so ,i made up my mind to tell you all about it1 and ,i want you to show that you forgive me by taking the prize ,i won yesterday4' ',i am glad you have told me this1 but ,i don't want your prize1' ,i answered4 ',you may be happy again1 ,robert1 for ,i forgive you entirely1 though ,i scarcely know what ,i have to forgive2 and1 now1 will you do me a very great favour8' ',what is it8' he asked ',i will do anything to prove to you that ,i would not have had you injured2 and if only you would take my prize1 ,i should think we were quits4' ',i don't want to be quits with you in that manner1' ,i replied2 'we shall be quits1 and true friends1 if you will stick to the ,raft1 for then you will learn to love good company1 and work1 and study4 ,oh1 will you come to ,jesus8' ',i wish ,i could1 if it would make me as happy as you are1 ,hans1' he answered2 'but ,i am bound to ,paul1 for ,i am afraid of him4 ,i hardly dare think how angry he will be with me when he learns what ,i have done4' ',avoid him for the present1 or at least until ,i have consulted my master1' ,i said4 ',will you begin a new life at once by asking your father to give you work at the mill1 and will you pray to ,god1 ,robert1 to help you8' ',i never prayed in my life1 ,hans1' he replied4 ',then begin at once1 to-day1' ,i urged4 ',there will be no real change in you unless you change towards ,god4 ,he says to you1 ,my son1 give ,me thine heart4 ,oh6 ,do not withhold it from ,him4' ,we parted then4 ,robert went to the mill1 and ,i made my way to the village4 ,and all the way1 ,i've been thinking how it will be best to act2 and really1 master1 if you do not object1 ,i should like to go and see ,paul and try and win him over4 ,well done1 my boy6 exclaimed ,franz ,nieper4 ,that's the way to set wrong right2 and depend upon it1 you are showing the same mercy to ,paul that ,god shows to us4 ,you have hit the nail on the head4 ,it's the ,raft that has done this2 it is your faith and trust in your ,saviour1 and clinging fast to ,his teaching1 that enables you to love your enemy4 ,yes1 ,hans1 remarked his master1 you have found the best way of taking your revenge on ,paul4 ,but whether he will receive your advances cordially and be sorry for what he has done1 is more than ,i can tell4 ,at any rate1 ,i wish you ,god speed on your errand4 ,go to him at once1 my boy--that is1 if you are not too tired--for it is better for you to see him before he meets ,robert4 ,but remember1 if you come back and tell me that ,paul has refused to hear you1 and added insult to injury1 ,i must act for you4 ,i'll accompany you as far as the village1 said ,franz ,nieper1 for ,i ought not to lose a day's trade4 ,you must have something to eat first1 and then see my mother1 exclaimed ,schmidt1 adding1 she will like to thank you for coming here when ,i tell her why you paid us a visit4 ,so ,franz ,nieper remained at the toll-house1 and ,hans ,richter went alone to the master tailor's house in search of ,paul4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,,the ,,interview4 ,,paul wondered why ,robert did not come1 and he was on the point of going in search of his friend when he saw ,hans standing in the doorway of his father's shop4 ,his was the last face in the world he wished to see1 and to have him there boded no good4 ,paul would have liked to make his escape1 but he could not do this very well1 for ,hans came up close to him and said1 ,i want to speak to you4 ,what do you want8 ,what have you to say to me8 he stammered out4 ,a great deal4 ,let us go into some room where we can talk quietly4 ,there's no place in this house4 ,father has only gone on an errand into the village4 ,he will be back in a few minutes1 and then he'll want the parlour for his work4 ,people may come in here at any moment to give orders1 so ,i can't say that we shall be quite alone4 ,but ,i'm sure mother doesn't want us upstairs1 so if you have anything to say1 you must say it at once1 and take the chance of being interrupted4 ,let us go into the fields1 or by the river-side beyond the town4 ,i don't mind where we go1 so that ,i can talk to you quietly4 ,i suppose you want to fight me again4 ,no1 ,i'm not going into the fields or anywhere with you4 ,i mean to speak to you1 ,paul1 said ,hans1 firmly4 ,and if you will not give me an opportunity of saying what ,i have to say to you alone1 why1 you must listen to it in your father's shop1 and it's not my fault if any one overhears our conversation4 ,paul began to quake4 ,he felt sure that ,richter had something important to communicate1 for he showed it in his determined manner4 ,but as he would not appear to be afraid1 he exclaimed1 in a loud1 coarse voice1 ,i can't think what you want with me2 ,i hate you1 and you hate me1 so the less we have to say to one another the better4 ,hans touched his arm1 and replied1 ,this hurt of mine was no accident2 the squib was pushed into my hand deliberately4 ,you know the name of the boy who did it1 and so do ,i4 ,let me have a quiet talk with you4 ,if you refuse me1 my master will be very angry1 and ,i fear he will tell your father4 ,i am sure it is better for us to be friends than enemies4 ,but if you won't hear me1 and persist in treating me so rudely1 ,i shall have to go back home1 and ,i don't know what turn matters will take4 ,let your master come to my father and talk to him1 if he likes2 ,i don't care4 ,if ,robert has been telling lies of me1 he shall be well paid off for it1 that he shall6 ,i suppose you mean me to understand that ,i hurt your hand8 ,yes1 you did4 ,but oh1 ,paul1 ,i really am not here to blame you1 but to forgive you4 ,don't go on being so wicked1 but do remember you must stand before ,god one day1 and answer to ,him if you persist in living in sin4 ,stop before it is too late1 and give up your bad habits1 and try and live a nobler life4 ,what stuff you are talking6 ,just leave off preaching1 and give up the name of the fellow who told you ,i hurt your hand4 ,do you know ,i will make you answer for accusing me falsely1 for neither you nor any one else can prove that ,i did it6 ,name the fellow1 ,i say4 ,i shall not1 answered ,hans4 ,because you dare not4 ,but1 just to show you how wrong you are in suspecting me1 ,i will tell you who did the deed4 ,robert hurt you because he was afraid you would win the prize away from him4 ,robert did not hurt me1 and did not know that you intended to carry out your wicked thought2 when you proposed to injure me1 he refused to be a party to such a cowardly act4 ,robert has told of me1 said ,paul1 forgetting in his passion that he betrayed the truth and confessed his guilt4 ,he shall smart for this1 he shall rue the day that he turned tell-tale4 ,and as for you1 ,i detest you4 ,i can't think of any name to call you which is bad enough to show how much ,i hate you4 ,go and tell everybody in ,ksen that ,i hurt you for the purpose2 ,i don't care4 ,i only wish your hand had been blown off1 or so bad that you could not use it again4 ,what more ,paul would have added1 it is hard to say4 ,he stopped suddenly1 for he saw his father4 ,herr ,ebhardt had listened to nearly all the conversation between his son and ,hans4 ,he had entered the parlour by the back of the house1 and hearing voices in the shop had opened the door softly1 and thus overheard what passed4 ,he now came forward1 and asked ,hans1 ,what is all this ado about8 ,tell me of what you accuse my son4 ,i had much rather have spoken to ,paul alone1 answered ,hans1 respectfully4 ,i came to him in the spirit of love1 and hoped he would have received me more kindly4 ,the spirit of love6 echoed the master tailor1 scornfully4 ,none of that cant here1 please4 ,what has my son done to you8 ,it sounded to me very much as if he had hurt your hand on purpose4 ,is that what you accuse him of8 ,answer me at once1 yes or no4 ,yes1 said ,hans4 ,and you are guilty1 ,paul4 ,i know it by the last words ,i heard you speak2 your passion got the better of you1 young gentleman4 ,you shall be well punished for this4 ,and you1 young fellow1 had better go home1 and if you meet any acquaintances by the way1 and ask for their pity by telling them how badly you have been treated1 say to them that ,ebhardt1 the master tailor of ,ksen1 condemns his son for committing such a cowardly act as to stab you in the dark4 ,i go in for fair play1 and not foul play4 ,will it satisfy you to know that that boy of mine has had his reward in the shape of a punishment he will remember as long as he lives8 ,no1 it will not1 ,herr ,ebhardt1 answered ,hans1 boldly4 ,i did not come here to provoke you to be hard upon your son4 ,i came to forgive him1 and ,i ask you to unsay what you have said4 ,i do not wish him to be punished and1 what is more1 if ,i can help it1 he shall go free4 ,how can you help it8 ,not by force1 because you are stronger than either ,paul or ,i2 and you can thrash us both if you like4 ,but will you hear me out without sneering at me8 ,yes2 speak up1 lad4 ,i don't think you are quite such a sneak as ,i took you for at first4 ,i came here to forgive ,paul1 because ,i am a follower of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and as ,he forgave ,his enemies1 so ,i wish to forgive mine4 ,if ,i forgive him of my own free will1 ,i don't think you need punish him4 ,but there is one thing ,i will ask you to obtain for me1 that is1 his promise not to abuse ,robert ,klein1 nor fight him1 nor serve him out in any way4 ,paul had stood by in sullen silence1 and now his father turned to him1 and said1 ,do you hear what ,hans asks8 ,give me your word that you will not touch ,robert1 and ,i will let you go free4 ,there was only one person in the world whom ,paul feared1 that was his father1 and he had good reason to be afraid of him4 ,he was a powerful man with a violent temper1 who was very often partially intoxicated1 and then he cared for no one1 but dealt out his blows freely on whoever ventured to contradict or offend him4 ,i will promise not to touch ,robert1 father1 answered ,paul1 in a very different way to what he had spoken when addressing ,hans4 ,he was so glad to escape punishment that he would have pledged his word to anything that was required of him4 ,and mind1 added his father1 you will keep your promise this time1 or my name is not ,ebhardt4 ,do you hear me1 sir8 ,yes1 ,i do1 whimpered ,paul4 ,and now ,i hope you are satisfied4 ,i wish you good morning1 said the master tailor1 waving his hand as if to dismiss his visitor4 ,so ,hans was obliged to leave the shop1 for he was afraid to make another effort to soften ,paul's heart1 lest his father should grow impatient and visit his anger on his son in a summary manner4 ,he was glad to reach home without meeting any of his acquaintances1 for he was in no mood to indulge in every-day chat4 ,he was chafed in spirit and disappointed at the rebuff he had received at the hands of ,paul1 and also annoyed at the rough manner in which he had been addressed by the master tailor4 ,old ,franz had not left the toll-keeper's cottage4 ,he had just come downstairs after seeing ,frau ,schmidt4 ,well1 what success have you had8 asked ,karl4 ,poor enough1 answered ,hans1 sighing4 ,oh1 master1 ,i had such a beautiful plan in my head4 ,paul was to be so sorry1 he was to turn over a new leaf and promise to reform1 but it has all gone to the winds4 ,i have gained nothing by my visit to him1 except a promise that he will not fight ,robert4 ,and ,hans gave an account of his interview with ,herr ,ebhardt and ,paul4 ,well1 well1 you've done all you could2 you've tried to carry out the ,master's new commandment1 said old ,franz4 ,you can't make him sorry1 you can't change his heart1 my boy1 but there is ,one who can4 ,while there is life there is hope2 so hope on1 and pray that something will happen that will induce the lad to arise and go to his ,father and say1 ',i have sinned against heaven1 and before ,thee4' ,and in the meantime let ,robert be your care1 added ,karl2 for if he will no longer idle his time away1 ,i do not mind his coming here4 ,there seems better material to work upon in him1 and you may be sure that he and ,paul will never be friends again4 ,the master tailor will take care of that4 ,depend upon it1 this affair will be known in ,ksen2 indeed1 it ought to be1 and ,i think ,i should do well if ,i went to the ,burgomaster1 for he is certain to hear a garbled account from some one4 ,no1 no1 sir2 please don't do that4 ,let it rest now1 said ,richter4 ,my hand will be quite well in another week1 and then the affair will die out4 ,i shall be so sorry to keep up ill-will between ,paul and ,robert4 ,then you do not wish me to go and see ,herr ,ebhardt8 ,no1 no1 sir2 it will only make ,paul hate me the more2 and ,i do want to win him over to be my friend at last4 ,i don't think you will do that1 but at any rate1 the less said the soonest mended4 ,i think you have right on your side1 replied ,karl4 ,but you must be prepared to hear more about it1 for the miller is not a man to keep a secret1 and he is sure to be told all the facts of the case by ,robert4 ,must you go8 he added1 addressing ,franz ,nieper1 who made a movement towards the door4 ,yes1 ,i have to say good-bye4 ,i leave ,ksen first thing to-morrow4 ,there is a great fair in ,halle soon1 and as the weather is warm1 ,i mean to take my time and move along slowly1 for ,i did a good trade yesterday4 ,i intended to stay longer1 but somehow ,i feel unhinged1 and more inclined to push on than to linger here4 ,good-bye1 said ,hans2 ,i hope we shall meet again one of these days4 ,if we don't meet here1 we shall meet yonder1 replied the old man1 pointing up to the blue sky1 for we all three have our faces turned in one direction4 ,may it be our greatest joy so long as ,god spares our lives to do as yon man is doing who is just coming in sight--you see ,i have not forgotten our first conversation--'stick to the ,raft4' ,farewell4 ---------------- ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,,the ,,pool ,,of ,,bethesda4 ,,robert went directly to his father after he left ,hans4 ,the miller was writing a letter in his counting-house2 he looked up with a troubled expression on his face when he saw his son enter1 for ,robert rarely came there unless he wanted to borrow or beg money1 or to tell him of some mischief he had done4 ,what is the matter now8 he said1 impatiently4 ,i am come to ask you to give me some work to do1 stammered out ,robert4 ,father1 ,i know you will say that ,i only bring you into trouble1 and lose the business if ,i have anything to do with it1 but ,i really am in earnest this time4 ,i will tell you why4 ,and the boy gave a detailed account of all that had occurred4 ,hans ,richter is a noble fellow1 exclaimed the miller4 ,i liked that boy from the first3 he has a fine face1 and looks as if he could not do a mean trick4 ,and if he makes you a better lad1 ,robert1 ,i shall indeed owe him a debt of gratitude4 ,i think ,i've got hold of the secret of his goodness4 ,father1 ,i'm beginning to believe there is something true in religion1 and that it is because ,hans loves ,god he is such a noble fellow4 ,i mean to try and see if ,i can follow his example1 and serve my ,god1 too4 ,why should we not all turn over a new leaf1 and go and hear ,pastor ,hahn preach on ,sunday8 ,i can't quite do that1 my boy1 for ,i'm satisfied with the life ,i lead1 and ,i don't care to be made gloomy by too much religion4 ,i often think ,pastor ,hahn calls me to account without good reason1 for ,i harm no one1 pay my debts1 don't drink1 and am a good husband and father4 ,i fancy ,hans would say that was not enough2 he told me the other day that ,i must give myself to ,christ1 and cling to ,him as the men do to the raft when it shoots the weir1 for that ,christ died on the cross to save us from our sins4 ,but ,i can't remember all he said1 for ,i know so little about these things4 ,i will soon know more1 though1 for ,hans will teach me2 and ,i mean to go with him to ,pastor ,hahn's ,bible-class4 ,i do very much wish ,i had read my ,bible before this4 ,the miller felt uncomfortable2 he could not but remember that if he had been a ,god-fearing man1 the ,bible would have been an honoured book4 ,as it was1 neither he nor his wife nor his children cared for its sacred pages4 ,i'm not going to stop you from going to the ,bible-class1 or church1 he answered1 hurriedly2 you may do just as you like4 ,and now tell me1 ,robert1 he added1 more quietly1 are you really anxious to give up your idle habits1 and work8 ,yes1 father4 ,i dare say it will be hard at first1 but you must bear with me4 ,i don't think really ,i'm such a very bad fellow at heart4 ,but ,i've been under ,paul2 he has managed me1 and ,i have not had pluck enough to shake him off4 ,this is good hearing for me1 and will make your mother very happy4 ,you see1 lad--to go back to what you said about our going to hear ,pastor ,hahn--we've been very comfortable all these years1 and enjoyed our ,sunday holidays right merrily1 and ,i think it would make our neighbours chatter if we took to church-going now4 ,as to the ,bible1 ,i don't so much mind hearing it read4 ,let me learn a little more from ,hans first1 father1 and then by degrees we'll begin to read together2 now tell me how ,i can help you4 ,there's no lack of work1 my boy4 ,trade has never been better4 ,i wish you would keep my books for me2 you write a good hand4 ,but can ,i depend upon your being correct8 ,try me1 father4 ,it's no use for me to talk about what ,i want to do2 just see if ,i do it4 ,so ,robert was installed as his father's bookkeeper4 ,and he applied himself so diligently to the task that the miller hoped he really was going to reform and be a man of business at last4 ,when the rest of the men left off work1 ,robert made himself neat and clean and set out to the toll-keeper's cottage1 for he wanted to know if ,hans had seen or heard anything of ,paul4 ,he received a kind welcome from ,karl ,schmidt1 who told him he hoped he would yet be a great comfort to his father4 ,but don't trust in yourself1 ,robert1 he said4 ',trust in the ,,lord with all thine heart2 and lean not unto thine own understanding4 ,in all thy ways acknowledge ,him1 and ,he shall direct thy paths4' ,when ,hans and ,robert were left alone1 the former made light of his interview with ,herr ,ebhardt and his son1 save when he spoke of the promise ,paul had given him4 ,mind1 ,robert1 he said1 that you never come to an open quarrel with your former friend4 ,if ,paul breaks his word1 his father will treat him so violently that ,i do not like to think of what the consequences might be2 avoid crossing his path1 if possible1 for the present4 ,i will2 indeed1 ,i will1 ,hans4 ,it shall not be my fault if we fall out1 but it will be rather difficult to avoid ,paul4 ,not so difficult as you think4 ,it is some little distance from the mill to the master tailor's house at the far end of the village4 ,if you become a man of business1 you will have no time to idle away1 and be less likely to meet ,paul4 ,hans1 ,i want to ask you a question1 said ,robert3 is it enough for us to live good lives--,i mean1 is that what you call 'sticking to the ,raft'8 ,no1 no1 ,robert1 'sticking to the ,raft' is quite another sort of life4 ,instead of depending on yourself1 you depend on the finished work of your ,saviour1 who shed ,his most precious blood on the cross for sinners4 ,you feel how utterly impossible it is to do1 or to say1 or to think anything that is right1 so you cast your care on ,christ1 and believe in ,him as the only ,saviour1 and you yield yourself to ,him broken-hearted for your sin1 and say1 ',lord1 ,i believe2 help ,thou mine unbelief4' ,oh1 ,hans1 how ,i wish ,i had not wasted my life2 ,i am so ignorant1 compared with you4 ,there is time for you to learn1 and to repent2 thank ,god for life and health1 and come to ,him at once4 ,cry to ,him for the guidance of the ,holy ,spirit before you lie down to rest4 ,when you pray1 what do you say1 ,hans8 ,i don't believe ,i ever said a prayer in all these years6 ,did you ever ask your father for anything that you wanted very much8 ,yes1 very often4 ,then just ask ,god in the same way to forgive your sins for ,christ's sake4 ,don't pray with your lips only1 for that is no prayer1 but let your words come straight from your heart4 ,now1 ,robert1 ,i must not stay here any longer1 for it is just the time the master and ,i go to read with ,frau ,schmidt4 ,do you think ,i might come too8 ,i don't know1 but ,i will ask4 ,and ,hans ran upstairs to prefer his request4 ,by all means let ,robert join us1 answered the frau4 ,accordingly ,hans went to fetch his companion4 ,i like to have you here1 said the invalid to ,robert1 when he entered her room2 and ,i rejoice to know that you come here of your own free will2 and ,i rejoice still more in learning from ,hans that you mean1 ,god helping you1 to become a respectable member of society4 ,i always felt1 my dear boy1 that ,paul ,ebhardt was a very unfortunate friend for you to have chosen4 ,poor ,paul6 ,i only wish we could lead him to pause in his unhappy course1 and come to ,christ4 ,i am afraid1 mother1 he has nothing in his home surroundings to influence him for good1 said ,karl4 ,perhaps not1 but ,i always hope on1 for with ,god nothing is impossible4 ,i never forget that that mighty ,spirit which comes like the wind can soften the heart of stone and turn it into a heart of flesh4 ,and now let us proceed with our evening reading4 ,we are going through ,st4 ,john's ,gospel1 ,robert1 and our subject to-night is the healing of the infirm man at the ,pool of ,bethesda4 ,give ,robert a ,bible1 ,hans1 that he may follow my son4 ,karl ,schmidt read the first twenty verses of the fifth chapter of ,st4 ,john's ,gospel in a clear voice4 ,when he closed his ,bible1 his mother1 as was her wont1 made her comments on the passage he had just finished4 ,it is evident1 she said1 that this ,pool of ,bethesda was endowed with a miraculous virtue2 and what a boon it must have been to the sick ones6 ,i can picture those five porches filled with the lame1 the halt1 and the maimed2 and ,i know better than any of you here how eagerly they would wait for the troubling of the water4 ,health was within their reach again1 and we only understand what a precious gift it is when we lose it4 ,thirty-eight years is a long time to be crippled4 ,it may be the poor man had come to the pool time after time1 hoping he would be fortunate enough to move the hearts of some strong ones to help him into the water--for evidently he had no power of his own to crawl there4 ,how many times he had come to this pool and gone away disappointed we are not told4 ,no one was found to take pity on his infirmities1 until the ,saviour passed by4 ,the ,man of ,sorrows marked that wan1 careworn face1 which ,he had seen lit up with anxious hope when the angel troubled the pool1 and then the hope was darkened with despair1 for again another had stepped in before him4 ',wilt thou be made whole8' asked the ,master4 ,would he be made whole8 ,ay1 that he would2 but how was this to be8 ',sir1 ,i have no man1 when the water is troubled1 to put me into the pool3 but while ,i am coming1 another steppeth down before me4' ,jesus said unto him1 ',rise1 take up thy bed1 and walk4' ,there was no questioning1 no doubting1 no waiting4 ,the infirm man believed that this ,god-,physician had almighty power to grant what ,he offered2 so he forgot his infirmity of thirty-eight years' standing1 and arose1 rolled up the mat on which he had been lying1 and walked4 ,he had faith in the ,lord's healing power1 else he never had obeyed4 ,would he have tried to do what he did if one of us had said1 ',rise up'8 ,no2 he would have replied1 ',you mock me1 friend4 ,i am helpless2 ,i have been diseased for more than half my life4' ,now tell me1 ,robert1 what was the first thing this poor man did after he was healed4 ,read the fourteenth verse of the chapter4 ,robert read3 ',afterward ,jesus findeth him in the temple1 and said unto him1 ,behold1 thou art made whole3 sin no more1 lest a worse thing come unto thee4' ,yes2 his first step seems to have been to go to the temple4 ,jesus found him there2 perhaps in the fulness of his heart he longed to thank ,god for ,his great mercy to him1 in ,his own house4 ,ah1 ,robert1 the day may come when you1 too1 will be stricken down with disease1 as this poor man was1 and then you may long in vain to frequent ,god's temple1 and sigh that you neglected ,his service while your limbs were lissom1 and you could move about at will4 ,i used to pine to hear the ,gospel preached once more1 and the sound of the church bells made me sad because ,i knew they did not ring to summon me to the house of prayer and praise4 ,but now ,i thank my ,god through ,christ that the longing to do aught but what ,he wills has passed away4 ,i realise increasingly that my disease brings my ,saviour very near2 and the nearer ,he is to me1 the more ,i am sustained by ,his almighty power4 ',lord ,jesus1 as ,thou wilt6 ,oh1 may ,thy will be mine4 ,into ,thy hand of love ,i would my all resign4 ,through sorrow1 or through joy1 ,conduct me as ,thine own1 ,and help me still to say1 ,my ,lord1 ,thy will be done4 ',lord ,jesus1 as ,thou wilt ,all shall be well for me ,each changing future scene ,i gladly trust with ,thee4 ,straight to my home above ,i travel calmly on1 ,and sing in life or death1 ,my ,lord1 ,thy will be done4' ,now1 ,karl1 will you offer up prayer8 ,robert took leave of the little party as soon as the evening prayer was ended4 ,he returned to the mill deeply touched with the simple1 earnest words he had listened to4 ,religion felt very real to him when he thought over ,frau ,schmidt's remarks1 and the account of the sick man being healed by the ,master4 ,he felt very sick1 sin-sick1 weary1 and troubled4 ,oh1 if he could but hear the ,master's voice speaking to him6 ,he would rise up and obey4 ,when he found himself alone in his room1 he knelt in prayer2 yes1 and there were sobs mingling with his words4 ,it was the cry of a broken spirit going up to heaven and pleading for mercy at the throne of grace4 ---------------- ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,,saved ,,by ,,the ,,raft4 ,,herr ,,ebhardt',s relations towards his son did not improve after the scene which took place in his shop with ,hans4 ,he grew increasingly stern and angry with ,paul--found fault with his work1 and constantly watched him4 ,thus the boy's heart hardened towards his father1 and towards ,robert too1 for he looked upon him as the author of all his misery4 ,what provoked the master tailor still more was that the affair oozed out in ,ksen1 and became the common talk of the townspeople for some days4 ,hans was exalted up to the skies--and it was well that he knew his own shortcomings1 else he might have been spoilt by the flattery--while ,paul came in for his full share of disgrace4 ,in the meantime ,robert had his part of the odium to endure4 ,some said he was as much to blame in the business as ,paul1 and that he ought to have confessed to the ,burgomaster and refused his prize4 ,robert was better able to bear these remarks because he had ,hans for his friend1 and this fact disarmed the outside chatterers1 who argued that if ,richter associated with ,robert ,klein1 he must be satisfied with the part the latter had played4 ,robert offered his prize many1 many times to ,hans1 without being able to persuade him to accept it1 and at last ,frau ,schmidt settled the question by saying1 ,do not ask ,hans again to take your prize1 ,robert2 he will never consent to what you wish1 and it is foolish to waste more words over it4 ,keep it where you can see it constantly1 for it may prevent you from indulging in boastful feelings1 and help you to walk softly by recalling the events connected with an important period in your life4 ,paul was very angry that ,hans and ,robert were friends1 and he would have liked to quarrel with his former companion1 but he dare not1 for even he was cowed by his father's violent temper4 ,a crisis came at last1 which made him take a desperate step4 ,herr ,ebhardt returned home earlier than he was expected one afternoon1 and found ,paul idling instead of completing some work which had to be done at a given time4 ,a stormy scene ensued1 and the next morning the lad was missing1 and no one knew in which direction he had gone4 ,his mother wept for him1 his father cursed him1 but neither of them made any effort to reclaim the wanderer4 ,god grant that he may be spared long enough to see the error of his ways6 said ,hans1 when ,robert told him of ,paul's flight4 ,oh1 ,robert1 ,i wish ,i'd tried more earnestly to win him to ,christ4 ,many days sped along1 and ,hans became quite well and strong again4 ,these were happy days for ,robert1 who kept steadily to his business1 and tried hard to undo the bad habits of the past4 ,it must not be supposed that he became suddenly changed from a godless1 careless boy to an earnest1 ,god-fearing boy2 no1 it was the work of days1 weeks1 and months of struggle with himself against old inclinations and lazy feelings4 ,but he struggled in no strength of his own1 but found help for daily needs by seeking aid from heaven4 ,pastor ,hahn became one of his best friends2 whereas1 he formerly tried to run away1 he now sought to profit by what the good man said1 and delighted in attending his ,sunday class and hearing him preach in the old church of ,ksen4 ,robert's influence told on his sisters by degrees1 and at last on the miller and his wife1 who in the end became too much interested in the truths of the ,gospel to think of how their movements would be canvassed by their neighbours1 for they were more anxious to find peace with ,god through ,christ than to stand well with man4 ,the summer was ended1 and autumn set in4 ,it was a very rainy season1 and the ,saale became so full that the rafts had not to wait before shooting the weir1 for the water fell over in a body and turned the old mill wheel merrily4 ,at one time the current ran so swiftly that some of the foresters were afraid to bring their wood down1 and ,hans required all his strength to keep those who ventured over the weir in the right current1 lest they should be swept across too rapidly4 ,he found himself repeatedly crying1 ,stick well to the raft2 stick on2 the current runs faster than usual4 ,at length the rain ceased1 and the last day of ,october was ushered in with brilliant sunshine4 ,the river presented a busy scene4 ,karl ,schmidt and ,hans had more business to do than they could well manage1 and were glad when the shades of evening fell1 and thus prevented the raftsmen from going on their way1 and obliged them to rest at ,ksen until the following morning4 ,so it came to pass that many rafts were moored above and below the old bridge4 ,schmidt had gone into the town on business1 and ,hans was sitting in the toll-house parlour1 feeling very weary and sleepy1 when ,robert entered4 ,i didn't mean to call in this evening1 he said1 because ,i knew you would be tired1 but ,i was obliged to come and tell you the good news4 ,see what ,i've got6 ,and he pointed to a long narrow parcel4 ,what is it8 asked ,hans4 ,something for you4 ,for me8 ,yes1 for you1 and it's from father4 ,but before you take off the paper1 you must let me tell you all about it4 ,you know1 ,hans1 ,i've never been quite happy about the ,burgomaster's prize1 and though ,i've said nothing about it for a long time1 ,i always wanted to make up for it4 ,the other day father offered me money as a reward for being so steady at business1 and then ,i told him what ,i would rather have than all the money he could give me2 and here is what ,i wanted4 ,undo it4 ,hans unfastened the long unwieldy parcel1 wondering what it contained4 ,but when it was free from its covering1 and he lifted up the lid of the narrow box1 his eyes sparkled with pleasure1 for there was such a bow and such arrows as he had never seen the like of before4 ,they are for you1 exclaimed ,robert4 ,your hand is quite well now1 and next year we'll shoot as friends for the prize2 or ,i will shoot1 and you shall win as easily as ,i did last time4 ,this for me1 ,robert8 ,how kind of you6 ,it must have cost a lot of money2 why1 it's much better than my master's4 ,never mind what it cost1 ,hans2 that's father's business4 ,he ordered it from ,halle1 for we have an uncle there who understands what's what4 ,then you really like it8 ,like it1 ,robert6 ,why how can ,i help liking such a splendid present8 ,but ,i don't think ,i ought to take it1 for you've denied yourself a good deal to give it me4 ,and ,i wish you would tell me who in the world ,i should deny myself for like you8 ,i owe you almost everything1 ,hans1 for you taught me to love and serve ,god1 and made me first think4 ,you saved me4 ,not ,i1 ,robert1 but ,christ in me1 answered ,hans1 reverently4 ,if ,i had not found the treasure first1 ,i should not have known its worth4 ,you're right1 as you always are4 ,oh1 ,i'm so happy6 ,but ,i mustn't stay too late1 for ,i promised father to cast up some bills we've been too busy to look after during the day4 ,i shall go home as ,i came1 over the bridge4 ,it was too dark and foggy and the current too strong to bring out the boat4 ,is it foggy8 exclaimed ,hans1 moving towards the door4 ,i'd no idea of it4 ,how suddenly it must have come on2 and after such a glorious day too4 ,the fact is1 ,i'm so tired that unless you'd come in1 ,i should have fallen asleep4 ,why1 the mist is so thick you cannot see a few yards before you1 he added1 looking out4 ,you'd better not venture into it2 you'll be walking into the river4 ,don't be afraid1 laughed ,robert4 ,i know every inch of the road4 ,so you may1 but in a fog like this it's very easy to make a mistake2 ,i only wish my master was safe at home1 said ,hans1 anxiously4 ,robert walked away from the toll-house1 but he soon had to slacken his pace4 ,he managed to reach the weir1 and now he had a little distance to traverse by the river-side before he came to a narrow pathway which led him to the foot of the bridge4 ,he had to grope his way carefully along1 for at every step he took the fog grew denser4 ,at last1 he stood still and wished he had a torch2 he would gladly have returned to the toll-house1 but it was as difficult to make his way back as to go forward4 ,courage1 courage1 he said to himself4 ,i won't be a coward1 after boasting to ,hans that ,i was not afraid4 ,but with all his care and knowledge of every inch of the road1 he crept so close to the river's bank1 which is steep at this point1 that he lost his footing1 and though he made a tremendous effort to save himself from falling1 he could not regain his balance4 ,robert could swim4 ,he was paralysed for a few moments by feeling the waters close round him1 then he knew that he was being hurried along by the stream4 ,he tried to struggle into smoother water1 but failed4 ,so all he could do was to cry1 ,help1 help6 and keep away from the bridge4 ,this he just managed to accomplish1 but he grew weaker every minute4 ,when he was past the bridge1 he made a last effort to get clear of the current1 and this time he succeeded1 for as he struck out1 he clasped something with his hands4 ,it was a raft1 which had swung round at its moorings4 ,he had only strength enough left to crawl on to it2 but he was saved from a watery grave4 ,hans longed for his master to return2 he looked out of the door again and again1 but he heard no sound of approaching footsteps4 ,he felt very uneasy1 too1 on ,robert's account1 and debated whether it would be well to take a light with him and go out1 but then he could not leave ,frau ,schmidt alone in the house4 ,at last1 he carried a wooden table outside the door and set a lamp upon it1 then he went up to the frau's room and chatted with her1 she meanwhile wondering why her son was so late4 ,hans did not tell her that he was uneasy at his master's absence because there was a thick mist over the river2 though while he tried to amuse her1 he was straining every nerve to discover if ,herr ,schmidt were coming4 ,at last they heard his well-known step1 and a few moments afterwards1 he entered the room4 ,i'm sorry to have kept you awake so much over your usual hour1 mother1 he said4 ,but when you know why ,i have been detained1 you will not be surprised4 ,it was clever of you1 ,hans1 to put the lamp outside to guide me home4 ,did you suggest it1 mother8 ,the frau doesn't know about the fog1 interrupted ,hans4 ,well done1 my boy2 it was thoughtful of you to save her the anxiety4 ,now1 mother1 let me explain everything3 you may well look as if we were speaking in an unknown tongue4 ,the heavy rains and the hot sun have brought about such a dense mist as ,i have only seen twice before in my life2 it is so dense that if ,i had not borrowed a torch1 ,i could not have found my way4 ,that good lad kept his anxiety to himself1 but set up a beacon outside the house for me2 he lighted the great lamp and put it on a table1 or ,i might have groped about for some time longer1 or perhaps have done as ,robert did1 walked into the river4 ,but he's quite safe1 now1 added ,karl1 though he has had a great shock4 ,what has happened8 asked ,hans1 eagerly4 ,he was here this evening1 and ,i wanted him so much not to go out in the fog4 ,on his way from here1 then1 it must have been1 that he fell in the river4 ,as ,i was nearing the bridge ,i heard cries for help1 so ,i made my way to the spot from whence they came as well as ,i could1 and two or three others with torches joined me2 we had a hard matter to find the lad1 and but for the mist lifting just at the right moment1 ,robert might have laid on the raft until morning4 ,i carried him home and waited until he became conscious4 ,poor fellow6 said ,frau ,schmidt4 ,he must have missed his way4 ,i thank ,god he is saved4 ,i do thank ,god1 added ,hans4 ,and was he really saved by a raft8 ,yes1 saved by a raft1 reiterated ,karl4 ,now1 mother1 let us have our evening reading4 ,robert was so much shaken by his accident1 that two days passed before he was permitted to see ,hans4 ,the friends were delighted to meet again1 and had a long and serious conversation together1 for ,robert's heart was full of gratitude to ,god for his deliverance from death4 ,we have been talking so hard1 said ,hans1 just before he left1 that ,i have not yet asked you how you managed to hold on to the raft as you did1 until help came4 ,i don't think ,i held on2 ,i had just enough strength to crawl on to the top1 and then ,i suppose ,i became unconscious4 ,still you were saved by a raft6 ,yes1 answered ,robert2 the raft in its double meaning has been my best friend4 ,there is the raft of wood which saved me when strength was fast failing2 there is that almighty ,raft which upholds me day by day1 and which ,i can cling to at all times--even the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,old fellow1 my mother's words will have a deeper meaning than ever to us both after this1 said ,hans1 earnestly4 ,you and ,i will indeed feel the truth of what we say when we cry on behalf of ourselves and all men1 ',,stick ,,to ,,the ,,raft4' ,illustration -------------------------------- ,,london3 ,b4 ,k4 ,,burt ,,and ,,co41 ,,printers4