The Ferryman of Brill | Page 5

Hopper was surprised a few days after this to receive a
visit from Caspar Gaill. The young man told him that he had
abandoned all hopes of winning his daughter's hand; indeed, he thought
of quitting the country. He confessed that he had of late taken every
opportunity of examining the new doctrines, and that he was
acquainted enough with them to make him desire to go to England,
where he might study them more freely, and with greater safety. "I
know not what your opinions may be, Mr Hopper, but I am very sure
that you will not mention mine to any one else."
The merchant was generally cautious, but the young man's apparent
frankness threw him greatly off his guard. Caspar, urged on by Father
Quixada, persevered, and at length fully persuaded the merchant
Hopper that he was a convert to the Protestant faith. A private meeting
of Protestants was to take place, and Caspar entreated that he might be
allowed to be present. The merchant no longer hesitated. At the
meeting prayers were offered up, hymns sung, and the simple Gospel
plainly put before those present. The young man listened attentively in
spite of himself. He there learned that all men are sinners and justly
condemned; that "God so loved the world that He gave His
only-begotten Son" to suffer instead of sinful man, and to save him
from the result of that determination. He heard that "the just shall live
by faith," not by any works, not by any good deeds that they can do, not
by any forms and ceremonies to which they may adhere, but simply
trusting to the blood shed for them on Calvary, to the perfect and
complete sacrifice offered up by Christ for them. He there learned that
Jesus Christ had become sinful man's sin-bearer; that He had fulfilled
the obedience which man had neglected to fulfil; that He came to save
sinners, to lift the weary and heart-broken, the wretched and the
penitent, out of their miserable state; that man is saved simply by

turning away from his sins, from his idolatries, from the thoughtless
course he may have hitherto followed, and looking trustfully,
believingly, on Jesus crucified for him. The young man went away
from the meeting with new thoughts, but with an unchanged heart. He
had promised to go immediately to Father Quixada, and he fulfilled his
promise, though not without doubt and hesitation.
"You have done well," said the father. "Let me once get among these
people, and I will put a stop to their preaching, while you may make
sure of winning pretty Gretchen for your wife, and perchance come in
for a share of the merchant's property, which I may secure for you."
There was to be another meeting the following night. Caspar passed the
interval in a state of doubt and agitation. He had promised to introduce
the father, who, disguised as a German merchant just arrived from the
South, was eager to be present. Often the young man thought he would
try and persuade the father not to go, then that he would positively
refuse to introduce him. He had, however, already given him so much
information that he would have had no difficulty in finding his way to
the place of meeting by himself. Still, Caspar might acknowledge his
own treacherous intentions and warn the Protestants of the spy who
was about to be in their midst. The cunning priest soon discovered his
perplexity, and used every argument to induce him to be satisfied that
he was doing the right thing. Caspar was over-persuaded, but not
convinced. The evening came, the meeting took place, and the German
merchant was received as a Christian brother by those present. He
noted them all, old men, young men, and women of various ranks.
Father Quixada heard the same truths which had been listened to by
Caspar Gaill, but they fell on ground of a different character. He went
away utterly regardless of them. He had now, not only the merchant
Hopper, but several other influential and wealthy citizens in his power.
He wished, however, to get more into his net, and hearing that in a day
or two another meeting would take place, at which several other
persons would attend, he laid his plans accordingly. "I shall have a
good haul by that time," he thought to himself.
Caspar Gaill had in the meantime been seized with remorse. He had

betrayed the man who had trusted him, the father of one whom he
wished to make his bride; still he dared not warn them. The friar, he
well knew, had his eye upon him. He knew too completely the secrets
of his heart, and he felt sure that should he attempt to defeat Father
Quixada's projects, he