The Woodcutter of Gutech | Page 8

how they had spent their time in praying and singing praises to
God. "That is just what I ought to do," he said to himself; but he did not
pray so much for himself as for his dear little Meta and Karl, that God
would take care of them, and deliver him in His own good time, if it
was His will to do so. Then he began to sing, for Spena had left a book
of hymns, the words of several of which he had already learned by
heart. "The feet of Paul and Silas were in the stocks," he said to himself,
"then surely I am better off than they were; I ought to praise God for
that;" and so he sang on right cheerfully. However, not being
accustomed to sit long, he soon got up and walked about his cell. He
could make but few paces without turning. A gleam of light came
through an aperture in the upper part of the wall. "I am not much below
ground, at all events," he observed; and it set him thinking, always
lifting up his heart in prayer to God.
CHAPTER FIVE.

Meanwhile Karl had returned home with the donkeys. Poor Meta was
greatly grieved and alarmed when she heard the sad news. "Those cruel
men will be killing dear grandfather, as they killed John Huss," she said,
looking with tearful eyes at Karl. "We can pray for him, however, that
is one comfort."
They did not fail to do as Meta said; not only night and morning, but
several times during the day; before Karl set off on his expedition into
the forest to cut wood, and when he returned, or when he went into the
town to sell his fagots. "When grandfather told me to run away, he
intended that I should work hard to support you, Meta, and so I will."
Meta was accustomed to be alone. She was a happy-hearted girl, and
used to sing and amuse herself very well, when she knew that her
grandfather and brother would soon return to her. The case was very
different now. Her great comfort was reading the Bible. She had more
time to do that than formerly. Without it she felt sure she would have
broken down altogether. Still, occasionally, she felt her spirits sink so
low that she could not help wishing to accompany Karl into the forest.
"I can take the book and read to him when he stops to rest or to eat his
dinner; and I can talk to him and cheer him up, for he must feel quite as
sad as I do, I know."
Karl gladly agreed to her proposal, so the next day, shutting up the
cottage, they set out together. The way was rough, but Meta was well
accustomed to tread it, and without encountering any danger they
reached the part of the forest in which Karl usually laboured. Meta
carried out her plan just as she had proposed, and Karl, though he
rested longer than had been his wont, got through more work than usual.
For several days she did the same, very much to her own and Karl's
satisfaction. On one occasion she was seated on a piece of timber, with
her book on her knees, reading, while Karl sat on the ground at her feet,
eating his frugal meal, but slowly though, for every now and then he
looked up to ask her the meaning of certain passages, or to make some
remark.
They were thus employed, entirely absorbed in the subject. Some slight
noises reached their ears, but if their attention was drawn to them they

thought they were caused by the asses which were browsing near
brushing among the bushes. Meta read on. At length she stopped, when,
looking up, she saw standing near her, and gazing with a look of
astonishment, a gentleman in a rich hunting suit, a short sword by his
side, a horn hung round his neck, and a jewelled dagger in his belt. His
white beard and moustache, and his furrowed cheeks, showed that he
was already advanced in life, though he looked active and strong. A
pleasant smile passed over his countenance, as Meta, littering an
exclamation of astonishment, gazed up at him. Karl started to his feet,
and instinctively put himself in an attitude of defence.
"Do not be alarmed, my young friends," said the gentleman. "I wish to
serve you rather than to do you any harm. What is that book you are
reading from, little maiden?"
"The Bible, sir, God's word," answered Meta, without hesitation.
"A very blessed book, and a very blessed message it contains,"
observed the gentleman. "But how came you young foresters to possess
it, and to learn to read it?"
"I learned at