The Woodcutter of Gutech | Page 8

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 Herr Gellet's school," answered Meta, "and a good man who came by this way, sold us the book at a small price. It is worth ten times the sum we gave, I am sure of that."
"And where do you live?" asked the gentleman.
Meta told him.
"And is your grandfather sick, that he is not with you?" he inquired.
"Alas! he has been cast into prison for listening to a preacher of God's word," said Meta, "and we know not what they are going to do with him, whether they will burn him, as