, 1864-01-16

1 y
Artillery, wanting which he could not ven
ture to offer battle. In vain superhuman
exertions were made to carry them up the
high and steep slopes it was impossible
without losing the time of several days.
Even the infantry had the greatest difficulty
in climbing up the narrow, rocky paths that
led up the mountain.
The morning mists had disappeared, and
now Hohenlohe perceived what immense
masses the enemy had brought up during
the night, and in what strength they stood
opposite to him. At the same time the
shepherd stood again on the slope where
his sheep grazed. His first glance had been
down into the valley, and from his eyes
flashed glowing joyous fire, when he be
the enemy was unable to bring up the noun
tain.
"Good Godw he called out involuntarily
"if he should know the path that leads to
yonder nights! He himself will never
find it; few only know it, and none 30
well as I. II does not look as If it were
possible to pass it, and nevertheless have
done itseyeral times on horseback"
Again the man who had surprised him
the day before came up the hill.
You said yesterday, began Born, " that
you wanted to go to Naumburg."
EYES," replied the stranger, "that was
indeed my intention, but the roads are SO
blocked up no one can poss them. Besides,
Imade last night fair business, on which
! can live for some time. Look here" ad-
ded he, holding up in his hand purse,
through which several gold pieces glittered,
eve have hard times, trade and work have
stopped, it is difficult to make money, and
one does not know what fate may be ours.
With this money l will begin again small
trade. Listen what / have planned out"
"I do not understand anything about
your business, and do not care for il" re-
piled the shepherd abruptly, wishing to get
rid Of his companion.
"Now what is the matter with you 2"
asked Sielert, in q soothing tone. I" want
you to share it; listen to me calmly. Be-
hold the French Infantry has climbed up
the Landgrafcnberg and all those nights
like cats. There is little to be got in the
way Of refreshment; no one trusts the
French; but l do not fear them. / would
like to carry up my little wagon with wine
and beer; they will pay me well for il but
how shall / get there See, Born, I viii
rive You one Of those. eold. pieces, ,h- you
will show me the path, which leads up the
mountain, Of which you spoke yesterday.
Will you 7"
With increasing attention Born had lis
tened; his eye hung penetratingly on the
strangers features.
al show you the path ?" exclaimed he.
You will betray it to the enemyI'
Sielert smiled cunningly. aBe no fool
now, Born! And if that really were my
intention, what then? Come, come, we
shall make the business together. I shall
mediate with the French, and fix the re-
ward, and / promise you they will give us
so much, that neither you nor viii ever
have to work again."
The cheeks Of the shepherd redeemed,
the veins on his forehead swelled, storm
worked in his bosom.
aNow speak," pressed Sielert.
ell shall-I-show the path to these
d-d French?" cried Born, whose voice
was still chokcd by the rising rage.
"WeIl, why not, If you are well paid for
il 2 and this I'll warrant"
@Rascalr' cried the shepherd, violently
interrupting the tempter, and seizing him
with violence. "Thou rascal / bctray
my own country, tho life of my sons for
gold? Go to the h-ll you deserve, trai-
tor " aud with q strength that astonished
even himself, the old man hurled him down
the steep.
The traitor rolled down head-ovcr-hcels,
but his involuntary fight was checked by
the bushes he gathered himself up, and
foaming with rage, he ran towards the old
man. But the latter had raised his shep-
herds crook, and would not have hesitated
TO knock down his assailant. Sielert dared
not attack him. "You shall pay for this," !"
cried he angrily, and hastencd down the
hill.
aThink Of your own life, you will end
II on the gallows," cried the old man after
him.
His simple, righteous mind could not
comprehend such wickedncss. Hesat down
and leaned his head on his hand. How
was il possible that one could become q
traitor to his own country2 He thought Of
his own wife and daughter. He had not
seen them for long time. They were still
unhurt, for the enemy had not yet crossed
the Saale-yonder hills were still unoccu-
pied. But what should become Of them If
the French carried the days No, il could
not be, IL must not ~
He had abandoned himself to his medi-
tations, II might DO for more than an hour,
when he was aroused by the sound Of foot
steps. Several French soldiers approached,
and Sielert also appeared in tho distance.
A sad forebOding arose within him. He
sprang to his feet in terror. Should he fee!
His old limbs would not carry, him far.
Should he defend himself? Firmly, al
most convulsively, he grasped his staff
this would have been f6olishness indeed !!
He remained standing where he was-ap-
parently calm. Tho soldiers surrounded
him, and one Of them commanded him in
broken German to follow him.
GWhitherH" inquired Born, whose calm
ness and composurc had partially returned.
"To the Marshal" was the reply.
Born hesitated. What did he want Of
him? Were his fears to be realizedy
elias this fellow led you hitherY asked
ho ea,a;r ,,o;nt;n0 IN 9iclert. He was an