The Woodcutter of Gutech
Page 8
CHAPTER EIGHT.
Moretz returned, as he had come, to his cottage. Karl soon afterarrived, having gone out into the forest for wood. He reported havingseen large bodies of men armed in every possible way collecting at adistance, but he kept himself out of sight, for fear they might compelhim to accompany them.
In the meantime the count remained, as he had determined, at his post.The day after Moretz had visited him, the report was brought that alarge body of men were approaching the castle. Acting according to hisresolution, in the plainest dress he ever wore he mounted his chargerand rode forward to meet them. As he appeared he was welcomed with aloud shout, and several persons, detaching themselves from the crowd,approached him.
"We have come, friend Furstenburg," they said, "to invite you to joinour noble cause. We will give you military rank, and make you one ofour leaders; but we can allow no nobles among us, and therefore it mustbe understood that you will sink your title."
"This is a strange proposal to make to me, my friends," answered thecount, after the insurgents had explained their objects and plans. "Youprofess to be guided by God's word, and yet you undertake to act indirect opposition to it. When the Israelites were led forth to attacktheir enemies they were under the guidance of God, and made especialinstruments for the punishment of evil-doers, who had long obstinatelyrefused to acknowledge Him. You, who have no right to claim being ledby God, take upon yourselves to punish those whom you choose to consideryour enemies. When Christ came a better law was established, and bythat law we are taught to forgive our enemies, and leave theirpunishment to God, and not to attempt to take it into our own hands."
Again and again the insurgent leaders urged the count to accept theiroffers, refusing to listen to his arguments. He saw, by the gesturesand the expressions they used, that they would probably take him byforce. To avoid this was very important, and he therefore requestedfurther time to consider the matter. Some of them evidently desired toenter the castle with him, but this he declined; observing that if hewas to act freely, he must be left at liberty. Fortunately they werepersuaded to allow him to depart, and he safely reached the gates of hiscastle.
The insurgents on this marched off in the direction of other castles,whose owners they hoped to enlist in their cause. The count, onentering, ordered the gates to be closed, and then summoning hisretainers, told them that he had resolved to abandon the castle, ratherthan kill any of the misguided people who might come to attack it. Hegave them their choice of remaining within the open gates, or obtainingsafety by concealing themselves in the neighbourhood. "I have nochildren, and my distant heir has no right to blame me for my conduct,"he said, when remonstrated with for this proceeding. "I have, besides,One to whom I am first answerable, and He I am sure approves of it."There was, however, a large amount of plate and valuables of varioussorts in the castle: these he had carried to a place of concealment,such as most buildings of the sort in those days were provided with.These arrangements were not concluded till nearly midnight. He then setout unaccompanied, and took his way to the hut of old Moretz.
The next day, when the insurgents returned, they found the castle ofFurstenburg deserted. Some of their leaders urged them to burn it tothe ground, in consequence of having been tricked, by its owner. Theywere about to rush in, when an old man, who had remained concealed closeto the gates, presented himself before them.
"What are you about to do, my friends?" he exclaimed. "Is this the wayyou show your love of liberty? Because a man does not approve of yourmode of proceeding, are you right in destroying his property, andinjuring him in every way you can? You speak of the tyranny of yourrulers--is not this greater tyranny? I am one of yourselves, and knowwhat you all feel. I feel the same. I desire that our people shouldhave their rights; but I am very sure that by the way you are proceedingyou will not obtain them. A just cause cannot be supported by unjustmeans."
Moretz, for it was he, spoke more to the same effect. Happily, Herderwas not with the party, or his success might have been different. Atlength they were convinced by his arguments, and consented to departwithout destroying the castle. After they had gone to a considerabledistance, Moretz hurried back to the count with the good news.
"Alas!" said the old noble, "it matters, in truth, but little to me. Iam childless, and almost friendless; for with those I once associated Ihave no longer a desire to mix; and, except that I may live a few yearslonger, and forward the noble cause of the Reformation, I should beready even now to lay down life."
"Count," said the old man, rising and standing before him, "you say thatyou are childless--but are you really so? You once had a daughter?"
"I had, but I cruelly drove her from my door; but I know that she isdead; for, having taken every possible means for her discovery, I couldgain no tidings; and I am very sure, knowing her disposition, that erethis, had she been alive, she would have sought a reconciliation. Ofthe death of her husband I received tidings. He died fighting in theSpanish army against Barbarossa, and on hearing that my child was left awidow, my heart relented towards her. But tell me, friend, have you anytidings of my daughter?"
"You surmise too rightly, count, that your daughter is dead," answeredthe woodcutter. "She died in this humble cottage, and in these arms;but before she died she had given birth to a child,--a girl,--who wasbrought up by my poor daughter, till she herself was also carried to thegrave, leaving behind her a son,--young Karl yonder."
"And my grandchild? Where is she?" exclaimed the count, casting aglance at Meta.
"You see her there, count," answered the woodcutter. They were seatedin the porch of the cottage. Below it ran a stream, where Meta, aidedby Karl, was busily washing. The first thing, perhaps, in the onceproud noble's mind was:--
"And can a descendant of mine be thus employed?" The next instant,however, rising from his seat, he hurried down the bank, calling Meta tohim. She was quickly by his side. "Child," he said, "which of us isyour grandfather, think you?" As he spoke he drew her towards him, andgazed in her face. "Yes, yes, I recognise the features of my own lostdaughter!" he exclaimed. "We will ever love old Moretz, and be gratefulto him," he said, pressing a kiss on Meta's brow. "But I am yourgrandfather, and you must try and give me some of the love you bearhim."
Again and again the count expressed his gratitude to old Moreu. "Andabove all things," he added, "that you have brought her up as a trueChristian Protestant. Had you returned her to me as an ignorant Papist,as I was long ago, my happiness would have been far less complete."
It was some time before Meta could understand the change in hercircumstances, never having indeed been told who was her mother, andbelieving always that she was Karl's sister. The poor lad was the onlyone whose spirits sunk at what he heard, when he was told that he shouldlose his companion. A right feeling, however, soon rose in his bosom,and he rejoiced at Meta's change of fortune.
The peasant-army meantime increased in numbers, and a vast concourse,under a fanatical leader, Thomas Munser, marched through the land,burning castles and towns which refused to admit them, and committingall sorts of atrocities. There were several similar bands. The peoplein the Black Forest rallied round John Muller of Bulgenbach. Wearing ared cap and a red cloak, he rode from village to village, ordering thechurch bells to summon the people to his standard. Several noblemenwere compelled to join them. Among others, the famous Geotz von BerLichengen was forced to put himself at the head of the rebel army. Manytowns, unable to withstand them, opened their gates, and the citizensreceived them with acclamations. Dr Martin Luther and many otherleaders of the Reformation exerted all their influence to induce thepeasants to return to their homes. They wrote, they preached, andshowed how such proceedings were opposed to the principles of thegospel. At length a large army, raised by the Ex-Emperor of Germany,was sent against the insurgents, while the nobles, in every directiontaking courage, banded together to put down the insurrection. Fearfullydid they retaliate on the unhappy people for
the insults they hadreceived. Seldom could the insurgent bands withstand the well-trainedforces sent against them, and a large part of the country was deluged inblood, the fugitives in most instances being slaughtered without mercy.