Low moanings and convulsive movements of the boy here interrupted thenarrative. Rolf and his chaplain hastened to his bedside, and perceivedthat his countenance wore an expression of fearful agony, and that hewas struggling in vain to open his eyes. The priest made the Sign ofthe Cross over him, and immediately peace seemed to be restored, and hissleep again became quiet: they both returned softly to their seats.
"You see," said Rolf, "that it will not do to describe more closelythose two awful beings. Suffice it to say, that they went down into thecourt-yard, and that I proceeded to my lady's apartments. I found thegentle Verena almost fainting with terror and overwhelming anxiety, andI hastened to restore her with some of those remedies which I was ableto apply by my skill, through God's gift and the healing virtues ofherbs and minerals. But scarcely had she recovered her senses, when,with that calm holy power which, as you know, is hers, she desired meto conduct her down to the court-yard, saying that she must either puta stop to the fearful doings of this night, or herself fall a sacrifice.Our way took us by the little bed of the sleeping Sintram. Alas! hottears fell from my eyes to see how evenly his gentle breath then cameand went, and how sweetly he smiled in his peaceful slumbers."
The old man put his hands to his eyes, and wept bitterly; but soonhe resumed his sad story. "As we approached the lowest window of thestaircase, we could hear distinctly the voice of the elder merchant; andon looking out, the light of the torches showed me his noble features,as well as the bright youthful countenance of his son. 'I take AlmightyGod to witness,' cried he, 'that I had no evil thought against thishouse! But surely I must have fallen unawares amongst heathens; itcannot be that I am in a Christian knight's castle; and if you areindeed heathens, then kill us at once. And thou, my beloved son, bepatient and of good courage; in heaven we shall learn wherefore it couldnot be otherwise.' I thought I could see those two fearful ones amidstthe throng of retainers. The pale one had a huge curved sword in hishand, the little one held a spear notched in a strange fashion. Verenatore open the window, and cried in silvery tones through the wild night,'My dearest lord and husband, for the sake of your only child, have pityon those harmless men! Save them from death, and resist the temptationof the evil spirit.' The knight answered in his fierce wrath--but Icannot repeat his words. He staked his child on the desperate cast; hecalled Death and the Devil to see that he kept his word:--but hush! theboy is again moaning. Let me bring the dark tale quickly to a close.Biorn commanded his followers to strike, casting on them those fiercelooks which have gained him the title of Biorn of the Fiery Eyes; whileat the same time the two frightful strangers bestirred themselves verybusily. Then Verena called out, with piercing anguish, 'Help, O God, mySaviour!' Those two dreadful figures disappeared; and the knight and hisretainers, as if seized with blindness, rushed wildly one against theother, but without doing injury to themselves, or yet being able tostrike the merchants, who ran so close a risk. They bowed reverentlytowards Verena, and with calm thanksgivings departed through thecastle-gates, which at that moment had been burst open by a violent gustof wind, and now gave a free passage to any who would go forth. The ladyand I were yet standing bewildered on the stairs, when I fancied Isaw the two fearful forms glide close by me, but mist-like and unreal.Verena called to me: 'Rolf, did you see a tall pale man, and a littlehideous one with him, pass just now up the staircase?' I flew afterthem; and found, alas, the poor boy in the same state in which you sawhim a few hours ago. Ever since, the attack has come on him regularly atthis time, and he is in all respects fearfully changed. The lady ofthe castle did not fail to discern the avenging hand of Heaven in thiscalamity; and as the knight, her husband, instead of repenting, everbecame more truly Biorn of the Fiery Eyes, she resolved, in the walls ofa cloister, by unremitting prayer, to obtain mercy in time and eternityfor herself and her unhappy child."
Rolf was silent; and the chaplain, after some thought, said: "I nowunderstand why, six years ago, Biorn confessed his guilt to me ingeneral words, and consented that his wife should take the veil. Somefaint compunction must then have stirred within him, and perhaps maystir him yet. At any rate it was impossible that so tender a flower asVerena could remain longer in so rough keeping. But who is there now towatch over and protect our poor Sintram?"
"The prayer of his mother," answered Rolf. "Reverend sir, when thefirst dawn of day appears, as it does now, and when the morning breezewhispers through the glancing window, they ever bring to my mind thesoft beaming eyes of my lady, and I again seem to hear the sweet tonesof her voice. The holy Verena is, next to God, our chief aid."
"And let us add our devout supplications to the Lord," said thechaplain; and he and Rolf knelt in silent and earnest prayer by the bedof the pale sufferer, who began to smile in his dreams.
CHAPTER 3
The rays of the sun shining brightly into the room awoke Sintram, andraising himself up, he looked angrily at the chaplain, and said, "Sothere is a priest in the castle! And yet that accursed dream continuesto torment me even in his very presence. Pretty priest he must be!"
"My child," answered the chaplain in the mildest tone, "I have prayedfor thee most fervently, and I shall never cease doing so--but God aloneis Almighty."
"You speak very boldly to the son of the knight Biorn," cried Sintram."'My child!' If those horrible dreams had not been again haunting me,you would make me laugh heartily."
"Young Lord Sintram," said the chaplain, "I am by no means surprisedthat you do not know me again; for in truth, neither do I know youagain." And his eyes filled with tears as he spoke.
The good Rolf looked sorrowfully in the boy's face, saying, "Ah, my dearyoung master, you are so much better than you would make people believe.Why do you that? Your memory is so good, that you must surely recollectyour kind old friend the chaplain, who used formerly to be constantly atthe castle, and to bring you so many gifts--bright pictures of saints,and beautiful songs?"
"I know all that very well," replied Sintram thoughtfully. "My saintedmother was alive in those days."
"Our gracious lady is still living, God be praised," said the good Rolf.
"But she does not live for us, poor sick creatures that we are!" criedSintram. "And why will you not call her sainted? Surely she knowsnothing about my dreams?"
"Yes, she does know of them," said the chaplain; "and she prays to Godfor you. But take heed, and restrain that wild, haughty temper of yours.It might, indeed, come to pass that she would know nothing about yourdreams, and that would be if your soul were separated from your body;and then the holy angels also would cease to know anything of you."
Sintram fell back on his bed as if thunderstruck; and Rolf said, witha gentle sigh, "You should not speak so severely to my poor sick child,reverend sir."
The boy sat up, and with tearful eyes he turned caressingly towards thechaplain: "Let him do as he pleases, you good, tender-hearted Rolf;he knows very well what he is about. Would you reprove him if I wereslipping down a snow-cleft, and he caught me up roughly by the hair ofmy head?"
The priest looked tenderly at him, and would have spoken his holythoughts, when Sintram suddenly sprang off the bed and asked after hisfather. As soon as he heard of the knight's departure, he would notremain another hour in the castle; and put aside the fears of thechaplain and the old esquire, lest a rapid journey should injure hishardly restored health, by saying to them, "Believe me, reverend sir,and dear old Rolf, if I were not subject to these hideous dreams, therewould not be a bolder youth in the whole world; and even as it is, I amnot so far behind the very best. Besides, till another year has passed,my dreams are at an end."
On his somewhat imperious sign Rolf brought out the horses. The boythrew himself boldly into the saddle, and taking a courteous leave ofthe chaplain, he dashed along the frozen valley that lay between thesnow-clad mountains. He had not ridden far, in company with his oldattendant, when he heard a strange indistinct sound proceeding froma neighbouring cleft in the rock; it was partly like the clapper of asmall mill, but mingled with
that were hollow groans and other tones ofdistress. Thither they turned their horses, and a wonderful sight showeditself to them.
A tall man, deadly pale, in a pilgrim's garb, was striving with violentthough unsuccessful efforts, to work his way out of the snow and toclimb up the mountain; and thereby a quantity of bones, which werehanging loosely all about his garments, rattled one against the other,and caused the mysterious sound already mentioned. Rolf, much terrified,crossed himself, while the bold Sintram called out to the stranger,"What art thou doing there? Give an account of thy solitary labours."
"I live in death," replied that other one with a fearful grin.
"Whose are those bones on thy clothes?"
"They are relics, young sir."
"Art thou a pilgrim?"
"Restless, quietless, I wander up and down."
"Thou must not perish here in the snow before my eyes."
"That I will not."
"Thou must come up and sit on my horse."
"That I will." And all at once he started up out of the snow withsurprising strength and agility, and sat on the horse behind Sintram,clasping him tight in his long arms. The horse, startled by the rattlingof the bones, and as if seized with madness, rushed away through themost trackless passes. The boy soon found himself alone with his strangecompanion; for Rolf, breathless with fear, spurred on his horse in vain,and remained far behind them. From a snowy precipice the horse slid,without falling, into a narrow gorge, somewhat indeed exhausted, yetcontinuing to snort and foam as before, and still unmastered by the boy.Yet his headlong course being now changed into a rough irregular trot,Sintram was able to breathe more freely, and to begin the followingdiscourse with his unknown companion.
"Draw thy garment closer around thee, thou pale man, so the bones willnot rattle, and I shall be able to curb my horse."
"It would be of no avail, boy; it would be of no avail. The bones mustrattle."
"Do not clasp me so tight with thy long arms, they are so cold."
"It cannot be helped, boy; it cannot be helped. Be content. For my longcold arms are not pressing yet on thy heart."
"Do not breathe on me so with thy icy breath. All my strength isdeparting."
"I must breathe, boy; I must breathe. But do not complain. I am notblowing thee away."
The strange dialogue here came to an end; for to Sintram's surprise hefound himself on an open plain, over which the sun was shining brightly,and at no great distance before him he saw his father's castle. Whilehe was thinking whether he might invite the unearthly pilgrim to restthere, this one put an end to his doubts by throwing himself suddenlyoff the horse, whose wild course was checked by the shock. Raising hisforefinger, he said to the boy, "I know old Biorn of the Fiery Eyeswell; perhaps but too well. Commend me to him. It will not need to tellhim my name; he will recognize me at the description." So saying, theghastly stranger turned aside into a thick fir-wood, and disappearedrattling amongst the tangled branches.
Slowly and thoughtfully Sintram rode on towards his father's castle,his horse now again quiet and altogether exhausted. He scarcely knewhow much he ought to relate of his wonderful journey, and he alsofelt oppressed with anxiety for the good Rolf, who had remained so farbehind. He found himself at the castle-gate sooner than he had expected;the drawbridge was lowered, the doors were thrown open; an attendant ledthe youth into the great hall, where Biorn was sitting all alone ata huge table, with many flagons and glasses before him, and suits ofarmour ranged on either side of him. It was his daily custom, by way ofcompany, to have the armour of his ancestors, with closed visors, placedall round the table at which he sat. The father and son began conversingas follows:
"Where is Rolf?"
"I do not know, father; he left me in the mountains."
"I will have Rolf shot if he cannot take better care than that of myonly child."
"Then, father, you will have your only child shot at the same time, forwithout Rolf I cannot live; and if even one single dart is aimed athim, I will be there to receive it, and to shield his true and faithfulheart."
"So!--Then Rolf shall not be shot, but he shall be driven from thecastle."
"In that case, father, you will see me go away also; and I will givemyself up to serve him in forests, in mountains, in caves."
"So'--Well, then, Rolf must remain here."
"That is just what I think, father."
"Were you riding quite alone?"
"No, father; but with a strange pilgrim. He said that he knew you verywell--perhaps too well." And thereupon Sintram began to relate and todescribe all that had passed with the pale man.
"I know him also very well," said Biorn. "He is half crazed and halfwise, as we sometimes are astonished at seeing that people can be. Butdo thou, my boy, go to rest after thy wild journey. I give you my wordthat Rolf shall be kindly received if he arrive here; and that if he donot come soon, he shall be sought for in the mountains."
"I trust to your word, father," said Sintram, half humble, half proud;and he did after the command of the grim lord of the castle.
CHAPTER 4
Towards evening Sintram awoke. He saw the good Rolf sitting at hisbedside, and looked up in the old man's kind face with a smile ofunusually innocent brightness. But soon again his dark brows were knit,and he asked, "How did my father receive you, Rolf? Did he say a harshword to you?"
"No, my dear young lord, he did not; indeed he did not speak to meat all. At first he looked very wrathful; but he checked himself,and ordered a servant to bring me food and wine to refresh me, andafterwards to take me to your room."
"He might have kept his word better. But he is my father, and I mustnot judge him too hardly. I will now go down to the evening meal." Sosaying, he sprang up and threw on his furred mantle.
But Rolf stopped him, and said, entreatingly: "My dear young master,you would do better to take your meal to-day alone here in your ownapartment; for there is a guest with your father, in whose companyI should be very sorry to see you. If you will remain here, I willentertain you with pleasant tales and songs."
"There is nothing in the world which I should like better, dear Rolf,"answered Sintram; "but it does not befit me to shun any man. Tell me,whom should I find with my father?"
"Alas!" said the old man, "you have already found him in the mountain.Formerly, when I used to ride about the country with Biorn, we often metwith him, but I was forbidden to tell you anything about him; and thisis the first time that he has ever come to the castle."
"The crazy pilgrim!" replied Sintram; and he stood awhile in deepthought, as if considering the matter. At last, rousing himself, hesaid, "Dear old friend, I would most willingly stay here this eveningall alone with you and your stories and songs, and all the pilgrims inthe world should not entice me from this quiet room. But one thing mustbe considered. I feel a kind of dread of that pale, tall man; and bysuch fears no knight's son can ever suffer himself to be overcome. So benot angry, dear Rolf, if I determine to go and look that strange palmerin the face." And he shut the door of the chamber behind him, and withfirm and echoing steps proceeded to the hall.
The pilgrim and the knight were sitting opposite to each other at thegreat table, on which many lights were burning; and it was fearful,amongst all the lifeless armour, to see those two tall grim men move,and eat, and drink.
As the pilgrim looked up on the boy's entrance, Biorn said: "You knowhim already: he is my only child, and fellow-traveller this morning."
The palmer fixed an earnest look on Sintram, and answered, shaking hishead, "I know not what you mean."
Then the boy burst forth, impatiently, "It must be confessed that youdeal very unfairly by us! You say that you know my father but too much,and now it seems that you know me altogether too little. Look me in theface: who allowed you to ride on his horse, and in return had his goodsteed driven almost wild? Speak, if you can!"
Biorn smiled, shaking his head, but well pleased, as was his wont, withhis son's wild behaviour; while the pilgrim shudde
red as if terrifiedand overcome by some fearful irresistible power. At length, with atrembling voice, he said these words: "Yes, yes, my dear young lord, youare surely quite right; you are perfectly right in everything which youmay please to assert."
Then the lord of the castle laughed aloud, and said: "Why, thou strangepilgrim, what is become of all thy wonderfully fine speeches andwarnings now? Has the boy all at once struck thee dumb and powerless?Beware, thou prophet-messenger, beware!"
But the palmer cast a fearful look on Biorn, which seemed to quenchthe light of his fiery eyes, and said solemnly, in a thundering voice,"Between me and thee, old man, the case stands quite otherwise. We havenothing to reproach each other with. And now suffer me to sing a song toyou on the lute." He stretched out his hand, and took down from the walla forgotten and half-strung lute, which was hanging there; and, withsurprising skill and rapidity, having put it in a state fit for use, hestruck some chords, and raised this song to the low melancholy tones ofthe instrument: