Chapter 2. The Wicked Plot.
WHILE William had been occupied with dismal thoughts outdoors, his brothers were busy eating the remnants of their evening meal and emptying the whisky jug. They were considering together what to do with their youngest brother. He was too young to go with them on their long hunting expeditions, and to leave him at home for days, and often weeks would not do either. Besides their hearts were full of hatred towards him, because he would admonish them at times, although so young, not to go “poaching.” He had told them that poaching was stealing, and that God said: “Thou shalt not steal!” His father had taught him so.
His childlike prayers were very disagreeable to them, because they constantly reminded them of their condition before God. The question with them was how they could most conveniently rid themselves of the boy. Poor William! His father had been dead only a few hours, and his brothers were already considering how to do away with him.
“We can’t take him along when we go hunting,” said the oldest one; “he would betray us as soon as he would get a chance.”
“But what shall we do with him?” asked the second one. “He’d be better off in the grave with his father.”
“Hold on!” broke in the third brother; “he’s our brother, and we must not touch him; not a hair of his head shall we hurt, it I can help it.”
“What shall be done with him then,” growled the eldest one.
“I know what we could do,” replied the fourth one. “The best way would be to take him a few days’ journey into the forest and then leave him to his fate. He may then go where he chooses. He won’t find his way back to us very soon.”
“But then we must see to it that Caesar stays in the cabin, otherwise we will have trouble, because William himself can’t drive him off. Besides this, I would advise you to take the boy almost to the other side of the forest, and from there he may be able to find someone to go to.”
“Very well,” said the youngest of the five brothers; “let us take him into the forest. We can take one of the donkeys along and put him on it, so that we may be able to walk fast; when we have gone far enough, we will leave him at night.”
After a little more talk back and forth, they concluded to start the wicked plan the next morning. It was now late, and as they decided to be off very early in the morning, they all went to rest. William, too, after eating a morsel, went to bed.
The day had hardly dawned when all was astir in the log cabin. The breakfast was prepared in haste. A sack full of provision was laden upon the strongest donkey. William, too, was wakened early and after dressing, and washing himself, he stood and looked on, thinking no evil, awaiting the preparations.
When all was ready for the journey the oldest brother took the little one by the hand, ordered him to put on his hat, and lifted him on the donkey which stood in readiness outside.
“Where are we going?” asked William who would rather have stayed at home, but he dared not make any objections.
“Into the forest to chop wood and chase deer,” responded one of the brothers, with a laugh.
“What! are you going to steal the good forester’s game again? Don’t do it!” begged William, with a sad look.
The brothers gave no answer but looked at each other.
Caesar was ready to follow the donkey on which his young master was sitting. Wagging his tail gladly, he waited impatiently for the company to start on the journey. At this moment, one of the brothers came with a strong cord, tied it around the neck of the dog, and dragged the unwilling and resisting animal into the cabin; and locked the door.
“Can’t Caesar come along?” asked William.
“No,” replied the oldest one.
“Then give him a little bread and water, so that he won’t starve while we are in the forest,” said the little one.
“Do not mind things which are not your business,” replied the second one in a rough manner; “we will take care of the dog.”
William said no more, but with difficulty he kept the rising tears back.
At length, they began their journey —up hill and downhill, to the right and to the left, and about noon they came to an open space where they stopped and built a fire, cooked and ate their dinner. After a few hours, they started forward again and in the evening they came to a large cave, near which a fine spring was bubbling. Here they spent the night and William was so tired that he fell asleep without taking any supper.
The following day, they went on their journey through thick forest, the same as the day before. There seemed to be no end to it. As it was getting dark, they came to a place where four paths met. Here they halted and built a fire because of the wolves.
“I do not understand why you have come so far. We must be now many miles away from home,” said William timidly.
“To shoot deer,” replied one of the brothers.
“But not very far from our cabin there is plenty of game. Why have you gone so far?”
“You shall soon know why,” was the short answer, and when he would have asked more questions, he was told to keep quiet. After supper, the brothers soon stretched out on the grass and were fast asleep. William, too, selected a place near the fire to sleep, but before lying down, he knelt and folded his hands as his father had taught him, and whispered, “Dear Father, think of me, and take care of me. Thou knowest my father is dead, and my brothers do not love me. I have nobody on earth that loves me, only Caesar, and they have locked him up in the cabin. O, blessed God, remember me and protect me. I ask it for Jesus’ sake. Amen.”
After praying, he laid down and soon went to sleep. Then it seemed to him, as if someone said to him, “Fear not, I will take care of you.” Sleep in peace, poor boy! the faithful, never slumbering eye of thy mighty and loving Father watches over thee.
How it would have frightened him, if he had seen his brothers rise cautiously, very early in the morning, and saddle the donkey and quietly slip away. Their wicked plot had succeeded. Soon they were hidden in the forest and William was alone. Our little friend slept, undisturbed, till the sun was quite high, throwing his warm rays right into his face. He could not, at first, remember where he was, and how he got to this place, but when he saw the smoking embers at his side, the two days experience came before his mind. But where was the donkey which had carried him so faithfully, and where were his brothers?
He jumped up and called his brothers as loud as he could, but the only answer he received was the echo of his own voice. Suddenly, the thought came to him that his brothers might have wickedly forsaken him. He could hardly believe it, but when noon came and nothing could be seen or heard of them, he began to cry bitterly. What should become of him—alone in the great forest, among wolves, and, perhaps, other wild beasts!
“O, how wicked you are!” sobbed the little fellow, when he thought of his brothers. “You have brought me here and left me. What would father say, if he knew it!”
Thus William mourned for some time, but gradually grew more quiet. The thought of Jesus, who saw him, and was caring for him, comforted him; and, at last, he did what all children who are in need, or in trouble should do—he knelt down and prayed earnestly to the Lord for His help and protection. After praying, he wondered what he should do. To follow his brothers was impossible, for they had intentionally selected a spot where several paths met, so that he would be at a loss to know which one to choose to follow them. His heart was very heavy, and from time to time, he would whisper, “Lord Jesus, help me! I am alone and forsaken; and I am hungry and thirsty. O, Lord, help me!” and he felt comforted.
ML 06/20/1909