Part 5
While William had been occupied with his sorrow outdoors, his brothers were busy eating the remnants of their evening meal and emptying the whiskey 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, if 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, top, 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.
ML 02/05/1939