travel here we are at the end of our journey. For this indeed seems
like the end, when we have found a comrade who will show us the way
and lead us to the civilized world again!"

"Ay, I can do that," answered Humphrey; "I know well the road back
to the world. Nor is it a matter of more than a few days' travel to
reach the outlying townships. I have often said I would go and
visit our sisters and friends, but I have never done so. Alas that
I should go at last with such heavy tidings!"

"Heavy tidings indeed," said Fritz, with sympathy; "yet we will
avenge these treacherous murders upon those who have brought them
to pass."

"That will not restore the dead to life," said Humphrey mournfully.

"No, but it will ease the burning heart of its load of rage and
vengeance."

Humphrey's eyes turned for a moment towards his sleeping brother.
He knew how welcome would be such words to him--that is, if he
awoke from his fever dreams in the same mood as they had found him.

"And yet," said Julian thoughtfully, "we have been taught by our
fathers that brothers should live at peace together, even as we in
our valley lived long at peace with all and with one another. So
long as the memory of our venerable Father remained alive there was
all harmony and concord, and every man sought his brother's well
being as earnestly as his own."