Turning to Brand, the Baron asked if he knew anything of this romantic
goat story.

"Yes, indeed, sir, and so does every one in the village, for the boy got
into trouble with the neighbors, who all thought he had been throwing
stones at the animal, and they even turned him out of his situation,
but, as luck would have it, something else was offered the same day, so
that it did not hurt him or his mother either."

"It was the best thing that ever happened to me. I had always wished to
make violins and zithers, and owing to that accident I got my wish,"
said Stephan, in reply to the Baron's expressions of regret.

"As to the money," said the Baron, "we will make an exchange; you shall
have my purse, which contains about ten florins, and I will take your
little bag, just as it is, as a proof of Bavarian honesty and honor. We
shall see more of one another," he added; "meantime, don't forget that
we must be off by four in the morning. Good-night!"

The moon still shone when the travelers commenced their mountain
journey. Slowly they wound their way round the ever-ascending path.
About half-way up they came to a small rocky plain, where some young
cattle were grazing. Their alarmed wild movements proved how rarely
human beings passed their high-walled prison. From this point their
climbing became a real labor, but before long they arrived at the
summit, where, amidst much laughter and want of breath, they all threw
themselves on the ground and gave vent to their satisfaction at being
nearly 7,000 feet above the sea, and to their admiration of the glorious
view.