Tales from the German. Volume I.

by C. F. van der Velde

'So then we must pluck up fresh courage,' said the constable in a very dispirited tone, 'and request an audience of the gentlemen within. Come with me, Enontekis, to enter your complaint; and you others, guard the door, that this beast of prey may not escape.'

The two Laplanders entered the session room. Arwed followed them with highly excited curiosity. The first object that met his eye was the huntsman, whom he now for the first time recognised as Mac Donalbain, in close and friendly conversation with the governor. While he was vainly endeavoring to find the key to these singular occurrences, the constable and his companion, afraid to speak aloud in the presence of their superiors, were disputing in vehement pantomime, the former denying and the latter affirming, although with constantly increasing uncertainty and anxiety. Finally, the constable approached the bar and slightly touched the arm of the sheriff.

'With your leave, respected sir,' asked he, as the latter turned toward him, 'does the stranger huntsman there enjoy the acquaintance of the lord governor?'

'So it would seem,' answered the sheriff, 'as the governor has just now invited him to dinner.'

At that moment the governor shook the Scot kindly by the hand, and the Laplander started back in affright.

'Do you not now perceive that you must have been blind?' whispered he to the good Enontekis. 'My God! what trouble might I not have prepared for myself through my zeal for the discharge of my official duty! To follow a friend and guest of our most noble governor as a criminal! But happily the gentlemen have not perceived us, and we cannot do better than to make a speedy retreat.'

With anxious haste he drew his somewhat reluctant companion out of the room. Meanwhile Mac Donalbain had taken his leave of the governor, and now quickly, but with a courteous greeting, dashed past Arwed, who followed him to the door of the room. There he saw him cast a wild glance toward the crowd assembled before the front door, and then turn off to the right toward the back door, which opened into the garden. The constable was standing there, engaged in a warm dispute with poor Enontekis, who was still unsatisfied that he could have been mistaken. Their armed followers, whose thirst for battle did not appear to be very strong, were standing solemnly around them. Mac Donalbain stood for a moment regarding the group as if considering what course to take, and then marched boldly up to his pursuers.

'Out of the way, Laplanders!' thundered he, hurling them to the right and left; and in this manner he passed through the assemblage and disappeared.

'That was very uncourteous, sir Swede!' cried the terrified constable after him when he had got out of hearing. 'We call ourselves Samolazes, and not Laplanders. Our enemies only call us so, when they wish to insult us; but we poor people are treated justly nowhere upon earth, and must be patient under all our injuries until we appear before the final judgment seat!'

The tone of the little man grew constantly weaker and weaker during this speech. Weeping, he went forth; weeping, Enontekis followed him; and sobbing and wiping their eyes, the twelve warriors followed them.