‘“Bist du ein Deutscher (Are you a German)?”
‘“Yes,” said I, mournfully, for I saw her meaning.
‘“Shame! shame!” cried she, holding up her hands in horror. “If the wolves ravage the flocks it is but their nature; but that our own kindred, our very flesh and blood, should do this——”
‘I turned my head away in very sorrow and self-abasement, and a convulsive sob burst from my heart.
‘“Nay, nay, not so,” said she, “a poor peasant like me cannot judge what motives may have influenced you and others like you; and after all,” and she spoke the words in a trembling voice—“and after all, you succoured him when you believed him sick and weary.”
‘“I! how so? It never was in my power——”
‘“Yes, yes,” cried she, passionately; “it was you. This gourde was yours; he told me so; he spoke of you a hundred times.” And at the instant, she held up the little flask I had given to the pilgrim in the valley.
‘“And was the pilgrim then——”
‘“Yes,” said she, as a proud flash lit up her features, “he was my brother; many a weary mile he wandered over mountain and moor to track you; faint and hungry, he halted not, following your footsteps from the first hour you entered our land. Think you but for him that you had been spared that nights slaughter, or that for any cause but his a Tyrolese girl had watched beside your sick-bed, and prayed for your recovery?”
‘The whole truth now flashed upon me; every circumstance doubtful before became at once clear to my mind, and I eagerly asked the fate of my comrades.