[ACT ONE.]
SCENE ONE—A road through a forest. On either side trees stand thick and dark. Immediately in front the light sifts down upon a rude bridge spanning a narrow stream. At the roadside, to the right, a large crucifix, apparently new, stands upon a post some ten feet in height. It is elaborately carved and is set in a deep frame to protect it from the weather. At the foot of the post, cut into the mossy bank which slopes toward the road, is a kneeling place with a white sheep's pelt lying upon it.
A sound of voices is heard. Fritz and Rudolph enter from the left and pause where a path leads off through the wood. The latter has an ax upon his shoulder. Far in the forest a faint sound of chopping is heard.
TIME—Mid-day in summer, in the early part of the thirteenth century.
Rudolph—He's worth six.
Fritz— I'll give you five, you pick them.
Rudolph—I'll pick six.
Fritz— I'll keep my ewes, then.
Rudolph— And walk
To the mountains?
Fritz— We have not gone yet.