[CHAPTER IV.]
GASPARD AND HIS FAMILY LEAVE THEIR HOME.
THE following morning they were up by daybreak, in order to prepare for their sad journey. Gaspard fortunately recollected that one thing which might now be of essential service to them had either been overlooked, or not considered of sufficient value to have been taken; this was a donkey which his boys used for such small jobs as they were able to do about the place; and a day seldom passed without Pedro, as they called it, having his full share of labour, and by the boys Pedro was as much prized as anything they possessed. Great was their joy when their father said he would gladly take it with them; he knew it would spare much fatigue to his wife and boys.
It will easily be believed that it cost our little party many a pang to leave their home, and to part with all they cared for. The cross alone remained to them, and this Gaspard committed to the care of the good Christine, with the hope that he might one day be able to reclaim it.
For the last time he and his little family knelt before it, and implored from God the help and protection they so much needed, as well as strength to enable them to submit with resignation to whatever might be appointed for them.
In some measure cheered and comforted by this act of devotion, the poor soldier, accompanied by his family, set out on their sorrowful pilgrimage, well provided by their kind hostess with such provisions as she was able to spare, as well as with a small sum of money, which Gaspard accepted in the hope of being able some day to repay it. He could not but believe that his little property would be restored to him.
They now found themselves wandering they scarce knew whither. Very different was this journey to the last. They were then going joyfully to take possession of a home unexpectedly given to them; they were now turned adrift from that same home, and knew not whether they should ever behold it again.
Gaspard knew that the Count de Sternfelden had two or three other estates, and that he resided sometimes at one, and sometimes at another. He learnt that he had lately been residing at his castle of Sternfelden, near Mayence, and it was there that Gaspard hoped to find him.
Gaspard's first object was to reach the town of Ponnering, about four days' journey from Feldsberg, and where he believed he had a sister living, but of whom he had heard nothing for some years, save that, during the time he was actively engaged with the army, she had married and settled in Ponnering. He was ignorant of her present name, as no letter from her had ever reached him, though he had accidentally learnt that she had married a cabinet-maker, and was in good circumstances; he hoped, therefore, that by personal inquiries he might be able to make her out, feeling sure that, could he do so, he would be readily welcomed, believing that neither time nor silence would in any way have diminished the affection that once subsisted between them.
To Ponnering, therefore, the little party directed their steps. The hope of finding a friend there cheered them on their way, and helped to lighten the fears and anxieties which Gaspard and his wife could not but feel at the undertaking before them. Had our brave soldier been alone, he would have feared nothing; he only dreaded fatigue and hardship for the dear ones who were accompanying him; he therefore clung to the hope that, if he could but discover his sister, they might obtain shelter under her roof, whilst he pursued his way for the purpose of seeing the Count, and putting before him his sad case, and the cruel injustice with which he had been treated, and which he well knew the Count would never otherwise be informed of.