mplation of a subject more imposing and instructive than these
rocks, however magnificent they might be. The human mind, rising
superior to the frowns of this world, exemplified so well in the
character of his unknown friend, filled him with admiration, and proved
to him that the dignity of man's nature will force its way through the
garb of poverty and the suffering of persecution, and remain unsullied
amidst the frowns of fate.

A bright day greeted Albert and the fifer of Hardt, as they issued from
the darkness of the cavern into the light of heaven. Albert breathed
more freely in the freshness of the morning air, than he had done
amidst the damp exhalations which streamed from the galleries and
grottos of the subterranean vaults, from which they derive the name of
the misty caverns. He found his horse in the same place, fastened to
the tree, where he had left him the night before, as fresh and lively
as ever; the military weapons attached to the saddle not having
suffered from the night dew, which Albert was fearful might have been
the case. But Hans had had the precaution to cover the beast with a
large coarse cloth, in order to guard against bad weather. The young
man arranged his dress as well as he was able, after such a night's
lodging, whilst the countryman gave his horse a feed of fresh hay. They
then set forward on their journey, and having gone but a few paces, the
tolling of a church bell from the valley below saluted their ears, and
broke the solemn stillness of the morning. Shortly afterwards, another
bell answered, and then three or four more followed, when the number,
increasing to at least twelve, spread their melodious tones over the
heights and vallies. The young man stopt his horse, surprised at this
early chorus of bells: "What means this salutation?" he asked, "is it a
signal that there is a fire in the neighbourhood? or may be to-day is a
holiday? God knows that, since my illness, I have quite lost all
knowledge of time, and can only distinguish Sunday from the other days
of the week by the peasant girls being clad in their best dresses and
clean aprons."

"That is not an uncommon case with many a military man," replied Hans;
"I myself have often been obliged to guess what day it was, when I had
other things in my head, which I regret to say I deemed more important
than hearing mass. But now it is different," he added, with a serious
countenance, and crossed himself, "to-day is Good Friday."