ce-box was given to me first, but I said, 'I have forfeited my life,
and I will not gamble for it.' The Duke said, 'Well; I'll throw for
you.' The box was then handed to the other two. They shook the dice
with cold trembling hand, and threw. One counted nine, and the other
fourteen; the Duke then seized the box, and shook it. He looked at me
hard in the face, but I did not tremble. He threw, and covered the dice
with his hand. 'Beg for mercy,' said he, 'there is still time.' 'I pray
you to pardon the rash act,' I answered, 'but I beg not for mercy,
because I don't deserve it.' He raised his hand; and behold, he counted
eighteen! The effect it produced on me was indescribable; I thought the
Duke sat in God's stead in judgment. I fell upon my knees, and vowed to
live and die in his service. The tenth man was beheaded, and two of us
saved."

Albert had listened to the tale of the fifer of Hardt with increasing
interest, and when he finished it, and noticed his bold expressive eyes
filled with tears, he could not resist taking him by the hand, saying,
"Truly, you have been guilty of a heavy crime against the Lord of your
country, but you have also expiated it dearly by being brought so near
to death. The terror of immediate death, whilst the sword of vengeance
is hanging over a guilty head, must indeed be tenfold more appalling
when the culprit is obliged to witness the execution of so many
acquaintances, awaiting the slow approach of his own last moment along
with them; but you have faithfully atoned to your prince for laying
your hand upon his person, by a life of fidelity, sacrifices, and risks
of all kinds in his cause. And how often have you liberated him from
danger, perhaps saved his life! Truly you have richly redeemed your
debt."

The poor man, when he had finished his story, relapsed into gloomy
thought, with his eyes fixed on the fire; and had it not been, that an
occasional sad smile passed over his countenance when Albert spoke to
him, he had all the appearance of being totally unconscious of what was
going on around him. "Do you mean," said he, "that I could ever
sufficiently repent, and redeem the crime of which I have been guilty?
No; such debts are not so easily liquidated, and a redeemed life must
be devoted to the service of him who has saved it. To wander among
mountains, getting intelligence from an enemy's camp, and finding out
places of concealment, are but trifling services, sir, and cannot
satisfy