The herd
was astonished, and began to think what he could purchase with it. "It
would buy a large pig," he said. He seemed very anxious to conceal the
coin, and so he hid it in the top of his hairy cap. "See that tall
tower," said Wolf, "which looks like a rock above the trees; that is the
only house near for twenty miles round. You can reach it soon; and when
you do reach it," said Wolf, speaking low, as if some one might hear
him, "take my advice, and get away as fast as you can from my master
Ralph, for"--and Wolf gave a number of winks, as much as to say, I know
something. "What do you mean?" asked Eric. "Oh, nothing, nothing; but
take Wolf's advice, and say to Ralph you are a beggar. Put the gold band
in your pocket, and swear to remain with him, but run off when you can.
Cheat him; that's my way." "It is not my way," replied Eric, "and, come
what may, never can be, for a voice says to me,

"'Better to die
Than ever to lie.'"

"Ha! ha!" said Wolf; "I wish you lived with Ralph. He would teach you
another lesson, my lad." "I would rather that I had you, Wolf, to live
in my house. I would be kind to you, and help you to be good, and tell
you about God, who lives in the sky." "And is that He who is speaking?
Listen!" Thunder began to mutter in the clouds. "Yes, it is He," replied
Eric; "and if you will only listen, you can also hear Him often speak
with a small, still voice in your heart." "I never heard Him," replied
Wolf; "but I cannot stay longer with you, for my pigs will wander: there
is a black rascal who always leads them astray. Now, king's son, give
Wolf the stick; it is all he has." "Here it is to you, and I am sure you
will not use it wrongly; you will try and be good, Wolf? for it will
make you happy." "Humph," said Wolf, "I am happy when I get my pigs
home, and Ralph does not strike me. But I must away, and see you don't
tell any one you gave me money. They would rob me." And away he ran
among the trees in search of his pigs, while Eric heard his little drum,
and his song of "Rub-a-dub, halloo!" die away in the distance. Another
loud peal and flash of lightning made Eric start, and off he ran towards
a light which now beamed from the tower. But he thought to himself, "I
am much worse than that poor Wolf, for I knew what was right, and did
not do it. I heard the voice, but did not attend to it. Oh, my father,
why did I not obey you!"

CHAPTER II.

THE ROBBER'S TOWER.

[Illustration