hed the hill, and crossed
it, and came to a green spot beneath a rock, on the banks of the stream,
when he could run no more, but fell down, and whether he fainted or fell
asleep he could not tell.

CHAPTER III.

THE JOURNEY HOME--THE BIRD WITH THE GOLD EGGS--TRIALS AND DIFFICULTIES.

Eric knew not how long he slept, but, as in a dream, he heard a sweet
voice singing these words:--

"Rest thee, boy, rest thee, boy, lonely and dreary,
Thy little heart breaking from losing the way;
Thy father has not left thee friendless, though weary,
When learning through suffering to fear and obey."

[Illustration]

Eric opened his eyes, but moved not a limb, as if under some strange
fascination. It was early morning. High over head a lark was "singing
like an angel in the clouds." The mysterious voice went on in the same
beautiful and soothing strain--

"Oh, sweet is the lark as she sings o'er her nest,
And warbles unseen in the clear morning light;
But sweeter by far is the song in the breast
When in life's early morning we do what is right!"

Eric could neither move nor speak; but in his heart he confessed with
sorrow that he had done what was wrong. And again the voice sang--

"Now, darling, awaken, thou art not forsaken!
The old night is past and a new day begun;
Let thy journey with love to thy father be taken,
And at evening thy father will welcome thee home."

[Illustration]

"I will arise and go to my father!" said Eric, springing to his feet. He
saw beside him a beautiful lady, who looked like a picture he once saw
of his mother, or like one of those angels from heaven about whom he had
often read. And the lady said, "Fear not! I know you, Eric, and how
it came to pass that you are here. Your father sent you for a wise and
good purpose through the forest, and gave you hold of a gold thread to
guide you, and told you never to let it go. It was your duty to him to
have held it fast; but instead of doing your duty, trusting and obeying
your father, and keeping hold of the thread, you let it go to chase
butterflies, and gather wild-berries, and to amuse yourself. This you
did more than once. You neglected your father's counsels and warnings,
and because of your self-confidence and self-pleasing, you lost your
thread, and then you lost your way. What dangers and troubles have you
thus got into through disobedience to your father's commands,