it, as if to try, whether he tasted as good as did its mother. And next
he saw his second little daughter stumbling about before him, and who
only now beginning to talk called all four-footed animals from the
horse downwards "wau" and all winged creatures from the fly upwards
"bibi" and mankind "man". And his little Jack showed him his slate with
the exercises which he had written, and the butterflies which he had
caught in the garden. A heavy sadness came over the stout Parson, and
he shut his eyes, as do the chickens, by raising the lower eyelid
upwards, whilst the upper remained stationary, as was his wont,
whenever he felt gently moved, and he fell asleep. In his dreams he
fancied himself once more in his comfortable chair near the round table
at the Hirsch in Heidelberg, and Chancellor Probus congratulated him in
a friendly manner on his return. "All is forgiven and forgotten. As a
matter of course," he distinctly heard the Chairman of their meeting
say in his deep tones. At these words of the honored gentleman so
intense was the joy that came over Parson Neuser that he awoke, and
called out as did Doctor Luther at Koburg: "Home, home, home!" He
trusted certainly that his wife had burnt the dangerous papers in good
time. He did not think of the mad address which he had written in a
moment of drunken intoxication to Sultan Selim II., and with his usual
buoyancy he imagined, that if the worst came to the worst he would get
off with a mild punishment. He surrendered himself up to the magistrate
at Amberg, who immediately sent him on to Heidelberg, where the trial
of his companions was still taking place. Erastus was glad, that Neuser
did not notice him. He did not feel inclined to greet this foolish man
who had drawn this calamity on himself and his family. But the gate
still remained closed and Erastus fretted with impatience at the
enforced delay. Finally the trotting of horses and the rattling of a
cart was heard within. Another cart guarded by armed men escorting a
prisoner appeared. This time however it was Sylvanus who sat near the
officer. The once so stately man looked pale and haggard, his eyes were
sunken and an expression of resigned despondency lay on his wan face.
At his feet sat his nine-year old son, who was allowed by order of the
kind-hearted Kurfuerst to accompany him to his prison, although the
clergymen of the court had violently opposed this soul-destroying
indulgence on the part of the Kurfuerst. T