where the river separates
into two branches, he uttered a cry, and as he was trying to get a
foothold, disappeared. We ran at once to the bank, hoping to be able to
help him more easily; but we had neither poles nor ropes within reach,
and, as I have told you, neither of us could swim. Then we called for
help with all our might. At that moment Dittmar reappeared, and by an
unheard-of effort seized the end of a willow branch that was hanging over
the water; but the branch was not strong enough to resist, and our friend
sank again, as though he had been struck by apoplexy. Can you imagine
the state in which we were, we his friends, bending over the river, our
fixed and haggard eyes trying to pierce its depth? My God, my God! how
was it we did not go mad?

"A great crowd, however, had run at our cries. For two hours they sought
far him with boats and drag-hooks; and at last they succeeded in drawing
his body from the gulf. Yesterday we bore it solemnly to the field of
rest.

"Thus with the end of this spring has begun the serious summer of my
life. I greeted it in a grave and melancholy mood, and you behold me
now, if not consoled, at least strengthened by religion, which, thanks to
the merits of Christ, gives me the assurance of meeting my friend in
heaven, from the heights of which he will inspire me with strength to
support the trials of this life; and now I do not desire anything more
except to know you free from all anxiety in regard to me."

Instead of serving to unite the two groups of students in a common grief,
this accident, on the contrary, did but intensify their hatred of each
other. Among the first persons who ran up at the cries of Sand and his
companion was a member of the Landmannschaft who could swim, but instead
of going to Dittmar's assistance he exclaimed, "It seems that we shall
get rid of one of these dogs of Burschen; thank God!" Notwithstanding
this manifestation of hatred, which, indeed, might be that of an
individual and not of the whole body, the Burschen invited their enemies
to be present at Dittmar's funeral. A brutal refusal, and a threat to
disturb the ceremony by insults to the corpse, formed their sole reply.
The Burschen then warned the authorities, who took suitable measures, and
all Dittmar's friends followed his coffin sword in hand. Beholding this
calm but resolute demonstration, the Landmannschaft did not dare to carry
out their threat, and contented themselves with insu