“Strange indeed!” murmured the forester, who knew not what to say.
“Take my word for it, William,” repeated Rudolph, “it is just what I tell you. Go some Friday at midnight to a cross-road, and make a circle round about you with a ram-rod or a bloody sword; bless it three times in the same words as the priest uses, but in the name of Samiel”—
“Hush! hush!” interrupted the forester angrily: “dost know what that name is? why, he’s one of Satan’s host. God keep thee and all christians out of his power!”
William crossed himself and would hear no more; however obstinately Rudolph persisted in his opinion. All night long he continued to clean his gun, to examine the screws, the spring, and every part of the lock and barrel; and, at break of day, he sallied forth to try his luck once more.
IV.
But all in vain: his pains were all thrown
