1
00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:05,759
The werewolf. My father was not
born or originally a resident in the Hartz

2
00:00:05,839 --> 00:00:12,240
Mountains. He was the serf of
an Hungarian nobleman of great possessions in Transylvania.

3
00:00:12,359 --> 00:00:15,839
But although a serf, he was
not by any means a poor or

4
00:00:16,000 --> 00:00:20,600
illiterate man. In fact, he
was rich, and his intelligence and respectability

5
00:00:20,640 --> 00:00:25,239
were such that he had been raised
by his lord to the stewardship. But

6
00:00:25,559 --> 00:00:29,239
whoever may happen to be born a
serf, a serf must he remain,

7
00:00:29,640 --> 00:00:33,880
even though he become a wealthy man. Such was the condition of my father.

8
00:00:34,439 --> 00:00:38,119
My father had been married for about
five years, and by his marriage

9
00:00:38,159 --> 00:00:42,640
had three children, my eldest brother, Caesar, myself Hermann, and a

10
00:00:42,719 --> 00:00:47,880
sister named Marcella. Latin is still
the language spoken in that country, and

11
00:00:47,920 --> 00:00:52,719
that will account for our high sounding
names. My mother was a very beautiful

12
00:00:52,759 --> 00:00:58,399
woman, unfortunately more beautiful than virtuous. She was seen and admired by the

13
00:00:58,439 --> 00:01:02,640
lord of the soil. My father
was sent away upon some mission, and

14
00:01:02,719 --> 00:01:07,200
during his absence, my mother,
flattered by the attentions and won by the

15
00:01:07,239 --> 00:01:11,879
assiduities of this nobleman, yielded to
his wishes. It so happened that my

16
00:01:12,000 --> 00:01:19,400
father returned very unexpectedly and discovered the
intrigue. The evidence of my mother's shame

17
00:01:19,560 --> 00:01:23,599
was positive. He surprised her in
the company of her seducer. Carried away

18
00:01:23,719 --> 00:01:30,200
by the impetuosity of his feelings,
he watched the opportunity of a meeting taking

19
00:01:30,239 --> 00:01:34,879
place between them, and murdered both
his wife and her seducer. Conscious that

20
00:01:34,959 --> 00:01:40,560
as a serf, not even the
provocation which he had received would be allowed

21
00:01:40,599 --> 00:01:46,000
as a justification of his conduct,
he hastily collected together what money he could

22
00:01:46,079 --> 00:01:49,680
lay his hands upon, and,
as we were then in the depth of

23
00:01:49,760 --> 00:01:53,840
winter, he put his horses to
the sleigh, and, taking his children

24
00:01:53,879 --> 00:01:57,239
with him, he set off in
the middle of the night, and was

25
00:01:57,319 --> 00:02:02,400
far away before the tragical circumstance had
transpired. Aware that he would be pursued,

26
00:02:02,560 --> 00:02:07,280
and that he had no chance of
escape if he remained in any portion

27
00:02:07,480 --> 00:02:10,560
of his native country in which the
authorities could lay hold of him, he

28
00:02:10,680 --> 00:02:17,439
continued his flight without intermission until he
had buried himself in the intricacies and seclusion

29
00:02:17,759 --> 00:02:22,919
of the Hartz Mountains. Of course, all that I have now told you

30
00:02:23,120 --> 00:02:29,080
I learned afterwards. My oldest recollections
are knit to a rude yet comfortable cottage

31
00:02:29,120 --> 00:02:32,199
in which I lived with my father, brother and sister. It was on

32
00:02:32,240 --> 00:02:38,439
the confines of one of those vast
forests which cover the northern part of Germany.

33
00:02:38,719 --> 00:02:42,199
Around it were a few acres of
ground, which, during the summer

34
00:02:42,280 --> 00:02:46,879
months my father cultivated, and which, though they yielded a doubtful harvest,

35
00:02:46,039 --> 00:02:51,719
were sufficient for our support. In
the winter we remained much indoors, for

36
00:02:52,080 --> 00:02:55,159
as my father followed the chase,
we were left alone, and the wolves

37
00:02:55,240 --> 00:03:01,759
during the season incessantly prowled about.
Other had purchased the cottage and land about

38
00:03:01,800 --> 00:03:07,639
it of one of the rude foresters
who gained their livelihood partly by hunting and

39
00:03:07,719 --> 00:03:14,240
partly by burning charcoal for the purpose
of smelting the ore from the neighboring mines.

40
00:03:14,599 --> 00:03:19,000
It was distant, about two miles
from any other habitation. I can

41
00:03:19,039 --> 00:03:23,400
call to mind the whole landscape now, the tall pines which rose up on

42
00:03:23,520 --> 00:03:27,800
the mountain above us, and the
wide expanse of forest beneath, on the

43
00:03:27,800 --> 00:03:31,919
topmost boughs and heads of whose trees
we looked down from our cottage, as

44
00:03:31,960 --> 00:03:38,080
a mountain below us rapidly descended into
the distant valley. In summer time,

45
00:03:38,159 --> 00:03:42,680
the prospect was beautiful, but during
the severe winter, a more desolate scene

46
00:03:42,759 --> 00:03:46,319
could not well be imagined. I
said that in the winter my father occupied

47
00:03:46,400 --> 00:03:51,800
himself with a chase every day he
left us, and often would he lock

48
00:03:51,919 --> 00:03:54,360
the door, that we might not
leave the cottage. He had no one

49
00:03:54,439 --> 00:03:59,199
to assist him or to take care
of us. Indeed, it was not

50
00:03:59,360 --> 00:04:02,479
easy to fire and a female servant
who would live in such a solitude.

51
00:04:02,680 --> 00:04:06,159
But could he have found one,
my father would not have received her,

52
00:04:06,240 --> 00:04:11,159
for he had imbibed a horror of
the sex. As a difference of his

53
00:04:11,319 --> 00:04:15,839
conduct toward us, his two boys
and my poor little sister Marcella evidently proved.

54
00:04:16,120 --> 00:04:20,600
You may suppose we were sadly neglected. Indeed we suffered much, for

55
00:04:20,720 --> 00:04:25,839
my father, fearful that we might
come to some harm, would not allow

56
00:04:25,959 --> 00:04:30,519
us fuel when he left the cottage, and we were obliged therefore to creep

57
00:04:30,639 --> 00:04:34,160
under the heaps of bear's skin,
and there to keep ourselves as warm as

58
00:04:34,199 --> 00:04:39,480
we could until he returned in the
evening, when a blazing fire. Was

59
00:04:39,560 --> 00:04:45,160
our delight that my father chose this
restless sort of life may appear strange,

60
00:04:45,279 --> 00:04:48,560
but the fact was that he could
not remain quiet, whether from remorse for

61
00:04:48,720 --> 00:04:54,680
having committed murder, or from the
misery consequent on his change of situation,

62
00:04:55,079 --> 00:04:58,879
or from both combined. He was
never happy unless he was in a state

63
00:04:58,959 --> 00:05:02,920
of activity. Children, however,
when left much to themselves, acquire a

64
00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:09,000
thoughtfulness not common to their age.
So it was with us, and during

65
00:05:09,040 --> 00:05:13,600
the short cold days of winter,
we would sit silent, longing for the

66
00:05:13,680 --> 00:05:16,879
happy hours when the snow would melt, and the leaves burst out, and

67
00:05:16,959 --> 00:05:21,680
the birds begin their songs, and
when we should again be set at liberty.

68
00:05:23,079 --> 00:05:28,079
Such was our peculiar and savage sort
of life until my brother Caesar was

69
00:05:28,240 --> 00:05:32,399
nine, myself seven, and my
sister five years old, when the circumstances

70
00:05:32,439 --> 00:05:38,120
occurred on which is base the extraordinary
narrative which I am about to relate.

71
00:05:38,959 --> 00:05:43,279
One evening, my father returned home
rather later than usual. He had been

72
00:05:43,399 --> 00:05:46,879
unsuccessful, and as the weather was
very severe and many feet of snow were

73
00:05:46,959 --> 00:05:50,160
upon the ground, he was not
only very cold, but in a very

74
00:05:50,160 --> 00:05:55,079
bad humor. He had brought in
wood, and we were all three of

75
00:05:55,199 --> 00:05:59,879
us gladly assisting each other in blowing
on the embers to create the blaze.

76
00:06:00,079 --> 00:06:03,360
When he caught poor little Marcella by
the arm and threw her side. The

77
00:06:03,480 --> 00:06:09,319
child fell, struck her mouth and
bled very much. My brother ran to

78
00:06:09,399 --> 00:06:13,600
raise her up. Accustomed to ill
usage and afraid of my father, she

79
00:06:13,639 --> 00:06:16,600
did not dare to cry, but
looked up in his face very piteously.

80
00:06:16,959 --> 00:06:21,439
My father drew his stool near to
the hearth, muttered something and abuse of

81
00:06:21,480 --> 00:06:26,319
women, and busied himself with the
fire, which both my brother and I

82
00:06:26,480 --> 00:06:30,680
had deserted when our sister was so
unkindly treated. A cheerful blaze was soon

83
00:06:30,800 --> 00:06:34,879
the result of his exertions, but
we did not, as usual, crowd

84
00:06:35,000 --> 00:06:40,319
round it. Marcella, still bleeding, retired to a corner, and my

85
00:06:40,399 --> 00:06:44,399
brother and I took our seats beside
her, while my father hung over the

86
00:06:44,439 --> 00:06:48,279
fire gloomily and alone. Such had
been our position for about half an hour

87
00:06:48,399 --> 00:06:53,839
when the howl of a wolf close
under the window of the cottage fell on

88
00:06:53,959 --> 00:06:58,839
our ears. My father started up
and seized his gun. The howl was

89
00:06:58,920 --> 00:07:02,800
repeated, He examined the priming,
and then hastily left the cottage, shutting

90
00:07:02,800 --> 00:07:08,319
the door after him. We all
waited anxiously listening, for we thought that

91
00:07:08,399 --> 00:07:12,240
if he succeeded in shooting the wolf, he would return in a better humor.

92
00:07:12,439 --> 00:07:15,560
And although he was harsh to all
of us, and particularly so to

93
00:07:15,680 --> 00:07:20,600
our little sister, still we loved
our father and loved to see him cheerful

94
00:07:20,680 --> 00:07:25,160
and happy. For what else had
we to look up to? And I

95
00:07:25,279 --> 00:07:30,199
may here observe that perhaps there never
were three children who were fonder of each

96
00:07:30,240 --> 00:07:33,399
other. We did not, like
other children, fight and dispute together,

97
00:07:33,639 --> 00:07:39,120
And if by chance, any disagreement
did arise between my elder brother and me,

98
00:07:39,560 --> 00:07:44,160
little Marcella would run to us,
and kissing us both seal through her

99
00:07:44,399 --> 00:07:48,959
entreaties the peace between us. Marcella
was a lovely, amiable child. I

100
00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:55,879
can recall her beautiful features even now. Alas poor little Marcella, we waited

101
00:07:55,920 --> 00:07:59,279
for some time, but the report
of the gun did not reach us,

102
00:07:59,560 --> 00:08:03,879
and my other then said, our
father has followed the wolf and will not

103
00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:07,639
be back for some time. Marcella, let us wash the blood from your

104
00:08:07,680 --> 00:08:11,199
mouth, and then we will leave
this corner and go to the fire and

105
00:08:11,240 --> 00:08:16,040
warm ourselves. We did so,
and remained there until near midnight, every

106
00:08:16,120 --> 00:08:20,560
minute wondering as it grew later.
Why our father did not return. We

107
00:08:20,759 --> 00:08:24,480
had no idea that he was in
any danger, but we thought that he

108
00:08:24,600 --> 00:08:28,879
must have chased the wolf for a
very long time. I will look out

109
00:08:28,959 --> 00:08:31,679
and see if father is coming,
said my brother Caesar, going to the

110
00:08:31,720 --> 00:08:37,080
door. Take care, said Marcella. The wolves must be about now,

111
00:08:37,240 --> 00:08:41,679
and we cannot kill them. Brother. My brother opened the door very cautiously,

112
00:08:41,840 --> 00:08:45,919
and but a few inches he peeped
out. I see nothing, said

113
00:08:45,919 --> 00:08:48,759
he. After a time, and
once more he joined us at the fire.

114
00:08:50,159 --> 00:08:52,879
We have had no supper, said
I, for my father usually cooked

115
00:08:52,879 --> 00:08:56,720
the meat as soon as he came
home, and during his absence we had

116
00:08:56,759 --> 00:09:01,080
nothing but the fragments of the preceding
day. And if our father comes home

117
00:09:01,159 --> 00:09:05,600
after his hunt, Caesar said Marcella, he will be pleased to have some

118
00:09:05,720 --> 00:09:09,279
supper. Let us cook it for
him and for ourselves. Caesar climbed upon

119
00:09:09,279 --> 00:09:13,879
the stool and reached down some meat. I forget now whether it was venison

120
00:09:15,080 --> 00:09:18,679
or bear's meat, but we cut
off the usual quantity and proceeded to dress

121
00:09:18,720 --> 00:09:24,679
it as we used to do under
our father's superintendence. We were all busied

122
00:09:24,720 --> 00:09:28,200
putting it into the platters before the
fire to wait his coming. When we

123
00:09:28,320 --> 00:09:33,720
heard the sound of a horn,
we listened. There was a sound outside,

124
00:09:33,759 --> 00:09:37,399
and a minute afterwards my father entered, ushering in a young female and

125
00:09:37,480 --> 00:09:43,960
a large dark man in a hunter's
dress. Perhaps I had better now relate

126
00:09:43,159 --> 00:09:48,120
what was only known to me many
years afterwards. When my father had left

127
00:09:48,159 --> 00:09:54,320
the cottage, he perceived a large
white wolf about thirty yards from him.

128
00:09:54,759 --> 00:09:58,600
As soon as the animal saw my
father, it retreated slowly, growling and

129
00:09:58,720 --> 00:10:03,360
snot arling. My father followed.
The animal did not run, but always

130
00:10:03,519 --> 00:10:07,840
kept at some distance, and my
father did not like to fire until he

131
00:10:07,919 --> 00:10:13,360
was pretty certain that his ball would
take effect. Thus they went on for

132
00:10:13,440 --> 00:10:18,279
some time, the wolf now leaving
my father far behind, and then stopping

133
00:10:18,360 --> 00:10:22,360
and snarling defiance at him, and
then again on his approach, setting off

134
00:10:22,399 --> 00:10:26,559
at speed, anxious to shoot the
animal, for the white wolf is very

135
00:10:26,639 --> 00:10:31,679
rare. My father continued the pursuit
for several hours, during which he continually

136
00:10:31,720 --> 00:10:37,840
ascended the mountain. You must know
that there are peculiar spots on those mountains

137
00:10:37,879 --> 00:10:43,120
which are supposed, and as my
story will prove, truly supposed to be

138
00:10:43,200 --> 00:10:48,799
inhabited by the evil influences. They
are well known to the huntsmen, who

139
00:10:48,840 --> 00:10:54,200
invariably avoid them. Now one of
these spots, an open space in the

140
00:10:54,320 --> 00:10:58,360
pine forest above us, had been
pointed out to my father as dangerous on

141
00:10:58,440 --> 00:11:03,200
that account. But whether he disbelieved
these wild stories, or whether in his

142
00:11:03,320 --> 00:11:09,080
eager pursuit of the chase he disregarded
them, I know not certain. However,

143
00:11:09,120 --> 00:11:13,919
it is that he was decoyed by
the white wolf to this open space.

144
00:11:15,159 --> 00:11:20,279
When the animal appeared to slacken her
speed, my father approached, came

145
00:11:20,360 --> 00:11:24,440
close up to her, raised his
gun to his shoulder, and was about

146
00:11:24,480 --> 00:11:28,120
to fire when the wolf suddenly disappeared. He thought that the snow on the

147
00:11:28,159 --> 00:11:33,399
ground must have dazzled his sight,
and he let down his gun to look

148
00:11:33,480 --> 00:11:37,720
for the beast, But she was
gone. How she could have escaped over

149
00:11:37,759 --> 00:11:43,519
the clearance without his seeing her was
beyond his comprehension. Mortified at the ill

150
00:11:43,600 --> 00:11:46,639
success of his chase, he was
about to retrace his steps when he heard

151
00:11:46,679 --> 00:11:52,080
the distant sound of a horn.
Astonishment at such a sound, at such

152
00:11:52,120 --> 00:11:56,840
an hour, in such a wilderness
made him forget for the moment his disappointment,

153
00:11:56,039 --> 00:12:00,440
and he remained riveted to the spot
in a minus in it. The

154
00:12:00,440 --> 00:12:03,840
horn was blown a second time,
and at no great distance. My father

155
00:12:05,000 --> 00:12:09,559
stood still and listened. A third
time it was blown. I forget the

156
00:12:09,639 --> 00:12:13,240
term used to express it, but
it was the signal which my father well

157
00:12:13,320 --> 00:12:18,039
knew implied that the party was lost
in the woods. In a few minutes

158
00:12:18,080 --> 00:12:22,399
more, my father beheld a man
on horseback with a female seated on the

159
00:12:22,480 --> 00:12:28,080
crupper, enter the cleared space and
ride up to him. At first,

160
00:12:28,120 --> 00:12:31,960
my father called to mind the strange
stories which he had heard of the supernatural

161
00:12:33,120 --> 00:12:37,879
beings who were said to frequent these
mountains, but the near approach of the

162
00:12:37,960 --> 00:12:43,519
parties satisfied him that they were mortals
like himself. As soon as they came

163
00:12:43,720 --> 00:12:48,320
up to him, the man who
guided the horse accosted him, Friend,

164
00:12:48,399 --> 00:12:52,200
hunter, you are out late.
The better fortune for us. We have

165
00:12:52,360 --> 00:12:56,519
ridden far and are in fear of
our lives, which are eagerly sought after.

166
00:12:56,759 --> 00:13:00,879
These mountains have enabled us to elude
our pursuers. But if we find

167
00:13:00,919 --> 00:13:05,080
not shelter and refreshment, that will
avail us little, as we must perish

168
00:13:05,120 --> 00:13:09,360
from hunger and the inclemency of the
night. My daughter, who rides behind

169
00:13:09,440 --> 00:13:13,480
me, is now more dead than
alive. Say, can you assist us

170
00:13:13,519 --> 00:13:18,600
in our difficulty? My cottage is
some few miles distant, replied my father,

171
00:13:18,879 --> 00:13:22,440
But I have little to offer you
besides the shelter from the weather.

172
00:13:22,679 --> 00:13:24,919
To the little I have, you
are welcome. May I ask whence you

173
00:13:26,039 --> 00:13:30,559
come? Yes, friend, it
is no secret now we have escaped from

174
00:13:30,600 --> 00:13:35,159
Transylvania, where my daughter's honor and
my life were equally in jeopardy. This

175
00:13:35,360 --> 00:13:41,399
information was quite enough to raise an
interest in my father's heart. He remembered

176
00:13:41,399 --> 00:13:46,159
his own escape, He remembered the
loss of his wife's honor and the tragedy

177
00:13:46,240 --> 00:13:50,480
by which it was wound up.
He immediately and warmly offered all the assistance

178
00:13:50,519 --> 00:13:54,879
which he could afford them. There
is no time to be lost, then,

179
00:13:54,080 --> 00:13:58,279
good sir, observed the horseman.
My daughter is chilled with the frost

180
00:13:58,440 --> 00:14:03,080
and cannot hold out much longer against
the severity of the weather. Follow me,

181
00:14:03,399 --> 00:14:07,960
replied my father, leading the way
towards his home. I was lured

182
00:14:07,000 --> 00:14:11,120
away in pursuit of a large white
wolf, observed my father. It came

183
00:14:11,159 --> 00:14:15,320
to the very window of my hut, or I should not have been out

184
00:14:15,399 --> 00:14:18,080
at this time of night. The
creature passed by us just as we came

185
00:14:18,159 --> 00:14:22,320
out of the wood, said the
female in a silvery tone. I was

186
00:14:22,399 --> 00:14:26,440
nearly discharging my peace at it,
observed the hunter. But since it did

187
00:14:26,519 --> 00:14:31,200
us such good service, I am
glad that I allowed it to escape.

188
00:14:31,639 --> 00:14:33,720
In about an hour and a half, during which my father walked at a

189
00:14:33,799 --> 00:14:37,639
rapid pace, the party arrived at
the cottage, and, as I said

190
00:14:37,639 --> 00:14:41,519
before, came in. We are
in good time, apparently observed the dark

191
00:14:41,600 --> 00:14:46,480
hunter, catching the smell of the
roasted meat as he walked to the fire

192
00:14:46,519 --> 00:14:50,240
and surveyed my brother and sister and
myself. You have young cooks here mine

193
00:14:50,279 --> 00:14:54,279
here. I am glad that we
shall not have to wait, replied my

194
00:14:54,399 --> 00:14:58,399
father. Come, mistress, seat
yourself by the fire. You require warmth

195
00:14:58,440 --> 00:15:03,120
after your cold ride. And where
can I put up my horse minehar observed

196
00:15:03,159 --> 00:15:05,960
the huntsman. I will take care
of him, replied my father, going

197
00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:11,559
out of the cottage door. The
female, must, however, be particularly

198
00:15:11,679 --> 00:15:16,279
described. She was young and apparently
twenty years of age. She was dressed

199
00:15:16,320 --> 00:15:20,720
in a traveling dress deeply bordered with
white fur, and wore a cap of

200
00:15:20,799 --> 00:15:24,000
white ermine on her head. Her
features were very beautiful, at least I

201
00:15:24,120 --> 00:15:28,559
thought so, and so my father
has since declared. Her hair was flaxen,

202
00:15:28,799 --> 00:15:33,480
glossy and shining and bright as a
mirror, and her mouth, although

203
00:15:33,519 --> 00:15:37,159
somewhat large, when it was open, showed the most brilliant teeth I have

204
00:15:37,240 --> 00:15:41,519
ever beheld. But there was something
about her eyes, bright as they were,

205
00:15:41,759 --> 00:15:45,600
which made us children afraid. They
were so restless, so furtive.

206
00:15:45,799 --> 00:15:48,639
I could not at that time tell
why, but I felt as if there

207
00:15:48,759 --> 00:15:52,840
was cruelty in her eye. And
when she beckoned us to come to her,

208
00:15:54,039 --> 00:15:58,519
we approached her with fear and trembling. Still, she was beautiful,

209
00:15:58,840 --> 00:16:03,440
very beautiful. She spoke kindly to
my brother and myself, patted our heads,

210
00:16:03,480 --> 00:16:07,639
and caressed us that Marcella would not
come near her. On the contrary,

211
00:16:07,679 --> 00:16:11,120
she slunk away and hid herself in
the bed, and would not wait

212
00:16:11,159 --> 00:16:15,120
for the supper, which half an
hour before she had been so anxious for.

213
00:16:15,559 --> 00:16:18,559
My father, having put the horse
into a close shed, soon returned,

214
00:16:18,679 --> 00:16:22,720
and supper was placed upon the table. When it was over, my

215
00:16:22,840 --> 00:16:26,600
father requested that the young lady would
take possession of his bed, and he

216
00:16:26,639 --> 00:16:30,200
would remain at the fire and sit
up with her father. After some hesitation

217
00:16:30,360 --> 00:16:34,120
on her part, this arrangement was
agreed to, and I and my brother

218
00:16:34,240 --> 00:16:38,360
crept into the other bed with Marcella, for we had as yet always slept

219
00:16:38,399 --> 00:16:42,679
together. But we could not sleep. There was something so unusual, not

220
00:16:42,759 --> 00:16:48,440
only in seeing strange people, but
in having those people sleep at the cottage,

221
00:16:48,480 --> 00:16:52,919
that we were bewildered. As for
poor little Marcella, she was quiet,

222
00:16:52,120 --> 00:16:56,519
but I perceived that she trembled during
the whole night, and sometimes I

223
00:16:56,639 --> 00:17:02,159
thought that she was checking a sob. My father had brought out some spirits,

224
00:17:02,360 --> 00:17:06,880
which he rarely used, and he
and the strange hunter remained drinking and

225
00:17:07,039 --> 00:17:11,920
talking before the fire. Our ears
were ready to catch the slightest whisper.

226
00:17:11,079 --> 00:17:17,880
So much was our curiosity excited.
You said you came from Transylvania, observed

227
00:17:17,920 --> 00:17:22,599
my father. Even so mine hair
replied the hunter. I was a serf

228
00:17:22,799 --> 00:17:27,400
to the noble house of Blank.
My master would insist upon my surrendering up

229
00:17:27,480 --> 00:17:32,640
my fair girl to his wishes.
It ended in my giving him a few

230
00:17:32,720 --> 00:17:37,319
inches of my hunting knife. We
are countrymen and brothers in misfortune, replied

231
00:17:37,359 --> 00:17:42,079
my father, taking the huntsman's hand
and pressing it warmly. Indeed, are

232
00:17:42,119 --> 00:17:47,519
you then from that country? Yes, and I too have fled for my

233
00:17:47,680 --> 00:17:52,599
life. But mine is a melancholy
tale. Your name, inquired the Hunterkrantz,

234
00:17:53,359 --> 00:17:57,160
what cruntz of blank? I have
heard of your tale. You need

235
00:17:57,200 --> 00:18:02,319
not renew your grief by repeating it. Now, welcome, most welcome,

236
00:18:02,440 --> 00:18:06,599
mine heir, and I may say, my worthy kinsman, I am your

237
00:18:06,720 --> 00:18:11,240
second cousin, Villefred of Barnsdorf,
cried the Hunter, rising up and embracing

238
00:18:11,279 --> 00:18:15,839
my father. They filled their horn
mugs to the brim and drank to one

239
00:18:15,839 --> 00:18:21,839
another after the German fashion. The
conversation was then carried on in a low

240
00:18:21,960 --> 00:18:26,759
tone. All that we could collect
from it was that our new relative and

241
00:18:26,880 --> 00:18:30,960
his daughter were to take up their
abode in our cottage, at least for

242
00:18:30,000 --> 00:18:33,880
the present. In about an hour, they both fell back in their chairs

243
00:18:33,960 --> 00:18:37,680
and appeared to sleep. Marcella,
dear, did you hear, said my

244
00:18:37,759 --> 00:18:41,759
brother in a low tone. Yes, replied Marcella, in a whisper.

245
00:18:41,920 --> 00:18:45,039
I heard all, Oh, brother, I cannot bear to look upon that

246
00:18:45,160 --> 00:18:49,440
woman. I feel so frightened.
My brother made no reply, and shortly

247
00:18:49,519 --> 00:18:55,319
afterwards we were all three fast asleep. When we woke the next morning,

248
00:18:55,519 --> 00:18:59,640
we found that the hunter's daughter had
risen before us. I thought she looked

249
00:18:59,640 --> 00:19:03,839
more beautiful than ever. She came
up to little Marcella and caressed her.

250
00:19:03,039 --> 00:19:07,279
The child burst into tears and sobbed
as if her heart would break. But

251
00:19:07,839 --> 00:19:11,599
not to detain you with too long
a story. The huntsman and his daughter

252
00:19:11,680 --> 00:19:17,200
were accommodated in the cottage. My
father and he went out hunting daily,

253
00:19:17,359 --> 00:19:22,039
leaving Christina with us. She performed
all the household duties, was very kindly

254
00:19:22,119 --> 00:19:27,160
to us children, and gradually the
dislike even of little Marcella wore away.

255
00:19:27,480 --> 00:19:33,000
But a great change took place in
my father. He appeared to have conquered

256
00:19:33,000 --> 00:19:37,680
his aversion to the sex, and
was most attentive to Christina. Often,

257
00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:41,279
after her father and we were in
bed, would he set up with her,

258
00:19:41,440 --> 00:19:45,640
conversing in a low tone by the
fire. I ought to have mentioned

259
00:19:45,680 --> 00:19:49,400
that my father and the huntsman Wilfrid, slept in another portion of the cottage,

260
00:19:49,440 --> 00:19:52,799
and that the bed which he formerly
occupied, and which was in the

261
00:19:52,839 --> 00:19:56,559
same room as ours, had been
given up to the use of Christina.

262
00:19:56,960 --> 00:20:02,079
These visitors had been about three weeks
at the cottage, when one night,

263
00:20:02,240 --> 00:20:06,680
after we children had been sent to
bed, a consultation was held. My

264
00:20:06,799 --> 00:20:11,640
father had asked Christina in marriage,
and had obtained both her own consent and

265
00:20:11,680 --> 00:20:15,680
that of Vilford. After this,
a conversation took place, which was as

266
00:20:15,759 --> 00:20:21,119
nearly as I can recollect as follows. You may take my child Minheerkrantz and

267
00:20:21,200 --> 00:20:25,279
my blessing with her, and I
shall then leave you and seek some other

268
00:20:25,400 --> 00:20:30,839
habitation. It matters little where Why
not remain here, Vilford? No,

269
00:20:30,839 --> 00:20:36,160
No, I am called elsewhere.
Let that suffice and ask no more questions.

270
00:20:36,319 --> 00:20:38,799
You have my child. I thank
you for her, and will duly

271
00:20:38,960 --> 00:20:42,839
value her. But there is one
difficulty. I know what you would say.

272
00:20:42,960 --> 00:20:47,720
There is no priest here in this
wild country. True, neither is

273
00:20:47,759 --> 00:20:52,400
there any law to bind. Still, must some ceremony pass between you to

274
00:20:52,519 --> 00:20:56,799
satisfy a father? Will you consent
to marry her after my fashion? If

275
00:20:56,839 --> 00:21:00,839
so, I will marry you directly. I will rep replied my father.

276
00:21:00,319 --> 00:21:04,920
Then take her by the hand,
now mineheir, swear, I swear,

277
00:21:06,079 --> 00:21:11,039
repeated my father, by all the
spirits of the Hart's mountains. Nay,

278
00:21:11,039 --> 00:21:15,720
why not by heaven? Interrupted my
father, because it is not my humor,

279
00:21:15,960 --> 00:21:21,440
rejoined Vilford. If I prefer that
oath less binding perhaps than another.

280
00:21:21,640 --> 00:21:26,279
Surely you will not thwart me?
Well? Be it so? Then have

281
00:21:26,440 --> 00:21:29,839
your humor? Will you make me
swear by that in which I do not

282
00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:34,400
believe? Yet many do so,
who in outward appearance are Christians? Rejoined

283
00:21:34,480 --> 00:21:38,799
Vilford say, will you be married? Or shall I take my daughter away

284
00:21:38,920 --> 00:21:45,960
with me? Proceed, replied my
father impatiently. I swear by all the

285
00:21:45,039 --> 00:21:51,079
spirits of the Hart's Mountains, by
all their power, for good or for

286
00:21:51,319 --> 00:21:56,200
evil, that I take Christina for
my wedded wife, that I will ever

287
00:21:56,279 --> 00:22:00,599
protect her, cherish her, and
love her, that my hand shall never

288
00:22:00,680 --> 00:22:04,759
be raised against her to harm her. My father repeated the words after Wilford.

289
00:22:06,279 --> 00:22:10,000
And if I fail in this my
vow, may all the vengeance of

290
00:22:10,079 --> 00:22:14,440
the spirits fall upon me and upon
my children. May they perish by the

291
00:22:14,519 --> 00:22:18,240
vulture, by the wolf or other
beasts of the forest. May their flesh

292
00:22:18,359 --> 00:22:23,640
be torn from their limbs and their
bones blanche in the wilderness. All this

293
00:22:23,920 --> 00:22:30,559
I swear, My father hesitated as
he repeated the last words. Little Marcella

294
00:22:30,640 --> 00:22:33,400
could not restrain herself, and as
my father repeated the last sentence, she

295
00:22:33,480 --> 00:22:40,799
burst into tears. This sudden interruption
appeared to discompose the party, particularly my

296
00:22:40,960 --> 00:22:45,440
father. He spoke harshly to the
child, who controlled her sobs, burying

297
00:22:45,519 --> 00:22:49,160
her face under the bedclothes. Such
was the second marriage of my father.

298
00:22:49,799 --> 00:22:55,359
Next morning, the hunter Wilfred,
mounted his horse and rode away. My

299
00:22:55,519 --> 00:22:57,920
father resumed his bed, which was
in the same room as ours, and

300
00:22:59,039 --> 00:23:02,759
things went on much as before the
marriage, except that our new mother in

301
00:23:02,880 --> 00:23:07,759
law did not show any kindness towards
us. Indeed, during my father's absence,

302
00:23:07,960 --> 00:23:11,240
she would often beat us, particularly
little Marcella, and her eyes would

303
00:23:11,279 --> 00:23:17,119
flash fire as she looked eagerly upon
the fair and lovely child. One night,

304
00:23:17,240 --> 00:23:19,880
my sister awoke me and my brother. What is the matter, said

305
00:23:19,960 --> 00:23:25,319
Caesar. She has gone out,
whispered Marcella. Gone out, Yes,

306
00:23:25,480 --> 00:23:29,160
gone out at the door in her
night clothes, replied the child. I

307
00:23:29,200 --> 00:23:32,559
saw her get out of bed,
look at my father to see if he

308
00:23:32,720 --> 00:23:36,599
slept, and then she went out
at the door. What could induce her

309
00:23:36,640 --> 00:23:41,440
to leave her bed and all undressed
to go out in such bitter wintry weather,

310
00:23:41,599 --> 00:23:45,759
with snow deep on the ground,
was to us incomprehensible. We lay

311
00:23:45,799 --> 00:23:49,079
awake, and in about an hour
we heard the growl of a wolf close

312
00:23:49,319 --> 00:23:53,240
under the window. There's a wolf, said Caesar. She will be toned

313
00:23:53,279 --> 00:23:57,799
to pieces. Oh no, cried
Marcella. In a few minutes afterwards,

314
00:23:57,799 --> 00:24:02,400
our mother in law appeared. She
was in her night dress, as Marcella

315
00:24:02,480 --> 00:24:06,240
had stated. She let down the
latch of the door so as to make

316
00:24:06,359 --> 00:24:10,920
no noise, went to a pail
of water and washed her face and hands,

317
00:24:11,079 --> 00:24:15,559
and then slipped into the bed where
my father lay. We all three

318
00:24:15,759 --> 00:24:19,200
trembled. We hardly knew why,
but we resolved to watch the next night.

319
00:24:19,480 --> 00:24:23,079
We did so, and not only
on the ensuing night, but on

320
00:24:23,240 --> 00:24:27,880
many others, and always at about
the same hour would our mother in law

321
00:24:29,079 --> 00:24:33,319
rise from her bed and leave the
cottage. And after she was gone we

322
00:24:33,440 --> 00:24:37,480
invariably heard the growl of a wolf
under our window, and always saw her

323
00:24:37,559 --> 00:24:42,960
on her return wash herself before she
retired to bed. We observed also that

324
00:24:44,039 --> 00:24:47,960
she seldom sat down to meals,
and that when she did, she appeared

325
00:24:47,960 --> 00:24:51,960
to eat with dislike, but when
the meat was taken down to be prepared

326
00:24:52,000 --> 00:24:56,200
for dinner, she would often furtively
put a raw piece into her mouth.

327
00:24:56,880 --> 00:25:00,960
My brother Caesar was a courageous boy. He did not liked to speak to

328
00:25:00,039 --> 00:25:04,160
my father until he knew more.
He resolved that he would follow her out

329
00:25:04,200 --> 00:25:10,000
and ascertain what she did. Marcella
and I endeavored to dissuade him from this

330
00:25:10,200 --> 00:25:14,240
project, but he would not be
controlled, and the very next night he

331
00:25:14,359 --> 00:25:17,599
lay down in his clothes, and
as soon as our mother in law had

332
00:25:17,680 --> 00:25:21,400
left the cottage, he jumped up, took down my father's gun, and

333
00:25:21,599 --> 00:25:26,480
followed her. You may imagine in
what a state of suspense. Marcella and

334
00:25:26,559 --> 00:25:30,559
I remained during his absence. After
a few minutes we heard the report of

335
00:25:30,640 --> 00:25:34,640
a gun. He did not awaken
my father, and we lay trembling with

336
00:25:34,720 --> 00:25:40,200
anxiety. In a minute afterwards,
we saw our mother in law enter the

337
00:25:40,279 --> 00:25:44,960
cottage. Her dress was bloody.
I put my hand to Marcella's mouth to

338
00:25:45,000 --> 00:25:48,839
prevent her crying out, although I
was myself in great alarm our. Mother

339
00:25:48,920 --> 00:25:53,160
in law approached my father's bed,
looked to see if he was asleep,

340
00:25:53,319 --> 00:25:57,319
and then went to the chimney and
blew up the embers into a blaze.

341
00:25:57,759 --> 00:26:02,000
Who is there, said my father, waking up? Lie still dearest,

342
00:26:02,279 --> 00:26:06,039
replied my mother in law. It
is only me. I have lighted the

343
00:26:06,079 --> 00:26:10,640
fire to warm some water. I
am not quite well. My father turned

344
00:26:10,759 --> 00:26:14,559
round and was soon asleep. But
we watched our mother in law. She

345
00:26:14,680 --> 00:26:18,160
changed her linen and threw the garments
she had worn into the fire, and

346
00:26:18,200 --> 00:26:22,519
we then perceived that her right leg
was bleeding profusely, as if from a

347
00:26:22,599 --> 00:26:27,079
gun shot wound. She bandaged it
up, and, then dressing herself,

348
00:26:27,200 --> 00:26:33,359
remained before the fire until the break
of day. Poor little Marcella. Her

349
00:26:33,359 --> 00:26:37,640
heart beat quick as she pressed me
to her side, So indeed did mine.

350
00:26:37,000 --> 00:26:41,680
Where was our brother, Caesar?
How did my mother in law receive

351
00:26:41,720 --> 00:26:45,960
the wound? Unless from his gun? At last my father rose, and

352
00:26:45,000 --> 00:26:48,759
then for the first time I spoke, saying, Father, where is my

353
00:26:48,839 --> 00:26:53,160
brother Caesar? Your brother, explained
he? Why where can he be?

354
00:26:55,000 --> 00:26:57,799
Merciful? Heaven? I thought?
As I lay restless last night, observed

355
00:26:57,839 --> 00:27:02,160
our mother in law that I he
heard somebody open the latch of the door,

356
00:27:02,640 --> 00:27:04,960
and dear me, husband, what
has become of your gun? My

357
00:27:06,079 --> 00:27:10,559
father cast his eyes above the chimney
and perceived that his gun was missing.

358
00:27:10,759 --> 00:27:14,519
For a moment he looked perplexed.
Then, seizing a broad axe, he

359
00:27:14,599 --> 00:27:18,680
went out of the cottage without saying
another word. He did not remain away

360
00:27:18,720 --> 00:27:22,559
from us long. In a few
minutes he returned, bearing in his arms

361
00:27:22,599 --> 00:27:26,000
the mangled body of my poor brother. He laid it down and covered up

362
00:27:26,039 --> 00:27:30,960
his face. My mother in law
rose up and looked at the body,

363
00:27:30,079 --> 00:27:36,079
while Marcella and I threw ourselves by
its side, wailing and sobbing bitterly.

364
00:27:36,599 --> 00:27:41,480
Go to bed again, children,
said she sharply. Husband continued, she,

365
00:27:41,920 --> 00:27:45,119
Your boy must have taken the gun
down to shoot a wolf, and

366
00:27:45,160 --> 00:27:48,319
the animal has been too powerful for
him. Poor boy, he has paid

367
00:27:48,400 --> 00:27:53,640
dearly for his rashness. My father
made no reply. I wished to speak

368
00:27:53,680 --> 00:27:57,680
to tell all, but Marcella,
who perceived my intention, held me by

369
00:27:57,680 --> 00:28:03,200
the arm and looked at me so
so imploringly that I desisted. My father

370
00:28:03,319 --> 00:28:07,400
therefore was left in his heir.
But Marcella and I, although we could

371
00:28:07,400 --> 00:28:11,440
not comprehend it, were conscious that
our mother in law was in some way

372
00:28:11,480 --> 00:28:15,680
connected with my brother's death. That
day, my father went out and dug

373
00:28:15,720 --> 00:28:18,160
a grave, and when he laid
the body in the earth, he piled

374
00:28:18,240 --> 00:28:22,359
up stones over it, so that
the wolves should not be able to dig

375
00:28:22,400 --> 00:28:27,359
it up. The shock of this
catastrophe was to my poor father very severe,

376
00:28:27,799 --> 00:28:32,559
for several days, he never went
to the chase, although at times

377
00:28:32,599 --> 00:28:37,000
he would utter bitter anathemas and vengeance
against the wolves. But during this time

378
00:28:37,079 --> 00:28:42,400
of mourning on his part, my
mother in law's nocturnal wanderings continued with the

379
00:28:42,440 --> 00:28:48,079
same regularity as before. At last, my father took down his gun to

380
00:28:48,200 --> 00:28:52,160
repair to the force, but he
soon returned and appeared much annoyed. Would

381
00:28:52,200 --> 00:28:56,359
you believe it, Christina, that
the wolves, perdition to the whole race,

382
00:28:56,440 --> 00:29:00,799
have actually contrived to dig up the
body of mine, my poor boy.

383
00:29:00,160 --> 00:29:04,519
Now there's nothing left of him but
his bones. Indeed, replied my

384
00:29:04,640 --> 00:29:08,680
mother in law. Marcella looked at
me, and I saw in her intelligent

385
00:29:08,799 --> 00:29:12,920
eye all that she would have uttered. A wolf growl's under our window every

386
00:29:14,039 --> 00:29:17,839
night? Father said, I ay, indeed, why did you not tell

387
00:29:17,880 --> 00:29:21,359
me, boy? Wake me the
next time you hear it? I saw

388
00:29:21,480 --> 00:29:25,799
my mother in law turn away,
her eyes flashed fire, and she gnashed

389
00:29:25,799 --> 00:29:29,839
her teeth. My father went out
again and covered up with a large pile

390
00:29:29,880 --> 00:29:33,279
of stones the little remnants of my
poor brother which the wolves had spared.

391
00:29:33,720 --> 00:29:38,160
Such was the first act of the
tragedy. The spring now came on the

392
00:29:38,200 --> 00:29:42,519
snow disappeared, and we were permitted
to leave the cottage. But never would

393
00:29:42,559 --> 00:29:47,839
I quit for one moment my dear
little sister, to whom, since the

394
00:29:47,880 --> 00:29:52,079
death of my brother, I was
more ardently attached than ever. Indeed,

395
00:29:52,119 --> 00:29:55,720
I was afraid to leave her alone
with my mother in law, who appeared

396
00:29:55,720 --> 00:30:00,240
to have a particular pleasure in ill
treating the child. My father was now

397
00:30:00,240 --> 00:30:04,039
employed upon his little farm, and
I was able to render him some assistance.

398
00:30:04,519 --> 00:30:08,079
Marcella used to sit by us while
we were at work, leaving my

399
00:30:08,160 --> 00:30:12,039
mother in law alone in the cottage. I ought to observe that as the

400
00:30:12,079 --> 00:30:17,920
spring advanced, so did my mother
decrease her nocturnal rambles, and that we

401
00:30:18,039 --> 00:30:22,039
never heard the growl of the wolf
under the window, after I had spoken

402
00:30:22,079 --> 00:30:25,400
of it to my father. One
day, when my father and I were

403
00:30:25,440 --> 00:30:29,200
in the field, Marcella, being
with us, my mother in law came

404
00:30:29,240 --> 00:30:33,359
out, saying that she was going
into the force to collect some herbs my

405
00:30:33,480 --> 00:30:37,640
father wanted, and that Marcella must
go to the cottage and watch the dinner.

406
00:30:37,960 --> 00:30:41,880
Marcella went, and my mother in
law soon disappeared in the forest,

407
00:30:41,160 --> 00:30:45,920
taking a direction quite contrary to that
in which the cottage stood and leaving my

408
00:30:47,039 --> 00:30:51,200
father and I as it were,
between her and Marcella. About an hour

409
00:30:51,319 --> 00:30:55,920
afterwards, we were startled by shrieks
from the cottage, evidently the shrieks of

410
00:30:55,960 --> 00:31:00,559
little Marcella. Marcella has burnt herself. Father said, I throwing down my

411
00:31:00,720 --> 00:31:03,720
spade. My father threw down his, and we both hastened to the cottage.

412
00:31:03,920 --> 00:31:07,880
Before we could gain the door,
out darted a large white wolf,

413
00:31:08,039 --> 00:31:12,359
which fled with the utmost celerity.
My father had no weapon. He rushed

414
00:31:12,400 --> 00:31:18,000
into the cottage and there saw poor
little Marcella expiring. Her body was dreadfully

415
00:31:18,039 --> 00:31:22,240
mangled, and the blood pouring from
it had formed a large pool on the

416
00:31:22,279 --> 00:31:27,240
cottage floor. My father's first intention
had been to Caesar's gun and pursue,

417
00:31:27,319 --> 00:31:32,559
but he was checked by this horde
spectacle. He knelt down by his dying

418
00:31:32,720 --> 00:31:37,480
child and burst into tears. Marcella
could just look kindly on us for a

419
00:31:37,559 --> 00:31:41,920
few seconds, and then her eyes
were closed in death. My father and

420
00:31:41,960 --> 00:31:45,480
I were still hanging over my poor
sister's body when my mother in law came

421
00:31:45,519 --> 00:31:51,039
in at the dreadful sight. She
expressed much concern, but she did not

422
00:31:51,160 --> 00:31:55,559
appear to recoil from the sight of
blood, as most women do. Poor

423
00:31:55,720 --> 00:32:00,480
child, said she it must have
been that great white wolf which asked me

424
00:32:00,759 --> 00:32:05,759
just now and frightened me. So
she's quite dead. Krantz, I know

425
00:32:05,880 --> 00:32:07,880
it, I know it, cried
my father in agony. I thought my

426
00:32:08,000 --> 00:32:13,759
father would never recover from the effects
of this second tragedy. He mourned bitterly

427
00:32:13,839 --> 00:32:16,880
over the body of his sweet child, and for several days would not consign

428
00:32:16,960 --> 00:32:22,240
it to its grave, although frequently
requested by my mother in law to do

429
00:32:22,319 --> 00:32:25,720
so. At last he yielded and
dug a grave for her, close by

430
00:32:25,759 --> 00:32:30,000
that of my poor brother, and
took every precaution that the wolves should not

431
00:32:30,160 --> 00:32:35,960
violate her remains. I was now
really miserable. As I lay alone in

432
00:32:36,000 --> 00:32:39,240
the bed which I had formerly shared
with my brother and sister. I could

433
00:32:39,279 --> 00:32:44,559
not help thinking that my mother in
law was implicated in both their deaths,

434
00:32:44,680 --> 00:32:47,480
although I could not account for the
manner, but I no longer felt afraid

435
00:32:47,519 --> 00:32:52,720
of her. My little heart was
full of hatred and revenge. The night

436
00:32:52,759 --> 00:32:55,599
after my sister had been buried,
as I lay awake, I perceived my

437
00:32:55,680 --> 00:33:00,640
mother in law get up and go
out of the cottage. I waited for

438
00:33:00,720 --> 00:33:04,759
some time, then dressed myself and
looked out through the door, which I

439
00:33:04,880 --> 00:33:07,799
half opened. The moon shone bright, and I could see the spot where

440
00:33:07,799 --> 00:33:12,720
my brother and my sister had been
buried. And what was my horror when

441
00:33:12,720 --> 00:33:16,759
I perceived my mother in law busily
removing the stones from Marcella's grave. She

442
00:33:16,920 --> 00:33:21,880
was in her white night dress,
and the moon shone full upon her face.

443
00:33:22,240 --> 00:33:25,039
She was digging with her hands and
throwing away the stones behind her with

444
00:33:25,160 --> 00:33:30,279
all the ferocity of a wild beast. It was some time before I could

445
00:33:30,319 --> 00:33:34,440
collect my senses and decide what I
should do. At last, I perceived

446
00:33:34,680 --> 00:33:37,240
that she had arrived at the body
and raised it up to the side of

447
00:33:37,279 --> 00:33:40,480
the grave. I could bear it
no longer. I ran to my father

448
00:33:40,559 --> 00:33:45,799
and awoke him. Father. Father
cried, I dress yourself and get your

449
00:33:45,839 --> 00:33:49,279
gun. What cried my father,
The wolves are there? Are they?

450
00:33:49,480 --> 00:33:52,359
He jumped out of bed, threw
on his clothes, and, in his

451
00:33:52,519 --> 00:33:55,519
anxiety, did not appear to perceive
the absence of his wife. As soon

452
00:33:55,559 --> 00:33:59,200
as he was ready, I opened
the door. He went out, and

453
00:33:59,279 --> 00:34:04,119
I followed him. Imagine his hoar
when unprepared as he was for such a

454
00:34:04,200 --> 00:34:07,960
sight. He beheld as he advanced
towards the grave, not a wolf,

455
00:34:07,199 --> 00:34:10,840
but his wife, in her night
dress, on her hands and knees,

456
00:34:10,920 --> 00:34:15,239
crouching by the body of my sister, and tearing off large pieces of the

457
00:34:15,360 --> 00:34:20,719
flesh and devouring them with all the
avidity of a wolf. She was too

458
00:34:20,760 --> 00:34:23,519
busy to be aware of our approach. My father dropped his gun. His

459
00:34:23,639 --> 00:34:28,320
hair stood on end, so did
mine. He breathed heavily, and then

460
00:34:28,480 --> 00:34:31,239
his breath for a time stopped.
I picked up the gun and put it

461
00:34:31,239 --> 00:34:37,079
into his hand. Suddenly he appeared
as if concentrated rage had restored him to

462
00:34:37,159 --> 00:34:40,119
double vigor. He leveled his piece, fired, and with a loud shriek,

463
00:34:40,400 --> 00:34:45,440
down fell the wretch whom he had
fostered in his bosom. God of

464
00:34:45,719 --> 00:34:50,039
Heaven, cried my father, sinking
down upon the earth in a swoon.

465
00:34:50,280 --> 00:34:53,400
As soon as he had discharged his
gun, I remained some time by his

466
00:34:53,559 --> 00:34:59,079
side before he recovered. Where am
I said? He? What has happened?

467
00:34:59,280 --> 00:35:01,639
Oh, yes, yes, I
recollect Now, Heaven forgive me.

468
00:35:01,960 --> 00:35:06,559
He rose, and we walked up
to the grave. What again was our

469
00:35:06,599 --> 00:35:09,400
astonishment and horror to find that,
instead of the dead body of my mother

470
00:35:09,480 --> 00:35:14,719
in law. As we had expected, there was lying over the remains of

471
00:35:14,760 --> 00:35:20,320
my poor sister, a large white
she wolf. The white wolf, exclaimed

472
00:35:20,360 --> 00:35:23,320
my father, the white wolf,
which decoyed me into the force. I

473
00:35:23,400 --> 00:35:28,199
see it all now, I have
dealt with the spirits of the Hart's Mountains.

474
00:35:28,599 --> 00:35:31,480
For some time, my father remained
in silence and deep thought. He

475
00:35:31,559 --> 00:35:36,719
then carefully lifted up the body of
my sister, replaced it in the grave,

476
00:35:37,000 --> 00:35:39,519
and covered it over as before,
having struck the head of the dead

477
00:35:39,559 --> 00:35:44,159
animal with the heel of his boot, and raving like a madman, he

478
00:35:44,280 --> 00:35:47,079
walked back to the cottage, shut
the door, and threw himself on the

479
00:35:47,119 --> 00:35:51,719
bed. I did the same,
for I was in a stupor of amazement.

480
00:35:51,960 --> 00:35:53,920
Early in the morning, we were
both roused by a loud knocking at

481
00:35:53,960 --> 00:35:59,039
the door, and in rushed the
hunter Alfred my daughter. Man, my

482
00:35:59,239 --> 00:36:01,719
daughter? Where is my daughter?
Cried he in a rage. Where the

483
00:36:01,800 --> 00:36:07,280
wretch, the fiend should be?
I trust, replied my father, starting

484
00:36:07,360 --> 00:36:12,239
up and display equal collar where she
should be in hell. Leave this cottage

485
00:36:12,320 --> 00:36:15,119
or you may fare worse. Ha
ha, replied the hunter. Would you

486
00:36:15,280 --> 00:36:21,639
harm a potent spirit of the Hart's
Mountains? Poor mortal, who must needs

487
00:36:21,679 --> 00:36:25,679
wedder werewolf out demon. I defy
thee in thy power, Yet shall you

488
00:36:25,840 --> 00:36:30,000
feel it? Remember your oath,
your solemn oath, never to raise your

489
00:36:30,079 --> 00:36:35,639
hand against her, to harm her. I made no compact with evil spirits.

490
00:36:35,920 --> 00:36:38,239
You did, and if you failed
in your vow, you were to

491
00:36:38,320 --> 00:36:43,920
meet the vengeance of the spirits.
Your children were to perish by the vulture,

492
00:36:44,079 --> 00:36:49,480
the wolf out out demon, and
the bones blanche in the wilderness.

493
00:36:49,519 --> 00:36:53,079
Ah. My father, frantic with
raids, seized his axe and raised it

494
00:36:53,079 --> 00:36:59,440
over Wilford's head to strike all this, I swear, continued the huntsman mockingly.

495
00:37:00,039 --> 00:37:02,360
The axe descended, but it passed
through the form of the hunter,

496
00:37:02,480 --> 00:37:07,199
and my father lost his balance and
fell heavily on the floor. Mortal,

497
00:37:07,400 --> 00:37:13,480
said the hunter, striding over my
father's body. We have power over those

498
00:37:13,599 --> 00:37:17,320
only who have committed murder. You
have been guilty of a double murder.

499
00:37:17,480 --> 00:37:22,119
You shall pay the penalty attached to
your marriage vow. Two of your children

500
00:37:22,159 --> 00:37:27,320
are gone, the third is yet
to follow, and follow them he will,

501
00:37:27,559 --> 00:37:31,800
for your oath is registered. Go
it were kindness to kill thee.

502
00:37:31,960 --> 00:37:38,960
Your punishment is that you live.
End of the Werewolf by H. B. Marriott