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Speaker 1: The werewolf. My father was not born or originally a

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resident in the Hartz Mountains. He was the serf of

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an Hungarian nobleman of great possessions in Transylvania. But although

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a serf, he was not by any means a poor

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or illiterate man. In fact, he was rich, and his

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intelligence and respectability were such that he had been raised

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by his lord to the stewardship. But whoever may happen

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to be born a serf, a serf must he remain,

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even though he become a wealthy man. Such was the

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condition of my father. My father had been married for

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about five years, and by his marriage had three children,

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my eldest brother, Caesar, myself Hermann, and a sister named Marcella.

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Latin is still the language spoken in that country, and

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that will account for our high sounding names. My mother

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was a very beautiful woman, unfortunately more beautiful than virtuous.

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She was seen and admired by the lord of the soil.

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My father was sent away upon some mission, and during

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his absence, my mother, flattered by the attentions and won

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by the assiduities of this nobleman, yielded to his wishes.

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It so happened that my father returned very unexpectedly and

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discovered the intrigue. The evidence of my mother's shame was positive.

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He surprised her in the company of her seducer. Carried

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away by the impetuosity of his feelings, he watched the

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opportunity of a meeting taking place between them, and murdered

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both his wife and her seducer. Conscious that as a serf,

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not even the provocation which he had received would be

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allowed as a justification of his conduct, he hastily collected

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together what money he could lay his hands upon, and,

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as we were then in the depth of winter, he

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put his horses to the sleigh, and, taking his children

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with him, he set off in the middle of the night,

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and was far away before the tragical circumstance had transpired.

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Aware that he would be pursued, and that he had

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no chance of escape if he remained in any portion

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of his native country in which the authorities could lay

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hold of him, he continued his flight without intermission until

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he had buried himself in the intricacies and seclusion of

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the Hartz Mountains. Of course, all that I have now

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told you I learned afterwards. My oldest recollections are knit

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to a rude yet comfortable cottage in which I lived

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with my father, brother and sister. It was on the

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confines of one of those vast forests which cover the

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northern part of Germany. Around it were a few acres

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of ground, which, during the summer months my father cultivated,

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and which, though they yielded a doubtful harvest, were sufficient

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for our support. In the winter we remained much indoors,

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for as my father followed the chase, we were left alone,

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and the wolves during the season incessantly prowled about. Other

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had purchased the cottage and land about it of one

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of the rude foresters who gained their livelihood partly by

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hunting and partly by burning charcoal for the purpose of

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smelting the ore from the neighboring mines. It was distant,

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about two miles from any other habitation. I can call

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to mind the whole landscape now, the tall pines which

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rose up on the mountain above us, and the wide

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expanse of forest beneath, on the topmost boughs and heads

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of whose trees we looked down from our cottage, as

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a mountain below us rapidly descended into the distant valley.

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In summer time, the prospect was beautiful, but during the

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severe winter, a more desolate scene could not well be imagined.

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I said that in the winter my father occupied himself

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with a chase every day he left us, and often

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would he lock the door, that we might not leave

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the cottage. He had no one to assist him or

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to take care of us. Indeed, it was not easy

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to fire and a female servant who would live in

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such a solitude. But could he have found one, my

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father would not have received her, for he had imbibed

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a horror of the sex. As a difference of his

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conduct toward us, his two boys and my poor little

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sister Marcella evidently proved. You may suppose we were sadly neglected.

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Indeed we suffered much, for my father, fearful that we

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might come to some harm, would not allow us fuel

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when he left the cottage, and we were obliged therefore

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to creep under the heaps of bear's skin, and there

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to keep ourselves as warm as we could until he

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returned in the evening, when a blazing fire. Was our

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delight that my father chose this restless sort of life

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may appear strange, but the fact was that he could

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not remain quiet, whether from remorse for having committed murder,

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or from the misery consequent on his change of situation,

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or from both combined. He was never happy unless he

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was in a state of activity. Children, however, when left

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much to themselves, acquire a thoughtfulness not common to their age.

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So it was with us, and during the short cold

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days of winter, we would sit silent, longing for the

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happy hours when the snow would melt, and the leaves

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burst out, and the birds begin their songs, and when

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we should again be set at liberty. Such was our

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peculiar and savage sort of life until my brother Caesar

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was nine, myself seven, and my sister five years old,

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when the circumstances occurred on which is base the extraordinary

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narrative which I am about to relate. One evening, my

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father returned home rather later than usual. He had been unsuccessful,

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and as the weather was very severe and many feet

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of snow were upon the ground, he was not only

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very cold, but in a very bad humor. He had

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brought in wood, and we were all three of us

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gladly assisting each other in blowing on the embers to

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create the blaze. When he caught poor little Marcella by

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the arm and threw her side. The child fell, struck

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her mouth and bled very much. My brother ran to

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raise her up. Accustomed to ill usage and afraid of

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my father, she did not dare to cry, but looked

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up in his face very piteously. My father drew his

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stool near to the hearth, muttered something and abuse of women,

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and busied himself with the fire, which both my brother

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and I had deserted when our sister was so unkindly treated.

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A cheerful blaze was soon the result of his exertions,

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but we did not, as usual, crowd round it. Marcella,

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still bleeding, retired to a corner, and my brother and

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I took our seats beside her, while my father hung

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over the fire gloomily and alone. Such had been our

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position for about half an hour when the howl of

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a wolf close under the window of the cottage fell

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on our ears. My father started up and seized his gun.

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The howl was repeated, He examined the priming, and then

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hastily left the cottage, shutting the door after him. We

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all waited anxiously listening, for we thought that if he

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succeeded in shooting the wolf, he would return in a

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better humor. And although he was harsh to all of us,

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and particularly so to our little sister, still we loved

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our father and loved to see him cheerful and happy.

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For what else had we to look up to? And

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I may here observe that perhaps there never were three

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children who were fonder of each other. We did not,

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like other children, fight and dispute together, And if by chance,

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any disagreement did arise between my elder brother and me,

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little Marcella would run to us, and kissing us both

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seal through her entreaties the peace between us. Marcella was

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a lovely, amiable child. I can recall her beautiful features

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even now. Alas poor little Marcella, we waited for some time,

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but the report of the gun did not reach us,

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and my other then said, our father has followed the

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wolf and will not be back for some time. Marcella,

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let us wash the blood from your mouth, and then

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we will leave this corner and go to the fire

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and warm ourselves. We did so, and remained there until

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near midnight, every minute wondering as it grew later. Why

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our father did not return. We had no idea that

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he was in any danger, but we thought that he

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must have chased the wolf for a very long time.

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I will look out and see if father is coming,

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said my brother Caesar, going to the door. Take care,

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said Marcella. The wolves must be about now, and we

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cannot kill them. Brother. My brother opened the door very cautiously,

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and but a few inches he peeped out. I see nothing,

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said he. After a time, and once more he joined

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us at the fire. We have had no supper, said I,

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for my father usually cooked the meat as soon as

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he came home, and during his absence we had nothing

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but the fragments of the preceding day. And if our

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father comes home after his hunt, Caesar said Marcella, he

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will be pleased to have some supper. Let us cook

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it for him and for ourselves. Caesar climbed upon the

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stool and reached down some meat. I forget now whether

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it was venison or bear's meat, but we cut off

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the usual quantity and proceeded to dress it as we

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used to do under our father's superintendence. We were all

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busied putting it into the platters before the fire to

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wait his coming. When we heard the sound of a horn,

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we listened. There was a sound outside, and a minute

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afterwards my father entered, ushering in a young female and

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a large dark man in a hunter's dress. Perhaps I

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had better now relate what was only known to me

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many years afterwards. When my father had left the cottage,

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he perceived a large white wolf about thirty yards from him.

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As soon as the animal saw my father, it retreated slowly,

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growling and snot arling. My father followed. The animal did

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not run, but always kept at some distance, and my

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father did not like to fire until he was pretty

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certain that his ball would take effect. Thus they went

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on for some time, the wolf now leaving my father

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far behind, and then stopping and snarling defiance at him,

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and then again on his approach, setting off at speed,

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anxious to shoot the animal, for the white wolf is

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very rare. My father continued the pursuit for several hours,

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during which he continually ascended the mountain. You must know

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that there are peculiar spots on those mountains which are supposed,

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and as my story will prove, truly supposed to be

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inhabited by the evil influences. They are well known to

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the huntsmen, who invariably avoid them. Now one of these spots,

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an open space in the pine forest above us, had

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been pointed out to my father as dangerous on that account.

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But whether he disbelieved these wild stories, or whether in

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his eager pursuit of the chase he disregarded them, I

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know not certain. However, it is that he was decoyed

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by the white wolf to this open space. When the

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animal appeared to slacken her speed, my father approached, came

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close up to her, raised his gun to his shoulder,

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and was about to fire when the wolf suddenly disappeared.

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He thought that the snow on the ground must have

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dazzled his sight, and he let down his gun to

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look for the beast, But she was gone. How she

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could have escaped over the clearance without his seeing her

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was beyond his comprehension. Mortified at the ill success of

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his chase, he was about to retrace his steps when

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he heard the distant sound of a horn. Astonishment at

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such a sound, at such an hour, in such a

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wilderness made him forget for the moment his disappointment, and

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he remained riveted to the spot in a minus in it.

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The horn was blown a second time, and at no

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great distance. My father stood still and listened. A third

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time it was blown. I forget the term used to

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express it, but it was the signal which my father

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well knew implied that the party was lost in the woods.

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In a few minutes more, my father beheld a man

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on horseback with a female seated on the crupper, enter

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the cleared space and ride up to him. At first,

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my father called to mind the strange stories which he

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had heard of the supernatural beings who were said to

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frequent these mountains, but the near approach of the parties

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satisfied him that they were mortals like himself. As soon

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as they came up to him, the man who guided

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the horse accosted him, Friend, hunter, you are out late.

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The better fortune for us. We have ridden far and

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are in fear of our lives, which are eagerly sought after.

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These mountains have enabled us to elude our pursuers. But

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if we find not shelter and refreshment, that will avail

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us little, as we must perish from hunger and the

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inclemency of the night. My daughter, who rides behind me,

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is now more dead than alive. Say, can you assist

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us in our difficulty? My cottage is some few miles distant,

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replied my father, But I have little to offer you

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besides the shelter from the weather. To the little I have,

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you are welcome. May I ask whence you come? Yes, friend,

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it is no secret now we have escaped from Transylvania,

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where my daughter's honor and my life were equally in jeopardy.

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This information was quite enough to raise an interest in

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my father's heart. He remembered his own escape, He remembered

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the loss of his wife's honor and the tragedy by

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which it was wound up. He immediately and warmly offered

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all the assistance which he could afford them. There is

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no time to be lost, then, good sir, observed the horseman.

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My daughter is chilled with the frost and cannot hold

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out much longer against the severity of the weather. Follow me,

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replied my father, leading the way towards his home. I

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was lured away in pursuit of a large white wolf,

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00:14:10,279 --> 00:14:13,080
observed my father. It came to the very window of

240
00:14:13,120 --> 00:14:15,559
my hut, or I should not have been out at

241
00:14:15,559 --> 00:14:18,600
this time of night. The creature passed by us just

242
00:14:18,639 --> 00:14:20,960
as we came out of the wood, said the female

243
00:14:21,000 --> 00:14:24,919
in a silvery tone. I was nearly discharging my peace

244
00:14:24,960 --> 00:14:27,639
at it, observed the hunter. But since it did us

245
00:14:27,720 --> 00:14:30,440
such good service, I am glad that I allowed it

246
00:14:30,519 --> 00:14:33,360
to escape. In about an hour and a half, during

247
00:14:33,360 --> 00:14:36,200
which my father walked at a rapid pace, the party

248
00:14:36,320 --> 00:14:39,720
arrived at the cottage, and, as I said before, came in.

249
00:14:40,080 --> 00:14:42,879
We are in good time, apparently observed the dark hunter,

250
00:14:43,120 --> 00:14:45,879
catching the smell of the roasted meat as he walked

251
00:14:45,879 --> 00:14:49,279
to the fire and surveyed my brother and sister and myself.

252
00:14:49,639 --> 00:14:52,440
You have young cooks here mine here. I am glad

253
00:14:52,440 --> 00:14:55,759
that we shall not have to wait, replied my father. Come, mistress,

254
00:14:55,759 --> 00:14:58,960
seat yourself by the fire. You require warmth after your

255
00:14:59,000 --> 00:15:01,879
cold ride. And where can I put up my horse

256
00:15:01,960 --> 00:15:05,320
minehar observed the huntsman. I will take care of him,

257
00:15:05,480 --> 00:15:10,360
replied my father, going out of the cottage door. The female, must, however,

258
00:15:10,480 --> 00:15:14,840
be particularly described. She was young and apparently twenty years

259
00:15:14,879 --> 00:15:18,039
of age. She was dressed in a traveling dress deeply

260
00:15:18,080 --> 00:15:21,039
bordered with white fur, and wore a cap of white

261
00:15:21,279 --> 00:15:24,480
ermine on her head. Her features were very beautiful, at

262
00:15:24,559 --> 00:15:28,039
least I thought so, and so my father has since declared.

263
00:15:28,399 --> 00:15:31,879
Her hair was flaxen, glossy and shining and bright as

264
00:15:31,919 --> 00:15:34,639
a mirror, and her mouth, although somewhat large, when it

265
00:15:34,720 --> 00:15:38,000
was open, showed the most brilliant teeth I have ever beheld.

266
00:15:38,200 --> 00:15:41,519
But there was something about her eyes, bright as they were,

267
00:15:41,759 --> 00:15:45,600
which made us children afraid. They were so restless, so furtive.

268
00:15:45,799 --> 00:15:48,440
I could not at that time tell why, but I

269
00:15:48,600 --> 00:15:51,679
felt as if there was cruelty in her eye. And

270
00:15:51,720 --> 00:15:54,759
when she beckoned us to come to her, we approached

271
00:15:54,799 --> 00:15:59,600
her with fear and trembling. Still, she was beautiful, very beautiful.

272
00:15:59,679 --> 00:16:03,440
She spoke kindly to my brother and myself, patted our heads,

273
00:16:03,480 --> 00:16:06,600
and caressed us that Marcella would not come near her.

274
00:16:06,759 --> 00:16:09,720
On the contrary, she slunk away and hid herself in

275
00:16:09,799 --> 00:16:12,200
the bed, and would not wait for the supper, which

276
00:16:12,240 --> 00:16:15,120
half an hour before she had been so anxious for.

277
00:16:15,559 --> 00:16:18,399
My father, having put the horse into a close shed,

278
00:16:18,639 --> 00:16:22,000
soon returned, and supper was placed upon the table. When

279
00:16:22,000 --> 00:16:24,600
it was over, my father requested that the young lady

280
00:16:24,639 --> 00:16:27,240
would take possession of his bed, and he would remain

281
00:16:27,320 --> 00:16:30,320
at the fire and sit up with her father. After

282
00:16:30,360 --> 00:16:33,720
some hesitation on her part, this arrangement was agreed to,

283
00:16:34,039 --> 00:16:36,519
and I and my brother crept into the other bed

284
00:16:36,559 --> 00:16:39,720
with Marcella, for we had as yet always slept together.

285
00:16:39,919 --> 00:16:43,320
But we could not sleep. There was something so unusual,

286
00:16:43,519 --> 00:16:46,799
not only in seeing strange people, but in having those

287
00:16:46,840 --> 00:16:50,279
people sleep at the cottage, that we were bewildered. As

288
00:16:50,320 --> 00:16:54,000
for poor little Marcella, she was quiet, but I perceived

289
00:16:54,039 --> 00:16:57,519
that she trembled during the whole night, and sometimes I

290
00:16:57,639 --> 00:17:00,759
thought that she was checking a sob. My father had

291
00:17:00,799 --> 00:17:04,160
brought out some spirits, which he rarely used, and he

292
00:17:04,279 --> 00:17:08,480
and the strange hunter remained drinking and talking before the fire.

293
00:17:08,880 --> 00:17:12,160
Our ears were ready to catch the slightest whisper. So

294
00:17:12,359 --> 00:17:17,160
much was our curiosity excited. You said you came from Transylvania,

295
00:17:17,400 --> 00:17:21,400
observed my father. Even so mine hair replied the hunter.

296
00:17:21,720 --> 00:17:24,799
I was a serf to the noble house of Blank.

297
00:17:25,000 --> 00:17:29,000
My master would insist upon my surrendering up my fair

298
00:17:29,079 --> 00:17:32,240
girl to his wishes. It ended in my giving him

299
00:17:32,279 --> 00:17:36,119
a few inches of my hunting knife. We are countrymen

300
00:17:36,200 --> 00:17:40,279
and brothers in misfortune, replied my father, taking the huntsman's

301
00:17:40,319 --> 00:17:43,960
hand and pressing it warmly. Indeed, are you then from

302
00:17:44,000 --> 00:17:47,960
that country? Yes, and I too have fled for my life.

303
00:17:48,200 --> 00:17:53,599
But mine is a melancholy tale. Your name, inquired the Hunterkrantz,

304
00:17:54,359 --> 00:17:57,759
what cruntz of blank? I have heard of your tale.

305
00:17:57,799 --> 00:18:01,400
You need not renew your grief by repeating it. Now, welcome,

306
00:18:01,519 --> 00:18:05,480
most welcome, mine heir, and I may say, my worthy kinsman,

307
00:18:05,880 --> 00:18:10,559
I am your second cousin, Villefred of Barnsdorf, cried the Hunter,

308
00:18:10,839 --> 00:18:14,400
rising up and embracing my father. They filled their horn

309
00:18:14,519 --> 00:18:17,720
mugs to the brim and drank to one another after

310
00:18:17,799 --> 00:18:21,440
the German fashion. The conversation was then carried on in

311
00:18:21,480 --> 00:18:24,559
a low tone. All that we could collect from it

312
00:18:24,799 --> 00:18:28,000
was that our new relative and his daughter were to

313
00:18:28,079 --> 00:18:30,960
take up their abode in our cottage, at least for

314
00:18:31,000 --> 00:18:33,960
the present. In about an hour, they both fell back

315
00:18:34,000 --> 00:18:37,640
in their chairs and appeared to sleep. Marcella, dear, did

316
00:18:37,680 --> 00:18:40,680
you hear, said my brother in a low tone. Yes,

317
00:18:41,039 --> 00:18:44,359
replied Marcella, in a whisper. I heard all, Oh, brother,

318
00:18:44,440 --> 00:18:46,960
I cannot bear to look upon that woman. I feel

319
00:18:47,000 --> 00:18:51,240
so frightened. My brother made no reply, and shortly afterwards

320
00:18:51,279 --> 00:18:54,519
we were all three fast asleep. When we woke the

321
00:18:54,559 --> 00:18:57,880
next morning, we found that the hunter's daughter had risen

322
00:18:57,960 --> 00:19:00,960
before us. I thought she looked more beautiful than ever.

323
00:19:01,240 --> 00:19:04,119
She came up to little Marcella and caressed her. The

324
00:19:04,200 --> 00:19:07,119
child burst into tears and sobbed as if her heart

325
00:19:07,160 --> 00:19:10,559
would break. But not to detain you with too long

326
00:19:10,599 --> 00:19:13,759
a story. The huntsman and his daughter were accommodated in

327
00:19:13,839 --> 00:19:17,200
the cottage. My father and he went out hunting daily,

328
00:19:17,359 --> 00:19:21,960
leaving Christina with us. She performed all the household duties,

329
00:19:22,200 --> 00:19:26,079
was very kindly to us children, and gradually the dislike

330
00:19:26,200 --> 00:19:29,640
even of little Marcella wore away. But a great change

331
00:19:29,720 --> 00:19:33,000
took place in my father. He appeared to have conquered

332
00:19:33,000 --> 00:19:37,680
his aversion to the sex, and was most attentive to Christina. Often,

333
00:19:38,000 --> 00:19:40,359
after her father and we were in bed, would he

334
00:19:40,440 --> 00:19:43,319
set up with her, conversing in a low tone by

335
00:19:43,319 --> 00:19:46,440
the fire. I ought to have mentioned that my father

336
00:19:46,559 --> 00:19:50,400
and the huntsman Wilfrid, slept in another portion of the cottage,

337
00:19:50,440 --> 00:19:53,359
and that the bed which he formerly occupied, and which

338
00:19:53,440 --> 00:19:55,920
was in the same room as ours, had been given

339
00:19:56,000 --> 00:19:59,119
up to the use of Christina. These visitors had been

340
00:19:59,160 --> 00:20:02,519
about three weeks at the cottage, when one night, after

341
00:20:02,599 --> 00:20:06,240
we children had been sent to bed, a consultation was held.

342
00:20:06,599 --> 00:20:10,160
My father had asked Christina in marriage, and had obtained

343
00:20:10,200 --> 00:20:13,400
both her own consent and that of Vilford. After this,

344
00:20:13,519 --> 00:20:16,400
a conversation took place, which was as nearly as I

345
00:20:16,480 --> 00:20:20,839
can recollect as follows. You may take my child Minheerkrantz

346
00:20:21,039 --> 00:20:23,839
and my blessing with her, and I shall then leave

347
00:20:23,920 --> 00:20:27,640
you and seek some other habitation. It matters little where

348
00:20:28,319 --> 00:20:32,599
Why not remain here, Vilford? No, No, I am called elsewhere.

349
00:20:33,200 --> 00:20:36,640
Let that suffice and ask no more questions. You have

350
00:20:36,799 --> 00:20:39,799
my child. I thank you for her, and will duly

351
00:20:39,960 --> 00:20:43,039
value her. But there is one difficulty. I know what

352
00:20:43,160 --> 00:20:45,599
you would say. There is no priest here in this

353
00:20:45,720 --> 00:20:49,839
wild country. True, neither is there any law to bind. Still,

354
00:20:49,920 --> 00:20:53,599
must some ceremony pass between you to satisfy a father?

355
00:20:53,880 --> 00:20:56,960
Will you consent to marry her after my fashion? If so,

356
00:20:57,359 --> 00:21:00,839
I will marry you directly. I will rep replied my father.

357
00:21:01,319 --> 00:21:05,920
Then take her by the hand, now mineheir, swear, I swear,

358
00:21:06,079 --> 00:21:11,039
repeated my father, by all the spirits of the Hart's mountains. Nay,

359
00:21:11,039 --> 00:21:14,720
why not by heaven? Interrupted my father, because it is

360
00:21:14,799 --> 00:21:18,960
not my humor, rejoined Vilford. If I prefer that oath

361
00:21:19,160 --> 00:21:24,319
less binding perhaps than another. Surely you will not thwart me? Well?

362
00:21:24,920 --> 00:21:28,200
Be it so? Then have your humor? Will you make

363
00:21:28,279 --> 00:21:30,359
me swear by that in which I do not believe?

364
00:21:30,960 --> 00:21:34,799
Yet many do so, who in outward appearance are Christians?

365
00:21:34,960 --> 00:21:38,480
Rejoined Vilford say, will you be married? Or shall I

366
00:21:38,559 --> 00:21:43,599
take my daughter away with me? Proceed, replied my father impatiently.

367
00:21:44,480 --> 00:21:48,200
I swear by all the spirits of the Hart's Mountains,

368
00:21:48,640 --> 00:21:52,119
by all their power, for good or for evil, that

369
00:21:52,240 --> 00:21:55,920
I take Christina for my wedded wife, that I will

370
00:21:55,960 --> 00:21:59,480
ever protect her, cherish her, and love her, that my

371
00:21:59,640 --> 00:22:02,880
hand shall never be raised against her to harm her.

372
00:22:03,359 --> 00:22:06,720
My father repeated the words after Wilford. And if I

373
00:22:06,839 --> 00:22:10,000
fail in this my vow, may all the vengeance of

374
00:22:10,079 --> 00:22:13,400
the spirits fall upon me and upon my children. May

375
00:22:13,440 --> 00:22:16,559
they perish by the vulture, by the wolf or other

376
00:22:16,680 --> 00:22:20,279
beasts of the forest. May their flesh be torn from

377
00:22:20,319 --> 00:22:24,440
their limbs and their bones blanche in the wilderness. All

378
00:22:24,559 --> 00:22:28,680
this I swear, My father hesitated as he repeated the

379
00:22:28,720 --> 00:22:32,440
last words. Little Marcella could not restrain herself, and as

380
00:22:32,480 --> 00:22:35,519
my father repeated the last sentence, she burst into tears.

381
00:22:35,960 --> 00:22:41,279
This sudden interruption appeared to discompose the party, particularly my father.

382
00:22:41,680 --> 00:22:44,880
He spoke harshly to the child, who controlled her sobs,

383
00:22:45,000 --> 00:22:49,000
burying her face under the bedclothes. Such was the second

384
00:22:49,039 --> 00:22:53,240
marriage of my father. Next morning, the hunter Wilfred, mounted

385
00:22:53,319 --> 00:22:56,799
his horse and rode away. My father resumed his bed,

386
00:22:56,880 --> 00:22:59,359
which was in the same room as ours, and things

387
00:22:59,400 --> 00:23:02,079
went on much as before the marriage, except that our

388
00:23:02,200 --> 00:23:06,200
new mother in law did not show any kindness towards us. Indeed,

389
00:23:06,319 --> 00:23:10,200
during my father's absence, she would often beat us, particularly

390
00:23:10,359 --> 00:23:13,519
little Marcella, and her eyes would flash fire as she

391
00:23:13,559 --> 00:23:17,119
looked eagerly upon the fair and lovely child. One night,

392
00:23:17,240 --> 00:23:20,559
my sister awoke me and my brother. What is the matter,

393
00:23:20,640 --> 00:23:25,319
said Caesar. She has gone out, whispered Marcella. Gone out, Yes,

394
00:23:25,480 --> 00:23:28,119
gone out at the door in her night clothes, replied

395
00:23:28,160 --> 00:23:31,079
the child. I saw her get out of bed, look

396
00:23:31,079 --> 00:23:33,640
at my father to see if he slept, and then

397
00:23:33,680 --> 00:23:36,599
she went out at the door. What could induce her

398
00:23:36,640 --> 00:23:39,599
to leave her bed and all undressed to go out

399
00:23:39,640 --> 00:23:43,119
in such bitter wintry weather, with snow deep on the ground,

400
00:23:43,359 --> 00:23:47,000
was to us incomprehensible. We lay awake, and in about

401
00:23:47,039 --> 00:23:50,079
an hour we heard the growl of a wolf close

402
00:23:50,319 --> 00:23:53,759
under the window. There's a wolf, said Caesar. She will

403
00:23:53,799 --> 00:23:57,519
be toned to pieces. Oh no, cried Marcella. In a

404
00:23:57,559 --> 00:24:00,559
few minutes afterwards, our mother in law appeared. She was

405
00:24:00,599 --> 00:24:03,920
in her night dress, as Marcella had stated. She let

406
00:24:04,000 --> 00:24:06,240
down the latch of the door so as to make

407
00:24:06,359 --> 00:24:09,599
no noise, went to a pail of water and washed

408
00:24:09,599 --> 00:24:12,839
her face and hands, and then slipped into the bed

409
00:24:13,119 --> 00:24:16,960
where my father lay. We all three trembled. We hardly

410
00:24:17,039 --> 00:24:20,200
knew why, but we resolved to watch the next night.

411
00:24:20,480 --> 00:24:23,599
We did so, and not only on the ensuing night,

412
00:24:23,759 --> 00:24:27,039
but on many others, and always at about the same

413
00:24:27,200 --> 00:24:30,160
hour would our mother in law rise from her bed

414
00:24:30,319 --> 00:24:33,319
and leave the cottage. And after she was gone we

415
00:24:33,440 --> 00:24:37,160
invariably heard the growl of a wolf under our window,

416
00:24:37,400 --> 00:24:40,920
and always saw her on her return wash herself before

417
00:24:40,960 --> 00:24:44,720
she retired to bed. We observed also that she seldom

418
00:24:44,799 --> 00:24:47,519
sat down to meals, and that when she did, she

419
00:24:47,559 --> 00:24:50,440
appeared to eat with dislike, but when the meat was

420
00:24:50,519 --> 00:24:53,400
taken down to be prepared for dinner, she would often

421
00:24:53,519 --> 00:24:57,319
furtively put a raw piece into her mouth. My brother

422
00:24:57,400 --> 00:25:00,480
Caesar was a courageous boy. He did not liked to

423
00:25:00,519 --> 00:25:03,599
speak to my father until he knew more. He resolved

424
00:25:03,640 --> 00:25:06,880
that he would follow her out and ascertain what she did.

425
00:25:07,279 --> 00:25:10,680
Marcella and I endeavored to dissuade him from this project,

426
00:25:10,759 --> 00:25:13,799
but he would not be controlled, and the very next

427
00:25:13,920 --> 00:25:16,400
night he lay down in his clothes, and as soon

428
00:25:16,400 --> 00:25:18,720
as our mother in law had left the cottage, he

429
00:25:18,839 --> 00:25:22,240
jumped up, took down my father's gun, and followed her.

430
00:25:22,680 --> 00:25:26,359
You may imagine in what a state of suspense. Marcella

431
00:25:26,359 --> 00:25:30,359
and I remained during his absence. After a few minutes

432
00:25:30,400 --> 00:25:32,839
we heard the report of a gun. He did not

433
00:25:32,960 --> 00:25:36,880
awaken my father, and we lay trembling with anxiety. In

434
00:25:36,920 --> 00:25:40,039
a minute afterwards, we saw our mother in law enter

435
00:25:40,119 --> 00:25:43,599
the cottage. Her dress was bloody. I put my hand

436
00:25:43,640 --> 00:25:47,000
to Marcella's mouth to prevent her crying out, although I

437
00:25:47,160 --> 00:25:51,079
was myself in great alarm our. Mother in law approached

438
00:25:51,119 --> 00:25:54,160
my father's bed, looked to see if he was asleep,

439
00:25:54,319 --> 00:25:56,759
and then went to the chimney and blew up the

440
00:25:56,799 --> 00:26:00,000
embers into a blaze. Who is there, said my father,

441
00:26:00,160 --> 00:26:03,599
waking up? Lie still dearest, replied my mother in law.

442
00:26:03,920 --> 00:26:06,519
It is only me. I have lighted the fire to

443
00:26:06,599 --> 00:26:10,200
warm some water. I am not quite well. My father

444
00:26:10,319 --> 00:26:13,440
turned round and was soon asleep. But we watched our

445
00:26:13,440 --> 00:26:16,519
mother in law. She changed her linen and threw the

446
00:26:16,599 --> 00:26:19,559
garments she had worn into the fire, and we then

447
00:26:19,680 --> 00:26:23,240
perceived that her right leg was bleeding profusely, as if

448
00:26:23,240 --> 00:26:26,720
from a gun shot wound. She bandaged it up, and,

449
00:26:26,759 --> 00:26:30,799
then dressing herself, remained before the fire until the break

450
00:26:30,799 --> 00:26:34,400
of day. Poor little Marcella. Her heart beat quick as

451
00:26:34,440 --> 00:26:37,640
she pressed me to her side, So indeed did mine.

452
00:26:38,000 --> 00:26:40,839
Where was our brother, Caesar? How did my mother in

453
00:26:40,920 --> 00:26:44,599
law receive the wound? Unless from his gun? At last

454
00:26:44,720 --> 00:26:49,039
my father rose, and then for the first time I spoke, saying, Father,

455
00:26:49,279 --> 00:26:53,079
where is my brother Caesar? Your brother, explained he? Why

456
00:26:53,519 --> 00:26:56,759
where can he be? Merciful? Heaven? I thought? As I

457
00:26:56,880 --> 00:26:59,759
lay restless last night, observed our mother in law that

458
00:26:59,799 --> 00:27:02,160
I he heard somebody open the latch of the door,

459
00:27:02,640 --> 00:27:05,519
and dear me, husband, what has become of your gun?

460
00:27:05,880 --> 00:27:09,240
My father cast his eyes above the chimney and perceived

461
00:27:09,240 --> 00:27:12,839
that his gun was missing. For a moment he looked perplexed. Then,

462
00:27:13,000 --> 00:27:15,759
seizing a broad axe, he went out of the cottage

463
00:27:15,759 --> 00:27:18,920
without saying another word. He did not remain away from

464
00:27:19,000 --> 00:27:21,880
us long. In a few minutes he returned, bearing in

465
00:27:21,960 --> 00:27:25,079
his arms the mangled body of my poor brother. He

466
00:27:25,200 --> 00:27:28,680
laid it down and covered up his face. My mother

467
00:27:28,720 --> 00:27:31,319
in law rose up and looked at the body, while

468
00:27:31,400 --> 00:27:34,960
Marcella and I threw ourselves by its side, wailing and

469
00:27:35,039 --> 00:27:39,519
sobbing bitterly. Go to bed again, children, said she sharply.

470
00:27:40,119 --> 00:27:43,720
Husband continued, she, Your boy must have taken the gun

471
00:27:43,799 --> 00:27:46,200
down to shoot a wolf, and the animal has been

472
00:27:46,240 --> 00:27:49,720
too powerful for him. Poor boy, he has paid dearly

473
00:27:49,880 --> 00:27:54,079
for his rashness. My father made no reply. I wished

474
00:27:54,119 --> 00:27:57,759
to speak to tell all, but Marcella, who perceived my intention,

475
00:27:58,000 --> 00:28:00,039
held me by the arm and looked at me so

476
00:28:00,039 --> 00:28:04,400
so imploringly that I desisted. My father therefore was left

477
00:28:04,400 --> 00:28:07,400
in his heir. But Marcella and I, although we could

478
00:28:07,400 --> 00:28:10,480
not comprehend it, were conscious that our mother in law

479
00:28:10,640 --> 00:28:14,240
was in some way connected with my brother's death. That day,

480
00:28:14,279 --> 00:28:16,920
my father went out and dug a grave, and when

481
00:28:16,920 --> 00:28:19,359
he laid the body in the earth, he piled up

482
00:28:19,480 --> 00:28:22,640
stones over it, so that the wolves should not be

483
00:28:22,720 --> 00:28:26,039
able to dig it up. The shock of this catastrophe

484
00:28:26,160 --> 00:28:29,799
was to my poor father very severe, for several days,

485
00:28:29,799 --> 00:28:32,680
he never went to the chase, although at times he

486
00:28:32,720 --> 00:28:36,960
would utter bitter anathemas and vengeance against the wolves. But

487
00:28:37,079 --> 00:28:40,279
during this time of mourning on his part, my mother

488
00:28:40,359 --> 00:28:45,440
in law's nocturnal wanderings continued with the same regularity as before.

489
00:28:45,680 --> 00:28:48,599
At last, my father took down his gun to repair

490
00:28:48,680 --> 00:28:52,599
to the force, but he soon returned and appeared much annoyed.

491
00:28:52,920 --> 00:28:56,480
Would you believe it, Christina, that the wolves, perdition to

492
00:28:56,559 --> 00:28:59,440
the whole race, have actually contrived to dig up the

493
00:28:59,440 --> 00:29:02,400
body of mine, my poor boy. Now there's nothing left

494
00:29:02,400 --> 00:29:06,279
of him but his bones. Indeed, replied my mother in law.

495
00:29:06,960 --> 00:29:09,680
Marcella looked at me, and I saw in her intelligent

496
00:29:09,799 --> 00:29:12,920
eye all that she would have uttered. A wolf growl's

497
00:29:13,000 --> 00:29:16,680
under our window every night? Father said, I ay, indeed,

498
00:29:16,839 --> 00:29:19,319
why did you not tell me, boy? Wake me the

499
00:29:19,359 --> 00:29:22,039
next time you hear it? I saw my mother in

500
00:29:22,119 --> 00:29:25,799
law turn away, her eyes flashed fire, and she gnashed

501
00:29:25,799 --> 00:29:28,759
her teeth. My father went out again and covered up

502
00:29:28,799 --> 00:29:31,680
with a large pile of stones the little remnants of

503
00:29:31,759 --> 00:29:35,279
my poor brother which the wolves had spared. Such was

504
00:29:35,319 --> 00:29:38,480
the first act of the tragedy. The spring now came

505
00:29:38,519 --> 00:29:41,920
on the snow disappeared, and we were permitted to leave

506
00:29:41,960 --> 00:29:45,200
the cottage. But never would I quit for one moment

507
00:29:45,359 --> 00:29:48,279
my dear little sister, to whom, since the death of

508
00:29:48,359 --> 00:29:52,079
my brother, I was more ardently attached than ever. Indeed,

509
00:29:52,119 --> 00:29:54,559
I was afraid to leave her alone with my mother

510
00:29:54,599 --> 00:29:57,440
in law, who appeared to have a particular pleasure in

511
00:29:57,519 --> 00:30:01,079
ill treating the child. My father was now employed upon

512
00:30:01,119 --> 00:30:04,039
his little farm, and I was able to render him

513
00:30:04,119 --> 00:30:07,759
some assistance. Marcella used to sit by us while we

514
00:30:07,759 --> 00:30:10,359
were at work, leaving my mother in law alone in

515
00:30:10,440 --> 00:30:14,039
the cottage. I ought to observe that as the spring advanced,

516
00:30:14,240 --> 00:30:17,759
so did my mother decrease her nocturnal rambles, and that

517
00:30:17,839 --> 00:30:20,759
we never heard the growl of the wolf under the window,

518
00:30:20,960 --> 00:30:24,079
after I had spoken of it to my father. One day,

519
00:30:24,119 --> 00:30:26,920
when my father and I were in the field, Marcella,

520
00:30:27,000 --> 00:30:30,039
being with us, my mother in law came out, saying

521
00:30:30,079 --> 00:30:32,680
that she was going into the force to collect some

522
00:30:32,799 --> 00:30:36,000
herbs my father wanted, and that Marcella must go to

523
00:30:36,039 --> 00:30:39,240
the cottage and watch the dinner. Marcella went, and my

524
00:30:39,319 --> 00:30:42,599
mother in law soon disappeared in the forest, taking a

525
00:30:42,680 --> 00:30:46,119
direction quite contrary to that in which the cottage stood

526
00:30:46,240 --> 00:30:49,119
and leaving my father and I as it were, between

527
00:30:49,160 --> 00:30:52,880
her and Marcella. About an hour afterwards, we were startled

528
00:30:52,920 --> 00:30:57,039
by shrieks from the cottage, evidently the shrieks of little Marcella.

529
00:30:57,079 --> 00:31:01,240
Marcella has burnt herself. Father said, I throwing down my spade.

530
00:31:01,279 --> 00:31:03,960
My father threw down his, and we both hastened to

531
00:31:04,000 --> 00:31:07,480
the cottage. Before we could gain the door, out darted

532
00:31:07,559 --> 00:31:11,119
a large white wolf, which fled with the utmost celerity.

533
00:31:11,440 --> 00:31:14,200
My father had no weapon. He rushed into the cottage

534
00:31:14,240 --> 00:31:18,319
and there saw poor little Marcella expiring. Her body was

535
00:31:18,400 --> 00:31:21,839
dreadfully mangled, and the blood pouring from it had formed

536
00:31:21,880 --> 00:31:25,440
a large pool on the cottage floor. My father's first

537
00:31:25,440 --> 00:31:28,559
intention had been to Caesar's gun and pursue, but he

538
00:31:28,680 --> 00:31:32,000
was checked by this horde spectacle. He knelt down by

539
00:31:32,000 --> 00:31:35,920
his dying child and burst into tears. Marcella could just

540
00:31:36,039 --> 00:31:39,079
look kindly on us for a few seconds, and then

541
00:31:39,119 --> 00:31:42,079
her eyes were closed in death. My father and I

542
00:31:42,160 --> 00:31:45,319
were still hanging over my poor sister's body when my

543
00:31:45,440 --> 00:31:48,519
mother in law came in at the dreadful sight. She

544
00:31:48,680 --> 00:31:52,240
expressed much concern, but she did not appear to recoil

545
00:31:52,319 --> 00:31:56,160
from the sight of blood, as most women do. Poor child,

546
00:31:56,319 --> 00:31:59,519
said she it must have been that great white wolf

547
00:31:59,559 --> 00:32:03,440
which asked me just now and frightened me. So she's

548
00:32:03,559 --> 00:32:06,960
quite dead. Krantz, I know it, I know it, cried

549
00:32:07,000 --> 00:32:09,720
my father in agony. I thought my father would never

550
00:32:09,799 --> 00:32:13,279
recover from the effects of this second tragedy. He mourned

551
00:32:13,319 --> 00:32:16,279
bitterly over the body of his sweet child, and for

552
00:32:16,359 --> 00:32:19,440
several days would not consign it to its grave, although

553
00:32:19,480 --> 00:32:22,480
frequently requested by my mother in law to do so.

554
00:32:22,920 --> 00:32:26,079
At last he yielded and dug a grave for her,

555
00:32:26,160 --> 00:32:28,920
close by that of my poor brother, and took every

556
00:32:28,960 --> 00:32:33,240
precaution that the wolves should not violate her remains. I

557
00:32:33,359 --> 00:32:36,119
was now really miserable. As I lay alone in the

558
00:32:36,119 --> 00:32:39,519
bed which I had formerly shared with my brother and sister.

559
00:32:39,920 --> 00:32:42,279
I could not help thinking that my mother in law

560
00:32:42,400 --> 00:32:45,519
was implicated in both their deaths, although I could not

561
00:32:45,640 --> 00:32:48,480
account for the manner, but I no longer felt afraid

562
00:32:48,519 --> 00:32:52,039
of her. My little heart was full of hatred and revenge.

563
00:32:52,359 --> 00:32:54,920
The night after my sister had been buried, as I

564
00:32:55,039 --> 00:32:57,880
lay awake, I perceived my mother in law get up

565
00:32:57,920 --> 00:33:01,440
and go out of the cottage. I waited for some time,

566
00:33:01,640 --> 00:33:04,640
then dressed myself and looked out through the door, which

567
00:33:04,680 --> 00:33:07,680
I half opened. The moon shone bright, and I could

568
00:33:07,720 --> 00:33:10,319
see the spot where my brother and my sister had

569
00:33:10,359 --> 00:33:13,400
been buried. And what was my horror when I perceived

570
00:33:13,400 --> 00:33:17,359
my mother in law busily removing the stones from Marcella's grave.

571
00:33:17,680 --> 00:33:20,200
She was in her white night dress, and the moon

572
00:33:20,279 --> 00:33:23,400
shone full upon her face. She was digging with her

573
00:33:23,440 --> 00:33:26,359
hands and throwing away the stones behind her with all

574
00:33:26,400 --> 00:33:29,640
the ferocity of a wild beast. It was some time

575
00:33:29,680 --> 00:33:32,240
before I could collect my senses and decide what I

576
00:33:32,279 --> 00:33:35,599
should do. At last, I perceived that she had arrived

577
00:33:35,599 --> 00:33:38,160
at the body and raised it up to the side

578
00:33:38,160 --> 00:33:40,519
of the grave. I could bear it no longer. I

579
00:33:40,640 --> 00:33:44,359
ran to my father and awoke him. Father. Father cried,

580
00:33:44,400 --> 00:33:47,759
I dress yourself and get your gun. What cried my father,

581
00:33:47,839 --> 00:33:50,640
The wolves are there? Are they? He jumped out of bed,

582
00:33:50,680 --> 00:33:53,519
threw on his clothes, and, in his anxiety, did not

583
00:33:53,599 --> 00:33:56,519
appear to perceive the absence of his wife. As soon

584
00:33:56,559 --> 00:33:59,000
as he was ready, I opened the door. He went out,

585
00:33:59,119 --> 00:34:03,200
and I followed him. Imagine his hoar when unprepared as

586
00:34:03,240 --> 00:34:05,359
he was for such a sight. He beheld as he

587
00:34:05,440 --> 00:34:09,079
advanced towards the grave, not a wolf, but his wife,

588
00:34:09,280 --> 00:34:12,440
in her night dress, on her hands and knees, crouching

589
00:34:12,519 --> 00:34:15,440
by the body of my sister, and tearing off large

590
00:34:15,480 --> 00:34:18,440
pieces of the flesh and devouring them with all the

591
00:34:18,480 --> 00:34:21,320
avidity of a wolf. She was too busy to be

592
00:34:21,400 --> 00:34:24,519
aware of our approach. My father dropped his gun. His

593
00:34:24,639 --> 00:34:27,880
hair stood on end, so did mine. He breathed heavily,

594
00:34:27,960 --> 00:34:30,880
and then his breath for a time stopped. I picked

595
00:34:30,960 --> 00:34:33,840
up the gun and put it into his hand. Suddenly

596
00:34:33,880 --> 00:34:37,079
he appeared as if concentrated rage had restored him to

597
00:34:37,159 --> 00:34:40,400
double vigor. He leveled his piece, fired, and with a

598
00:34:40,400 --> 00:34:43,760
loud shriek, down fell the wretch whom he had fostered

599
00:34:43,800 --> 00:34:47,960
in his bosom. God of Heaven, cried my father, sinking

600
00:34:48,079 --> 00:34:50,920
down upon the earth in a swoon. As soon as

601
00:34:50,960 --> 00:34:54,280
he had discharged his gun, I remained some time by

602
00:34:54,320 --> 00:34:57,679
his side before he recovered. Where am I said? He?

603
00:34:58,039 --> 00:35:01,920
What has happened? Oh, yes, yes, I recollect Now, Heaven

604
00:35:02,039 --> 00:35:05,199
forgive me. He rose, and we walked up to the grave.

605
00:35:05,519 --> 00:35:08,480
What again was our astonishment and horror to find that,

606
00:35:08,599 --> 00:35:10,880
instead of the dead body of my mother in law.

607
00:35:10,920 --> 00:35:14,599
As we had expected, there was lying over the remains

608
00:35:14,639 --> 00:35:18,599
of my poor sister, a large white she wolf. The

609
00:35:18,639 --> 00:35:22,840
white wolf, exclaimed my father, the white wolf, which decoyed

610
00:35:22,880 --> 00:35:25,559
me into the force. I see it all now, I

611
00:35:25,599 --> 00:35:28,679
have dealt with the spirits of the Hart's Mountains. For

612
00:35:28,800 --> 00:35:32,119
some time, my father remained in silence and deep thought.

613
00:35:32,400 --> 00:35:35,039
He then carefully lifted up the body of my sister,

614
00:35:35,320 --> 00:35:38,800
replaced it in the grave, and covered it over as before,

615
00:35:38,960 --> 00:35:41,199
having struck the head of the dead animal with the

616
00:35:41,239 --> 00:35:44,159
heel of his boot, and raving like a madman, he

617
00:35:44,280 --> 00:35:47,280
walked back to the cottage, shut the door, and threw

618
00:35:47,360 --> 00:35:49,800
himself on the bed. I did the same, for I

619
00:35:49,880 --> 00:35:52,800
was in a stupor of amazement. Early in the morning,

620
00:35:52,840 --> 00:35:55,360
we were both roused by a loud knocking at the door,

621
00:35:55,519 --> 00:35:59,519
and in rushed the hunter Alfred my daughter. Man, my daughter?

622
00:35:59,559 --> 00:36:02,599
Where is my daughter? Cried he in a rage. Where

623
00:36:02,639 --> 00:36:06,599
the wretch, the fiend should be? I trust, replied my father,

624
00:36:06,880 --> 00:36:10,119
starting up and display equal collar where she should be

625
00:36:10,400 --> 00:36:13,519
in hell. Leave this cottage or you may fare worse.

626
00:36:13,840 --> 00:36:17,159
Ha ha, replied the hunter. Would you harm a potent

627
00:36:17,320 --> 00:36:21,639
spirit of the Hart's Mountains? Poor mortal, who must needs

628
00:36:21,679 --> 00:36:25,519
wedder werewolf out demon. I defy thee in thy power,

629
00:36:26,000 --> 00:36:29,760
Yet shall you feel it? Remember your oath, your solemn oath,

630
00:36:29,920 --> 00:36:32,880
never to raise your hand against her, to harm her.

631
00:36:33,119 --> 00:36:36,960
I made no compact with evil spirits. You did, and

632
00:36:37,039 --> 00:36:39,559
if you failed in your vow, you were to meet

633
00:36:39,599 --> 00:36:43,039
the vengeance of the spirits. Your children were to perish

634
00:36:43,119 --> 00:36:47,199
by the vulture, the wolf out out demon, and the

635
00:36:47,239 --> 00:36:52,079
bones blanche in the wilderness. Ah. My father, frantic with raids,

636
00:36:52,239 --> 00:36:55,400
seized his axe and raised it over Wilford's head to

637
00:36:55,519 --> 00:37:00,079
strike all this, I swear, continued the huntsman mockingly. The

638
00:37:00,199 --> 00:37:03,360
axe descended, but it passed through the form of the hunter,

639
00:37:03,480 --> 00:37:06,360
and my father lost his balance and fell heavily on

640
00:37:06,480 --> 00:37:11,400
the floor. Mortal, said the hunter, striding over my father's body.

641
00:37:11,679 --> 00:37:15,480
We have power over those only who have committed murder.

642
00:37:15,840 --> 00:37:19,039
You have been guilty of a double murder. You shall

643
00:37:19,079 --> 00:37:22,400
pay the penalty attached to your marriage vow. Two of

644
00:37:22,480 --> 00:37:25,440
your children are gone, the third is yet to follow,

645
00:37:25,719 --> 00:37:29,360
and follow them he will, for your oath is registered.

646
00:37:29,960 --> 00:37:34,280
Go it were kindness to kill thee. Your punishment is

647
00:37:34,880 --> 00:37:39,960
that you live. End of the Werewolf by H. B.

648
00:37:40,440 --> 00:37:41,000
Marriott