Pagina 239 de 1118

Rising hastily, he then said, "Away, my children, there is no

time to lose; God will go with you, his angel protect you: away."

They kept silence from emotion, and as they departed, the father

added, "My heart tells me we shall soon meet again." Without

waiting for a reply, he retired; the travellers pursued their way

to the appointed spot, found the boat, gave and received the

watchword, and entered into it. The boatmen made silently for the

opposite shore: there was not a breath of wind; the lake lay

polished and smooth in the moonlight, agitated only by the

dipping of the oars, which quivered in its gleam. The waves

breaking on the sands of the shore, were heard deadly and slowly

at a distance, mingled with the rippling of the waters between

the pillars of the bridge.