THE GREEN ISLAND OF THE LAKE, AND THE RETURN HOME.
[Illustration]
Not long after this strange adventure, they reached a rising ground,
from which a magnificent view burst upon them. Below, there was a large
lake, surrounded by wooded hills, above which rose noble rocks fringed
with stately pines, and higher ranges of mountains beyond, some of whose
summits were covered with snow that glittered like purest alabaster in
the azure blue of the sky. Eric gave a cry of joy; for he saw the house
of one of his father's foresters, which he had once visited with his
father. "Wolf! Wolf!" he exclaimed, "look yonder, that is the house of
Darkeye, the forester. We are safe!" and the thread was leading straight
down in the very direction which they wished. Darkeye's house was built
on a small green island in the lake. The island was like a little fort,
for on every side the rocks descended like a wall. It could only be
approached by a boat, which Darkeye kept on the island, and then by a
narrow stair cut out of the rock at the landing-place. No robbers could
thus get near it, and Darkeye was there to give shelter to travellers,
and to help any of the poor who had to pass that way. The thread led
down to the shore. They forgot their fatigue, and ran down till they
reached the ferry. "Boat, ahoy!" shouted Eric. By and by two boys were
seen running out of the cottage, and after looking cautiously at those
who were calling for the boat, they rowed off, and soon were at the
shore, where stood Eric with his gold belt, and Wolf in his rough skins.
"Olaf! Torquil! don't you remember me?" asked Eric, looking at his old
friends. The boys looked astonished as they recognised the young prince,
and received him joyfully into their boat, he holding by the thread,
which seemed to cross the ferry towards the cottage. How many questions
were mutually put and answered in a few minutes! They told him their
father was at home; and how he had lately seen the king; and how the
king was anxiously looking for Eric's return; and how glad all on the
island would be to see him; and the younger boy, Torquil, told him how
they had now a tame otter, that fished in the lake, and a fine golden
eagle which they had got young in her nest, that also lived on the
island with them; and how their mother had got another baby since he had
been there, and how happy they all were, and so on, until they arrived
at the island, and there was old Darkeye himself waiting to receive
them; and when he saw who was in the boat, he ran down the stone steps
and grasped the young prince's hand, and drew him to his heart.
"Welcome! welcome!" said he; "I knew you had been in the forest, but
your father would not tell me anything more about you. He only said that
he longed for your coming home. But who is this?" asked Darkeye,
pointing to Wolf. "A friend of mine," said Eric, with a smile. "My name
is Wolf," grunted the swineherd. "I think I have seen him before. But
no! What? Yes!" said Darkeye, examining him; then added, as if he had
discovered some old acquaintance, "Surely I _have_ seen him. Tell me, my
fine fellow, did you"---- It was evident Darkeye had seen Wolf killing
his game, or in some affray with the robbers. Wolf looked sternly at
Darkeye, then at Eric, but said nothing. "Oh, Darkeye, do not trouble
poor Wolf," said Eric, "but let him go into the cottage; and come you
with me, as I wish to tell you all that has happened to me during these
few days." So, while the boys took Wolf to the cottage, and food was
being prepared, Eric told Darkeye all his adventures; and you would
have been sure that the forester was hearing something which surprised
and interested him wonderfully, had you seen his face, and how he
sometimes laughed, or knit his brows and looked angry, or sad and
solemn, or sprung to his feet from the rock on which he was sitting
beside Eric. When Eric came to speak about the old woman and her
daughter, "Ah!" said Darkeye, "there are not worse people in that wicked
country! They say that the old woman is a witch of some kind. But
whether she poisons travellers or drowns them, I know not. No doubt she
is in league with Ralph the robber, and would have robbed you or kept
you fast in some way or other till you were handed over to him. You were
right, my prince, in all you did. The only way of being delivered from
temptation is to be brave, and do what is right, come what may." Then,
grasping Eric by the hand, he led him back to the cottage. There
Darkeye's wife received him like a mother, and all the children gathered
round him in surprise and admiration, he looked so brave and lovely.
[Illustration]
One of the walls of the cottage was reared on the edge of the rock, so
that it seemed a continuation of it, and to rise up from the deep waters
of the lake. The boys were thus able often to fish with a long line out
of the window. A winding-stair led to a look-out on the roof, from which
the whole island, called "The Green Island of the Lake," could be seen.
It was about a mile or more in circumference, and was dotted all over
with the cottages of the other foresters and king's huntsmen, each
surrounded with clumps of trees, through which the curling smoke from
the chimneys might be seen ascending. There were everywhere
beautifully-kept gardens, with fruits, and flowers, and bee-hives; and
fields, too, with their crops. On the green knolls and in the little
valleys might be seen cows and sheep; while flocks of goats browsed
among ivy-covered rocks. In the middle of the island was a little
shallow lake, beside which the otter had his house among the rocks; and
there the eagle also lived. All the children in the island were the
best of friends, and they played together, and sailed their boats on the
little lake, and every day met in the house of one of the foresters to
learn their lessons; and on Sunday, as they were very far away from any
church, old Darkeye used to read the Good Book to them, and worship with
them, and did all he could to make them love God and one another. There
was also in the island a house, where, by the king's orders, all poor
travellers could find refuge and refreshment. And it was a great
pleasure to the boys and girls to visit them; and if they were sick and
confined to bed, to attend to their wants. If the stranger had any
children, the young islanders always shared their sports with them. And
nothing pleased these stranger children more than to get leave to sail a
boat, or to have the loan of a fishing-rod, or to hear the boys call
Oscar, for that was the name of the otter, out of his den, and to play
with Tor the eagle; or to see them feed Oscar with some of the fish they
had caught, and Tor with a bit of meat. The dogs were so friendly, too,
that they never touched Oscar, but would swim about in the same pool
with him. And so all were happy in the Green Island; because Darkeye had
taught them what a wicked thing selfishness was, and that the only way
to be happy was by thinking about others as well as themselves, and by
becoming like Him, the Elder Brother of us all, who "pleased not
Himself." He also used to say: "Now, when you work, work like men, and
when you play, play like boys: be hearty at both." And so, while there
was no idleness, there was abundance of recreation. Another evil was
never permitted on the island, and that was, disobedience to parents, or
want of respect to the old. But, indeed, punishment for these offences
was seldom needed. The young learned to _like_ to do what was right, and
were too brave and manly to give pain and trouble to others, by forcing
them to find fault or to punish. I should have mentioned, also, that
they had a little band of musicians. One beat the drum, a few played the
fife, and others some simple instrument; while almost all could sing
tolerably well in parts. Thus, many a traveller would pause and listen
with delight, as he heard, on a summer's evening, the chorus sung from
many voices, or the music from the band coming from the island. "Young
people," Darkeye used to say, "have much wealth and happiness given
them, for themselves and others, if they only used their gifts."
But I am forgetting Eric and Wolf. They were both, you may be sure,
ready for their dinner, and there was laid for them on a table, cream,
cakes, and fresh trout, and such other good things as the kind woman
could get ready.
But now the thread began to move, as if it wished Eric to move also.
Before rising to depart, he told Wolf how Darkeye, for his sake, would
be so glad to take care of him, until he got his father's permission to
bring him into the castle; that he would learn to be a huntsman, and be
taught what was good, and to know about the Voice that spoke in his
heart; and that all the boys in the island would make him their friend
if he did what was right. "Ralph will come here!" said Wolf, hanging his
head. "I wish the rascal did," said Darkeye, "for he would never go
back. But he cannot enter my fort, and knows me and my huntsmen too well
ever to try it. I have had more than one brush with the villain, and we
hope soon to drive him and his brood from their bloody nest. Wolf, you
are welcome and safe, for Eric's sake!" Then turning to Eric, he said,
"I shall teach him, and make a man of him, my young prince, depend upon
it. And now, before we part, I have to ask a favour," continued Darkeye.
"You know our custom near evening? If the thread permits, remain, and be
one of us." "I remember it," said Eric, "and will remain and be one of
you, and let poor Wolf also be one." And so they entered the cottage,
and all sat down round an open window which looked out upon the
beautiful lake with its wooded islands, and surrounded by the noble
forest, above which rose the giant peaks and precipices. The water was
calm as glass, and reflected every brilliant colour from rock and tree,
and, most of all, from the golden clouds, which already began to gather
in the west. Darkeye read from the Good Book of one who had left his
father's house, and went to a far country, where he would fain have
satisfied his hunger from the husks which the swine did eat, and could
not, but who at last returned home after having suffered from his
disobedience. When he closed the book, all stood up and sung these words
with sweet and happy voices:--
"Father! from Thy throne above,
Bless our lowly home below!
Jesus, Shepherd! in Thy love,
Guard Thy flock from every foe.
"Thine we are! for Thou hast made us;
Thine, for we're redeem'd by Thee;
Thine, for Thou hast ever led us,
Thine, we evermore shall be!
"May we love Thee, may we fear Thee,
May Thy will, not ours, be done,
Never leave us till we're near Thee
In the Home where all are one!"
Then they knelt down, and Darkeye spoke to God in name of them all,
thanking Him for His goodness, and telling Him their wants. When they
rose from their knees, the gold thread shone brilliantly, and, like a
beam of light, passed out at the door in the direction of the ferry.
During the singing of the verses, Wolf seemed for the first time quite
overcome. He bent his head, and covered his face with his hands. He then
said, in a low voice, when the short service was over, and as if
speaking to himself, while all were silent listening to him, "I had a
dream. Long, long ago. A carriage--a lady. She was on her knees, with
her hands clasped, and speaking to the sky. She had hold of me. Ralph
was there and the robbers. I forget the rest." He rose and looked out of
the window, gazing vacantly. "What can he mean?" asked Eric aside to
Darkeye, who was looking tenderly on Wolf. "Ah! who knows, poor boy!
Singing always touches the heart of these wanderers. Perhaps--yes--it
may be," he said, so that Eric alone could hear him, "that he has been
taken when a child by Ralph from some rich traveller, and perhaps his
mother was killed! He may have been the child of good people. Was that
person his mother who, he says, prayed for him? If so, her prayers are
now answered, for her boy will be delivered,--poor Wolf! Wolf, my boy,"
said Darkeye, "come and bid farewell to your friend." Wolf started as
from a dream, and came to Eric. "Farewell, my kind Wolf, and I hope to
see you some day in my father's house." The herd spoke not a word, but
wiped his eyes with the back of his rough hand. "Cheer up, Wolf, for you
will be good and happy here." "Wolf is happy already, and he will take
care of the pigs, or do anything for you all." He then held out his
stick to Eric, and said, "Take it; keep it for my sake; it is all Wolf
has to give; Ralph has the gold coin." "Thank you, good Wolf; but you
will require it, and I need nothing to remember you." "Don't be angry,
Eric, for what I did to you in the forest when we first met. My heart is
sorry." "We did not know one another then, Wolf, and I shall never
forget that it is to you I owe my escape." "Wolf loves you, and every
one here." "I am sure you do, Wolf, and I love you. God bless you, Wolf,
I must go; farewell!" And thus they parted. But all gathered round Eric,
and accompanied him to the boat, blessing the little prince, and wishing
him a peaceful and happy journey. Eric thanked them with many smiles and
tender words. Darkeye alone went with him into the boat, wondering
greatly at the thread, and most of all at the prince, who shone with a
beauty that seemed not of this world. The prince landed, but Darkeye
knew, for many reasons, that he could not accompany him in his journey,
which he must take alone. Eric embraced Darkeye, and waving his hand to
all on the island, he was soon lost to their sight in the great forest.
[Illustration]
A winding pathway, over the ridge of hills, led down to a broad and
rapid but smooth river, and on its banks was a royal boat, splendid and
rich to look upon. She was white as snow, with a purple seat at the end
covered by a canopy, that gleamed with golden tassels and many gems.
The thread led into the boat, and though no one was there, Eric entered,
and sat on a purple cushion, on which the Gold Thread also laid itself
down. No sooner had he gone on board of the boat, than--as if his little
foot, when it touched her, had sent her from the shore--she slowly moved
into the centre of the channel, and was carried downwards by the
current. On she swept on the bosom of that clear stream, between shores
adorned with all that could delight the eye--rocks and trees and
flowers, with here and there foaming waterfalls, from mountain rivulets
which poured themselves into the great river. The woods were full of
song, and birds with splendid plumage flashed amidst the foliage like
rainbow hues amidst the clouds. Eric knew not whither he was being
carried, but his heart was sunshine and peace. On and on he swept with
the winding stream, until at last, darting under a dark archway of rock,
and then emerging into light, the boat grounded on a shore of pure white
sand, while the thread rose and led him to the land. No sooner had he
stepped on shore and ascended the green bank, than he found himself at
the end of a long broad avenue of splendid old trees, whose tops met
overhead. The far-off end of the avenue was closed by a great marble
staircase, which ascended to a magnificent castle. Wall rose above wall,
and tower over tower. He saw grand flights of stairs, leading from one
stately terrace to another, with marble statues, clear gushing
fountains, and flower-gardens, and every kind of lovely tree. It was his
father's castle at last! He ran on with breathless anxiety and joy. He
soon reached a large gate, that seemed to be covered with glittering
gold. As he looked at it, he saw the thread tied to a golden knocker
upon it, shaped like the old cross in the forest. Inscribed over the
gate were the words, "He that persevereth to the end shall be saved." He
seized the knocker, and the moment it fell, the thread broke and
vanished like a flash of light. A crash of music was then heard. The
door opened, and there, in the midst of a court paved with marble of
purest white, and on a golden throne, sat Eric's father, surrounded by
his brothers and sisters. The beautiful lady was there too, and many,
many more to welcome Eric. His father clasped him to his heart, and
said, "My son was lost, but is found!" While all crowded round Eric to
bid him welcome, with his weary feet and torn dress, kept together by
the golden band, a chorus was heard singing,--
"Home where the weary rest,
Home where the good are blest,
Home of the soul;
Glorious the race when run,
Glorious the prize when won,
Glorious the goal!"
Then there rose a swell of many young voices singing,--
"Oh, be joyful, be joyful, let every voice sing!
Welcome, brothers, our brother, the son of the king;
His wanderings are past, to his father he's come;
Little Eric, our darling, we welcome thee home!
"Oh, bless'd is the true one who follows the road,
Holding fast to his GOLD THREAD OF DUTY TO GOD,
Who, when tempted, is firm, who in danger is brave,
Who, forgetting himself, will a lost brother save.
Then be joyful, be joyful, for Eric is come;
Little Eric, our darling, we welcome thee home!"
And then the sun set, and the earth was dark, but the palace of the king
shone like an aurora in the wintry sky.
_The End._
_Printed by Dalziel Brothers, Camden Press_