THE CAVE.
The Robbers’ Road, spoken of in the beginning, could never have been
called by that name without some reason.
Before the father of the Lily Queen built this summer palace for his
children, there dwelt in Long Forest a band of robbers. So numerous and
so bold were they, that few travellers dared trust themselves in the
neighborhood, and the road through the forest was called the Robbers’
Road.
But before bringing his bride to the new palace, Brondé sent troops of
soldiers thither, who scoured the forest, and dispersed the band.
It happened that, after many years had passed, a portion of these
robbers found their way back. They were cautious at first, and wary,
but grew bolder as their numbers increased; and, at the time of which
we are speaking, their operations were seriously felt by the shepherds,
the farmers, and the woodmen.
Their head-quarters were in a large cave. There they plotted mischief
and divided the spoils.
It was in this cave that, late one summer’s night, they came together,
each bringing with him the booty he had secured during the day.
Blazing torches hung around on the dark walls. In the corners were
piles of grain, fruit, meats, stolen from the farmers; also bags and
portmanteaus taken from unfortunate travellers.
They gathered about the long table,--tall, gaunt figures, with dark
faces,--they gathered about the long table with but few words, for they
had travelled fast and far, and were eager for food.
When their appetites were satisfied, their captain drew forth a heavy
bag, from which he emptied a heap of gold. Half of this he locked up in
an iron box, and was proceeding to divide the remainder, when, chancing
to raise his eyes, he saw, standing at the foot of the table, a man of
great size, dressed in skins and well armed. A company of men, dressed
and armed like himself, but inferior in size, were stealing softly into
the cave and grouping themselves around him.
“Betrayed!” shouted the robbers; and each man felt for his sword.
But the fierce-looking stranger threw down his arms, bade his followers
do the same, and, waving his hand to the company, said:--
“No, not betrayed. We are no spies, but, on the contrary, would become
your friends. Listen, now, for a while, that I may show you how well
we shall agree, and that our interests are the same. Do you love a wild
life, and to be your own masters?”
“We do.”
“So do I. Do you like plenty of gold, good living, and light labor?”
“We do.”
“So do I. Do you care for law?”
“We do not.”
“Neither do I. For knowledge?”
“We do not.”
“Neither do I. For goodness?”
“We do not.”
“Neither do I, my friends. And now another question. Do you hate King
Brondé?”
“We do!” they exclaimed.
“Do you wish his destruction?”
“We do.”
“Will you do your best to accomplish this?”
“We will! We will!” they cried.
“And so will I. You see, now, how well we are agreed, and that our
interests are the same. My name is Magnus. These are my trusty
followers. Shake hands, my brave fellows. Right! We are brothers
now. You hate King Brondé, because it was to make room for him that
your once powerful band was dispersed. Many of you mourn the loss of
friends, comrades, kindred, slain by his orders.”
“True! True!” they cried, eagerly.
“Yes, true,” exclaimed Magnus. “And I hate King Brondé because he is
richer and luckier than myself. There is no reason why I should not
have wedded a princess and inherited a kingdom. I am as strong to
protect, as brave to defend. And I seek his death; for, when he is
gone, I need not then say, ‘I am the largest and strongest man living,
except--’; but, ‘I am the largest and strongest man living,’--and
nothing more. I have a plan, my friends, which I will now unfold to
you.”
This speech was received with cheers and wild hurrahs; but Magnus, with
a wave of his hand, said:--
“Quietly, my brave fellows. Our time is not yet. Nothing can be done
openly. King Brondé is surrounded by brave soldiers, who would shed for
him their last drop of blood. Listen now.”
There was then deep silence in the cave, while Magnus, in a long
speech, unfolded his plans.
But what those plans were, need not here be related, since all who read
further will discover for themselves.