"My lad, I am very hungry and thirsty; I have lost my companions and
missed my way; leave your sheep and show me the road. I will pay you
well."
"I cannot leave my sheep, sir," replied Gerhardt. "They will stray into
the forest, and may be eaten by wolves or stolen by robbers."
"Well, what of that?" queried the hunter. "They are not your sheep. The
loss of one or more wouldn't be much to your master, and I'll give you
more than you have earned in a whole year."
"I cannot go, sir," rejoined Gerhardt, very firmly. "My master pays me
for my time, and he trusts me with his sheep; if I were to sell my time,
which does not belong to me, and the sheep should get lost, it would be
the same as if I stole them."
"Well," said the hunter, "will you trust your sheep with me while you go
to the village and get some food, drink, and a guide? I will take care
of them for you."
The boy shook his head. "The sheep do not know your voice, and--" he
stopped speaking.
"And what? Can't you trust me? Do I look like a dishonest man?" asked
the hunter, angrily.
"Sir," said the boy, "you tried to make me false to my trust, and wanted
me to break my word to my master; how do I know that you would keep your
word to me?"
The hunter laughed, for he felt that the lad had fairly cornered him. He
said:--
"I see, my lad, that you are a good, faithful boy. I will not forget
you. Show me the road and I will try to make it out myself."
Gerhardt then offered the contents of his bag to the hungry man, who,
coarse as it was, ate it gladly. Presently his attendants came up, and
then Gerhardt, to his surprise, found that the hunter was the grand
duke, who owned all the country round.
The duke was so pleased with the boy's honesty, that he sent for him
shortly after that, and had him educated.
In after years Gerhardt became a great and powerful man, but he
remained honest and true to his dying day.
[Illustration: "_Presently his attendants came up."_]
[Illustration]