as I like, and to be left alone."

"The one leads to the other," said Wolf. "If things are to become
better there must be a different form of government."

He went on further to speak of the brotherhood which should include all
nations of the earth, so that there should be no more war and no more
soldiers. Who else was it but the princes and rulers that hindered
the coming of this fair unity of hearts? The people certainly desired
ever-enduring peace. The oppressive sense of captivity stirred him to
eloquence that fired his own imagination, and finally even inflamed the
sober judgment of Vogt.

The peasant nodded: "Yes, yes. That would be fine!"

He could form no clear picture of that brilliant future. All men
brothers? No more quarrelling and no more war? No one who would give
orders to others? No one who would demand taxes and rent? Was this
really possible?

But the other man spoke in such a convinced manner, he seemed so
certain, that there was hardly room for doubt. And these were the aims
of those social-democrats of whom people were so afraid, thinking they
wanted to destroy and annihilate everything!

Of course they were right. Everything would be better then, and more
beautiful. And to work for that would be worth one's trouble! One could
give one's life for it if need be.

They were on the way back to the prison after their work. Vogt and Wolf
stepped along side by side in the ranks. The long lean man seemed to be
merely skin and bone; his cheeks had fallen in, the grey prison clothes
hung loosely on his limbs. But his eyes glowed and sparkled as though
with an inward fever, and a proud smile was on his lips. Vogt nodded to
him. The gesture was the expression of a solemn vow.

The troop of prisoners arrived at the gate. A heavy shower of rain
drove them to take shelter in the arched doorway, and they stood
pressed closely together waiting for the door to open.

Suddenly Vogt felt Wolf's hand seize his own in a firm grip.

"I think we are now at one about this, comrade?" he heard him whisper.
And the peasant returned the strong pressure, and answered, "Yes,
comrade."

Each day in prison resembled every other; they passed slowly by like a
chain of exactly equal links.

When the ground became frozen and neither spade nor pickaxe could be
used, the prisoners were given straw mats to plait or sacks to sew.

Then Vogt used to swear to himself. "Damn it all! Why didn't I
straighten my knees? What di