d venerable man with a long
white beard, in a black clerical dress, and with a black cap
surmounting his white hairs, came forth from one of the best of the
huts to meet the new comers.

'Welcome, ye who have become outcasts and wanderers for the sake of
your faith!' said he, with solemnity, as he extended to them the hand
of friendship. 'Welcome to the Hussite's Rest. In my hut there is yet
room for you. Come, eat of my bread and drink of my cup. By the grace
of God you have here found an asylum which will conceal and protect you
as long as may be necessary; for the destructive storm which now rages
over the land, reaches not here.'

'Heartfelt thanks for your hospitable offer, reverend father,' said
Oswald. 'Have you dwelt long among these rocks?'

'For the last five years,' answered the venerable pastor. 'After our
emperor (who will one day have to answer for the deed before the
judgment seat) destroyed the sacred edict which assured toleration, and
burned its seal, there was no longer peace or safety for the poor
Hussites in Bohemia. As he openly declared that 'he would have none but
catholic subjects,' more than thirty thousand of our most respected
families, embracing all ranks, wandered abroad to strengthen and enrich
foreign countries by their wealth and industry. The poor cultivators of
the soil could not avail themselves of the generous permission to
emigrate with their property. They could not carry the soil with them,
and being thus compelled to remain, they seized their arms and fell
upon their persecutors. I myself, with the cross in my hand, led my
parishioners against the enemy, and we struck boldly for our religion.
Fresh armies were sent against us; the gallows and racks were
encumbered with the corpses of our brethren, and we were compelled to
yield; but it was impossible for us wholly to abandon our father-land,
and we therefore threw ourselves into the caverns among these rocks,
where a deep seclusion from the world is our only safety. Here we live
quietly and peacefully upon the produce of our labor and the chase,
which we dispose of in Bohemia and Silesia, and are much rejoiced
whenever a victim of priestly rage wanders hither to claim our
protection and hospitality.'

'We may now dismiss all anxiety,' said Oswald to Faith. 'We have at
last reached a safe and well concealed haven.'

'That beauteous form inclines so confidingly and yet so modestly toward
you, young man,' said the venerable pa