ise of men rather than the praise of God."

CHAPTER TWELVE.

Steffanoff Saveleff's Early History--Resolves to visit his Parents and
his Betrothed--Commences his Journey--Meets Woodcutters--Takes Shelter
in the Hut of old Sidor--Attacked by Fever--Compelled to fly--Pursued
by Enemies--Concealed in a Cave.

"All this time I have been telling you about my people, but I have said
nothing about myself," continued the stranger. "When my people were
ordered to take up their abode in the new districts appointed for them,
I left my hiding-place, resolved to share their fortunes. I remained
unmolested at the new settlement for some months, labouring hard to
prepare a home for my aged parents, who I trusted might be allowed to
join me. With them dwelt a young orphan; she had grown up under their
roof from infancy to womanhood, and was betrothed to me. During the
days of persecution, I could not venture to wed her; but now that they
were over, and I had the prospect of being able to prepare a home fit
for her reception, I hoped to make her my wife. A peasant can love as
well as a noble.--I could not leave the settlement, that is, openly,
without permission from the mayor, the chief man of the village. In
vain I asked for it. I told him my object; still he would not listen to
me. I determined, therefore, to leave the place without his permission.
As soon as darkness set in, one night, amid a storm of wind and rain, I
started on my journey. The police, or anybody who would stop me, were
not likely to be out at such a time. I hurried on all night, and in the
daytime climbed up into a tree far away in the depths of a forest, where
it was not probable any one would discover me. I carried a wallet well
stored with food; I wished to make it last me as many days as possible,
as my great fear was of being captured should I enter any village to buy
bread. I had scraped together all the money I could collect, so that I
was well provided with the means of purchasing provisions when I could
venture to do so. Night after night I toiled on, sustained with the
hope that success would crown my efforts. I feared neither bears nor
wolves; they seldom in the summer season attack people, and I had often
contended with them. In winter the wolves are most to be dreaded; and
often travellers, even in sledges, have fallen victims to them. On foot
a person overtaken by a flock of them would not have a chance of
escaping with hi