ut the Knight had reminded him that as two people could play at that
game he might find that he gained nothing by the move. Still he
occasionally received a message which showed him that the Count had not
forgotten his threats, and this always troubled him, not because he
feared his enemy, but because he wished to be quiet and at peace with
all his fellow-men. He had a long talk with his son and gave him much
good advice. The two understood each other thoroughly.

"My son," he said, "you are going forth into the world; and will meet
with a great variety of characters. Treat your fellow-men with a kindly
regard and do them all the good in your power, but put your whole trust
in God alone. While you cling to Him He will never forsake you--I know
that you are honest and single-hearted. Do that, and I have no fear for
you. Take my blessing, Eric. Write when you can and tell me all about
Dr Martin and his companions. I wish that I were young enough to go to
the University with you; I would give much once more to hear that man
speak as he did at Worms."

Eric set forth not as a poor scholar, on foot, but as the son of a
Knight and a Noble of the land, on horseback, accompanied by Hans Bosch,
who led a sumpter-horse loaded with his baggage. Both were armed, as
was necessary in those times, with swords and pistols; the latter being
somewhat large and unwieldy weapons. Eric, as befitted his station, had
learned the use of his sword, and Hans was an old soldier who had
grasped a pike for nearly half a century. Hans and Eric had always been
good friends. The old soldier was not ignorant of what was going on in
the world, but he had not as yet made up his mind which side to choose.
He suspected the bias of his master, and that of his mistress was very
evident. As yet, however, he clung to the old opinions. Eric, though
high-spirited and manly, was thoughtful and grave above his years, and
Hans respected his opinions accordingly. He had before been at the
University of Erfurth, but the fame of Wittemburg had reached him, and,
what had still more influence, several of the books written at
Wittemburg, and he had been seized with a strong desire to migrate
thither.

Hans could not read himself, but he was inquisitive. He plied his young
master with questions, to which Eric very willingly made replies.

"Then you put no faith in the Pope, nor believe that he is the only
rightful ruler of the Church?" observed Hans in