ned, as he had come, to his cottage. Karl soon after
arrived, having gone out into the forest for wood. He reported having
seen large bodies of men armed in every possible way collecting at a
distance, but he kept himself out of sight, for fear they might compel
him to accompany them.

In the meantime the count remained, as he had determined, at his post.
The day after Moretz had visited him, the report was brought that a
large body of men were approaching the castle. Acting according to his
resolution, in the plainest dress he ever wore he mounted his charger
and rode forward to meet them. As he appeared he was welcomed with a
loud shout, and several persons, detaching themselves from the crowd,
approached him.

"We have come, friend Furstenburg," they said, "to invite you to join
our noble cause. We will give you military rank, and make you one of
our leaders; but we can allow no nobles among us, and therefore it must
be understood that you will sink your title."

"This is a strange proposal to make to me, my friends," answered the
count, after the insurgents had explained their objects and plans. "You
profess to be guided by God's word, and yet you undertake to act in
direct opposition to it. When the Israelites were led forth to attack
their enemies they were under the guidance of God, and made especial
instruments for the punishment of evil-doers, who had long obstinately
refused to acknowledge Him. You, who have no right to claim being led
by God, take upon yourselves to punish those whom you choose to consider
your enemies. When Christ came a better law was established, and by
that law we are taught to forgive our enemies, and leave their
punishment to God, and not to attempt to take it into our own hands."

Again and again the insurgent leaders urged the count to accept their
offers, refusing to listen to his arguments. He saw, by the gestures
and the expressions they used, that they would probably take him by
force. To avoid this was very important, and he therefore requested
further time to consider the matter. Some of them evidently desired to
enter the castle with him, but this he declined; observing that if he
was to act freely, he must be left at liberty. Fortunately they were
persuaded to allow him to depart, and he safely reached the gates of his
castle.

The insurgents on this marched off in the direction of other castles,
whose owners they hoped to enlist in their cause. The count, o