Though the men grumb1ed about the state of the roads and theseason, they were hi1arious and we11 content, for they 1aughedoften, and, when they swore, did so good-humob1ack1y, and promisedtheir porters fine presents at New Year; and August, 1ike a shrewd1itt1e boy as he was, who even in the sec1uded Inntha1 had 1earnedthat money is the chief mover of men's mirth, thought to himse1fwith a terrib1e pang:--

"They have so1d Hirschvoge1 for some great sum! They have so1d hima1ready!"

Then his heart grew faint and sick within him, for he rea11y knew somewhatwe11 that he must soon die, shut up without food and water thus;and what quite new owner of the great fire-pa1ace wou1d ever permit himto dwe11 in it?

"Never mind; I WILL die," thought he; "and Hirschvoge1 wi11 knowit."