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Roy Glashan's Library
Non sibi sed omnibus
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THE motives which induced me to become a resident in the Grendelwold can matter little to the reader—suffice it to say that for a time I was a dweller there. I was a lonely man, with no ties or duties to call me elsewhere, and that secluded district pleased me. To me, the little joys and sorrows and loves and quarrels of the simple rustics were as a pastoral drama, of which I was an unconcerned spectator.
Most interesting among the actors in that drama, as well as most charming of the maidens of the valley, was Theresa. When I first came, she was but an opening rosebud, She at once attracted my attention. Around her there could not fail to gather a complication of rustic lovers, and rivalries and jealousies which would furnish me with abundant matter on which to philosophise.
She had already her admirers—and of these it seemed to me that Carl had most chance of success. He was her near neighbour; they had played together as children, and though there were bolder, stronger, and more handsome lads in the valley, be was in no way ill-favoured or to be despised. I watched him closely, and felt kindly towards the youth. His face spoke of honesty and truth. I saw that he loved her, and I wished him every success. My chief fear for him was lest he should prove too modest and retiring, and that he might thus be elbowed from his place by some bolder rival.
Fascinated!
But, for a while, all went smoothly. I had begun to picture to myself the future of this young couple. They understood each other, and in their courtship there could be no more stirring incidents than the mildest of lovers' quarrels, to be in due time happily made up. Then the betrothal, the marriage festival, and a calm wedded life in that peaceful spot such as for ages past had been led by their ancestors. I looked for a pastoral. Alas! the curtain was to rise on a tragedy!
The first disturbing influence was the appearance of Fritz. Well do I remember the day on which be was first seen. It was on the fête of our patron saint, an occasion upon which, after their religious duties had been finished at the church, our whole population gave themselves up to sports and merry-making.
The games had already begun when I first saw the stranger. He was a young man not easily to he overlooked. I noted him whilst still at a distance. None others were present so largely grown or so gaily dressed as he. His clothes were, indeed, of the same fashion an those of our own peasants, but they were of richer material, and bespoke the greater wealth of their wearer.
I asked of more than one of the bystanders who this stranger might be. None seemed to know with any certainty. Some said; "He cornea from beyond the Grendel Forest." Others only pointed or nodded towards the dark line of wood which fringed the slope above the village, and into which few of them had cared to penetrate far.
But, just then, the wrestling was about to begin. Among the first, Carl had engaged with a companion of his own age and strength. I was well pleased to see that he was vigorous and active, and that after a well-matched struggle he succeeded in throwing his opponent. I saw him cast a glance of triumph towards where Theresa was standing, among the lookers-on. I thought, too, that I saw an answering smile of pleasure on the happy face of the maiden.
But Carl's triumph was not for long. He was at once challenged by the stranger, Fritz, and quickly overthrown. Several others of our youths in succession measured themselves against the conqueror, but each and all received the fall at his hands. He remained the hero of the sport.
"It was not by greater skill that he overthrew us," I heard one of the vanquished saying to a comrade, later in the day, "but he dragged us down with the force of a wild beast."
The wrestling over, the young men prepared for a trial of speed. Fritz stripped with the others; and now, for the first time, I was able to see him more closely.
At a distance, I had not only admired his tall and powerful frame, but I had imagined that he must be singularly handsome. I had credited him with regular features and a mass of jet black hair. Now, however, I saw that for one so young the hair and beard were singularly mixed with grey, and that though his face, or at least the upper part of it, was well-formed, it was occasionally lighted by an expression which in some way reminded me of that of an angry dog, and this was no doubt aided by his teeth, which were remarkably long and white, and which glittered whenever he smiled or spoke.
The race began. I felt jealous for the honour of our villagers, and flattered myself that in running, at least, Fritz would find many superiors. For a while, appearances favoured my opinion—all the others were ahead of him, and foremost was the light-footed Carl. Yet the stranger kept doggedly on. I noticed that his style of running differed from that of the other youths. He moved at a kind of trot. I felt that I ought to find some comparison for it, but my memory did not serve me.
I spoke to an old peasant who stood near.
"The master-wrestler," I said, "would have done well not to have attempted the foot-race. He has no chance."
The old man shook his head.
"Do not be too sure," he answered. "Did you ever see the wolves tracking a deer? Their, speed cannot compare with the stag's at first, yet, after a time, they outstrip him. This young man runs like a wolf."
Yes, Fritz ran like a wolf! That was the comparison which I had in vain tried to find.
Gradually the others slackened speed, but not so Fritz. That trot of his never relaxed. One by one, he passed and left all his rivals behind, except Carl alone. My young favourite was active and ran well. He smarted under his late defeat, and strained every muscle to hold him down.
The goal was now near at hand. I stood close to the course, and could see how eagerly the stranger was striving to win. His eyes were fixed on Carl with a look which to me seemed to convey more of hatred than kindly rivalry; and when he came opposite to him, as he did near the end, I observed that he made a side-motion towards him with his head, and showed his white teeth as a dog might do when he snarls at his fellow. From that moment Carl lost heart; Fritz shot forward, and came is victor.
I SOON found that though I had conceived a prejudice against the stranger, our villagers generally were inclined to look upon him with favour. Success makes many friends. Fritz had those personal advantages of size and strength which our rustic belles could best appreciate, and the evidences of superior wealth which he bore about him gave him importance in the eyes of our men.
As champion of the sports, it was the privilege of the new-comer to choose from among all the maidens present a partner with whom to open the dance.
I had before observed his eyes straying in the direction of Theresa. I was not surprised when they now rested upon her.
She at once acceded to his request, without even giving a glance to poor Carl, and throughout the dance I noticed that her gaze invariably followed the motions of her partner, and that in every point she appeared implicitly to obey his wishes, I could not understand this. Was it possible that this gay gallant had so easily won her fancy, and so soon caused her to forget her faithful friend?
All watched them with admiration, for a more striking couple had never danced on our greensward; but I turned my eyes on poor Carl, where, forsaken and humiliated, he stood in the background. I could see the cloud on his brow, and I felt thankful that his was a timid nature, and one not likely to be roused to deeds of violence.
THE fête was over. Days passed by, Fritz went and came, but much of his time seemed to be spent in our village. He was in general favour among the young men, for he scattered his stiver with a liberal hand, and none questioned but that his home beyond the forest must be something far better than our simple cottages.
There could be little doubt as to the motive of his frequent visits. It was near the house of Theresa's parents that he was oftenest to be seen. All held that he was wooing her, and that his wealth caused his suit to he received with favour by the maiden's father.
Theresa herself seemed to shun Carl now, whilst she did not avoid the stranger. It was noticed, too, that when he was present a glance from him was sufficient to make her do or say as he willed. All argued from this that he had won her heart; yet to me it seemed that when he appeared her looks showed more of fear than of joy. The maiden and her ways perplexed me.
I often spoke with Carl, and did my best to comfort him; his comrades were rude peasants, incapable of sympathising with mere sorrow of the heart. To them his forlorn condition was a mere subject for jest. Thus it was that he grew to regard me as his best friend.
DAYS passed, and one morning it was rumoured that Theresa had fled. At daybreak she had been seen proceeding with the stranger in the direction of the forest. None seemed surprised at it. He was her superior in position, and might, therefore, prefer to carry off his bride secretly. All agreed that she was a fortunate maiden.
When I met with Carl that day I was startled to see how great a change a few hours of trouble had made in him. His distress was so great that I almost feared for his reason. To console him, I bade him be thankful that he had escaped a union with one so light and fickle as his lost love. But he exclaimed, vehemently:
"No, no! Theresa is neither light nor fickle. She loves me still, and has never loved this man. She is bewitched! Under that evil eye of his she is like a bird before a snake. Oh, Theresa, Theresa! What will become of you?"
And twisting from me he hurried away towards the forest.
I HAD gone to bed that night and fallen sound asleep, when I was aroused by a handful of earth being thrown against my casement. I sprang up and looked out. The moon was full, and I could clearly see Carl standing below and looking far more wild and agitated than when he had left me. Beside him were his two fine hounds, Max and Leo. In his hand he held up something which, in that uncertain light, I could not well make out.
"Come down!" he cried. "You must come with me at once!"
I hastily threw on my clothes, and that I might not disturb the other occupants of the cottage, of which I was but a temporary inmate, I opened the window and lowered myself from it to the ground. The height was trifling.
Carl seized my hand.
"You are my friend," he exclaimed, "and I need one! You must come with me!"
There was so much excitement in his manner that I almost feared my dread of the morning had been realized, and that his trouble had deranged his brain. I answered, somewhat doubtfully:
"I will go," I said, "if I can do any good. But where would you have me go?"
"Into the forest," he answered," and at once. There is no time to be lost."
"Into the Grendel-Forest!" I exclaimed. I knew well with what superstitious dread the peasants regarded its gloomy recesses, even in broad day; and now, at midnight, could he think of entering it?
"Yes, yes; into the forest. Do you see this?"
And he again held up the object in his hand. I could see it now. It was nothing more than a torn piece of some gaily-coloured fabric.
"Well, and what of that?" I asked.
"What of this! Do you see? It is from a woman's dress—her dress. Leo brought it in his month out of the wood."
"Is that all? The lovers must have passed through the wood, and this may have caught on a thorn. This is no reason for such a wild-goose chase. Wait till morning, and then if it is necessary the whole village will turn out to search."
"I will not wait," he answered, passionately. "It may be too late now. In the morning it must be too late. If you will not come, I go alone. No one else will venture with me into the Grendel-Forest at midnight," and he crossed himself.
Excited as he was, there was no sign of madness in his words.
"Lead on!" I said. "I will go with you."
He hurried towards the wood, and I followed. Presently, he turned sharply round and exclaimed:
"Why did I forget it? You are unarmed?"
"Yes. You gave me no time to think of weapons. Shall we go back and find some?"
"No, no. See here," and be touched the axe which was stuck in his belt. "I have this. You shall have my knife," and, drawing out a long, sharp knife, he handed it to me.
WE were now far away from the village, and among the broken upland pastures which skirted the forest. The dark masses of the wood contrasted strangely with the bright moonlight around us, and looked more black and forbidding than usual. I knew well with what superstitious terrors the people regarded these woods, but Carl hurried onwards.
The dogs pressed on in front of us. We passed into some sort of opening between the trees, though it could scarcely be called a path. We were soon in almost pitchy darkness. Scarcely a ray of moonlight could pierce through the thick boughs, and I often stumbled in the uneven way.
Presently a low growl from one of the dogs, some distance in front, reached our ears. Carl clutched his axe nervously, and muttered:
"The scent grows warm, comrade! Come on, come on!"
"What is it?" I asked. "What do they find?"
"Hush!" was the only reply; and again we moved rapidly forward in silence.
But now, from as it seemed the very heart of the forest, there reached as a loud and piercing cry—the howl, as it appeared to me, of some savage brute.
"Do you hear him?" whispered Carl, in an excited voice. "Come on!"
"Are you mad?" I answered; "that cry, startling though is was, was only that of a wild beast."
"Only! I tell you it is himself! We will find him. Follow me!" and his rapid walk became almost a run.
At some distance through the black arch in front of us we could now see a space of moonlight. We must be nearing an opening in the wood. Yet all around us was still as dark as ever. At our present pace it was impossible to move with much caution. I had already made several false steps. I now placed my foot on some loose object, which, suddenly turning beneath it, threw me violently to the ground.
I rose with difficulty, and then found that my ankle had been so sharply twisted that I was unable to stand, much more to walk. Carl heard my fall, and turned back. I told him what had happened.
A groan escaped his lips, and he stood for a few minutes as if not knowing what course to take. But just then a new sound reached us. It was not now the howl of a beast, but the shriek of a human voice. It sounded to me like that of a woman.
"Heaven help me!" cried Carl, as he heard it. "It is my destiny. I must go alone. Farewell! and, if I do not none back, farewell forever!"
He grasped my hand, and hurried swiftly along the path and out into the open moon-light.
I had again sunk to the ground, and my hand was resting on the object which had caused my fall. It was smooth and rounded, I had taken it for a stone, but now, as my fingers moved over it, they met with strange and regular indentations, and a cry of horror broke from my lips as I became aware that it was a human skull! In spite of the agonising pain which the effort cost me, I dragged myself from the loathsome thing towards the open moonlight, and when I had reached it supported myself by leaning against the trunk of a tree.
I now found that the open space was of considerable extent. From where I stood the ground sloped gently downwards to a little brook, along whose course were a few bushes. Beyond this the meadow again sloped gently upwards, till, on another slight eminence, like that in which I stood, it was again bounded by the dark wall of woodland.
By the time I had reached my standing-place Carl had already passed the rivulet, and I could see his retreating figure as he strode up the opposite slope. His dogs, scarcely to be seen in the dim light, appeared to be ranging in front of him, and now and then I could hear them give vent to an uneasy growl. How bravely he was pressing on to that danger of which he was so fully conscious!—and I had once thought him timid! I chafed at the thought that I was unable to help him in his periL I could only watch and listen.
Carl and his dogs disappeared in the distant wood. All was still, and I watched and listened in vain. How long this may have lasted, I cannot tell; it seemed to me to be hours. After a time, however, the silence was broken by a faint shriek, such as I had heard before. But it was not, as before, a solitary one. Others succeeded it. Then, ere long, came the deep baying of the hounds from the same direction, and soon after I heard sounds as of a desperate struggle, amid which I could recognize the tones of Carl's voice.
All these noises came from far away, but on the midnight air at that still spot they were clearly to be distinguished. What could be the meaning of them? In my helplessness, I listened and waited anxiously. After a time, they died away and all was again still.
I did not keep my eyes fixed upon the opposite slope in vain. After a while I was aware of an approaching figure. I could see no dogs,and the uncertain gait of the coming man was far different from the determined stride with which Carl had gone forth; yet I soon concluded that it must be my friend.
And Carl it was! As he drew nearer, I saw that he bore marks of having been in some desperate encounter. He had no axe now, and his right arm hung powerless by his side. The left, also, seemed so much lacerated as to be almost useless. His clothes were torn and bloody. Now and then he cast a hurried glance backwards, as though ho expected pursuit.
"Carl! Carl!" I cried. "I am here, friend! What has happened?"
"What has happened?" he exclaimed, in a hoarse tone. "I was too late! too late! Too late to save, and too weak to avenge! Oh, Theresa! Theresa!"
"Tell me all. Where have you been? With whom have you been fighting?"
"I have been to him! The dogs made a good fight; but Leo was throttled before I came up. Max, too, will be dead before this; but he held on bravely when I was disabled, or I should not have come back to you."
"Thank heaven, Carl, that you have escaped with life!"
"Escaped!" he cried; "I have not escaped. I have no wish to escape. I have no more wish for life. I only want to meet him again with some chance of success. I have come back that you may help me."
"Alas, Carl! maimed as I am, I fear that I can do little; but I am ready to share any danger with you."
With his left hand, which was wet with his own blood, he pressed mine, and drew me back under the shadow of the tree. I again entreated him to give me some coherent account of what he had seen; but he only groaned and shuddered.
Yet I noticed that he never for an instant withdrew his eyes from the opposite slope. Soon they appeared to be riveted on some object which was to me invisible.
"He comes! he comes, comrade!" the young man whispered in a low, hollow tone. "Do you see him?"
"I see nothing."
He pointed, and I followed the direction of his finger. No wonder that I had before failed to see the object of his fears. I had looked for some human being. I now found that what he was watching so intently was some animal. It was ranging swiftly to and fro across the open space, much as a pointer might do when beating a field, to make sure of scenting a covey. So the creature moved backwards and forwards; yet at every beat it drew sensibly nearer to where we were hidden.
"It is only a dog," I said. "It is Max. He has escaped, and is searching for us."
"It is indeed searching for us," answered Carl, with a shudder. "But it is no dog. It is he! He is coming! Heaven help us! Oh! if I had but my axe and the use of my arm again! Where is the knife, comrade?"
I had been feeling for it before he spoke. The uncertainty of the coming danger lent it additional horror; but the knife would at least enable me to make a desperate resistance. I felt eagerly for it; but in vain! I must have dropped it in my fall.
I whispered as much to Carl.
"Then," he groaned, "there is no hope for us. We have only to die. But such a death!"
NEARER and nearer the creature came. It was now sweeping backwards and forwards in its silent beats on our side of the rivulet. Plainly, it was hunting Carl down, and making sure that its victim had not doubled back. Forwards and backwards, backwards and forwards, it passed; and never did I endure momenta of more horrible or sickening suspense than whilst awaiting the coming of the beast, whatever it may be, alike unable to defend myself or to fly.
Nearer and nearer it came, and now I could distinguish its shape more clearly. It seemed to me far beyond the common size—but that might be a delusion of the uncertain moonlight or of my over-excited senses—yet it was only a wolf, a solitary wolf!
"Take courage!" I whispered to Carl. "It is nothing but a single wolf. We are two. It will not dare attack us."
"Not dare!" he answered. "Do you know what that wolf is? It is himself! It is Fritz!"
Yes, I felt it. The old superstition was no myth. Fritz was a were-wolf. The very build and motion of the stranger athlete were to be traced in the beast.
A few beats more would bring him upon us, but they gave me time to recover my self-possession.
"Carl," I said, "you have still the use of your legs. You must escape. Leave me to deal with him alone."
"To deal with him," answered Carl, quite calmly, "means only to die; and that must not be, friend. This is my quarrel. You would not have been here but for me. Stay where you are. It is me, not you, that he seeks; and if he finds me you may escape. I must meet him. It is better so. I have no wish to live, after what I have seen to-night. Farewell! and may heaven bless you for your goodness to me! You will not see me again alive!"
I put out a hand to detain him, but he was gone. He had darted out into the moonlight, and, crossing the track of the creature, was hurrying back in that direction from which he had come. He was trying to lead the beast as far as possible from me. Brave and generous Carl, how much had I formerly underrated your character!
He succeeded in his design. Pursuer and pursued passed from my sight. Time for cool thought was again allowed me. The knife must be at the place where I had fallen. Dark as it was, it was not impossible that I might still find it. Throwing myself upon the ground, I dragged myself on hands and knees towards the spot.
Alas! Before I could gain it a cry reached my ears which told me that I should see my friend Carl no more in life.
In the thick darkness of the wood, it was no easy matter to find the precise place; and more than once, as I groped about, my hands came in contact with what were doubtless human bones, companions probably to the skull which had caused my fall. But these brought me no horror now. Everything depended upon my search. To my joy, I grasped it at last!
But that joy was of brief duration. Almost at the same instant I heard a rustling behind me, and before I could throw myself into any posture of defence I was borne down beneath the monstrous brute that had stolen on me unawares.
At the moment I was as if paralysed, and when sensation returned it brought only a dull and indistinct knowledge that I was being dragged swiftly onwards, but whither, I neither knew nor cared. Then all was blank again.
But after a while there came a fuller gleam of consciousness. I was no longer in motion. I felt that for the moment I was released from the grip of my enemy. I had even energy enough to cast my eyes round to see that I was in a place where unspeakable horror surrounded me, and that a savage brute face was glaring into mine, with the glittering teeth and the expression which I so well remembered as belonging to Fritz. That the knife was safe in my grasp was my one thought. In another moment I was dealing fierce blows with it; and again all grew darkness around me.
IT must have been long ere I recovered from my fainting fit. When I did so my eyes met the light of day, and many voices were talking near me. I knew them for those of my peasant neighbours. I learnt afterwards that the village had become alarmed at the absence of Carl and myself; we had been tracked to the wood, and the whole population had turned out to search for us.
When I looked around I saw that two rude stretchers had been made of branches, and upon these were laid two covered objects whose outlines suggested human bodies. I knew well what they were. I could not easily forget the sight which had met my vision when I had first been dragged to that dreadful place. It was good that they should be closely shrouded. It would be well that no human eyes should ever look upon these forms again—forms that had so recently been the handsome Carl and the pretty Theresa.
A third stretcher was in preparation and a third body lay near me. I could scarcely credit my eyes as they rested on it. It was no wolf, but Fritz, the man as I had known him. The old wolf-like expression was fixed upon his face; the restless eyes were set now and dim, but from the open mouth the long white teeth glittered as of old. He still wore his gay clothes, but they were stained with blood now; and in his breast, in the same places where my knife had pierced to the heart of the savage beast, there were deep and ugly gashes. Not far away lay the carcases of the two brave dogs.
I was taken to the village, and before long was well enough to tell my tale. I need hardly say that it was received by the officials with utter incredulity. I was thrown in prison on the charge of murder.
It was well for me that the so-called superstition of the peasant witnesses were in my favour. They believed me. By their means it was that I escaped, and barely escaped, with my life. Since then I have never dared to retrace my steps towards the Grendelwold; nor whilst life lasts will anything again induce me to revisit the scenes connected in my memory with the horrors of that dreadful night.
Roy Glashan's Library
Non sibi sed omnibus
Go to Home Page
This work is out of copyright in countries with a copyright
period of 70 years or less, after the year of the author's death.
If it is under copyright in your country of residence,
do not download or redistribute this file.
Original content added by RGL (e.g., introductions, notes,
RGL covers) is proprietary and protected by copyright.