Fritz. Yes, and I've gathered such lots of chestnuts, which we can roast for supper. That's better than having no, supper at all, isn't it, father?

Mau. Certainly, my boy. (Horns heard in the distance.) Ah! another grand hunting party in the forest. Some more of your noble-privileged poachers, no doubt, killing game, and murdering time, for their amusement. Ah! they little know what it is to see a beloved wife and children go supperless to bed. (Takes up bundle of wood.) Come, Fritz-come, my brave boy! (Exeunt. Fritz immediately returns.)

Fritz. 'Twas very stupid of us, though, to leave our hatchet behind but there it lies, quite safe. (Looking off.) Ah! here comes the governor, as I live! and that other good-fornothing fellow, Glandoff. He owes me a spite, for telling him the truth this morning; so I'll e'en hide till they are gone by. (Conceals himself.)

(Enter the Count and Glandoff, the latter with disguises.) Count. Now Glandoff, not a moment must be lost! Where have you the disguises?

Glan. Here, my lord. (Producing masks and cloaks.) (The Count and Glandoff disguise themselves as banditti.) Count. This dress defies detection. Ah! my rival little dreams his fate. But now to ambush! (Exeunt.)

Fritz. (Coming forward.) Oh, you couple of good-for-nothing scoundrels! flogging, indeed! why, hanging would be a precious deal too good for you.

(Enter Baron Leibheim.)

Baron. Upon my word, they've served me prettily! As if by magic, they all disappear, and leave me in the mazes of the forest.

Fritz. Fly! my lord, fly! your life is in danger! I see them coming! (Conceals himself.)

(Count and Glandoff rush in.)

Count. (In an assumed voice.) This to thy heart! (Offers to stab the Baron, who parries the thrust. The Baron and Count contend. Glandoff is about to cut down the Baron, when a stranger enters, and attacks the Count.)

Stranger. What, two to one! Then, I'll have a try, and see if I can't astonish you, and make myself as disagreeable as the blacking-brush was, to the white silk stocking.

(Glandoff beats the Baron off, on one side; the Count beats off the stranger, on the other, who does not return. The Baron reenters, attacks the Count, and disarms him; he kneels, in token of

surrender. Glandoff at this moment re-enters, and attacks the Baron; the Count seizes Maurice's hatchet, which is lying near, and striking the Baron a violent blow with it, from behind, levels him to the earth. A struggle then ensues; the Baron pulls the Count to the ground with him, and in his agony, tears the mask from his face, and a picture of the prince from his breast. He exclaims, "Villain! traitor!" and sinks apparently dead. The Count and Glandoff rush off, on hearing the sound of horns without.)

Fritz. (Coming from his concealment, and bending over the body of the baron.) Oh, the villains! to murder so good, so kind a gentleman! Oh, dear! I could cry my eyes out. How he bleeds! This fine picture though, I shall take care of; it may prove of some service hereafter. (Looking round.) Oh, here come the villains again! I must to my hiding-place. (Puts the picture into his bosom, and goes off. Sound of horns. Enter Count and Glandoff, in their proper dresses, with attendants.)

Count. Whence this alarm?

Glan. Oh, what a horrid sight! Behold! the worthy Baron Leibheim has been murdered.

Count. Oh, direful spectacle! my worthy guest has fallen a victim to the vile banditti of the forest. Sound an alarm! Let troops be sent in search of the assassins.

Glan. A hatchet lying close by the body, with marks of blood upon it! and a name upon the handle.

Count. (Taking hatchet.) Ah! Maurice, the woodcutter ! (Aside.) Ah, fate, I thank thee! (Aloud.) He is the murderer ! ́ On-on, I say, pursue the murderer! (Exeunt.) (Fritz comes forward. At same moment, re-enter Glandoff.) Glan. The prince's picture torn from my master's neck; I must recover it, or-(sees Fritz.) Ah! that boy, no doubt, has witnessed all that passed; but I will quickly silence him forever. (Seizes little Fritz, who exclaims, "Father! father! save me!" he hastens with him into the forest.)

(Enter Prince Leopold, in the utmost alarm. Utters an exclamation of horror, on seeing the mangled body of his friend, the baron. The cries of little Fritz, then attract his attention.)

Prince. Hark! a fellow creature in distress! Heaven, let me rescue him, or perish in the attempt. (Rushes out.)

Scene 7.—The Village, Bell, &c. as in Scene 1.

(Enter Dominie Starrkoph.)

Dom. I verily believe that fate has conspired, with tyranny and oppression, to trample on the rights of honest men. Just as I was on the point of overtaking the worthy baron, to present to him my petition, I learned that he had been most barbarously murdered and then to think that Maurice, the woodcutter, should have been guilty of so shocking a deed; a man, whom we all considered so honest. For my part, I can never believe it, though the proofs are strong against him.

(Enter Glandoff, with a letter.)

Glan. Heaven save the worthy Dominie!

Dom. Amen! and all of us, from the power of the evil one. Glan. I am the bearer of a letter for you; 'tis from his excellency.

Dom. From the governor, you mean; we won't talk of his excellence.

Glan. E'en as you will; 'tis but a title.

Dom. Very true, and in this case, a word without a meaning. Glan. Here's the letter. (Gives it.) His excellency the count will be here anon, to receive your answer in person.

Dom. Well, I am sure, I ought to think myself highly honored, especially after the flogging he was about to inflict upon me, this morning. Which way does the wind blow now, I wonder?

Glan. Read, Dominie, and you will learn his excellency's pleasure.

Dom. (Puts on his spectacles, and while he is silently reading the letter, enter the Count: the Dominie seems highly incensed at the contents of the letter.) Hem! hem! So I am to keep this affair a secret, am I?

Count. (Coming forward.) Such is my wish, my worthy Dominie.

Dom. Hem! worthy Dominie! Since when has it been the fashion, to order worthy dominies to be flogged, I should like to know?

Count. Let that be buried in oblivion; we will be friends, provided you accept my offer, and keep the whole affair a secret. Dom. Yes, yes, my lord, you'll find old Dominie is a rare fellow at keeping a secret.

Count. This purse shall be an earnest of your future fortune.

Dom. Your excellency quite overpowers me: yet such modesty, such Christian charity, shall not be kept a secret from the world; but be blazoned forth, that others may imitate so glorious an example. (He runs towards the bell.)

Count. (Trying to prevent him.) What would you do, my worthy Dominie ?

Old

Dom. What would I do? Why, make the people acquainted with the only generous action their governor has performed, in the whole course of his life. Nothing more! Dominie Starrkoph's the man for keeping a secret. (He pulls the bell with violence.)

Count. (Stamping with rage.) Mad-headed idiot!

(Enter Hans, and numerous peasantry.)

Hans. What now, what now? is the village on fire? or another petition to be signed? or

Dom. A greater wonder, far! Open wide your ears, ye men of Greenwald ! Your governor, Count Hartenstein, has given away a purse of gold, and most liberal promises of future favor, to a poor man; there's a wonder for you!

Count. Insolent wretch! give me back the letter, or

Dom. Not until I have gone through with it, my lord. Now attend my call, one and all. (Reads.) "From his excellency the governor, to the worthy Dominie Starrkoph, greeting. (Spoken.) Mark that, neighbors! To the worthy Dominie. (Reads.) "In consideration of the manifold advantages, which have occurred to the state, from your excellent mode of educating youth, it is our intention to grant you, from the public treasure, a pension of one thousand dollars per annum, together with the sinecure situation of gentleman ballard-singer to the prince; on consideration that you do not present to our gracious sovereign, the petition we perused this morning. This one generous offer, you will of course keep an inviolable secret. Signed, Count Hartenstein." (Spoken.) There, neighbors, there's a precious epistle for you.

Count. (Highly incensed.) Audacious demagogue! (To Glandoff, aside.) Go, fetch a guard! (Exit Glandoff.)

Dom. You see, my lord, I have kept your generous offer an inviolable secret. Odds fools-caps, and birch-brooms! to think of bribing me, a man of my dignity and rank in life! and one who is so well known for temperance and frugality. Old Dominie Starrkoph, indeed! take a bribe out of the pockets of his suffering countrymen, to betray their cause! accept the sinecure situation of gentleman ballard-singer to the prince;

zounds! the prince wants no ballard-singers, he has other fish to fry; and none but a rogue would ever think of pocketing a salary, without rendering his country some service for it, in return. (Throws the purse at the count's feet, with indignation.) Take back your money, my lord, to bribe slaves! not those who know their duty to their country. Sinecures indeed! I only wish our gracious prince were here, just now-(the Prince enters, and mingles with the throng,)-he'd see justice done us. Birch-brooms! I'd tell him such a tale as should open his eyes to the truth. Odds fools-caps! I'd

(Enter Glandoff, with guard, commanded by Captain Manhoof.) Count. Down with these rebels, soldiers! I command you. (Soldiers hesitate.)

Man. My lord!

Count. Fiends and perdition! you dare hesitate !

Man. We do, my lord; convinced that such scenes of blood are as repugnant to the feelings of our noble-minded prince, as they are to humanity.

Count. At your peril, sir!

Man.

Be it so. We have been too long the instruments of cruelty and oppression. Our duty is to uphold the laws, not to become the abject tools of tyranny; we, therefore, do refuse to murder our fellow countrymen in cold blood, and are prepared to take the consequences.

Count. Villains! traitors!

Man. Neither, my lord! yet we are well aware, our con. duct is against the strict laws of military discipline; and, therefore, surrender ourselves your prisoners, until our gracious prince decide our fate. Soldiers! ground your arms. (The soldiers obey. Captain Manhoof delivers his sword to the governor.)

Count. You shall repent this perfidy. (Hands Captain Manhoof's sword to Glandoff.)

Omnes. Hurrah! hurrah!

Dom. (To the governor.) You'll be sure to keep this affair a secret, my lord!

Scene 8.-Interior of Maurice's Cottage.

(Enter Maurice, with bundle of wood. Marie and Lotta run to meet him.)

Marie. Welcome, welcome home, dear Maurice! but where is Fritz?