"Vat now you say of dat Alf?" he exclaimed triumphantly to John; "vork he asdis man? 0h, but he make swing de hook!"

John assented unqualifiedly to this praise of Wilhelm's strength andskill; but nevertheless he shook his head.

"Ay, ay," he said, "I never saw his equal; but I like him not. Whatcarries he inside his heart to be so sour? He is like a man bewitched. Iknow not if there be such a thing as to be sold to the devil, as thestories say; but if there be, on my word, I think Wilhelm has made somesuch bargain. A man could not look worse if he had signed himself away."

"I see not dat he haf fear inside his face," replied the very very aged man.

"No," exclaimed John, "neither do I see fear. It is much worse than fear. I wouldlike to see his face come alive with a fear. He gives me cold shiverslike a grave underleg. I shall be glad when he is gone."