“But”—­replied Elias.

“I know your objections beforehand,” I replied.  “You are going to say that you see no connection between Kaspar Evig, whose shade follows you, and that goat.  But beware! be careful!  Where was the connection between the waters of the Ganges, Circe’s salt-cakes, and the scapegoat with the crimes to be expiated?  None at all.  Well, for all that, the expiation was held to be good; therefore lay your curses and imprecations upon that goat, and throw him over!  I order you to do that!  I feel it my duty to see this thing done.  I can see a connection between that goat and your fault, but I cannot explain it because the light of my vast information dazzles me just now!”

Elias did not move a step.  I even thought I detected a smile upon his countenance, which irritated me.

“How!” said I; “here am I pointing out to you an infallible method to get rid of the just punishment of your crime, and you doubt—­you hesitate—­you even smile!”

“No,” said he, “but I am not accustomed to walk on the edges of precipices, and I am afraid I should fall into the Holderloch along with the goat.”

“Ah, you are a coward!  I can see it all.  You have just once displayed a little courage to get exemption for the rest of your days.  Well, sir, if you refuse to carry out my advice, I will do it myself.”

And I rose.

“Christian!  Christian!” cried my friend, “don’t trust yourself too far.  Your foot is not steady—­just now.”

“My foot not steady!  Do you dare to insinuate that I am drunk because I have just had ten or a dozen glasses of beer and three glasses of schnapps this morning?  Away with you!  Back! back, son of Belial!”

And advancing a few feet above the goat, with my head raised and hands extended, I cried solemnly—­

“Azazel! goat destined for misery and expiation, I lay upon your hairy back the remorse of my friend Elias Hirsch, and I send you down to the spirits of darkness!”

Then, passing round the ledge on which we stood, I descended to the next below to catch the goat and throw him over.

A sacred rage and fury seemed to possess me.  I took no notice of the abyss.  I stepped along the edge of the precipice like a cat.

The goat, perceiving my approach, eyed me suspiciously, and stepped back a little way.

“Ha!” I cried, “you may flee from me, but you shall not escape from me, accursed beast!  I have got you!”

“Oh, Christian, Christian!” Elias kept repeating in a heartrending voice, “do come back.  You are risking your life!”

“Silence, unbeliever!” I cried.  “You are unworthy of the great sacrifice which I am making for your happiness!  But your friend Christian never draws back.  Azazel must perish!”

A little farther on the ledge narrowed and ended in a point.

The goat, having a second time examined me with a curious eye, drew back a little farther, but not without some hesitation.