“I now began seriously to prepare for my departure.  The chamber I occupied, had once been the library of a Franciscan convent.  Only a thick wall separated it from the church.  In this wall was a niche, with heavy folding-doors, which had served the Franciscans as a repository for prohibited books.  Here also I kept my papers, and my great work on Biblical Hermeneutics.  The inside of the doors was covered with horrible caricatures of Luther, Melancthon, Calvin, and other great men.  I used often to look at them with the deepest melancholy, when I thought that these great men likewise had labored upon earth, and fought with Satan in the church.  But they were persecuted, denounced, condemned to die.  So perhaps will it be with me.  I thought of this often; and armed myself against the fear of death.  I was in constant apprehension, lest the police should search my chamber during my absence, and, by examining my papers, discover my doctrine and designs.  But the Spirit said to me; ’Be of good cheer; I will so blind the eyes of thy enemies, that it shall not once occur to them to think of thy writings.’

“At length, after many difficulties and temptations of the Devil, I am on my way to America.  Yesterday I took leave of my dearest friend, Gregory Kuscher, in Hallstadt.  He seemed filled with the Spirit of God, and has wonderfully strengthened me in my purpose.  All the hosts of heaven looked on, and were glad.  The old man kissed me at parting; and I ascended the mountain as if angels bore me up in their arms.  Near the summit, lay a newly fallen avalanche, over which, as yet, no footsteps had passed.  This was my last temptation.  ‘Ha!’ cried I aloud, ’Satan has prepared a snare for me; but I will conquer him with godly weapons.’  I sprang over the treacherous snow, with greater faith than St. Peter walked the waters of the Lake of Galilee; and came down the valley, while the mountain peaks yetshone in the setting sun.  God smiles upon me.  I go forth, full of hopeful courage.  On Christmas next, I shall excommunicate the Pope.”

Saying these words, he slowly and solemnly took his leave, like one conscious of the great events which await him, and withdrew with the other priest into the church.  Flemming could not smile as Berkley did; for in the solitary, singular enthusiast, who had just left them, he saw only another melancholy victim to solitude and over-labor of the brain; and felt how painful a thing it is, thus to become unconsciously the alms-man of other men’s sympathies, a kind of blind beggar for the charity of a good wish or a prayer.

The sun was now setting.  Silently they floated back to Saint Gilgen, amid the cool evening shadows.  The village clock struck nine as they landed; and as Berkley was to depart early in the morning, he went to bed betimes.  On bidding Flemming good night he said;

“I shall not see you in the morning; so good bye, and God bless you.  Remember my partingwords.  Never mind trifles.  In this world a man must either be anvil or hammer.  Care killed a cat!”