"Do not cry; it is of no use. We will find our way to Kief, and there uncle will take care of us." "I do not think I can go much farther, Mendel." "But you must. If we remain here we shall be captured and put into prison. Let us go as far as we possibly can. Perhaps we can find a village on the road where the _Jehudim_ (Jews) will shelter us until you become stronger. Come, Jacob." The child struggled to his feet and the brothers set out upon their journey through an unknown country. The sun, the cheerful king of day, had peeped through the April rifts and sent his bright rays upon the smiling landscape. Gradually the clouds dissolved under the genial influence and a friendly sky cheered the fugitives on their way. The merry chirping of the birds, the buzzing of the insects, the blossoming fruit trees along the route, betokened the advent of spring. Mendel gulped down a great lump in his throat and stifled a sob, as he thought of his distant home. How happy, how joyful, had this season been, when, after the termination of the Bible studies at the _cheder_, their father had taken them for a long walk through the fields and in his own crude way had spoken of the beauties of Nature and of the wisdom and beneficence of the Creator. Then, all was peace and contentment; and now, what a dreary contrast! Mendel dashed the gathering tears from his eyes--it would not do to let Jacob see him cry--and resolutely taking his little brother by the hand, walked on more rapidly. There was a tedious journey in prospect; God only knew when and where it would end. On they walked through bramble and marsh, over stones and fallen boughs, preferring the newly-ploughed fields to the public road, for fear of detection; trembling with fear at the sight of a human being, lest it might be a soldier charged with their recapture. On they struggled until night hid the road from their view and darkness arrested further progress. A ruined and deserted shed afforded them shelter, a stone did service as a pillow, and, embracing each other, the lads lay down to sleep. The dawn found the wanderers astir, and after a hasty ablution at a neighboring brook and a recital of their morning prayers, they bravely started out upon their cheerless journey. The day had dawned brightly, but before long threatening clouds obscured the sun. The wind veered to the North and howled dismally. Sadly and silently the boys trudged onward, buffeting the wind and stifling their growing hunger. "Mendel," finally sobbed Jacob, "I am so hungry. If I only had a piece of bread I would feel much stronger." "Let us walk faster," replied the other. "Perhaps we will reach some village." Manfully they pushed onward for another hour, Mendel endeavoring to entertain his brother by relating stories he had heard when a child. Jacob stopped again, exhausted. "It is no use, Mendel," he cried. "I am too hungry to walk any further."