Baron Leuchtmar soon observed that the Prince returned again and again to the pictures illustrating the story of David. Preceptor Müller had told him already much about it and David, the shepherd, singer, hero, and king occupied all his attention. Leuchtmar also increased his interest. He decided to read the entire history of David, from his anointing to his death, with the Prince. “I must share his delight in this narrative,” he said to himself, “and thus our reading will prove a double blessing.” He also decided to look it over himself in advance, so that when they read together he could better explain it. The more he read, the more he was delighted, and the clearer understanding he had of the hero youth and king. For an entire evening he left the oversight of the Prince to the preceptor and sat until midnight at his table. He read not only the history of David but the larger part of the Psalms. The life of the pious singer was reflected in them, and they seemed to him as a whole like a stately song of David’s. An hour was set apart every evening for their study of the history. Leuchtmar read, and the Prince and pages sat at the table. Müller was also present. Seldom have the Holy Scriptures been perused with such ardent devotion. The elders and the youths were alike interested. From time to time they stopped reading and Leuchtmar and Müller would explain the text to their young listeners, or read passages from the Psalms which made the narrative still clearer. Chapter IX The Runaway The Prince and Leuchtmar one day took a long ride to a mill in a wooded valley about two miles away. When about a a half-mile distant from it they met a horseman. He suddenly drew up as if undecided whether to keep on his way or take another road. At last he approached them, and the Prince and Leuchtmar recognized him as the miller’s son—a strong, handsome young fellow. He greeted them and was about to ride on. “Stephen, wait a minute and tell——” But Stephen put spurs to his horse and dashed on. The Prince looked from the rider to his governor as if to seek an explanation of his conduct. Suddenly Stephen turned, rode back, and stopping a few paces away from them said: “Herr Prince, console my parents, and tell them I will restore everything that the war takes from them. God keep and bless you also.” Thereupon he turned once more and soon disappeared in the woods.