HE IS NEARLY DROWNED. 179 



Though Persson was in reality little favourable to the 

 Tyrant, still reflecting that if he harboured Gustavus, it 

 might cost him dear, he resolved no longer to shelter his 

 friend beneath his roof; and he therefore recommended him 

 (a command under the circumstances) to proceed without 

 delay into the interior ; and the better to avoid detection, to 

 change his abode as often as might be. 



It was about Andersmassa, or Kermess, when the knight 

 again set out on his wanderings. Late the same evening he 

 came to the Lill-elf that runs out of the great lake Runn 

 into the river Dal which it was his purpose to cross ; but 

 the ice being thin, and giving way under his weight, he fell 

 into the water. Though no assistance was at hand, he was 

 enabled by a great effort to extricate himself from his very 

 perilous situation ; and once in safety he returned to the 

 ferry-house at Glottorp, where he dried his clothes and 

 passed the night. 



The next morning Gustavus proceeded to Ornas, to the 

 house of a person of consideration, by name Arendt Persson, 

 another of his old Upsala friends ; and as this man had 

 served under his own banner in the wars of the Stures, 

 and shown great attachment to his person, he naturally 

 expected from him a kind welcome, as well as shelter and 

 protection. Apparently, indeed, nothing could be more 

 cordial than the reception he met with, for Persson not 

 only embraced him warmly ; but on the knight, in the inno- 

 cency of his heart, informing him of his motives for visiting 

 Dalecarlia, and of his intention to incite the people to revolt 

 against Christian, he promised him every assistance. 



The rights of hospitality fulfilled, the host showed Gus- 

 tavus up to his chamber, a pretty lofty one, where, glad at 



N 2 



