Thus William mourned for some time, but gradually grew quieter. The thought of Jesus, who saw him and was caring for him, comforted him; and at last he did what all children who are in need or in trouble should do—he knelt down and prayed earnestly to the Lord for His help and protection. After praying, he wondered what he should do. To follow his brothers was impossible, for they had intentionally selected a spot where several paths met, so that he would be at a loss to know which one to choose to follow them. His heart was very heavy, and from time to time he would whisper, “Lord Jesus, help me! I am alone and forsaken; and I am hungry and thirsty. O Lord, help me!” and he felt comforted.
While the poor boy was sitting there, the thought came to him: “Perhaps my brothers have not left me, but have gone hunting and will be back in the evening.” This faint hope gave him courage, and he made up his mind to wait till night. Meanwhile hunger and thirst made their demands, so he stood up to see if there was anything that had been left in the grass. Much to his pleasure, he found a large piece of bread and a piece of meat; perhaps one of the brothers left it there purposely with a feeling of pity.
With a thankful heart William ate it, and looking around him he saw a creek, clear as crystal, where he satisfied his thirst. Thus God had already answered his prayers and given him a meal in the forest. William was thankful for it, and his confidence in the Lord increased. He believed that God would lead him out of the forest to someone who would direct him to his home and not allow him to die of hunger.
My young reader, are you thankful for the blessings which God gives you from day to day? Remember, God is the sustainer of us all, and every good and perfect gift comes from Him. Do not forget to thank Him for all these blessings, even the smallest, for God loves thankful hearts.
The day was declining; the sun was far in the west and the trees began to cast long shadows. At last the fiery ball disappeared altogether, and the evening twilight set in. The birds ceased their singing and went to their nests; the owl started her dismal call, and large bats were flying around William. The little fellow lost all courage and had given up the hope that his brothers might return.
Having been raised in the forest, he knew he should find some place where the wolves would not get him, so he searched for a suitable tree in which he might spend the night. Most of them were too thick for him, or the first branches were too high for him to reach. At last he found one right near the path which looked safe, and he began to climb it immediately. After reaching a comfortable place, he sat down and tied his left arm to a branch, fearing he might fall asleep and fall down.
Night came on getting darker and darker. The wind started to blow and shook the trees, but this did not frighten him because he was used to its howlings; he had often listened to it at home with a quiet enjoyment. Of course, it was quite different to sit near the warm hearth at home, protected from the storm, than to sit in the branches of a tree swinging to and fro. William was very brave for his age, but one sound made him afraid; the howl of a wolf in the distance, just like he heard the evening before.
He lifted his eyes upward and from his heart arose a quiet prayer to his Father, which gave him courage. Looking around him, he saw a light in the far distance, which he followed in the direction of the path. The light disappeared for a moment but again he saw it on the same spot. He jumped down from the tree as quickly as possible, for he thought there would be someone where the light was, and ran as fast as his feet could carry him over the uneven path, fearing to meet the wolf he had heard just a short time before.
After running for a quarter of an hour or so, he reached a point from which he could see the light again, but it seemed larger this time because he was closer to it.
William stood still for a moment to breathe, then he began to run again. Just as the moon came out from under a cloud, he noticed a brook too wide to jump across, but he could not stop to think what he should do, for he heard an animal coming towards him through the underbrush. Just then he stumbled over a root of a tree and fell unconscious, but when he came to himself again, the animal was so close he could feel the warm breath; he expected any moment to feel the sharp teeth in his flesh, but instead of it being a wolf it was a dog, and it began to lick William’s cheeks and bark for joy. When William arose, the dog jumped upon him, as he was so glad to see his loved companion once more.
“Caesar, my dear good Caesar,” cried William, and he noticed a piece of the rope with which his brother had tied him in the house three days ago. He wondered how his dog got to him, but knew the Lord directed it all, and he was so thankful to the Lord for bringing to him his best friend on earth. He soon forgot all his fear, and anxious to get out of the woods started again for the light, Caesar by his side. He started to wade through the brook, but when he got out into the current, the water was up to his hips; the current threw him over, but good faithful Caesar swam to him, took his clothes in his teeth and pulled him to the shore. Once more William loved and caressed his dog, then went on with his companion by his side.