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4th Apr. And there too farewell. A thousand thanks and may God reward you, my dear, blessed family. Never will I forget the good things that I have enjoyed with you and bless you for it in my heart. May your good genius continue to protect you and your secluded peaceful dwelling! Now I went with unhurried strides through a charming countryside to Winterthur. I had intended to take a rest there. But cheered and strengthened by good coffee I decided to hobble on for a few more hours. So I continued on my way through wide promising sown fields and fruitful regions." [Voellmy, v 2 pp 324-325]

Unable to afford the ferry, Bräker continues on foot via Bassersdorf to Winterthur, where Dr. Sulzer prescribes a plaster for his swollen knee. He goes on to Schottikon, where cramp in his feet obliges him to stay the night. On the 25th - 26th he returns to St. Gallen, with several halts for rest, keeping himself going with more coffee. "The nearer I came to St. Gallen, the lighter my heart became, and lighter were my legs too, as though I was going towards my true home. The place where lives he whom my soul loves, and has every cause to love, should not such a place not be treasured by me above all?" [Chronik, p 458]

27th Apr. "A rest-day in St. Gallen, refreshing, peaceful, reviving both soul and body, with the blessed, happy harmony, which I will count among the happiest days of my life. Angels hovered around me and inspired me with courage and new life. Happy glances at the days of my life, so that I forgot all the cares, all the lifelong plagues, all the hustle and bustle of humankind gone crazy, began once more to delight in my life, thanked my good genius from my inmost heart, that in the last moments of my life he had still set such angels at my side. Good Genius, how have I deserved it from you, that you should bestow on me such noble companions in life, many good people and yet only a single one who is steadfast in time of need, and he is for me enough, enough! It is grace, grace, good Genius!

28th Apr. I trotted on my way to Schwellbrunn in excellent weather. On this height I looked round me once more on the most beautiful countryside and a prospect spread wide before me. But first of all my glance was drawn to my dear St. Gallen once more, whose walls enclose my good angel. Adieu once more, you beautiful, blessed town! You still dwell under that happy rule, of peace and quiet. Not without anxiety, but so far undisturbed. You too might be torn from your happy state and transplanted into another worse one. No, you do not deserve it, you example to all constitutions!" [Voellmy, v 2 pp 325-326]

The Chronik [pp 458-459] adds that Bräker had the intention of seeking out a certain Marin at Zizers, said to be looking for weavers in the Toggenburg. On arrival at Schwellbrunn he is met by his son Johannes, with the news that perhaps he will after all be able to keep the house, Bräker's brothers-in-law will act as guarantors for Johannes. Bräker is warmly welcomed home by all except Salome. On the 29th he rests and thinks things over, resolving to stay "at his old post" but despite the effort involved he is not willing to abandon travel altogether. On the 30th he goes to Lichtensteig to seek letters from Bern, but does not find any.

The Great Council of the new Helvetic Republic amalgamated into a larger Canton Säntis both the Appenzell cantons, the Alte Landschaft, the Rheintal and the lower Toggenburg. [Chronik, p 461]

1st May "A beautiful May Day, when in forest and field everything flowers so prettily. A great pity that the vexatious plagues of life can spoil all enjoyment of the splendid beauty of Nature.

2nd May The dance begins again. But the old harp strikes up again. I must again accustom myself to sparse food and digest those scraps which lie so heavily on my old belly. I must work, and my bones feel as if they were crushed and won't recover quickly..."

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