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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Diamond Fairy Book, by Various
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Diamond Fairy Book
+
+Author: Various
+
+Illustrator: Frank Pape
+             H. R. Millar
+
+Release Date: November 12, 2011 [EBook #37995]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DIAMOND FAIRY BOOK ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Edwards, Eleni Christofaki and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from images generously made available
+by The Internet Archive)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's notes:
+
+Some illustrations of this work have been moved from the original
+sequence to enable the contents to continue without interruption.
+Obvious punctuation errors have been silently repaired and hyphenation
+was normalised. A list of the corrections made can be found at the end
+of the book. Italics indicated with _underscores_, bold typeface with
+=equal signs=.
+
+
+
+
+  THE DIAMOND FAIRY BOOK.
+
+
+
+
+  _UNIFORM WITH THIS VOLUME_
+
+
+  Each in square 8vo, richly bound in cloth gilt and gilt edges, =3s. 6d.=
+
+  THE RUBY FAIRY BOOK
+
+    With 8 beautiful coloured plates by Frank Papé and 77 drawings by H.
+    R. Millar.
+
+  THE GOLDEN FAIRY BOOK
+
+    With 8 beautiful coloured plates by Frank Papé and 110 drawings by H.
+    R. Millar.
+
+  THE SILVER FAIRY BOOK
+
+    With 8 beautiful coloured plates by Norman Little and 83 illustrations
+    by H. R. Millar.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "Upon the back of his noble steed the Prince gallantly
+lifted his beautiful charge."
+
+FRONTISPIECE. _page 273_]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: THE DIAMOND FAIRY BOOK
+
+COMPRISING STORIES BY
+
+  ISABEL BELLERBY
+
+  Z. TOPELIUS.
+
+  MRS. EGERTON EASTWICK.
+
+  CLEMENS BRENTANO.
+
+  XAVIER MARMIER.
+
+  J. JARRY.
+
+  W. HAUFF.
+
+  RICHARD LEANDER.
+
+  K. E. SUTTER.
+
+  SAINT-JUIRS.
+
+  A. GODIN.
+
+  PAULINE SCHANZ.]
+
+
+With 8 Coloured Plates by FRANK PAPÉ and 82 Drawings by H. R. MILLAR
+
+
+  LONDON
+  HUTCHINSON & CO.
+  PATERNOSTER ROW
+
+
+
+
+  PRINTED BY HAZELL, WATSON AND VINEY, LD., LONDON AND AYLESBURY.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+                                                                    PAGE
+
+  PRINCESS CRYSTAL, OR THE HIDDEN TREASURE.                            1
+      _By Isabel Bellerby._
+
+  THE STORY OF THE INVISIBLE KINGDOM.                                 15
+      _From the German of Richard Leander._
+
+  HOW SAMPO LAPPELILL SAW THE MOUNTAIN KING.                          35
+      _From the Swedish of Z. Topelius._
+
+  THE WITCH-DANCER'S DOOM.                                            51
+      _A Breton Legend._
+
+  THE THREE VALLEYS.                                                  61
+      _From the German._
+
+  THE SPRING-TIDE OF LOVE.                                            77
+      _By Pleydell North (Mrs. Egerton Eastwick)._
+
+  RINGFALLA BRIDGE.                                                   97
+      _By K. E. Sutter._
+
+  THE CHILDREN'S FAIRY.                                              113
+      _From the French of Saint-Juirs._
+
+  WITTYSPLINTER.                                                     127
+      _From the German of Clemens Brentano._
+
+  THE MID-DAY ROCK.                                                  143
+      _From the French of J. Jarry._
+
+  LILLEKORT.                                                         157
+      _From the French of Xavier Marmier._
+
+  THE TEN LITTLE FAIRIES.                                            169
+      _From the French of Georges Mitchell._
+
+  THE MAGICIAN AND HIS PUPIL.                                        185
+      _From the German of A. Godin._
+
+  THE STRAWBERRY THIEF.                                              201
+      _From the German of Pauline Schanz._
+
+  THE ADVENTURES OF SAID.                                            217
+      _From the German of W. Hauff._
+
+  LITTLE BLUE FLOWER.                                                241
+      _From the German of Miss F. E. Hynam._
+
+  "THE PRINCESS WHO DESPISED ALL MEN."                               257
+      _By Charles Smith Cheltnam._
+
+  THE NECKLACE OF TEARS.                                             277
+      _By Mrs. Egerton Eastwick._
+
+  THE PRINCE AND THE LIONS.                                          297
+      _From the Persian._
+
+
+
+
+Princess Crystal, or the Hidden Treasure.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+PRINCESS CRYSTAL OR THE HIDDEN TREASURE.
+
+A Story by Isabel Bellerby.
+
+
+THERE were the four Kings: the King of the North, the region of
+perpetual snow; the King of the South, where the sun shines all the year
+round; the King of the East, from whence the cold winds blow; and the
+King of the West, where the gentle zephyrs breathe upon the flowers, and
+coax them to open their petals while the rest of the world is still
+sleeping.
+
+And there was the great Dragon, who lived on top of a high mountain in
+the centre of the universe. He could see everything that happened
+everywhere by means of his magic spectacles, which enabled him to look
+all ways at once, and to see through solid substances; but he could only
+see, not hear, for he was as deaf as a post.
+
+Now the King of the North had a beautiful daughter called Crystal. Her
+eyes were bright like the stars; her hair was black like the sky at
+night; and her skin was as white as the snow which covered the ground
+outside the palace where she lived, which was built entirely of crystals
+clear as the clearest glass.
+
+And the King of the South had a son who had been named Sunshine on
+account of his brightness and warmth of heart.
+
+The King of the East had a son who, because he was always up early and
+was very industrious, had been given the name of Sunrise.
+
+The King of the West also had a son, perhaps the handsomest of the
+three, and always magnificently dressed; but as it took him all day to
+make his toilette, so that he was never seen before evening, he received
+the name of Sunset.
+
+All three Princes were in love with the Princess Crystal, each hoping to
+win her for his bride. When they had the chance they would go and peep
+at her as she wandered up and down in her glass palace. But she liked
+Prince Sunshine best, because he stayed longer than the others, and was
+always such excellent company. Prince Sunrise was too busy to be able to
+spare her more than half an hour or so; and Prince Sunset never came
+until she was getting too tired and sleepy to care to see him.
+
+It was of no use, however, for her to hope that Sunshine would be her
+husband just because she happened to prefer him to the others. Her
+father--the stern, blusterous old King, with a beard made of icicles so
+long that it reached to his waist and kept his heart cold--declared
+that he had no patience for such nonsense as likes and dislikes; and one
+day he announced, far and wide, in a voice that was heard by the other
+three Kings, and which made the earth shake so that the great green
+Dragon immediately looked through his spectacles to see what was
+happening:
+
+"He who would win my daughter must first bring me the casket containing
+the Hidden Treasure, which is concealed no man knows where!"
+
+Of course the Dragon was none the wiser for looking through his
+spectacles, because the words--loud though they were--could not be heard
+by his deaf ears.
+
+But the other Kings listened diligently; as did the young Princes. And
+poor Princess Crystal trembled in her beautiful palace lest Sunrise, who
+was always up so early, should find the treasure before Sunshine had a
+chance: she was not much afraid of the indolent Sunset, except that it
+might occur to him to look in some spot forgotten by his rivals.
+
+Very early indeed on the following morning did Prince Sunrise set to
+work; he glided along the surface of the earth, keeping close to the
+ground in his anxiety not to miss a single square inch. He knew he was
+not first in the field; for the Northern King's proclamation had been
+made towards evening on the previous day, and Prince Sunset had
+bestirred himself for once, and had lingered about rather later than
+usual, being desirous of finding the treasure and winning the charming
+Princess.
+
+But the early morning was passing, and very soon the cheery,
+indefatigable Sunshine had possession of the entire land, and flooded
+Crystal's palace with a look from his loving eyes which bade her not
+despair.
+
+Then he talked to the trees and the green fields and the flowers,
+begging them to give up the secret in return for the warmth and gladness
+he shed so freely on them. But they were silent, except that the trees
+sighed their sorrow at not being able to help him, and the long grasses
+rustled a whispered regret, and the flowers bowed their heads in grief.
+
+Not discouraged, however, Prince Sunshine went to the brooks and rivers,
+and asked their assistance. But they, too, were helpless. The brooks
+gurgled out great tears of woe, which rushed down to the rivers, and so
+overcame them--sorry as they were on account of their own inability to
+help--that they nearly overflowed their banks, and went tumbling into
+the sea, who, of course, wanted to know what was the matter; but, when
+told, all the sea could do was to thunder a loud and continuous "No!" on
+all its beaches. So Prince Sunshine had to pass on and seek help
+elsewhere.
+
+He tried to make the great Dragon understand; but it could not hear him.
+Other animals could, though, and he went from one to another, as
+cheerful as ever, in spite of all the "Noes" he had met with; until, at
+last, he knew by the twittering of the birds that he was going to be
+successful.
+
+[Illustration: "'MY ROBE IS OF SNOW,' SHE FALTERED" (_p._ 8).]
+
+"We go everywhere and learn most things," said the swallows, flying up
+and down in the air, full of excitement and joy at being able to reward
+their beloved Sunshine for all his kindness to them. "And we know this
+much, at any rate: the Hidden Treasure can only be found by him who
+looks at its hiding-place through the Dragon's magic spectacles."
+
+Prince Sunshine exclaimed that he would go at once and borrow these
+wonderful spectacles; but a solemn-looking old owl spoke up:
+
+"Be not in such a hurry, most noble Prince! The Dragon will slay any
+one--even so exalted a personage as yourself--who attempts to remove
+those spectacles while he is awake; and, as is well known, he never
+allows himself to sleep, for fear of losing some important sight."
+
+"Then what is to be done?" asked the Prince, beginning to grow impatient
+at last, for the afternoon was now well advanced, and Prince Sunset
+would soon be on the war-path again.
+
+A majestic eagle came swooping down from the clouds.
+
+"There is only one thing in all the world," said he, "which can send the
+Dragon to sleep, and that is a caress from the hand of the Princess
+Crystal."
+
+Sunshine waited to hear no more. Smiling his thanks, he hastened away to
+put his dear Crystal's love to the test. She had never yet ventured
+outside the covered gardens of her palace. Would she go with him now,
+and approach the great Dragon, and soothe its savage watchfulness into
+the necessary repose?
+
+As he made the request, there stole into the Princess's cheeks the first
+faint tinge of colour that had ever been seen there.
+
+[Illustration: "HE LEARNED THE SECRET AT ONCE" (_p._ 11).]
+
+"My robe is of snow," she faltered; "if I go outside these crystal
+walls into your radiant presence it will surely melt."
+
+"You look as if you yourself would melt at my first caress, you
+beautiful, living snowflake," replied the Prince; "but have no fear:
+see, I have my own mantle ready to enfold you. Come, Princess, and trust
+yourself to me."
+
+Then, for the first time in her life, Princess Crystal stole out of her
+palace, and was immediately wrapped in Prince Sunshine's warm mantle,
+which caused her to glow all over; her face grew quite rosy, and she
+looked more than usually lovely, so that the Prince longed to kiss her;
+but she was not won yet, and she might have been offended at his taking
+such a liberty.
+
+Therefore, he had to be content to have her beside him in his golden
+chariot with the fiery horses, which flew through space so quickly that
+they soon stood on the high mountain, where the Dragon sat watching them
+through his spectacles, wondering what the Princess was doing so far
+from home, and what her father would think if he discovered her absence.
+
+It was no use explaining matters to the Dragon, even had they wished to
+do so; but of course nothing was further from their intention.
+
+Holding Prince Sunshine's hand to give her courage, the Princess
+approached the huge beast and timidly laid her fingers on his head.
+
+"This is very nice and soothing," thought the Dragon, licking his lips;
+"very kind of her to come, I'm sure; but--dear me!--this won't do! I'm
+actually--going--to--sleep!"
+
+He tried to rise, but the gentle hand prevented that. A sensation of
+drowsiness stole through all his veins, which would have been delightful
+but for his determination never to sleep. As it was, he opened his mouth
+to give a hiss that would surely have frightened the poor Princess out
+of her wits; but he fell asleep before he could so much as begin it; his
+mouth remained wide open; but his eyes closed, and his great head began
+to nod in a very funny manner.
+
+Directly they were satisfied that he really slept, Prince Sunshine
+helped himself to the Dragon's spectacles, requesting the Princess not
+to remove her hand, lest the slumber should not last long enough for
+their purpose.
+
+Then he put on the spectacles, and Princess Crystal exclaimed with fear
+and horror when--as though in result of his doing so--she saw her
+beloved Prince plunge his right hand into the Dragon's mouth.
+
+Prince Sunshine had stood facing the huge beast as he transferred the
+spectacles to his own nose, and, naturally enough, the first thing he
+saw through them was the interior of the Dragon's mouth, with the tongue
+raised and shot forward in readiness for the hiss which sleep had
+intercepted; and under the tongue was the golden casket containing the
+Hidden Treasure!
+
+The spectacles enabled the Prince to see through the cover; so he
+learned the secret at once, and knew why the King of the North was so
+anxious to possess himself of it, the great treasure being a pair of
+spectacles exactly like those hitherto always worn by the Dragon, and by
+him alone--which would keep the King informed of all that was going on
+in every corner of his kingdom, so that he could always punish or reward
+the right people and never make mistakes; also he could learn a great
+deal of his neighbours' affairs, which is pleasant even to a King.
+
+The Princess was overjoyed when she knew the casket was already found;
+she very nearly removed her hand in her eagerness to inspect it; but,
+fortunately, she remembered just in time, and kept quite still until
+Prince Sunshine had drawn his chariot so close that they could both get
+into it without moving out of reach of the Dragon's head.
+
+Then, placing the spectacles, not in their accustomed place, but on the
+ground just beneath, and laying the golden casket on the Princess's lap,
+the Prince said, as he gathered up the reins:
+
+"Now, my dearly beloved Crystal--really mine at last--take away your
+hand, and let us fly, without an instant's delay, to the Court of the
+King, your royal father."
+
+It is well they had prepared for immediate departure. Directly the
+Princess's hand was raised from the Dragon's head his senses returned to
+him, and, finding his mouth open ready for hissing, he hissed with all
+his angry might, and looked about for his spectacles that he might
+pursue and slay those who had robbed him; for, of course, he missed the
+casket at once.
+
+But he was a prisoner on that mountain and unable to leave it, though he
+flapped his great wings in terrible wrath when he saw the Prince and
+Princess, instead of driving down the miles and miles of mountain side
+as he had hoped, being carried by the fiery horses right through the
+air, where he could not reach them.
+
+They only laughed when they heard the hiss and the noise made by the
+useless flapping of wings. Prince Sunshine urged on his willing steeds,
+and they arrived at the Court just as the King, Crystal's father, was
+going to dinner; and he was so delighted at having the treasure he had
+so long coveted, that he ordered the marriage to take place at once.
+
+Prince Sunset called just in time to be best man, looking exceedingly
+gorgeous and handsome, though very disappointed to have lost the
+Princess; and the festivities were kept up all night, so that Prince
+Sunrise was able to offer his good wishes when he came early in the
+morning, flushed with the haste he had made to assure Prince Sunshine
+that he bore him no ill-will for having carried off the prize.
+
+Princess Crystal never returned to her palace, except to peep at it
+occasionally. She liked going everywhere with her husband, who, she
+found, lived by no means an idle life, but went about doing
+good--grumbled at sometimes, of course, for some people will grumble
+even at their best friend--but more generally loved and blessed by all
+who knew him.
+
+
+
+
+The Story of the Invisible Kingdom.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+The Story of the Invisible Kingdom.
+
+From the German of Richard Leander.
+
+
+IN a little house half-way up the mountain-side, and about a mile from
+the other houses of the village, there lived with his old father a young
+man called George. There was just enough land belonging to the house to
+enable the father and son to live free from care.
+
+Immediately behind the house the wood began, the oak trees and beech
+trees in which were so old that the grandchildren of the people who had
+planted them had been dead for more than a hundred years, but in front
+of the house there lay a broken old mill-stone--who knows how it got
+there? Any one sitting on the stone would have a wonderful view of the
+valley down below, with the river flowing through it, and of the
+mountains rising on the other side of the river. In the evening, when he
+had finished his work in the fields, George often sat here for hours at
+a time dreaming, with his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands;
+and because he cared little for the villagers, but generally went about
+silent and absorbed like one who is thinking of all sorts of things, the
+people nicknamed him "George the Dreamer." But he did not mind it at
+all.
+
+The older he grew, the more silent he became, and when at last his old
+father died, and he had buried him under a great old oak tree, he became
+quite silent. Then, when he sat on the broken mill-stone, as he did more
+often than before, and looked down into the lovely valley, and saw how
+the evening mists came into the valley at one end and slowly climbed the
+mountains, and how it then became darker and darker, until at last the
+moon and the stars appeared in the sky in their full glory, a wonderful
+feeling came into his heart. The waves of the river began to sing, quite
+softly at first, but gradually louder, until they could be heard quite
+plainly; and they sang of the mountains, down from which they had come,
+and of the sea, to which they wished to go, and of the nixies who lived
+far down at the bottom of the river. Then the forest began to rustle,
+quite differently from an ordinary forest, and it used to relate the
+most wonderful tales. The old oak tree especially, which stood at his
+father's grave, knew far more than all the other trees. The stars, high
+up in the sky, wanted so much to tumble down into the green forest and
+the blue water, that they twinkled and sparkled as if they could not
+bear it any longer. But the angels who stand behind the stars held them
+firmly in their places, and said: "Stars, stars, don't be foolish! You
+are much too old to do silly things--many thousand years old, and more.
+Stay quietly in your places."
+
+[Illustration: "IN THE SWING SAT A CHARMING PRINCESS" (_p._ 20).]
+
+It was truly a wonderful valley! But it was only George the Dreamer who
+heard and saw all that. The people who lived in the valley had not a
+suspicion of it, for they were quite ordinary people. Now and then they
+hewed down a huge old tree, cut it up into firewood, and made a high
+stack, and then they said: "Now we shall be able to make our coffee
+again for some time." In the river they washed their clothes; it was
+very convenient. And even when the stars sparkled most beautifully, they
+only said, "It will be very cold to-night: let us hope our potatoes
+won't freeze." Once George the Dreamer tried to bring them to see
+differently, but they only laughed at him. They were just quite ordinary
+people.
+
+Now, one day as he was sitting on the mill-stone and thinking that he
+was quite alone in the world, he fell asleep. Then he dreamt that he
+saw, hanging down from the sky, a golden swing, which was fastened to
+two stars by silver ropes. In the swing sat a charming Princess, who was
+swinging so high that each time she touched the sky, then the earth, and
+then the sky again. Each time the swing came near the earth, the
+Princess clapped her hands with joy and threw George the Dreamer a rose.
+But suddenly the ropes broke, and the swing, with the Princess, flew far
+into the sky, farther and farther, until at last he could see it no
+longer.
+
+Then he woke up, and when he looked round, he saw a great bunch of
+roses lying beside him on the mill-stone.
+
+The next day he went to sleep again, and dreamt the same thing, and when
+he woke up the roses were lying on the stone by his side.
+
+This happened every day for a whole week. Then George said to himself
+that some part of the dream must be true, because he always dreamt
+exactly the same thing. So he shut up his house, and set out to seek the
+Princess.
+
+After he had travelled for many days, he saw in the distance a country
+where the clouds touched the earth. He hastened towards it, but came, on
+his way, to a large forest. Here he suddenly heard fearful groans and
+cries, and on approaching the place from which they seemed to come, he
+saw a venerable old man with a silver-grey beard lying on the ground.
+Two horribly ugly, naked fellows were kneeling on him, trying to
+strangle him. Then George the Dreamer looked round to see whether he
+could find some sort of weapon with which to run the two fellows through
+the body; but he could find nothing, so, in mortal terror, he tore down
+a huge tree-trunk. He had scarcely seized it when it changed in his
+hands into a mighty halberd. Then he rushed at the two monsters, and ran
+them through the body, and they let go the old man and ran away howling.
+
+Then George lifted the old man up and comforted him, and asked him why
+the two fellows had wanted to choke him. The old man said that he was
+the King of Dreams, and had come by mistake into the kingdom of his
+greatest enemy, the King of Realities. The latter, as soon as he noticed
+this, had sent two of his servants to lie in wait for him and kill him.
+
+"Have you then done the King of Realities any harm?" asked George the
+Dreamer.
+
+"God forbid!" the old man assured him. "He is always very easily
+provoked, that is his character. And me he hates like poison."
+
+"But the fellows he sent to strangle you were quite naked!"
+
+"Yes, indeed," said the King, "stark naked. That is fashion in the land
+of Realities; all the people, even the King, go about naked, and are not
+at all ashamed. They are an abominable nation. But now, since you have
+saved my life, I will prove my gratitude to you by showing you my
+country. It is the most glorious country in the whole world, and Dreams
+are my subjects."
+
+Then the Dream-King went on in front and George followed him. When they
+came to the place where the clouds touched the earth, the King showed
+him a trap-door that was so well hidden in the thicket that not even a
+person who knew it was there would have been able to find it. He lifted
+it up and led his companion down five hundred steps into a brightly
+lighted grotto that stretched for miles in undiminished splendour. It
+was unspeakably beautiful. There were castles on islands in the midst of
+large lakes, and the islands floated about like ships. If you wished to
+go into one of them, all you had to do was to stand on the bank and call
+out:--
+
+    Little castle, swim to me,
+    That I may get into thee.
+
+[Illustration: "GEORGE COULD DO NOTHING BUT WONDER AND ADMIRE" (_p._
+24).]
+
+Then it came to the shore by itself. Farther on were other castles, on
+clouds, floating slowly in the air. But if you said:--
+
+    Float down, little castle in the air,
+    Take me up to see thy beauties rare,
+
+they slowly floated down. Besides these, there were gardens with flowers
+which gave out a sweet smell by day, and a bright light by night;
+beautifully tinted birds, which told stories; and a host of other
+wonderful things. George could do nothing but wonder and admire.
+
+"Now I will show you my subjects, the Dreams," said the King. "I have
+three kinds--good Dreams for good people, bad Dreams for bad people, and
+also Dream-goblins. With the last I amuse myself now and then, for a
+King must sometimes have a joke."
+
+So he took George into one of the castles, which was so queerly built
+that it looked irresistibly comical.
+
+"Here the Dream-goblins live: they are a tiny, high-spirited, roguish
+lot--never do any harm, but love to tease." Then he called to one of the
+goblins: "Come here, little man, and be serious a moment for once in
+your life. Do you know," he continued, addressing George, "what this
+rogue does if I, once in a way, allow him to go down to the earth? He
+runs to the next house, drags the first man he comes across, who is
+sound asleep, out of bed, carries him to the church tower, and throws
+him down, head over heels. Then he rushes down the stairs so as to reach
+the bottom first, catches the man, carries him home, and flings him so
+roughly into bed that the bedstead creaks horribly. Then the man wakes
+up, rubs the sleep out of his eyes, and says: 'Dear me! I thought I was
+falling from the church tower. What a good thing it was only a dream.'"
+
+"Is that the one?" cried George. "Look here, he has been to me before;
+but if he comes again, and I catch him, it will be the worse for him."
+He had scarcely finished speaking when another goblin sprang out from
+under the table. He looked like a little dog, for he had a very ragged
+waistcoat on, and he let his tongue hang out of his mouth.
+
+"He is not much better," said the King. "He barks like a dog, and is as
+strong as a giant. When people in their dreams are frightened at
+something, he holds their hands and feet so that they cannot move."
+
+"I know him, too," interrupted George. "When you want to run away, you
+feel as stiff and stark as a piece of wood. If you want to move your
+arms or your legs, you can't do it. But often it is not a dog, but a
+bear, or a robber, or some other horrid thing."
+
+"I will never allow them to come to you again, George the Dreamer," the
+King assured him. "Now come and see the bad Dreams. But don't be afraid,
+they won't do you any harm--they are only for bad people."
+
+Then they passed through a great iron door into a vast space, inclosed
+by a high wall. Here the most terrible shapes and most horrible monsters
+were crowded together; some looked like men, others like animals, others
+were half men and half animals. George was terrified, and made his way
+back to the iron door. But the King spoke kindly to him, and persuaded
+him to see more closely what wicked people have to dream. Beckoning to a
+Dream that stood near--a hideous giant, with a mill-wheel under each
+arm--he commanded him to tell them what he was going to do that night.
+
+Then the monster raised his shoulders, wriggled about with joy, grinned
+until his mouth met his ears, and said: "I am going to the rich man, who
+has let his father starve. One day, when the old man was sitting on the
+stone steps before his son's house, begging for bread, the son came and
+said to the servants: 'Drive away that fellow.' So I go to him at night
+and pass him through my mill-wheels, until all his bones are broken into
+tiny pieces. When he is properly soft and quivering, I take him by the
+collar and shake him and say, 'See how you tremble now, you fellow!'
+Then he wakes up with his teeth chattering, and calls to his wife to
+bring him another blanket, for he is freezing. And when he has fallen
+asleep once more, I begin it all again."
+
+When George the Dreamer heard this, he rushed out through the door,
+dragging the King after him, and crying out that he would not stay a
+moment longer with the bad Dreams. They were too horrible!
+
+The King next led him into a lovely garden where the paths were of
+silver, the beds of gold, and the flowers, beautifully cut precious
+stones. Here the good Dreams were walking up and down. The first he saw
+was a pale young woman, with a Noah's Ark under one arm, and a box of
+bricks under the other.
+
+"Who is that?" asked the Dreamer.
+
+[Illustration: "GEORGE CRIED OUT THAT HE WOULD NOT STAY A MOMENT LONGER"
+(_p._ 26).]
+
+"She goes every evening to a little sick boy, whose mother is dead. He
+is quite alone all day, and no one troubles about him, but towards
+evening she goes to him, plays with him, and stays the whole night. She
+goes early, because he goes to sleep early. The other Dreams go much
+later. Let us proceed; if you want to see everything, we must make
+haste."
+
+Then they went farther into the garden, into the midst of the good
+Dreams. There were men, women, old men, and children, all with dear,
+good faces, and most beautifully dressed. Many of them were carrying all
+sorts of things: everything that the heart can possibly wish for.
+Suddenly George stood still and cried out so loudly that all the Dreams
+turned round to look.
+
+"What is the matter?" said the King.
+
+"There is my Princess--she who has so often appeared to me, and who gave
+me the roses," George the Dreamer answered, in an ecstasy.
+
+"Certainly, certainly, it is she," said the King. "Have I not sent you a
+very pretty Dream? It is almost the prettiest I have."
+
+Then George ran up to the Princess, who was sitting swinging in her
+little golden swing. As soon as she saw him coming she sprang down into
+his arms. But he took her by the hand and led her to a golden bench, on
+which they both sat down, telling one another how sweet it was to meet
+again! And when they had finished saying so, they began again. The King
+of Dreams meanwhile walked up and down the broad path which goes
+straight through the garden, with his hands behind his back. Now and
+then he took out his watch, to see how the time was getting on; for
+George the Dreamer and the Princess never came to an end of what they
+had to say to one another. At length he went to them, and said:
+
+"That's enough, children. You, Dreamer, are far from your home, and I
+cannot keep you here over-night, for I have no beds. You see, the Dreams
+never sleep, but have to go up every night to men on the earth. And you,
+Princess, must make yourself ready; dress yourself all in pink, and then
+come to me, so that I may tell you to whom you must appear to-night, and
+what you must say."
+
+When George the Dreamer heard this, he felt more courageous than ever
+before in his life. Standing up, he said firmly: "My lord the King, I
+will never more leave my Princess. You must either keep me here below or
+let her go up with me to the earth: I love her much too much to live
+without her." Then a tear big as a hazel-nut came into each of his eyes.
+
+"But George, George," answered the King, "it is the prettiest dream I
+have. Still, you saved my life; so have your own way; take your Princess
+up with you. But as soon as you have got on to the earth take off her
+silver veil, and throw it down to me through the trap-door. Then she
+will be of flesh and blood like every other child of man; now she is
+only a Dream."
+
+George the Dreamer thanked the King most heartily, and then said: "Dear
+King, because you are so very good I should like to ask for one thing
+more. I have a Princess now--but no kingdom. A Princess without a
+kingdom is impossible. Cannot you get me one, if it is only a small
+one?"
+
+Then the King answered: "I have no visible kingdoms to give away,
+Dreamer, only invisible ones; one of the latter you shall have, one of
+the biggest and best that I possess."
+
+Then George asked what invisible kingdoms were like. The King told him
+he would find that out, and would be amazed at their beauty and
+magnificence.
+
+"You see," he said, "it is often very unpleasant to have anything to do
+with ordinary, visible kingdoms. For example: suppose you are an
+ordinary King, and early one morning your Minister comes to your bedside
+and says: 'Your Majesty, I want a hundred pounds for the kingdom.' Then
+you open your treasury and find not even a farthing in it! What are you
+to do? Or again, you wage war and lose, and the King who has conquered
+you marries your Princess, and shuts you up in a tower. Such things
+cannot happen in invisible kingdoms."
+
+"But if we cannot see it, of what use would our kingdom be to us?" asked
+George, still somewhat puzzled.
+
+"You strange man," said the King, and pointing to his forehead, he
+continued: "You and your Princess see it well enough. You see the
+castles and gardens, the meadows and forests which belong to your
+kingdom. You live in it, walk in it, do what you like with it. It is
+only other people who do not see it."
+
+[Illustration: "THEY LIFTED UP THE CLOTH AND BEGAN TO SPREAD IT OUT"
+(_p._ 32).]
+
+Then the Dreamer was highly delighted, for he was beginning to be afraid
+lest the village people should look enviously at him if he came home
+with his Princess and was King. He took a very touching leave of the
+King of Dreams, climbed the five hundred steps with his Princess, took
+the silver veil off her head and threw it down. Then he wanted to shut
+the trap-door, but it was so heavy that he could not hold it. So he let
+it fall, and the noise it made was as great as the noise of many cannons
+shot off at the same time, and for a moment he became unconscious. When
+he came to himself again he was sitting in front of his cottage with the
+Princess sitting on the mill-stone at his side, and she was of flesh and
+blood like any other person. She was holding his hand, stroking it, and
+saying: "You dear, good, stupid man, you have not dared tell me how much
+you love me for such a long time. Have you been very much afraid of me?"
+
+And the moon rose and illumined the river, the waves beat against the
+banks, and the forest rustled, but they still sat there and talked.
+Suddenly it seemed as if a small black cloud was passing over the moon,
+and all at once something like a large folded shawl fell at their feet;
+then the moon stood out again in her full glory. They lifted up the
+cloth and began to spread it out. But they took a long time over this,
+for it was very fine and folded many hundred times. When it was quite
+spread out, it looked like a large map; in the middle was a river, and
+on both sides were towns, forests, and lakes. Then they noticed that it
+was a kingdom, and knew that the good Dream-King must have sent it down
+to them from the sky. And when they looked at their little cottage it
+had become a beautiful castle, with glass stairs, marble walls, velvet
+carpets, and pointed blue-tiled towers. Then they took hands and went
+into the castle, where their subjects were already assembled. The
+servants bowed low, drums and trumpets sounded, and little pages went
+before them strewing flowers. They were King and Queen.
+
+The next morning the news that George the Dreamer had come back, and had
+brought a wife with him, ran like wildfire through the village. "She is
+probably very clever," the people said. "I saw her early this morning,
+when I went into the forest," said a peasant; "she was standing at the
+door with him. She is nothing special, quite an ordinary person, small
+and delicate-looking, and rather shabbily dressed. What did he see in
+her? He has nothing, and she probably has nothing!"
+
+So the stupid people chattered, for they could not see that she was a
+Princess; and in their stupidity they did not see that the house had
+changed into a great, wonderful castle--for the kingdom that had come
+down from the sky for George the Dreamer was an invisible one. So he did
+not trouble about the stupid people, but lived happily and contentedly
+in his kingdom with his Princess, who presented him with six children,
+each one more beautiful than the other, and they were all six Princes
+and Princesses. But no one in the village knew it, for they were quite
+ordinary people, and much too silly to notice it.
+
+
+
+
+How Sampo Lappelill saw the Mountain King.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+HOW SAMPO LAPPELILL SAW THE MOUNTAIN KING.
+
+From the Swedish of Z. Topelius.
+
+
+FAR away in Lapland, at a place called Aďmďo, near the River Jana, there
+lived, in a little hut, a Laplander and his wife, with their small son,
+Sampo.
+
+Sampo Lappelill was now between seven and eight years of age. He had
+black hair, brown eyes, a snub nose, and a wide mouth, which last is
+considered a mark of beauty in curious Lapland. Sampo was a strong child
+for his age; he delighted to dance down the hills in his little
+snow-shoes, and to drive his own reindeer in his own little sledge. The
+snow whirled about him as he passed through the deep drifts, until
+nothing of him could be seen except the tuft of his black forelock.
+
+"I shall never feel comfortable while he is from home!" said the mother.
+"He may meet Hisü's reindeer with the golden antlers."
+
+Sampo overheard these words, and wondered what reindeer it could be that
+had golden antlers. "It must be a splendid animal!" said he; "how much I
+should like to drive to Rastekaďs with it!" Rastekaďs is a high, dreary
+mountain, and can be seen from Aďmďo, from which it is five or six miles
+distant.
+
+"You audacious boy!" exclaimed the mother; "how dare you talk so?
+Rastekaďs is the home of the trolls, and Hisü dwells there also."
+
+"Who is Hisü?" inquired Sampo.
+
+"What ears that boy has!" thought the Lapp-wife. "But I ought not to
+have spoken of such things in his presence; the best thing I can do now
+is to frighten him well." Then she said aloud: "Take care, Lappelill,
+that you never go near Rastekaďs, for there lives Hisü, the Mountain
+King, who can eat a whole reindeer at one mouthful, and who swallows
+little boys like flies."
+
+Upon hearing these words, Sampo could not help thinking what good fun it
+would be to have a peep at such a wonderful being--from a safe distance,
+of course!
+
+Three or four weeks had elapsed since Christmas, and darkness brooded
+still over Lapland. There was no morning, noon, or evening; it was
+always night. Sampo was feeling dull. It was so long since he had seen
+the sun that he had nearly forgotten what it was like. Yet he did not
+desire the return of summer, for the only thing he remembered about that
+season was that it was a time when the gnats stung very severely. His
+one wish was that it might soon become light enough for him to use his
+snow-shoes.
+
+One day, at noon (although it was dark), Sampo's father said: "Come
+here! I have something to show you."
+
+Sampo came out of the hut. His father pointed towards the south.
+
+"Do you know what that is?" asked he.
+
+"A southern light," replied the boy.
+
+"No," said his father, "it is the herald of the sun. To-morrow, maybe,
+or the day after that, we shall see the sun himself. Look, Sampo, how
+weirdly the red light glows on the top of Rastekaďs!"
+
+Sampo perceived that the snow upon the gloomy summit, which had been so
+long shrouded in darkness, was coloured red. Again the idea flashed into
+his mind what a grand sight the terrible Mountain King would be--from a
+distance. The boy brooded on this for the remainder of the day, and
+throughout half the night, when he should have been asleep.
+
+He thought, and thought, until at length he crept silently out of the
+reindeer skins which formed his bed, and then through the door-hole. The
+cold was intense. Far above him the stars were shining, the snow
+scrunched beneath his feet. Sampo Lappelill was a brave boy, who did not
+fear the cold. He was, moreover, well wrapped up in fur. He stood gazing
+at the stars, considering what to do next.
+
+Then he heard a suggestive sound. His little reindeer pawed the ground
+with its feet. "Why should I not take a drive?" thought Sampo, and
+proceeded straightway to put his thought into action. He harnessed the
+reindeer to the sledge, and drove forth into the wilderness of snow.
+
+"I will drive only a little way towards Rastekaďs," said Sampo to
+himself, and off he went, crossing the frozen River Jana to the opposite
+shore, which--although the child was unaware of this fact--belonged to
+the kingdom of Norway.
+
+As Sampo drove, he sang a bright little song. The wolves were running
+round his sledge like grey dogs, but he did not mind them. He knew well
+that no wolf could keep pace with his dear, swift little reindeer. Up
+hill and down dale he drove on, with the wind whistling in his ears. The
+moon seemed to be racing with him, and the rocks to be running
+backwards. It was thoroughly delightful!
+
+Alas! at a sudden turning upon the downward slope of a hill the sledge
+overturned, and Sampo was pitched into a snow-drift. The reindeer did
+not observe this, and, in the belief that its master was still sitting
+behind it, it ran on. Sampo could not cry "Stop!" for his mouth was
+stuffed with snow.
+
+He lay there in the darkness, in the midst of the vast snowy wilderness,
+in which was no human habitation for miles around.
+
+At first, he naturally felt somewhat bewildered. He scrambled unhurt out
+of the big snow-drift. Then, by the wan moonlight, he saw that he was
+surrounded on all sides by snow-drifts and huge mountains. One mountain
+towered above the others, and this he knew must be Rastekaďs, the home
+of the fierce Mountain King, who swallowed little boys like flies!
+
+[Illustration: "THEY WENT OFF AT A GALLOP" (_p._ 42).]
+
+Sampo Lappelill was frightened now, and heartily wished himself safe at
+home. But how was he to get there?
+
+There sat the poor child, alone in the darkness, amongst the desolate,
+snow-covered rocks, with the big, black shadow of Rastekaďs frowning
+down upon him. As he wept his tears froze immediately, and rolled down
+over his jacket in little round lumps like peas; so Sampo thought that
+he had better leave off crying, and run about in order to keep himself
+warm.
+
+"Rather than freeze to death here," he said to himself, "I would go
+straight to the Mountain King. If he has a mind to swallow me, he must
+do so, I suppose; but I shall advise him to eat instead some of the
+wolves in this neighbourhood. They are much fatter than I, and their fur
+would not be so difficult to swallow."
+
+Sampo began to ascend the mountain. Before he had gone far, he heard the
+trotting of some creature behind him, and a moment after a large wolf
+overtook him. Although inwardly trembling, Sampo would not betray his
+fear. He shouted:
+
+"Keep out of my way! I am the bearer of a message to the King, and you
+hinder me at your peril!"
+
+"Dear me!" said the wolf (on Rastekaďs all the animals can speak). "And,
+pray, what little shrimp are you, wriggling through the snow?"
+
+"My name is Sampo Lappelill," replied the boy. "Who are you?"
+
+"I," answered the wolf, "am first gentleman-usher to the Mountain King.
+I have just been all over the kingdom to call together his subjects for
+the great sun festival. As you are going my way, you may, if you please,
+get upon my back, and so ride up the mountain."
+
+Sampo instantly accepted the invitation. He climbed upon the shaggy back
+of the wolf, and they went off at a gallop.
+
+"What do you mean by the sun festival?" inquired Sampo.
+
+"Don't you know _that_?" said the wolf. "We celebrate the sun's feast
+the day he first appears on the horizon after the long night of winter.
+All trolls, goblins, and animals in the north then assemble on
+Rastekaďs, and on that day they are not permitted to hurt each other.
+Lucky it was for you, my boy, that you came here to-day. On any other
+day, I should have devoured you long ago."
+
+"Is the King bound by the same law?" asked Sampo anxiously.
+
+"Of course he is," answered the wolf. "From one hour before sunrise
+until one hour after sunset he will not dare to harm you. If, however,
+you are on the mountain when the time expires, you will be in great
+danger. For the King will then seize whoever comes first, and a thousand
+bears and a hundred thousand wolves will also be ready to rush upon you.
+There will soon be an end of Sampo Lappelill!"
+
+"But perhaps, sir," said Sampo timidly, "you would be so kind as to help
+me back again before the danger begins?"
+
+The wolf laughed. "Don't count on any such thing, my dear Sampo; on the
+contrary, I mean to seize you first myself. You are such a very nice,
+plump little boy! I see that you have been fattened on reindeer milk and
+cheese. You will be splendid for breakfast to-morrow morning!"
+
+Sampo began to think that his best course might be to jump off the
+wolf's back at once. But it was too late. They had now arrived at the
+top of Rastekaďs. Many curious and marvellous things were there to be
+seen. There sat the terrible Mountain King on his throne of cloudy
+rocks, gazing out over the snow-fields. He wore on his head a cap of
+white snow-clouds; his eyes were like a full moon; his nose resembled a
+mountain-ridge. His mouth was an abyss; his beard was like tufts of
+immense icicles; his arms were as thick and strong as fir trees; his
+coat was like an enormous snow-mountain. Sampo Lappelill had a good view
+of the King and his subjects, for a bow of dazzling northern lights
+shone in the sky and illuminated the scene.
+
+All around the King stood millions of goblins, trolls, and brownies;
+tiny, grey creatures, who had come from remotest parts of the world to
+worship the sun. This they did from fear, not from love; for trolls and
+goblins hate the sun, and always hope that he will never return when
+they see him disappear at the end of summer.
+
+Farther off stood all the animals of Lapland, thousands and thousands of
+them of all sizes; from the bear, the wolf, and the glutton, to the
+little mountain-rat, and the brisk, tiny reindeer-flea. No gnats
+appeared, however; _they_ had all been frozen.
+
+Sampo was greatly astonished at what he saw. Unobserved, he slipped from
+the wolf's back, and hid behind a ponderous stone, to watch the
+proceedings.
+
+[Illustration: "THE TERRIBLE MOUNTAIN KING" (_p._ 44).]
+
+The Mountain King shook his head, and the snow whirled about him. The
+northern lights shone around his head like a crown of glory, sending
+long, red streamers across the deep blue sky; they whizzed and sparkled,
+expanded and drew together, fading sometimes, then again darting out
+like lightning over the snow-clad mountains. This performance amused the
+King. He clapped with his icy hands until the sound echoed like thunder,
+causing the trolls to scream with joy, and the animals to howl with
+fear. At this the King was still more delighted, and he shouted across
+the desert:
+
+"This is to my mind! Eternal darkness! Eternal night! May they never
+end!"
+
+"May they never end!" repeated all the trolls at the top of their
+voices. Then arose a dispute amongst the animals. All the beasts of prey
+agreed with the trolls, but the reindeer and other gentle creatures felt
+that they should like to have summer back again, although they disliked
+the gnats that would certainly return with it. One creature alone was
+ready to welcome summer quite unreservedly. This was the reindeer-flea.
+She piped out as loudly as she could:
+
+"If you please, your Majesty, have we not come here to worship the sun,
+and to watch for his coming?"
+
+"Nonsense!" growled a polar bear. "Our meeting here springs from a
+stupid old custom. The sooner it ends the better! In my opinion, the sun
+has set for ever; he is dead!"
+
+At these words the animals shuddered, but the trolls and goblins were
+much pleased with them, and reiterated them gaily, shaking with laughter
+to such an extent that their tiny caps fell off their heads. Then the
+King roared, in a voice of thunder:
+
+"Yea! Dead is the sun! Now must the whole world worship me, the King of
+Eternal Night and Eternal Winter!"
+
+Sampo, sitting behind the stone, was so greatly enraged by this speech
+that he came forth from his hiding-place, exclaiming:
+
+"That, O King, is a lie as big as yourself! The sun is _not_ dead, for
+only yesterday I saw his forerunner. He will be here very shortly,
+bringing sweet summer with him, and thawing the icicles in your funny,
+frozen beard!"
+
+[Illustration: "'That, O King, is a lie as big as yourself!' exclaimed
+Sampo." _page 46_]
+
+The King's brow grew black as a thunder-cloud. Forgetful of the law, he
+lifted his tremendous arm to strike Sampo; but at that moment the
+northern light faded. A red streak shot suddenly across the sky, shining
+with such brilliancy into the King's face that it entirely dazzled him.
+His arm fell useless at his side. Then the golden sun rose in slow
+stateliness on the horizon, and that flood of glorious light caused even
+those who had rejoiced in his supposed death to welcome his
+re-appearance.
+
+But the goblins were considerably astonished. From under their red caps
+they stared at the sun with their little grey eyes, and grew so excited
+that they stood on their heads in the snow. The beard of the
+Mountain King began to melt and drip, until it was flowing down his
+jacket like a running stream.
+
+By-and-by, Sampo heard a reindeer say to her little one:
+
+"Come, my child, we must be going, or we shall be eaten by the wolves."
+
+"Such will be _my_ fate also if I linger longer," thought Sampo. So he
+sprang upon the back of a beautiful reindeer with golden antlers, which
+started off with him at once, darting down the rocks with lightning
+speed.
+
+"What is that rustling sound that I hear behind us?" asked the boy
+presently.
+
+"It is made by the thousand bears; they are pursuing us in order to eat
+us up," replied the reindeer. "You need not fear, however, for I am the
+King's own enchanted reindeer, and no bear has ever been able as yet to
+nibble my heels!"
+
+They went on in silence for a time, then Sampo put another question.
+
+"What," asked he, "is that strange panting I hear behind us?"
+
+"That," returned the reindeer, "is made by the hundred thousand wolves;
+they are at full gallop behind us, and wish to tear us in pieces. But
+fear nothing from them! No wolf has ever beaten me in a race yet!"
+
+Again Sampo spoke:
+
+"Is it not thundering over there amongst the rocky mountains?"
+
+"No," answered the now trembling reindeer; "that noise is made by the
+King, who is chasing us. Now, indeed, all hope has fled, for no one can
+escape _him_!"
+
+"Can we do nothing?" asked Sampo.
+
+"There is no safety to be found here," said the reindeer, "but there is
+just one chance for us. We must try to reach the priest's house over
+yonder by Lake Enare. Once there, we shall be safe, for the King has no
+power over Christians."
+
+"Oh, make haste! make haste! dear reindeer!" cried Sampo, "and you shall
+feed on golden oats, and out of a silver manger."
+
+On sped the reindeer. As they entered the priest's house, the Mountain
+King crossed the courtyard, and knocked at the door with such violence
+that it is a wonder he did not knock the house down.
+
+"Who is there?" called the priest from within.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"It is I!" answered a thundering voice; "it is the mighty Mountain
+King! Open the door! You have there a child, whom I claim as my prey."
+
+"Wait a moment!" cried the priest. "Permit me to robe myself, in order
+that I may give your Majesty a worthier reception."
+
+"All right!" roared the King; "but be quick about it, or I may break
+down your walls!" A moment later he raised his enormous foot for a kick,
+yelling: "Are you not ready yet?"
+
+Then the priest opened the door, and said solemnly, "Begone, King of
+Night and Winter! Sampo Lappelill is under my protection, and he shall
+never be yours!"
+
+Upon this, the King flew into such a violent passion that he exploded in
+a great storm of snow and wind. The flakes fell and fell, until the snow
+reached the roof of the priest's house, so that every one inside it
+expected to be buried alive. But as soon as the sun rose, the snow began
+to melt, and all was well. The Mountain King had completely vanished,
+and no one knows exactly what became of him, although some think that he
+is still reigning on Rastekaďs.
+
+Sampo thanked the priest heartily for his kindness, and begged, as an
+additional favour, the loan of a sledge. To this sledge the boy
+harnessed the golden-antlered reindeer, and drove home to his parents,
+who were exceedingly glad to see him.
+
+How Sampo became a great man, who fed his reindeer with golden oats out
+of a silver manger, is too lengthy a story to tell now.
+
+
+
+
+The Witch-Dancer's Doom.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+THE WITCH-DANCER'S DOOM.
+
+A BRETON LEGEND.
+
+
+I.
+
+LONG, long ago, in the days of good King Arthur, Count Morriss dwelt in
+the old château of La Roche Morice, near Landerneau, in Brittany. With
+him lived his beautiful niece, Katel. Although charming in face and
+figure, this maiden had a somewhat uncanny reputation. For it was
+said--and with reason--that she was a witch.
+
+The Count had often urged Katel to marry, but in vain. The lady had no
+mind to lose her freedom. Dancing was the one passion of her life.
+"When," said she, "I can find a knight who shall be able to dance
+continuously with me for twelve hours, with no break, to him I promise
+to give my hand!"
+
+This scornful challenge was proclaimed by heralds in every neighbouring
+town and hamlet. In response came many wooers to attempt the impossible
+task. Those whom Katel favoured she made her partners at the rustic
+fętes and open-air dances which were then in vogue. In the soft-swarded
+meadows, by sunlight or starlight, the dancers would meet, and, to the
+dreamy music of the pipes, eager couples would whirl until the hills
+around began to blush in the light of the early dawn. The wildest,
+giddiest, yet most graceful of the throng was Katel, who danced madly on
+until one by one her partners sank fainting upon the ground, and death
+released them from the heartless sorceress who had lured them into her
+toils.
+
+Thus perished many suitors, until the cruel maiden became an object of
+general hatred and horror. When her doings came to the ears of the
+Count, he sternly forbade her to attend any more of the dances. In order
+to enforce her obedience, he shut her up in a tower, where, said he, she
+was to remain until she should choose a husband from among such suitors
+as still persisted in offering her marriage.
+
+Now, Katel had a wizened little page, no bigger than a leveret, and as
+black as a raven's wing. This creature she summoned to her one morning
+before dawn, and, with her finger at her lips, she said to him: "Be
+swift and silent! My uncle still slumbers. Get thee gone by the ladder,
+and his thee to the castle of Salaün, who is waiting for a message from
+her he loves. The guards will allow thee to pass; take horse, ride like
+the wind, and tell Salaün that Katel calls him to deliver her from this
+tower before the day dawns."
+
+[Illustration: "KATEL TURNED COLDLY AWAY" (_p._ 57).]
+
+The infatuated young knight obeyed the summons immediately. In an
+hour's time he was assisting the lady to mount his horse, after having
+got her in safety down the rope-ladder. As, from the window of the
+donjon, the dwarf watched them ride away, he chuckled to himself:
+
+"Ha! ha! And so they are off to the great ball held to-day in the
+Martyrs' Meadow! Ah, my dear Salaün! before another sun shall rise your
+death-knell will be tolled!"
+
+
+II.
+
+When Katel and her gallant cavalier arrived at the Martyrs' Meadow, they
+excited general surprise and admiration. Some, however, shook their
+heads forebodingly, as they heard that Salaün, now Katel's affianced
+lover, was to be her partner, for they knew that the brave young knight
+must needs fall a victim to her spell.
+
+The ball began. Some of the most skilful pipers in the land had been
+engaged for the occasion, and they played gavottes, rondes, courantes,
+and many other dances, without intermission. But Katel waited until
+night came and the torches were lit. Then she took Salaün's hand and
+they began to dance together.
+
+"Round again! Once more! Ha! ha!" laughed the witch-maiden, as they spun
+along. "What! are you tired already? Do you give in so soon as this?"
+
+"Never--while I am with _you_!" was the fervent reply. The fatal spell
+had begun to work.
+
+Thus on they whirled, yet more swiftly than before, so that the other
+dancers stood aside to watch them. After a time, however, Katel observed
+that her partner was gradually becoming weaker, and that he would soon
+be unable to keep pace with her.
+
+"Courage!" exclaimed she, in a bantering tone. "We cannot stop yet; it
+wants but a very short time to midnight, and then I shall be yours!"
+
+Salaün, although almost exhausted, strained every nerve and muscle in a
+frantic, final effort to continue the dance. Round the field they flew,
+at lightning speed; but it was for the last time. The knight's knees
+shook--his breath came more quickly--then with difficulty he gasped out
+the words:
+
+"Oh, Katel! have mercy! I can do no more! Katel, my love, have I not won
+you yet?"
+
+But as he sank lifeless upon the grass Katel turned coldly away. His
+fate was nothing to her. At that moment the clock in a neighbouring
+tower struck twelve. All the lights flickered and expired; darkness
+reigned supreme. And through the darkness, shrilling high above every
+other sound, rang the mocking laugh of the impish dwarf.
+
+
+III.
+
+"What!" exclaimed Katel derisively, glancing angrily at the worn-out
+pipers, who had at last paused in their wild music, "exhausted already
+by such slight exertions? I wish the Evil One would send me some
+musicians and dancers worthy of me! Of what use are these miserable,
+puny creatures?"
+
+As she uttered the words, stamping her foot in her fury, a weird, red
+light gleamed in the sky; there was a terrible peal of thunder, and a
+strange stir in the trees. Then suddenly, in the centre of the field,
+appeared two phantom forms, at the sight of whom the panic-stricken
+by-standers would fain have fled. To their horror, however, they found
+flight impossible; they were rooted to the spot!
+
+One of the phantoms was attired in a red garment, covered with a black
+cloak. Beneath his arm he held a large double pipe, coiled around which
+were five hissing, writhing serpents. The other stranger, who was
+exceedingly tall, was dressed in a tightly fitting black suit, and
+heavy, red mantle, while upon his head waved an imposing tuft of
+vultures' plumes.
+
+The ghostly piper began at once to play an unearthly dance-tune, so wild
+and maddening that it made all the hearers tremble. His tall, grim
+companion seized Katel by the waist, and the couple whirled round to the
+mad measure, which grew ever faster and more furious. In an instant the
+torches were relit. A few others joined in the dance; not for long,
+however. Katel and her phantom were soon the only dancers. Shriller
+still shrieked the pipes, faster yet grew the music, more and more
+swiftly spun the feet. Ere long the witch-maiden felt that her strength
+was deserting her; the torches swam before her eyes, and, in the last
+extremity of terror, she struggled to release herself from the iron grip
+which held her so relentlessly.
+
+"What! so soon tired?" cried the spectre, jeering at her. "Do you give
+in so soon as this? Come! round once more! Ha! ha!"
+
+[Illustration: "THE COUPLE WHIRLED ROUND TO THE MAD MEASURE" (_p._ 58).]
+
+Thus was Katel treated as she had treated others. She had no breath
+left wherewith to answer; her last hour had come. She made one more
+wild, despairing bound, then fell to the ground in the throes of death.
+At the same moment, the phantoms vanished. There was a vivid
+lightning-blaze, a terrific crash of thunder; then fell black darkness
+hiding everything. A tempestuous wind arose, and rain fell in torrents.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+When the storm had cleared, and the morning sun shone out, those who
+found courage to visit the spot beheld the forms of Katel and her lover
+Salaün lying dead upon the shrivelled turf.
+
+Ever since that time, the spot has been shunned by all, and still, by
+their firesides on the winter nights, the peasants tell the tale of
+Katel, the witch-dancer, and her fearful fate.
+
+
+
+
+The Three Valleys.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+THE THREE VALLEYS.
+
+From the German.
+
+
+IN olden days there lived a Count, who had many castles and estates, and
+a most beautiful daughter, but no one would associate with him, for it
+was rumoured he was in league with the Evil One; indeed, from time to
+time one or other of his servants most mysteriously disappeared.
+
+The last who disappeared was the shepherd. One evening he did not return
+to the castle. Search was made for him throughout the village, but in
+vain; no trace of him could be found. After this no one would enter the
+Count's service as shepherd; but at last, a bold, handsome youth
+presented himself; he had travelled far as a soldier, and cared nothing
+for evil spirits. The Count immediately engaged him, and said he could
+take the sheep to feed wherever he liked, only he must never go into the
+three valleys to the east of the castle. For a time all went well; the
+young man drove the sheep into the rich meadows around the castle as
+his master had ordered, and led a very comfortable life. But he was
+always thinking of the three valleys, and being a brave youth who did
+not fear evil spirits, he one day took the cross-bow and bolts he had
+used when soldiering, put a new string to his bow, and said, as he
+struck his rusty spear against the ground:
+
+"I will see who will venture to harm me in the three valleys; it will
+fare badly with him, I think."
+
+Going towards the east, he soon arrived with his sheep in the first
+valley, where he found beautiful meadows in which he could safely leave
+his flock. He looked carefully around, but, except the butterflies
+fluttering to and fro, and the humming of the bees, there was neither
+sound nor movement. Then he sat down beneath an oak and began to play on
+his pipe; suddenly, in the wood near, arose a crashing and cracking as
+if some mighty animal were breaking through the bushes, and, before our
+shepherd could fix a bolt in his cross-bow, a powerful giant stood
+before him and cried:
+
+"What are you doing here with your grass-eaters, destroying my meadows,
+you insolent fellow? You shall answer for this."
+
+[Illustration: "A WELL-DIRECTED THRUST SOON QUIETED HIM" (_p._ 67).]
+
+He did not wait for an answer, but threw his spear with fearful force at
+the shepherd, who saved himself by springing behind the oak, into which
+the spear sank so deep that the point stuck out on the other side. Then,
+fixing a bolt into his cross-bow, the shepherd took aim, and struck the
+giant so skilfully in the centre of the forehead that he fell with a
+deep groan to the earth. Before he had time to rise, the shepherd
+bounded forward and ran his spear through his adversary's neck, nailing
+him to the ground, and his spirit soon fled. The shepherd took the
+giant's sword and armour, and was about to return home, when in an
+opening of the forest he saw a stately castle. The doors were wide open;
+he entered. In the spacious hall stood a stone table on which was a cup
+covered with a silver plate bearing these words:--
+
+    Who drinks of this cup
+    Shall overcome the Evil One.
+
+The young man had no confidence in the words or the drink, and left the
+cup untouched. He laid the dead giant's armour in the hall; then, taking
+the key of the door with him, he returned home with his flock, and went
+to rest without mentioning his adventure to any one. The next day he
+tended his sheep on the mountain slopes surrounding the castle, but the
+second day he could not rest; so, girding on the sword he had taken from
+the dead giant, he started with his flock for the second valley, in
+hopes of fresh adventure. Here also were beautiful pastures, if possible
+richer and more luxuriant than in the first valley; the flowers breathed
+forth their fragrance, the birds sang sweetly, and through the meadows
+meandered a stream clear as crystal, by whose bank the shepherd lay down
+to rest. He was just thinking that all adventure and danger were past
+when an enormous block of rock fell on the ground near him, and a voice
+rough and wild, like that of a bear, said: "What are you doing here with
+your grass-eaters, you insolent fellow?" And from behind a wall of rock
+stepped a mighty giant, brandishing a ponderous stone club. He aimed a
+blow at the shepherd, who ducked behind the rock which the giant had
+thrown as his first greeting, and the club descending on the stone, it
+broke in pieces from the force of the blow.
+
+Quick as lightning the youth drew his sword, and with one stroke cut
+through the sinews in the bend of the giant's knee, who fell to the
+earth with a loud roar. He struck out wildly with his fists, but a
+well-directed thrust through the heart soon quieted him. The shepherd
+left him lying there, and turned towards the wall of rock; here he found
+a massive door concealed amongst the thicket. Through this he passed,
+and entered a hall-like cavern, in which, at a stone manger, stood a
+snow-white horse ready saddled, and over the manger was engraved this
+saying:--
+
+    Who springs on this white horse
+    Shall overcome the Evil One.
+
+Now, the shepherd thought: "I am strong enough to take care of myself,
+and I do not want to overcome the Evil One, he has always left me in
+peace; but I will remember that here stands a fine horse on which I can
+ride forth into the wide world." He threw fresh oats into the manger,
+shut the door, and returned home. The next few days he remained very
+quiet, lest his movements might have been observed; then, as no one
+questioned him, he one fine morning drove his sheep into the third
+valley. Beautiful meadows glittered in the sunshine; from a hill of rock
+a waterfall plashed down, forming a small sea in which sported
+innumerable fish. The shepherd looked carefully around, searched under
+every bush, but found nothing. No sound was heard save the continued
+plash, plash, of the cool water. The day was very sultry, and the
+shepherd was just preparing for a bathe in the fresh, clear water, when
+from out a ravine near the sea appeared a horrible human head, with one
+eye, as large as a plate, in the centre of the forehead, and a voice
+loud as the roll of thunder shouted: "What do you want here, you
+insolent earth-worm?"
+
+The head rose higher and higher, until a giant as high as a tower stood
+before the shepherd, who with a sure aim sent his lance into the eye of
+his adversary. The monster, thus blinded, groped wildly about with his
+hands, in hopes to strangle his enemy, but he only seized an oak, which
+he tore up by the roots and threw it high into the air. Now the victory
+was easy, for though the giant could no longer be hurt by cuts and
+thrusts, which slipped off from his body as from a mossy stone, the
+shepherd soon found other means. He mocked and insulted the blind giant,
+and by the sound of his voice drew him ever nearer and nearer to the
+sea, at the side where the cliff overhung the water. At last he sprang
+for a moment on the edge of the precipice, and gave a loud, mocking cry,
+then silently concealed himself behind a tree. The giant, deceived by
+the shout, pursued him eagerly, lost his footing, and fell heavily into
+the sea.
+
+Then the shepherd went down into the ravine from which the monster had
+appeared. Here lay a meadow full of beautiful flowers, in the midst of
+which rose a spacious mansion, built of the trunks of trees. The
+shepherd entered the hall and saw a mighty spear, on whose shaft these
+words were cut:--
+
+    Who throws this lance
+    Shall overcome the Evil One.
+
+He seized the spear, but his arms were too weak to raise it, and he
+wearily laid the mighty weapon back in the corner; at the same time he
+thought, since he had conquered three giants, he could surely overcome
+the Evil One without this lance. As the day drew to a close he gathered
+his sheep together and returned to the castle. Arrived there, he was
+immediately summoned before the Count, who asked him angrily where he
+had been. The shepherd then truthfully related all that had happened in
+the three valleys, and how he had that day slain the giant as tall as a
+tower.
+
+[Illustration: "'WHAT DO YOU WANT HERE?'" (_p._ 68).]
+
+"Woe to you and to me," replied the Count, with pale lips. "I heard the
+giants' cries of rage, and hoped you were paying for your disobedience
+with your life. But it has happened otherwise, and now I and my daughter
+must suffer because you, you insolent fellow, disobeyed my commands and
+entered the giants' territories; for it has been made known to me that
+to-morrow the mighty lord of the giants, the Prince of the Infernal
+Regions, will appear, and demand my daughter or me as a sacrifice; but
+before that you, you miserable fellow, shall suffer all the agonies of
+torture, as a punishment for bringing me into this trouble.
+
+"Seize him!" he cried to the servants who were standing in the
+entrance-hall. His command was at once obeyed, when the Count's
+daughter, who had listened with glowing cheeks to the shepherd's story,
+threw herself on her knees and implored for delay.
+
+"Dearest father," she cried, "should you not rather endeavour to make
+use of this brave youth for our deliverance than put him to the torture?
+He has overcome three giants; surely he will be able to vanquish the
+Prince of the Infernal Regions."
+
+[Illustration: "SHE IMPLORED FOR DELAY" (_p._ 70).]
+
+The Count remained for a few moments in deep thought, and then
+acknowledged that his daughter's suggestion was both good and clever. He
+asked the shepherd if he were willing to expiate his crime by a combat
+with the Evil One, and the young man, with a grateful look at his
+deliverer, at once agreed. With the first dawn of morning he rose from
+his couch, for he now recalled the words about overcoming the Evil
+One, and hastened to the first valley, where in the castle stood the
+cup with the inscription:--
+
+    Who drinks of this cup
+    Shall overcome the Evil One.
+
+He seized the cup and emptied it at one draught, and--wonderful--the
+magic draught flowed through his veins like fire, and he felt courage
+and strength enough to combat a whole army. With sparkling eyes he
+hastened to the second valley, mounted the white horse, who greeted him
+with a joyful neigh, and then galloped as if in flight to the third
+valley, in which stood the mighty lance. Yesterday he could scarcely
+move it; to-day, with one hand, he swung it high over his head, as if it
+had been a small arrow.
+
+By sunrise he was again at the Count's castle, waiting eagerly for what
+would happen, but the day passed and no one appeared. The sun had sunk
+to rest, and the moon had just risen in all her splendour, when in the
+north of the heavens was seen what appeared to be a dark storm-cloud.
+With the speed of lightning it approached the castle, and a voice, as of
+a bassoon, sounded from out the cloud: "Where are my propitiatory
+sacrifices?" At the same time a gigantic eagle, with greenish-grey
+wings, like the storm-cloud, hovered high over the castle, ready to
+swoop down on his prey. Then the young man set spurs into his white
+horse, and shaking his lance high above his head, cried with a loud
+voice: "There are no sacrifices here for you, you robber! Begone
+instantly, or you shall feel my arrows!" On hearing these words, the
+eagle swooped down with a wild cry, before the shepherd could take his
+cross-bow, and the young man would certainly have perished had it not
+been for his presence of mind and the strength and activity of his
+steed. A touch with the spur, and it flew swift as the wind under a very
+old and thickly leaved linden tree, whose branches hung down almost to
+the ground, so that the eagle could only break in through the side.
+
+[Illustration: "The eagle swooped down with a wild cry." _page 72_]
+
+This the bird at once attempted, and it caused his death, for his
+outspread wings became entangled in the branches, and the brave rider,
+with one powerful blow of his sword, severed the head from the body.
+But, oh, horror! instead of blood there came forth from the headless
+body of the eagle a huge serpent, who, with wide-open jaws, approached
+the shepherd and tried to enfold him in the rings of its flexible body.
+By a skilful movement, it encircled the horse and rider, and crushed
+them until the young man thought he should be forced into the body of
+his steed; but the horse pressed himself so close against the tree that
+the head of the serpent came round on the other side of the trunk, and
+thus it was hindered from harming the shepherd with its poisonous bite
+or breath. One stroke of the shepherd's sharp dagger, and the body of
+the serpent fell in two pieces to the ground; the horse immediately
+trampled on the head. But the hinder part of the serpent swelled and
+swelled, the cut became a frightful mouth, which spurted out smoke and
+flames, while from the rings of the serpent's body grew forth claws and
+wings, and at last a horrible monster in the form of a dragon threw
+itself on the shepherd, whose strength had already begun to fail
+through the dreadful pressing of the serpent. But in his greatest need a
+saving thought occurred to him--he turned his horse round: it broke
+through the branches of the linden tree into the open field, and sped
+with its rider to the nearest stream, in whose waters they both cooled
+themselves. The dragon snorted after them, spitting forth fire and
+smoke. But as the head of the serpent, from whose body the dragon had
+grown, had been destroyed, there was no deadly poison in its breath, and
+the rider was safe from the flames through bathing in the stream. So he
+rode boldly towards the approaching dragon with lance in rest, and tried
+to approach it from the side; but all his blows glanced off from its
+scaly body as from a coat of mail. Suddenly it occurred to him to thrust
+his lance down the monster's throat. He turned his horse and spurred him
+straight towards the dragon, and thrusting his lance through the smoke
+and flame, stuck it right into the creature's throat. He was obliged to
+leave his lance, for his horse, singed by the fiery breath of the
+dragon, bounded far to one side; but the monster did not attempt to
+follow them, the lance had stuck deep into its body. It struck wildly
+with its tail on the ground, until the earth burst, then it shivered and
+fell over, first on its side, then on its back, a stream of fire poured
+forth from its wide-open jaws, and with the flames its life passed away.
+
+Thus was the combat ended and the Evil One subdued. Joyfully the
+shepherd rode back to the Count and his daughter, and told them all that
+had happened. The Count, embracing him, said: "You are our deliverer,
+to you I owe my life and all that I possess: take the half of whatever
+is mine, or choose from it whatever pleases you."
+
+[Illustration: "WITH THE FLAMES ITS LIFE PASSED AWAY" (_p._ 74).]
+
+The shepherd gazed earnestly into the eyes of the Count's lovely
+daughter, and replied:
+
+"I know of nothing, Sir Count, in the whole world which is dearer to me
+than your daughter. Give her to me for my wife, if she be willing."
+
+The Count smiled. "Are you willing, my child?"
+
+"I love him more than words can express," said the maiden, and sank on
+the breast of the shepherd.
+
+The next day the marriage was celebrated with great splendour, and when
+Heaven had blessed their union with children, and these were grown up,
+the hero of this story, a shepherd no longer, used to say to his sons
+when telling them of his adventures: "There are three things by which
+one can subdue giants and evil spirits, and become great: courage,
+perseverance, and presence of mind."
+
+
+
+
+The Spring-tide of Love.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+THE SPRING-TIDE OF LOVE.
+
+By Pleydell North (Mrs. Egerton Eastwick).
+
+
+THE mists of the early twilight were falling, and Elsa, the little girl
+who lived at the woodman's cottage, was still far from home. She had
+wandered out in the spring sunshine in search of the bluebells and wild
+anemones with which the wood abounded, for the child loved the company
+of the birds and flowers better than the rough play of the boys who were
+called her brothers.
+
+The woodman and his wife said she was strange and dreamy, full of
+curious fancies which they found it hard to understand; but, then, they
+were not Elsa's real parents, which might account for their difficulty.
+They were kind to her, however, in their fashion, and Elsa always tried
+to remember to obey them; but sometimes she forgot. She had forgotten
+to-day--for although the good wife had told her to remain near the
+cottage, the eagerness of her search for the flowers she loved had led
+her farther into the wood than she had ever been before.
+
+The sunlight disappeared, and the darkness seemed to come quite suddenly
+under the thick branches of the trees; the birds had chanted their last
+evening song and gone to their nests--only a solitary thrush sang loudly
+just overhead; Elsa thought it was warning her to hurry homewards. She
+turned quickly, taking as she thought the direction of the cottage; but
+as she was barely seven years old, and felt a little frightened, it is
+not surprising that she only plunged deeper into the wood.
+
+Now she found herself in the midst of a great silence; the beautiful
+tracery of young green leaves through which she had hitherto caught
+glimpses of the sky had disappeared, and over her head stretched only
+bare brown branches, between which she saw the shining stars, clear as
+on a frosty winter's night. The stars looked friendly, and she was glad
+to see them, but it was growing dreadfully cold. The plucked flowers
+withered and fell from her poor little numbed hands, and she shivered in
+her thin cotton frock.
+
+Ah! what would she not have given for a sight of the open door and the
+fire in the woodman's cottage, and a basin of warm bread and milk, even
+though it was given with a scolding from the woodman's wife! She
+struggled on, with her poor little tired feet, for it seemed to her that
+the wood was growing thinner--perhaps there might be a house hereabouts.
+
+But, oh! how terribly cold. Now there was frost upon the ground at her
+feet, frost upon dead leaves and blades of grass, frost upon the bare
+tree branches. The moon had risen, and she could see that all the world
+around her was white and chill and dead. Surely she had wandered back
+into the cruel bitter winter, frost-bound and hard.
+
+It was strange that she had strength to go on, but she looked up at the
+stars, and thought that they were guiding her. At length she came to the
+border of the wood, and there stretched before her a wide, open space,
+with only a few trees scattered here and there, and through an opening
+of the trees the cold moon shone down upon a white, silent house.
+
+The house looked as dead and winter-bound as everything else; but still
+it _was_ a house, and Elsa said to herself that surely some one must
+live in it. So she thanked the friendly stars for leading her aright,
+and with what remaining strength she had, dragged her poor little numbed
+feet up the broad path or road between the trees. At the end of the road
+an iron gate hung open upon its hinges, and Elsa found herself in what
+once had been a garden. Now the lawns and flower-beds were all alike one
+blinding sheet of ice and frozen snow.
+
+But, oh, joy! there was the great white house, and from one window shone
+a light, surely the light of a fire. All the rest was dark. Up a flight
+of stone steps the child dragged her weary feet, across a terrace that
+had surely once been gay with flowers, until she stood before a huge
+door, brown and black, except where the frost gleamed, closed and
+barred with iron bars. The great knocker hung high above her reach; but
+with her poor little hands she beat against the woodwork. Surely, if
+some one did not let her in soon, she must fall down there and sleep and
+die upon the step. But at the sound of her faint knocking there came
+from within the deep baying of a hound, and Elsa was terrified anew, but
+could not run away; then in a few moments a heavy bar seemed to be
+withdrawn and the great door opened slowly.
+
+A tall man stood within--a man in the dress of a hunter, pale-faced in
+the moonlight, but strong and powerful, and wearing a long, dark beard
+that reached almost to his waist. His was a figure to fill any child
+with fear, but Elsa saw only the scene behind him. A great blazing wood
+fire upon an open hearth, with rugs in front of it upon which were
+stretched two large hounds; a third, shaking himself slowly, had
+followed his master to the door. Elsa stretched out her little hands to
+the blazing warmth, with the cry of a perishing child.
+
+"Take me in--oh! take me in!" she pleaded. "Please let me come in!"
+
+She ran forward. Then with a strange hoarse sound, that she did not
+understand, the man stooped and lifted her in his arms, and carried her
+forward and laid her gently down upon the rugs in the grateful warmth,
+and the hounds sniffed round her and seemed well pleased, and ready to
+welcome her--and--for a little while she remembered no more.
+
+When Elsa came to herself (she thought she must have been asleep, but
+the waking was a little strange and difficult) she found that she was
+propped up among soft cushions still upon the rugs; the dogs now lay at
+a respectful distance, each with his forepaws stretched out and his nose
+held between them, while with gleaming eyes he watched with keenest
+interest all that going was on.
+
+[Illustration: "HER NEW FRIEND WAS OBLIGED TO FEED HER" (_p._ 84).]
+
+The rough-looking man with the long, dark beard and the pale face knelt
+beside her, holding a basin of warm, steaming broth. Then Elsa sat up
+and tried to drink, but she was so weak with fatigue and cold that her
+new friend was obliged to feed her with a spoon, which he did rather
+awkwardly. After she had swallowed the broth, the warm blood flowed once
+more freely through her veins, and she sank into a deep, sweet sleep,
+her little head falling serenely against the stranger's breast and her
+hair spreading out in golden waves over the arm that held her.
+
+When Elsa once more opened her eyes, the cold grey light of morning fell
+through the uncurtained windows into the hall. She found herself lying
+on a couch covered with rugs of warm fur, at the side of the hearth,
+where logs of pine wood, newly kindled, leapt and blazed, filling the
+air with sweet, pungent odours.
+
+For a while she was bewildered, wondering how she came to be there,
+instead of in her little room at the woodman's cottage. Then she saw her
+friend of the night before kneeling in front of the fire, evidently
+preparing food, while the dogs, grouped around, sat on their haunches
+with ears erect, keen and observant, watching his movements. Then Elsa
+remembered; and she clapped her hands with a merry laugh, the laugh of a
+happy, waking child. The man kneeling by the fire started at the sound,
+and then turned his grave face towards her with a wistful expression
+strange to see.
+
+"I want to get up," said Elsa promptly. "If you please, I can wash and
+dress myself; I've been taught how."
+
+"Wait a few minutes, little lady, then you shall have all you want."
+
+The voice sounded strangely, and the man seemed listening to its tones
+as though surprised to hear himself speak. But the rough, halting
+accents seemed less out of keeping with the old house than Elsa's laugh.
+The dogs came and licked her hands, and she played with them until the
+man rose from his place before the fire, and lifting her up bade her
+come with him.
+
+He led her to a small room off the hall, which was indeed curious in its
+arrangements. A toilet-table stood there with most costly fittings;
+brushes with silver and ivory handles were lying upon the faded silk; a
+little pair of satin shoes had been thrown carelessly upon the floor; a
+cloak of crimson satin was flung over a chair. All these things looked
+as though a hand had cast them aside but yesterday--yet all were faded
+and soiled, and the dust lay thick as though that yesterday had been
+many years ago.
+
+And among these relics of an unknown past the child made her simple
+toilet. She had never seen such magnificence, or felt, she thought, so
+sad. But when she returned to the hall ten minutes later, the sadness
+was forgotten.
+
+She looked a quaint little figure, indeed, clad in a silken wrapper
+provided by her host, which trailed far behind on the ground, greatly to
+her delight; her little feet were cased in dainty slippers which, small
+as they were, yet were many sizes too large. In spite of misfits,
+however, she contrived to walk with a stately grandeur quite amazing to
+behold, until the dogs jumped and fawned upon her, when she forgot her
+finery in a game of play and lost her slippers in the rug.
+
+On the table, a breakfast was rudely spread: cold meats for the master
+of the house, who fed his dogs from his own plate, while for Elsa was
+provided a bowl of goat's milk and some crisp cakes, which she thought
+delicious.
+
+When the meal was over, Elsa pleaded to be allowed to do for her new
+friend the household duties she had been taught to fulfil by the
+woodman's wife; and soon, with the wrapper deftly pinned about her
+waist, and the silken sleeves tucked up from bare and dimpled arms, she
+stood before a bowl of steaming water, washing plates and dishes. Only
+the table was rather high, and she was forced to stand upon a stool.
+
+From that day a strange new life began for little Elsa.
+
+The rough-looking man who had given her shelter seemed to be living
+quite alone with his dogs. Every morning he went out with them and his
+gun, apparently to hunt and shoot in the forest, for he usually returned
+laden with game, which served to keep the larder stocked.
+
+Of other kinds of provisions there seemed to be a plentiful supply on
+the premises; the granaries were well stocked with corn, which the
+master ground himself, while some goats tethered in the outhouses gave a
+sufficient quantity of milk for the daily needs of the little household.
+
+Of Elsa's return to the woodman's cottage there seemed to be no
+question. She was terrified at the thought of being again lost in the
+wood, and pleaded hard to remain with her new friend, who, on his side,
+was equally loth to part with her.
+
+[Illustration: "SHE LOOKED A QUAINT LITTLE FIGURE" (_p._ 85).]
+
+Soon, having learned many useful ways from the woodman's wife, she
+became a clever little housekeeper, and could make a good stew, while
+Ulric, as the master of the house bade her call him, was out with his
+dogs in the forest, though now only two of the hounds accompanied him in
+his expeditions; one was always left as Elsa's companion and guardian.
+Then, too, she could milk and feed the goats, and keep the house-place
+clean and tidy. But all the day was not given to such work as this.
+
+When Ulric had returned, and they had dined together, he would bring the
+great carved wooden chair with the huge back up to the fire, and Elsa
+would fetch a stool to his side and busy herself with needle and thread,
+while he told her strange stories; or sometimes he would fetch a
+ponderous volume from a library the house contained and read, either to
+himself or aloud to her, such things as she could understand.
+
+Now, if you wonder where Elsa found the needle and thread which I have
+mentioned, I must tell you that Ulric had given her a little work-basket
+neatly fitted, but the silk lining of which was much faded, and some of
+the needles were rusty. There was in it also a golden thimble, which
+Elsa found a little too large.
+
+And as for the clothes she worked at, one day he brought her a quantity
+of beautiful garments, some of silk and satin, and some of fine cloth,
+and in these, having nothing of her own but her one poor little cotton
+frock, the child managed to dress herself, till she looked like a quaint
+little fairy princess. Her stitches were awkward and badly done at
+first, but as time went on, instinct helped her small knowledge, and she
+grew handy with her needle.
+
+When she was cooking and feeding the goats, she wore a woollen
+petticoat and an apron, a costume more suited to the occasion.
+
+[Illustration: "HE WOULD READ ALOUD TO HER" (_p._ 88).]
+
+In the evenings Ulric taught her many things: to read and to write, and
+even to speak in strange languages, so that her education was by no
+means neglected. He let her wander over the great mansion where she
+would, and showed her many of the rooms himself. All bore signs of
+having been used quite recently, and yet a long time ago. Dust was thick
+everywhere, and soon Elsa grew to understand that the dust must remain
+and accumulate; no hand was to be allowed to touch anything in that
+strange, silent house beyond the hall and the little room which Ulric
+had arranged for her sleeping apartment. One part of the mansion,
+however, she never penetrated. At the end of a long passage hung a heavy
+velvet curtain, and behind this was a door, always securely locked. Only
+Ulric passed beyond it, at stated times, and when he returned from these
+visits he was more than usually sad for many hours.
+
+The weeks slipped into months, and Elsa dwelt on in this strange home.
+Every day at first she looked eagerly for the breaking of the frost--for
+the promise of the sunshine and flowers she had left behind her in the
+wood. But the spring never came. The bitter cold and the frost
+continued, and in time the child's heart must have frozen too, but for
+the strong, warm love which had sprung up within it for Ulric.
+
+Old and thoughtful she grew, beyond her years, but never unhappy. Ulric
+needed her, was glad of her presence; she could minister to his wants
+and brighten his sad life.
+
+So Ulric's love grew more to her than the flowers and sunshine of the
+outer world; to think of leaving him now would break her heart, but she
+wondered often over the mystery that shadowed his life and hers. And
+the months grew to years, and Elsa was twelve years old.
+
+Then one evening Ulric came in from one of his visits to the closed
+chamber, more sad and thoughtful even than usual, and taking Elsa's hand
+in his, bade her sit beside him for a little while and put aside her
+work. She came obediently, looking anxiously into his face.
+
+"Little Elsa," he said, "I have counted the time, and it is now five
+years since you came to me. You told me then you were seven years old,
+now you are therefore twelve, and will soon be growing into a maiden.
+The time has come----"
+
+Instinctively the child clasped his hand closer.
+
+"Not to part us, father?" (for so she had learned to call him.)
+
+"That, my child, must rest with you."
+
+"Then it is soon settled," said Elsa, trying to laugh, "for I will never
+leave you."
+
+Something like the light of hope shone in the man's clouded eyes--eyes
+in which Elsa had never seen a smile, although his lips had smiled at
+her often.
+
+"Listen," he said; "before you speak rash words, I must tell you all.
+Then you shall decide.
+
+"It is a little more than eleven years since the curse fell upon me. I
+was a hard man then, Elsa--hard and cruel and strong--it was my boast
+that I never forgave a debt, or pardoned an enemy.
+
+"I had married a young and beautiful wife, and her I loved passionately,
+but in my own hard and selfish fashion. Often I refused to heed even
+her gentle pleadings for the suffering, the sinful, and the poor. And we
+had one child--a girl--then only a few months old.
+
+"It was a New Year's Eve that I decided upon giving a great
+entertainment to all the country round. I did it for my own
+glorification. Among the rich I was disliked, but tolerated on account
+of my position; by the poor far and wide I was feared and hated.
+
+"Every one invited came to my ball. My wife looked exquisitely lovely,
+more lovely I thought than on our bridal day--everything ministered to
+my pride and satisfaction.
+
+"We had mustered here, here in this hall, to drink the health of the
+dying year and welcome the incoming of the new, when above the sounds of
+laughter and good cheer was heard from without a pitiful, feeble
+wail--the wail of a child in pain. That feeble cry rang then above every
+other sound--it rings in my heart still.
+
+"Before I could interfere, my wife, with her own hands, had flung wide
+the great barred door, and I saw a sight which I alone could explain.
+
+"Upon the step was huddled a woman, with a child in her arms. A man,
+gaunt and hunger-stricken, towered behind her in the darkness; two other
+children clung to her, shivering and weeping. We were in the midst of
+the cruel, bitter winter; the earth was frost-bound, hard and cold, even
+as now. That day I had given orders that these people, poor and starving
+as they were, should be turned from their home. The man I had suspected
+of being a poacher, and he was doing no work--a good-for-nothing--but
+_she_, my wife, had pleaded for them that I would wait, at least, until
+the summer. Now she bent down to that poor creature on the step, who was
+striving to nurse and warm her babe in her chill arms, and whispered
+something--I guessed it was a promise of shelter.
+
+[Illustration: "'MOTHER, AWAKE!' SHE SAID" (_p._ 95).]
+
+"In my fierce pride and anger I laid my hand upon her arm, and with a
+strong grip drew her back--then without a word I closed the door and
+barred it. But within there was no more laughter. A voice rose upon the
+still night air--the sound of a bitter curse--a curse that should rest
+upon me and mine, the chill of winter and of death, of pitiless
+desolation and remorse, until human love should win me back to human
+pity and God's forgiveness.
+
+"One by one, with cold good-nights, my guests departed. My wife stole
+away to her own apartments without a word; upon her arm I saw the mark
+of my cruel hand.
+
+"In the morning the curse had fallen. The woman I had turned away had
+been found at my gates, dead, her child still clasped to her breast.
+
+"The servants fled and left me alone, taking with them our child; my
+wife--that night--she, too--died--to me."
+
+The man's head drooped upon his hands. For a moment there was silence in
+the hall.
+
+Elsa stood--her child's heart grieved at the terrible story, her whole
+nature sorrowing, pitiful, shocked.
+
+Presently Ulric recovered himself and continued: "Now, Elsa, you know
+all. My child, if you will return to the world and leave me to work out
+my fate, you shall not go penniless. I have wealth. For your sake I will
+venture once more among the haunts of men and see you placed in a safe
+home, then--I will try to forget. It is right that you should shrink."
+
+"Father, dear father, I love you--you are sorry--I will not leave
+you--do not send me away."
+
+A look almost of rapture changed the worn and tear-stained face of the
+man who had owned his sin--and the child's arms closed once more around
+his neck, and her golden head nestled to his breast. A few minutes later
+he led her to the closed chamber. Together they passed beyond it, and
+Elsa found herself standing in a richly furnished room.
+
+Near a window was a couch covered with dark velvet, and upon the couch a
+figure lay stretched as if in quiet, death-like sleep, or carved in
+marble. The figure was that of a young and very fair woman. Her dress of
+white satin had yellowed with time; her hands were clasped upon her
+breast as though in prayer; her golden hair lay unbound upon the pillow.
+
+"It is fitting now," said Ulric, "that you should come here."
+
+Softly Elsa advanced. She stood beside the couch, gazing down upon the
+still, white face, so sweet in its settled grief, but which in this long
+silence seemed to have lost its first youth. Elsa bent lower, lower.
+What new instinct filled her warm, young heart, and made her speak?
+
+"Mother, awake!" she said. "Mother!" and kissed the cold, quiet lips.
+
+Was it a ray of sunlight that stole through the open window and trembled
+upon the mouth, curving it into a smile? Slowly the dark eyes opened and
+rested with a look of ineffable love upon Elsa's face.
+
+And so the curse and the shadows of eternal winter passed away from the
+house of Ulric, and his young bride came back from her long slumber. In
+due time the garden, too, awoke to the touch of spring, and the flowers
+bloomed, and the birds mated once more and sang in budding trees, and
+the sun shone. And Elsa's love bound closely together the hearts of her
+father and mother; for perhaps you have been clever enough to find out
+that the woodman's wife was the nurse who had carried away with her in
+her flight Ulric's little daughter on the night of the New Year's ball.
+
+
+
+
+Ringfalla Bridge.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+RINGFALLA BRIDGE.
+
+By K. E. Sutter.
+
+
+ONCE upon a time there lived a King who had two kingdoms to govern--his
+own always the perfection of law and order, while the other was given
+over to confusion and rebellion, which, strive as he would, got ever
+worse instead of better.
+
+It had been the worry of his life ever since he began to reign--and as
+he had no son to help him, he was obliged to find a ruler for it among
+his Ministers, but not one of them, however clever, could manage to
+control its unruly inhabitants.
+
+Sometimes, at long intervals, he even went to live there himself, on
+which occasions his troubles in regard to it multiplied so exceedingly
+that he swore they were half demons, as the name of their kingdom,
+Nokkëland, proved, and for his part he wished they could find an evil
+spirit like themselves to govern them in his stead, as no mere mortal
+could. And then, as he could think of nothing else, he called a council
+of his most trusted chiefs, and conferred with them; but as they had all
+given their best consideration to the subject many times before, none of
+them could come to any more brilliant conclusion than formerly.
+
+Therefore King Kaftan said he would hunt on the morrow to distract his
+mind, so a great party set forth at daybreak, and scoured the woods far
+and near, but no sport could they get; no fourfooted beast could they
+find excepting rabbits, and they were everywhere.
+
+Unwilling to return empty-handed, and hoping for better luck on the
+morrow, the King gave the order to camp in the wood. Some of the men
+were catching rabbits for supper, whilst others were making fires to
+cook them, when just as the last rim of the sinking sun disappeared
+below the horizon, a beautiful hart as white as snow with antlers and
+hoofs of gold, suddenly appeared, and walked leisurely down the glade
+towards the sunset.
+
+Instantly, with one accord, King, courtiers, huntsmen, and servants
+rushed off in hot pursuit, helter-skelter over each other, on foot, on
+horseback, armed or unarmed, just as they found themselves when it first
+appeared. The King, who had not dismounted, was ahead of the others, and
+urged his steed with whip and spur; but poor Rolf was very weary, and do
+as he would, his master could get no nearer to his quarry.
+
+Night was rapidly closing in when the King found himself far ahead of
+his attendants, and alone with a spent horse in a part of the forest
+where he had never been before, and miles from any human habitation.
+
+More and more faltering grew Rolf's jaded pace, and in proportion as it
+slackened, slower went the hart. The King's pulses quivered with
+excitement. He leapt from the saddle, drew his dagger, and prepared to
+follow on foot; but, to his astonishment, the beast had turned and was
+coming slowly towards him, the moonlight turning his antlers to silver,
+and gleaming on his milk-white coat.
+
+Half instinctively, the King had raised his dagger, when the hart
+stopped and spoke in courteous, but authoritative tones.
+
+"Stay thy hand and know that I also am a King in my own country. I have
+much to say to thee, therefore follow me and fear nothing."
+
+So King Kaftan followed, wondering, until the hart stopped before a
+great rock, overhung with a tangle of eglantine and honeysuckle--and
+pushing aside the fragrant curtain dexterously with his horns, disclosed
+what appeared to be the mouth of a cave. Entering this, closely followed
+by the King, they proceeded for some way in almost total darkness.
+Gradually it grew lighter and the path wider, when the King perceived,
+to his amazement, that the illumination proceeded from countless numbers
+of bats, ridden by small imps carrying lighted glow-worms.
+
+Presently they came to a spacious garden, where all the trees were
+lighted by coloured lamps hanging among the branches, and the air was
+filled with music and perfume.
+
+Within the garden was a great pavilion of purple silk, most gorgeously
+emblazoned with scarlet and gold, and having a Royal banner floating
+from the roof.
+
+Within was a table, covered with every variety of food and wine,
+lavishly decorated with flowers and gold plate, and laid for two. Here
+the hart entertained his Royal guest to supper, and after he was
+completely refreshed and rested, handed him an enamelled box, which, on
+being opened, disclosed a clay pipe, blackened with much use, a tinder,
+and a flint.
+
+"Smoke, O King!" said the host; "unfortunately I cannot join you; and
+now to explain why I have lured you from your own people to my enchanted
+land.
+
+"I know your difficulties in Nokkëland, because for one reason we are
+very near neighbours, though probably you are unaware of it. The people
+who inhabit that kingdom are descended from a water fiend, and the
+turbulent instincts inherited from him can never be quelled until the
+power of the Neck, who rules the river between your kingdom and theirs,
+is broken. Now, the Neck is my enemy as well as yours, and if you will
+ally yourself with me and follow my counsels, you will have peace,
+honour, and happiness for the rest of your life in all probability."
+
+"I am ready," said the King, "only tell me what to do; the Klavs are the
+plague of my life, but from what you say success even then is by no
+means a certainty."
+
+"Much depends on luck," said the hart, "and to neither your Majesty nor
+myself is it given to do much. You have three daughters, Solveig, Ulva,
+and little Kirsten; one of them must go over Ringfalla Bridge without
+stumbling and without speaking one word. This done, your troubles and my
+own are at an end."
+
+[Illustration: "AN ENAMELLED BOX" (_p._ 102).]
+
+Now, Ringfalla Bridge it was that spanned the river between King
+Kaftan's own territory and that of the Klavs, and what between the Klavs
+themselves and the Neck who inhabited the river, it had a very evil
+reputation indeed.
+
+The King looked grave, and then he laughed rather grimly. "There won't
+be much difficulty about that," he said. "To cross it has been the
+desire of their hearts ever since they were babies; it is only my strict
+orders that keep them from it."
+
+"She who undertakes it must go of her own free will, and if she
+accomplishes it without stumbling and without speaking, the kingdom is
+saved." Those were the last words of the hart ere bidding the King
+good-night, and they were ringing in his ears when he awoke in the
+morning. But he was no longer lying on the silken cushions on which he
+had rested the night before. Pavilion, garden, and hart had vanished,
+the sun was high in the heavens, he was lying on a heap of moss and
+ferns in the wood, with Rolf standing over him and thrusting his soft
+nozzle into his face.
+
+The King was greatly perplexed as to whether all the events of the
+preceding night had actually happened, or if he had only dreamt them,
+and was rather inclined to the latter belief. Mounting Rolf, and leaving
+that good steed to find his own way back to the camp, he pondered deeply
+over all the hart had told him, and resolved at least to try what he had
+suggested.
+
+When at last he came to the camp it was nearly deserted, as most of the
+party had gone to hunt for the King, but after much blowing of horns the
+company was collected, and, abandoning all further idea of sport, rode
+back to the capital.
+
+There they found everything silent, except that the bells were
+mournfully tolling, and the flag over the palace hanging half-mast high.
+"What is this? Who is dead?" asked the King, but no one seemed inclined
+to explain.
+
+At last the captain of the guard, who could not run away, was forced to
+salute and answer the King.
+
+"Sire," he said, "your Majesty's daughter, the Princess Solveig, was
+drowned yesterday in trying to cross Ringfalla Bridge."
+
+Greatly to the captain's surprise, however, the King inquired no further
+on the subject, but went straight up to the tower where the apartments
+of the three Princesses were situated.
+
+There he found the two youngest overwhelmed with grief for their
+sister's loss, but overjoyed to see him and give an account of the
+catastrophe.
+
+On the previous day, after seeing the King start at the head of a great
+cavalcade on his hunting expedition, the three Princesses cast about in
+their minds how they might amuse themselves, and finally agreed to go
+down and picnic by the river. Now, although the river itself was not
+absolutely forbidden, they were quite aware that the King disapproved of
+their going there, but they pacified their consciences by taking a
+strong escort, their old nurse, and a very large variety of hampers
+containing lunch.
+
+Poor old Nurse Gerda was as much averse to the expedition as King Kaftan
+himself could have been, and told gruesome tales of the evil water
+spirit and his doings; but the Princesses only laughed, and enjoyed
+preparing their own lunch, and eating it afterwards, extremely. Then
+they wandered along the banks, gathering primroses and long grasses, all
+the while drawing near to the forbidden bridge; but it looked so
+inviting with its stone parapet and curious wooden pavement, and the
+water flowed so peacefully beneath the arches, that they there and then
+made up their minds to cross it, and drew lots to decide which should
+venture first. The lot fell to Solveig, the eldest, and she set out
+boldly with six archers to guard her--three before and three behind,
+walking abreast--a last precaution insisted upon by Gerda, the nurse,
+who watched the proceeding in terror.
+
+All went well till they had almost reached the middle, then she tripped,
+and in falling touched the parapet, which instantly gave way, and the
+Princess fell into the river. As she touched the water a great pair of
+hairy arms caught and drew her under, so that she was seen no more.
+"And," continued Ulva, who up till now had done most of the talking,
+"the wall closed up again, with no sign of a break, directly she
+disappeared, and though two of the guard jumped in after her, the Neck
+took no notice of them, and they swam ashore in the end quite safely."
+
+"The bridge is enchanted," said the King gloomily; and then he told them
+his adventure with the white hart.
+
+"Then," said Ulva, with great decision, "I will go: it is very simple.
+Solveig talked to Ulf, the archer, all the time, and was looking at the
+river when she stumbled. Now, I know what is required of me: I will look
+at my feet and say nothing, not a word. Do, father, let me go." And she
+gave the King no peace till he consented; but she fared no better than
+her sister.
+
+[Illustration: "A GREAT PAIR OF HAIRY ARMS CAUGHT AND DREW HER UNDER"
+(_p._ 106).]
+
+Boldly and silently she marched in the very centre of the fatal bridge,
+till suddenly she saw in front of her an enormous serpent with fiery
+eyes and forked tongue, with head up ready to spring. Poor Ulva's chief
+fear in life was a snake. She recoiled in terror, calling to warn the
+archers, who had seen nothing. And then the flooring gave way beneath
+her, and she too sank into the flood, a great pair of hairy hands
+clutching her as she fell.
+
+Then there was great mourning throughout the land. The people clothed
+themselves in black, and the King reviled the hart and his own folly in
+acting on his advice, and refused to be comforted.
+
+Then little Kirsten, the youngest sister, and the fairest maiden in the
+land, put her white arms about his neck and told him to be of good
+cheer; "for I will ride across," she said, "and if Freyja my mare
+stumble, it will be her fault, not mine, and I will neither speak nor
+scream, for they will tie a scarf over my lips so that I cannot. So,
+father, let me go, for it is I who will save the kingdom."
+
+But the King swore a great oath, and vowed she should not, and for three
+days nothing could move him. Then, the Princess prevailed, and the whole
+city came out to see her ride over Ringfalla Bridge.
+
+This time neither guards nor soldiers attempted to cross--a dozen
+courtiers, richly apparelled and mounted, accompanied the youngest
+Princess, who, dressed in white and all her pet jewels, with diamond
+fireflies glistening in the golden hair that floated to her little
+shoes, and her small, red mouth bound fast with a silken scarf, rode
+gaily upon Freyja till she had crossed the middle of the bridge, when,
+once again, appeared a wonder on the verge of the forest--a great white
+hart, with horns and hoofs of burnished gold. And straightway all the
+courtiers were tearing after it helter-skelter in hot haste, entirely
+forgetful of the poor little Princess and everything else.
+
+[Illustration: "THE YOUNGEST PRINCESS RODE GAILY UPON FREYJA" (_p._
+108).]
+
+And Freyja that morning was very frisky; she minced along sideways on
+her golden shoes, coquetting with her own shadow, and making little
+playful snaps at her bridle. So she, too, stumbled at last on the
+treacherous planks, throwing her mistress over the parapet into the
+swiftly running stream; but this time no demon hands were stretched out
+to receive their prey--only a flash of white and gold ere the water
+closed over her head, and then all was still.
+
+Meantime the white hart was giving the truant courtiers a lively time of
+it; he bounded, trotted, and doubled, keeping all the time close to the
+bridge, but eluding all their efforts to come near him. When, however,
+the maiden fell, a marvellous thing chanced--the beautiful beast
+vanished, and in his place stood the handsomest knight that had ever
+been seen in that or any other land. His armour was of gold, curiously
+inlaid with silver; on his helmet was a crown of emeralds, and his long
+purple mantle was lined with ermine, so there could be no doubt about
+his being a King.
+
+Then all the courtiers doffed their plumed caps, and did obeisance to
+him; but the stranger, after acknowledging their homage, called aloud
+for "Asaph," and out of the wood, running as fast as he could, came a
+beautiful little page, clothed in green, and carrying a golden harp.
+
+Then the strange knight crossed the bridge and saluted King Kaftan, who
+was standing on the bank looking at the river like one dazed.
+
+"Be of good cheer, Sir King," he cried; "the Princess Kirsten has broken
+the charm, and I am no longer the white hart, but the rightful King of
+your troublesome Klavs--me they obey and no other; and now, thanks for
+your courtesy." So saying, he took the harp from his little foot-page,
+and, seating himself on the bank, began to play.
+
+[Illustration: "And then little Kirsten came smiling out of the water."
+_page 111_]
+
+Very softly at first, but so wondrous were the magic notes that all the
+assembled people listened silent and motionless, for never before had
+they heard the like. First the sound was like the distant echo of silver
+trumpets when they welcomed the host back from battle; and then coming,
+as it were, nearer, like the ripple of waves on a pebbly beach, and all
+the fishes swam up to listen, while out of the wood flocked bird and
+beast also. So wondrous was the strain.
+
+And then little Kirsten came smiling out of the water and sat upon the
+harper's knee, and one arm he put about her to hold her fast, but still
+he kept on playing. And now the music waxed fierce and terrible, like
+the roll of thunder among the mountains, or the crash of armies when
+they meet in battle. And the waves grew black and angry and lashed
+themselves into foam, for the Neck, the evil water spirit, was furious,
+but he could not fight against his master, and so at the last he also
+came forth, black and hideous, but subdued, leading the two Princesses
+Solveig and Ulva, who looked more beautiful than ever, and none the
+worse for their sojourn below the river.
+
+So there were great rejoicings in both kingdoms, for the youngest
+Princess had broken the spell laid on Sir Sigurd by the Neck, who caught
+him in the forest alone without his harp, and condemned him to wander as
+a white hart until a Royal Princess should of her own free will cross
+Ringfalla Bridge without stumbling and without talking.
+
+This little Kirsten did, and she had her reward, for she married Sigurd
+and reigned over the Klavs, who were turbulent no more, because their
+King and Queen had been born for the special purpose of ruling over
+them.
+
+
+
+
+The Children's Fairy.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+THE CHILDREN'S FAIRY.
+
+FROM THE FRENCH of SAINT-JUIRS.
+
+
+IT was a dull, heavy afternoon, and the long, dusty road looked quite
+deserted, not a horse or even a foot-passenger in sight. The birds were
+taking their afternoon siesta, and the leaves were hanging down
+languidly from the poor trees, which were dying with thirst. There were
+three solitary-looking, tumble-down cottages on one side of the road,
+and presently the door of one of them opened, and a woman's voice called
+out:
+
+"Come, Yvette, come, go out and play."
+
+In answer to this summons a little girl of some three or four years old
+soon appeared, and with great difficulty on all fours began to descend
+the steep steps from the house to the footpath. It was quite a piece of
+work, that perilous descent, and it was accomplished slowly, carefully,
+and very awkwardly by what looked like nothing but a bundle of clothes.
+
+The child had on a little bonnet made of two pieces of figured muslin
+sewn together, and from which a few tresses of fair hair which had
+escaped fell over her forehead and down the back of her neck. Her little
+frock had been lengthened many times, and, consequently, the waist was
+now up under the arms, like one sees in the Empire dresses. As to shoes
+and stockings--well, it was not very cold, and so they were put away for
+a future occasion.
+
+When once she had reached the bottom of the steps, the child stood
+upright and looked round for a minute or two, evidently deep in thought,
+with her little finger pressed against her face. Play! Yes, it was all
+very well, but what should she play at?
+
+At the very time when the poor little mite was turning this question
+over in her mind, hundreds of other children, accompanied by their
+mother or by their nurse, would be all out in the gardens or parks, and
+they would have with them all kinds of games and toys, from the
+favourite spade and bucket to a real little steam-boat, which would sail
+along on the ponds. They would have cannons, skipping-ropes, reins (all
+covered with little bells), hoops, battledores and shuttlecocks, bowls,
+marbles, balls, balloons, dolls of every description, pistols, guns,
+swords, and, in fact, everything that the heart of a child can desire.
+
+Then, too, those other children nearly always had little playmates, so
+that it was easy enough to organise a game.
+
+But, Yvette--on that deserted road, what could she do? Her father, a
+poor road-mender, earned only just enough to make a bare living for his
+wife and child, and certainly not a halfpenny could be spared for toys.
+
+[Illustration: "DEEP IN THOUGHT" (_p._ 116).]
+
+Yvette sat down just near a great heap of stones, which her father had
+to break into small pieces in order to fill in the ruts. When she was
+comfortably installed, she began to fumble in her pocket, and there she
+certainly found all kinds of wonderful things: two cherry-stones, a
+piece of string, a small carrot, a shoe-button, a small penny knife, a
+little bit of blue braid and some crumbs of bread. Now, these were all
+very nice in their way, and were indeed very valuable articles, but
+somehow they did not appeal to Yvette at all just then. She put them
+all very carefully back one by one in her pocket.
+
+Then there was a profound silence. Yvette was not happy. The little face
+puckered itself up into a significant grimace--the little nose was all
+screwed up, and the mouth was just opening--tears were surely on the
+way! Just at that moment, fortunately, the Children's Fairy was passing
+by.
+
+Now you, perhaps, do not know about this Fairy, for no one ever sees
+her, but it is the very one which makes children smile in their dreams,
+and gives them all kinds of pretty thoughts. There is no limit to the
+power of this Fairy, for, with a stroke of her magic wand, she can
+transform things just as she wishes. She is very good and kind-hearted,
+and the proof is that she bestows her favours more generally on the poor
+and unfortunate than on others.
+
+Well, this good Fairy saw that Yvette was just going to cry. She
+stretched her golden wand out over the heap of stones and then flew away
+again, laughing, for she was just as light and as gay as a ray of
+sunshine.
+
+Now, directly the Fairy had gone, it seemed to the road-mender's little
+daughter that one of the big stones near her had a face, and that it was
+dressed just like a little baby. Oh, it was really just like a little
+baby! Yvette stretched out her hand, took the stone up, and immediately
+began to feel for it all the love which a mother feels for her child.
+
+[Illustration: "SHE STRETCHED HER GOLDEN WAND OVER THE HEAP OF STONES"
+(_p._ 118).]
+
+"Ah!" she said to it, cuddling it up in her arms; "do you want to be my
+little girl? You don't speak--oh! but that is because you are too
+young--but I see you would like to. Very well, then; I will be your
+mother, and I shall love you and never whip you. You must be good,
+though, and then I shall never scold you. Oh! but if you are not
+good--you know, I've got a birch rod. Now, come, I'm going to dress you
+better: you look dreadful in that frock." Hereupon Yvette rolled her
+child up in her pinafore, so that there was nothing to be seen of the
+stone but what was supposed to be the baby's head.
+
+"Oh! how pretty she is, dear little thing. There, now, she shall have
+something to eat. Ah! you are crying--but you must not cry, my pretty
+one--there, there." And the hard stone was rocked gently in the soft
+little arms of its fond mother.
+
+"Bye-bye, baby--bye-bye-bye." Yvette sang with all her might, tapping
+her little daughter's back energetically, but evidently all to no
+purpose, for the stone refused to go to sleep. "Ah! naughty girl; you
+won't go to sleep? Oh no, I won't tell you any more stories. I have told
+you Tom Thumb, and that's quite enough for to-night. Go to
+sleep--quick--quick, I say. Oh, dear, dear, naughty child--I've got a
+knife--what! you are crying again! If you only knew how ugly you are
+when you cry! There! now I'm going to slap you--take that, and that, and
+that, to make you quiet. Oh dear, how dreadful it is to have such a
+child. I believe I'll change you, and have a boy. Now, just say you are
+sorry for being so naughty----What! you won't? I'll give you another
+chance. Now--one--two--three. Oh, very well. I know what I shall do. I
+shall just go and take you back. I shall say: 'If you please, I've got a
+dreadful little girl, and I want to change her for a nice little boy,
+named Eugene.' And then they'll say: 'Yes, ma'am; will you have him with
+light hair or dark?' 'Oh,' I shall say, 'I don't mind, as long as he is
+good.' 'He'll be very dear, though, ma'am,' they'll say; 'good little
+boys are very rare, and they cost a great deal.' 'How much?' I shall
+ask. 'Why, one penny, ma'am.' And then I shall think about it----Now,
+then, are you going to be good, and say you are sorry? No? Oh! very
+well--it's too late now--I've changed you. I have no little girl now,
+but a very pretty little boy, named Zizi."
+
+[Illustration: "OH! HOW PRETTY SHE IS" (_p._ 120).]
+
+The stone immediately underwent a complete transformation. Just now,
+when it was a little girl, it had been very quiet and gentle, and had
+kept quite still on Yvette's lap. Now that it was a boy there was no
+more peace: it would jump about, and it would try to get away, for boys
+are always so restless.
+
+"Zizi, will you be still, and will you stay on my lap instead of
+tumbling about in the road? There, let me lift you up! Oh, dear! how
+heavy boys are. There, now, don't you stir, but just eat your bread and
+milk. It will make you grow, and then when you are big you'll have
+beautiful grey whiskers, like father. You shall have a sword, too, and
+perhaps you shall be a policeman. It's very nice to be a policeman, you
+know, because they are never put in prison--they take other people there
+if the people make a noise in the street. Oh, Zizi, do keep still. If
+you don't, I'll call the wolf--you know, the big wolf that runs off with
+little children and takes them into the woods to eat them up. Wolf,
+wolf, where are you?"
+
+Just at that moment a dog appeared--a large, well-fed, happy-looking
+dog, impudent too, and full of fun. He belonged to a carrier who was
+always moving about from place to place, and the dog, accustomed as he
+was to these constant journeys, had got rather familiar, like certain
+commercial travellers, who, no matter where they are, always make
+themselves quite at home.
+
+Now, the dog had got tired of following his master's cart, and when he
+saw something in the distance which was moving about, he bounded off to
+discover what it was. This something was Yvette and her little boy.
+
+"Look, look!" exclaimed the small mother, and there was a tremor in her
+voice. "You see, he is coming--the big wolf!"
+
+He _was_ coming, there was no doubt about that, for he was tearing
+along, and his tongue was hanging out and his ears were pricked up.
+
+The little stone boy was not at all frightened, but Yvette began to
+regret having called the dreadful animal. Oh! if she could only get away
+now; but, alas! she did not dare to move or even to speak.
+
+[Illustration: "THE IMPERTINENT DOG CAME STRAIGHT TO THEM" (_p._ 123).]
+
+The impertinent dog came straight to them. Poor Yvette, half frightened
+to death, threw away the precious stone baby she had been fondling, and,
+picking herself up, began to run, calling out: "Mother! Mother!"
+
+The dog was quite near her, jumping up at her, and then suddenly he
+turned to go and sniff at the little stone boy. He probably thought it
+was a bone or a piece of bread, but he was soon undeceived, and then he
+rushed to the hedge to bark and wake up all the birds.
+
+As to Yvette, she was hurrying along as fast as her little legs could
+carry her, for she was in despair, as she thought the wolf was just
+behind her, and she imagined that she still felt his hot breath on her
+little hand. She stopped when she got to the steps of her home, for she
+was out of breath and all trembling with terror, and she felt sure that
+if she tried to scramble up the steps the wolf would bite her legs.
+Suddenly the inspiration, which the ostrich once had, came to her, and
+she rushed into the corner which was formed by the front of the house
+and the stone steps, and holding her face close to the wall, so that she
+could not see the dreadful animal, she was convinced that she too was
+out of his sight.
+
+She stayed there some minutes in perfect anguish, thinking: "Oh! if I
+move, he'll eat me up!" She was quite surprised even that he did not
+find her, and that his great teeth did not bite her, for she always
+thought wolves were so quick to eat up little girls. Whatever could he
+be doing? And then, not hearing any sound of him, she thought she would
+risk one peep round. Very slowly she turned her head, and then, as
+nothing dreadful happened, she grew bolder and bolder.
+
+The wolf was not in sight, and instead of the barking which had
+terrified her, she now heard a lot of little bells tinkling, and in the
+distance she saw a waggon with four horses coming along.
+
+The sound of the bells was so fascinating that Yvette forgot her duty as
+a mother, and stood there watching the waggon as it approached.
+
+The horses were all grey, and they were coming so fast. Suddenly the
+child uttered an awe-struck cry.
+
+Her child, her little son, was under the heavy wheels! Crunch! crunch!
+and it had gone by, the horrible waggon. Yvette went on to the
+horse-road, and her little heart was very full; for there, where poor
+Zizi had been lying, there was only some yellowish crunched stone. Zizi
+had been ground into powder by the huge wheels. The poor child was in
+despair, and, with tears in her eyes, she shook her little fists at the
+carrier, who was whipping up his horses.
+
+[Illustration: "HER CHILD, HER LITTLE SON, WAS UNDER THE HEAVY WHEELS!"]
+
+"Cruel, wicked man!" she cried, and then her eyes happening to fall on
+the heap of stones which had supplied her with a family, she saw another
+stone smiling at her now. She ran quickly to it, picked it up and kissed
+it affectionately, and then, happy in her new treasure, she cried out
+defiantly to the carrier, whom she could still see in the distance: "Ah!
+I don't care! I've got another--there, then! and it's a girl this time.
+I won't have any more dreadful boys to be afraid of wolves, and to go
+and get themselves killed just to make their poor mother unhappy."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Oh! kind, good Fairy, you who watch over the children, and who give them
+their happiness and console them in sorrow when they are playing at
+life--oh, good Fairy, do not forget your big children.
+
+Older men tell me that I am young, but the younger ones do not think so;
+and I, myself, saw, only this morning, a silver thread in my hairs. Oh,
+kind Fairy, Fairy of the children, help me, too, to believe that the
+moon is made of green cheese; for, after all, our happiness here below
+consists in our faith and in our illusions.
+
+
+
+
+"Wittysplinter."
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"WITTYSPLINTER."
+
+From the German of Clemens Brentano.
+
+
+ONCE upon a time there was a King of Roundabout who had, among many
+other servants, a page-boy who was called Wittysplinter, and he
+preferred him above all the others, and showered upon him honours and
+presents, because of his uncommon skill and cleverness, and because
+everything the King gave him to do he always accomplished successfully.
+Now, because of the great favour which the King showed to Wittysplinter,
+all the other page-boys and servants were jealous of him; for, if his
+cleverness were rewarded with money, they generally received nothing but
+scoldings for their stupidity; if Wittysplinter received praise from the
+King, they generally received a blowing-up; when Wittysplinter got a new
+coat to his back, they got instead the application of a stick to theirs;
+and if Wittysplinter were permitted to kiss the King's hand, they were
+only allowed to touch it when they got a smack from it.
+
+On account of all these things, therefore, they got very angry with
+Wittysplinter, and went about murmuring and whispering the whole day
+long, and putting their heads together and plotting how best they could
+deprive Wittysplinter of the love of the King. One of them scattered a
+lot of peas on the steps up to the throne, so that Wittysplinter might
+stumble and break the glass sceptre which he always had to present to
+the King; another nailed pieces of melon skin to his shoes, so that he
+might slide along and make a dreadful mess of the King's gown when he
+was handing him the soup; a third put all sorts of horrid flies in a
+straw, and blew them into the King's wig when Wittysplinter was dressing
+it; a fourth played some other nasty trick, and every one sought to do
+something to deprive Wittysplinter of the King's favour. Wittysplinter
+was so cautious, however, and so clever and watchful, that everything
+they did was in vain, and he brought all the commands of the King to a
+successful issue.
+
+Well, when they found that all these manoeuvres were quite useless, they
+determined to try something else. Now, the King had an enemy, whom he
+could never get the better of, and who was always doing him some
+mischief. This was a giant who was called Sleepyhead, and who lived in a
+large mountain, where he had a splendid palace surrounded by a thick,
+gloomy wood; and with the exception of his wife, Thickasmud, no human
+being lived with him; but a lion who was called Hendread, and a bear
+called Honeybeard, and a wolf called Lambsnapper, and a dog called
+Harescare, acted as his servants. He had also in the stables a horse
+called Flyinglegs.
+
+Now, there dwelt in the neighbourhood of Roundabout a very beautiful
+Queen, Madam Flosk, who had a daughter, Miss Flink, and the King of
+Roundabout, who wanted to possess all the land adjoining his own, was
+very anxious to marry Madam Flosk. But she was proud, and let him know
+that many other Kings were also anxious to marry her, and that she would
+accept in marriage that King only who was most expeditious, and that he
+who was first by her side when she went into church next Monday morning
+at half-past ten should have her as his wife, and all her possessions
+into the bargain.
+
+Thereupon the King summoned all his household, and put the question to
+them: "How am I to manage to be first in the church on Monday morning
+next, and so gain Queen Flosk for my wife?"
+
+Then his servants answered him, and said: "You must gain possession of
+the horse Flyinglegs, belonging to the giant Sleepyhead; if you once get
+astride of it, no one can possibly get there before you; and to get this
+horse for you no one is more suited than Wittysplinter, who is so
+successful in all he undertakes."
+
+Thus spoke the wicked servants, in the hope that the Giant Sleepyhead
+would kill Wittysplinter. The King, accordingly, commanded Wittysplinter
+to bring the horse Flyinglegs to him.
+
+Wittysplinter got a hand-barrow, and placed a bees hive on it, then a
+sack into which he thrust a cock, a hare, and a lamb, and laid it on the
+barrow; he took with him, also, a long piece of rope, and a large box
+full of snuff; slung round him a riding whip, fastened a pair of good
+spurs to his boots, and quietly set off, pushing his barrow in front of
+him.
+
+Towards evening he had reached the summit of the high mountain, and when
+he had traversed the wood he saw before him the castle of the giant
+Sleepyhead. Night drew on, and very soon he heard the giant Sleepyhead
+and his wife, Thickasmud, and his lion, Hendread, and his bear,
+Honeybeard, and his wolf, Lambsnapper, and his dog, Harescare, all
+snoring loudly; only the horse, Flyinglegs, was still awake, and
+stamping the floor of the stable with its hoofs.
+
+Then Wittysplinter took the long piece of rope very quietly from the
+sack, and stretched it across in front of the door of the castle from
+one tree to another, and placed the box of snuff in the middle; next he
+took the beehive and placed it in a tree by the side of the path, and
+then went into the stable and undid the fastenings of Flyinglegs. He
+placed the sack with the lamb, the hare, and the cock on its back, and
+jumping up himself and using his spurs, he rode out of the stable.
+
+But the horse Flyinglegs could speak, and screamed out quite loudly:--
+
+    "Thickasmud and Sleepyhead!
+    Honeybeard and Hendread!
+    Lambsnapper and Harescare!
+    I'm being stolen, so pray beware!"
+
+and then it galloped off as hard as it could, because, with
+Wittysplinter on its back, it couldn't help itself. Then Thickasmud and
+Sleepyhead woke up and heard the cry of the horse Flyinglegs. Quickly
+they awakened the bear Honeybeard, the lion Hendread, the wolf
+Lambsnapper, and the dog Harescare, and all together they rushed
+pell-mell out of the house, to try and catch Wittysplinter with the
+horse Flyinglegs.
+
+[Illustration: "THEY RUSHED PELL-MELL OUT OF THE HOUSE."]
+
+But in the darkness the giant Sleepyhead and his wife Thickasmud
+stumbled over the rope which Wittysplinter had tied in front of the
+castle door, and, splosh!--they fell with their eyes and noses right
+into the box of snuff which he had placed there. They rubbed their eyes
+and sneezed one time after another, and Sleepyhead said: "Your good
+health,[1] Thickasmud." "I thank you," answered Thickasmud, and then
+said: "Good health to you, Sleepyhead." "I thank you," answered he; and
+so on, until they had wept the snuff out of their eyes and sneezed it
+out of their noses, and by the time this had happened Wittysplinter was
+clear of the wood.
+
+The bear Honeybeard was the first after him, but when he came to the
+bees' hive the smell of the honey enticed him, and he wanted to eat it;
+then the bees came buzzing out, and stung him all over the face to such
+an extent that he ran back half blind to the castle. Wittysplinter had
+already got some distance out of the wood when he heard the lion
+Hendread coming bounding after him, so he quickly took the cock out of
+his sack, and when it flew up into a tree and began to crow, the lion
+got so dreadfully frightened that it ran back again.
+
+Now Wittysplinter heard the wolf Lambsnapper behind him. He quickly let
+loose the lamb out of his sack, and the wolf galloped after it, and let
+him ride off in safety. He was by this time quite near the town when he
+heard a bark behind him, and looking round, saw the dog Harescare
+coming tearing after him. Quickly he let loose the hare out of the sack,
+and the dog ran after it, and he arrived safely in the town.
+
+The King thanked Wittysplinter very much for the horse, but the wicked
+servants of the Court were very much annoyed that he had come off with a
+whole skin. On the following Monday the King mounted upon his horse
+Flyinglegs and rode off to Queen Flosk, and the horse galloped so
+quickly that he was there long before any of the other Kings, and had
+already danced several of his wedding dances when they arrived. Just
+when he was about to start off home with his Queen, his servants said to
+him: "Your Majesty has indeed the giant Sleepyhead's horse, but how much
+more splendid it would be if you had his clothes as well, which are said
+to surpass anything that man has ever seen. The clever Wittysplinter
+would, no doubt, very soon bring them to you if you commanded him to do
+so."
+
+The King was at once possessed with a great desire for Sleepyhead's
+clothes, and again gave the commission to Wittysplinter. When the latter
+had started off upon the road the wicked servants rejoiced, and thought
+that this time he would surely not escape the clutches of the giant
+Sleepyhead.
+
+On this occasion Wittysplinter took nothing with him but a few good
+strong sacks. On arriving at the giant's castle he climbed up into a
+tree, and lay hid until every one was in bed. When everything had become
+quiet he climbed down again. Just then he heard Madam Thickasmud calling
+out: "Sleepyhead, my pillow is very low; fetch me a bundle of straw
+from outside." Thereupon Wittysplinter quickly slipped into a bundle of
+straw, and Sleepyhead carried him, along with the straw, into his room,
+shoved him under the pillow, and then lay down in bed again.
+
+As soon as they had fallen asleep Wittysplinter packed all Sleepyhead's
+and Thickasmud's clothes into his sack, and very quietly and very
+carefully tied it to the tail of the lion Hendread; then he tied the
+wolf Lambsnapper, and the bear Honeybeard, and the dog Harescare, who
+were lying about asleep, fast to the giant's bed, and opened the door
+very wide. So far he had managed everything just as he would have
+wished, but he wanted to take away the giant's beautiful bed-cover as
+well. So he gave the corner of it a slight tug, then another, and
+another, and so on, until it fell on the floor. He immediately wrapped
+himself up in it, and seated himself on the sack containing the giant's
+clothes, which he had tied to the lion's tail. Soon the cool night wind
+began to blow through the open door and over Thickasmud's legs, and
+waking up, she cried, "Sleepyhead, you've pulled all the bed-clothes off
+me. I've nothing at all over me." "Thickasmud, _you've_ pulled all the
+clothes off _me_," and thereupon they began to belabour each other, so
+that Wittysplinter began to laugh loudly at them. As soon as they heard
+this they called out "Thieves, thieves! Up, Hendread! Up, Lambsnapper!
+Up, Honeybeard and Harescare! Thieves, thieves!" At this all the animals
+woke up, and the lion sprang forth out of the door. Now Wittysplinter,
+wrapped up in the bed-cover, was sitting on the bundle of clothes tied
+to the lion's tail; and as soon as the lion began to run, he was driven
+along just as if he was in a carriage. He began to cry out several times
+"kikriki-ki-kri-ki,' just like a cock, and the lion got such a fright at
+this that he ran in mad terror right up to the gates of the city. When
+quite near to the gates, Wittysplinter took out his knife and cut the
+string, and the lion, who was going at such a rate that he couldn't stop
+himself, ran his head full bang against the gates and fell down dead.
+
+[Illustration: "HE COULDN'T STOP HIMSELF" (_p._ 138).]
+
+The other animals, who had been bound to the bedstead of Sleepyhead and
+Thickasmud, could not get it out of the door because it was too wide,
+and they dragged it and pulled it about the room so much that both
+Sleepyhead and Thickasmud fell out, and became so angry that they beat
+the wolf, the bear, and the dog to death, although the poor animals
+really couldn't help it.
+
+When the watch in the city heard the noise of the great blow which the
+lion had given to the gates, they opened them, and Wittysplinter carried
+the clothes of Sleepyhead and Thickasmud in triumph to the King, who
+nearly jumped out of his skin with joy, for such clothes had never
+before been seen. There was, among other things, a hunting-coat, made of
+the skins of all the fourfooted animals, and so beautifully sewn
+together that one could see the whole story of Reynard the Fox depicted
+on it. Also a bird-catcher's coat, made of feathers from all the birds
+in the world, an eagle in front and an owl behind; and in the pockets
+there were a musical box and a peal of bells, which made music just like
+all kinds of birds singing together. Further, there was a bathing-dress
+and a fisher's-dress, made from the skins of all the fish in the world,
+sewn together so that one saw a whale-hunt and a great catch of herrings
+on it. Then a garden-dress of Madam Thickasmud's, on which all sorts of
+flowers and fruits, salads and vegetables, were embroidered. But what
+surpassed everything else was the bed-cover; it was made entirely of the
+skins of bats, and all the stars of heaven were represented on it by
+means of diamonds.
+
+The Royal family were quite dumb with astonishment and wonder.
+Wittysplinter was kissed and embraced, and his enemies nearly exploded
+with rage to see that he had again escaped without hurt from the hands
+of Sleepyhead.
+
+Even yet they did not despair, and put the idea into the King's head
+that nothing was now wanting to his dignity but that he should possess
+the castle of Sleepyhead itself, and the King, who was a very child in
+these matters and always wanted to have whatever took his fancy, said
+immediately to Wittysplinter that he wanted Sleepyhead's castle, and
+that as soon as he got it for him he would be rewarded.
+
+Wittysplinter did not take much time to think about it, and for the
+third time ran off to the abode of Sleepyhead. When he arrived there,
+the giant was not at home, and he heard something in the room crying
+like a calf. Then he looked through the window, and saw Dame Thickasmud
+chopping wood, and at the same time nursing a little giant on her arm,
+who was showing his teeth and bleating like a calf.
+
+Wittysplinter went in, and said: "Good-day, my great and beautiful,
+broad and portly dame! How is it that you have got to do so much work
+and have to nurse your child at the same time? Have you no maids or
+grooms? Where is your husband, then?"
+
+"Ach," said Madam Thickasmud, "my husband has gone out to invite all
+his relations to a feast we are going to hold. And I have to cook
+everything for myself now, for my husband killed the bear, and the wolf,
+and the dog, that used to help us; and the lion has run off, too."
+
+"That is certainly very hard lines on you," said Wittysplinter. "If I
+could do anything to help you, I should be only too glad."
+
+Then Thickasmud asked him to chop up four logs of wood into small pieces
+for her; and Wittysplinter took the axe and said to the giantess: "You
+might hold the wood for me a moment, please," and the giantess bent down
+and caught hold of the wood. Wittysplinter raised the axe in the air,
+and swish! down it came, and cut Thickasmud's head off and Mollakopp's
+at the same time, and there they lay.
+
+The next thing he proceeded to do was to dig a large, deep hole right in
+front of the castle door, into which he threw Thickasmud and Mollakopp,
+and then covered over the opening with a thin layer of branches and
+leaves. Then he proceeded to light up all the rooms of the castle with
+candles and torches, and took a large copper kettle, and beat upon it
+with soup ladles. Then he got a tin funnel, and blew a blast on it just
+like a trumpet, and between each performance he shouted, "Hurrah! Long
+live His Majesty the King of Roundabout."
+
+When Sleepyhead was returning home towards evening, and saw all the
+lights in the windows and heard the shouting, he was mad with rage, and
+ran with such fury against the door that he fell through the hole
+covered with branches and lay there a prisoner, shouting and making a
+great noise. Wittysplinter immediately ran down and threw large stones
+on him, until he had filled up the hole.
+
+[Illustration: "WITTYSPLINTER THREW LARGE STONES ON HIM."]
+
+And now Wittysplinter took the key of the castle and ran with it to King
+Roundabout, who immediately betook himself to the castle, along with his
+wife Flosk and her daughter Flink and Wittysplinter, and inspected all
+there was to be seen there. After they had spent fourteen whole days in
+looking at an immense number of rooms, chambers, cellars, look-out
+towers, bakeries, furnaces, kitchens, wood-stove houses, dining-rooms,
+smoking-rooms, wash-houses, etc., the King asked Wittysplinter what he
+would like as a reward for his faithful services. And Wittysplinter
+replied that he would like to marry the Princess Flink, if it were
+agreeable to her. The Princess very readily consented, and they were
+married and lived in the giant's castle, where they are to be found to
+this day.
+
+FOOTNOTE:
+
+[1] The custom of wishing one "Good Health" after a sneeze, prevalent
+in Germany and other European countries, is supposed to have origin in
+the fact that the crisis, or turning-point for better or worse of a
+certain fever, is indicated by a sneeze from the patient, and hence the
+natural expression of a hope for a favourable recovery.
+
+
+
+
+The Mid-day Rock.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+THE MID-DAY ROCK.
+
+FROM THE FRENCH of J. JARRY.
+
+
+ONCE upon a time there was a poor man, who lived somewhere in the middle
+of the woods near a place called Gâtines de Treigny. Everybody called
+him Father Rameau. Not that he had any children--he had not even ever
+been married; nor that he was very old, for he was barely fifty; but he
+had always had such a hard time of it that his hair had grown grey very
+early, and his back had been bent and bowed long before its time.
+
+He was generally to be seen toiling along under a big bundle of brooms,
+which he made with the greatest skill from young birch branches, selling
+them on market days to the housewives of Saint-Amand or Saint-Sauveur.
+
+Father Rameau was not ambitious, far from it; if he had been alone in
+the world, without relations depending on him, he would have been quite
+content to live on black bread every day of the week, with an occasional
+glass of wine from the charitable folk of the neighbourhood. But Father
+Rameau had a younger sister married to a vine-dresser of Perreuse, and
+he was god-father to their daughter; she was just growing up into a
+woman, and was so pretty and modest and intelligent, that every one had
+a good word for her, and now she was engaged to be married to a young
+man called George, a capital worker, but without a penny in the world.
+The wedding was to take place as soon as she was twenty; and they had
+given each other engagement rings--common leaden rings, bought from one
+of the pedlars who visit the hamlets of the district.
+
+Humble as he was where he himself only was concerned, Father Rameau was
+proud indeed in matters connected with his niece.
+
+"A leaden ring," he murmured, "when so many other girls, not half as
+good as my god-daughter, have a gold one! How I wish Madeleine could
+choose the one she liked best from the jeweller's shop in Saint-Sauveur!
+Ah, it's not much use wishing. If I put by every penny I could spare for
+years and years I could never afford it. Madeleine's poor, George is
+poor, I am poor, and always shall be. Well, we're honest, that's one
+comfort, and we needn't be jealous, at any rate."
+
+As the old broomseller was thinking all this, he met George, who was
+driving a pair of oxen, their nostrils steaming in the first rays of the
+morning sun. "Good-day, lad," said he.
+
+"Good-day, Father Rameau."
+
+"Off to work already?"
+
+"Yes, father. I'm just going over the master's fields for the last time
+before seed sowing; we shall begin next week. We're rather behind hand
+you know."
+
+"So you are; October's nearly over."
+
+"Can you guess what I was thinking of as I came along?"
+
+"_What_ you were thinking of? You mean _who_," said Father Rameau,
+rather crossly.
+
+"Well, yes, you're right. Madeleine is never out of my mind," answered
+George thoughtfully. "I was saying to myself that, if there are plenty
+of weeds over there" (and he pointed to the uncultivated moor with his
+goad), "there is good soil as well, and that any one who had time to
+clear even a corner of it might buy the girl he was engaged to----"
+
+"A gold ring!"
+
+"How _did_ you guess what I meant? You don't come from Chęneau, where
+all the wizards live," laughed George.
+
+"No witchcraft in that, nephew. The other day I saw how unhappy you were
+that you could only give Madeleine a leaden ring, and I was just as
+sorry myself that I couldn't buy her a better one ... and ever since
+I've been trying to think of a way...."
+
+"And have you found one, father?"
+
+"_You've_ found it for me, lad. I shall make a clearing of a bit of the
+moor."
+
+Even at the risk of offending his future uncle, the young labourer could
+not help smiling.
+
+"That's a task for stronger arms than yours, father," he said. "No one
+can beat you at cutting birch branches and making them into brooms. But
+that doesn't need so much muscle as digging up soil like this, pulling
+up the great roots out of it, or smashing and carrying away huge
+boulders of rock. Ah, if only I had not given my word to stay with my
+master till I am married!"
+
+"You may laugh at me, lad, but I won't bear malice," said the old man.
+"If the old are not so strong as the young, they are more persevering. I
+shall clear a bit of the moor, and with the money from my first harvest
+we will go and buy the ring. Good-bye, lad."
+
+"Good-bye, father; we shall see you doing wonders before long, I know."
+
+"I shall be working for Madeleine," he said, "and your patron saint
+(George means cultivator of the soil) will help me."
+
+At twelve precisely, Father Rameau came back to the moor with a heavy
+pick on his shoulder; he meant to set to work without delay.
+
+Bang went the first stroke of the pick, accompanied with the significant
+grunt diggers, woodmen, and such folk give over their work. But just as
+he was raising his arm for another try, he stood suddenly stock-still,
+with eyes staring wide in a white, terrified face.
+
+From the midst of the boulders scattered about, which were trembling
+like Celtic monuments, had arisen an apparition, which the old man knew
+was supernatural and divine, though its form was human.
+
+Imagine a tiny little lady, ethereal rather than thin, youthfully lovely
+and dainty, a kind of dream beauty, attired in a silvery tunic
+embroidered with gorse blossoms. On her head a wreath of heather; in her
+hand a wand of the broom plant in blossom; all around the holly, ferns,
+and junipers, all the wild plants and shrubs, were bowing down as if in
+homage to a Sovereign. A ray of sunlight was playing round her head like
+an aureole. She was the Fairy of the Moor.
+
+"You are a bold man," she said to the old workman, "to dare thus to
+encroach on my domains." There was a thrill of anger in her clear voice,
+and her blue eyes sparkled.
+
+[Illustration: "HE STOOD SUDDENLY STOCK-STILL" (_p._ 148).]
+
+"Lady Fairy," stammered the old man, "be merciful to a wretched labourer
+who never meant to wrong you. Your domains are so vast, I hoped there
+would be no harm if I took the liberty of borrowing just a little corner
+from you."
+
+"What do you want it for?"
+
+"To cultivate it," answered old Rameau, who was beginning to feel less
+frightened.
+
+"To cultivate it!" cried the fairy. "You mean to dig it up, turn it
+over, and upset it all round! Do you not see how lovely it is now, and
+are you so presumptuous as to think you can do better for it than Nature
+has done already?" Her voice grew softer as she went on: "What could you
+find anywhere that is as beautiful as this spot in spring-time, when,
+under a sky of the tenderest blue, the little leaves are beginning to
+bud on the branches, the tufts of narcissus are opening among the
+marshes, and everywhere in the woods around the blackbirds are beginning
+to whistle their first notes, the doves keep up a gentle cooing, and the
+jays are chattering like parrots?"
+
+"A couple of partridges calling to each other," answered the old man, "a
+quail uttering its three sonorous cries, or a lark soaring into the sky
+with its breathless melody, make a pleasanter sound, to my way of
+thinking. But these are birds that like to build their nests among the
+corn. They are not found near your kingdom."
+
+"In summer," went on the fairy, "when the moors are flooded with
+sunshine, and the heat brings out a delicious odour of resin from my
+favourite shrubs, I love to look on the purple of the heather, and the
+gold of gorse and broom."
+
+"I prefer the pink clover with the drowsy bees humming over it,"
+answered the old man, "and the ripening harvest, yellow like your
+beautiful hair, Lady Fairy."
+
+Fairy as she was, the queen of the moors was not displeased at the
+compliment. Father Rameau saw this from her face, and said to himself
+his cause was half won.
+
+"In autumn," she retorted, though, "even here, there comes to me, out
+of the depths of the thickets near, the baying of the pack when the hunt
+is out, and often they traverse my domains to get from one part of the
+forest to another. The poor, hunted stag, whose tongue is hanging out of
+his mouth with weariness, makes for this very heap of rocks sometimes;
+then I help him to elude his cruel foes and to get away safely."
+
+"Yes," said the old man, as if he liked this idea, "the dogs get their
+noses pricked on the thorn-bushes and lose trace of their prey. That is
+indeed a kind action. I, too, like to put the pack on a wrong scent. The
+stags are such dear things, with their soft brown eyes. Those in this
+neighbourhood know me, and when I sit down to make my brooms right in
+the middle of a copse, as I do sometimes, they come quite close up to
+me. If only there were wheat growing on your moor, you would be able to
+protect the hares, too, for they would then take refuge in the shelter
+of your park."
+
+"But when you have pulled up my holly and junipers and broom-bushes, how
+shall I be able to make fires for the long winter evenings? I shall die,
+pierced by the cruel breath of the keen north wind, and be buried under
+a shroud of white snow."
+
+"Oh, gracious fay, if you fear the cold, will there not always be the
+place of honour kept for you by our chimney-corner, in the little home I
+mean to build on the moor? You will come and get warm whenever you like
+by our fireside. My god-daughter, Madeleine, will keep you company, and
+some day, perhaps, I shall entreat you to be god-mother to her first
+baby."
+
+Thus Father Rameau had his answer ready for all her objections. These
+last words of his touched the fairy, and the expression of her face
+became very soft and kind. "I know Madeleine well," she said; "I know
+how fair she is to see, in her snowy white caps. I know how her goodness
+is spoken of far and wide; and I have even heard that she is to marry
+that hard-working lad I saw talking with you this morning. They will be
+a charming pair, and their home will be a delightful place. And you,
+dear old man, who have no ambition for yourself, but only care for your
+dear ones, you will have your reward for your cheerful faith in the
+future. Take up your pick and have courage over your digging. I grant
+you this corner of my domain. The rest I am sure you will respect, for
+you are not greedy; will the others who come after you spare it, too?
+Alas, when once the moor has been cleared all over and cultivated, I
+shall have to die! But we will only think of the happiness of your young
+folk; and, silence! not a word of all this to any one!"
+
+And with a finger on her lips, she vanished.
+
+By the end of October Father Rameau had dug over, cleared, and prepared
+two acres of ground. All by himself? With his pickaxe and spade? Yes,
+quite by himself, and with his pickaxe and spade. He had worked as if by
+magic, for the fairy, always present and always invisible, had endowed
+him with some of her magic power. She helped him to split the hardest
+boulders, to haul up the most tenacious roots, to collect in bundles the
+old tree-stumps and weeds, and every kind of rubbish, and set fire to
+it, and so make the very first dressing the soil had ever had on it.
+Will you believe it? By seed-sowing time the ground was ready, and was
+sown with oats, which began to grow in no time, came well through all
+the frosts, and by the following April was waving abroad in a luxuriant
+mass of green. A lark built its nest in it, and every morning nodded its
+little tufted head at Father Rameau, who was watching over its nest, as
+if out of gratitude for what he had done.
+
+[Illustration: FATHER RAMEAU CLEARS THE PATCH.]
+
+The harvest was splendid, and fetched a high price.
+
+George could no longer smile at Father Rameau's old arms, and had to
+confess he had found his master: Father Rameau smiled slily when he
+said, "After all, nephew, we shall have a gold ring for Madeleine." But
+when the time came for getting it, Madeleine would not allow it. "No,
+father," she said, "you have toiled and moiled this year at your
+digging; buy a plough: any one will lend you a plough-horse for a few
+days, and it won't be nearly such hard work for you."
+
+So when autumn came again, the old man cleared another two acres, and
+next summer his harvest was twice as big--and so were his profits.
+
+Madeleine still refused the precious ring. "Buy a pair of oxen," she
+said; "you will be independent then of every one."
+
+Next year the old man's field was bigger than ever; and Madeleine
+advised him to use the profit of his harvest for building a little
+house. Her modest, sensible advice was acted upon every time, and, in
+fact, when the wedding-day arrived, the gold ring had still not been
+bought and at the marriage ceremony, in the church at Treigny, it was
+over the old leaden rings of their betrothal that the curé pronounced
+his blessing. "We have given our hearts to each other," said the young
+wife; "what do we want with gold rings after that? What do you think,
+George?"
+
+"I mean to spend the money on a christening robe, then," said Father
+Rameau gaily. "Bless me, things'll have to be just so then, if ever they
+are! If you only knew what kind of a god-mother----"
+
+But he stopped short just in time, remembering the fairy's injunction
+about silence; and Madeleine, whom he had made very inquisitive, could
+not get another word out of him. She never found out what he meant till
+her first baby was born, when on the day of the christening there
+stepped into the cottage, surrounded by a circle of bright light, the
+marvellous god-mother, the Fairy of the Moor.
+
+[Illustration: "THE FAIRY OF THE MOOR."]
+
+Many tried to follow Father Rameau's example and cultivate a portion of
+the moor; but very few succeeded, because the fairy could see into the
+very bottom of their hearts, and would only help the true-hearted--rare
+folk, alas! in this world. There is much left still to be cleared. And
+she yet lives on, the little fairy of the silvery tunic embroidered with
+gorse blossoms, with her crown of heather bells, and her wand a verdant
+broom branch. But if ever you want to see her, as old Father Rameau did,
+you must arrive at the Mid-day Rock on the first stroke of twelve, and
+have a conscience perfectly clear; two conditions which seem easy
+enough, and which are really very difficult of fulfilment.
+
+
+
+
+Lillekort.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Lillekort.
+
+From the French of Xavier Marmier.
+
+
+THERE was once a man and his wife who were very, very poor, and had a
+great many children. Each year added one to the number. One day the wife
+gave birth to a beautiful boy, who, on opening his eyes, cried:
+
+"Dearest mother, give me some of my brother's old clothes, and food for
+two days, and I will go into the world and seek my fortune, for I see
+you have enough children here without me."
+
+"Heaven forbid, my child!" exclaimed the mother. "You are much too young
+to leave the house."
+
+But the little one insisted; so at length his mother gave him some
+clothes and some food, and he departed, full of joy. Lillekort (for so
+he named himself) travelled towards the east. Presently he met an old,
+one-eyed woman, and took away her eye.
+
+"Alas!" she cried, "I can no longer see. What will become of me?"
+
+"What will you give me for your eye?" asked Lillekort.
+
+"A sword that will slay a whole army, no matter how numerous."
+
+"So be it."
+
+Lillekort took the sword and continued his journey. A little farther on
+he met another old, one-eyed woman, took away her eye, and asked what
+she would give him for returning it.
+
+The old woman said she would give him a ship that would sail over land
+and sea, over mountains and valleys, and on his agreeing, she gave him a
+little ship so small and light that he could carry it about in his
+pocket.
+
+As soon as he was quite alone Lillekort stopped to examine his little
+vessel. He drew it from his pocket and put one foot in it. Immediately
+it grew larger. He put in the second foot. It grew yet larger. He sat
+down in it. It increased yet more. Then he said:
+
+"Go over the waves of the ocean, over mountains and through valleys,
+until you reach the palace of the King."
+
+The ship immediately sped through space with the rapidity of a bird, and
+stopped in front of a magnificent palace. From one of the windows of
+this palace several persons beheld, with astonishment and interest, this
+boy who travelled in a manner so strange, and they hastened out to
+obtain a nearer view of the wonder. But Lillekort had already put his
+ship in his pocket. They asked who he was and whence he came. To these
+different questions he knew not how to reply; but in a firm voice said
+he wished to enter the service of the King, no matter in what capacity;
+if need be, as a servant of the servants.
+
+His humble request was granted. He was ordered to fetch wood and water
+for the kitchen. Arriving at the palace he saw with surprise that all
+the walls were hung with black, both without and within.
+
+"Wherefore," he asked the cook, "this appearance of mourning?"
+
+"Alas!" she replied, "the only daughter of our King has been promised to
+three trolls, enormous ogres, and Thursday next the first comes to claim
+her. A knight, whose name is Rend, has undertaken to defend her. But how
+should he succeed? In the meantime we are all plunged in anguish and
+affliction."
+
+Thursday evening Rend led the Princess to the sea-shore. It was here he
+had to defend her. But he was not very brave, so instead of waiting near
+her he climbed a tree and hid among the branches. In vain the Princess
+begged him to assist her.
+
+"No, no," said he; "why two victims? One is sufficient."
+
+At that moment Lillekort asked the cook's permission to go to the
+sea-shore.
+
+"Go," said she, "but be sure you return by the time I prepare supper,
+and do not forget to bring me a good load of wood."
+
+Lillekort promised, and ran toward the beach. At the same time the
+troll appeared, making a noise like thunder. His body was of enormous
+dimensions and he had five frightful heads.
+
+"Madman!" he cried, on seeing the little kitchen-boy.
+
+"Madman!" repeated Lillekort.
+
+"Do you know how to fight?"
+
+"If I do not know I will learn."
+
+The troll then threw a bar of iron at Lillekort, which, falling on the
+ground, raised a pile of sand and dust.
+
+"A beautiful tower of strength," cried Lillekort. "Now, see mine."
+
+With these words he drew his sword, and with one blow smote off the
+monster's five heads.
+
+Finding herself delivered, the Princess began to dance and sing gaily,
+then she said to the young boy: "Rest, lay your head on my knees."
+
+Whilst he thus rested she placed on him a suit of golden armour.
+
+All danger being over, Rend came down from the tree, took the tongues
+and lungs of the monster, and then told the Princess he would kill her
+unless she promised to acknowledge him publicly as her deliverer. She
+yielded to his threats, and he returned with her in triumph to the
+palace. The King loaded him with honours, and at supper seated him at
+his right hand. Meanwhile, Lillekort entered the giant's ship, and
+brought from thence a quantity of gold and silver trinkets.
+
+"From whence all these riches?" asked the cook anxiously, for she feared
+he had stolen them.
+
+"Reassure yourself," he replied. "I went home for a moment; these
+trinkets fell from an old piece of furniture, so I brought them back for
+you."
+
+"What beautiful things! A thousand thanks!"
+
+[Illustration: "WHILST HE THUS RESTED SHE PLACED ON HIM A SUIT OF GOLDEN
+ARMOUR" (_p._ 162).]
+
+The Thursday following, fresh grief, fresh anguish. However, Rend said
+as he had vanquished the first troll, he reckoned he could conquer the
+second. But this time also he took refuge among the branches of a tree,
+saying: "Why two victims? One is surely sufficient."
+
+Lillekort again obtained the cook's permission to go out, he said to
+play with some children on the sea-shore; so he hastened forth, after
+promising to return by the time she prepared supper, and bring a good
+load of wood.
+
+As he reached the shore he saw the troll approaching. He was twice as
+colossal as the first, and had ten heads.
+
+"Madman!" exclaimed the troll, on seeing Lillekort.
+
+"Madman!" repeated the valiant boy, and on the troll asking if he could
+fight, replied, as on the former occasion, that he could learn.
+
+The giant then threw a bar of iron at him, which, falling on the ground,
+raised a column of dust thirty feet high.
+
+"A beautiful tower of strength," said the boy. "Now, see mine." And
+drawing his sword, he, with one blow, smote off the monster's ten heads.
+
+Again the Princess desired him to rest his head on her knees, and this
+time she placed on him a suit of silver armour.
+
+Rend now came down from the tree, took the tongues and lungs of the
+troll, and returned with the Princess in triumph to the palace, after
+having declared he would kill her if she did not acknowledge him
+publicly as her deliverer. The King received him with enthusiasm, and
+knew not how to show his gratitude.
+
+Lillekort returned to the kitchen, carrying a quantity of gold and
+silver he had taken from the troll's ship.
+
+[Illustration: "HE HAD FIFTEEN HEADS" (_p._ 166).]
+
+The third Thursday, the palace was again hung with black, and the people
+were plunged in grief. But Rend said he had already conquered two
+formidable monsters and would overcome the third. But, as on the
+preceding Thursdays, he hid in the tree, and when the Princess implored
+him to remain with her, said one victim was sufficient.
+
+Lillekort, who had again obtained the cook's permission to go out,
+reached the shore at the same time as the monster, who was much more
+terrible than either of the two former. He had fifteen heads, and the
+bar of iron he threw at his brave little adversary raised a column of
+earth forty feet high. Lillekort, however, with his magic sword, struck
+off the fifteen heads at one blow.
+
+"Rest," said the Princess; "rest your head on my knees."
+
+Whilst he thus rested, she put on him a suit of bronze armour, and said:
+
+"How can we make it known that it is you who saved me?"
+
+"Listen," replied Lillekort, "this is my idea. Rend will go without
+scruple to claim the reward promised to your deliverer: your hand and
+the half of your father's kingdom. When the day for your marriage
+arrives say you wish to be served at table by the boy who carries wood
+and water to the kitchen. I will let a few drops of wine fall on Rend's
+plate. He will strike me. A second and a third time I will do the same,
+and again he will strike me; then you shall say: 'For shame to strike
+him whom I love--he who saved me--he whom I should wed!'"
+
+Seeing the troll was dead, Rend came down from the tree and led the
+Princess back to the palace, after having made her swear a third time
+to proclaim him as her deliverer.
+
+[Illustration: "Lillekort with his magic sword struck off the fifteen
+heads at one blow." _page 166_]
+
+The King announced that his daughter's deliverer should receive in the
+most splendid manner the reward he had so well deserved. The cowardly
+knight was betrothed to the Princess, and half the kingdom was given
+him. The day of the Princess's marriage she would be served by the boy
+who carried wood and water to the kitchen.
+
+[Illustration: "IN ARMOUR OF GLITTERING GOLD" (_p._ 168).]
+
+"What!" exclaimed Rend, in disgust, "you wish that dirty, hideous little
+varlet to come near you?"
+
+"Yes, I wish it."
+
+Lillekort was summoned, and, as he had said, he once, twice, thrice let
+some drops of wine fall in Rend's plate.
+
+The first time he was struck the coarse garments he wore fell off, and
+the valiant boy appeared in a suit of bronze armour, the second time in
+silver armour, and the third time in armour of glittering gold.
+
+Then the Princess cried: "For shame to strike him whom I love--he who
+saved me--he whom I should wed!"
+
+Rend swore loudly that it was he who had saved her.
+
+"Let us see the proofs of the victors," said the King.
+
+The knight immediately showed the tongues and lungs of the trolls.
+
+Lillekort fetched the treasures he had taken from the monsters' ships.
+At the sight of the gold, silver, and diamonds, no one had the slightest
+doubt.
+
+"The trolls alone have such treasures," said the King, "and only he who
+kills them can obtain possession of their riches."
+
+Rend, the coward and impostor, was thrown into a ditch full of serpents,
+and the Princess's hand was given to Lillekort, together with half of
+the kingdom.
+
+
+
+
+The Ten Little Fairies.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+THE TEN LITTLE FAIRIES.
+
+FROM THE FRENCH of GEORGES MITCHELL.
+
+
+VAINLY I try to recall from my recollections of yesterday, still vividly
+remembered, and from those of the long past, grown tenderly dim in the
+mists of intervening time, from whom I learned the powerfully moral
+story I am here going to repeat to children great and small, to men and
+their companions: I cannot determine from whom it was I learned it.
+
+Did I first read it in some old book laden with the dust of ages? Was it
+told to me by my mother, by my nurse, one evening when I would not go to
+sleep--or one night when, sleeping soundly, a fairy came and sang it to
+me in my slumber? I cannot tell. I cannot remember. I have forgotten
+all the details, of which there only remains with me the subtle
+perfume--too fine and evanescent for me to seize it in its passage
+through my mind. But I retain--perfectly retain--the moral, which is the
+daughter of all things healthy and strong.
+
+The things which I am going to recount happened in a charming
+country--one of those bright lands which we see only in delightful
+dreams, where the men are all good and the women all as amiable as they
+are beautiful.
+
+In that happy country there lived a great nobleman who, left a widower
+early in life, had an only daughter whom he loved more than anything in
+the whole world.
+
+Rosebelle was seventeen years old--a pure marvel of grace and beauty;
+gay as a joyous heart, good as a happy one. For ten leagues round she
+was known to be the most beautiful and best. She was simple and gentle,
+and her exquisite ingenuousness caused her everywhere--in the mansion
+and the cottage--to be beloved.
+
+Her father, fearful lest the least of the distresses of our poor
+existence should overtake her, watched over her with jealous care, so
+that no harm should come to her; while she passed her days in calmly
+thinking of the time before her, sure that it would not be other than
+delightful.
+
+When she was eighteen, her father consented to her being betrothed to
+the son of a Prince--to Greatheart, a handsome youth, who had been
+carefully reared, and detested the false excitements and factitious
+pleasures of cities loving enthusiastically the fresh charms of
+Nature--of the common mother who claims us all, the Earth.
+
+Rosebelle loved her _fiancé_, married, and adored him.
+
+With him she went to live in the admirable calm of the country, in the
+midst of great trees that gave back the plaint of winds, by a river with
+its ever-flowing song, winding under willowy banks, and overshadowed by
+tall poplars.
+
+She lived in a very old, old castle, where the sires of her husband had
+been born--a great castle reached by roads hewn out of the solid rock; a
+great castle, with immense, cold halls, where echo answered echo
+mysteriously; where the night-owl drearily replied to the early thrush's
+song to the rising sun, and the other awakened birds singing and
+chirping on the borders of the deep woods, where the sun enters
+timidly--almost with the hesitation of a trespasser.
+
+When the time for parting came, her father had said to her, through his
+tears:
+
+"You are going from me--your happiness claims that I should let you go:
+go, therefore, but take all care of yourself for love of me, who have
+only you in the world to love."
+
+To his son-in-law he said:
+
+"Watch over her, I intrust her to you. Surround her with a thousand
+safeguards; screen her from the least chance of harm or pain. Remember
+that even in stooping to pluck a flower she may fall and wound herself,
+that in gathering a fruit she may tear her hand. See that all is done
+for her that can be done, keep her for me ever beautiful."
+
+Absorbed in her love for her husband, Rosebelle realised the sweet
+dreams of her young girlhood. Then she dreamed--languorously--Heaven
+knows what! The delightful future which she had seen in the visions of
+the past was still present with her, however.
+
+Her husband, tender and good, wished that she should do nothing but live
+and love. He had surrounded her with numerous servants, all ready to
+obey the least of her desires, the slightest of her fancies, to
+comprehend the most trivial of her wants. She had nothing to do but to
+let time glide slowly by her.
+
+At length she wearied--languished mysteriously.
+
+Her father, to whom she communicated this strange experience, was
+astounded. He reminded her of all the sources of happiness which ought
+to have existed in her case. He took her in his arms and said all he
+could think of in laudation of the husband who so greatly loved her;
+gave her innumerable reasons why her happiness ought to have been
+unparalleled; offered money--more money--wishful to give all the
+felicities in the world.
+
+She wished for nothing of all that; it only tired, enervated her.
+
+He besought her to be happy; she replied:
+
+"I wish I could be so, for your sake and for that of my husband, whom I
+love so dearly."
+
+And she struggled against the strange evil which so weighed upon her,
+against the deadly _ennui_ that was sapping her young life. But the
+mysterious ill which tormented her soul grew and grew until it became
+overwhelming.
+
+Greatheart speedily detected her distress, and sought to discover its
+cause, but ineffectually; and from alarm he passed into despair.
+
+[Illustration: "SHE VOWED FOR HIM A BOUNDLESS LOVE" (_p._ 176).]
+
+Now, when he returned from the plain, the fields, or the camp, when he
+embraced her he pressed against his bosom a bosom cold and filled with
+sadness and tears--a bosom so cold that it might have been thought to
+contain a block of ice in place of a heart--and he redoubled his
+tenderness towards her. Seeing how much he was suffering on her account,
+she vowed for him a boundless love.
+
+Courageous, energetic even, she tried to shake off the languor which
+possessed her, endeavouring to intoxicate her soul and drown her
+self-consciousness in the love of her adored husband; but all her
+efforts were made in vain; she became more and more oppressed with
+weariness, and the crowd of servants about her, all eager to realise her
+wishes, were utterly unable to mitigate her condition by anything they
+could do.
+
+At last she fell into a state of the deepest melancholy. The rose-tints
+faded from her cheeks, her beauty paled like that of a languishing
+flower; the light in her eyes grew each day more dim. She was very ill.
+
+The most learned doctors in the healing art were called to her, brought,
+regardless of cost, from the most distant countries, only to confess
+their complete inability; excusing themselves by affirming that there
+was no remedy for an indefinable ailment--an ailment impalpable,
+incomprehensible.
+
+Then, one day, an old, white-haired shepherd, with a long, snowy beard,
+who had learned to understand men from having always lived alone with
+his sheep and thinking, thinking, while he led them to their pasture--an
+old philosopher--came to Greatheart, of whom he was one of the vassals,
+and said to him:
+
+"I know where there lives, close by here, an old grand-dame, with one
+foot in the grave, she is so old People call her a sorceress; but never
+mind that; she, and she alone, can cure our lady, our mistress, whom you
+love so well."
+
+Knowing not what to do in his suffering, Greatheart believed what the
+old shepherd told him.
+
+He took Rosebelle far away from the castle along the bank of the river,
+to a spot where the path ran between high rocks, leading to a deep and
+profoundly dark cavity, within which they found the old, old woman of
+whom the shepherd had spoken, crouching by the side of a scanty fire of
+pine-branches, warming herself in their fitful light, in the midst of
+owls and ravens, cats and rats with phosphorescent eyes, showing green
+in the obscurity when lit by the intermittent sparkle of the crackling
+branches on the hearth.
+
+"Ho, there! sorceress!" cried the young Prince. "Cure my wife, and I
+will give you the half of all I possess!"
+
+The very old woman looked for a long time at Rosebelle out of her little
+bright eyes, meeting those of the young Princess, and holding her as if
+by a spell. For awhile longer she remained silent, as if in
+contemplation; then, suddenly, she rose to her feet, raised her long
+arms towards the herbs suspended from the rocky roof of her
+dwelling-place, spread out her fleshless fingers and cried:
+
+"I see! I see! I understand it all! Yes, my lord, I will cure your wife,
+your adored one; and presently in your arms, on your heart, shall sleep
+a heart beating with great joy for love of you!"
+
+As they both sprang nearer to her, the better to hear her wonderful
+words, the old woman retreated, saying:
+
+"Yes, I will cure her; but to aid me in the task, I need the assistance
+of ten little fairies--ten friends who have ever been dear to me, ever
+faithful to me, and who, by an unfortunate chance, have not visited me
+to-day. To-morrow I shall be sure to have them with me, my tiny
+comrades; so come back to me to-morrow, my dear, when I will detain them
+until you arrive, and will take measures for enabling them to cure you."
+
+The sun, next day, had hardly risen, hardly caressed the earth with its
+earliest beam, when Rosebelle re-entered the old sorceress's murky
+dwelling-place.
+
+Over the still crackling fire of pine-branches she extended her white
+hands by direction of the old woman, who raised her arms and uttered
+some curious words, accompanied by some strange gestures.
+
+Then, from a small cavity in the rocky wall she appeared to draw forth
+an invisible something, which she carefully conveyed to the shelter of
+her bare bosom. And when she had repeated these actions ten times, she
+cried:
+
+"I have them!--I have them all!--all warm in my bosom--my faithful
+little fairies! Oh!--do not attempt to see them, or they will at once
+fly away. They desire to serve you--to cure you. Here they are!"
+
+[Illustration: THE SORCERESS.]
+
+And laughing, dancing, and singing, the old, old woman tapped with the
+crooked thumb of her right hand the young Princess's ten extended
+fingers, while the quaint song she sang was gaily given back by the echo
+of the rocky vault above her. This was the song she sang, holding the
+Princess's delicate fingers caressingly in her left hand:--
+
+    "Ten good little fairies hie,
+    To these ten good fingers nigh:
+    Each of you reside in one
+    Until your kindly task is done,
+    Until by certain signs you're sure
+    That you have made a perfect cure.
+    Potent fairies, from this hour
+    Exercise your utmost pow'r;
+    Drive away the evil spell
+    Cast on one who'll love you well!"
+
+Then, still laughing heartily, she pressed Rosebelle's fingers tightly,
+and went on:
+
+"They are all here, the wonderful little doctors! Guard them preciously;
+do not weary them; keep them by you and, to do all that, never give them
+a moment's rest so long as the sun shines in the sky. Keep on moving
+them--actively, rapidly--so long as you are awake. Now go, and come back
+to me when you are quite cured, returning me my trusty little fairies."
+
+With her hands filled with this precious load, Rosebelle hurried home,
+and told Greatheart of her dear hope of a renewal of life.
+
+Of an evening, thenceforth, for a long time, she would even refrain from
+eating, so as to leave herself more time to exercise her unresting
+fingers, in which the ten little fairies were tenderly housed. As soon
+as the sun had sunk beneath the earth she went to sleep, and as soon as
+daylight returned, she at once rose and began once again to move her
+fairy-laden fingers.
+
+During many, many days she continued to move her fingers in every way
+she could devise; but at length, growing tired of this useless play, she
+went back to her old friend the sorceress.
+
+[Illustration: "ROSEBELLE DREW HER HARP FORM ITS CASE AND PLAYED ON IT"
+(_p._ 182).]
+
+"Nobody ever taught you to use your fingers usefully?" replied the old
+woman. "Go on moving them, still moving them, but in some employment
+that interests you. Don't let my fairies go to sleep--that is all they
+desire in their imprisonment."
+
+On returning home, Rosebelle drew her long-neglected harp from its case
+and played on it. Then, to occupy her fingers more usefully, she had
+needles brought to her and employed them in dainty sewing.
+
+But, growing weary of the dull monotony of these labours, she sought
+more varied employment for her fingers--gathered flowers in the garden
+and arranged them in charming bouquets; plucked fruit from the trees in
+the orchard; attended to the sick and ailing; consoled the
+poor--exercising her fingers constantly by slipping gold pieces into
+their grateful hands.
+
+One by one, she sent away her crowd of obsequious servants, who had now
+nothing left for them to do but to go to sleep at their posts.
+
+She would not allow anybody to do anything for her which she could do
+for herself, but threw her whole soul and being into the things God
+intended to be done by them.
+
+Every day, and all the while the sun shone in the sky, she found active
+employment for her beautiful fingers. And the roses came back to her
+cheeks and health to all her being, and songs and laughter to her lips;
+and she could, once again, give to her beloved one a heart filled with
+ineffable tenderness.
+
+Perfectly cured, she went to the sorceress and gave her back her
+wonderful little fairy doctors.
+
+"Ah, my child!" said the old dame, "they are very proud of having saved
+you. Give them to me, for I have every day great need of them--can
+never have too much of them. Indeed, if I had enough of them to serve
+all the idlers in the world, I should want as many as there are stars in
+the heavens at night. But I will keep those I have for the service of
+those who are pining from _ennui_--and there are enough of _them_,
+goodness knows!"
+
+
+
+
+The Magician and his Pupil.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+THE MAGICIAN AND HIS PUPIL
+
+From the German of A. Godin.
+
+
+THERE was once a poor shoemaker renowned far and wide as a drunkard. He
+had a good wife and many daughters, but only one son. As soon as this
+son was old enough his mother dressed him in his best clothes, combed
+his hair until it shone, and then led him far, far away; for she wished
+to take him to the capital, and there apprentice him to a master who
+would teach him a really good trade.
+
+When they had accomplished about half their journey they met a man in
+black, who asked whither they were going and the object of their
+journey. On being told, he offered to take the boy as his apprentice,
+but as he had not given the customary Christian greeting, and would not
+mention the name of his trade, also because the mother thought there
+was a wicked gleam in his eyes, she declined to trust him with her son.
+As he persisted in his offer they were rude, then he troubled them no
+further.
+
+Shortly after leaving the old man they came to a wide stretch of land,
+solitary and barren as a desert, over which they journeyed until hunger,
+thirst, and fatigue compelled them to rest. Exhausted, they sank on the
+sandy ground and wept bitterly. Suddenly, at a short distance from them
+arose a large stone, on whose surface stood a dish of smoking roast
+beef, a loaf of white bread, and a jug of foaming ale.
+
+Eagerly the weary travellers hastened forward. Alas! the moment they
+moved, meat and drink vanished, leaving the stone bare and barren; but
+as soon as they stepped back, the food again made its appearance. After
+this had happened several times the shoemaker's son guessed what was at
+the bottom of it. Pointing his stick of aspen wood--a wood, by the way,
+very powerful against enchantment--he cautiously approached the stone,
+and thrust his stick into that place on the earth where the shadow of
+the stone rested.
+
+Immediately the stone with everything on it disappeared, and in the
+place where the shadow had lain stood the stranger in black who had met
+them earlier in the day. He bowed politely to the youth and requested
+him to remove his stick.
+
+"No, that I will not do! This time the stone has met its match! You are
+a magician, or at least a necromancer. You locked us in this desert and
+amused yourself with our misery. Now you shall be treated as you
+deserve. You shall stand here for a year and six weeks, until you are as
+dry as the stick with which I have nailed you to the earth."
+
+"Loose me, I entreat you."
+
+"Yes, on certain conditions! First, you must once more become a stone,
+and on the stone must appear everything we have already seen."
+
+The magician immediately vanished, and in his stead appeared the stone
+covered with a white cloth, and bearing the hot roast beef, white bread,
+and foaming ale, of which the travellers ate and drank to their hearts'
+content. When they had finished the stone became the man in black, who
+entreated piteously to be unnailed.
+
+"I will unnail you directly," said the youth, "but only on one
+condition. You must take me as apprentice for three years, as you
+yourself formerly proposed, and give me a pledge that you will really
+teach me all your art."
+
+The magician bowed himself to the earth, dug his fingers into the sand,
+and drew forth a handful of ducats, which he threw into the boy's cap.
+
+"Thanks," replied the youth; "this money will be very useful to my
+mother, but you must give me a better pledge than that. I must have a
+piece of your ear."
+
+"Will nothing else serve?"
+
+"Nothing!"
+
+"Well, then," said the magician, "take your knife."
+
+"I have no knife with me," replied the youth; "you must lend me yours."
+
+The magician obediently lent his knife, and bent his right ear towards
+the youth.
+
+"No, no, I want the left ear; you offer the right far too willingly."
+
+The magician then offered his left ear; and the youth cut off a slant
+piece, laid it in his wallet, and then drew his stick out of the ground.
+The magician groaned, rubbed his mutilated ear, then, turning a
+somersault, changed himself into a black cock, ordered the youth to take
+his mother back, and return at midnight and await his arrival at the
+cross-road where they now stood, when he would take him home and teach
+him for three years. The cock then flapped his wings, changed into a
+magpie, and flew away.
+
+When the youth had accompanied his mother to the next village he kissed
+her hands and feet, shook the gold into her apron, and begged her to
+call for him in three years at the place where he had made his agreement
+with the magician. He then hastened back and reached the cross-road just
+at midnight.
+
+Being very tired he leaned against the mile-stone to await the arrival
+of his master. He waited long, then as no one came, he drew the piece of
+the magician's ear from his wallet and bit it hard. At this the
+mile-stone staggered, cracked, and roared. The youth sprang quickly
+aside, looked at the inscription, and cried: "Ho! ho! Is that you,
+master?"
+
+"Of course, it is! But why did you bite me?" asked the magician.
+
+"Take human form instantly!" replied the youth.
+
+"I have done so!" With this the man in black stood on the cross-road.
+"Now we will go home," said he. "I take you as my pupil, but remember,
+from this moment you remain my pupil and servant, until, the three years
+ended, your mother fetches you away."
+
+[Illustration: "THE MILE-STONE STAGGERED, CRACKED, AND ROARED" (_p._
+190).]
+
+Thus the youth became the magician's pupil. You wish to know how he
+taught him his art? Well, so be it. He stretched his hands and feet,
+turned him into a paper bag, and then left him to return to his proper
+shape as best he could. Or else, he thrust his hand and arm up to the
+shoulder down the youth's throat, turned him inside out, and left him to
+turn himself right.
+
+The youth learnt so well, that at the end of the three years his skill
+in magic surpassed even that of his master. During this time many
+parents had come to fetch their children, for the magician had quite a
+crowd of pupils; but the cunning old man always contrived that they went
+away without them. Three days before the time appointed for the
+shoemaker's wife to fetch her son, the youth met her on the road and
+told her how to recognise him.
+
+"Remember, dearest mother," said he, "when the magician calls his horses
+together, a fly will buzz over my ear; when the doves fly down, I shall
+not eat of the peas; and when the maidens stand around you, a brown mole
+will make its appearance above my eyebrow! Be sure you remember this, or
+you will destroy us both."
+
+When the shoemaker's wife demanded her son of the magician, he blew a
+brazen trumpet towards all four corners of the world. Immediately a
+crowd of coal-black horses rushed forward; they were not, however, real
+horses, but enchanted scholars.
+
+"Find your son--then you can take him with you!" said the magician.
+
+The mother went from horse to horse, trying hard to recognise her son;
+she trembled at the mere thought that she might make a mistake, and thus
+destroy both herself and her beloved child. At length she noted a fly
+buzzing over the ear of one of the horses, and cried joyfully: "That is
+my son!"
+
+"Right," said the magician; "now guess again." So saying he blew a
+silver trumpet towards the corners of the earth, and threw on the ground
+half a bushel of peas. Then like some vast cloud down flew a flock of
+doves, and began eagerly picking up the peas. The shoemaker's wife
+looked at dove after dove, until she found one that only appeared to
+eat. "That is my son!" said she.
+
+"Right again! Now comes the third and last trial. Guess right, and your
+son goes with you; guess wrong, and he remains with me for ever." The
+magician then blew his trumpet, and immediately beautiful songs
+resounded through the air. At the same time lovely maidens approached
+and surrounded the shoemaker's wife. They were all crowned with
+cornflowers, and wore white robes with rose-coloured girdles.
+
+The shoemaker's wife examined each carefully, and saw a brown mole over
+the right eye of the most beautiful. "This is my son!" she exclaimed.
+
+Scarcely had she spoken than the maiden changed into her son, threw
+himself into her arms, and thanked her for his deliverance. The other
+maidens flew away, and the mother and son returned home.
+
+The student of magic had not been long at home before he discovered that
+in his father's house Want was a constant guest. The money given by the
+magician had long since come to an end, for the shoemaker had spent it
+all in drink.
+
+"What have you learnt in foreign parts?" he asked his son. "What help am
+I to expect from you."
+
+"I have learned magic, and will give you help enough. I can at your wish
+change myself into all possible shapes, to-day into a falcon, to-morrow
+into a greyhound, a nightingale, a sheep, or any other form. Lead me as
+an animal to market, and there sell me, but be sure always to bring
+back the rope with which you led me thither, and never desire me to
+become a horse: the money thus acquired would be useless to you, and you
+would make me, and through me yourself, unhappy."
+
+Thereupon the shoemaker demanded a falcon for sale; his son at once
+disappeared, and a splendid falcon sat on the father's shoulder. The
+shoemaker took the bird to market, where he sold it to a hunter for a
+good price, but on returning home, he found his son seated at the table
+enjoying a good dinner.
+
+When the money thus gained had been spent to the last farthing, the
+shoemaker required a greyhound, which he again sold to a hunter, and on
+his return home found his son had arrived there before him.
+
+Thus the father led his son to market again and again, as an ox, a cow,
+a sheep, a goose, a turkey, and in many other animal forms. One day he
+thought: "I should very much like to know why my son does not wish to
+become a horse! Surely he takes me for a fool, and grudges me the best
+prize!" He was half drunk when he thought this, and then and there
+desired his son to become a horse. Hardly had he spoken than his wish
+was gratified: a splendid horse stood before the window; he dug his
+hoofs deep into the ground, whilst his eyes shot forth lightning, and
+flames issued from his nostrils.
+
+The shoemaker mounted and rode into the town. Here a merchant stopped
+him, admired the horse, and offered to give the animal's weight in gold
+if his master would only sell him. They went together to a pair of
+scales: the merchant shook gold from a sack on one of the wooden
+scales, whilst the shoemaker made his horse mount on the other. As he
+was staring in amazement at the heap of gold in the scales, one of the
+chains broke, and the gold pieces rolled over the street. The shoemaker
+threw himself on the ground to pick them up, and forgot both the horse
+and bridle.
+
+[Illustration: "THE SHOEMAKER'S WIFE LOOKED AT DOVE AFTER DOVE" (_p._
+193).]
+
+The merchant meanwhile mounted the horse, and galloped out of the town,
+digging his spurs into the poor animal's sides until the blood flowed,
+and beating him cruelly with a steel riding-whip; for this merchant was
+none other than the magician, who thus revenged himself for the piece
+cut from his ear.
+
+The poor horse was quite exhausted when the magician arrived with him at
+his invisible dwelling; this house, it is true, stood in an open field,
+yet no one could see it. The horse was then led to the stable, whilst
+the magician considered how he might best torture him.
+
+But while the magician was considering, the horse, who knew what a
+terrible fate awaited him, succeeded in throwing the bridle over a nail,
+on which it remained hanging, thus enabling him to draw his head out. He
+fled across the field, and changing into a gold ring, threw himself
+before the feet of a beauteous Princess just returning from bathing.
+
+The Princess stooped, picked up the gold circle, slipped it on her
+finger, and then looked around in wonder. In the meantime, the
+magician--changed into a Grecian merchant--came up and courteously asked
+the Princess to return the gold ring he had lost. Terrified at the sight
+of his black beard and gleaming eyes, the Princess screamed aloud, and
+pressed the ring to her breast.
+
+Alarmed by her cries, her attendants and playmates, who were waiting
+near, hastened up and formed a circle round their beloved Princess. But
+as soon as they understood the cause of her distress, they threw
+themselves on the importunate stranger, and began tickling him in such a
+manner that he laughed, cried, giggled, coughed, and at length danced
+over the ground like a maniac, forgetting through sheer distress that he
+was still a magician.
+
+When, however, he did remember it, he changed himself into a hedgehog,
+and stuck his bristles into the maidens until their blood flowed, and
+they were glad to leave him alone.
+
+[Illustration: "HE DANCED OVER THE GROUND LIKE A MANIAC" (_p._ 196).]
+
+Meanwhile the Princess hastened home and showed her father the ring,
+which pleased her so much that she wore it on her heart-finger night and
+day. Once when playing with it, the ring slipped from her hand, fell to
+the ground and sprang in pieces, when, oh, wonder! before her stood a
+handsome youth, the magician's pupil.
+
+At first the Princess was very troubled, and did not venture to raise
+her eyes, but when the scholar had told her everything she was
+satisfied, conversed with him a long while, and promised to ask her
+father to have the magician driven away by the dogs should he ever come
+to demand the ring. When in the course of the day the magician came, the
+King, in spite of all his daughter's entreaties, ordered the ring to be
+given up.
+
+With tears in her eyes the Princess took the ring (the scholar had
+resumed this form immediately after relating his adventures) and threw
+it at the merchant's feet. It shivered into little pearls.
+
+Trembling with rage, the merchant threw himself on the ground in the
+shape of a hen, picked up the pearls, and when he saw no more, flew out
+of the window, flapped his wings, cried, "Kikeriki! Scholar, are you
+here?" and then soared into the air.
+
+Having been told by the scholar what to do should she be compelled to
+return the ring, the Princess had let her handkerchief fall at the same
+moment she threw the ring on the ground, and two of the largest pearls
+had rolled beneath it. She now took out these pearls, and they
+immediately called, in mocking imitation of the hen's voice:
+
+"Kikeriki! I am here!"
+
+They then changed into a hawk and chased after the hen. Seizing it with
+his sharp talons, he bit its left wing with such force that all the
+feathers cracked, and the hen fell like a stone into the water, where it
+was drowned.
+
+The hawk then returned to the Princess, perched on her shoulder, gazed
+fondly into her eyes, and then became once more the young and handsome
+scholar. The Princess had grown so fond of him that she chose him as
+her husband, and from that moment he gave up magic for ever. In his
+prosperity he did not forget his relations--his mother lived with him
+and the Princess in their magnificent palace, his sisters married
+wealthy merchants, and even his father was content.
+
+When the old King died the magician's pupil became King over the land,
+and lived so happily with his wife and children, and all his subjects,
+that no pen can write, no song sing, and no story tell of half their
+happiness.
+
+
+
+
+The Strawberry Thief.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+THE STRAWBERRY THIEF.
+
+FROM THE GERMAN BY PAULINE SCHANZ.
+
+
+THE mid-day sun was shining brightly as two children ran merrily down
+the steep grassy slope leading from the little village to the
+neighbouring forest. Their loose, scanty clothing left head, neck, and
+feet bare. But this did not trouble them, for the sun's rays kissed
+their little round limbs, and the children liked to feel their warm
+kisses.
+
+They were brother and sister; each carried a small jar to fill with
+strawberries, which their mother would sell in the town on the morrow.
+They were very poor, almost the poorest people in the village. Their
+mother, a widow, had to work hard to procure bread for herself and
+children.
+
+When strawberries or nuts were in season, or even the early violets, the
+children went into the forest to seek them, and by the fruit or flowers
+they gathered helped to earn many a groschen. The happy children ran
+joyously along as though they were the rulers of the beautiful world
+that stretched so seductively before them. The forest berries were
+still scarce, and would fetch a high price in the town; this is why they
+started so early in the afternoon, whilst other people still rested in
+their cool rooms.
+
+Deep in the forest was many a spot, well known to the children, where
+large masses of strawberry plants flourished and bloomed, covering the
+ground with a luxurious carpet. White star-like blossoms in profusion
+looked roguishly out from the ample foliage; the little green and
+bright-red berries were there in crowds, but the ripe, dark-red fruit
+was difficult to find.
+
+Very slowly the work proceeded, and as the gathered treasures in their
+small jars grew higher and higher the sun sank lower and lower. Busy
+with their task, the children forgot laughter and chattering; they
+tasted none of the lovely berries, scarcely looked at the violets and
+anemones; the sun's rays peeping through the branches the cock-chafers
+and butterflies were alike unheeded.
+
+"Lorchen," cried Fried, at length, throwing back his sunburnt, heated
+face; "look, Lorchen, my jar is full!"
+
+Lorchen looked up, her face flushed with toil; her poor little jar was
+scarcely half-full. Oh, how she envied her brother his full jar! Fried
+was a good boy--he loved his little sister dearly. He made her sit down
+on the soft grass, placed his jar beside her, and did not cease his work
+until Lorchen's jar was likewise filled. Their day's work was now ended.
+But it was so beautiful in the forest. The birds sang so joyfully among
+the leaves, everything exhaled the fragrance of the dewy evening that
+crept slowly between the trembling branches.
+
+At a little distance a small stretch of meadow shimmered through the
+trees. The bright sunshine still rested on the fresh, green grass, and
+thousands of daffodils, bluebells, pinks, and forget-me-nots unfolded
+there their varied beauties. It was a delightful play-place for the
+children. They hastened thither, placed their jars carefully behind a
+large tree-trunk, and soon forgot their hard afternoon's work in a merry
+game. Greyer grew the shadows, closer the dusk of evening veiled the
+lonely forest. Then the brother and sister thought of returning--the
+rest had strengthened their weary limbs, and their game in the flowery
+meadow had made them cheerful and merry.
+
+Now the dew that wetted their bare feet, and hunger that began to make
+itself felt, urged them to return home. They ran to the tree behind
+which they had placed their jars, but oh, horror! the jars had vanished.
+At first the children thought they had mistaken the place; they searched
+farther, behind every trunk, behind every bush, but no trace of the jars
+could they find.
+
+They had vanished, together with the precious fruit. What would their
+mother say when they returned home, their task unfulfilled? With the
+price of the berries she intended to buy meal to make bread. They had
+been almost without bread for several days, and now they had not even
+the jars in which to gather other berries.
+
+Lorchen began to sob loudly; Fried's face grew crimson with rage, and
+his eyes sparkled, he did not weep. The darkness increased, the
+tree-trunks looked black and spectral, the wind rustled in the branches.
+Who could have stolen their berries? No one had come near the meadow.
+Squirrels and lizards could not carry away jars. The poor children stood
+helpless beside the old tree-trunk. They could not return to their
+mother empty-handed; they feared she would reproach them for losing
+sight of their jars.
+
+The little maiden shivered in her thin frock, and wept with fear,
+hunger, and fatigue. Fried took his little sister's hand, and said:
+"Listen, Lorchen: you must run home, it is night now in the forest. Tell
+mother our jars have disappeared, eat your supper, and go to bed and to
+sleep. I will remain here and search behind every tree and everywhere,
+until I find the jars. I am neither hungry nor tired, and am not afraid
+to pass the night alone in the forest, in spite of all the stories our
+grand-mother used to tell of wicked spirits in the forest, hobgoblins
+who tease children, will-o'-the-wisps, and mountain-demons who store
+their treasures beneath the earth."
+
+Lorchen shuddered and looked fearfully around--she was a timid, weakly
+child. Wrapping her little arms in her apron, she wept bitterly.
+
+"Come home with me, Fried," she pleaded. "I am afraid to go through the
+gloomy forest alone!"
+
+Fried took her hand and went with her until they saw the lights of the
+village. Then he stopped and said: "Now run along alone; see, there is
+the light burning in our mother's window. I shall turn back, I cannot go
+home empty-handed."
+
+He turned quickly into the forest. Lorchen waited a moment, and cried,
+"Fried, Fried!" Then, receiving no answer, she fled swiftly up the
+grassy slope she had descended so merrily a few hours previously.
+
+Their mother, who had grown uneasy at their prolonged absence, was
+standing at the door when Lorchen returned, weeping and breathless. Poor
+child, she had scarcely strength enough left to tell that they had lost
+strawberries and jars, and that Fried had remained behind.
+
+[Illustration: "LORCHEN BEGAN TO SOB" (_p._ 205).]
+
+The mother grew sad as she listened--she had scarcely any bread left,
+and knew not whence to procure more; but Fried remaining in the forest
+was worse than all, for she, like all the villagers, firmly believed in
+hobgoblins. Sadly she lay down to rest beside her little daughter.
+
+Fried ran ever farther and farther into the forest, through whose thick
+foliage the stars looked down timidly. He said his evening prayer, and
+no longer feared the rustling of the leaves, the cracking of the
+branches, or the whisper of the night wind in the trees.
+
+Soon the moon arose, and it was light enough for Fried to seek his jars.
+In vain his search--the hours passed and he found nothing. At length he
+saw a small mountain overgrown with shrubs. Then the moon crept behind a
+thick cloud, and all was dark. Tired out, Fried sank down behind a tree
+and almost fell asleep. Suddenly he saw a bright light moving about
+close to the mountain, He sprang up and hastened towards it.
+
+Coming closer, he heard a peculiar noise, as of groans uttered by a man
+engaged in heavy toil. He crept softly forward, and beheld, to his
+astonishment, a little dwarf, who was trying to push some heavy object
+into a hole, that apparently led into the mountain. The little man wore
+a silver coat and a red cap with points, to which the wonderful light, a
+large, sparkling precious stone, was fastened.
+
+Fried soon stood close behind the dwarf, who in his eagerness had not
+observed the boy's approach, and saw with indignation that the object
+the little man was striving so hard to push into the hole was his jar of
+strawberries. In great wrath Fried seized a branch that lay near, and
+gave the little man a mighty blow. Thereupon the dwarf uttered a cry
+very like the squeak of a small mouse, and tried to creep into the hole.
+
+[Illustration: "But Fried held him fast." _page 209_]
+
+But Fried held him fast by his silver coat, and angrily demanded where
+he had put his other jar of strawberries. The dwarf replied he had no
+other jar, and strove to free himself from the grasp of the little
+giant.
+
+Fried again seized his branch, which so terrified the dwarf that he
+cried: "The other jar is inside; I will fetch it for you."
+
+"I should wait a long time," said Fried, "if I once let you escape; no,
+I will go with you and fetch my own jar."
+
+The dwarf stepped forward, the light in his cap shining brighter than
+the brightest candle. Fried followed, his jar in one hand, and the
+branch in the other. Thus they journeyed far into the mountain. The
+dwarf crept along like a lizard, but Fried, whose head almost touched
+the roof, could scarcely get along.
+
+At length strains of lovely music resounded through the vaulted
+passages: a little farther on their journey was stopped by a grey stone
+wall. Taking a silver hammer from his doublet, the little dwarf gave
+three sounding knocks on the wall; it sprang asunder, and as it opened
+such a flood of light streamed forth that Fried was obliged to close his
+eyes. Half-blinded, with hand shading his face, he followed the dwarf,
+the stone door closed behind them, and Fried was in the secret dwellings
+of the gnomes.
+
+A murmur of soft voices, mingled with the sweet strains of the music,
+sounded in his ears. When at length he was able to remove his hand from
+his eyes, he saw a wondrous sight. A beauteous, lofty hall, hewn out of
+the rock, lay before him; on the walls sparkled thousands of precious
+stones such as his guide had worn in his cap. They served instead of
+candles, and shed forth a radiance that almost blinded human eyes.
+
+Between them hung wreaths and sprays of flowers such as Fried had never
+before seen. All around crowds of wonderful little dwarfs stood gazing
+at him full of curiosity.
+
+In the centre of the hall stood a throne of green transparent stone,
+with cushions of soft mushrooms. On this sat the gnome-King; around him
+was thrown a golden mantle, and on his head was a crown cut from a
+flaming carbuncle. Before the throne the dwarf, Fried's guide, stood
+relating his adventure.
+
+When the dwarf ceased speaking, the King rose, approached the boy, who
+still stood by the door, surrounded by the gnomes, and said: "You human
+child, what has brought you to my secret dwelling?"
+
+"My Lord Dwarf," replied Fried politely, "I desire my strawberries which
+yonder dwarf has stolen. I pray you order them to be restored to me, and
+then suffer me to return to my mother."
+
+The King thought for a few moments, then he said: "Listen, to-day we
+hold a great feast, for which your strawberries are necessary. I will,
+therefore, buy them. I will also allow you to remain with us a short
+time, then my servants shall lead you back to the entrance of the
+mountain."
+
+"Have you money to buy my strawberries?" asked the boy.
+
+"Foolish child, know you not that the gold, silver, and copper come out
+of the earth? Come with me and see my treasure-chambers."
+
+[Illustration: "I WILL GO WITH YOU" (_p._ 209).]
+
+So saying, the King led him from the hall through long rooms, in which
+mountains of gold, silver, and copper were piled; in other rooms lay
+like masses of precious stones. Presently they came to a grotto, in the
+centre of which stood a large vase. From out this vase poured three
+sparkling streams, each of a different colour: they flowed out of the
+grotto and discharged themselves into the veins of the rocks.
+
+Beside these streams knelt dwarfs, filling buckets with the flowing
+gold, silver, and copper, which other dwarfs carried away and stored in
+the King's treasure-chambers. But the greatest quantity flowed into the
+crevices of the mountain, from whence men dig it out with much toil.
+
+Fried would have liked to fill his pockets with the precious metals, but
+did not dare ask the gnome-King's permission. They soon returned to the
+hall where the feast was prepared. On a long white marble table stood
+rows of golden dishes filled with various dainties, prepared from
+Fried's strawberries. In the background sat the musicians, bees and
+grasshoppers, that the dwarfs had caught in the forest. The dwarfs ate
+off little gold plates, and Fried ate with them. But the pieces were so
+tiny, they melted on his tongue before he could taste them.
+
+After the feast came dancing. The gnome-men were old and shrivelled,
+with faces like roots of trees; all wore silver coats and red caps. The
+gnome-maidens were tall and stately, and wore on their heads wreaths of
+flowers that sparkled as though wet with dew. Fried danced with them,
+but because his clothes were so poor, his partner took a wreath of
+flowers from the wall and placed it on his head. Very pretty it looked
+on his bright, brown hair--but he could not see this, for the dwarfs
+have no looking-glasses. The bees buzzed and hummed like flutes and
+trombones, the grasshoppers chirped like fiddles.
+
+The dancing ended, Fried approached the King, who was resting on his
+green throne, and said: "My Lord King, be so good as to pay for my
+berries, and have me guided out of the mountain, for it is time I
+returned to my mother."
+
+[Illustration: "IT IS TIME I RETURNED TO MY MOTHER."]
+
+The King nodded his carbuncle crown, and wrapping his golden mantle
+around him, departed to fetch the money. How Fried rejoiced at the
+thought of taking that money home! Being very tired, he mounted the
+throne, seated himself on the soft mushroom cushion from which the
+gnome-King had just risen, and, ere that monarch returned, Fried was
+sleeping sound as a dormouse.
+
+Day was dawning in the forest when he awoke. His limbs were stiff, and
+his bare feet icy cold. He rubbed his eyes and stretched himself. He
+still sat beneath the tree from whence, on the previous evening, he had
+seen the light moving. "Where am I?" he muttered; then he remembered
+falling asleep on the gnome-King's mushroom cushion. He also remembered
+the money he had been promised, and felt in his pockets--they were
+empty. Yes, he remembered it all. This was the morning his mother should
+have gone to town, and he had neither berries nor money. Tears flowed
+from his eyes, and he reviled the dwarfs who had carried him sleeping
+from the mountain, and cheated him out of his money. Rising sorrowfully,
+he went to the mountain, but though he searched long and carefully, no
+opening could he find.
+
+There was nothing for it but to return home, and this he did with a
+heavy heart. No one was stirring when he reached the village. Gently he
+knocked on the shutter of the room where his mother slept. "Wake up,
+mother," he cried. "It is I, your Fried."
+
+Quickly the door of the little house opened.
+
+"Thank Heaven you have returned," said his mother, embracing him. "But
+has nothing happened to you all night alone in the forest?"
+
+"Nothing, mother," he replied; "I only had a foolish dream about the
+gnomes who dwell in the mountain."
+
+And whilst his mother lit the stove, Fried related his dream. She shook
+her head on hearing it, for she believed her boy had really seen and
+heard these wonderful things.
+
+Then Lorchen came in, and her mother told her to unfasten the shutters.
+The child obeyed, but on re-entering the room, she cried aloud, and
+placed her hands on her brother's head.
+
+Something heavy and sparkling fell to the ground. They picked it up. It
+was the wreath of many-coloured flowers Fried's partner had given him at
+the dance. But the flowers were not like those that grow in the fields
+and meadows: they were cold, and sparkling, like those that adorned the
+walls of the mountain hall, and which the gnome-maidens wore in their
+hair.
+
+It was now clear that Fried had really spent the night with the dwarfs.
+They all thought the flowers were only coloured glass; but as they
+sparkled so brilliantly, and filled the cottage with indescribable
+splendour, the mother determined to ask advice about them. She therefore
+broke a tiny branch from the wreath and took it to the town to a
+goldsmith, who told her, to her great astonishment, that the branch was
+composed of the most costly gems, rubies, diamonds, and sapphires. In
+exchange for it, he gave her a sack of gold so heavy she could scarcely
+carry it home.
+
+Want was now at an end for ever, for the wreath was a hundred times
+more valuable than the tiny branch. Great excitement prevailed in the
+village when the widow's good fortune was made known, and all the
+villagers ran into the forest to search for the wonderful hole. But
+their searching was vain--none ever found the entrance to the mountain.
+From henceforth the widow and her children lived very happily; they
+remained pious and industrious in spite of their wealth, did good to the
+poor, and were contented to the end of their lives.
+
+
+
+
+The Adventures of Said.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+THE ADVENTURES OF SAID.
+
+From the German of W. Hauff.
+
+
+IN the time of Haroun Al-Raschid, ruler of Bagdad, there lived in
+Balsora a man Benezar by name. His means enabled him to live quietly and
+comfortably, without carrying on a business or trade; and when a son was
+born to him he made no change in his manner of living, "For," said he,
+"what will feed two will feed three." Said, for so they called the boy,
+soon made a name for himself among his playmates as a lusty fighter, and
+was surpassed by none in riding or swimming.
+
+When he was eighteen, his father sent him on a pilgrimage to Mecca, and
+before he started gave him much good advice, and provided him with money
+for his journey. Lastly he said:
+
+"There is something more I must tell you, my boy. I am not the man to
+believe that fairies and enchanters, whatever they may be, have any
+influence over the fate of mankind; that sort of nonsense is only good
+for whiling away the time; but your mother believed in them as firmly as
+in the Koran. She even told me, after making me swear never to reveal
+the secret except to her child, that she herself was under the
+protection of a fairy. I always laughed at her, but still I must confess
+that some very strange events happened at your birth. It rained and
+thundered all day, and the heavens were black with clouds.
+
+"When they told me that I had a little son, I hastened to see and bless
+my first-born, but I found my wife's door shut, and all her attendants
+standing outside. I knocked, but with no result. While I was waiting
+there, the sky cleared just over Balsora, although the lightning still
+flashed and writhed round the blue expanse. As I was gazing in
+astonishment at this spectacle, your mother's door flew open and I went
+in alone. On entering the room, I perceived a delicious odour of roses,
+carnations, and hyacinths. Your mother Zemira showed me a tiny silver
+whistle, that was hanging round your neck by a gold chain as fine as
+silk. 'This is the fairy's gift to our boy,' she said. 'Well,' I
+laughed, 'I think she might have given him something better than that--a
+purse of gold, for instance, or a horse.'
+
+"But Zemira begged me not to anger the good fairy, for fear she might
+turn her blessing to a curse; so, to please her, the matter was never
+mentioned again till she was dying. Then she gave me the whistle,
+telling me never to part with you till you were twenty, when the whistle
+was to be yours. But I see no objection to your going away now. You have
+common sense, and can defend yourself as well as any man of
+four-and-twenty. Go in peace, my son. Think ever of your father in good
+fortune or in ill, and may Heaven defend you from that last."
+
+Said took an affectionate farewell of his father, and placing the chain
+round his neck, sprang lightly into his saddle, and went off to join the
+caravan for Mecca. At last they were all assembled, and Said rode gaily
+out of Balsora. Just at first the novelty of his position and
+surroundings occupied his thoughts, but as they drew near to the desert
+he began to consider his father's words. He drew out the whistle and put
+it to his lips, but wonder of wonders, no matter how hard he blew, not a
+sound came out! This was disappointing, and Said impatiently thrust the
+whistle back into his girdle; still the marvellous had a strange
+attraction for him, and he spent the whole day in building his airy
+castles.
+
+Said was a fine-looking fellow, with a distinguished face, and a bearing
+which, young as he was, marked him out as one born to command. Every one
+was attracted to him, and especially was this the case with an elderly
+man, who rode near him. They entered into conversation, and it was not
+long before the mysterious power of fairies was mentioned.
+
+"Do you believe in fairies?" asked Said, at last.
+
+"Well," replied the other, stroking his beard thoughtfully, "I should
+not like to say that there are no such beings, although I have never
+seen one." And then he began to relate such wonderful stories, that Said
+felt that his mother's words must have been true, and when he went to
+sleep was transported to a veritable fairyland.
+
+The next day the travellers were dismayed to see a band of robbers
+swooping down on them. All was confusion in an instant, and they had
+scarcely had time to place the women and children in the centre, when
+the Arabs were upon them. Bravely as the men acquitted themselves, all
+was in vain, for the robbers were more than four hundred strong. At this
+dreadful moment Said bethought him of his whistle; but, alas! it
+remained dumb as before, and poor Said, dropping it hastily, fired on a
+man, who seemed from his dress to be of some importance.
+
+"What have you done?" cried the old man, who was fighting at his side.
+"There is no hope for us now."
+
+And so, indeed, it seemed--for the robbers, maddened by the death of the
+man, pressed so closely on the youth that they broke down even his
+sturdy resistance. The others were soon overcome or slain, and Said
+found himself on horseback, bound and guarded by armed men. These
+treated him with roughness, and the only drop of comfort in his cup was
+that his old friend was riding near. You may be sure his thoughts were
+not very pleasant--slavery or death was all he had to look forward to.
+
+After riding for some time, they saw in the far distance trees and
+tents, and in a short time they were met by bands of women and children,
+who had no sooner heard the news than they began to throw sticks and
+clods of earth at Said, shrieking, "That is the man who killed the
+great Almansor, bravest of men; he must die, and we will throw his body
+to the jackals."
+
+[Illustration: "AFTER SEVERAL HOURS HE AWOKE" (_p._ 225).]
+
+They became so threatening that the bandits interfered and, bearing off
+their prisoner, led him bound into one of the tents. Here was seated an
+old man, evidently the leader of the band. His head was bent.
+
+"The weeping of the women has told me all--Almansor is dead," said he.
+
+"Almansor is dead," answered the robbers, "O Mighty One of the Desert,
+but here is his murderer. Only speak the word. Shall his doom be to be
+shot, or to be hanged from the nearest tree?"
+
+But the aged Selim questioned Said, and found that his son had been
+slain in fair fight. "He has done, then, no more than we ourselves
+should have done. Loose his bonds. The innocent shall not die," cried
+Selim, in his sternest tones, seeing his men's reluctance and
+discontent. As for Said, the very fulness of his heart closed his lips,
+and he could not find words in which to thank his deliverer. From this
+time he lived in Selim's tent, almost taking the place of that son whose
+death he had caused.
+
+But sedition was rife among the robbers. Their beloved Prince had been
+murdered, and his murderer was shielded by the father! Many were the
+execrations hurled at Said, as he walked in the camp; indeed, several
+attempts were made on his life. At length Selim perceived that soon even
+his influence would not be sufficient to guard the young man, and so he
+sent him away with an escort, saying that his ransom had been paid. But
+before they started he bound the robbers by a dreadful oath that they
+would not kill Said.
+
+It was indeed a terrible ride! Said saw that his guides were performing
+their task with great reluctance, and soon they began to whisper
+together. He nerved himself to listen, and what he heard did not tend
+to reassure him.
+
+"This is the very spot," said one. "I shall never forget it."
+
+"And to think that his murderer still lives!"
+
+"Ah! if his father had not made us take that oath!"
+
+"Stay," cried the most forbidding-looking of all, "we have not sworn to
+bring this fellow to the end of his journey. We will leave him his life,
+but the scorching sun and the sharp teeth of the jackal shall perform
+our vengeance. Let us bind him and leave him here."
+
+Said, hearing this brutal suggestion, made a desperate effort for his
+life. Spurring his horse, he rode off at full speed; but the bandits
+soon recovered from their amazement, and, giving chase, had him at their
+mercy. Tears, prayers, even bribes were of no avail, and the wretched
+Said was left to face death in its most painful form. Higher and higher
+mounted the sun, and Said tried to roll over to obtain some small
+relief. In doing this the whistle attracted his notice, and he contrived
+to get it between his lips; but for the third time it refused its
+office, and Said, overcome by the heat and the horror of his situation,
+fainted. After several hours he awoke to see, not the dreaded beast of
+prey but a human being.
+
+This was a little man with small eyes and a long beard, who informed
+Said, when the latter had somewhat recovered, that he was Kalum Bek, a
+merchant, and that he was on a business expedition when he found him
+lying half dead in the sand. Said thanked the little man, and gratefully
+accepted a seat on his camel. As they were journeying the merchant
+related many stories in praise of the justice and acuteness of the
+Father of the Faithful.
+
+"My cousin Messour," he said, "is his Lord Chamberlain, and he has often
+told me how the Caliph is wont to sally forth at night, attended by
+himself alone, to see how his people are cared for. And so, when we go
+about the streets at night, we have to be polite to every idiot we meet,
+for it is as likely to be the Caliph as some dog of an Arab from the
+desert."
+
+Hearing such accounts as these, Said thought himself a lucky fellow to
+have the chance of seeing Bagdad and the renowned Al-Raschid. When they
+arrived in the city, Kalum invited Said to accompany him home. The next
+day the youth had just dressed himself in his most magnificent clothes,
+thinking of the sensation he would cause, when the merchant entered,
+and, looking at him scornfully, said: "That is all very fine, my young
+sir, but it seems to me you are a great dreamer. Have you the money to
+keep up that style?"
+
+"It is true, sir," said Said, blushing, "that I have no money; but
+perhaps you will be kind enough to lend me sufficient to travel home
+with, for my father is sure to repay you."
+
+"Your father, boy," laughed the merchant. "I really think the sun must
+have affected your brain. You don't suppose, do you, that I believe the
+fable you made up for my benefit? I know all the rich men in Balsora,
+but no Benezar. Besides, do you think the disappearance of a whole
+caravan would pass unnoticed? And then, you bare-faced liar, that story
+about Selim! Why, that man is noted for his cruelty; and do you mean to
+tell me that he allowed the murderer of his son to go free--and that,
+too, without ransom? Oh, you shameless liar!"
+
+"Indeed, I have spoken the truth," cried Said. "I have no proof of my
+words, and can only swear to you that I have spoken no falsehood. If you
+will not help me then I must appeal to the Caliph."
+
+"Really!" scoffed the little man; "you will beg, then, from no less
+exalted a person than our gracious ruler! Just consider that the Caliph
+can only be approached through my cousin Messour, and that with a word I
+could----But I pity your youth. You are not too old yet for reformation.
+You shall serve in my shop for a year, and then, if you wish to leave
+me, I will pay you your wages, and let you go whither you will. I give
+you till mid-day to think over it. If you refuse, I will seize your
+clothes and possessions to pay myself for your passage, and throw you on
+the streets."
+
+Said was indeed in difficulties; bad luck seemed to press upon him at
+every turn. There was no escaping from the room, for the windows were
+barred and the door locked. After cudgelling his brains for some time,
+he saw that he must submit to the indignity imposed upon him by the
+villainous little man, and so the next day he followed him to the shop
+in the bazaar. His duty was to stand (his gallant attire a thing of the
+past) in the doorway, a veil or a shawl in either hand, and cry his
+wares to the passers-by.
+
+Said soon saw why Kalum had been so anxious to retain him as a servant.
+No one wished to do business with the hateful old man, but when the
+salesman was a handsome youth it was a different matter altogether. One
+especially busy day all the porters were employed, when an elderly lady
+entered and made some purchases. After she had bought all she wanted she
+demanded some one to carry her parcels home for her. In vain did the
+merchant promise to send them in half an hour--she would have them then
+or never; and her eye falling on Said, she wanted to know why he should
+not accompany her. After much remonstrance Kalum had to give in, and
+Said found himself following in the wake of the lady, who stopped at
+last before a magnificent house. She knocked and they were admitted, and
+after mounting a wide marble staircase, Said found himself in a lofty
+hall, far grander than he had ever seen before. Here he was relieved of
+his burden, and was just going out at the door, when--
+
+"Said," cried a sweet voice behind him. He turned round quickly, and saw
+to his amazement a daintily beautiful lady surrounded by attendants,
+instead of the old lady he had followed.
+
+"Said, my dear boy," she said, "it is a great misfortune that you left
+Balsora before you were twenty; but here in Bagdad there is some chance
+for you. Have you still your little whistle?"
+
+"Indeed I have," he cried gladly; "perhaps you are the kindly fairy who
+befriended my mother?"
+
+[Illustration: "A DAINTILY BEAUTIFUL LADY" (_p._ 228).]
+
+"Yes, and as long as you are good I will help you. But, alas! I cannot
+even deliver you from that wretch, Kalum Bek, for he is protected by
+your most powerful enemy."
+
+"But can we do nothing? Can I not go to the Caliph? He is a just man and
+will help me."
+
+"Haroun is indeed just, but he is greatly influenced by Messour, who, a
+model of uprightness himself, has been already primed by Kalum with his
+version of your story. But there are other ways of getting at the
+Caliph, and it is written in the stars that you will obtain his favour."
+
+"I am to be pitied if I have to stay much longer with that rascal of a
+shopkeeper. But there is one favour I beg of you, most gracious of
+fairies. Jousts are held every week, but only for the freeborn. Couldn't
+you manage to give me equipments, and make my face so that no one would
+know me?"
+
+"That is a wish worthy of a brave man, and I will grant it. Come here
+each week, and you will find everything you want. And now, farewell. Be
+cautious and virtuous. In six months your whistle will sound, and Zulima
+will answer its appeal."
+
+Said took leave of his protectress, and, taking note of the position of
+the house, made his way back to the shop. He arrived there in the very
+nick of time, for Kalum was surrounded by a crowd of jeering neighbours,
+and was literally dancing with rage. This was what had happened. Two men
+had asked the merchant if he could direct them to the shop of the
+handsome salesman.
+
+"Well! well!" said the old man, smiling, "Heaven has guided you to the
+right place this time. What do you want, a shawl or a veil?"
+
+This to the men seemed nothing short of insolence, and they fell upon
+him tooth and nail, the neighbours refusing to help the old skinflint.
+But Said, seeing his master in such distress, strode to the rescue, and
+one of the assailants soon found himself on the ground. Under the
+influence of his flashing eyes the crowd soon melted away, for violence
+on the wrong side was not to their taste.
+
+"Oh, you prince of shopmen, that is what I call interfering to some
+purpose! Didn't he lie on the ground as if he had never used his legs? I
+should have lost my beard for ever if you had not come up. How shall I
+reward you?"
+
+Said had only acted upon the impulse of the moment; indeed, he now felt
+rather sorry that he had deprived the scoundrel of a well-deserved
+thrashing. He seized the opportunity, however, and asked for an evening
+a week in which to take a walk. This was granted him, and the next
+Wednesday he set out for the fairy's house. Here he found everything as
+Zulima had promised. First the servants gave him a wash, which changed
+him from a stripling to a black-bearded man, whose face was bronzed by
+exposure to the sun. Then he was led into a second room, where he saw a
+dress that would not have been put to shame by the State robes of the
+Caliph. He hastily donned this, and, magnificently equipped, descended
+the stairs. As he reached the door, a servant handed him a silk
+handkerchief with which to wipe his face when he wished to rid himself
+of his disguise. In the court were standing three horses; two were
+ridden by squires, but the most magnificent was for his own use. When
+Said arrived on the plain set apart for the jousts, all eyes turned on
+him, and curiosity was rife as to who the unknown knight could be; that
+he was distinguished and of high family none doubted.
+
+When Said entered the lists he gave his name as Almansor of Cairo, and
+said that he had come to Bagdad because of the fame of the youths of
+that city. The sides were chosen, and the opposing parties charged.
+Said's horse was as swift as an eagle, and his prowess with the sword
+was so great that even the bravest shunned meeting him, and the Caliph's
+brother, who had been on his side, challenged him to single combat. The
+two fought, but were so equal that the contest had to be postponed till
+the next meeting. On the following day all Bagdad was ringing with the
+praises of the gallant young knight; and little did the people guess
+that he was then serving in a shop in the bazaar.
+
+At the next tournament Said carried all before him, and received from
+the Caliph a golden medallion hanging from a gold chain. This aroused
+the envy of the other youths. Was a stranger to come to Bagdad and rob
+them of their honour? Said noticed the signs of discontent, and observed
+that all viewed him askance, except the brother and son of the Caliph.
+By a strange chance the one most bitter against him was the man he had
+knocked down before Kalum Bek's shop. Led by this man, the others made a
+sudden attack on Said, who must have fallen if the Royal combatants had
+not rushed to his aid.
+
+For more than four months he continued to fight in the lists, but one
+night as he was going home he noticed four men who were walking slowly
+before him. To his astonishment, he found they were speaking in the
+dialect used by Selim's band. He suspected that they were after no good,
+and so he crept nearer to hear what they were saying.
+
+[Illustration: "THE TWO FOUGHT" (_p._ 232).]
+
+"He will be in the street to the right of the bazaar to-night, attended
+by the Grand Vizier," said one.
+
+"That is good," answered the other; "there is no fear of the Grand
+Vizier, but I am not so sure of the Caliph--there might be some of his
+guard near."
+
+"No, there won't," broke in a third; "he is always alone at night."
+
+"I think it would be best to throw a lasso over his head," said the
+first.
+
+"Very well, an hour after midnight;" and with these words they
+separated.
+
+"Well, I have discovered a pretty plot," thought Said, and his first
+idea was to go at once to the Caliph; but he remembered how Kalum had
+maligned him to Messour, and stopped. No, the only way was for him to
+defend the Caliph in person. Accordingly, when night came on, he betook
+himself to the appointed street, and waited to see what was going to
+happen. Soon the men came and concealed themselves in different parts of
+the street. All was quiet for half an hour, and at the end of that time
+one of the robbers gave a sign, for the Caliph was in sight. With one
+accord the band rushed upon him, but Said rose from his hiding-place,
+and laid about him with such hearty goodwill that they were soon glad to
+take to their heels with all speed.
+
+"My rescue," said the Caliph, "is no less wonderful than the attack made
+upon me. How did you know who I was? How did you get to know of the
+plot?"
+
+Said then told how he had followed the men, and, hearing their plans,
+determined to frustrate their villainous intention.
+
+"Receive my thanks," said the Caliph, "and accept this ring. Present it
+to-morrow at the palace, and we will see what can be done for you."
+
+The Vizier, too, gave him a ring, together with a heavy purse.
+
+Mad with joy, Said hurried home, but here Kalum was awaiting him,
+anxious lest he should have lost his handsome servant. The little man
+raved at Said, but the latter had seen that his purse was full of money,
+and told him flatly that he would stay there no longer. He strode out at
+the door, leaving Kalum staring after him in open-mouthed astonishment.
+The next morning the merchant set the police on his track, and they
+brought him word that his quondam servant, dressed in a most magnificent
+fashion, was just setting out with a caravan.
+
+"He has stolen money from me, the thief!" Kalum shrieked, and ordered
+the constable to arrest Said. As Kalum was known to be related to
+Messour, his commands were promptly attended to, and poor Said found
+himself condemned, unheard, as having stolen the purse from his master.
+He was sentenced to life-long banishment on a desert island, and all his
+protestations of innocence were of no avail. The poor fellow was in
+despair, and even the stony-hearted merchant put in a plea for him. He
+was thrown into a filthy dungeon, together with nineteen others. He
+comforted himself with the thought that his life would be more endurable
+on board ship, but here he was mistaken. The atmosphere was foul, and
+the men fought like wild beasts for the best places. Food and water were
+handed out to them once a day, and at the same time the men who had died
+were hauled out.
+
+A fortnight was passed in this misery, but one day they felt the ship
+was tossing more than usual, and their discomfort was increased. At last
+the survivors burst the hatches open, but to their despair they saw that
+the ship had been deserted by all the crew. The storm raged even more
+wildly, the ship rocked and settled deeper into the water. At last it
+went to pieces, and Said managed to cling to the mast. After he had
+floated for about half an hour, he suddenly remembered his whistle. It
+still hung round his neck, and holding on well with one hand to the
+mast, he put it to his mouth, and this time it did not fail him. At the
+sound of the clear, sweet note, the storm ceased as if by magic, and the
+sea became like glass, and, what was more wonderful still, the mast by
+which Said was supported was changed into a huge dolphin, to his no
+small terror. But he soon found there was no need for him to be afraid,
+for the fish bore him as swiftly as an arrow through the water.
+
+After some time Said, remembering tales of enchanters, drew out his
+whistle, and blowing a shrill blast, wished for a meal. At once a table
+rose from the depths of the sea, and Said enjoyed the much-needed
+refreshment. The sun was just sinking, when he saw a large town in the
+distance which reminded him of Bagdad. The thought of Bagdad was not so
+very pleasant, but still he trusted that the fairy, who had guarded him
+so far, would not let him fall into the hands of Kalum Bek. As he drew
+nearer he noticed a large house on the bank of the river, the roof of
+which was crowded with men, who were all gazing in astonishment at
+himself. No sooner had Said set foot on the land, than the fish
+vanished, and at the same time the servants appeared to lead him before
+their master. On the roof were standing three men, who questioned him in
+a friendly way. Said at once began to relate his story, from the time
+when he left Balsora, and his listeners declared that they believed him;
+still, they asked if he could produce the golden chain and the rings of
+which he had spoken.
+
+[Illustration: "A TABLE ROSE FROM THE DEPTHS OF THE SEA" (_p._ 236).]
+
+"Here they are," said Said. "I determined not to part with them while I
+had life to defend them."
+
+"By the beard of the Prophet, this is my ring, Grand Vizier--our
+deliverer stands before us!"
+
+Said was overcome by finding in whose presence he was, and flung himself
+at the Caliph's feet. But Haroun raised him, and overwhelmed him with
+praise and thanks. Nothing would do but that Said must return with them
+to the palace, where they would conceive some plan to bring the merchant
+Kalum to book. On the next day Kalum himself begged for admittance to
+the presence of Haroun. A dispute had arisen between himself and a man
+of Balsora, and he asked for judgment.
+
+"I will hear him," said the Caliph. "Said," turning to the youth as the
+servant left the room, "this is no other than your father. Do you hide
+behind that curtain, and you, Grand Vizier, fetch the magistrate who
+condemned Said."
+
+In a short time Kalum entered, accompanied by Benezar, and, after the
+Caliph had mounted his throne, began his complaint.
+
+"I was standing at my door a few days ago, when this man Benezar came
+down the street, offering a purse of gold for news of Said. I at once
+claimed the money, and told him how his son, for so I found him to be,
+had suffered the penalty for stealing a purse from me. Then the madman
+demanded his money back, and wanted to make me responsible for his
+rascal of a son."
+
+"Bring the magistrate who condemned the youth," commanded Haroun. He
+was produced as if by magic. After much questioning, the justice
+confessed that no witness had been brought forward except the purse.
+
+"Why," shouted the Grand Vizier, "that is my purse, you scoundrel; and I
+gave it to the gallant youth who saved me."
+
+"Then," thundered the Caliph, "you swore falsely, Kalum Bek. What was
+done to Said?"
+
+"I sent him to a desert island," stammered the magistrate.
+
+"Oh, Said, my son, my son!" wept the unhappy father.
+
+"Stand forth, Said," said the Caliph.
+
+Confronted by this apparition, Kalum and the justice flung themselves on
+their knees, crying, "Mercy! mercy!"
+
+"Did you have mercy on the misfortunes of this unhappy boy? You, my best
+of judges, shall retire to a desert island, so that you may have an
+opportunity of studying justice. But, Kalum Bek, what am I to say to
+you? You shall pay Said for all the time he has served you, and," as
+Kalum was beginning to congratulate himself on coming so well out of the
+business, "for the perjury you shall receive a hundred strokes on the
+soles of your feet. Take the men away and carry out their sentence."
+
+The wretched beings were led away, and the Caliph took Said and his
+father into another apartment. Here their conversation was interrupted
+by the yells of Kalum, who was undergoing punishment in the court
+outside. The Caliph invited Benezar to bring his goods and settle in
+Bagdad. He gladly consented, and Said spent his life in the palace built
+for him by the grateful Caliph--indeed, the proverb ran in Bagdad, "May
+I be as good and fortunate as Said, the son of Benezar."
+
+
+
+
+Little Blue Flower.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+LITTLE BLUE FLOWER.
+
+FROM THE GERMAN BY MISS F. E. HYNAM.
+
+
+A STORK swept high over the Bohemian forest. It was a most important
+duty that had brought him from his own marshes into this mountainous
+region, where far and wide no croak of frog could be heard. In his beak
+he carried two little children, a boy and a girl, both intended for the
+knight who dwelt in the gloomy fortress below. Smaller and smaller grew
+the circles made by the stork in his flight. Lower and lower he sank
+towards the earth, until at length he rested on the highest chimney of
+the castle.
+
+But before letting the children slip down the narrow black hole he
+paused and looked carefully around. While in the air, this old castle,
+with its round turrets glittering in the rising sun, had appeared to him
+a most stately edifice. But now, when quite close, the stork discovered
+many things that did not please him. The walls were sadly out of repair,
+there were holes in the roof, whilst the courtyard was overgrown with
+weeds.
+
+"I do not like this," said the stork, looking thoughtfully down his
+long, red beak. "This place seems to have a very bad landlord. A knight
+who cannot keep his castle in proper repair certainly does not deserve
+two children. I will take one away with me."
+
+"Which should he have now, the boy or the girl?" thought the stork. He
+looked once more thoughtfully down his long beak, and on the two
+children smiling happily in their dreams. "I think I will give him the
+boy," he said at length. "He will push his way in this wretched place
+better than the girl." With these words he made a movement to throw the
+little boy down the chimney.
+
+This, however, was not so easy as the stork had thought. In their sleep
+the little ones had embraced each other, and would not let go. "I have
+never had two such obstinate little creatures in my beak before,"
+exclaimed the stork angrily. Then he began to shake them, at first
+gently, then harder, and at last so roughly that the children half awoke
+from their dreams, and looked at each other with blinking eyes. After
+this the boy would not let go his companion, and no wonder, for the
+little girl had shown him a pair of blue eyes of such wondrous beauty,
+that there were not many like them in the world. But the stork, now
+thoroughly angry, gave the poor little fellow a kick that sent him head
+first down the castle chimney.
+
+"Now, what shall I do with the other little thing?" said the stork
+thoughtfully, scratching the back of his ear. "Ah! I have it," he
+cried--the little girl had kept on blinking her eyes, and the stork had
+also seen their beautiful blue--"I have it!" he repeated. "Such eyes can
+only belong to Norway."
+
+High overhead soared the stork. Powerfully his wings clove the air as
+he sailed away towards the north.
+
+In the midst of the blue Baltic Sea a little wooded island lay sparkling
+like a green jewel. Here dwelt Bjorn, a grim old sea-king of Norwegian
+blood. Every year he and his men ploughed the sea with their swift
+ships, and very rich was the spoil he brought home to his strong castle
+that stood in the centre of the island, defended by wall and moat.
+
+To this castle the stork bore the little maiden on his strong wings.
+
+Bjorn and his men were sitting in the spacious hall, quaffing from
+golden cups the sweet wine they had brought back in their ships from the
+sunny land of Greece. Very wild was their joy when the little maiden
+came down the chimney, and throughout the whole night their boisterous
+songs could be heard far across the wide sea.
+
+And the little, sparkling waves sang in reply a rushing murmuring song,
+to celebrate the arrival of the young child. "To our sea-king a little
+daughter has been born," they sang. "A beauteous little maiden, with
+eyes blue as the sea, locks fair as the sea foam, and lips rosy as the
+morning red when it gilds the crests of the waves." Even the stupid
+fishes rejoiced, but as they could not sing they leapt into the air,
+high up out of the waves, and their scales glittered in the moonlight
+like gold and silver.
+
+Many days and many nights Bjorn and his crew drank of the pearly wine.
+Then he could rest at home no longer, so ordered his ships and sailed
+away, leaving the child, to whom he had given the name of Swanhild, in
+charge of a faithful nurse.
+
+On this voyage Bjorn encountered more storms and enemies than he had
+ever done before. Often, whilst on the tossing billows, he thought with
+longing of the little one at home. Yet many long years passed ere he
+could at length return home laden with rich spoil.
+
+As he set foot on the little island he was greeted by a beautiful
+maiden, with deep blue eyes, rosy lips, and the fair hair of Norway.
+Full of joy, Bjorn clasped his lovely child to his heart. Then he sat
+with his men in the castle hall, feasting and quaffing the costly
+Grecian wine.
+
+Swanhild had never before seen such noisy feasts. Often, on moonlight
+nights, she would leave the castle and wander alone on the sea-shore.
+
+But one evening, as she thus wandered, clad in her white garments, and
+with her fair head bent towards the waves, she was seen by a wicked
+magician, who had flown thither through the air on a black goat. He came
+from the cliffs of Norway, where he had been sent to seize the soul of a
+poor Laplander who had stolen his neighbour's reindeer, and he was now
+travelling to Blocksberg to take this soul to his master, a powerful
+evil spirit.
+
+When the magician saw Swanhild he was much delighted. He had never
+before beheld any one so lovely. But alas! while he was lost in
+contemplation of her beauty the soul of the little Laplander escaped,
+and flew away. He let it go. Seeking a secluded spot, he at once
+summoned a number of crabs and water-beetles, which he placed in three
+shining mussel-shells. One touch of his staff changed these shells
+filled with crabs and water-beetles into magnificent vessels full of
+well-armed men. His black goat became a skald, and played the harp. Then
+transforming himself into a handsome young Viking, he ordered the sails
+to be hoisted, and rounding a wooded promontory, sailed into the bay
+where Bjorn's vessel lay.
+
+[Illustration: "WHEN THE MAGICIAN SAW SWANHILD HE WAS MUCH DELIGHTED"
+(_p._ 246).]
+
+Loudly the sentries on Bjorn's ship blew their horns. Louder yet rang
+out the answering blast from the castle. Wildly Bjorn and his men broke
+through the forest. Furious was their war-cry, shrilly clanged their
+weapons.
+
+The strange Viking stepped forward boldly, and extending his hand to
+Bjorn in token of friendship, besought hospitality for himself and his
+men.
+
+Bjorn let himself be persuaded. He led the strangers into his splendid
+halls, and drank and feasted with them many days and many nights. Then
+the strange hero ordered rich presents to be brought from his ships:
+garments studded with gold, gold ornaments, and shining swords. This
+completely deceived Bjorn and his followers, and when the stranger asked
+for Swanhild in marriage, the Viking readily gave his consent. That
+Swanhild turned pale no one heeded. Nor did they heed that she wept
+nightly in the solitude of her chamber.
+
+The marriage day at length arrived. But when everything was ready, and
+Swanhild, in glittering array, was being led towards the stranger, she,
+with a quick movement, turned her back on him and fled to her chamber.
+
+Loudly raged the father, his eyes glowing with fury. But wilder still
+rolled the eyes of the stranger. He broke into a laugh, and cried, with
+mocking voice, "You shall all pay for this."
+
+One look from those fierce eyes, and his men became a crowd of crabs
+and water-beetles. The skald threw away his harp, and stood there a
+black goat with fiery eyes. The stranger shook off his armour, and was a
+horrible old man.
+
+Bjorn grew pale with terror, his followers began to tremble and shake.
+Another look from the magician: they all shrank together, and a crawling
+mass of frogs covered the floor. Bjorn was the largest of them all. Then
+opening door and gate, the magician drove them out into the marshy moat.
+Here they dived.
+
+The magician then locked the door and threw the key into the moat. At
+her chamber windows Swanhild sat weeping. He looked up at her furiously,
+but she was so good and pure, his glance had no power over her. He shook
+his fist threateningly.
+
+"Now sit there all alone," he cried, "since you will not marry me. You
+cannot escape, and no one can deliver you, for my goat keeps guard."
+
+He flew away whistling. The black goat walked round and round the moat,
+his eyes gleaming like living coals. The frogs croaked in the evening
+light, and above, in her chamber, Swanhild wept solitary and forsaken.
+
+In the meantime, the boy left by the stork at the gloomy castle in the
+Bohemian forest had become a valiant knight, who knew well how to use
+his sword. Yet so strange a knight as he had never before sat in
+Walnut-tree Castle. This was the name of his ancestral home.
+
+Since his father's death Wulf had lived quite alone in the ruined
+castle, for none of the servants would stay after the old knight died.
+But this did not trouble Wulf. He did not care to hunt the wild boar
+through the thicket, or kill the frightened stag. His chief pleasure was
+to stretch himself on the thick, soft moss, and gaze through the green
+branches of the forest trees at the blue heavens that smiled here and
+there in little flocks through the thick foliage. He also loved to seek
+for forest flowers--the blue were his favourites. Whence this preference
+he knew not, but he dreamt he had once looked into Swanhild's blue eyes.
+Or, when tired of these things, he would stand at one of the castle
+windows, gazing thoughtfully out into the blue distance. "Far away
+yonder," so ran his thoughts at these times, "where the blue heaven
+bends down to touch the earth, should I not find happiness there? Were
+it not better to journey abroad in search of happiness than to remain
+alone in this solitary castle, through whose walls the wind whistles,
+whilst owls and bats are now the only occupants of its once stately
+halls?"
+
+But though longing to go out into the world, Wulf remained in the ruined
+castle, in obedience to an old command of one of his ancestors.
+
+In the middle of the castle court there grew in the cleft of a rock a
+gigantic walnut tree. From it the castle had received its name. The nut
+from which this tree had sprung had been planted in olden times by one
+of Wulf's ancestors, who at the same time had carved these words on the
+rock:--
+
+    Where flourishes this tree, there shall my house remain.
+    While it stands, forsake it not to search abroad for fame;
+    But should the ancient glory from these halls e'er disappear,
+    Life from this tree shall make it shine once more quite bright and
+     clear.
+
+Their splendour had long since disappeared, and how the tree could
+restore it Wulf could not imagine; still, he remained obedient to the
+command.
+
+[Illustration: "A CRAWLING MASS OF FROGS COVERED THE FLOOR" (_p._ 249).]
+
+One evening a mighty storm arose. Black clouds obscured the sky. The
+lightning flashed; the thunder rolled. The storm raged through the
+forest. The mouldering stones of the old castle slipped from their
+places, and the wind whistled through the gaps, and raged through the
+old rooms and passages. Then a flash of lightning! a clap of thunder!
+The castle was in ruins! Wulf escaped into the open air; before him lay
+the walnut tree, shivered by the lightning.
+
+He immediately saddled his horse. What need to remain here longer?
+Hastily snatching a few ripe nuts that lay among the shattered branches,
+he concealed them in his doublet as a remembrance, and then rode away
+through the gloomy forest.
+
+Far and wide, Wulf wandered over the green earth beneath the blue
+heavens, encountering many enemies. But in spite of all he kept
+courageously on his way.
+
+One day his path led through a thick forest of beech trees. He looked
+around thoughtfully as his horse scattered the fallen leaves at every
+step. Suddenly he looked up. What was it that shimmered so blue through
+the trees? Wulf urged his horse forward, but beneath a giant beech at
+the edge of the forest he halted; the endless sea lay before him.
+
+"Here is blue heaven above and beneath, surely I shall find happiness
+here?" thought Wulf, as he swung himself to earth. Without a thought he
+left his horse, and hastened to the shore. On the soft waves a small
+bark was rocking. Wulf sprang in and loosed the chain. Lightly the waves
+bore the boat out into the blue distance.
+
+For a long time Wulf lay contentedly in the bottom of the boat. He felt
+as though he were a little child folded into his mother's arms, safe
+from all want and danger. And he thought the waves wished to tell him
+something, but he could not understand their language. Yet he saw that
+they bore his bark ever more swiftly forward, and he rejoiced at the
+increasing speed.
+
+There was a grating sound under the keel: Wulf had reached land at last.
+Before him lay a wooded island. Above the tops of the trees rose the
+turrets of a stately castle. He hastened forward and arrived at the
+castle moat. An unearthly stillness reigned over all around. Nothing
+moved save a swarm of frogs. These swam round and round in the moat, or
+sat on the leaves of the water-lilies, and croaked in what seemed to
+Wulf most sorrowful tones. But the largest amongst them behaved in a
+most extraordinary manner. He was for ever trying to climb up the castle
+wall, but if after much trouble he managed to get up a little way, he
+always fell back again. Then he would seat himself on a water-lily, look
+upwards, and wipe his eyes as though he were weeping.
+
+Wulf also looked up.
+
+"Happiness at last!" he exclaimed. "The blue eyes!" But he got no
+further. A violent push from an angry goat sent him flying into the
+middle of the moat.
+
+Wulf felt himself sinking fast. His feet got entangled among the twisted
+roots of the water-lilies. With great difficulty he managed to keep his
+head above the water.
+
+"And here I must die," said he in anguish.
+
+Then from out his doublet sounded soft little voices:--
+
+    "The blessing of Urahn to you is near.
+    Do not despair, for help is present here."
+
+And behold! all around him now began a wonderful rustling and moving. He
+groped about with his hands, and felt that tender little roots had
+forced their way through his doublet and were taking root in the slime.
+And all around him he saw little green walnut tree leaves rising out of
+the water. Twigs followed the leaves, and these again became branches.
+Wulf felt he was being forced upwards; soon he was safely out of the
+water. Looking up, he saw Swanhild's blue eyes. He stretched out his
+arms towards her and she smiled.
+
+Higher and higher Wulf was borne. Five strong walnut trees grew beneath
+him, and bore him up on their branches. Now he could reach up and touch
+Swanhild's hands. Now he sat by her at the window, and gazed into her
+blue eyes.
+
+"What is your name?" he asked.
+
+"Swanhild," she replied.
+
+"It is a very beautiful name," said Wulf. "But for my sake you must now
+be called Little Blue Flower. When I was quite a child I saw your eyes
+in my dreams. They appeared to me like little blue flowers, and every
+day I searched for these flowers in the forest, but they were never
+sufficiently beautiful. Now you shall be my Little Blue Flower." And
+then he gave her a kiss.
+
+But now a fresh movement began in the moat below. The stout frog was
+able to scramble up the crooked, rough stems of the walnut tree, better
+than up the smooth castle wall. Boldly he climbed, and the whole army of
+frogs followed him. At length he reached the top. Swanhild gently laid
+her hand on his head, and instead of the frog old Bjorn sat on one of
+the branches of the walnut tree, and embraced and kissed both his
+daughter and Wulf. Then the other frogs came, and Swanhild laid her
+hand on them all. Soon all Bjorn's followers were sitting in crowds on
+the branches, dangling their legs for joy. Full of anger, the black goat
+ran round and round the castle moat, rolling his great fiery eyes.
+
+[Illustration: "Now he could reach up and touch Swanhild's hands." _Page
+254_]
+
+[Illustration: "SOON ALL BJORN'S FOLLOWERS WERE SITTING ON THE BRANCHES"
+(_p._ 256).]
+
+Just as the last frog was changed, a mighty rushing noise was heard. The
+magician flew raging through the air. With his magic staff he struck the
+poor goat a fierce blow, and then rode back on him to Blocksberg. Here
+it went very badly with him, because he came without the soul of the
+little Laplander, and he was severely punished.
+
+Bjorn, with Wulf and all his men, joyfully entered the castle through
+Swanhild's window. A few days later Swanhild's marriage with Wulf was
+celebrated with great splendour, and they lived together in peace and
+happiness to the end of their days.
+
+
+
+
+"The Princess Who Despised all Men."
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"THE PRINCESS WHO DESPISED ALL MEN."
+
+By Charles Smith Cheltnam.
+
+
+THERE was once a King and Queen who, having everything a King and Queen
+could reasonably desire, might have been as happy as the day was
+long--if they had only taken the right means for making the best of
+their good fortune.
+
+The King was a pattern of amiability, and, as to wisdom, could have held
+his own in comparison with any crowned potentate on earth; but of the
+Queen not half as much could be said in praise. As a girl, her beauty
+had been renowned, and had brought to her Princes by the score as
+wooers; but to their suits she had, as the phrase is, turned a deaf ear,
+regarding men as creatures made wholly of ill qualities, and marriage
+with them a debasement of herself in every sense; and it was not until
+her father threatened to imprison her for the rest of her life in a town
+built of steel and adamant, that she could be induced to accept a
+husband.
+
+The amiability of her spouse was often sorely tried by her constant
+disparagement of men; but, being founded upon exceptional goodness of
+character, he did not allow it to be overcome, and schooled himself to
+bear with her fantastic ideas, rewarding himself for his leniency by
+sometimes laughing in his sleeve at the more preposterous of her
+pretensions.
+
+A great many years passed without their having any family until, one
+day, the Queen had a baby girl, and consoled herself by reflecting that
+that, at least, was better than having a boy, "to grow up into a horrid
+man," as she expressed herself.
+
+It happened that, at the moment of the little Princess's birth, the
+fairy Gaieia was passing the palace, and, as she had no particularly
+pressing business on hand, slipped in, and, after congratulating the
+Queen on the beauty of her offspring, constituted herself the infant's
+god-mother--as was the fairy custom at that period--at the same time
+laughingly predicting that she would prove to be "the joy of her
+parents."
+
+It hardly needs to be recorded that, with her very peculiar views as to
+what a woman's conduct in life ought to be, the Queen did not permit her
+daughter to receive instruction of any kind from anybody but herself;
+the King, consequently, rarely saw his child, and knew nothing of the
+character which had been made for her by her mother, rather than allowed
+to come to her and develop itself in the natural order of things. In
+this way the Princess Disdainana--so her mother had insisted on naming
+her--was brought up until she had reached her seventeenth year. If the
+youthful beauty of her mother had been renowned, that of the Princess
+was celebrated far and near as being nothing less than marvellous, and a
+hundred of the richest and handsomest Kings and Princes in the world
+vied with each other in their endeavours to obtain her hand; but to not
+one of them would she deign to listen even for a moment, regarding all
+men as a sort of natural excrescence, whose only fitting place in the
+world was in companionship with the horses and dogs, or, at most, as
+ugly and repulsive creatures necessary for the performance of the most
+unpleasant labours. It was on this account that she had become
+universally known as "The Princess Who Despised All Men."
+
+This state of things became, at last, a cause of extreme uneasiness to
+the King. By the time she had arrived at a marriageable age, the fact
+that he, too, was year by year growing older began to recur to his mind
+with disquieting persistency; for, having no son to succeed him, he saw
+that, if his daughter's disinclination to marry were maintained, his
+dynasty was in danger of coming to an end--and that is a prospect which
+no King can be expected to contemplate with equanimity.
+
+One day, therefore, when the subject was worrying him very much, he sent
+for his wife and daughter and explained to them the extreme discomforts
+of the situation which had been brought about by the obduracy of the
+Princess.
+
+"My daughter, I am happy to say, knows her duty to herself," replied
+the Queen proudly.
+
+The King was about to retort, "But she does not appear to know anything
+whatever about her duty to her father;" but, as it was a rule of conduct
+with him never to use that form of contradiction in any discussion he
+had with his wife, he held his peace.
+
+"Rather than become the wife of an ugly, coarse, bearded man, I would
+die a hundred deaths!" cried the Princess vehemently.
+
+As the last syllable left her lips, a gay laugh rippled through the air
+of the room.
+
+"May I ask what you find to laugh at in what my daughter has said?"
+demanded the Queen of her husband, indignantly.
+
+"Nothing whatever, my dear--and, consequently, I did not laugh," replied
+the King mildly.
+
+"What! Perhaps you will say that it was _I_ who uttered that insolent
+sound?" cried the Queen.
+
+"Now I come to recall the fact, I don't think I ever heard you laugh, my
+dear; but I am sure the voice that laughed a moment ago was not in the
+least like yours," said the King.
+
+"It was more like my daughter's, perhaps you will say?" remarked the
+Queen sarcastically.
+
+"Not in the least--I should imagine, for I never had the advantage of
+hearing her laugh any more than yourself," replied the King.
+
+Again the gay sound of a musical voice, laughing lightly, rang through
+the room.
+
+"Oh! This is too insulting!" cried the Queen. "Come with me, my
+love--out of such an unendurable atmosphere of coarseness."
+
+And, without deigning to listen to a word of remonstrance from the King,
+she hurried the Princess back to her own apartment--followed by another
+silvery peal of laughter.
+
+[Illustration: "SHE HURRIED THE PRINCESS BACK TO HER OWN APARTMENT."]
+
+The King was equally puzzled and vexed by the abrupt termination of what
+he had hoped would have been a conference resulting in relief to himself
+from pressing anxieties. Now--knowing his wife's absolute and unyielding
+temper, and the complete control she exercised over her daughter--he
+saw no way but one (that of using his extreme parental authority) to
+bring the Princess to obedience; but that measure he was too
+kind-hearted to resolve upon applying.
+
+In the utmost perplexity of mind he had paced his study for several
+minutes, without noticing that he was grasping in his right hand a
+scroll of parchment. On becoming aware of this fact, he stopped suddenly
+and gazed on the document with bewildered astonishment. It was
+absolutely certain that he had never seen it before, that it was not in
+his hand when the Queen and Princess quitted his presence, and that
+nobody else had entered the room.
+
+While he was thinking of all this, the gay laugh, which had been heard
+three times before, rang through the study again, only more gaily than
+ever--for a moment angering the King, though he was one of the most
+placable of Sovereigns, and causing him to ferret in every possible
+hiding-place in his study in search of the daring jester. But not a
+trace of an intruder was discoverable. When he had perfectly assured
+himself of this, he unfolded the mysteriously conveyed parchment.
+
+The opening words of the document caused him to turn pale, and the sight
+of the signature at the end of it sent a thrill of terror through his
+frame. It was nothing less than a formal demand for the hand of the
+Princess Disdainana, on the part of Kloxoxskin the Ninety-ninth--one of
+the ugliest and most belligerent monarchs in the world--the document
+being drawn in the form of an ultimatum, calling upon the King to give
+his daughter to the said Kloxoxskin in marriage, within two hours of
+the receipt of this demand, or, failing compliance therewith, to
+surrender his throne to the said Kloxoxskin, who would, at the time
+specified, come, supported by his invincible army of one million nine
+hundred and ninety-nine veteran warriors, to receive the said King's
+answer.
+
+In his moments of worst apprehension, the King had never thought of
+anything so terrible as this. He called his wife and daughter back to
+him, and made them clearly understand the crisis that had come to him
+and them; but though the Queen was inclined to save her share of the
+throne by submission, the Princess declared that no consideration would
+induce her to give herself to any man--to such a human monster as
+Kloxoxskin least of all.
+
+From that resolution her father tried to move her, but she was
+inflexible against all his arguments and prayers; and when the two
+hours' grace was spent, the King found himself in the presence of the
+redoubtable Kloxoxskin the Ninety-ninth, a prisoner in his palace, and
+wholly at the mercy of his all-powerful conqueror.
+
+Realising the peril in which she stood, the Queen did her best to
+persuade her daughter to submit to the inevitable; but the Princess
+quickly silenced her by giving her back the arguments that had all her
+life been used in the cultivation of her detestation of all men.
+
+But though she had no misgiving as to her moral strength, the Princess
+could not but contemplate with alarm the danger of a personal encounter
+with King Kloxoxskin, so she determined to seek safety in flight and,
+as soon as dusk came, contrived to slip unperceived from the palace into
+a dense forest which grew at no great distance from the walls of her
+father's capital.
+
+For a long time she pressed farther and farther into the depths of the
+forest, growing every moment more and more relieved from the
+apprehension that she might be pursued.
+
+Pausing at length to rest, she noticed that night had thoroughly set in,
+and that it would be impossible for her to go any farther in the
+darkness. At the same moment a terrible sound fell upon her ears--the
+roaring of wild beasts of some kind, coming rapidly nearer and nearer.
+For an instant her heart stood still, but she was not wanting in courage
+or resource, and, observing that she was at the foot of a giant oak
+tree, she lost not a moment in climbing to the shelter of its spreading
+boughs.
+
+Choosing the securest position she could find, her alarm of the moment
+subsided; but though she was greatly fatigued, the memory of the peril
+from which she was endeavouring to escape, coupled with anxiety as to
+the trials which might be awaiting her all night, prevented her from
+going to sleep; and, when morning dawned, she prepared, tired and
+hungry, to descend to the ground and continue her undefined journey.
+
+But she found that climbing was a far easier matter than descending from
+her place of refuge; for she now observed that the tree sent out, on
+nearly all sides of its gnarled trunk, the remains of huge jagged and
+lifeless branches, to avoid which would require a skill which she did
+not possess. She had no choice, however, but to make an attempt to get
+down, and had nearly succeeded in reaching the ground when, to her
+consternation, the full skirt of her splendid dress caught upon an
+enormous splinter, and held her hanging helpless some feet in the air,
+all her efforts to free herself proving unavailing.
+
+[Illustration: "AT THE MERCY OF HIS ALL-POWERFUL CONQUEROR" (_p._ 265).]
+
+Hours passed by. The sunlight pierced some of the neighbouring
+tree-tops; but the return of day brought her neither comfort nor the
+hope of release, and she was giving way to the horrible idea that she
+would have to endure all the torments of a lingering death, when she
+heard the voice of a woodman, whistling on his way to his work, and
+called to him.
+
+The man came towards her out of the underwood.
+
+"Assist me down," said the Princess, in her habitual tone of disdain.
+
+"Not I," replied the woodman. "I recognise you: you are the Princess Who
+Despises All Men! Ho! ho!--_I'm_ a man, remember!"
+
+That said, he went on his way, whistling cheerfully, leaving the
+Princess to think, for a moment, that her rooted antipathy to men was
+amply justified by the brutal conduct of this coarse and ugly wretch.
+
+But the distress of her position became every moment more and more
+acute, and, seeing that it was hopeless to anticipate the assistance of
+any chance passer, she made one more effort to free herself, and by
+exerting all her remaining strength, succeeded in tearing herself from
+the offensive bough--at the cost of a great rent in her beautiful dress
+and a fall, which left her for a few minutes lying insensible on the
+ground at the foot of the tree.
+
+After returning to consciousness, and sitting for a while to recover her
+presence of mind, she rose and continued her blind way through the
+forest, always hungry and many times faint with fatigue, all day long,
+until once again she found the shades of evening closing about her.
+
+Just before night had actually come, she reached a spot at which a party
+of charcoal-burners were seated about a cheerful fire in front of their
+hut, eating their supper of bread and potatoes, roasted in the embers
+at their feet. The appetising scents of these well-cooked roots provoked
+the starving Princess's hunger in an almost unendurable degree.
+
+"Give me one of your potatoes," she said, still unable to modify the
+disdainful tone of her voice.
+
+"Not we!" replied the head charcoal-burner. "I recognise you: you are
+the Princess Who Despises All Men! Ho! ho! _We_ are men, remember!"
+
+More than ever disgusted with men, the Princess wandered all night
+through the forest, afraid to lie down, lest she might fall asleep and
+become a prey to some prowling wild beast.
+
+As the dawn of another day was becoming visible, she found herself on
+the border of a meadow, and saw a young farmer drawing water from a well
+for some horses which were waiting near him.
+
+"Give me some of that water--I'm thirsty!" she said imperiously.
+
+"Aha," said the young farmer, "I recognise you: you are the Princess Who
+Despises All Men! If you want water, dig a well for yourself, as I have
+had to do."
+
+"Loathsome creatures, one and all!" the Princess said to herself, as she
+turned away from the spot. "My good mother was right in teaching me to
+despise them."
+
+She presently reached a more open part of the country, though she was
+still near the forest through which she had passed, and, towards noon,
+when she was almost overcome by the sun's heat, she came upon a rising
+ground, whence she beheld, afar off, a great stretch of water, and, on
+what seemed its most distant reach, an opalesque haze.
+
+Then there suddenly came to her mind a story she had heard of the
+existence of an island-kingdom peopled by women who, like herself, held
+all men in disdain, and would never permit one of them to set foot where
+they were. And she was overtaken by a burning desire to reach that
+island, which she fancied must be hidden in the midst of the opalesque
+haze on which she was gazing.
+
+So she hurried on and on, sustained wholly by the intensity of her
+desire, till she came upon the sea-shore--for the great water she had
+looked upon was the wide ocean.
+
+Alongside his boat, and busy with his nets, she found a fisherman, and
+at once accosted him.
+
+"Is yonder mist-enveloped island the kingdom of Diaphanosia?" she asked
+him.
+
+"Yes," he answered.
+
+"Then row me over to it in your boat," she said eagerly.
+
+"Not I," he replied. "I recognise you: you are the Princess Who Despises
+All men, and _I_ am a man, you know. If you want a boat, make one for
+yourself, as I had to do. Over there, in the forest, you will find
+plenty of wood for your purpose, only you will have to cut it down."
+
+To get out of the sun's burning rays, and to give herself time for
+reflection, the Princess retired into the forest and sat down at the
+foot of a hollow tree, by the side of which a rusty axe was lying, as
+if it had been left there by some woodman and forgotten.
+
+[Illustration: "THE DISTRESS OF HER POSITION BECAME EVERY MOMENT MORE
+ACUTE" (_p._ 268).]
+
+Strange! A merry laugh came out of the thicket near to her; but though
+she searched with her eyes in every direction she could discover nobody
+who could have given it utterance.
+
+Strange again! It flashed upon her mind that the mere expression of
+disdain for men was wanting in force if it were not emphasised by the
+demonstration of woman's power to do absolutely without them.
+
+Upon the strength of this reasoning, she at once seized the axe, and
+after many days of hard work, succeeded in felling the hollow tree and
+giving to it something of the shape of a boat, in which, by the aid of a
+roughly fashioned pair of oars, she rowed herself across to the
+island-kingdom, where she hoped to find the realisation of all her
+aspirations for a state of existence in which men were wholly ignored.
+
+Not once or twice, but over and over again, she succeeded in reaching
+the border of the opalesque haze in which the kingdom of Diaphanosia was
+perpetually veiled; but she was as often beaten back by an irresistible
+current which set towards the shore from which she had started.
+
+On one of these fruitless voyages her strength utterly left her, and she
+sank down in the bottom of her boat insensible, the oars dropping from
+her nerveless hands and drifting away; so that, even if she had
+immediately returned to consciousness, she would have found herself
+helplessly at the mercy of the sea.
+
+When she _did_ recover from her state of insensibility, it was to
+discover herself lying upon a mossy bank on the skirt of the forest, a
+handsome and superbly dressed young man tending her with delicately
+eager solicitude.
+
+She did not attempt to rise or to speak; she thought she was sleeping
+and dreaming--the only thing strange in her state of feeling being that
+the near presence of a man provoked no sense of repugnance or
+resentment.
+
+"Thank Heaven!" said the young gentleman, in a tone of intense relief,
+as he saw her open her eyes. "For awhile I have been terribly afraid
+that my efforts to rescue you had been unavailing."
+
+Still held by the idea that she was dreaming, the Princess only
+continued to look into his face without replying to his words.
+
+"Rest here for a short time, and sleep if you can, while I watch over
+you," he continued. "When you have become strong enough to travel, my
+horse shall carry you to my father's palace, which stands not very far
+from this spot: once there, my mother will be delighted to tend upon you
+as if you were her own daughter."
+
+"Take me to your kind mother," she said, rising, the soft tones of her
+own voice sounding in her ears as if they came from the lips of some
+other person than herself.
+
+The handsome young Prince--for he was no less--blew a golden whistle
+suspended to his neck by a jewelled chain, and in a few moments a
+splendidly caparisoned horse came to him from out the forest.
+
+Upon the back of this noble steed the Prince gallantly lifted his
+beautiful charge, and taking the bridle on his hand, led him through the
+forest openings, walking by the Princess's side and relating to her how,
+while hunting, it had been his blest fortune to see her helpless
+condition in her boat, and, by swimming out to her, rescue her at the
+moment when her rude vessel was on the point of sinking with her beneath
+the waves.
+
+She listened silently to all he said to her, filled with an inexplicable
+sense of wonder at herself in finding that ever the voice of a man could
+fall sympathetically on her ears! "I _must_ be dreaming!" she said to
+herself again and again.
+
+At last, on reaching an eminence, the Prince pointed to a noble pile of
+buildings on the outskirts of a great city, and said--something of
+sadness coming into the tone of his voice:
+
+"Yonder is my father's palace; we shall reach it in a very little
+time--and then the happy privilege of these delightful moments will
+cease to be mine, never to be renewed, perhaps."
+
+All things about her seemed, at the sound of those words, to melt into a
+roseate mist, carrying with them all sense of herself. Apart from her
+will, unconsciously, she held out her hand to her preserver, who pressed
+it to his lips with tender gratitude.
+
+Clearly and with wonderful sweetness of intonation, the gay laugh which
+had greeted her on so many eventful moments of her life once more rang
+in the Princess's ears.
+
+"Ah! I recognise it now!" she cried--"the sweet voice of my fairy
+god-mother! Oh, wise and kind Gaieia, still be my guardian, as you have
+ever been, and make me in the future all that I have failed to make
+myself in the past!"
+
+The laugh that answered her entreaty was as gay and sweet as ever, but
+came from afar; for, in fact, the good fairy had sped away, having a
+great deal still to do for her froward godchild, and that without delay:
+amongst other things to make King Kloxoxskin immediately evacuate the
+palace and dominions of the Princess's father, under the idea that he
+was escaping from a great peril which would certainly have overwhelmed
+him if he had persisted in forcing the Princess Disdainana to marry him.
+
+[Illustration: "HER RUDE VESSEL WAS ON THE POINT OF SINKING" (_p._
+274).]
+
+More than that--a task much more difficult to accomplish--the merry
+fairy had to overcome the prejudice of the Queen, whose obstinacy had
+returned in full force as soon as she was once again able to exercise it
+on the side of her anti-matrimonial fancies. But, as everybody knows,
+nothing can permanently withstand the power and strategy of a good
+fairy; so it came about--really as a matter of course--that, her
+daughter having accepted for her husband the charming Prince who had
+saved her life, the Queen consented to receive him as her son-in-law;
+and it is a well-attested matter of history, that nobody ever heard her
+utter a single word in dissent from her husband's freely-expressed
+delight at the saving of his dynasty from what had, for awhile, seemed
+its inevitable extinction.
+
+
+
+
+The Necklace of Tears.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+THE NECKLACE _of_ TEARS.
+
+By Mrs. Egerton Eastwick.
+
+
+ONCE, many years ago, there lived in Ombrelande a most beautiful
+Princess. Now, Ombrelande is a country which still exists, and in which
+many strange things still happen, although it is not to be found in any
+map of the world that I know of.
+
+The Princess, at the time the story begins, was little more than a
+child, and while her growing beauty was everywhere spoken of, she was
+unfortunately still more noted for her selfish and disagreeable nature.
+She cared for nothing but her own amusement and pleasure, and gave no
+thought to the pain she sometimes inflicted on others in order to
+gratify her whims. It must be mentioned, however, as an excuse for her
+heartlessness, that, being an only child, she had been spoilt from her
+babyhood, and always allowed to have her own way, while those who
+thwarted her were punished.
+
+One day the Princess Olga, that was her name, escaped from her governess
+and attendants, and wandered into the wood which joined the gardens of
+the palace. It was her fancy to be alone; she would not even allow her
+faithful dachshund to bear her company.
+
+The air was soft with the coming of spring; the sun was shining, the
+songs of the birds were full of gratitude and joy; the most lovely
+flowers, in all imaginable hues, turned the earth into a jewelled nest
+of verdure.
+
+Olga threw herself down on a bank, bright with green moss and soft as a
+downy pillow. The warmth and her wanderings had already wearied her. She
+had neglected her morning studies, and left her singing-master waiting
+for her in despair in the music-room of the palace, that she might
+wander into the wood, and already the pleasure was gone.
+
+She threw herself down on the bank and wished she was at home. There was
+one thing, however, of which she never tired, and that was her own
+beauty; so now, having nothing to do, and finding the world and the
+morning exceedingly tiresome and tame and dull, she unbound her long
+golden hair, and spread it all around her like a carpet over the moss
+and the flowers, that she might admire its softness and luxuriance, by
+way of a change.
+
+She held up the yellow meshes in her hands and drew them through her
+fingers, laughing to see the golden lights that played among the silky
+waves in the sunlight; then she fell to admiring the small white hands
+which held the treasure, holding them up against the light to see their
+almost transparent delicacy, and the pretty rose-pink lines where the
+fingers met. Certainly she made a charming picture, there in the
+sunshine among the flowers: the picture of a lovely innocent child, if
+she had been less vain and self-conscious.
+
+Presently she heard a slight rustle of boughs behind her, and looking
+round she saw that she was no longer alone. Not many paces away, gazing
+at her with admiring wonder, stood a youth in the dress of a beggar, and
+over his shoulder looked the face of a young girl, which Olga was forced
+to acknowledge as lovely as her own. Now, the forest was the private
+property of the King, and the presence of these poor-looking people was
+certainly an intrusion.
+
+"What are you doing here?" said Olga haughtily. "Don't you know that you
+are trespassing? This wood belongs to the King, and is forbidden to
+tramps and beggars."
+
+"We are no beggars, lady," said the youth. He spoke with great
+gentleness, but his voice was strong and sweet as a deep-toned bell. "To
+us no land is forbidden--and we own allegiance to no one."
+
+"My father will have you put in prison," said Olga angrily. "What is
+your name?"
+
+"My name is Kasih."
+
+"And that girl behind you--she is hiding--why does she not come
+forward?"
+
+"It is Kasukah--my sister," he said, looking round with a smile; "she is
+shy, and frightened, perhaps."
+
+"What outlandish names! You must be gypsies," said Olga rudely, "and
+perhaps thieves."
+
+"Indeed, lady, you are mistaken; on the contrary, it is in our power to
+bestow upon you many priceless gifts. But we have travelled far to find
+you, and are weary; only bid us welcome--let us go with you to the
+castle to rest--Kasukah----"
+
+"How dare you speak so to me?" interrupted Olga, in a fury. "To the
+castle, indeed--what are you thinking of? There is a poor-house
+somewhere, I have heard the people say, maintained by my father's bounty
+out of the taxes, you can go there. Go at once--or----"
+
+She raised the little silver-handled dog-whip which hung at her girdle.
+To do her justice, she was no coward. Kasukah had quite disappeared; the
+boy stood alone looking at Olga with sad, reproachful eyes. For a
+moment, she thought what a pity he was so poor and shabby; he had the
+face and bearing of a king. But she was too proud to change her tone.
+
+"Or what?" he said.
+
+"I will drive you away," she said defiantly. Still Kasih did not move,
+and the next moment she had struck him smartly across the cheek with the
+whip.
+
+He made no effort at self-defence or retaliation, only it seemed to her
+that she herself felt the pain of the wound. For a few instants she saw
+his sorrowful face grown white and stern, and the red, glowing scar
+which her whip had caused; then, like Kasukah, he seemed to vanish, and
+disappeared among the trees, while where he had stood a sunbeam crossed
+the grass.
+
+Olga felt rather scared. She had been certainly very audacious, and it
+was odd that the boy should have shown no resentment. After all, she
+rather wished she had asked both him and his sister to stay, they might
+have proved amusing.
+
+[Illustration: "GO AT ONCE" (_p._ 282).]
+
+However, it was too late now; she could not call them back; so she
+thought she would return to the castle; she was beginning to feel
+hungry. So she went leisurely home, and, for the remainder of the day,
+proved a little more tractable than usual. She did not forget Kasih and
+his sister, and for a time wondered if they would ever seek her again;
+but the months went by and she saw them no more.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Now, as Olga grew older, of course the question arose of finding for her
+a desirable husband. And one suitor came and another, but none pleased
+her; and, indeed, more than one highly eligible young Prince was
+frightened away by her haughty manners and violent temper.
+
+The truth was, that in secret she had not forgotten the face of Kasih,
+and she sometimes told herself that if she could find among her suitors
+one who was at all like him, and was also rich and powerful enough to
+give her all she desired in other ways, him she would choose. Kasih was
+certainly very handsome, in spite of his beggar's clothes; and, suitably
+dressed, he would have been quite adorable. Also, it would be delightful
+to find a husband with such a gentle, yielding disposition, who never
+thought of resenting anything she said or did.
+
+And one day a suitor came to the palace who really made her heart beat a
+little faster than usual at first; he was so like the lost Kasih. But
+unfortunately he was only the younger son of a Royal Duke, and could
+offer her nothing better than a small, insignificant Principality and an
+income hardly sufficient to pay her dressmaker's bills. So it was no use
+thinking about him, and he was dismissed with the others. Olga's father
+began to think his daughter would never find all she required in a
+husband, but would remain for ever in the ancestral castle: as every
+year she grew more disagreeable, the prospect did not afford him entire
+satisfaction.
+
+At length, however, appeared a very powerful Prince, who peremptorily
+demanded her hand. He was a big, strong man, and carried on his wooing
+in such a masterful manner that even Olga was a little afraid of him. At
+the same time he loaded her with jewels and beautiful presents of all
+kinds, brought from his own country. He was said to possess fabulous
+wealth; and, partly because she feared him, and partly because of her
+pride and ambition, haughty Olga surrendered and promised to become his
+wife. Having once gained her consent, Hazil would brook no delay.
+
+The date was immediately fixed, and the grandest possible preparations
+made for the wedding. No expense was spared, innumerable guests were
+invited, while those less favoured among the people came from far and
+near to see the bride's wedding clothes and to bring her presents.
+Indeed, the King of Ombrelande was forced to add a new suite of rooms to
+the castle to contain the wedding gifts and display them to the best
+advantage.
+
+Such a sight as the bridal train had never been seen before, for it was
+spangled all over with diamonds so closely that Olga when she moved
+looked like a living jewel--and her veil was sprinkled with diamond
+dust, which sparkled like myriads of tiny stars.
+
+The evening before the wedding day Olga sat alone in her chamber,
+thinking of the magnificence that awaited her, also a little of Hazil,
+the bridegroom. She had that day seen Hazil, in a passion, punish, with
+his own hands, a servant for disobedience, and the sight had displeased
+her. It had been an ugly and unpleasant exhibition, but worse than all,
+the sight of the poor man's wounds had recalled that livid mark across
+the fair cheek of Kasih which she herself had wrought. The boy's gentle
+face, which had become so stern when they parted, the laughing eyes of
+Kasukah, quite haunted her to-night. She thought she would like to make
+amends for her rudeness; if she knew where they were, she would ask
+brother and sister to her wedding. And just as she was so thinking, a
+soft tap sounded at the door, and before she could ask who was there
+(she thought it must surely be the Queen, her mother, come to bid her a
+last good-night, and felt rather displeased at the interruption) the
+door opened, and a stranger entered the room.
+
+Olga saw a tall figure, draped from head to foot in a soft darkness that
+shrouded her like a cloud, obscuring even her face.
+
+"Who are you?" said Olga, "and what do you want in my private
+apartments? Who dared admit you without my leave?"
+
+"I asked admittance of no one, for none can refuse me or bar my way,"
+answered the stranger, in a voice like the sighing of soft winds at
+night. "My name is Kasuhama--I am the foster-sister of Kasukah and
+Kasih, of whom you were just now thinking, and I come to bring you a
+wedding gift."
+
+She withdrew her veil slightly as she spoke, and Olga saw a pale,
+serene face, sorrowful in expression, and framed with snow-white hair,
+but yet bearing a likeness, that was like a memory, to Kasih and
+Kasukah.
+
+[Illustration: "I COME TO BRING YOU A WEDDING GIFT" (_p._ 286).]
+
+"I wish," said Olga petulantly, "that Kasih had brought it to-morrow and
+been present at our feast. I would have seen that he was properly
+attired for the occasion. Your sad face is hardly suitable for a
+wedding feast. Shall I ever see him again?"
+
+"As to that, I cannot answer," said Kasuhama gravely; "but your wedding
+is no place either for him or Kasukah. As for me--I go everywhere. I am
+older in appearance than the others, you see, though, in reality, it is
+not so. But that is because they have immortal souls and I have none.
+The time will come when I must bid them farewell. We but journey
+together for a time."
+
+The air of the room seemed to have become strangely chill and cold, and
+Olga shivered. "I am tired," she said, "and I wish to rest. Will you
+state your business and leave me?"
+
+Experience had made her less abruptly rude than when she dismissed Kasih
+in the wood; also this cold, pale, soulless woman struck her with
+something like awe.
+
+"Yes,--I will say farewell to you now. In the future you will know me
+better and perhaps learn not to fear me--but I will leave with you the
+present I came to bring."
+
+She held out a necklace of pearls more wonderful than even Olga had ever
+seen. They were large and round, lustrous and fair; but as Olga took
+them in her hands it seemed to her that, in their mysterious depths,
+each jewel held imprisoned a living soul.
+
+"Wear them," said Kasuhama; "by them you will remember me."
+
+Almost involuntarily Olga raised her hands and fastened the necklace
+around her slender throat. The clasps just met, and the pearls glistened
+like dewdrops on her bosom--or were they tears?
+
+But in the centre of the necklace was a vacant space.
+
+"There is one lost!" she said.
+
+"Not lost, but missing," answered Kasuhama softly. "One day the place
+will be filled, and the necklace will be complete." And with these words
+she waved her hand to Olga, and, drawing her dusky veil around her,
+quitted the room as quietly as she had entered.
+
+The ceremonies of the following day passed off without let or hindrance,
+and Olga, dazzled by her grandeur, would have thought little of her
+visitor of the previous night--would indeed have believed the incident a
+dream, a trick of the imagination--but for the necklace. It still
+encircled her throat, for her utmost efforts proved unavailing to
+unfasten the clasps, and every one stared and marvelled at the wonderful
+pearls which seemed endowed with a curious fascination.
+
+Only Prince Hazil was displeased; for he could not bear his bride to
+wear jewels not his gift, and that outshone by their lustre any he could
+produce; also, he was jealous of the unknown giver. When the wedding was
+over, and they were travelling away to the distant castle where the
+first weeks of Olga's new life were to be spent, he tried to take the
+jewels from their resting-place. Olga smiled, for she knew that even his
+great strength would be unavailing, and so it proved; and although on
+reaching their destination Hazil sent for all the Court jewellers,
+neither then nor at any other time could the most experienced among them
+loosen Kasuhama's magic gift from its place.
+
+The months rolled by, and Olga reigned a Queen in her husband's country,
+but her life was a sad one. Hazil was often cruel, and it seemed as
+though he were bent upon heaping upon her all the contumely and
+harshness she had shown to others. Still her proud spirit refused to
+yield. She met him with defiance in secret, and openly bore herself with
+so much cold haughtiness that no one dared to hint at her trouble, much
+less to offer her any sympathy.
+
+But when alone in her chamber she saw again the faces of Kasih and
+Kasukah; but more often that of Kasuhama. For the necklace was still
+there to remind her; the pearls still shone with mysterious, undimmed
+lustre; indeed, they seemed to grow more numerous, and to be woven into
+more delicate and intricate designs, as time went on. Still, however,
+the place for the central jewel remained unfilled. Often Olga herself
+tried with passionate, almost agonising, effort to break their fatal
+chain, for every day their weight grew heavier, until she seemed to bear
+fetters of iron about her fair throat, and when the pearls touched her
+they burned as though the iron were molten.
+
+Still, in public, they were universally admired, and gratified vanity
+enabled her to bear the pain and inconvenience without open complaint.
+
+But one day was placed in her arms another treasure--a beautiful living
+child, and she was so fair that they called her Pearl, but the Queen
+hated the name. The child, however, found a soft place in Hazil's rough
+nature; indeed, he idolised her; but Olga rarely saw her little
+daughter, and left her altogether to the care of the nurses and
+attendants.
+
+[Illustration: "HE TRIED TO TAKE THE JEWELS FROM THEIR RESTING-PLACE"
+(_p._ 289).]
+
+So little Pearl grew very fragile, and had a wistful look in her blue
+eyes, as though waiting for something that never came; for in her
+grand nurseries and among all her beautiful playthings she found no
+mother-love to perfect and nourish her life.
+
+And all this time Olga had seen no more of Kasih or Kasukah; had,
+indeed, almost forgotten what their faces were like. But one night, at
+the close of a grand entertainment, she was summoned in haste to the
+nursery. The Court physician came to tell her that little Pearl was ill.
+
+Olga was very weary. Never had the necklace seemed so heavy a burden as
+that night, or the Court functions so endless. She rose, however, and
+followed the physician at once. Hazil, the King, was far away, visiting
+a distant part of his great territory; he would be terribly angry if
+anything went wrong with little Pearl during his absence.
+
+She reached the room where the child lay on her lace-covered pillows,
+very white and small, but with a happy smile on her tiny face, a happy
+light in her blue eyes, which looked satisfied at last. But Olga knew
+that the smile was not for her, that the child did not recognise her,
+would never know her any more.
+
+Some one else stood beside the couch: a stranger with bent head and
+loving, out-stretched arms, and little Pearl prattled in baby language
+of playthings and flowers and sunlight and green fields. Olga drew near
+and watched, helpless and terrified, with a strange despair at her
+heart. And soon the little voice grew weaker--but the happy smile
+deepened as the blue eyes closed.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+And there was a great silence in the nursery. The stranger lifted the
+little form in his arms, and as he raised his head Olga saw his face,
+and she knew that it was Kasih come at last, for across his cheek still
+glowed the red line of the wound which her hand had dealt many years
+before. His eyes met hers with the same stern sadness of reproach as
+when they had parted--then she remembered no more.
+
+[Illustration: "THE STRANGER LIFTED THE LITTLE FORM IN HIS ARMS" (_p._
+292).]
+
+When the Queen recovered from her swoon they told her that her little
+daughter was dead; but she knew that Kasih had taken her. She said no
+word and showed few signs of grief, but remained outwardly proud and
+cold, though her heart was wrung with a pain and fear she could not
+understand. She was full of wrath against Kasih, who, she thought, had
+taken this way of avenging the old insult she had offered him. Yet the
+sorrowful look in his eyes haunted her.
+
+The pearls about her neck pressed upon her with a heavier weight, and in
+her sleep she saw them as in a vision, and in their depths she discerned
+strange pictures: faces she had known years ago and long since
+forgotten, the faces of those whom her pride and harshness had caused to
+suffer, who had appealed to her for love and pity and were denied.
+
+And then in her dream she understood that the pearls were in truth the
+tears of those she had made sorrowful, kept and guarded by Kasih in his
+treasure-house, but given to her by Kasuhama to be her punishment.
+
+Before many days had passed, the King Hazil returned, and when he
+learned that his little daughter was dead, he summoned the Queen to his
+presence. Olga went haughtily, for she dared not altogether disobey.
+Then Hazil loaded her with reproaches, and in his anger he told her
+many, many hard things, and the words sank deep into her heart. It
+seemed, presently, that she could bear no more, and hardly knowing what
+she did, she cast herself at his feet and prayed for mercy.
+
+She asked him to remember that the child had been hers also--that she
+had loved it. But Hazil, in his bitterness, laughed in her face and told
+her she was a monster, that it was for lack of her love that the child
+had died, that she had never loved anything--not even herself. He
+turned away to nurse his own grief, and Olga dragged herself up and went
+away to the silent room, and knelt by the little couch where she had
+seen Kasih take away her child.
+
+And there at length the blessed tears fell, for she was humbled at last,
+and sorry, and quite desolate and alone. And it seemed to her that
+through her tears she once more saw Kasih, and that he held towards her
+the little Pearl, more beautiful than ever, and the child put its arms
+about her neck, and she was comforted.
+
+Well, from that day the life of the Queen was changed. When next she
+looked at the pearl necklace she found that a jewel, more beautiful than
+any of the others, had been added to it; and she knew that the tear of
+her humiliation had filled the vacant place.
+
+And henceforth she often saw the face of Kasih: near the bed of the
+dying, beside all who needed consolation, kindness, and love, there she
+met him constantly. Near him sometimes she caught a glimpse of bright
+Kasukah, but for a while, more often of Kasuhama.
+
+The face of the white-haired sister, however, had grown very gentle and
+kind, and she whispered of a time when Kasukah should take her place for
+ever--for Love and Joy are eternal, but Sorrow has an end. And with
+every act of unselfish kindness and love that the Queen Olga performed
+the weight and burden of the necklace grew less, until the day that it
+fell from her of its own accord, and she was able to give it back to
+Kasuhama. And Hazil, the King, seeing how greatly Olga was changed, in
+time grew gentle towards her, and loved her; for Kasuhama softened his
+heart.
+
+
+
+
+The Prince and the Lions.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+THE PRINCE and THE LIONS.
+
+From the Persian.
+
+
+IN an Eastern city there once lived a young Prince named Azgid. He was
+virtuous and accomplished, but had one fault--he was a bit of a coward!
+
+Prince Azgid's father had recently died, and he was looking forward to
+his coronation. A few days before the day fixed for the ceremony, the
+old Vizier called upon the Prince and informed His Royal Highness that
+before he could ascend the throne he must in accordance with an ancient
+custom, fight a certain huge red lion which was kept in a den within the
+precincts of the palace.
+
+The Prince, upon hearing this, was so frightened that he made up his
+mind to run away. He rose in the night, dressed himself hastily,
+mounted his horse, and left the city. Thus he journeyed for three days.
+
+In the course of the third day, as he rode through a beautiful
+thickly-wooded country, he heard the sound of exquisite music, and
+presently overtook a handsome youth, who was leading a few sheep, and
+playing upon a flute.
+
+The young man having courteously saluted the stranger, Prince Azgid
+begged him to go on playing, for never in his life before, said the
+Prince, had he listened to such enchanting strains.
+
+The player then told Azgid that he was the slave of the wealthy shepherd
+named Oaxus, to whose abode, which was close at hand, he offered to
+conduct the traveller.
+
+The Prince gladly accepted this invitation, and in a few moments was
+entering the house of Oaxus, who accorded him a hearty welcome, and
+placed food and drink before him. When Azgid had finished his meal, he
+felt it incumbent upon him to make some sort of explanation to his host.
+
+"Doubtless," said he, "you wonder who I am, and what is my errand in
+coming hither? I can tell you this much--that I am a Prince whom trouble
+has driven from home. Pardon me if I do not divulge my name; that is a
+secret which must be securely locked within my own breast. If convenient
+to you, I would gladly remain in this delightsome spot. I have ample
+means, and can remunerate you for your kindness."
+
+Oaxus assured his guest that nothing would give him greater pleasure
+than to entertain him for as long a period as he cared to stay, and he
+begged him not to think of offering any remuneration.
+
+"And now, Isdril," added Oaxus, addressing his slave, "show the Prince
+our fountains and waterfalls, our rocks and vales, for I perceive that
+he is one who can appreciate Nature's beauties."
+
+The youth took up his flute and went out with the Prince.
+
+After wandering awhile amidst romantic scenery, the two young men sat
+down to rest upon a rock in a shady valley. The slave put his flute to
+his lips, and began to play. The prince loved music passionately, and
+the idea had already occurred to him that, if he ever left this fair
+retreat, he would like to purchase from Oaxus his accomplished slave.
+
+Suddenly Isdril broke the spell of the Prince's enjoyment by rising to
+his feet, with the words: "It is time for us to be going."
+
+"Wherefore?" queried the Prince. "Why should we quit this delicious spot
+so soon?"
+
+"Because," replied the other, "the neighbourhood is infested with lions.
+It is well, therefore, to retire early within our abodes, and close the
+gates. Upon one occasion I lagged behind, and see the consequence!"
+
+He rolled up his sleeve and revealed a big scar upon his arm. Azgid
+turned pale, and upon reaching the house, informed his host that he had
+changed his mind and found himself obliged to ride on farther. He
+thanked Oaxus, bade farewell to him and to Isdril, and galloped off.
+
+Again he journeyed for three days, and came to a vast desert, in the
+midst of which he beheld an Arab encampment.
+
+Thankfully he rode up to the black tents, for both he and his horse were
+worn out with hunger and fatigue.
+
+He was received by a dignified Sheik, to whom he made the same speech
+that he had addressed to the kindly Oaxus.
+
+Sheik Hajaar, like the shepherd, answered to the effect that he desired
+no other remuneration than the pleasure of the Prince's society, and
+that he should be delighted to keep his guest for ever, if so it might
+be. He introduced Azgid to a large number of his friends, and provided
+for his use a magnificent steed.
+
+A week passed. Day by day the Prince accompanied the Sheik in his
+antelope-hunting expeditions, which he enjoyed exceedingly. He quite
+thought that he was now happily settled for life, when one night, after
+he had retired to rest, Sheik Hajaar approached his couch, and said:
+
+"My son, I have come to tell you how pleased my people are with you,
+more especially with the spirit you have shown in the chase. But our
+life is not wholly taken up in such easy recreations; we frequently
+engage in hard fighting with other tribes. All my men are seasoned
+warriors, and before they can have perfect confidence in you it is
+necessary that they should have some proof of your prowess. Two leagues
+to the south is a range of hills infested with lions. Go, then, early in
+the morning, mounted upon your horse, and armed with sword and spear.
+Slay one of these fierce beasts and bring us his skin; so shall we know
+that we may rely upon you in the day of battle."
+
+[Illustration: "HE ROLLED UP HIS SLEEVE AND REVEALED A BIG SCAR" (_p._
+301).]
+
+When the Sheik had left him, Azgid rose, dressed himself, slipped
+quietly out of his tent, and bade a sorrowful, affectionate farewell to
+the horse which the Sheik had allowed him to use, now tethered with the
+others. Then he mounted his own steed, and rode forth into the night.
+
+By the middle of the next day, he was rejoiced to find that he was
+leaving the desert, and entering a fair region of hill and dale, meadows
+and streams. Soon he came to a splendid palace, built of porphyry, and
+standing in the midst of a magnificent garden.
+
+The owner of the palace, a rich Emir, was sitting in the porch, with his
+golden-haired daughter, Perizide.
+
+Here, again, the Prince was most kindly received. The interior of the
+building proved to be even more beautiful than the exterior. The rooms
+blazed with gold and precious stones; walls and ceilings were covered
+with valuable paintings; the windows were of the costliest stained
+glass. The Emir set before his guest a collection of delicate viands.
+
+The Prince made his accustomed speech, avowing his rank, but concealing
+his name. He added also his customary request, that he might be allowed
+to remain for a time in the house of his present entertainer.
+
+The Emir replied politely that the prince was heartily welcome to remain
+until the end of his life, if he chose to do so. Then he begged his
+guest to excuse him for a few minutes, as he was expecting some friends,
+and wished to make preparations for their reception.
+
+Thus Azgid was left alone with Perizide, with whom he was already in
+love. She took him into the garden, after exploring the beauties of
+which the pair returned to the house.
+
+The palace, now illuminated from top to bottom, was full of company.
+The evening passed merrily. Observing a lute which lay upon a couch, the
+music-loving young Prince begged Perizide to play to him. In the midst
+of his enjoyment, however, he was startled by a strange, loud sound, and
+asked his fair companion what it might be.
+
+"Oh!" replied she, with a laugh, "that is only Boulak, our black porter,
+indulging in a yawn."
+
+"Good gracious!" exclaimed Azgid; "what uncommonly good lungs he must
+have!"
+
+After the other guests had left, and Perizide had gone to bed, the Emir
+and the Prince chatted and smoked together for some time. By-and-by, the
+former offered to conduct the latter to his sleeping apartment. When
+they came to the foot of the grand staircase, which was of white marble,
+Azgid, looking up, was horrified to behold an enormous black lion
+stretched upon the topmost landing.
+
+"What is that?" faltered he.
+
+"That," returned his host, "is Boulak, our black porter. He is a tame
+lion, and will not harm you, if you are not afraid of him. He knows when
+any one fears him and then becomes ferocious."
+
+"I fear him greatly!" whispered the Prince.
+
+As he could not be persuaded to mount the stairs, he had to return to
+the saloon, and repose upon one of the divans.
+
+After the Emir had left him, Azgid carefully locked the door and
+fastened the windows. Then he lay down, but not to sleep. For he could
+hear the lion walking about, and once the beast actually came to the
+door, and uttering a terrific roar, sprang against it with his forepaws.
+
+The poor Prince made sure that the door would burst open, and that he
+should be devoured. Nothing of the kind happened, however. In a few
+moments Boulak went upstairs, and came down no more that night.
+
+Azgid lay thinking. Evidently he had flown in the face of Providence
+when he had fled from the lion at home. Since then, lions had met him at
+every turn. He resolved to submit to what was so clearly his destined
+duty--to return home and fulfil the condition required.
+
+In the morning, therefore, he told the Emir the whole truth. The kind
+old man had been acquainted with Azgid's father, the King Almamoun. He
+highly approved of the young man's resolution, and, with a parting
+blessing, sped him on his way. But the Prince had no opportunity of
+making his adieux to the fair Perizide.
+
+Then Azgid rode back to the Arab camp, and confessed all to the good
+Sheik Hajaar. He also inquired after the beautiful horse.
+
+"He is well," replied the other, "and I should be gratified if you could
+stay with us and use him again But it would be wrong to hinder you from
+your pious, undertaking. Return to your home, and do your duty like a
+man."
+
+Azgid next visited Oaxus, to whom, as to the others, he revealed his
+name and parentage, confessed his fault, and expressed his repentance.
+
+[Illustration: "I FEAR HIM GREATLY!" (_p._ 305).]
+
+"Go, my friend!" said the kindly shepherd, "and may Heaven give you
+strength to persevere in your laudable resolution!"
+
+"Farewell!" answered Azgid; "greet Isdril from me, and tell him that I
+hope some day to return and listen to his sweet music in spite of the
+lions."
+
+Without further interruption, the Prince rode straight home, and
+announced to the old Vizier his intention to fight the lion.
+
+The old man wept tears of joy at his Prince's return, and it was
+arranged that the combat should take place in a week's time.
+
+When the hour came, and the Prince entered the arena, the lion gave a
+loud roar, and approached his opponent slowly, with fierce looks. Azgid
+did not quail. With steady gaze he advanced, spear in hand. Suddenly the
+lion bounded forward, and, with another roar, sprang clean over the
+Prince's head. Then he ran joyously up to him, and began licking his
+hands with every demonstration of affection.
+
+The Vizier called out to the Prince that he had conquered, and bade him
+leave the arena. The lion followed like a dog.
+
+"As you now see, Prince Azgid," said the old Minister, "the lion is a
+tame one, and would injure no one. You, however, were ignorant of this
+fact, and have satisfactorily proved your courage and valour by your
+readiness to fight him. Now all will know that you are worthy to ascend
+the throne of your heroic ancestors."
+
+Two men--one old, the other very young--came forward to congratulate the
+Prince. They were Oaxus and Isdril.
+
+[Illustration: "With steady gaze he advanced, spear in hand." _page
+308_]
+
+"Prince Azgid," said the old shepherd, "as a memento of this happy day,
+allow me to make you a present." So saying, he pushed forward his slave,
+Isdril.
+
+[Illustration: "THE LION SPRANG CLEAN OVER THE PRINCE'S HEAD" (_p._
+308).]
+
+"I heartily thank you, Oaxus!" said the Prince, "and you, Isdril, are no
+longer a slave. From this moment you are free; but you shall be my
+companion, and delight me with your skill upon the flute."
+
+Presently another little group presented itself. It was composed of
+Sheik Hajaar, some of his Arabs, and the horse which the Prince had
+learned to love.
+
+"Azgid!" said the Sheik, "I congratulate you heartily, and beg your
+acceptance of this steed."
+
+The Prince thanked and embraced the Sheik, and kissed the beautiful
+creature, who returned his caresses.
+
+The Emir was the next person to appear upon the scene. He was surrounded
+by a brilliant retinue, with music and banners.
+
+"I have come to congratulate you," said he to the Prince. "I have
+brought you no present, but I and all my belongings are yours."
+
+"I am rejoiced to see you, noble Emir!" replied Azgid. "And how is your
+lovely daughter? As soon as I am crowned, I intend to set off at
+lightning speed to visit her!"
+
+"That will be needless," said the Emir; "come with me." And he led the
+young man to a veiled lady, who sat upon a white horse. It was Perizide!
+
+Then, by order of the Vizier, the whole procession wended its way
+towards the palace.
+
+Many thoughts and emotions stirred within the breast of the young
+Prince. "When I fled from duty," reflected he, "everything went against
+me; now that I have fulfilled it, fresh happiness meets me at every
+step."
+
+The coronation--and also a wedding--took place on the same day. Azgid
+and Perizide reigned long and happily. By the King's command, his
+adventures were recorded in the annals of the kingdom. And over the door
+of his palace were inscribed, in golden letters, these words: "_Never
+run from the lion._"
+
+
+    Printed by Hazell, Watson, & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury.
+
+
+
+
+THE FIFTY-TWO LIBRARY
+
+Edited by ALFRED H. MILES
+
+_In large crown 8vo, 400--500 pp., cloth, bevelled boards, richly gilt,
+gilt edges, well illustrated._
+
+=5s. each=
+
+The "Fifty-two Series" forms an excellent library of fiction for young
+people. The stories are by the best writers for boys and girls,
+including:
+
+  G. A. HENTY
+  W. CLARK RUSSELL
+  G. MANVILLE FENN
+  W. H. G. KINGSTON
+  R. M. BALLANTYNE
+  CAPTAIN MAYNE REID
+  GORDON STABLES, M.D., R.N.
+  ASCOTT HOPE
+  F. C. SELOUS
+  ROBERT CHAMBERS
+  R. E. FRANCILLON
+  DAVID KER
+  MRS. G. LINNĆUS BANKS
+  ROSA MULHOLLAND
+  ALICE CORKRAN
+  SARAH DOUDNEY
+
+and MANY OTHER WELL-KNOWN WRITERS.
+
+_The Guardian_ says: "Such volumes are invaluable for young people, and
+all thanks are due to those who have brought them within easy reach of
+every child in the three kingdoms."
+
+Over half a million volumes sold.
+
+The following are the volumes:
+
+  1. Fifty-two Stories for Boys.
+
+  2. Fifty-two Stories for Girls.
+
+  3. Fifty-two more Stories for Boys.
+
+  4. Fifty-two more Stories for Girls.
+
+  5. Fifty-two further Stories for Boys.
+
+  6. Fifty-two further Stories for Girls.
+
+  7. Fifty-two other Stories for Boys.
+
+  8. Fifty-two other Stories for Girls.
+
+  9. Fifty-two Fairy Tales.
+
+  10. Fifty-two Stories for Boyhood and Youth.
+
+  11. Fifty-two Stories for Girlhood and Youth.
+
+  12. Fifty-two Stories for Children.
+
+  13. Fifty-two Stories of Boy Life.
+
+  14. Fifty-two Stories of Girl Life.
+
+  15. Fifty-two Stories of Life and Adventure for Boys.
+
+  16. Fifty-two Stories of Life and Adventure for Girls.
+
+  17. Fifty-two Stories of the Indian Mutiny and the Men who saved India.
+  Edited by A. H. MILES and A. J. PATTLE.
+
+  18. Fifty-two Stories of Pluck and Peril for Boys.
+
+  19. Fifty-two Stories of Pluck, Peril, and Romance for Girls.
+
+  20. Fifty-two Stories of the British Navy.
+
+  21. Fifty-two Stories of Duty and Daring for Boys.
+
+  22. Fifty-two Stories of Duty and Daring for Girls.
+
+  23. Fifty-two Stories of the British Army.
+
+  24. Fifty-two Holiday Stories for Boys.
+
+  25. Fifty-two Holiday Stories for Girls.
+
+  26. Fifty-two Sunday Stories for Boys and Girls.
+
+  27. Fifty-two Stories of Heroism in Life and Action for Boys.
+
+  28. Fifty-two Stories of Heroism in Life and Action for Girls.
+
+  29. Fifty-two Stories of the Wide, Wide World.
+
+  30. Fifty-two Stirring Stories for Boys.
+
+  31. Fifty-two Stirring Stories for Girls.
+
+  32. Fifty-two Stories of the British Empire.
+
+  33. Fifty-two Stories of Courage and Endeavour for Boys.
+
+  34. Fifty-two Stories of Courage and Endeavour for Girls.
+
+  35. Fifty-two Stories of Greater Britain.
+
+  36. Fifty-two Stories of the Brave and True for Boys.
+
+  37. Fifty-two Stories of the Brave and True for Girls.
+
+  38. Fifty-two Stories for the Little Ones.
+
+  39. Fifty-two Stories of School Life and After for Boys.
+
+  40. Fifty-two Stories of School Life and After for Girls.
+
+  41. Fifty-two Stories of Animal Life and Adventure.
+
+  42. Fifty-two Stories of Grit and Character for Boys.
+
+  43. Fifty-two Stories of Grit and Character for Girls.
+
+  44. Fifty-two Stories of Wild Life, East and West.
+
+  45. Fifty-two Stories of Head, Heart, and Hand for Boys.
+
+  46. Fifty-two Stories of Head, Heart, and Hand for Girls.
+
+  47. Fifty-two Thrilling Stories of Life at Home and Abroad.
+
+  48. Fifty-two New Stories for Boys.
+
+  49. Fifty-two New Stories for Girls.
+
+  50. Fifty-two Pioneer Stories all round the Compass.
+
+  51. Fifty-two Excelsior Stories for Boys.
+
+  52. Fifty-two Excelsior Stories for Girls.
+
+
+
+
+List of corrections:
+
+  p. 160: "It inceased yet more" was changed to "It increased yet more."
+
+  p. 225: "made a despeate effort" was changed to "made a desperate
+  effort."
+
+  p. 250: "From it the the castle had received its name" was changed to
+  "From it the castle had received its name."
+
+
+Errata:
+
+Some chapter titles do not match exactly with the corresponding titles
+in the contents' page. The original wording has been retained.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Diamond Fairy Book, by Various
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+      The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Diamond Fairy Book, by Various.
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+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Diamond Fairy Book, by Various
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Diamond Fairy Book
+
+Author: Various
+
+Illustrator: Frank Pape
+             H. R. Millar
+
+Release Date: November 12, 2011 [EBook #37995]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DIAMOND FAIRY BOOK ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Edwards, Eleni Christofaki and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from images generously made available
+by The Internet Archive)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+<div class='tnote'>
+<h3>Transcriber's notes:</h3>
+
+<p>Some illustrations of this work have been moved from the original
+sequence to enable the contents to continue without interruption. Their page numbering remains unaltered and is placed within (brackets).
+Obvious punctuation errors have been silently repaired and hyphenation
+was normalised. A list of the corrections made can be found at the end of the book.</p></div>
+<hr class="l65" />
+<h1>THE DIAMOND FAIRY BOOK.</h1>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<p class="center"><i>UNIFORM WITH THIS VOLUME</i></p>
+<p><br /><br /></p>
+<p class="center">
+Each in square 8vo, richly bound in cloth gilt<br />
+and gilt edges, <b>3s. 6d.</b><br /></p>
+
+<p class="center"><b>THE RUBY FAIRY BOOK</b></p>
+<p class="center">With 8 beautiful coloured plates by Frank Papé and<br />
+77 drawings by H. R. Millar.<br /></p>
+
+<p class="center"><b>THE GOLDEN FAIRY BOOK</b></p>
+<p class="center">With 8 beautiful coloured plates by Frank Papé and<br />
+110 drawings by H. R. Millar.<br /></p>
+
+<p class="center"><b>THE SILVER FAIRY BOOK</b></p>
+<p class="center">With 8 beautiful coloured plates by Norman Little<br />
+and 83 illustrations by H. R. Millar.
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i001.jpg" width="50%" alt="Upon the back of his noble steed the Prince gallantly lifted
+his beautiful charge." title="Upon the back of his noble steed the Prince gallantly lifted
+his beautiful charge." />
+<p class="caption">&quot;Upon the back of his noble steed the Prince gallantly lifted
+his beautiful charge.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="small"><span class="smcap">Frontispiece.</span> <span style="margin-left: 70%"><i>page 273</i></span></p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i002.jpg" width="70%" alt="The Diamond Fairy Book" title="The Diamond Fairy Book" />
+</div>
+
+<p class="center">
+With 8 Coloured Plates by FRANK PAPÉ<br />
+and 82 Drawings by H. R. MILLAR</p>
+<p><br /><br /><br /></p>
+<p class="center">
+<span class="smcap">London</span><br />
+HUTCHINSON &amp; CO.<br />
+<span class="smcap">Paternoster Row</span>
+</p>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+
+<p class="center">
+PRINTED BY<br />
+HAZELL, WATSON AND VINEY, LD.,<br />
+LONDON AND AYLESBURY.
+</p>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<h2>CONTENTS.</h2>
+
+<table summary="contents">
+<tr><td>&nbsp;</td><td class="right">
+PAGE</td></tr>
+<tr><td><span class="smcap"><a href="#Princess_Crystal_or_the_Hidden_Treasure">Princess Crystal, or the Hidden Treasure</a></span></td>
+<td class="right">1</td> </tr>
+<tr><td class="in"><i>By Isabel Bellerby.</i></td></tr>
+<tr>
+<td><span class="smcap"><a href="#The_Story_of_the_Invisible_Kingdom">The Story of the Invisible Kingdom</a></span></td>
+<td class="right">15</td></tr>
+<tr><td class="in"><i>From the German of Richard Leander.</i></td></tr>
+<tr><td><span class="smcap"><a href="#How_Sampo_Lappelill_saw_the">How Sampo Lappelill saw the Mountain King</a></span></td>
+<td class="right">35</td></tr>
+<tr><td class="in"><i>From the Swedish of Z. Topelius.</i></td></tr>
+<tr>
+<td><span class="smcap"><a href="#The_Witch-Dancers_Doom">The Witch-Dancer's Doom</a></span></td>
+<td class="right">51</td></tr>
+<tr><td class="in"><i>A Breton Legend.</i></td></tr>
+<tr>
+<td><span class="smcap"><a href="#The_Three_Valleys">The Three Valleys</a></span></td>
+<td class="right">61</td></tr>
+<tr><td class="in"><i>From the German.</i></td></tr>
+<tr>
+<td><span class="smcap"><a href="#The_Springtide_of_Love">The Spring-tide of Love</a></span></td>
+<td class="right">77</td></tr>
+<tr><td class="in"><i>By Pleydell North (Mrs. Egerton Eastwick).</i></td></tr>
+<tr>
+<td><span class="smcap"><a href="#Ringfalla_Bridge">Ringfalla Bridge</a></span></td>
+<td class="right">97</td></tr>
+<tr><td class="in"><i>By K. E. Sutter.</i></td></tr>
+<tr>
+<td><span class="smcap"><a href="#The_Childrens_Fairy">The Children's Fairy</a></span></td>
+<td class="right">113</td></tr>
+<tr><td class="in"><i>From the French of Saint-Juirs.</i></td></tr>
+<tr>
+<td><span class="smcap"><a href="#Wittysplinter">Wittysplinter</a></span></td>
+<td class="right">127</td> </tr>
+<tr><td class="in"><i>From the German of Clemens Brentano.</i></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td><span class="smcap"><a href="#The_Mid-day_Rock">The Mid-day Rock</a></span></td>
+<td class="right">143</td></tr>
+<tr><td class="in"><i>From the French of J. Jarry.</i></td> </tr>
+
+<tr><td><span class="smcap"><a href="#Lillekort">Lillekort</a></span></td>
+<td class="right">157</td> </tr>
+<tr><td class="in"><i>From the French of Xavier Marmier.</i></td> </tr>
+
+<tr><td><span class="smcap"><a href="#The_Ten_Little_Fairies">The Ten Little Fairies</a></span></td>
+<td class="right">169</td> </tr>
+<tr><td class="in"><i>From the French of Georges Mitchell.</i></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td><span class="smcap"><a href="#The_Magician_and_his_Pupil">The Magician and his Pupil</a></span></td>
+<td class="right">185</td> </tr>
+<tr><td class="in"><i>From the German of A. Godin.</i></td> </tr>
+
+<tr><td><span class="smcap"><a href="#The_Strawberry_Thief">The Strawberry Thief</a></span></td>
+<td class="right">201</td> </tr>
+<tr><td class="in"><i>From the German of Pauline Schanz.</i></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td><span class="smcap"><a href="#The_Adventures_of_Said">The Adventures of Said</a></span></td>
+<td class="right">217</td> </tr>
+<tr><td class="in"><i>From the German of W. Hauff.</i></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td><span class="smcap"><a href="#Little_Blue_Flower">Little Blue Flower</a></span></td>
+<td class="right">241</td> </tr>
+<tr><td class="in"><i>From the German of Miss F. E. Hynam.</i></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td>"<span class="smcap"><a href="#The_Princess_Who_Despised_all_Men">The Princess Who Despised all Men</a></span>"</td>
+<td class="right">257</td></tr>
+<tr><td class="in"><i>By Charles Smith Cheltnam.</i></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td><span class="smcap"><a href="#The_Necklace_of_Tears">The Necklace of Tears</a></span></td>
+<td class="right">277</td></tr>
+<tr><td class="in"><i>By Mrs. Egerton Eastwick.</i></td></tr>
+
+<tr><td><span class="smcap"><a href="#The_Prince_and_the_Lions">The Prince and the Lions</a></span></td>
+<td class="right">297</td></tr>
+<tr><td class="in"><i>From the Persian.</i></td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<h2><a name="Princess_Crystal_or_the_Hidden_Treasure" id="Princess_Crystal_or_the_Hidden_Treasure"></a>Princess Crystal, or the Hidden Treasure.</h2>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i003.jpg" width="70%" alt="Princess Crystal or the Hidden Treasure. A story by Isabell Bellerby." title="Princess Crystal or the Hidden Treasure. A story by Isabell Bellerby." />
+</div>
+
+<p class="initialMarginTop first">THERE were the four Kings: the King of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">3</a></span>
+North, the region of perpetual snow; the King
+of the South, where the sun shines all the year
+round; the King of the East, from whence the cold
+winds blow; and the King of the West, where the gentle
+zephyrs breathe upon the flowers, and coax them to
+open their petals while the rest of the world is still
+sleeping.</p>
+
+<p class="in">And there was the great Dragon, who lived on top of
+a high mountain in the centre of the universe. He could
+see everything that happened everywhere by means of
+his magic spectacles, which enabled him to look all ways
+at once, and to see through solid substances; but he could
+only see, not hear, for he was as deaf as a post.</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">4</a></span>Now the King of the North had a beautiful daughter
+called Crystal. Her eyes were bright like the stars; her
+hair was black like the sky at night; and her skin was as
+white as the snow which covered the ground outside the
+palace where she lived, which was built entirely of crystals
+clear as the clearest glass.</p>
+
+<p class="in">And the King of the South had a son who had been
+named Sunshine on account of his brightness and warmth
+of heart.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The King of the East had a son who, because he was
+always up early and was very industrious, had been given
+the name of Sunrise.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The King of the West also had a son, perhaps
+the handsomest of the three, and always magnificently
+dressed; but as it took him all day to make his toilette,
+so that he was never seen before evening, he received
+the name of Sunset.</p>
+
+<p class="in">All three Princes were in love with the Princess
+Crystal, each hoping to win her for his bride. When
+they had the chance they would go and peep at her as
+she wandered up and down in her glass palace. But
+she liked Prince Sunshine best, because he stayed longer
+than the others, and was always such excellent company.
+Prince Sunrise was too busy to be able to spare her
+more than half an hour or so; and Prince Sunset never
+came until she was getting too tired and sleepy to care
+to see him.</p>
+
+<p class="in">It was of no use, however, for her to hope that Sunshine
+would be her husband just because she happened
+to prefer him to the others. Her father&mdash;the stern,
+blusterous old King, with a beard made of icicles so
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">5</a></span>long that it reached to his waist and kept his heart
+cold&mdash;declared that he had no patience for such nonsense
+as likes and dislikes; and one day he announced,
+far and wide, in a voice that was heard by the other
+three Kings, and which made the earth shake so that
+the great green Dragon immediately looked through
+his spectacles to see what was happening:</p>
+
+<p class="in">"He who would win my daughter must first bring
+me the casket containing the Hidden Treasure, which
+is concealed no man knows where!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">Of course the Dragon was none the wiser for looking
+through his spectacles, because the words&mdash;loud though
+they were&mdash;could not be heard by his deaf ears.</p>
+
+<p class="in">But the other Kings listened diligently; as did the
+young Princes. And poor Princess Crystal trembled in
+her beautiful palace lest Sunrise, who was always up so
+early, should find the treasure before Sunshine had a
+chance: she was not much afraid of the indolent Sunset,
+except that it might occur to him to look in some spot
+forgotten by his rivals.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Very early indeed on the following morning did
+Prince Sunrise set to work; he glided along the surface
+of the earth, keeping close to the ground in his anxiety
+not to miss a single square inch. He knew he was
+not first in the field; for the Northern King's proclamation
+had been made towards evening on the previous
+day, and Prince Sunset had bestirred himself for once,
+and had lingered about rather later than usual, being
+desirous of finding the treasure and winning the charming
+Princess.</p>
+
+<p class="in">But the early morning was passing, and very soon
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">6</a></span>the cheery, indefatigable Sunshine had possession of the
+entire land, and flooded Crystal's palace with a look
+from his loving eyes which bade her not despair.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Then he talked to the trees and the green fields and
+the flowers, begging them to give up the secret in return
+for the warmth and gladness he shed so freely on
+them. But they were silent, except that the trees
+sighed their sorrow at not being able to help him, and
+the long grasses rustled a whispered regret, and the
+flowers bowed their heads in grief.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Not discouraged, however, Prince Sunshine went to
+the brooks and rivers, and asked their assistance. But
+they, too, were helpless. The brooks gurgled out great
+tears of woe, which rushed down to the rivers, and so
+overcame them&mdash;sorry as they were on account of their
+own inability to help&mdash;that they nearly overflowed their
+banks, and went tumbling into the sea, who, of course,
+wanted to know what was the matter; but, when told,
+all the sea could do was to thunder a loud and continuous
+"No!" on all its beaches. So Prince Sunshine
+had to pass on and seek help elsewhere.</p>
+
+<p class="in">He tried to make the great Dragon understand; but
+it could not hear him. Other animals could, though,
+and he went from one to another, as cheerful as ever,
+in spite of all the "Noes" he had met with; until, at
+last, he knew by the twittering of the birds that he
+was going to be successful.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">7</a></span>
+<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="50%" alt="My robe is of snow" title="My robe is of snow" />
+<p class="caption">"'MY ROBE IS OF SNOW,' SHE FALTERED" (<i>p.</i> 8).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">"We go everywhere and learn most things," said the
+swallows, flying up and down in the air, full of excitement
+and joy at being able to reward their beloved
+Sunshine for all his kindness to them. "And we know
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">8</a></span>this much, at any rate: the Hidden Treasure can only
+be found by him who looks at its hiding-place through
+the Dragon's magic spectacles."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Prince Sunshine exclaimed that he would go at once
+and borrow these wonderful spectacles; but a solemn-looking
+old owl spoke up:</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Be not in such a hurry, most noble Prince! The
+Dragon will slay any one&mdash;even so exalted a personage
+as yourself&mdash;who attempts to remove those spectacles
+while he is awake; and, as is well known, he never
+allows himself to sleep, for fear of losing some important
+sight."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Then what is to be done?" asked the Prince, beginning
+to grow impatient at last, for the afternoon
+was now well advanced, and Prince Sunset would soon
+be on the war-path again.</p>
+
+<p class="in">A majestic eagle came swooping down from the
+clouds.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"There is only one thing in all the world," said he,
+"which can send the Dragon to sleep, and that is a
+caress from the hand of the Princess Crystal."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Sunshine waited to hear no more. Smiling his thanks,
+he hastened away to put his dear Crystal's love to the
+test. She had never yet ventured outside the covered
+gardens of her palace. Would she go with him now,
+and approach the great Dragon, and soothe its savage
+watchfulness into the necessary repose?</p>
+
+<p class="in">As he made the request, there stole into the Princess's
+cheeks the first faint tinge of colour that had ever
+been seen there.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">9</a></span>
+<img src="images/i005.jpg" width="50%"  alt="He learned the secret at once" title="He learned the secret at once" />
+<p class="caption">"HE LEARNED THE SECRET AT ONCE" (<i>p.</i> 11).</p></div>
+<p class="in">"My robe is of snow," she faltered; "if I go outside
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">10</a></span>these crystal walls into your radiant presence it will
+surely melt."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"You look as if you yourself would melt at my first
+caress, you beautiful, living snowflake," replied the
+Prince; "but have no fear: see, I have my own mantle
+ready to enfold you. Come, Princess, and trust yourself
+to me."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Then, for the first time in her life, Princess Crystal
+stole out of her palace, and was immediately wrapped
+in Prince Sunshine's warm mantle, which caused her
+to glow all over; her face grew quite rosy, and she
+looked more than usually lovely, so that the Prince
+longed to kiss her; but she was not won yet, and she
+might have been offended at his taking such a liberty.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Therefore, he had to be content to have her beside
+him in his golden chariot with the fiery horses, which
+flew through space so quickly that they soon stood on
+the high mountain, where the Dragon sat watching
+them through his spectacles, wondering what the Princess
+was doing so far from home, and what her father would
+think if he discovered her absence.</p>
+
+<p class="in">It was no use explaining matters to the Dragon,
+even had they wished to do so; but of course nothing
+was further from their intention.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Holding Prince Sunshine's hand to give her courage,
+the Princess approached the huge beast and timidly
+laid her fingers on his head.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"This is very nice and soothing," thought the Dragon,
+licking his lips; "very kind of her to come, I'm sure;
+but&mdash;dear me!&mdash;this won't do! I'm actually&mdash;going&mdash;to&mdash;sleep!"</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">11</a></span>He tried to rise, but the gentle hand prevented that.
+A sensation of drowsiness stole through all his veins,
+which would have been delightful but for his determination
+never to sleep. As it was, he opened his
+mouth to give a hiss that would surely have frightened
+the poor Princess out of her wits; but he fell asleep
+before he could so much as begin it; his mouth remained
+wide open; but his eyes closed, and his great
+head began to nod in a very funny manner.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Directly they were satisfied that he really slept,
+Prince Sunshine helped himself to the Dragon's spectacles,
+requesting the Princess not to remove her hand, lest
+the slumber should not last long enough for their
+purpose.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Then he put on the spectacles, and Princess Crystal
+exclaimed with fear and horror when&mdash;as though in
+result of his doing so&mdash;she saw her beloved Prince
+plunge his right hand into the Dragon's mouth.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Prince Sunshine had stood facing the huge beast
+as he transferred the spectacles to his own nose, and,
+naturally enough, the first thing he saw through them
+was the interior of the Dragon's mouth, with the tongue
+raised and shot forward in readiness for the hiss which
+sleep had intercepted; and under the tongue was the
+golden casket containing the Hidden Treasure!</p>
+
+<p class="in">The spectacles enabled the Prince to see through
+the cover; so he learned the secret at once, and knew
+why the King of the North was so anxious to possess
+himself of it, the great treasure being a pair of spectacles
+exactly like those hitherto always worn by the Dragon,
+and by him alone&mdash;which would keep the King
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">12</a></span>informed of all that was going on in every corner of
+his kingdom, so that he could always punish or reward
+the right people and never make mistakes; also
+he could learn a great deal of his neighbours' affairs,
+which is pleasant even to a King.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The Princess was overjoyed when she knew the
+casket was already found; she very nearly removed
+her hand in her eagerness to inspect it; but, fortunately,
+she remembered just in time, and kept quite still until
+Prince Sunshine had drawn his chariot so close that
+they could both get into it without moving out of
+reach of the Dragon's head.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Then, placing the spectacles, not in their accustomed
+place, but on the ground just beneath, and laying the
+golden casket on the Princess's lap, the Prince said,
+as he gathered up the reins:</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Now, my dearly beloved Crystal&mdash;really mine at
+last&mdash;take away your hand, and let us fly, without an
+instant's delay, to the Court of the King, your royal
+father."</p>
+
+<p class="in">It is well they had prepared for immediate departure.
+Directly the Princess's hand was raised from the Dragon's
+head his senses returned to him, and, finding his mouth
+open ready for hissing, he hissed with all his angry
+might, and looked about for his spectacles that he
+might pursue and slay those who had robbed him; for,
+of course, he missed the casket at once.</p>
+
+<p class="in">But he was a prisoner on that mountain and unable
+to leave it, though he flapped his great wings in terrible
+wrath when he saw the Prince and Princess, instead
+of driving down the miles and miles of mountain side
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">13</a></span>as he had hoped, being carried by the fiery horses
+right through the air, where he could not reach them.</p>
+
+<p class="in">They only laughed when they heard the hiss and
+the noise made by the useless flapping of wings.
+Prince Sunshine urged on his willing steeds, and they
+arrived at the Court just as the King, Crystal's father,
+was going to dinner; and he was so delighted at
+having the treasure he had so long coveted, that he
+ordered the marriage to take place at once.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Prince Sunset called just in time to be best man,
+looking exceedingly gorgeous and handsome, though
+very disappointed to have lost the Princess; and the
+festivities were kept up all night, so that Prince Sunrise
+was able to offer his good wishes when he came
+early in the morning, flushed with the haste he had
+made to assure Prince Sunshine that he bore him no
+ill-will for having carried off the prize.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Princess Crystal never returned to her palace, except
+to peep at it occasionally. She liked going everywhere
+with her husband, who, she found, lived by no means
+an idle life, but went about doing good&mdash;grumbled at
+sometimes, of course, for some people will grumble
+even at their best friend&mdash;but more generally loved
+and blessed by all who knew him.</p>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<h2><a name="The_Story_of_the_Invisible_Kingdom" id="The_Story_of_the_Invisible_Kingdom"></a>The Story of the Invisible Kingdom.</h2>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0061.jpg" width="70%" alt="The Story of an Invisible Kingdom. From the German of Richard Leander."
+title="The Story of an Invisible Kingdom. From the German of Richard Leander." />
+</div>
+
+<p class="initialMarginTop">IN a little house half-way up the mountain-side, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">17</a></span>
+about a mile from the other houses of the village,
+there lived with his old father a young man called
+George. There was just enough land belonging to the
+house to enable the father and son to live free from
+care.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Immediately behind the house the wood began, the
+oak trees and beech trees in which were so old that
+the grandchildren of the people who had planted them
+had been dead for more than a hundred years, but in
+front of the house there lay a broken old mill-stone&mdash;who
+knows how it got there? Any one sitting on the
+stone would have a wonderful view of the valley down
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">18</a></span>below, with the river flowing through it, and of the
+mountains rising on the other side of the river. In the
+evening, when he had finished his work in the fields,
+George often sat here for hours at a time dreaming,
+with his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands;
+and because he cared little for the villagers, but generally
+went about silent and absorbed like one who is thinking
+of all sorts of things, the people nicknamed him "George
+the Dreamer." But he did not mind it at all.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The older he grew, the more silent he became, and
+when at last his old father died, and he had buried
+him under a great old oak tree, he became quite silent.
+Then, when he sat on the broken mill-stone, as he did
+more often than before, and looked down into the lovely
+valley, and saw how the evening mists came into the
+valley at one end and slowly climbed the mountains,
+and how it then became darker and darker, until at
+last the moon and the stars appeared in the sky in
+their full glory, a wonderful feeling came into his heart.
+The waves of the river began to sing, quite softly at
+first, but gradually louder, until they could be heard
+quite plainly; and they sang of the mountains, down
+from which they had come, and of the sea, to which
+they wished to go, and of the nixies who lived far
+down at the bottom of the river. Then the forest began
+to rustle, quite differently from an ordinary forest, and
+it used to relate the most wonderful tales. The old
+oak tree especially, which stood at his father's grave,
+knew far more than all the other trees. The stars, high
+up in the sky, wanted so much to tumble down into the
+green forest and the blue water, that they twinkled and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">20</a></span>sparkled as if they could not bear it any longer. But
+the angels who stand behind the stars held them firmly
+in their places, and said: "Stars, stars, don't be foolish!
+You are much too old to do silly things&mdash;many thousand
+years old, and more. Stay quietly in your places."</p>
+<div class="figcenter"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">(19)</a></span>
+<img src="images/i0071.jpg" width="50%" alt="In the swing sat a charming princess" title="In the swing sat a charming princess" />
+
+<p class="caption">"IN THE SWING SAT A CHARMING PRINCESS" (<i>p.</i> 20).</p></div>
+
+<p class="in">It was truly a wonderful valley! But it was only
+George the Dreamer who heard and saw all that. The
+people who lived in the valley had not a suspicion of
+it, for they were quite ordinary people. Now and then
+they hewed down a huge old tree, cut it up into firewood,
+and made a high stack, and then they said: "Now
+we shall be able to make our coffee again for some
+time." In the river they washed their clothes; it was
+very convenient. And even when the stars sparkled
+most beautifully, they only said, "It will be very cold
+to-night: let us hope our potatoes won't freeze." Once
+George the Dreamer tried to bring them to see differently,
+but they only laughed at him. They were just quite
+ordinary people.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Now, one day as he was sitting on the mill-stone and
+thinking that he was quite alone in the world, he fell
+asleep. Then he dreamt that he saw, hanging down
+from the sky, a golden swing, which was fastened to
+two stars by silver ropes. In the swing sat a charming
+Princess, who was swinging so high that each time she
+touched the sky, then the earth, and then the sky again.
+Each time the swing came near the earth, the Princess
+clapped her hands with joy and threw George the
+Dreamer a rose. But suddenly the ropes broke, and
+the swing, with the Princess, flew far into the sky, farther
+and farther, until at last he could see it no longer.</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">21</a></span>Then he woke up, and when he looked round, he saw
+a great bunch of roses lying beside him on the mill-stone.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The next day he went to sleep again, and dreamt
+the same thing, and when he woke up the roses were
+lying on the stone by his side.</p>
+
+<p class="in">This happened every day for a whole week. Then
+George said to himself that some part of the dream
+must be true, because he always dreamt exactly the
+same thing. So he shut up his house, and set out to
+seek the Princess.</p>
+
+<p class="in">After he had travelled for many days, he saw in the
+distance a country where the clouds touched the earth.
+He hastened towards it, but came, on his way, to a large
+forest. Here he suddenly heard fearful groans and cries,
+and on approaching the place from which they seemed
+to come, he saw a venerable old man with a silver-grey
+beard lying on the ground. Two horribly ugly, naked
+fellows were kneeling on him, trying to strangle him.
+Then George the Dreamer looked round to see whether
+he could find some sort of weapon with which to run
+the two fellows through the body; but he could find
+nothing, so, in mortal terror, he tore down a huge tree-trunk.
+He had scarcely seized it when it changed in
+his hands into a mighty halberd. Then he rushed at
+the two monsters, and ran them through the body, and
+they let go the old man and ran away howling.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Then George lifted the old man up and comforted
+him, and asked him why the two fellows had wanted
+to choke him. The old man said that he was the King
+of Dreams, and had come by mistake into the kingdom
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">22</a></span>of his greatest enemy, the King of Realities. The latter,
+as soon as he noticed this, had sent two of his servants
+to lie in wait for him and kill him.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Have you then done the King of Realities any
+harm?" asked George the Dreamer.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"God forbid!" the old man assured him. "He is
+always very easily provoked, that is his character. And
+me he hates like poison."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"But the fellows he sent to strangle you were quite
+naked!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Yes, indeed," said the King, "stark naked. That is
+fashion in the land of Realities; all the people, even the
+King, go about naked, and are not at all ashamed. They
+are an abominable nation. But now, since you have
+saved my life, I will prove my gratitude to you by
+showing you my country. It is the most glorious country
+in the whole world, and Dreams are my subjects."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Then the Dream-King went on in front and George
+followed him. When they came to the place where the
+clouds touched the earth, the King showed him a trap-door
+that was so well hidden in the thicket that not
+even a person who knew it was there would have been
+able to find it. He lifted it up and led his companion
+down five hundred steps into a brightly lighted grotto
+that stretched for miles in undiminished splendour. It
+was unspeakably beautiful. There were castles on islands
+in the midst of large lakes, and the islands floated about
+like ships. If you wished to go into one of them, all
+you had to do was to stand on the bank and call out:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Little castle, swim to me,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">That I may get into thee.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+<div class="figcenter"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">23</a></span>
+<img src="images/i0081.jpg" width="45%" alt="George could do nothing but wonder and admire" title="George could do nothing but wonder and admire" />
+<p class="caption">"GEORGE COULD DO NOTHING BUT WONDER AND ADMIRE" (<i>p.</i> 24).</p>
+</div>
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">24</a></span>Then it came to the shore by itself. Farther on were
+other castles, on clouds, floating slowly in the air. But
+if you said:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Float down, little castle in the air,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Take me up to see thy beauties rare,<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p class="in">they slowly floated down. Besides these, there were
+gardens with flowers which gave out a sweet smell by
+day, and a bright light by night; beautifully tinted birds,
+which told stories; and a host of other wonderful things.
+George could do nothing but wonder and admire.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Now I will show you my subjects, the Dreams,"
+said the King. "I have three kinds&mdash;good Dreams
+for good people, bad Dreams for bad people, and also
+Dream-goblins. With the last I amuse myself now and
+then, for a King must sometimes have a joke."</p>
+
+<p class="in">So he took George into one of the castles, which
+was so queerly built that it looked irresistibly comical.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Here the Dream-goblins live: they are a tiny, high-spirited,
+roguish lot&mdash;never do any harm, but love to
+tease." Then he called to one of the goblins: "Come
+here, little man, and be serious a moment for once in
+your life. Do you know," he continued, addressing
+George, "what this rogue does if I, once in a way,
+allow him to go down to the earth? He runs to the
+next house, drags the first man he comes across, who
+is sound asleep, out of bed, carries him to the church
+tower, and throws him down, head over heels. Then
+he rushes down the stairs so as to reach the bottom
+first, catches the man, carries him home, and flings him
+so roughly into bed that the bedstead creaks horribly.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">25</a></span>Then the man wakes up, rubs the sleep out of his
+eyes, and says: 'Dear me! I thought I was falling
+from the church tower. What a good thing it was
+only a dream.'"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Is that the one?" cried George. "Look here, he
+has been to me before; but if he comes again, and I
+catch him, it will be the worse for him." He had
+scarcely finished speaking when another goblin sprang
+out from under the table. He looked like a little dog,
+for he had a very ragged waistcoat on, and he let his
+tongue hang out of his mouth.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"He is not much better," said the King. "He barks
+like a dog, and is as strong as a giant. When people
+in their dreams are frightened at something, he holds
+their hands and feet so that they cannot move."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I know him, too," interrupted George. "When you
+want to run away, you feel as stiff and stark as a piece
+of wood. If you want to move your arms or your
+legs, you can't do it. But often it is not a dog, but a
+bear, or a robber, or some other horrid thing."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I will never allow them to come to you again,
+George the Dreamer," the King assured him. "Now
+come and see the bad Dreams. But don't be afraid,
+they won't do you any harm&mdash;they are only for bad
+people."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Then they passed through a great iron door into a
+vast space, inclosed by a high wall. Here the most
+terrible shapes and most horrible monsters were crowded
+together; some looked like men, others like animals,
+others were half men and half animals. George was
+terrified, and made his way back to the iron door. But
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">26</a></span>the King spoke kindly to him, and persuaded him to
+see more closely what wicked people have to dream.
+Beckoning to a Dream that stood near&mdash;a hideous
+giant, with a mill-wheel under each arm&mdash;he commanded
+him to tell them what he was going to do that night.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Then the monster raised his shoulders, wriggled about
+with joy, grinned until his mouth met his ears, and
+said: "I am going to the rich man, who has let his
+father starve. One day, when the old man was sitting
+on the stone steps before his son's house, begging for
+bread, the son came and said to the servants: 'Drive
+away that fellow.' So I go to him at night and pass
+him through my mill-wheels, until all his bones are
+broken into tiny pieces. When he is properly soft and
+quivering, I take him by the collar and shake him and
+say, 'See how you tremble now, you fellow!' Then
+he wakes up with his teeth chattering, and calls to his
+wife to bring him another blanket, for he is freezing.
+And when he has fallen asleep once more, I begin it
+all again."</p>
+
+<p class="in">When George the Dreamer heard this, he rushed out
+through the door, dragging the King after him, and
+crying out that he would not stay a moment longer
+with the bad Dreams. They were too horrible!</p>
+
+<p class="in">The King next led him into a lovely garden where
+the paths were of silver, the beds of gold, and the flowers,
+beautifully cut precious stones. Here the good Dreams
+were walking up and down. The first he saw was a
+pale young woman, with a Noah's Ark under one arm,
+and a box of bricks under the other.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Who is that?" asked the Dreamer.</p>
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0091.jpg" width="50%" alt="George cried out that he would not stay a moment longer" title="George cried out that he would not stay a moment longer" />
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">27</a></span>
+<p class="caption"> "GEORGE CRIED OUT THAT HE WOULD NOT STAY A MOMENT
+LONGER" (<i>p.</i> 26).</p></div>
+
+<p class="in">"She goes every evening to a little sick boy, whose
+mother is dead. He is quite alone all day, and no one
+troubles about him, but towards evening she goes to
+him, plays with him, and stays the whole night. She
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">28</a></span>goes early, because he goes to sleep early. The other
+Dreams go much later. Let us proceed; if you want
+to see everything, we must make haste."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Then they went farther into the garden, into the
+midst of the good Dreams. There were men, women,
+old men, and children, all with dear, good faces, and
+most beautifully dressed. Many of them were carrying
+all sorts of things: everything that the heart can possibly
+wish for. Suddenly George stood still and cried out so
+loudly that all the Dreams turned round to look.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"What is the matter?" said the King.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"There is my Princess&mdash;she who has so often appeared
+to me, and who gave me the roses," George the Dreamer
+answered, in an ecstasy.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Certainly, certainly, it is she," said the King. "Have
+I not sent you a very pretty Dream? It is almost the
+prettiest I have."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Then George ran up to the Princess, who was sitting
+swinging in her little golden swing. As soon as she
+saw him coming she sprang down into his arms. But
+he took her by the hand and led her to a golden bench,
+on which they both sat down, telling one another how
+sweet it was to meet again! And when they had
+finished saying so, they began again. The King of
+Dreams meanwhile walked up and down the broad path
+which goes straight through the garden, with his hands
+behind his back. Now and then he took out his watch,
+to see how the time was getting on; for George the
+Dreamer and the Princess never came to an end of
+what they had to say to one another. At length he
+went to them, and said:</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">29</a></span>"That's enough, children. You, Dreamer, are far from
+your home, and I cannot keep you here over-night, for
+I have no beds. You see, the Dreams never sleep, but
+have to go up every night to men on the earth. And
+you, Princess, must make yourself ready; dress yourself
+all in pink, and then come to me, so that I may tell
+you to whom you must appear to-night, and what you
+must say."</p>
+
+<p class="in">When George the Dreamer heard this, he felt more
+courageous than ever before in his life. Standing up,
+he said firmly: "My lord the King, I will never more
+leave my Princess. You must either keep me here below
+or let her go up with me to the earth: I love her much
+too much to live without her." Then a tear big as a
+hazel-nut came into each of his eyes.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"But George, George," answered the King, "it is the
+prettiest dream I have. Still, you saved my life; so
+have your own way; take your Princess up with you.
+But as soon as you have got on to the earth take
+off her silver veil, and throw it down to me through
+the trap-door. Then she will be of flesh and blood
+like every other child of man; now she is only a
+Dream."</p>
+
+<p class="in">George the Dreamer thanked the King most heartily,
+and then said: "Dear King, because you are so very
+good I should like to ask for one thing more. I have
+a Princess now&mdash;but no kingdom. A Princess without
+a kingdom is impossible. Cannot you get me one, if
+it is only a small one?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">Then the King answered: "I have no visible kingdoms
+to give away, Dreamer, only invisible ones; one of the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">30</a></span>latter you shall have, one of the biggest and best that
+I possess."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Then George asked what invisible kingdoms were
+like. The King told him he would find that out, and
+would be amazed at their beauty and magnificence.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"You see," he said, "it is often very unpleasant to
+have anything to do with ordinary, visible kingdoms.
+For example: suppose you are an ordinary King, and
+early one morning your Minister comes to your bedside
+and says: 'Your Majesty, I want a hundred pounds
+for the kingdom.' Then you open your treasury and
+find not even a farthing in it! What are you to do?
+Or again, you wage war and lose, and the King who
+has conquered you marries your Princess, and shuts you
+up in a tower. Such things cannot happen in invisible
+kingdoms."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"But if we cannot see it, of what use would our
+kingdom be to us?" asked George, still somewhat puzzled.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"You strange man," said the King, and pointing to
+his forehead, he continued: "You and your Princess
+see it well enough. You see the castles and gardens,
+the meadows and forests which belong to your kingdom.
+You live in it, walk in it, do what you like with it. It
+is only other people who do not see it."</p>
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i010.jpg" width="50%" alt="THEY LIFTED UP THE CLOTH AND BEGAN TO SPREAD IT OUT" title="THEY LIFTED UP THE CLOTH AND BEGAN TO SPREAD IT OUT" />
+<p class="caption">"THEY LIFTED UP THE CLOTH AND BEGAN TO SPREAD IT OUT" (<i>p.</i> 32).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">Then the Dreamer was highly delighted, for he was
+beginning to be afraid lest the village people should
+look enviously at him if he came home with his Princess
+and was King. He took a very touching leave of the
+King of Dreams, climbed the five hundred steps with
+his Princess, took the silver veil off her head and threw
+it down. Then he wanted to shut the trap-door, but
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">31</a></span>it was so heavy that he could not hold it. So he let
+it fall, and the noise it made was as great as the noise
+of many cannons shot off at the same time, and for a
+moment he became unconscious. When he came to
+himself again he was sitting in front of his cottage with
+the Princess sitting on the mill-stone at his side, and
+she was of flesh and blood like any other person. She
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">32</a></span>was holding his hand, stroking it, and saying: "You
+dear, good, stupid man, you have not dared tell me
+how much you love me for such a long time. Have
+you been very much afraid of me?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">And the moon rose and illumined the river, the waves
+beat against the banks, and the forest rustled, but they
+still sat there and talked. Suddenly it seemed as if a
+small black cloud was passing over the moon, and all
+at once something like a large folded shawl fell at their
+feet; then the moon stood out again in her full glory.
+They lifted up the cloth and began to spread it out.
+But they took a long time over this, for it was very
+fine and folded many hundred times. When it was
+quite spread out, it looked like a large map; in the
+middle was a river, and on both sides were towns,
+forests, and lakes. Then they noticed that it was a
+kingdom, and knew that the good Dream-King must
+have sent it down to them from the sky. And when
+they looked at their little cottage it had become a
+beautiful castle, with glass stairs, marble walls, velvet
+carpets, and pointed blue-tiled towers. Then they took
+hands and went into the castle, where their subjects
+were already assembled. The servants bowed low, drums
+and trumpets sounded, and little pages went before them
+strewing flowers. They were King and Queen.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The next morning the news that George the Dreamer
+had come back, and had brought a wife with him, ran
+like wildfire through the village. "She is probably
+very clever," the people said. "I saw her early this
+morning, when I went into the forest," said a peasant;
+"she was standing at the door with him. She is nothing
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">33</a></span>special, quite an ordinary person, small and delicate-looking,
+and rather shabbily dressed. What did he see
+in her? He has nothing, and she probably has nothing!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">So the stupid people chattered, for they could not see
+that she was a Princess; and in their stupidity they
+did not see that the house had changed into a great,
+wonderful castle&mdash;for the kingdom that had come down
+from the sky for George the Dreamer was an invisible
+one. So he did not trouble about the stupid people,
+but lived happily and contentedly in his kingdom with
+his Princess, who presented him with six children, each
+one more beautiful than the other, and they were all
+six Princes and Princesses. But no one in the village
+knew it, for they were quite ordinary people, and much
+too silly to notice it.</p>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<h2><a name="How_Sampo_Lappelill_saw_the" id="How_Sampo_Lappelill_saw_the"></a>How Sampo Lappelill saw the
+Mountain King.</h2>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i011.jpg" width="70%" alt="HOW SAMPO LAPPELILL
+SAW THE MOUNTAIN KING. From the Swedish of Z. Topelius" title="HOW SAMPO LAPPELILL
+SAW THE MOUNTAIN KING. From the Swedish of Z. Topelius" />
+</div>
+
+<p class="initialMarginTop first">FAR away in Lapland, at a place called Aďmďo,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">37</a></span>
+near the River Jana, there lived, in a little hut, a
+Laplander and his wife, with their small son, Sampo.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Sampo Lappelill was now between seven and eight
+years of age. He had black hair, brown eyes, a snub
+nose, and a wide mouth, which last is considered a mark
+of beauty in curious Lapland. Sampo was a strong child
+for his age; he delighted to dance down the hills in his
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">38</a></span>little snow-shoes, and to drive his own reindeer in his own
+little sledge. The snow whirled about him as he passed
+through the deep drifts, until nothing of him could be
+seen except the tuft of his black forelock.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I shall never feel comfortable while he is from home!"
+said the mother. "He may meet Hisü's reindeer with
+the golden antlers."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Sampo overheard these words, and wondered what
+reindeer it could be that had golden antlers. "It must
+be a splendid animal!" said he; "how much I should
+like to drive to Rastekaďs with it!" Rastekaďs is a high,
+dreary mountain, and can be seen from Aďmďo, from which
+it is five or six miles distant.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"You audacious boy!" exclaimed the mother; "how
+dare you talk so? Rastekaďs is the home of the trolls,
+and Hisü dwells there also."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Who is Hisü?" inquired Sampo.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"What ears that boy has!" thought the Lapp-wife.
+"But I ought not to have spoken of such things in his
+presence; the best thing I can do now is to frighten
+him well." Then she said aloud: "Take care, Lappelill,
+that you never go near Rastekaďs, for there lives Hisü,
+the Mountain King, who can eat a whole reindeer at one
+mouthful, and who swallows little boys like flies."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Upon hearing these words, Sampo could not help
+thinking what good fun it would be to have a peep at
+such a wonderful being&mdash;from a safe distance, of course!</p>
+
+<p class="in">Three or four weeks had elapsed since Christmas,
+and darkness brooded still over Lapland. There was no
+morning, noon, or evening; it was always night. Sampo
+was feeling dull. It was so long since he had seen the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">39</a></span>sun that he had nearly forgotten what it was like. Yet
+he did not desire the return of summer, for the only thing
+he remembered about that season was that it was a time
+when the gnats stung very severely. His one wish was
+that it might soon become light enough for him to use
+his snow-shoes.</p>
+
+<p class="in">One day, at noon (although it was dark), Sampo's father
+said: "Come here! I have something to show you."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Sampo came out of the hut. His father pointed towards
+the south.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Do you know what that is?" asked he.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"A southern light," replied the boy.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"No," said his father, "it is the herald of the sun.
+To-morrow, maybe, or the day after that, we shall see
+the sun himself. Look, Sampo, how weirdly the red light
+glows on the top of Rastekaďs!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">Sampo perceived that the snow upon the gloomy
+summit, which had been so long shrouded in darkness,
+was coloured red. Again the idea flashed into his mind
+what a grand sight the terrible Mountain King would be&mdash;from
+a distance. The boy brooded on this for the
+remainder of the day, and throughout half the night, when
+he should have been asleep.</p>
+
+<p class="in">He thought, and thought, until at length he crept
+silently out of the reindeer skins which formed his bed,
+and then through the door-hole. The cold was intense.
+Far above him the stars were shining, the snow scrunched
+beneath his feet. Sampo Lappelill was a brave boy, who
+did not fear the cold. He was, moreover, well wrapped
+up in fur. He stood gazing at the stars, considering what
+to do next.</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">40</a></span>Then he heard a suggestive sound. His little reindeer
+pawed the ground with its feet. "Why should I not take
+a drive?" thought Sampo, and proceeded straightway to
+put his thought into action. He harnessed the reindeer
+to the sledge, and drove forth into the wilderness of
+snow.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I will drive only a little way towards Rastekaďs," said
+Sampo to himself, and off he went, crossing the frozen
+River Jana to the opposite shore, which&mdash;although the
+child was unaware of this fact&mdash;belonged to the kingdom
+of Norway.</p>
+
+<p class="in">As Sampo drove, he sang a bright little song. The
+wolves were running round his sledge like grey dogs, but
+he did not mind them. He knew well that no wolf could
+keep pace with his dear, swift little reindeer. Up hill
+and down dale he drove on, with the wind whistling in
+his ears. The moon seemed to be racing with him, and
+the rocks to be running backwards. It was thoroughly
+delightful!</p>
+
+<p class="in">Alas! at a sudden turning upon the downward slope
+of a hill the sledge overturned, and Sampo was pitched
+into a snow-drift. The reindeer did not observe this, and,
+in the belief that its master was still sitting behind it,
+it ran on. Sampo could not cry "Stop!" for his mouth
+was stuffed with snow.</p>
+
+<p class="in">He lay there in the darkness, in the midst of the vast
+snowy wilderness, in which was no human habitation for
+miles around.</p>
+
+<p class="in">At first, he naturally felt somewhat bewildered. He
+scrambled unhurt out of the big snow-drift. Then, by the
+wan moonlight, he saw that he was surrounded on all
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">41</a></span>sides by snow-drifts and huge mountains. One mountain
+towered above the others, and this he knew must be
+Rastekaďs, the home of the fierce Mountain King, who
+swallowed little boys like flies!</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0121.jpg" width="50%" alt="THEY WENT OFF AT A GALLOP" title="THEY WENT OFF AT A GALLOP" />
+<p class="caption">"THEY WENT OFF AT A GALLOP" (<i>p.</i> 42).</p></div>
+
+<p class="in">Sampo Lappelill was frightened now, and heartily wished
+himself safe at home. But how was he to get there?</p>
+
+<p class="in">There sat the poor child, alone in the darkness, amongst
+the desolate, snow-covered rocks, with the big, black
+shadow of Rastekaďs frowning down upon him. As he
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">42</a></span>wept his tears froze immediately, and rolled down over
+his jacket in little round lumps like peas; so Sampo
+thought that he had better leave off crying, and run about
+in order to keep himself warm.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Rather than freeze to death here," he said to himself,
+"I would go straight to the Mountain King. If he has
+a mind to swallow me, he must do so, I suppose; but
+I shall advise him to eat instead some of the wolves in
+this neighbourhood. They are much fatter than I, and
+their fur would not be so difficult to swallow."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Sampo began to ascend the mountain. Before he had
+gone far, he heard the trotting of some creature behind
+him, and a moment after a large wolf overtook him.
+Although inwardly trembling, Sampo would not betray
+his fear. He shouted:</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Keep out of my way! I am the bearer of a message
+to the King, and you hinder me at your peril!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Dear me!" said the wolf (on Rastekaďs all the animals
+can speak). "And, pray, what little shrimp are you,
+wriggling through the snow?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"My name is Sampo Lappelill," replied the boy. "Who
+are you?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I," answered the wolf, "am first gentleman-usher to
+the Mountain King. I have just been all over the
+kingdom to call together his subjects for the great sun
+festival. As you are going my way, you may, if
+you please, get upon my back, and so ride up the
+mountain."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Sampo instantly accepted the invitation. He climbed
+upon the shaggy back of the wolf, and they went off
+at a gallop.</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">43</a></span>"What do you mean by the sun festival?" inquired
+Sampo.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Don't you know <i>that</i>?" said the wolf. "We celebrate
+the sun's feast the day he first appears on the horizon
+after the long night of winter. All trolls, goblins, and
+animals in the north then assemble on Rastekaďs, and on
+that day they are not permitted to hurt each other.
+Lucky it was for you, my boy, that you came here to-day.
+On any other day, I should have devoured you long
+ago."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Is the King bound by the same law?" asked Sampo
+anxiously.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Of course he is," answered the wolf. "From one hour
+before sunrise until one hour after sunset he will not
+dare to harm you. If, however, you are on the mountain
+when the time expires, you will be in great danger. For
+the King will then seize whoever comes first, and a
+thousand bears and a hundred thousand wolves will also
+be ready to rush upon you. There will soon be an end
+of Sampo Lappelill!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"But perhaps, sir," said Sampo timidly, "you would
+be so kind as to help me back again before the danger
+begins?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">The wolf laughed. "Don't count on any such thing,
+my dear Sampo; on the contrary, I mean to seize you
+first myself. You are such a very nice, plump little boy!
+I see that you have been fattened on reindeer milk and
+cheese. You will be splendid for breakfast to-morrow
+morning!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">Sampo began to think that his best course might be
+to jump off the wolf's back at once. But it was too late.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">44</a></span>They had now arrived at the top of Rastekaďs. Many
+curious and marvellous things were there to be seen.
+There sat the terrible Mountain King on his throne of
+cloudy rocks, gazing out over the snow-fields. He wore
+on his head a cap of white snow-clouds; his eyes were
+like a full moon; his nose resembled a mountain-ridge.
+His mouth was an abyss; his beard was like tufts of
+immense icicles; his arms were as thick and strong as
+fir trees; his coat was like an enormous snow-mountain.
+Sampo Lappelill had a good view of the King and his
+subjects, for a bow of dazzling northern lights shone
+in the sky and illuminated the scene.</p>
+
+<p class="in">All around the King stood millions of goblins, trolls,
+and brownies; tiny, grey creatures, who had come from
+remotest parts of the world to worship the sun. This
+they did from fear, not from love; for trolls and goblins
+hate the sun, and always hope that he will never
+return when they see him disappear at the end of
+summer.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Farther off stood all the animals of Lapland, thousands
+and thousands of them of all sizes; from the bear, the
+wolf, and the glutton, to the little mountain-rat, and
+the brisk, tiny reindeer-flea. No gnats appeared, however;
+<i>they</i> had all been frozen.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Sampo was greatly astonished at what he saw. Unobserved,
+he slipped from the wolf's back, and hid behind
+a ponderous stone, to watch the proceedings.</p>
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i013.jpg" width="50%"  alt="THE TERRIBLE MOUNTAIN KING" title="THE TERRIBLE MOUNTAIN KING" />
+<p class="caption">"THE TERRIBLE MOUNTAIN KING (<i>p.</i> 44)."</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">The Mountain King shook his head, and the snow
+whirled about him. The northern lights shone around
+his head like a crown of glory, sending long, red streamers
+across the deep blue sky; they whizzed and sparkled,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">45</a></span>expanded and drew together, fading sometimes, then again
+darting out like lightning over the snow-clad mountains.
+This performance amused the King. He clapped with
+his icy hands until the sound echoed like thunder, causing
+the trolls to scream with joy, and the animals to howl
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">46</a></span>with fear. At this the King was still more delighted,
+and he shouted across the desert:</p>
+
+<p class="in">"This is to my mind! Eternal darkness! Eternal
+night! May they never end!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"May they never end!" repeated all the trolls at the
+top of their voices. Then arose a dispute amongst the
+animals. All the beasts of prey agreed with the trolls,
+but the reindeer and other gentle creatures felt that they
+should like to have summer back again, although they
+disliked the gnats that would certainly return with it.
+One creature alone was ready to welcome summer quite
+unreservedly. This was the reindeer-flea. She piped out
+as loudly as she could:</p>
+
+<p class="in">"If you please, your Majesty, have we not come here
+to worship the sun, and to watch for his coming?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Nonsense!" growled a polar bear. "Our meeting
+here springs from a stupid old custom. The sooner it
+ends the better! In my opinion, the sun has set for
+ever; he is dead!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">At these words the animals shuddered, but the trolls
+and goblins were much pleased with them, and reiterated
+them gaily, shaking with laughter to such an extent that
+their tiny caps fell off their heads. Then the King roared,
+in a voice of thunder:</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Yea! Dead is the sun! Now must the whole world
+worship me, the King of Eternal Night and Eternal
+Winter!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">Sampo, sitting behind the stone, was so greatly enraged
+by this speech that he came forth from his hiding-place,
+exclaiming:</p>
+
+<p class="in">"That, O King, is a lie as big as yourself! The sun
+is <i>not</i> dead, for only yesterday I saw his forerunner.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">47</a></span>
+He will be here very shortly, bringing sweet summer
+with him, and thawing the icicles in your funny, frozen
+beard!"</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i014.jpg" width="50%" alt="&#39;That, O King, is a lie as big as yourself!&#39; exclaimed Sampo." title="&#39;That, O King, is a lie as big as yourself!&#39; exclaimed Sampo." />
+<p class="caption">"&#39;That, O King, is a lie as big as yourself!&#39; exclaimed Sampo." <span style="margin-left: 70%"><i>page 46</i></span></p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">The King's brow grew black as a thunder-cloud.
+Forgetful of the law, he lifted his tremendous arm to strike
+Sampo; but at that moment the northern light faded.
+A red streak shot suddenly across the sky, shining with
+such brilliancy into the King's face that it entirely dazzled
+him. His arm fell useless at his side. Then the golden
+sun rose in slow stateliness on the horizon, and that flood
+of glorious light caused even those who had rejoiced in
+his supposed death to welcome his re-appearance.</p>
+
+<p class="in">But the goblins were considerably astonished. From
+under their red caps they stared at the sun with their
+little grey eyes, and grew so excited that they stood on
+their heads in the snow. The beard of the Mountain King
+began to melt and drip, until it was flowing down
+his jacket like a running stream.</p>
+
+<p class="in">By-and-by, Sampo heard a reindeer say to her little
+one:</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Come, my child, we must be going, or we shall be
+eaten by the wolves."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Such will be <i>my</i> fate also if I linger longer," thought
+Sampo. So he sprang upon the back of a beautiful
+reindeer with golden antlers, which started off with him
+at once, darting down the rocks with lightning speed.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"What is that rustling sound that I hear behind us?"
+asked the boy presently.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"It is made by the thousand bears; they are pursuing
+us in order to eat us up," replied the reindeer. "You
+
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">48</a></span>need not fear, however, for I am the King's own enchanted
+reindeer, and no bear has ever been able as yet to nibble
+my heels!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">They went on in silence for a time, then Sampo put
+another question.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"What," asked he, "is that strange panting I hear
+behind us?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"That," returned the reindeer, "is made by the hundred
+thousand wolves; they are at full gallop behind us, and
+wish to tear us in pieces. But fear nothing from them!
+No wolf has ever beaten me in a race yet!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">Again Sampo spoke:</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Is it not thundering over there amongst the rocky
+mountains?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"No," answered the now trembling reindeer; "that noise
+is made by the King, who is chasing us. Now, indeed,
+all hope has fled, for no one can escape <i>him</i>!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Can we do nothing?" asked Sampo.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"There is no safety to be found here," said the reindeer,
+"but there is just one chance for us. We must try to
+reach the priest's house over yonder by Lake Enare.
+Once there, we shall be safe, for the King has no power
+over Christians."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Oh, make haste! make haste! dear reindeer!" cried
+Sampo, "and you shall feed on golden oats, and out of
+a silver manger."</p>
+
+<p class="in">On sped the reindeer. As they entered the priest's
+house, the Mountain King crossed the courtyard, and
+knocked at the door with such violence that it is a wonder
+he did not knock the house down.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Who is there?" called the priest from within.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">49</a></span>
+<img src="images/i015.jpg" width="50%" alt="the King flew into such a violent passion
+that he exploded in a great storm of snow and wind" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">"It is I!" answered a thundering voice; "it is the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">50</a></span>
+mighty Mountain King! Open the door! You have
+there a child, whom I claim as my prey."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Wait a moment!" cried the priest. "Permit me to
+robe myself, in order that I may give your Majesty a
+worthier reception."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"All right!" roared the King; "but be quick about
+it, or I may break down your walls!" A moment later
+he raised his enormous foot for a kick, yelling: "Are you
+not ready yet?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">Then the priest opened the door, and said solemnly,
+"Begone, King of Night and Winter! Sampo Lappelill
+is under my protection, and he shall never be yours!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">Upon this, the King flew into such a violent passion
+that he exploded in a great storm of snow and wind.
+The flakes fell and fell, until the snow reached the roof
+of the priest's house, so that every one inside it expected
+to be buried alive. But as soon as the sun rose, the
+snow began to melt, and all was well. The Mountain
+King had completely vanished, and no one knows exactly
+what became of him, although some think that he is
+still reigning on Rastekaďs.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Sampo thanked the priest heartily for his kindness,
+and begged, as an additional favour, the loan of a sledge.
+To this sledge the boy harnessed the golden-antlered
+reindeer, and drove home to his parents, who were
+exceedingly glad to see him.</p>
+
+<p class="in">How Sampo became a great man, who fed his reindeer
+with golden oats out of a silver manger, is too lengthy
+a story to tell now.</p>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<h2><a name="The_Witch-Dancers_Doom" id="The_Witch-Dancers_Doom"></a>The Witch-Dancer's Doom.</h2>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0161.jpg" width="70%" alt="The Witch-Dancer&#39;s Doom. A BRETON LEGEND." title="The Witch-Dancer&#39;s Doom. A BRETON LEGEND." />
+
+</div>
+<p class="center">I.</p>
+
+<p class="initialMarginTop">LONG, long ago, in the days of good King Arthur,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">53</a></span>
+Count Morriss dwelt in the old château of La
+Roche Morice, near Landerneau, in Brittany.
+With him lived his beautiful niece, Katel. Although
+charming in face and figure, this maiden had a somewhat
+uncanny reputation. For it was said&mdash;and with
+reason&mdash;that she was a witch.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The Count had often urged Katel to marry, but in
+vain. The lady had no mind to lose her freedom.
+Dancing was the one passion of her life. "When," said
+she, "I can find a knight who shall be able to dance
+continuously with me for twelve hours, with no break,
+to him I promise to give my hand!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">This scornful challenge was proclaimed by heralds in
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">54</a></span>every neighbouring town and hamlet. In response came
+many wooers to attempt the impossible task. Those
+whom Katel favoured she made her partners at the
+rustic fętes and open-air dances which were then in
+vogue. In the soft-swarded meadows, by sunlight or
+starlight, the dancers would meet, and, to the dreamy
+music of the pipes, eager couples would whirl until the
+hills around began to blush in the light of the early
+dawn. The wildest, giddiest, yet most graceful of the
+throng was Katel, who danced madly on until one by
+one her partners sank fainting upon the ground, and
+death released them from the heartless sorceress who had
+lured them into her toils.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Thus perished many suitors, until the cruel maiden
+became an object of general hatred and horror. When
+her doings came to the ears of the Count, he sternly
+forbade her to attend any more of the dances. In
+order to enforce her obedience, he shut her up in a
+tower, where, said he, she was to remain until she should
+choose a husband from among such suitors as still persisted
+in offering her marriage.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Now, Katel had a wizened little page, no bigger than
+a leveret, and as black as a raven's wing. This creature
+she summoned to her one morning before dawn, and,
+with her finger at her lips, she said to him: "Be swift
+and silent! My uncle still slumbers. Get thee gone by
+the ladder, and his thee to the castle of Salaün, who is
+waiting for a message from her he loves. The guards
+will allow thee to pass; take horse, ride like the wind,
+and tell Salaün that Katel calls him to deliver her
+from this tower before the day dawns."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">55</a></span>
+<img src="images/i017.jpg" width="50%"  alt="KATEL TURNED COLDLY AWAY" title="KATEL TURNED COLDLY AWAY" />
+<p class="caption">"KATEL TURNED COLDLY AWAY" (<i>p.</i> 57).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">56</a></span>The infatuated young knight obeyed the summons
+immediately. In an hour's time he was assisting the
+lady to mount his horse, after having got her in safety
+down the rope-ladder. As, from the window of the
+donjon, the dwarf watched them ride away, he chuckled
+to himself:</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Ha! ha! And so they are off to the great ball
+held to-day in the Martyrs' Meadow! Ah, my dear
+Salaün! before another sun shall rise your death-knell
+will be tolled!"</p>
+
+<p class="center">II.</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="smcap">When</span> Katel and her gallant cavalier arrived at the
+Martyrs' Meadow, they excited general surprise and
+admiration. Some, however, shook their heads forebodingly,
+as they heard that Salaün, now Katel's
+affianced lover, was to be her partner, for they knew
+that the brave young knight must needs fall a victim
+to her spell.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The ball began. Some of the most skilful pipers in
+the land had been engaged for the occasion, and they
+played gavottes, rondes, courantes, and many other
+dances, without intermission. But Katel waited until
+night came and the torches were lit. Then she took
+Salaün's hand and they began to dance together.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Round again! Once more! Ha! ha!" laughed the
+witch-maiden, as they spun along. "What! are you
+tired already? Do you give in so soon as this?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Never&mdash;while I am with <i>you</i>!" was the fervent
+reply. The fatal spell had begun to work.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Thus on they whirled, yet more swiftly than before,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">57</a></span>so that the other dancers stood aside to watch them.
+After a time, however, Katel observed that her partner
+was gradually becoming weaker, and that he would soon
+be unable to keep pace with her.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Courage!" exclaimed she, in a bantering tone.
+"We cannot stop yet; it wants but a very short time
+to midnight, and then I shall be yours!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">Salaün, although almost exhausted, strained every
+nerve and muscle in a frantic, final effort to continue the
+dance. Round the field they flew, at lightning speed;
+but it was for the last time. The knight's knees shook&mdash;his
+breath came more quickly&mdash;then with difficulty
+he gasped out the words:</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Oh, Katel! have mercy! I can do no more! Katel,
+my love, have I not won you yet?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">But as he sank lifeless upon the grass Katel turned
+coldly away. His fate was nothing to her. At that
+moment the clock in a neighbouring tower struck
+twelve. All the lights flickered and expired; darkness
+reigned supreme. And through the darkness, shrilling
+high above every other sound, rang the mocking laugh
+of the impish dwarf.</p>
+
+<p class="center">III.</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="smcap">"What!"</span> exclaimed Katel derisively, glancing angrily
+at the worn-out pipers, who had at last paused in their
+wild music, "exhausted already by such slight exertions?
+I wish the Evil One would send me some musicians
+and dancers worthy of me! Of what use are these
+miserable, puny creatures?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">As she uttered the words, stamping her foot in her
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">58</a></span>fury, a weird, red light gleamed in the sky; there was
+a terrible peal of thunder, and a strange stir in the trees.
+Then suddenly, in the centre of the field, appeared two
+phantom forms, at the sight of whom the panic-stricken
+by-standers would fain have fled. To their horror,
+however, they found flight impossible; they were rooted
+to the spot!</p>
+
+<p class="in">One of the phantoms was attired in a red garment,
+covered with a black cloak. Beneath his arm he held
+a large double pipe, coiled around which were five
+hissing, writhing serpents. The other stranger, who was
+exceedingly tall, was dressed in a tightly fitting black
+suit, and heavy, red mantle, while upon his head waved
+an imposing tuft of vultures' plumes.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The ghostly piper began at once to play an unearthly
+dance-tune, so wild and maddening that it made all the
+hearers tremble. His tall, grim companion seized Katel
+by the waist, and the couple whirled round to the mad
+measure, which grew ever faster and more furious. In
+an instant the torches were relit. A few others joined
+in the dance; not for long, however. Katel and her
+phantom were soon the only dancers. Shriller still
+shrieked the pipes, faster yet grew the music, more and
+more swiftly spun the feet. Ere long the witch-maiden
+felt that her strength was deserting her; the torches
+swam before her eyes, and, in the last extremity of
+terror, she struggled to release herself from the iron grip
+which held her so relentlessly.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"What! so soon tired?" cried the spectre, jeering at
+her. "Do you give in so soon as this? Come! round
+once more! Ha! ha!"</p>
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0181.jpg" width="60%"  alt="&quot;THE COUPLE WHIRLED ROUND TO THE MAD MEASURE&quot;" title="&quot;THE COUPLE WHIRLED ROUND TO THE MAD MEASURE&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;THE COUPLE WHIRLED ROUND TO THE MAD MEASURE&quot; (<i>p.</i> 58).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">59</a></span>Thus was Katel treated as she had treated others.
+She had no breath left wherewith to answer; her last
+hour had come. She made one more wild, despairing
+bound, then fell to the ground in the throes of death.
+At the same moment, the phantoms vanished. There
+was a vivid lightning-blaze, a terrific crash of thunder;
+then fell black darkness hiding everything. A tempestuous
+wind arose, and rain fell in torrents.</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+
+<p class="in">When the storm had cleared, and the morning sun
+shone out, those who found courage to visit the spot
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">60</a></span>beheld the forms of Katel and her lover Salaün lying
+dead upon the shrivelled turf.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Ever since that time, the spot has been shunned by
+all, and still, by their firesides on the winter nights, the
+peasants tell the tale of Katel, the witch-dancer, and her
+fearful fate.</p>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<h2><a name="The_Three_Valleys" id="The_Three_Valleys"></a>The Three Valleys.</h2>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0191.jpg" width="70%" alt="The three valleys. From the German." title="The three valleys. From the German." />
+</div>
+
+<p class="initialMarginTop">IN olden days there lived a Count, who had many<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">63</a></span>
+castles and estates, and a most beautiful daughter,
+but no one would associate with him, for it was
+rumoured he was in league with the Evil One; indeed,
+from time to time one or other of his servants most
+mysteriously disappeared.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The last who disappeared was the shepherd. One
+evening he did not return to the castle. Search was
+made for him throughout the village, but in vain; no
+trace of him could be found. After this no one would
+enter the Count's service as shepherd; but at last, a
+bold, handsome youth presented himself; he had
+travelled far as a soldier, and cared nothing for evil
+spirits. The Count immediately engaged him, and said
+he could take the sheep to feed wherever he liked, only
+he must never go into the three valleys to the east of
+the castle. For a time all went well; the young man
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">64</a></span>drove the sheep into the rich meadows around the castle
+as his master had ordered, and led a very comfortable
+life. But he was always thinking of the three valleys,
+and being a brave youth who did not fear evil spirits,
+he one day took the cross-bow and bolts he had used
+when soldiering, put a new string to his bow, and said,
+as he struck his rusty spear against the ground:</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I will see who will venture to harm me in the three
+valleys; it will fare badly with him, I think."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Going towards the east, he soon arrived with his
+sheep in the first valley, where he found beautiful
+meadows in which he could safely leave his flock. He
+looked carefully around, but, except the butterflies
+fluttering to and fro, and the humming of the bees, there
+was neither sound nor movement. Then he sat down
+beneath an oak and began to play on his pipe; suddenly,
+in the wood near, arose a crashing and cracking as if
+some mighty animal were breaking through the bushes,
+and, before our shepherd could fix a bolt in his cross-bow,
+a powerful giant stood before him and cried:</p>
+
+<p class="in">"What are you doing here with your grass-eaters, destroying
+my meadows, you insolent fellow? You shall
+answer for this."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i020.jpg" width="50%" alt="A WELL-DIRECTED THRUST SOON QUIETED HIM" title="A WELL-DIRECTED THRUST SOON QUIETED HIM" />
+
+<p class="caption">"A WELL-DIRECTED THRUST SOON QUIETED HIM" (<i>p.</i> 67).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">He did not wait for an answer, but threw his spear
+with fearful force at the shepherd, who saved himself
+by springing behind the oak, into which the spear sank
+so deep that the point stuck out on the other side.
+Then, fixing a bolt into his cross-bow, the shepherd
+took aim, and struck the giant so skilfully in the centre
+of the forehead that he fell with a deep groan to the
+earth. Before he had time to rise, the shepherd bounded
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">65</a></span>forward and ran his spear through his adversary's neck,
+nailing him to the ground, and his spirit soon fled.
+The shepherd took the giant's sword and armour, and
+was about to return home, when in an opening of the
+forest he saw a stately castle. The doors were wide
+open; he entered. In the spacious hall stood a stone
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">66</a></span>table on which was a cup covered with a silver plate
+bearing these words:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Who drinks of this cup<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Shall overcome the Evil One.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p class="in">The young man had no confidence in the words or
+the drink, and left the cup untouched. He laid the
+dead giant's armour in the hall; then, taking the key
+of the door with him, he returned home with his flock,
+and went to rest without mentioning his adventure to
+any one. The next day he tended his sheep on the
+mountain slopes surrounding the castle, but the second
+day he could not rest; so, girding on the sword he had
+taken from the dead giant, he started with his flock for
+the second valley, in hopes of fresh adventure. Here
+also were beautiful pastures, if possible richer and more
+luxuriant than in the first valley; the flowers breathed
+forth their fragrance, the birds sang sweetly, and through
+the meadows meandered a stream clear as crystal, by
+whose bank the shepherd lay down to rest. He was
+just thinking that all adventure and danger were past
+when an enormous block of rock fell on the ground
+near him, and a voice rough and wild, like that of a
+bear, said: "What are you doing here with your grass-eaters,
+you insolent fellow?" And from behind a wall
+of rock stepped a mighty giant, brandishing a ponderous
+stone club. He aimed a blow at the shepherd, who
+ducked behind the rock which the giant had thrown as
+his first greeting, and the club descending on the stone,
+it broke in pieces from the force of the blow.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Quick as lightning the youth drew his sword, and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">67</a></span>with one stroke cut through the sinews in the bend of
+the giant's knee, who fell to the earth with a loud roar.
+He struck out wildly with his fists, but a well-directed
+thrust through the heart soon quieted him. The shepherd
+left him lying there, and turned towards the wall
+of rock; here he found a massive door concealed
+amongst the thicket. Through this he passed, and
+entered a hall-like cavern, in which, at a stone manger,
+stood a snow-white horse ready saddled, and over the
+manger was engraved this saying:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Who springs on this white horse<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Shall overcome the Evil One.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p class="in">Now, the shepherd thought: "I am strong enough to
+take care of myself, and I do not want to overcome
+the Evil One, he has always left me in peace; but I
+will remember that here stands a fine horse on which I
+can ride forth into the wide world." He threw fresh
+oats into the manger, shut the door, and returned home.
+The next few days he remained very quiet, lest his
+movements might have been observed; then, as no one
+questioned him, he one fine morning drove his sheep
+into the third valley. Beautiful meadows glittered in
+the sunshine; from a hill of rock a waterfall plashed
+down, forming a small sea in which sported innumerable
+fish. The shepherd looked carefully around, searched
+under every bush, but found nothing. No sound was
+heard save the continued plash, plash, of the cool water.
+The day was very sultry, and the shepherd was just
+preparing for a bathe in the fresh, clear water, when
+from out a ravine near the sea appeared a horrible
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">68</a></span>human head, with one eye, as large as a plate, in the
+centre of the forehead, and a voice loud as the roll of
+thunder shouted: "What do you want here, you insolent
+earth-worm?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">The head rose higher and higher, until a giant as
+high as a tower stood before the shepherd, who with a
+sure aim sent his lance into the eye of his adversary.
+The monster, thus blinded, groped wildly about with
+his hands, in hopes to strangle his enemy, but he only
+seized an oak, which he tore up by the roots and threw
+it high into the air. Now the victory was easy, for
+though the giant could no longer be hurt by cuts and
+thrusts, which slipped off from his body as from a
+mossy stone, the shepherd soon found other means.
+He mocked and insulted the blind giant, and by the
+sound of his voice drew him ever nearer and nearer to
+the sea, at the side where the cliff overhung the water.
+At last he sprang for a moment on the edge of the
+precipice, and gave a loud, mocking cry, then silently
+concealed himself behind a tree. The giant, deceived
+by the shout, pursued him eagerly, lost his footing, and
+fell heavily into the sea.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Then the shepherd went down into the ravine from
+which the monster had appeared. Here lay a meadow
+full of beautiful flowers, in the midst of which rose a
+spacious mansion, built of the trunks of trees. The
+shepherd entered the hall and saw a mighty spear, on
+whose shaft these words were cut:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Who throws this lance<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Shall overcome the Evil One.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p class="in">He seized the spear, but his arms were too weak to
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">69</a></span>raise it, and he wearily laid the mighty weapon back
+in the corner; at the same time he thought, since he
+had conquered three giants, he could surely overcome
+the Evil One without this lance. As the day drew to
+a close he gathered his sheep together and returned to
+the castle. Arrived there, he was immediately summoned
+before the Count, who asked him angrily where he had
+been. The shepherd then truthfully related all that
+had happened in the three valleys, and how he had
+that day slain the giant as tall as a tower.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i021.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;&#39;WHAT DO YOU WANT HERE?&#39;&quot;" title="&quot;&#39;WHAT DO YOU WANT HERE?&#39;&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;&#39;WHAT DO YOU WANT HERE?&#39;&quot; (<i>p.</i> 68).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">"Woe to you and to me," replied the Count, with
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">70</a></span>pale lips. "I heard the giants' cries of rage, and hoped
+you were paying for your disobedience with your life.
+But it has happened otherwise, and now I and my
+daughter must suffer because you, you insolent fellow,
+disobeyed my commands and entered the giants' territories;
+for it has been made known to me that to-morrow
+the mighty lord of the giants, the Prince of
+the Infernal Regions, will appear, and demand my
+daughter or me as a sacrifice; but before that you,
+you miserable fellow, shall suffer all the agonies of
+torture, as a punishment for bringing me into this
+trouble.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Seize him!" he cried to the servants who were
+standing in the entrance-hall. His command was
+at once obeyed, when the Count's daughter, who
+had listened with glowing cheeks to the shepherd's
+story, threw herself on her knees and implored for
+delay.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Dearest father," she cried, "should you not rather
+endeavour to make use of this brave youth for our
+deliverance than put him to the torture? He has
+overcome three giants; surely he will be able to
+vanquish the Prince of the Infernal Regions."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">71</a></span>
+<img src="images/i0221.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;SHE IMPLORED FOR DELAY&quot;" title="&quot;SHE IMPLORED FOR DELAY&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;SHE IMPLORED FOR DELAY&quot; (<i>p.</i> 70).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">The Count remained for a few moments in deep
+thought, and then acknowledged that his daughter's
+suggestion was both good and clever. He asked the
+shepherd if he were willing to expiate his crime by a
+combat with the Evil One, and the young man, with a
+grateful look at his deliverer, at once agreed. With
+the first dawn of morning he rose from his couch, for
+he now recalled the words about overcoming the Evil
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">72</a></span>One, and hastened to the first valley, where in the
+castle stood the cup with the inscription:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Who drinks of this cup<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Shall overcome the Evil One.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p class="in">He seized the cup and emptied it at one draught,
+and&mdash;wonderful&mdash;the magic draught flowed through his
+veins like fire, and he felt courage and strength enough
+to combat a whole army. With sparkling eyes he
+hastened to the second valley, mounted the white horse,
+who greeted him with a joyful neigh, and then galloped
+as if in flight to the third valley, in which stood the
+mighty lance. Yesterday he could scarcely move it;
+to-day, with one hand, he swung it high over his head,
+as if it had been a small arrow.</p>
+
+<p class="in">By sunrise he was again at the Count's castle,
+waiting eagerly for what would happen, but the day
+passed and no one appeared. The sun had sunk to
+rest, and the moon had just risen in all her splendour,
+when in the north of the heavens was seen what appeared
+to be a dark storm-cloud. With the speed of lightning
+it approached the castle, and a voice, as of a bassoon,
+sounded from out the cloud: "Where are my propitiatory
+sacrifices?" At the same time a gigantic eagle, with
+greenish-grey wings, like the storm-cloud, hovered high
+over the castle, ready to swoop down on his prey.
+Then the young man set spurs into his white horse,
+and shaking his lance high above his head, cried with
+a loud voice: "There are no sacrifices here for you,
+you robber! Begone instantly, or you shall feel my
+arrows!" On hearing these words, the eagle swooped
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">73</a></span>down with a wild cry, before the shepherd could take
+his cross-bow, and the young man would certainly
+have perished had it not been for his presence of mind
+and the strength and activity of his steed. A touch
+with the spur, and it flew swift as the wind under a
+very old and thickly leaved linden tree, whose branches
+hung down almost to the ground, so that the eagle
+could only break in through the side.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i023.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;The eagle swooped down with a wild cry.&quot;" title="&quot;The eagle swooped down with a wild cry.&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;The eagle swooped down with a wild cry.&quot;
+<span style="margin-left: 70%"><i>page 72</i></span></p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">This the bird at once attempted, and it caused his
+death, for his outspread wings became entangled in the
+branches, and the brave rider, with one powerful blow
+of his sword, severed the head from the body. But,
+oh, horror! instead of blood there came forth from
+the headless body of the eagle a huge serpent, who,
+with wide-open jaws, approached the shepherd and
+tried to enfold him in the rings of its flexible body.
+By a skilful movement, it encircled the horse and
+rider, and crushed them until the young man thought
+he should be forced into the body of his steed; but
+the horse pressed himself so close against the tree that
+the head of the serpent came round on the other side
+of the trunk, and thus it was hindered from harming
+the shepherd with its poisonous bite or breath. One
+stroke of the shepherd's sharp dagger, and the body of
+the serpent fell in two pieces to the ground; the horse
+immediately trampled on the head. But the hinder
+part of the serpent swelled and swelled, the cut became
+a frightful mouth, which spurted out smoke and flames,
+while from the rings of the serpent's body grew forth
+claws and wings, and at last a horrible monster in the
+form of a dragon threw itself on the shepherd, whose
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">74</a></span>strength had already begun to fail through the dreadful
+pressing of the serpent. But in his greatest need a
+saving thought occurred to him&mdash;he turned his horse
+round: it broke through the branches of the linden
+tree into the open field, and sped with its rider to the
+nearest stream, in whose waters they both cooled themselves.
+The dragon snorted after them, spitting forth
+fire and smoke. But as the head of the serpent, from
+whose body the dragon had grown, had been destroyed,
+there was no deadly poison in its breath, and the rider
+was safe from the flames through bathing in the stream.
+So he rode boldly towards the approaching dragon with
+lance in rest, and tried to approach it from the side;
+but all his blows glanced off from its scaly body as
+from a coat of mail. Suddenly it occurred to him to
+thrust his lance down the monster's throat. He turned
+his horse and spurred him straight towards the dragon,
+and thrusting his lance through the smoke and flame,
+stuck it right into the creature's throat. He was obliged
+to leave his lance, for his horse, singed by the fiery
+breath of the dragon, bounded far to one side; but the
+monster did not attempt to follow them, the lance had
+stuck deep into its body. It struck wildly with its
+tail on the ground, until the earth burst, then it shivered
+and fell over, first on its side, then on its back, a
+stream of fire poured forth from its wide-open jaws,
+and with the flames its life passed away.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Thus was the combat ended and the Evil One
+subdued. Joyfully the shepherd rode back to the Count
+and his daughter, and told them all that had happened.
+The Count, embracing him, said: "You are our deliverer,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">75</a></span>to you I owe my life and all that I possess: take the
+half of whatever is mine, or choose from it whatever
+pleases you."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0241.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;WITH THE FLAMES ITS LIFE PASSED AWAY&quot;" title="&quot;WITH THE FLAMES ITS LIFE PASSED AWAY&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;WITH THE FLAMES ITS LIFE PASSED AWAY&quot; (<i>p.</i> 74).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">The shepherd gazed earnestly into the eyes of the
+Count's lovely daughter, and replied:</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I know of nothing, Sir Count, in the whole world
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">76</a></span>which is dearer to me than your daughter. Give her
+to me for my wife, if she be willing."</p>
+
+<p class="in">The Count smiled. "Are you willing, my child?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I love him more than words can express," said the
+maiden, and sank on the breast of the shepherd.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The next day the marriage was celebrated with
+great splendour, and when Heaven had blessed their
+union with children, and these were grown up, the hero
+of this story, a shepherd no longer, used to say to his
+sons when telling them of his adventures: "There are
+three things by which one can subdue giants and evil
+spirits, and become great: courage, perseverance, and
+presence of mind."</p>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<h2><a name="The_Springtide_of_Love" id="The_Springtide_of_Love"></a>The Spring-tide of Love.</h2>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i025.jpg" width="70%" alt="The Springtide of Love. By Pleydell North" title="The Springtide of Love. By Pleydell North" />
+
+</div>
+
+<p class="initialMarginTop">THE mists of the early twilight were falling, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">79</a></span>
+Elsa, the little girl who lived at the woodman's
+cottage, was still far from home. She
+had wandered out in the spring sunshine in search of
+the bluebells and wild anemones with which the wood
+abounded, for the child loved the company of the birds
+and flowers better than the rough play of the boys
+who were called her brothers.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The woodman and his wife said she was strange and
+dreamy, full of curious fancies which they found it
+hard to understand; but, then, they were not Elsa's
+real parents, which might account for their difficulty.
+They were kind to her, however, in their fashion, and
+Elsa always tried to remember to obey them; but
+sometimes she forgot. She had forgotten to-day&mdash;for
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">80</a></span>although the good wife had told her to remain near
+the cottage, the eagerness of her search for the flowers
+she loved had led her farther into the wood than she
+had ever been before.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The sunlight disappeared, and the darkness seemed
+to come quite suddenly under the thick branches of
+the trees; the birds had chanted their last evening
+song and gone to their nests&mdash;only a solitary thrush
+sang loudly just overhead; Elsa thought it was warning
+her to hurry homewards. She turned quickly,
+taking as she thought the direction of the cottage; but
+as she was barely seven years old, and felt a little
+frightened, it is not surprising that she only plunged
+deeper into the wood.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Now she found herself in the midst of a great
+silence; the beautiful tracery of young green leaves
+through which she had hitherto caught glimpses of
+the sky had disappeared, and over her head stretched
+only bare brown branches, between which she saw the
+shining stars, clear as on a frosty winter's night. The
+stars looked friendly, and she was glad to see them,
+but it was growing dreadfully cold. The plucked
+flowers withered and fell from her poor little numbed
+hands, and she shivered in her thin cotton frock.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Ah! what would she not have given for a sight of
+the open door and the fire in the woodman's cottage,
+and a basin of warm bread and milk, even though it
+was given with a scolding from the woodman's wife!
+She struggled on, with her poor little tired feet, for
+it seemed to her that the wood was growing thinner&mdash;perhaps
+there might be a house hereabouts.</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">81</a></span>But, oh! how terribly cold. Now there was frost
+upon the ground at her feet, frost upon dead leaves
+and blades of grass, frost upon the bare tree branches.
+The moon had risen, and she could see that all the
+world around her was white and chill and dead.
+Surely she had wandered back into the cruel bitter
+winter, frost-bound and hard.</p>
+
+<p class="in">It was strange that she had strength to go on, but
+she looked up at the stars, and thought that they were
+guiding her. At length she came to the border of
+the wood, and there stretched before her a wide, open
+space, with only a few trees scattered here and there,
+and through an opening of the trees the cold moon
+shone down upon a white, silent house.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The house looked as dead and winter-bound as
+everything else; but still it <i>was</i> a house, and Elsa
+said to herself that surely some one must live in it.
+So she thanked the friendly stars for leading her aright,
+and with what remaining strength she had, dragged
+her poor little numbed feet up the broad path or road
+between the trees. At the end of the road an iron
+gate hung open upon its hinges, and Elsa found herself
+in what once had been a garden. Now the lawns
+and flower-beds were all alike one blinding sheet of
+ice and frozen snow.</p>
+
+<p class="in">But, oh, joy! there was the great white house, and
+from one window shone a light, surely the light of a
+fire. All the rest was dark. Up a flight of stone steps
+the child dragged her weary feet, across a terrace that
+had surely once been gay with flowers, until she stood
+before a huge door, brown and black, except where
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">82</a></span>the frost gleamed, closed and barred with iron bars.
+The great knocker hung high above her reach; but
+with her poor little hands she beat against the woodwork.
+Surely, if some one did not let her in soon, she
+must fall down there and sleep and die upon the step.
+But at the sound of her faint knocking there came
+from within the deep baying of a hound, and Elsa
+was terrified anew, but could not run away; then in a
+few moments a heavy bar seemed to be withdrawn
+and the great door opened slowly.</p>
+
+<p class="in">A tall man stood within&mdash;a man in the dress of a
+hunter, pale-faced in the moonlight, but strong and
+powerful, and wearing a long, dark beard that reached
+almost to his waist. His was a figure to fill any child
+with fear, but Elsa saw only the scene behind him. A
+great blazing wood fire upon an open hearth, with
+rugs in front of it upon which were stretched two large
+hounds; a third, shaking himself slowly, had followed
+his master to the door. Elsa stretched out her little
+hands to the blazing warmth, with the cry of a perishing
+child.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Take me in&mdash;oh! take me in!" she pleaded.
+"Please let me come in!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">She ran forward. Then with a strange hoarse sound,
+that she did not understand, the man stooped and
+lifted her in his arms, and carried her forward and
+laid her gently down upon the rugs in the grateful
+warmth, and the hounds sniffed round her and seemed
+well pleased, and ready to welcome her&mdash;and&mdash;for a
+little while she remembered no more.</p>
+
+<p class="in">When Elsa came to herself (she thought she must
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">83</a></span>have been asleep, but the waking was a little strange
+and difficult) she found that she was propped up among
+soft cushions still upon the rugs; the dogs now lay
+at a respectful distance, each with his forepaws
+stretched out and his nose held between them, while
+with gleaming eyes he watched with keenest interest
+all that going was on.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i026.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;HER NEW FRIEND WAS OBLIGED TO FEED HER&quot;" title="&quot;HER NEW FRIEND WAS OBLIGED TO FEED HER&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;HER NEW FRIEND WAS OBLIGED TO FEED HER&quot; (<i>p.</i> 84).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">84</a></span>The rough-looking man with the long, dark beard
+and the pale face knelt beside her, holding a basin of
+warm, steaming broth. Then Elsa sat up and tried to
+drink, but she was so weak with fatigue and cold that
+her new friend was obliged to feed her with a spoon,
+which he did rather awkwardly. After she had swallowed
+the broth, the warm blood flowed once more
+freely through her veins, and she sank into a deep,
+sweet sleep, her little head falling serenely against the
+stranger's breast and her hair spreading out in golden
+waves over the arm that held her.</p>
+
+<p class="in">When Elsa once more opened her eyes, the cold
+grey light of morning fell through the uncurtained
+windows into the hall. She found herself lying on a
+couch covered with rugs of warm fur, at the side of
+the hearth, where logs of pine wood, newly kindled,
+leapt and blazed, filling the air with sweet, pungent
+odours.</p>
+
+<p class="in">For a while she was bewildered, wondering how she
+came to be there, instead of in her little room at the
+woodman's cottage. Then she saw her friend of the
+night before kneeling in front of the fire, evidently
+preparing food, while the dogs, grouped around, sat
+on their haunches with ears erect, keen and observant,
+watching his movements. Then Elsa remembered; and
+she clapped her hands with a merry laugh, the laugh
+of a happy, waking child. The man kneeling by the
+fire started at the sound, and then turned his grave
+face towards her with a wistful expression strange to
+see.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I want to get up," said Elsa promptly. "If you
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">85</a></span>please, I can wash and dress myself; I've been taught
+how."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Wait a few minutes, little lady, then you shall have
+all you want."</p>
+
+<p class="in">The voice sounded strangely, and the man seemed
+listening to its tones as though surprised to hear himself
+speak. But the rough, halting accents seemed less
+out of keeping with the old house than Elsa's laugh.
+The dogs came and licked her hands, and she played
+with them until the man rose from his place before
+the fire, and lifting her up bade her come with him.</p>
+
+<p class="in">He led her to a small room off the hall, which was
+indeed curious in its arrangements. A toilet-table
+stood there with most costly fittings; brushes with
+silver and ivory handles were lying upon the faded
+silk; a little pair of satin shoes had been thrown carelessly
+upon the floor; a cloak of crimson satin was
+flung over a chair. All these things looked as though
+a hand had cast them aside but yesterday&mdash;yet all
+were faded and soiled, and the dust lay thick as though
+that yesterday had been many years ago.</p>
+
+<p class="in">And among these relics of an unknown past the
+child made her simple toilet. She had never seen such
+magnificence, or felt, she thought, so sad. But when
+she returned to the hall ten minutes later, the sadness
+was forgotten.</p>
+
+<p class="in">She looked a quaint little figure, indeed, clad in a
+silken wrapper provided by her host, which trailed far
+behind on the ground, greatly to her delight; her little
+feet were cased in dainty slippers which, small as they
+were, yet were many sizes too large. In spite of misfits,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">86</a></span>however, she contrived to walk with a stately grandeur
+quite amazing to behold, until the dogs jumped and
+fawned upon her, when she forgot her finery in a game
+of play and lost her slippers in the rug.</p>
+
+<p class="in">On the table, a breakfast was rudely spread: cold
+meats for the master of the house, who fed his dogs
+from his own plate, while for Elsa was provided a bowl
+of goat's milk and some crisp cakes, which she thought
+delicious.</p>
+
+<p class="in">When the meal was over, Elsa pleaded to be allowed
+to do for her new friend the household duties she had
+been taught to fulfil by the woodman's wife; and soon,
+with the wrapper deftly pinned about her waist, and
+the silken sleeves tucked up from bare and dimpled
+arms, she stood before a bowl of steaming water, washing
+plates and dishes. Only the table was rather high,
+and she was forced to stand upon a stool.</p>
+
+<p class="in">From that day a strange new life began for little
+Elsa.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The rough-looking man who had given her shelter
+seemed to be living quite alone with his dogs. Every
+morning he went out with them and his gun, apparently
+to hunt and shoot in the forest, for he usually
+returned laden with game, which served to keep the
+larder stocked.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Of other kinds of provisions there seemed to be a
+plentiful supply on the premises; the granaries were
+well stocked with corn, which the master ground himself,
+while some goats tethered in the outhouses gave
+a sufficient quantity of milk for the daily needs of the
+little household.</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">87</a></span>Of Elsa's return to the woodman's cottage there
+seemed to be no question. She was terrified at the
+thought of being again lost in the wood, and pleaded
+hard to remain with her new friend, who, on his side,
+was equally loth to part with her.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0271.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;SHE LOOKED A QUAINT LITTLE FIGURE&quot;" title="&quot;SHE LOOKED A QUAINT LITTLE FIGURE&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;SHE LOOKED A QUAINT LITTLE FIGURE&quot; (<i>p.</i> 85).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">Soon, having learned many useful ways from the
+woodman's wife, she became a clever little housekeeper,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">88</a></span>and could make a good stew, while Ulric, as the master
+of the house bade her call him, was out with his dogs
+in the forest, though now only two of the hounds
+accompanied him in his expeditions; one was always
+left as Elsa's companion and guardian. Then, too, she
+could milk and feed the goats, and keep the house-place
+clean and tidy. But all the day was not given
+to such work as this.</p>
+
+<p class="in">When Ulric had returned, and they had dined together,
+he would bring the great carved wooden chair
+with the huge back up to the fire, and Elsa would
+fetch a stool to his side and busy herself with needle
+and thread, while he told her strange stories; or sometimes
+he would fetch a ponderous volume from a library
+the house contained and read, either to himself or aloud
+to her, such things as she could understand.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Now, if you wonder where Elsa found the needle
+and thread which I have mentioned, I must tell you
+that Ulric had given her a little work-basket neatly
+fitted, but the silk lining of which was much faded, and
+some of the needles were rusty. There was in it also a
+golden thimble, which Elsa found a little too large.</p>
+
+<p class="in">And as for the clothes she worked at, one day he
+brought her a quantity of beautiful garments, some of
+silk and satin, and some of fine cloth, and in these,
+having nothing of her own but her one poor little
+cotton frock, the child managed to dress herself, till
+she looked like a quaint little fairy princess. Her
+stitches were awkward and badly done at first, but as
+time went on, instinct helped her small knowledge, and
+she grew handy with her needle.</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">89</a></span>When she was cooking and feeding the goats, she
+wore a woollen petticoat and an apron, a costume more
+suited to the occasion.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0281.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;HE WOULD READ ALOUD TO HER&quot;" title="&quot;HE WOULD READ ALOUD TO HER&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;HE WOULD READ ALOUD TO HER&quot; (<i>p.</i> 88).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">In the evenings Ulric taught her many things: to
+read and to write, and even to speak in strange
+languages, so that her education was by no means
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">90</a></span>neglected. He let her wander over the great mansion
+where she would, and showed her many of the rooms
+himself. All bore signs of having been used quite
+recently, and yet a long time ago. Dust was thick
+everywhere, and soon Elsa grew to understand that
+the dust must remain and accumulate; no hand was
+to be allowed to touch anything in that strange, silent
+house beyond the hall and the little room which Ulric
+had arranged for her sleeping apartment. One part
+of the mansion, however, she never penetrated. At
+the end of a long passage hung a heavy velvet curtain,
+and behind this was a door, always securely locked.
+Only Ulric passed beyond it, at stated times, and when
+he returned from these visits he was more than usually
+sad for many hours.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The weeks slipped into months, and Elsa dwelt on
+in this strange home. Every day at first she looked
+eagerly for the breaking of the frost&mdash;for the promise
+of the sunshine and flowers she had left behind her in
+the wood. But the spring never came. The bitter
+cold and the frost continued, and in time the child's
+heart must have frozen too, but for the strong, warm
+love which had sprung up within it for Ulric.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Old and thoughtful she grew, beyond her years, but
+never unhappy. Ulric needed her, was glad of her
+presence; she could minister to his wants and brighten
+his sad life.</p>
+
+<p class="in">So Ulric's love grew more to her than the flowers
+and sunshine of the outer world; to think of leaving
+him now would break her heart, but she wondered
+often over the mystery that shadowed his life and hers.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">91</a></span>And the months grew to years, and Elsa was twelve
+years old.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Then one evening Ulric came in from one of his visits
+to the closed chamber, more sad and thoughtful even
+than usual, and taking Elsa's hand in his, bade her
+sit beside him for a little while and put aside her
+work. She came obediently, looking anxiously into
+his face.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Little Elsa," he said, "I have counted the time,
+and it is now five years since you came to me. You
+told me then you were seven years old, now you are
+therefore twelve, and will soon be growing into a
+maiden. The time has come&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p class="in">Instinctively the child clasped his hand closer.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Not to part us, father?" (for so she had learned to
+call him.)</p>
+
+<p class="in">"That, my child, must rest with you."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Then it is soon settled," said Elsa, trying to laugh,
+"for I will never leave you."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Something like the light of hope shone in the
+man's clouded eyes&mdash;eyes in which Elsa had never
+seen a smile, although his lips had smiled at her
+often.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Listen," he said; "before you speak rash words, I
+must tell you all. Then you shall decide.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"It is a little more than eleven years since the curse
+fell upon me. I was a hard man then, Elsa&mdash;hard
+and cruel and strong&mdash;it was my boast that I never
+forgave a debt, or pardoned an enemy.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I had married a young and beautiful wife, and her
+I loved passionately, but in my own hard and selfish
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">92</a></span>fashion. Often I refused to heed even her gentle
+pleadings for the suffering, the sinful, and the poor.
+And we had one child&mdash;a girl&mdash;then only a few months
+old.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"It was a New Year's Eve that I decided upon
+giving a great entertainment to all the country round.
+I did it for my own glorification. Among the rich I
+was disliked, but tolerated on account of my position;
+by the poor far and wide I was feared and hated.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Every one invited came to my ball. My wife looked
+exquisitely lovely, more lovely I thought than on our
+bridal day&mdash;everything ministered to my pride and
+satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"We had mustered here, here in this hall, to drink the
+health of the dying year and welcome the incoming
+of the new, when above the sounds of laughter and
+good cheer was heard from without a pitiful, feeble
+wail&mdash;the wail of a child in pain. That feeble cry
+rang then above every other sound&mdash;it rings in my
+heart still.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Before I could interfere, my wife, with her own
+hands, had flung wide the great barred door, and I
+saw a sight which I alone could explain.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Upon the step was huddled a woman, with a child
+in her arms. A man, gaunt and hunger-stricken, towered
+behind her in the darkness; two other children clung
+to her, shivering and weeping. We were in the midst
+of the cruel, bitter winter; the earth was frost-bound,
+hard and cold, even as now. That day I had given
+orders that these people, poor and starving as they
+were, should be turned from their home. The man I
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">93</a></span>had suspected of being a poacher, and he was doing no
+work&mdash;a good-for-nothing&mdash;but <i>she</i>, my wife, had pleaded
+for them that I would wait, at least, until the summer.
+Now she bent down to that poor creature on the step,
+who was striving to nurse and warm her babe in her
+chill arms, and whispered something&mdash;I guessed it was
+a promise of shelter.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0291.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;&#39;MOTHER, AWAKE!&#39; SHE SAID&quot;" title="&quot;&#39;MOTHER, AWAKE!&#39; SHE SAID&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;&#39;MOTHER, AWAKE!&#39; SHE SAID&quot; (<i>p.</i> 95).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">"In my fierce pride and anger I laid my hand upon
+her arm, and with a strong grip drew her back&mdash;then
+without a word I closed the door and barred it. But
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">94</a></span>within there was no more laughter. A voice rose upon
+the still night air&mdash;the sound of a bitter curse&mdash;a curse
+that should rest upon me and mine, the chill of winter
+and of death, of pitiless desolation and remorse, until
+human love should win me back to human pity and
+God's forgiveness.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"One by one, with cold good-nights, my guests departed.
+My wife stole away to her own apartments
+without a word; upon her arm I saw the mark of my
+cruel hand.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"In the morning the curse had fallen. The woman
+I had turned away had been found at my gates, dead,
+her child still clasped to her breast.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"The servants fled and left me alone, taking with
+them our child; my wife&mdash;that night&mdash;she, too&mdash;died&mdash;to
+me."</p>
+
+<p class="in">The man's head drooped upon his hands. For a
+moment there was silence in the hall.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Elsa stood&mdash;her child's heart grieved at the terrible
+story, her whole nature sorrowing, pitiful, shocked.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Presently Ulric recovered himself and continued:
+"Now, Elsa, you know all. My child, if you will return
+to the world and leave me to work out my fate, you
+shall not go penniless. I have wealth. For your sake
+I will venture once more among the haunts of men and
+see you placed in a safe home, then&mdash;I will try to
+forget. It is right that you should shrink."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Father, dear father, I love you&mdash;you are sorry&mdash;I
+will not leave you&mdash;do not send me away."</p>
+
+<p class="in">A look almost of rapture changed the worn and tear-stained
+face of the man who had owned his sin&mdash;and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">95</a></span>the child's arms closed once more around his neck,
+and her golden head nestled to his breast. A few
+minutes later he led her to the closed chamber. Together
+they passed beyond it, and Elsa found herself
+standing in a richly furnished room.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Near a window was a couch covered with dark velvet,
+and upon the couch a figure lay stretched as if in quiet,
+death-like sleep, or carved in marble. The figure was
+that of a young and very fair woman. Her dress of
+white satin had yellowed with time; her hands were
+clasped upon her breast as though in prayer; her golden
+hair lay unbound upon the pillow.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"It is fitting now," said Ulric, "that you should come
+here."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Softly Elsa advanced. She stood beside the couch,
+gazing down upon the still, white face, so sweet in its
+settled grief, but which in this long silence seemed to
+have lost its first youth. Elsa bent lower, lower. What
+new instinct filled her warm, young heart, and made
+her speak?</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Mother, awake!" she said. "Mother!" and kissed
+the cold, quiet lips.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Was it a ray of sunlight that stole through the open
+window and trembled upon the mouth, curving it into
+a smile? Slowly the dark eyes opened and rested with
+a look of ineffable love upon Elsa's face.</p>
+
+<p class="in">And so the curse and the shadows of eternal winter
+passed away from the house of Ulric, and his young
+bride came back from her long slumber. In due time
+the garden, too, awoke to the touch of spring, and the
+flowers bloomed, and the birds mated once more and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">96</a></span>sang in budding trees, and the sun shone. And Elsa's
+love bound closely together the hearts of her father
+and mother; for perhaps you have been clever enough
+to find out that the woodman's wife was the nurse who
+had carried away with her in her flight Ulric's little
+daughter on the night of the New Year's ball.</p>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<h2><a name="Ringfalla_Bridge" id="Ringfalla_Bridge"></a>Ringfalla Bridge.</h2>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i030.jpg" width="70%" alt="Ringfalla Bridge. By  K. E. Sutter" title="Ringfalla Bridge. By  K. E. Sutter" />
+</div>
+
+<p class="initialMarginTop">ONCE upon a time there lived a King who had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">99</a></span>
+two kingdoms to govern&mdash;his own always the
+perfection of law and order, while the other
+was given over to confusion and rebellion, which, strive
+as he would, got ever worse instead of better.</p>
+
+<p class="in">It had been the worry of his life ever since he began
+to reign&mdash;and as he had no son to help him, he was
+obliged to find a ruler for it among his Ministers, but
+not one of them, however clever, could manage to
+control its unruly inhabitants.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Sometimes, at long intervals, he even went to live
+there himself, on which occasions his troubles in regard
+to it multiplied so exceedingly that he swore they
+were half demons, as the name of their kingdom,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">100</a></span>Nokkëland, proved, and for his part he wished they
+could find an evil spirit like themselves to govern them
+in his stead, as no mere mortal could. And then, as he
+could think of nothing else, he called a council of his
+most trusted chiefs, and conferred with them; but as
+they had all given their best consideration to the subject
+many times before, none of them could come to any
+more brilliant conclusion than formerly.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Therefore King Kaftan said he would hunt on the
+morrow to distract his mind, so a great party set forth
+at daybreak, and scoured the woods far and near, but no
+sport could they get; no fourfooted beast could they
+find excepting rabbits, and they were everywhere.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Unwilling to return empty-handed, and hoping for
+better luck on the morrow, the King gave the order
+to camp in the wood. Some of the men were catching
+rabbits for supper, whilst others were making fires to
+cook them, when just as the last rim of the sinking sun
+disappeared below the horizon, a beautiful hart as white
+as snow with antlers and hoofs of gold, suddenly
+appeared, and walked leisurely down the glade towards
+the sunset.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Instantly, with one accord, King, courtiers, huntsmen,
+and servants rushed off in hot pursuit, helter-skelter
+over each other, on foot, on horseback, armed or
+unarmed, just as they found themselves when it first
+appeared. The King, who had not dismounted, was
+ahead of the others, and urged his steed with whip
+and spur; but poor Rolf was very weary, and do as
+he would, his master could get no nearer to his
+quarry.</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">101</a></span>Night was rapidly closing in when the King found
+himself far ahead of his attendants, and alone with a
+spent horse in a part of the forest where he had never
+been before, and miles from any human habitation.</p>
+
+<p class="in">More and more faltering grew Rolf's jaded pace, and
+in proportion as it slackened, slower went the hart.
+The King's pulses quivered with excitement. He leapt
+from the saddle, drew his dagger, and prepared to follow
+on foot; but, to his astonishment, the beast had turned
+and was coming slowly towards him, the moonlight
+turning his antlers to silver, and gleaming on his milk-white
+coat.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Half instinctively, the King had raised his dagger,
+when the hart stopped and spoke in courteous, but
+authoritative tones.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Stay thy hand and know that I also am a King in
+my own country. I have much to say to thee, therefore
+follow me and fear nothing."</p>
+
+<p class="in">So King Kaftan followed, wondering, until the hart
+stopped before a great rock, overhung with a tangle
+of eglantine and honeysuckle&mdash;and pushing aside the
+fragrant curtain dexterously with his horns, disclosed
+what appeared to be the mouth of a cave. Entering
+this, closely followed by the King, they proceeded for
+some way in almost total darkness. Gradually it grew
+lighter and the path wider, when the King perceived, to
+his amazement, that the illumination proceeded from
+countless numbers of bats, ridden by small imps carrying
+lighted glow-worms.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Presently they came to a spacious garden, where all
+the trees were lighted by coloured lamps hanging among
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">102</a></span>the branches, and the air was filled with music and
+perfume.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Within the garden was a great pavilion of purple silk,
+most gorgeously emblazoned with scarlet and gold, and
+having a Royal banner floating from the roof.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Within was a table, covered with every variety of food
+and wine, lavishly decorated with flowers and gold
+plate, and laid for two. Here the hart entertained his
+Royal guest to supper, and after he was completely
+refreshed and rested, handed him an enamelled box,
+which, on being opened, disclosed a clay pipe, blackened
+with much use, a tinder, and a flint.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Smoke, O King!" said the host; "unfortunately I
+cannot join you; and now to explain why I have lured
+you from your own people to my enchanted land.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I know your difficulties in Nokkëland, because for
+one reason we are very near neighbours, though
+probably you are unaware of it. The people who
+inhabit that kingdom are descended from a water fiend,
+and the turbulent instincts inherited from him can never
+be quelled until the power of the Neck, who rules the
+river between your kingdom and theirs, is broken. Now,
+the Neck is my enemy as well as yours, and if you
+will ally yourself with me and follow my counsels, you
+will have peace, honour, and happiness for the rest of
+your life in all probability."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I am ready," said the King, "only tell me what to
+do; the Klavs are the plague of my life, but from what
+you say success even then is by no means a certainty."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Much depends on luck," said the hart, "and to
+neither your Majesty nor myself is it given to do much.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">103</a></span>You have three daughters, Solveig, Ulva, and little
+Kirsten; one of them must go over Ringfalla Bridge
+without stumbling and without speaking one word.
+This done, your troubles and my own are at an
+end."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i031.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;AN ENAMELLED BOX&quot;" title="&quot;AN ENAMELLED BOX&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;AN ENAMELLED BOX&quot; (<i>p.</i> 102).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">Now, Ringfalla Bridge it was that spanned the river
+between King Kaftan's own territory and that of the
+Klavs, and what between the Klavs themselves and the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">104</a></span>Neck who inhabited the river, it had a very evil
+reputation indeed.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The King looked grave, and then he laughed rather
+grimly. "There won't be much difficulty about that," he
+said. "To cross it has been the desire of their hearts
+ever since they were babies; it is only my strict orders
+that keep them from it."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"She who undertakes it must go of her own free will,
+and if she accomplishes it without stumbling and without
+speaking, the kingdom is saved." Those were the last
+words of the hart ere bidding the King good-night, and
+they were ringing in his ears when he awoke in the
+morning. But he was no longer lying on the silken
+cushions on which he had rested the night before.
+Pavilion, garden, and hart had vanished, the sun was
+high in the heavens, he was lying on a heap of moss
+and ferns in the wood, with Rolf standing over him
+and thrusting his soft nozzle into his face.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The King was greatly perplexed as to whether all
+the events of the preceding night had actually happened,
+or if he had only dreamt them, and was rather inclined
+to the latter belief. Mounting Rolf, and leaving that
+good steed to find his own way back to the camp, he
+pondered deeply over all the hart had told him, and
+resolved at least to try what he had suggested.</p>
+
+<p class="in">When at last he came to the camp it was nearly
+deserted, as most of the party had gone to hunt for the
+King, but after much blowing of horns the company
+was collected, and, abandoning all further idea of sport,
+rode back to the capital.</p>
+
+<p class="in">There they found everything silent, except that the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">105</a></span>bells were mournfully tolling, and the flag over the
+palace hanging half-mast high. "What is this? Who
+is dead?" asked the King, but no one seemed inclined
+to explain.</p>
+
+<p class="in">At last the captain of the guard, who could not run
+away, was forced to salute and answer the King.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Sire," he said, "your Majesty's daughter, the Princess
+Solveig, was drowned yesterday in trying to cross
+Ringfalla Bridge."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Greatly to the captain's surprise, however, the King
+inquired no further on the subject, but went straight
+up to the tower where the apartments of the three
+Princesses were situated.</p>
+
+<p class="in">There he found the two youngest overwhelmed with
+grief for their sister's loss, but overjoyed to see him and
+give an account of the catastrophe.</p>
+
+<p class="in">On the previous day, after seeing the King start at
+the head of a great cavalcade on his hunting expedition,
+the three Princesses cast about in their minds how they
+might amuse themselves, and finally agreed to go down
+and picnic by the river. Now, although the river itself
+was not absolutely forbidden, they were quite aware
+that the King disapproved of their going there, but they
+pacified their consciences by taking a strong escort,
+their old nurse, and a very large variety of hampers
+containing lunch.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Poor old Nurse Gerda was as much averse to the expedition
+as King Kaftan himself could have been, and told
+gruesome tales of the evil water spirit and his doings;
+but the Princesses only laughed, and enjoyed preparing
+their own lunch, and eating it afterwards, extremely.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">106</a></span>Then they wandered along the banks, gathering
+primroses and long grasses, all the while drawing near to
+the forbidden bridge; but it looked so inviting with its
+stone parapet and curious wooden pavement, and the
+water flowed so peacefully beneath the arches, that they
+there and then made up their minds to cross it, and
+drew lots to decide which should venture first. The lot
+fell to Solveig, the eldest, and she set out boldly with
+six archers to guard her&mdash;three before and three behind,
+walking abreast&mdash;a last precaution insisted upon by
+Gerda, the nurse, who watched the proceeding in terror.</p>
+
+<p class="in">All went well till they had almost reached the middle,
+then she tripped, and in falling touched the parapet,
+which instantly gave way, and the Princess fell into the
+river. As she touched the water a great pair of hairy
+arms caught and drew her under, so that she was seen
+no more. "And," continued Ulva, who up till now had
+done most of the talking, "the wall closed up again, with
+no sign of a break, directly she disappeared, and though
+two of the guard jumped in after her, the Neck took no
+notice of them, and they swam ashore in the end quite
+safely."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"The bridge is enchanted," said the King gloomily;
+and then he told them his adventure with the white
+hart.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Then," said Ulva, with great decision, "I will go:
+it is very simple. Solveig talked to Ulf, the archer,
+all the time, and was looking at the river when she
+stumbled. Now, I know what is required of me: I will
+look at my feet and say nothing, not a word. Do,
+father, let me go." And she gave the King no peace
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">107</a></span>till he consented; but she fared no better than her
+sister.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0321.jpg" width="50%" alt="&quot;A GREAT PAIR OF HAIRY ARMS CAUGHT AND DREW
+HER UNDER&quot;" title="&quot;A GREAT PAIR OF HAIRY ARMS CAUGHT AND DREW
+HER UNDER&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;A GREAT PAIR OF HAIRY ARMS CAUGHT AND DREW
+HER UNDER&quot; (<i>p.</i> 106).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">Boldly and silently she marched in the very centre
+of the fatal bridge, till suddenly she saw in front of her
+an enormous serpent with fiery eyes and forked tongue,
+with head up ready to spring. Poor Ulva's chief fear in
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">108</a></span>life was a snake. She recoiled in terror, calling to
+warn the archers, who had seen nothing. And then
+the flooring gave way beneath her, and she too sank
+into the flood, a great pair of hairy hands clutching
+her as she fell.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Then there was great mourning throughout the land.
+The people clothed themselves in black, and the King
+reviled the hart and his own folly in acting on his advice,
+and refused to be comforted.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Then little Kirsten, the youngest sister, and the fairest
+maiden in the land, put her white arms about his neck
+and told him to be of good cheer; "for I will ride
+across," she said, "and if Freyja my mare stumble, it
+will be her fault, not mine, and I will neither speak nor
+scream, for they will tie a scarf over my lips so that I
+cannot. So, father, let me go, for it is I who will save
+the kingdom."</p>
+
+<p class="in">But the King swore a great oath, and vowed she should
+not, and for three days nothing could move him. Then,
+the Princess prevailed, and the whole city came out to
+see her ride over Ringfalla Bridge.</p>
+
+<p class="in">This time neither guards nor soldiers attempted to
+cross&mdash;a dozen courtiers, richly apparelled and mounted,
+accompanied the youngest Princess, who, dressed in
+white and all her pet jewels, with diamond fireflies
+glistening in the golden hair that floated to her little
+shoes, and her small, red mouth bound fast with a silken
+scarf, rode gaily upon Freyja till she had crossed the
+middle of the bridge, when, once again, appeared a
+wonder on the verge of the forest&mdash;a great white hart,
+with horns and hoofs of burnished gold. And straightway
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">109</a></span>all the courtiers were tearing after it helter-skelter
+in hot haste, entirely forgetful of the poor little Princess
+and everything else.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0331.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;THE YOUNGEST PRINCESS RODE GAILY UPON FREYJA&quot;" title="&quot;THE YOUNGEST PRINCESS RODE GAILY UPON FREYJA&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;THE YOUNGEST PRINCESS RODE GAILY UPON FREYJA&quot; (<i>p.</i> 108).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">And Freyja that morning was very frisky; she minced
+along sideways on her golden shoes, coquetting with
+her own shadow, and making little playful snaps at her
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">110</a></span>bridle. So she, too, stumbled at last on the treacherous
+planks, throwing her mistress over the parapet into the
+swiftly running stream; but this time no demon hands
+were stretched out to receive their prey&mdash;only a flash
+of white and gold ere the water closed over her head,
+and then all was still.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Meantime the white hart was giving the truant
+courtiers a lively time of it; he bounded, trotted,
+and doubled, keeping all the time close to the
+bridge, but eluding all their efforts to come near him.
+When, however, the maiden fell, a marvellous thing
+chanced&mdash;the beautiful beast vanished, and in his place
+stood the handsomest knight that had ever been seen
+in that or any other land. His armour was of gold,
+curiously inlaid with silver; on his helmet was a crown
+of emeralds, and his long purple mantle was lined with
+ermine, so there could be no doubt about his being a
+King.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Then all the courtiers doffed their plumed caps, and
+did obeisance to him; but the stranger, after acknowledging
+their homage, called aloud for "Asaph," and
+out of the wood, running as fast as he could, came a
+beautiful little page, clothed in green, and carrying a
+golden harp.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Then the strange knight crossed the bridge and
+saluted King Kaftan, who was standing on the bank
+looking at the river like one dazed.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Be of good cheer, Sir King," he cried; "the Princess
+Kirsten has broken the charm, and I am no longer the
+white hart, but the rightful King of your troublesome
+Klavs&mdash;me they obey and no other; and now, thanks
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">111</a></span>for your courtesy." So saying, he took the harp from
+his little foot-page, and, seating himself on the bank,
+began to play.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i034.jpg" width="50%" alt="&quot;And then little Kirsten came smiling out of the water.&quot;
+" title="&quot;And then little Kirsten came smiling out of the water.&quot;
+" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;And then little Kirsten came smiling out of the water.&quot;
+<span style="margin-left: 70%"><i>page 111</i></span></p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">Very softly at first, but so wondrous were the
+magic notes that all the assembled people listened
+silent and motionless, for never before had they
+heard the like. First the sound was like the distant
+echo of silver trumpets when they welcomed the
+host back from battle; and then coming, as it were,
+nearer, like the ripple of waves on a pebbly beach,
+and all the fishes swam up to listen, while out of the
+wood flocked bird and beast also. So wondrous was
+the strain.</p>
+
+<p class="in">And then little Kirsten came smiling out of the
+water and sat upon the harper's knee, and one arm he
+put about her to hold her fast, but still he kept on
+playing. And now the music waxed fierce and terrible,
+like the roll of thunder among the mountains, or the
+crash of armies when they meet in battle. And the
+waves grew black and angry and lashed themselves
+into foam, for the Neck, the evil water spirit, was furious,
+but he could not fight against his master, and so at the
+last he also came forth, black and hideous, but subdued,
+leading the two Princesses Solveig and Ulva, who
+looked more beautiful than ever, and none the worse
+for their sojourn below the river.</p>
+
+<p class="in">So there were great rejoicings in both kingdoms, for
+the youngest Princess had broken the spell laid on Sir
+Sigurd by the Neck, who caught him in the forest alone
+without his harp, and condemned him to wander as a
+white hart until a Royal Princess should of her own
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">112</a></span>free will cross Ringfalla Bridge without stumbling and
+without talking.</p>
+
+<p class="in">This little Kirsten did, and she had her reward, for
+she married Sigurd and reigned over the Klavs, who
+were turbulent no more, because their King and Queen
+had been born for the special purpose of ruling over
+them.</p>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<h2><a name="The_Childrens_Fairy" id="The_Childrens_Fairy"></a>The Children's Fairy.</h2>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i035.jpg" width="70%" alt="The children&#39;s Fairy. From the French of Saint-Juirs" title="The children&#39;s Fairy. From the French of Saint-Juirs" />
+</div>
+
+<p class="initialMarginTop">IT was a dull, heavy afternoon, and the long, dusty<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">115</a></span>
+road looked quite deserted, not a horse or even
+a foot-passenger in sight. The birds were taking
+their afternoon siesta, and the leaves were hanging down
+languidly from the poor trees, which were dying with
+thirst. There were three solitary-looking, tumble-down
+cottages on one side of the road, and presently the door
+of one of them opened, and a woman's voice called out:</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Come, Yvette, come, go out and play."</p>
+
+<p class="in">In answer to this summons a little girl of some three
+or four years old soon appeared, and with great difficulty
+on all fours began to descend the steep steps from the
+house to the footpath. It was quite a piece of work,
+that perilous descent, and it was accomplished slowly,
+carefully, and very awkwardly by what looked like
+nothing but a bundle of clothes.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The child had on a little bonnet made of two pieces
+of figured muslin sewn together, and from which a few
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">116</a></span>tresses of fair hair which had escaped fell over her
+forehead and down the back of her neck. Her little
+frock had been lengthened many times, and, consequently,
+the waist was now up under the arms, like one sees in
+the Empire dresses. As to shoes and stockings&mdash;well,
+it was not very cold, and so they were put away for a
+future occasion.</p>
+
+<p class="in">When once she had reached the bottom of the steps,
+the child stood upright and looked round for a minute
+or two, evidently deep in thought, with her little finger
+pressed against her face. Play! Yes, it was all very
+well, but what should she play at?</p>
+
+<p class="in">At the very time when the poor little mite was turning
+this question over in her mind, hundreds of other children,
+accompanied by their mother or by their nurse, would
+be all out in the gardens or parks, and they would have
+with them all kinds of games and toys, from the favourite
+spade and bucket to a real little steam-boat, which would
+sail along on the ponds. They would have cannons,
+skipping-ropes, reins (all covered with little bells), hoops,
+battledores and shuttlecocks, bowls, marbles, balls, balloons,
+dolls of every description, pistols, guns, swords,
+and, in fact, everything that the heart of a child can
+desire.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Then, too, those other children nearly always had little
+playmates, so that it was easy enough to organise a
+game.</p>
+
+<p class="in">But, Yvette&mdash;on that deserted road, what could she
+do? Her father, a poor road-mender, earned only just
+enough to make a bare living for his wife and child,
+and certainly not a halfpenny could be spared for toys.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0361.jpg" width="50%" alt="&quot;DEEP IN THOUGHT&quot;" title="&quot;DEEP IN THOUGHT&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;DEEP IN THOUGHT&quot; (<i>p</i>. 116).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">117</a></span>Yvette sat down just near a great heap of stones,
+which her father had to break into small pieces in
+order to fill in the ruts. When she was comfortably
+installed, she began to fumble in her pocket, and there
+she certainly found all kinds of wonderful things: two
+cherry-stones, a piece of string, a small carrot, a shoe-button,
+a small penny knife, a little bit of blue braid
+and some crumbs of bread. Now, these were all very
+nice in their way, and were indeed very valuable articles,
+but somehow they did not appeal to Yvette at all just
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">118</a></span>then. She put them all very carefully back one by
+one in her pocket.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Then there was a profound silence. Yvette was not
+happy. The little face puckered itself up into a significant
+grimace&mdash;the little nose was all screwed up, and the
+mouth was just opening&mdash;tears were surely on the
+way! Just at that moment, fortunately, the Children's
+Fairy was passing by.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Now you, perhaps, do not know about this Fairy,
+for no one ever sees her, but it is the very one which
+makes children smile in their dreams, and gives them
+all kinds of pretty thoughts. There is no limit to the
+power of this Fairy, for, with a stroke of her magic
+wand, she can transform things just as she wishes. She
+is very good and kind-hearted, and the proof is that she
+bestows her favours more generally on the poor and
+unfortunate than on others.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Well, this good Fairy saw that Yvette was just going
+to cry. She stretched her golden wand out over the
+heap of stones and then flew away again, laughing, for
+she was just as light and as gay as a ray of sunshine.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Now, directly the Fairy had gone, it seemed to the
+road-mender's little daughter that one of the big stones
+near her had a face, and that it was dressed just like a
+little baby. Oh, it was really just like a little baby!
+Yvette stretched out her hand, took the stone up, and
+immediately began to feel for it all the love which a
+mother feels for her child.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0371.jpg" width="50%" alt="&quot;SHE STRETCHED HER GOLDEN WAND OVER THE HEAP OF
+STONES&quot;" title="&quot;SHE STRETCHED HER GOLDEN WAND OVER THE HEAP OF
+STONES&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;SHE STRETCHED HER GOLDEN WAND OVER THE HEAP OF
+STONES&quot; (<i>p.</i> 118).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">"Ah!" she said to it, cuddling it up in her arms;
+"do you want to be my little girl? You don't speak&mdash;oh!
+but that is because you are too young&mdash;but I see
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">119</a></span>you would like to. Very well, then; I will be your
+mother, and I shall love you and never whip you. You
+must be good, though, and then I shall never scold
+you. Oh! but if you are not good&mdash;you know, I've
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">120</a></span>got a birch rod. Now, come, I'm going to dress you
+better: you look dreadful in that frock." Hereupon
+Yvette rolled her child up in her pinafore, so that there
+was nothing to be seen of the stone but what was
+supposed to be the baby's head.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Oh! how pretty she is, dear little thing. There,
+now, she shall have something to eat. Ah! you are
+crying&mdash;but you must not cry, my pretty one&mdash;there,
+there." And the hard stone was rocked gently in the
+soft little arms of its fond mother.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Bye-bye, baby&mdash;bye-bye-bye." Yvette sang with all
+her might, tapping her little daughter's back energetically,
+but evidently all to no purpose, for the stone refused
+to go to sleep. "Ah! naughty girl; you won't go to
+sleep? Oh no, I won't tell you any more stories. I
+have told you Tom Thumb, and that's quite enough for
+to-night. Go to sleep&mdash;quick&mdash;quick, I say. Oh, dear,
+dear, naughty child&mdash;I've got a knife&mdash;what! you are
+crying again! If you only knew how ugly you are
+when you cry! There! now I'm going to slap you&mdash;take
+that, and that, and that, to make you quiet. Oh
+dear, how dreadful it is to have such a child. I believe
+I'll change you, and have a boy. Now, just say you
+are sorry for being so naughty&mdash;&mdash;What! you won't?
+I'll give you another chance. Now&mdash;one&mdash;two&mdash;three.
+Oh, very well. I know what I shall do. I shall just
+go and take you back. I shall say: 'If you please, I've
+got a dreadful little girl, and I want to change her for
+a nice little boy, named Eugene.' And then they'll say:
+'Yes, ma'am; will you have him with light hair or
+dark?' 'Oh,' I shall say, 'I don't mind, as long as
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">121</a></span>he is good.' 'He'll be very dear, though, ma'am,' they'll
+say; 'good little boys are very rare, and they cost a
+great deal.' 'How much?' I shall ask. 'Why, one
+penny, ma'am.' And then I shall think about it&mdash;&mdash;Now,
+then, are you going to be good, and say you are
+sorry? No? Oh! very well&mdash;it's too late now&mdash;I've
+changed you. I have no little girl now, but a very
+pretty little boy, named Zizi."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0381.jpg" width="50%" alt="&quot;OH! HOW PRETTY SHE IS&quot;" title="&quot;OH! HOW PRETTY SHE IS&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;OH! HOW PRETTY SHE IS&quot; (<i>p.</i> 120).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">The stone immediately underwent a complete transformation.
+Just now, when it was a little girl, it had
+been very quiet and gentle, and had kept quite still on
+Yvette's lap. Now that it was a boy there was no
+more peace: it would jump about, and it would try to
+get away, for boys are always so restless.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Zizi, will you be still, and will you stay on my lap
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">122</a></span>instead of tumbling about in the road? There, let me
+lift you up! Oh, dear! how heavy boys are. There,
+now, don't you stir, but just eat your bread and milk.
+It will make you grow, and then when you are big
+you'll have beautiful grey whiskers, like father. You
+shall have a sword, too, and perhaps you shall be a
+policeman. It's very nice to be a policeman, you know,
+because they are never put in prison&mdash;they take other
+people there if the people make a noise in the street.
+Oh, Zizi, do keep still. If you don't, I'll call the wolf&mdash;you
+know, the big wolf that runs off with little
+children and takes them into the woods to eat them
+up. Wolf, wolf, where are you?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">Just at that moment a dog appeared&mdash;a large, well-fed,
+happy-looking dog, impudent too, and full of fun. He
+belonged to a carrier who was always moving about
+from place to place, and the dog, accustomed as he
+was to these constant journeys, had got rather familiar,
+like certain commercial travellers, who, no matter where
+they are, always make themselves quite at home.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Now, the dog had got tired of following his master's
+cart, and when he saw something in the distance which
+was moving about, he bounded off to discover what it
+was. This something was Yvette and her little boy.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Look, look!" exclaimed the small mother, and there
+was a tremor in her voice. "You see, he is coming&mdash;the
+big wolf!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">He <i>was</i> coming, there was no doubt about that, for
+he was tearing along, and his tongue was hanging out
+and his ears were pricked up.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The little stone boy was not at all frightened, but
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">123</a></span>Yvette began to regret having called the dreadful animal.
+Oh! if she could only get away now; but, alas! she
+did not dare to move or even to speak.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0391.jpg" width="50%" alt="&quot;THE IMPERTINENT DOG CAME STRAIGHT TO THEM&quot;" title="&quot;THE IMPERTINENT DOG CAME STRAIGHT TO THEM&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;THE IMPERTINENT DOG CAME STRAIGHT TO THEM&quot; (<i>p.</i> 123).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">The impertinent dog came straight to them. Poor
+Yvette, half frightened to death, threw away the precious
+stone baby she had been fondling, and, picking herself
+up, began to run, calling out: "Mother! Mother!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">The dog was quite near her, jumping up at her, and
+then suddenly he turned to go and sniff at the little
+stone boy. He probably thought it was a bone or a
+piece of bread, but he was soon undeceived, and then
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">124</a></span>he rushed to the hedge to bark and wake up all the
+birds.</p>
+
+<p class="in">As to Yvette, she was hurrying along as fast as her
+little legs could carry her, for she was in despair, as she
+thought the wolf was just behind her, and she imagined
+that she still felt his hot breath on her little hand. She
+stopped when she got to the steps of her home, for she
+was out of breath and all trembling with terror, and
+she felt sure that if she tried to scramble up the steps
+the wolf would bite her legs. Suddenly the inspiration,
+which the ostrich once had, came to her, and she rushed
+into the corner which was formed by the front of the
+house and the stone steps, and holding her face close
+to the wall, so that she could not see the dreadful animal,
+she was convinced that she too was out of his sight.</p>
+
+<p class="in">She stayed there some minutes in perfect anguish,
+thinking: "Oh! if I move, he'll eat me up!" She was
+quite surprised even that he did not find her, and that
+his great teeth did not bite her, for she always thought
+wolves were so quick to eat up little girls. Whatever
+could he be doing? And then, not hearing any sound
+of him, she thought she would risk one peep round.
+Very slowly she turned her head, and then, as nothing
+dreadful happened, she grew bolder and bolder.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The wolf was not in sight, and instead of the barking
+which had terrified her, she now heard a lot of little
+bells tinkling, and in the distance she saw a waggon
+with four horses coming along.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The sound of the bells was so fascinating that Yvette
+forgot her duty as a mother, and stood there watching
+the waggon as it approached.</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">125</a></span>The horses were all grey, and they were coming so
+fast. Suddenly the child uttered an awe-struck cry.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Her child, her little son, was under the heavy wheels!
+Crunch! crunch! and it had gone by, the horrible waggon.
+Yvette went on to the horse-road, and her little heart
+was very full; for there, where poor Zizi had been lying,
+there was only some yellowish crunched stone. Zizi
+had been ground into powder by the huge wheels. The
+poor child was in despair, and, with tears in her eyes,
+she shook her little fists at the carrier, who was whipping
+up his horses.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0401.jpg" width="50%" alt="&quot;HER CHILD, HER LITTLE SON, WAS UNDER THE HEAVY WHEELS!&quot;" title="&quot;HER CHILD, HER LITTLE SON, WAS UNDER THE HEAVY WHEELS!&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;HER CHILD, HER LITTLE SON, WAS UNDER THE HEAVY WHEELS!&quot;</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">"Cruel, wicked man!" she cried, and then her eyes
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">126</a></span>happening to fall on the heap of stones which had
+supplied her with a family, she saw another stone smiling
+at her now. She ran quickly to it, picked it up and
+kissed it affectionately, and then, happy in her new
+treasure, she cried out defiantly to the carrier, whom
+she could still see in the distance: "Ah! I don't care!
+I've got another&mdash;there, then! and it's a girl this time.
+I won't have any more dreadful boys to be afraid of
+wolves, and to go and get themselves killed just to
+make their poor mother unhappy."</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+
+<p class="in">Oh! kind, good Fairy, you who watch over the
+children, and who give them their happiness and console
+them in sorrow when they are playing at life&mdash;oh, good
+Fairy, do not forget your big children.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Older men tell me that I am young, but the younger
+ones do not think so; and I, myself, saw, only this
+morning, a silver thread in my hairs. Oh, kind Fairy,
+Fairy of the children, help me, too, to believe that the
+moon is made of green cheese; for, after all, our happiness
+here below consists in our faith and in our
+illusions.</p>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<h2><a name="Wittysplinter" id="Wittysplinter"></a>"Wittysplinter."</h2>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0411.jpg" width="70%" alt="Wittysplinter. From the German of Clemens Brentano" title="Wittysplinter. From the German of Clemens Brentano" />
+</div>
+
+<p class="initialMarginTop">ONCE upon a time there was a King of Roundabout<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">129</a></span>
+who had, among many other servants, a
+page-boy who was called Wittysplinter, and
+he preferred him above all the others, and showered upon
+him honours and presents, because of his uncommon skill
+and cleverness, and because everything the King gave
+him to do he always accomplished successfully. Now,
+because of the great favour which the King showed to
+Wittysplinter, all the other page-boys and servants were
+jealous of him; for, if his cleverness were rewarded
+with money, they generally received nothing but scoldings
+for their stupidity; if Wittysplinter received praise
+from the King, they generally received a blowing-up;
+when Wittysplinter got a new coat to his back, they
+got instead the application of a stick to theirs; and if
+Wittysplinter were permitted to kiss the King's hand,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">130</a></span>they were only allowed to touch it when they got a
+smack from it.</p>
+
+<p class="in">On account of all these things, therefore, they got
+very angry with Wittysplinter, and went about murmuring
+and whispering the whole day long, and putting their
+heads together and plotting how best they could deprive
+Wittysplinter of the love of the King. One of them
+scattered a lot of peas on the steps up to the throne, so
+that Wittysplinter might stumble and break the glass
+sceptre which he always had to present to the King;
+another nailed pieces of melon skin to his shoes, so that
+he might slide along and make a dreadful mess of the
+King's gown when he was handing him the soup; a
+third put all sorts of horrid flies in a straw, and blew
+them into the King's wig when Wittysplinter was dressing
+it; a fourth played some other nasty trick, and every one
+sought to do something to deprive Wittysplinter of the
+King's favour. Wittysplinter was so cautious, however,
+and so clever and watchful, that everything they did was
+in vain, and he brought all the commands of the King
+to a successful issue.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Well, when they found that all these man&#339;uvres were
+quite useless, they determined to try something else. Now,
+the King had an enemy, whom he could never get the
+better of, and who was always doing him some mischief.
+This was a giant who was called Sleepyhead, and who
+lived in a large mountain, where he had a splendid palace
+surrounded by a thick, gloomy wood; and with the
+exception of his wife, Thickasmud, no human being lived
+with him; but a lion who was called Hendread, and a bear
+called Honeybeard, and a wolf called Lambsnapper, and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">131</a></span>a dog called Harescare, acted as his servants. He had
+also in the stables a horse called Flyinglegs.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Now, there dwelt in the neighbourhood of Roundabout
+a very beautiful Queen, Madam Flosk, who had a daughter,
+Miss Flink, and the King of Roundabout, who wanted to
+possess all the land adjoining his own, was very anxious
+to marry Madam Flosk. But she was proud, and let him
+know that many other Kings were also anxious to marry
+her, and that she would accept in marriage that King only
+who was most expeditious, and that he who was first by
+her side when she went into church next Monday morning
+at half-past ten should have her as his wife, and all her
+possessions into the bargain.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Thereupon the King summoned all his household, and
+put the question to them: "How am I to manage to be
+first in the church on Monday morning next, and so gain
+Queen Flosk for my wife?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">Then his servants answered him, and said: "You must
+gain possession of the horse Flyinglegs, belonging to the
+giant Sleepyhead; if you once get astride of it, no one can
+possibly get there before you; and to get this horse for
+you no one is more suited than Wittysplinter, who is so
+successful in all he undertakes."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Thus spoke the wicked servants, in the hope that the
+Giant Sleepyhead would kill Wittysplinter. The King,
+accordingly, commanded Wittysplinter to bring the horse
+Flyinglegs to him.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Wittysplinter got a hand-barrow, and placed a bees
+hive on it, then a sack into which he thrust a cock, a hare,
+and a lamb, and laid it on the barrow; he took with him,
+also, a long piece of rope, and a large box full of snuff;
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">132</a></span>slung round him a riding whip, fastened a pair of good
+spurs to his boots, and quietly set off, pushing his barrow
+in front of him.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Towards evening he had reached the summit of the
+high mountain, and when he had traversed the wood he
+saw before him the castle of the giant Sleepyhead. Night
+drew on, and very soon he heard the giant Sleepyhead
+and his wife, Thickasmud, and his lion, Hendread, and his
+bear, Honeybeard, and his wolf, Lambsnapper, and his
+dog, Harescare, all snoring loudly; only the horse, Flyinglegs,
+was still awake, and stamping the floor of the stable
+with its hoofs.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Then Wittysplinter took the long piece of rope very
+quietly from the sack, and stretched it across in front of
+the door of the castle from one tree to another, and placed
+the box of snuff in the middle; next he took the beehive
+and placed it in a tree by the side of the path, and then
+went into the stable and undid the fastenings of Flyinglegs.
+He placed the sack with the lamb, the hare, and the cock
+on its back, and jumping up himself and using his spurs,
+he rode out of the stable.</p>
+
+<p class="in">But the horse Flyinglegs could speak, and screamed out
+quite loudly:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Thickasmud and Sleepyhead!<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Honeybeard and Hendread!<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Lambsnapper and Harescare!<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">I'm being stolen, so pray beware!"<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p class="in">and then it galloped off as hard as it could, because, with
+Wittysplinter on its back, it couldn't help itself. Then
+Thickasmud and Sleepyhead woke up and heard the cry
+of the horse Flyinglegs. Quickly they awakened the bear
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">133</a></span>Honeybeard, the lion Hendread, the wolf Lambsnapper,
+and the dog Harescare, and all together they rushed pell-mell
+out of the house, to try and catch Wittysplinter with
+the horse Flyinglegs.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0421.jpg" width="50%" alt="&quot;THEY RUSHED PELL-MELL OUT OF THE HOUSE.&quot;" title="&quot;THEY RUSHED PELL-MELL OUT OF THE HOUSE.&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;THEY RUSHED PELL-MELL OUT OF THE HOUSE.&quot;</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">134</a></span>But in the darkness the giant Sleepyhead and his wife
+Thickasmud stumbled over the rope which Wittysplinter
+had tied in front of the castle door, and, splosh!&mdash;they fell
+with their eyes and noses right into the box of snuff which
+he had placed there. They rubbed their eyes and sneezed
+one time after another, and Sleepyhead said: "Your good
+health,<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> Thickasmud." "I thank you," answered Thickasmud,
+and then said: "Good health to you, Sleepyhead."
+"I thank you," answered he; and so on, until they had
+wept the snuff out of their eyes and sneezed it out of their
+noses, and by the time this had happened Wittysplinter
+was clear of the wood.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The bear Honeybeard was the first after him, but when
+he came to the bees' hive the smell of the honey enticed
+him, and he wanted to eat it; then the bees came buzzing
+out, and stung him all over the face to such an extent
+that he ran back half blind to the castle. Wittysplinter
+had already got some distance out of the wood when he
+heard the lion Hendread coming bounding after him, so
+he quickly took the cock out of his sack, and when it flew
+up into a tree and began to crow, the lion got so dreadfully
+frightened that it ran back again.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Now Wittysplinter heard the wolf Lambsnapper behind
+him. He quickly let loose the lamb out of his sack, and
+the wolf galloped after it, and let him ride off in safety.
+He was by this time quite near the town when he heard a
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">135</a></span>bark behind him, and looking round, saw the dog Harescare
+coming tearing after him. Quickly he let loose the
+hare out of the sack, and the dog ran after it, and he
+arrived safely in the town.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The King thanked Wittysplinter very much for the
+horse, but the wicked servants of the Court were very
+much annoyed that he had come off with a whole skin.
+On the following Monday the King mounted upon his
+horse Flyinglegs and rode off to Queen Flosk, and the
+horse galloped so quickly that he was there long before
+any of the other Kings, and had already danced several
+of his wedding dances when they arrived. Just when
+he was about to start off home with his Queen, his
+servants said to him: "Your Majesty has indeed the
+giant Sleepyhead's horse, but how much more splendid
+it would be if you had his clothes as well, which are
+said to surpass anything that man has ever seen. The
+clever Wittysplinter would, no doubt, very soon bring
+them to you if you commanded him to do so."</p>
+
+<p class="in">The King was at once possessed with a great desire
+for Sleepyhead's clothes, and again gave the commission
+to Wittysplinter. When the latter had started off upon
+the road the wicked servants rejoiced, and thought that
+this time he would surely not escape the clutches of the
+giant Sleepyhead.</p>
+
+<p class="in">On this occasion Wittysplinter took nothing with him
+but a few good strong sacks. On arriving at the giant's
+castle he climbed up into a tree, and lay hid until every
+one was in bed. When everything had become quiet
+he climbed down again. Just then he heard Madam
+Thickasmud calling out: "Sleepyhead, my pillow is very
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">136</a></span>low; fetch me a bundle of straw from outside." Thereupon
+Wittysplinter quickly slipped into a bundle of
+straw, and Sleepyhead carried him, along with the straw,
+into his room, shoved him under the pillow, and then
+lay down in bed again.</p>
+
+<p class="in">As soon as they had fallen asleep Wittysplinter packed
+all Sleepyhead's and Thickasmud's clothes into his sack,
+and very quietly and very carefully tied it to the tail
+of the lion Hendread; then he tied the wolf Lambsnapper,
+and the bear Honeybeard, and the dog Harescare, who
+were lying about asleep, fast to the giant's bed, and
+opened the door very wide. So far he had managed
+everything just as he would have wished, but he wanted
+to take away the giant's beautiful bed-cover as well.
+So he gave the corner of it a slight tug, then another,
+and another, and so on, until it fell on the floor. He
+immediately wrapped himself up in it, and seated himself
+on the sack containing the giant's clothes, which he had
+tied to the lion's tail. Soon the cool night wind began
+to blow through the open door and over Thickasmud's
+legs, and waking up, she cried, "Sleepyhead, you've
+pulled all the bed-clothes off me. I've nothing at all
+over me." "Thickasmud, <i>you've</i> pulled all the clothes
+off <i>me</i>," and thereupon they began to belabour each
+other, so that Wittysplinter began to laugh loudly at
+them. As soon as they heard this they called out
+"Thieves, thieves! Up, Hendread! Up, Lambsnapper!
+Up, Honeybeard and Harescare! Thieves, thieves!" At
+this all the animals woke up, and the lion sprang forth
+out of the door. Now Wittysplinter, wrapped up in the
+bed-cover, was sitting on the bundle of clothes tied to
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">137</a></span>the lion's tail; and as soon as the lion began to run,
+he was driven along just as if he was in a carriage.
+He began to cry out several times "kikriki-ki-kri-ki,'
+just like a cock, and the lion got such a fright at this
+that he ran in mad terror right up to the gates of the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">138</a></span>city. When quite near to the gates, Wittysplinter took
+out his knife and cut the string, and the lion, who was
+going at such a rate that he couldn't stop himself, ran
+his head full bang against the gates and fell down
+dead.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0431.jpg" width="50%" alt="&quot;HE COULDN&#39;T STOP HIMSELF&quot;" title="&quot;HE COULDN&#39;T STOP HIMSELF&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;HE COULDN&#39;T STOP HIMSELF&quot; (<i>p.</i> 138).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">The other animals, who had been bound to the bedstead
+of Sleepyhead and Thickasmud, could not get it
+out of the door because it was too wide, and they dragged
+it and pulled it about the room so much that both
+Sleepyhead and Thickasmud fell out, and became so
+angry that they beat the wolf, the bear, and the dog to
+death, although the poor animals really couldn't help it.</p>
+
+<p class="in">When the watch in the city heard the noise of the
+great blow which the lion had given to the gates, they
+opened them, and Wittysplinter carried the clothes of
+Sleepyhead and Thickasmud in triumph to the King, who
+nearly jumped out of his skin with joy, for such clothes had
+never before been seen. There was, among other things,
+a hunting-coat, made of the skins of all the fourfooted
+animals, and so beautifully sewn together that one could
+see the whole story of Reynard the Fox depicted on
+it. Also a bird-catcher's coat, made of feathers from all
+the birds in the world, an eagle in front and an owl
+behind; and in the pockets there were a musical box
+and a peal of bells, which made music just like all kinds
+of birds singing together. Further, there was a bathing-dress
+and a fisher's-dress, made from the skins of all
+the fish in the world, sewn together so that one saw a
+whale-hunt and a great catch of herrings on it. Then
+a garden-dress of Madam Thickasmud's, on which all
+sorts of flowers and fruits, salads and vegetables, were
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">139</a></span>embroidered. But what surpassed everything else was
+the bed-cover; it was made entirely of the skins of bats,
+and all the stars of heaven were represented on it by
+means of diamonds.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The Royal family were quite dumb with astonishment
+and wonder. Wittysplinter was kissed and embraced,
+and his enemies nearly exploded with rage to see that
+he had again escaped without hurt from the hands of
+Sleepyhead.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Even yet they did not despair, and put the idea into
+the King's head that nothing was now wanting to his
+dignity but that he should possess the castle of Sleepyhead
+itself, and the King, who was a very child in these
+matters and always wanted to have whatever took his
+fancy, said immediately to Wittysplinter that he wanted
+Sleepyhead's castle, and that as soon as he got it for him
+he would be rewarded.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Wittysplinter did not take much time to think about
+it, and for the third time ran off to the abode of Sleepyhead.
+When he arrived there, the giant was not at
+home, and he heard something in the room crying like
+a calf. Then he looked through the window, and saw
+Dame Thickasmud chopping wood, and at the same
+time nursing a little giant on her arm, who was showing
+his teeth and bleating like a calf.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Wittysplinter went in, and said: "Good-day, my
+great and beautiful, broad and portly dame! How is
+it that you have got to do so much work and have to
+nurse your child at the same time? Have you no
+maids or grooms? Where is your husband, then?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Ach," said Madam Thickasmud, "my husband has
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">140</a></span>gone out to invite all his relations to a feast we are
+going to hold. And I have to cook everything for myself
+now, for my husband killed the bear, and the wolf, and
+the dog, that used to help us; and the lion has run
+off, too."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"That is certainly very hard lines on you," said
+Wittysplinter. "If I could do anything to help you,
+I should be only too glad."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Then Thickasmud asked him to chop up four logs
+of wood into small pieces for her; and Wittysplinter
+took the axe and said to the giantess: "You might hold
+the wood for me a moment, please," and the giantess
+bent down and caught hold of the wood. Wittysplinter
+raised the axe in the air, and swish! down it came,
+and cut Thickasmud's head off and Mollakopp's at the
+same time, and there they lay.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The next thing he proceeded to do was to dig a large,
+deep hole right in front of the castle door, into which
+he threw Thickasmud and Mollakopp, and then covered
+over the opening with a thin layer of branches and
+leaves. Then he proceeded to light up all the rooms of
+the castle with candles and torches, and took a large
+copper kettle, and beat upon it with soup ladles. Then
+he got a tin funnel, and blew a blast on it just like
+a trumpet, and between each performance he shouted,
+"Hurrah! Long live His Majesty the King of Roundabout."</p>
+
+<p class="in">When Sleepyhead was returning home towards evening,
+and saw all the lights in the windows and heard the
+shouting, he was mad with rage, and ran with such
+fury against the door that he fell through the hole covered
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">141</a></span>with branches and lay there a prisoner, shouting and
+making a great noise. Wittysplinter immediately ran
+down and threw large stones on him, until he had filled
+up the hole.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0441.jpg" width="50%" alt="&quot;WITTYSPLINTER THREW LARGE STONES ON HIM.&quot;" title="&quot;WITTYSPLINTER THREW LARGE STONES ON HIM.&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;WITTYSPLINTER THREW LARGE STONES ON HIM.&quot;</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">And now Wittysplinter took the key of the castle
+and ran with it to King Roundabout, who immediately
+betook himself to the castle, along with his wife Flosk
+and her daughter Flink and Wittysplinter, and inspected
+all there was to be seen there. After they had spent
+fourteen whole days in looking at an immense number
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">142</a></span>of rooms, chambers, cellars, look-out towers, bakeries,
+furnaces, kitchens, wood-stove houses, dining-rooms,
+smoking-rooms, wash-houses, etc., the King asked Wittysplinter
+what he would like as a reward for his faithful
+services. And Wittysplinter replied that he would like
+to marry the Princess Flink, if it were agreeable to her.
+The Princess very readily consented, and they were
+married and lived in the giant's castle, where they are
+to be found to this day.</p>
+
+<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTE:</h3>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="in"><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> The custom of wishing one "Good Health" after a sneeze,
+prevalent in Germany and other European countries, is supposed to
+have origin in the fact that the crisis, or turning-point for better or
+worse of a certain fever, is indicated by a sneeze from the patient,
+and hence the natural expression of a hope for a favourable
+recovery.</p></div>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<h2><a name="The_Mid-day_Rock" id="The_Mid-day_Rock"></a>The Mid-day Rock.</h2>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0451.jpg" width="70%" alt="Mid-day Rock. From the french of J. Jarry" title="Mid-day Rock. From the french of J. Jarry" />
+</div>
+
+<p class="initialMarginTop">ONCE upon a time there was a poor man, who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">145</a></span>
+lived somewhere in the middle of the woods near
+a place called Gâtines de Treigny. Everybody
+called him Father Rameau. Not that he had any children&mdash;he
+had not even ever been married; nor that he was
+very old, for he was barely fifty; but he had always had
+such a hard time of it that his hair had grown grey very
+early, and his back had been bent and bowed long before
+its time.</p>
+
+<p class="in">He was generally to be seen toiling along under a
+big bundle of brooms, which he made with the greatest
+skill from young birch branches, selling them on market
+days to the housewives of Saint-Amand or Saint-Sauveur.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Father Rameau was not ambitious, far from it; if he
+had been alone in the world, without relations depending
+on him, he would have been quite content to live on
+black bread every day of the week, with an occasional
+glass of wine from the charitable folk of the neighbourhood.
+But Father Rameau had a younger sister married to a
+vine-dresser of Perreuse, and he was god-father to their
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">146</a></span>daughter; she was just growing up into a woman, and
+was so pretty and modest and intelligent, that every
+one had a good word for her, and now she was engaged
+to be married to a young man called George, a capital
+worker, but without a penny in the world. The wedding
+was to take place as soon as she was twenty; and they
+had given each other engagement rings&mdash;common leaden
+rings, bought from one of the pedlars who visit the hamlets
+of the district.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Humble as he was where he himself only was concerned,
+Father Rameau was proud indeed in matters
+connected with his niece.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"A leaden ring," he murmured, "when so many other
+girls, not half as good as my god-daughter, have a gold
+one! How I wish Madeleine could choose the one she
+liked best from the jeweller's shop in Saint-Sauveur!
+Ah, it's not much use wishing. If I put by every penny
+I could spare for years and years I could never afford it.
+Madeleine's poor, George is poor, I am poor, and always
+shall be. Well, we're honest, that's one comfort, and
+we needn't be jealous, at any rate."</p>
+
+<p class="in">As the old broomseller was thinking all this, he met
+George, who was driving a pair of oxen, their nostrils
+steaming in the first rays of the morning sun. "Good-day,
+lad," said he.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Good-day, Father Rameau."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Off to work already?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Yes, father. I'm just going over the master's fields
+for the last time before seed sowing; we shall begin next
+week. We're rather behind hand you know."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"So you are; October's nearly over."</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">147</a></span>"Can you guess what I was thinking of as I came
+along?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"<i>What</i> you were thinking of? You mean <i>who</i>," said
+Father Rameau, rather crossly.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Well, yes, you're right. Madeleine is never out of
+my mind," answered George thoughtfully. "I was saying
+to myself that, if there are plenty of weeds over there"
+(and he pointed to the uncultivated moor with his goad),
+"there is good soil as well, and that any one who had
+time to clear even a corner of it might buy the girl he
+was engaged to&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"A gold ring!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"How <i>did</i> you guess what I meant? You don't come
+from Chęneau, where all the wizards live," laughed George.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"No witchcraft in that, nephew. The other day I saw
+how unhappy you were that you could only give Madeleine
+a leaden ring, and I was just as sorry myself that I
+couldn't buy her a better one ... and ever since I've
+been trying to think of a way...."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"And have you found one, father?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"<i>You've</i> found it for me, lad. I shall make a clearing
+of a bit of the moor."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Even at the risk of offending his future uncle, the
+young labourer could not help smiling.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"That's a task for stronger arms than yours, father,"
+he said. "No one can beat you at cutting birch branches
+and making them into brooms. But that doesn't need
+so much muscle as digging up soil like this, pulling up
+the great roots out of it, or smashing and carrying away
+huge boulders of rock. Ah, if only I had not given my
+word to stay with my master till I am married!"</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">148</a></span>"You may laugh at me, lad, but I won't bear malice,"
+said the old man. "If the old are not so strong as
+the young, they are more persevering. I shall clear a
+bit of the moor, and with the money from my first harvest
+we will go and buy the ring. Good-bye, lad."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Good-bye, father; we shall see you doing wonders
+before long, I know."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I shall be working for Madeleine," he said, "and your
+patron saint (George means cultivator of the soil) will
+help me."</p>
+
+<p class="in">At twelve precisely, Father Rameau came back to the
+moor with a heavy pick on his shoulder; he meant to set
+to work without delay.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Bang went the first stroke of the pick, accompanied
+with the significant grunt diggers, woodmen, and such folk
+give over their work. But just as he was raising his arm
+for another try, he stood suddenly stock-still, with eyes
+staring wide in a white, terrified face.</p>
+
+<p class="in">From the midst of the boulders scattered about, which
+were trembling like Celtic monuments, had arisen an
+apparition, which the old man knew was supernatural
+and divine, though its form was human.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Imagine a tiny little lady, ethereal rather than thin,
+youthfully lovely and dainty, a kind of dream beauty,
+attired in a silvery tunic embroidered with gorse blossoms.
+On her head a wreath of heather; in her hand a wand
+of the broom plant in blossom; all around the holly, ferns,
+and junipers, all the wild plants and shrubs, were bowing
+down as if in homage to a Sovereign. A ray of sunlight
+was playing round her head like an aureole. She was
+the Fairy of the Moor.</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">149</a></span>"You are a bold man," she said to the old workman,
+"to dare thus to encroach on my domains." There was
+a thrill of anger in her clear voice, and her blue eyes
+sparkled.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0461.jpg" width="50%" alt="&quot;HE STOOD SUDDENLY STOCK-STILL&quot;" title="&quot;HE STOOD SUDDENLY STOCK-STILL&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;HE STOOD SUDDENLY STOCK-STILL&quot; (<i>p.</i> 148).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">"Lady Fairy," stammered the old man, "be merciful
+to a wretched labourer who never meant to wrong you.
+Your domains are so vast, I hoped there would be no
+harm if I took the liberty of borrowing just a little corner
+from you."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"What do you want it for?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"To cultivate it," answered old Rameau, who was
+beginning to feel less frightened.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"To cultivate it!" cried the fairy. "You mean to dig
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">150</a></span>it up, turn it over, and upset it all round! Do you
+not see how lovely it is now, and are you so presumptuous
+as to think you can do better for it than Nature has
+done already?" Her voice grew softer as she went on:
+"What could you find anywhere that is as beautiful
+as this spot in spring-time, when, under a sky of the
+tenderest blue, the little leaves are beginning to bud on
+the branches, the tufts of narcissus are opening among
+the marshes, and everywhere in the woods around the
+blackbirds are beginning to whistle their first notes, the
+doves keep up a gentle cooing, and the jays are chattering
+like parrots?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"A couple of partridges calling to each other," answered
+the old man, "a quail uttering its three sonorous
+cries, or a lark soaring into the sky with its breathless
+melody, make a pleasanter sound, to my way of
+thinking. But these are birds that like to build their
+nests among the corn. They are not found near your
+kingdom."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"In summer," went on the fairy, "when the moors
+are flooded with sunshine, and the heat brings out a
+delicious odour of resin from my favourite shrubs, I love
+to look on the purple of the heather, and the gold of gorse
+and broom."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I prefer the pink clover with the drowsy bees humming
+over it," answered the old man, "and the ripening harvest,
+yellow like your beautiful hair, Lady Fairy."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Fairy as she was, the queen of the moors was not
+displeased at the compliment. Father Rameau saw this
+from her face, and said to himself his cause was half
+won.</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">151</a></span>"In autumn," she retorted, though, "even here, there
+comes to me, out of the depths of the thickets near,
+the baying of the pack when the hunt is out, and often
+they traverse my domains to get from one part of the
+forest to another. The poor, hunted stag, whose tongue
+is hanging out of his mouth with weariness, makes for
+this very heap of rocks sometimes; then I help him to
+elude his cruel foes and to get away safely."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Yes," said the old man, as if he liked this idea, "the
+dogs get their noses pricked on the thorn-bushes and
+lose trace of their prey. That is indeed a kind action.
+I, too, like to put the pack on a wrong scent. The stags
+are such dear things, with their soft brown eyes. Those
+in this neighbourhood know me, and when I sit down
+to make my brooms right in the middle of a copse,
+as I do sometimes, they come quite close up to me. If
+only there were wheat growing on your moor, you would
+be able to protect the hares, too, for they would then take
+refuge in the shelter of your park."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"But when you have pulled up my holly and junipers
+and broom-bushes, how shall I be able to make fires for
+the long winter evenings? I shall die, pierced by the cruel
+breath of the keen north wind, and be buried under a
+shroud of white snow."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Oh, gracious fay, if you fear the cold, will there not
+always be the place of honour kept for you by our
+chimney-corner, in the little home I mean to build on
+the moor? You will come and get warm whenever you
+like by our fireside. My god-daughter, Madeleine, will
+keep you company, and some day, perhaps, I shall entreat
+you to be god-mother to her first baby."</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">152</a></span>Thus Father Rameau had his answer ready for all her
+objections. These last words of his touched the fairy,
+and the expression of her face became very soft and kind.
+"I know Madeleine well," she said; "I know how fair
+she is to see, in her snowy white caps. I know how her
+goodness is spoken of far and wide; and I have even
+heard that she is to marry that hard-working lad I saw
+talking with you this morning. They will be a charming
+pair, and their home will be a delightful place. And you,
+dear old man, who have no ambition for yourself, but
+only care for your dear ones, you will have your reward
+for your cheerful faith in the future. Take up your pick
+and have courage over your digging. I grant you this
+corner of my domain. The rest I am sure you will
+respect, for you are not greedy; will the others who come
+after you spare it, too? Alas, when once the moor has
+been cleared all over and cultivated, I shall have to
+die! But we will only think of the happiness of your
+young folk; and, silence! not a word of all this to
+any one!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">And with a finger on her lips, she vanished.</p>
+
+<p class="in">By the end of October Father Rameau had dug over,
+cleared, and prepared two acres of ground. All by himself?
+With his pickaxe and spade? Yes, quite by
+himself, and with his pickaxe and spade. He had worked
+as if by magic, for the fairy, always present and always
+invisible, had endowed him with some of her magic power.
+She helped him to split the hardest boulders, to haul
+up the most tenacious roots, to collect in bundles the old
+tree-stumps and weeds, and every kind of rubbish, and
+set fire to it, and so make the very first dressing the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">153</a></span>soil had ever had on it. Will you believe it? By seed-sowing
+time the ground was ready, and was sown with
+oats, which began to grow in no time, came well through
+all the frosts, and by the following April was waving
+abroad in a luxuriant mass of green. A lark built its
+nest in it, and every morning nodded its little tufted head
+at Father Rameau, who was watching over its nest, as
+if out of gratitude for what he had done.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0471.jpg" width="50%"  alt="FATHER RAMEAU CLEARS THE PATCH." title="FATHER RAMEAU CLEARS THE PATCH." />
+<p class="caption">FATHER RAMEAU CLEARS THE PATCH.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">The harvest was splendid, and fetched a high price.</p>
+
+<p class="in">George could no longer smile at Father Rameau's old
+arms, and had to confess he had found his master: Father
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">154</a></span>Rameau smiled slily when he said, "After all, nephew,
+we shall have a gold ring for Madeleine." But when the
+time came for getting it, Madeleine would not allow it.
+"No, father," she said, "you have toiled and moiled this
+year at your digging; buy a plough: any one will lend
+you a plough-horse for a few days, and it won't be nearly
+such hard work for you."</p>
+
+<p class="in">So when autumn came again, the old man cleared
+another two acres, and next summer his harvest was
+twice as big&mdash;and so were his profits.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Madeleine still refused the precious ring. "Buy a pair
+of oxen," she said; "you will be independent then of
+every one."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Next year the old man's field was bigger than ever;
+and Madeleine advised him to use the profit of his harvest
+for building a little house. Her modest, sensible advice
+was acted upon every time, and, in fact, when the wedding-day
+arrived, the gold ring had still not been bought
+and at the marriage ceremony, in the church at Treigny,
+it was over the old leaden rings of their betrothal that
+the curé pronounced his blessing. "We have given our
+hearts to each other," said the young wife; "what do
+we want with gold rings after that? What do you think,
+George?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I mean to spend the money on a christening robe,
+then," said Father Rameau gaily. "Bless me, things'll
+have to be just so then, if ever they are! If you only
+knew what kind of a god-mother&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p class="in">But he stopped short just in time, remembering the
+fairy's injunction about silence; and Madeleine, whom he
+had made very inquisitive, could not get another word
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">155</a></span>out of him. She never found out what he meant till
+her first baby was born, when on the day of the christening
+there stepped into the cottage, surrounded by a circle
+of bright light, the marvellous god-mother, the Fairy of
+the Moor.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0481.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;THE FAIRY OF THE MOOR.&quot;" title="&quot;THE FAIRY OF THE MOOR.&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;THE FAIRY OF THE MOOR.&quot;</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">Many tried to follow Father Rameau's example and
+cultivate a portion of the moor; but very few succeeded,
+because the fairy could see into the very bottom of
+their hearts, and would only help the true-hearted&mdash;rare
+folk, alas! in this world. There is much left still to be
+cleared. And she yet lives on, the little fairy of the
+silvery tunic embroidered with gorse blossoms, with her
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">156</a></span>crown of heather bells, and her wand a verdant broom
+branch. But if ever you want to see her, as old Father
+Rameau did, you must arrive at the Mid-day Rock on
+the first stroke of twelve, and have a conscience perfectly
+clear; two conditions which seem easy enough, and which
+are really very difficult of fulfilment.</p>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<h2><a name="Lillekort" id="Lillekort"></a>Lillekort.</h2>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0491.jpg" width="70%" alt="Lillekort. From the French of Xavier Marmier" title="Lillekort. From the French of Xavier Marmier" />
+</div>
+
+<p class="initialMarginTop">THERE was once a man and his wife who were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">159</a></span>
+very, very poor, and had a great many children.
+Each year added one to the number. One day
+the wife gave birth to a beautiful boy, who, on opening
+his eyes, cried:</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Dearest mother, give me some of my brother's old
+clothes, and food for two days, and I will go into the
+world and seek my fortune, for I see you have enough
+children here without me."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Heaven forbid, my child!" exclaimed the mother.
+"You are much too young to leave the house."</p>
+
+<p class="in">But the little one insisted; so at length his mother
+gave him some clothes and some food, and he departed,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">160</a></span>full of joy. Lillekort (for so he named himself) travelled
+towards the east. Presently he met an old, one-eyed
+woman, and took away her eye.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Alas!" she cried, "I can no longer see. What will
+become of me?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"What will you give me for your eye?" asked
+Lillekort.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"A sword that will slay a whole army, no matter
+how numerous."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"So be it."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Lillekort took the sword and continued his journey.
+A little farther on he met another old, one-eyed woman,
+took away her eye, and asked what she would give him
+for returning it.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The old woman said she would give him a ship
+that would sail over land and sea, over mountains and
+valleys, and on his agreeing, she gave him a little ship
+so small and light that he could carry it about in his
+pocket.</p>
+
+<p class="in">As soon as he was quite alone Lillekort stopped to
+examine his little vessel. He drew it from his pocket
+and put one foot in it. Immediately it grew larger.
+He put in the second foot. It grew yet larger. He
+sat down in it. It increased yet more. Then he said:</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Go over the waves of the ocean, over mountains
+and through valleys, until you reach the palace of the
+King."</p>
+
+<p class="in">The ship immediately sped through space with the
+rapidity of a bird, and stopped in front of a magnificent
+palace. From one of the windows of this palace several
+persons beheld, with astonishment and interest, this boy
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">161</a></span>who travelled in a manner so strange, and they hastened
+out to obtain a nearer view of the wonder. But Lillekort
+had already put his ship in his pocket. They asked
+who he was and whence he came. To these different
+questions he knew not how to reply; but in a firm
+voice said he wished to enter the service of the King,
+no matter in what capacity; if need be, as a servant
+of the servants.</p>
+
+<p class="in">His humble request was granted. He was ordered to
+fetch wood and water for the kitchen. Arriving at the
+palace he saw with surprise that all the walls were hung
+with black, both without and within.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Wherefore," he asked the cook, "this appearance of
+mourning?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Alas!" she replied, "the only daughter of our King
+has been promised to three trolls, enormous ogres, and
+Thursday next the first comes to claim her. A knight,
+whose name is Rend, has undertaken to defend her.
+But how should he succeed? In the meantime we are
+all plunged in anguish and affliction."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Thursday evening Rend led the Princess to the sea-shore.
+It was here he had to defend her. But he was
+not very brave, so instead of waiting near her he climbed
+a tree and hid among the branches. In vain the Princess
+begged him to assist her.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"No, no," said he; "why two victims? One is sufficient."</p>
+
+<p class="in">At that moment Lillekort asked the cook's permission
+to go to the sea-shore.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Go," said she, "but be sure you return by the time
+I prepare supper, and do not forget to bring me a good
+load of wood."</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">162</a></span>Lillekort promised, and ran toward the beach. At
+the same time the troll appeared, making a noise like
+thunder. His body was of enormous dimensions and
+he had five frightful heads.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Madman!" he cried, on seeing the little kitchen-boy.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Madman!" repeated Lillekort.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Do you know how to fight?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"If I do not know I will learn."</p>
+
+<p class="in">The troll then threw a bar of iron at Lillekort,
+which, falling on the ground, raised a pile of sand and
+dust.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"A beautiful tower of strength," cried Lillekort. "Now,
+see mine."</p>
+
+<p class="in">With these words he drew his sword, and with one
+blow smote off the monster's five heads.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Finding herself delivered, the Princess began to dance
+and sing gaily, then she said to the young boy: "Rest,
+lay your head on my knees."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Whilst he thus rested she placed on him a suit of
+golden armour.</p>
+
+<p class="in">All danger being over, Rend came down from the
+tree, took the tongues and lungs of the monster, and
+then told the Princess he would kill her unless she
+promised to acknowledge him publicly as her deliverer.
+She yielded to his threats, and he returned with her
+in triumph to the palace. The King loaded him with
+honours, and at supper seated him at his right hand.
+Meanwhile, Lillekort entered the giant's ship, and brought
+from thence a quantity of gold and silver trinkets.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"From whence all these riches?" asked the cook
+anxiously, for she feared he had stolen them.</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">163</a></span>"Reassure yourself," he replied. "I went home for a
+moment; these trinkets fell from an old piece of furniture,
+so I brought them back for you."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"What beautiful things! A thousand thanks!"</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0501.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;WHILST HE THUS RESTED SHE PLACED ON HIM A SUIT OF GOLDEN
+ARMOUR&quot;" title="&quot;WHILST HE THUS RESTED SHE PLACED ON HIM A SUIT OF GOLDEN
+ARMOUR&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;WHILST HE THUS RESTED SHE PLACED ON HIM A SUIT OF GOLDEN
+ARMOUR&quot; (<i>p.</i> 162).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">The Thursday following, fresh grief, fresh anguish.
+However, Rend said as he had vanquished the first
+troll, he reckoned he could conquer the second. But
+this time also he took refuge among the branches of a
+tree, saying: "Why two victims? One is surely sufficient."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Lillekort again obtained the cook's permission to go
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">164</a></span>out, he said to play with some children on the sea-shore;
+so he hastened forth, after promising to return
+by the time she prepared supper, and bring a good
+load of wood.</p>
+
+<p class="in">As he reached the shore he saw the troll approaching.
+He was twice as colossal as the first, and had ten
+heads.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Madman!" exclaimed the troll, on seeing Lillekort.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Madman!" repeated the valiant boy, and on the
+troll asking if he could fight, replied, as on the former
+occasion, that he could learn.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The giant then threw a bar of iron at him, which,
+falling on the ground, raised a column of dust thirty
+feet high.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"A beautiful tower of strength," said the boy. "Now,
+see mine." And drawing his sword, he, with one blow,
+smote off the monster's ten heads.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Again the Princess desired him to rest his head on
+her knees, and this time she placed on him a suit of
+silver armour.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Rend now came down from the tree, took the tongues
+and lungs of the troll, and returned with the Princess
+in triumph to the palace, after having declared he would
+kill her if she did not acknowledge him publicly as her
+deliverer. The King received him with enthusiasm, and
+knew not how to show his gratitude.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Lillekort returned to the kitchen, carrying a quantity
+of gold and silver he had taken from the troll's ship.</p>
+<div class="figcenter">
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">165</a></span>
+<img src="images/i0511.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;HE HAD FIFTEEN HEADS&quot;" title="&quot;HE HAD FIFTEEN HEADS&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;HE HAD FIFTEEN HEADS&quot; (<i>p.</i> 166).</p></div>
+
+<p class="in">The third Thursday, the palace was again hung with
+black, and the people were plunged in grief. But Rend
+said he had already conquered two formidable monsters
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">166</a></span>and would overcome the third.
+But, as on the preceding
+Thursdays, he hid in the tree, and when the Princess
+implored him to remain with her, said one victim was
+sufficient.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Lillekort, who had again obtained the cook's permission
+to go out, reached the shore at the same time as the
+monster, who was much more terrible than either of the
+two former. He had fifteen heads, and the bar of iron
+he threw at his brave little adversary raised a column
+of earth forty feet high. Lillekort, however, with
+his magic sword, struck off the fifteen heads at one
+blow.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Rest," said the Princess; "rest your head on my
+knees."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Whilst he thus rested, she put on him a suit of bronze
+armour, and said:</p>
+
+<p class="in">"How can we make it known that it is you who
+saved me?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Listen," replied Lillekort, "this is my idea. Rend
+will go without scruple to claim the reward promised
+to your deliverer: your hand and the half of your
+father's kingdom. When the day for your marriage
+arrives say you wish to be served at table by the
+boy who carries wood and water to the kitchen. I will
+let a few drops of wine fall on Rend's plate. He will
+strike me. A second and a third time I will do the
+same, and again he will strike me; then you shall say:
+'For shame to strike him whom I love&mdash;he who saved
+me&mdash;he whom I should wed!'"</p>
+
+<p class="in">Seeing the troll was dead, Rend came down from
+the tree and led the Princess back to the palace, after
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">167</a></span>having made her swear a third time to proclaim him as
+her deliverer.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i052.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;Lillekort with his magic sword struck off the fifteen heads
+at one blow.&quot;" title="&quot;Lillekort with his magic sword struck off the fifteen heads
+at one blow" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;Lillekort with his magic sword struck off the fifteen heads at one blow.&quot;
+
+<span style="margin-left: 70%"><i>page 166</i></span></p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">The King announced that his daughter's deliverer
+should receive in the most splendid manner the reward
+he had so well deserved. The cowardly knight was
+betrothed to the Princess, and half the kingdom was
+given him. The day of the Princess's marriage she
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">168</a></span>would be served by the boy who carried wood and
+water to the kitchen.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0531.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;IN ARMOUR OF GLITTERING GOLD&quot;" title="&quot;IN ARMOUR OF GLITTERING GOLD&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;IN ARMOUR OF GLITTERING GOLD&quot; (<i>p.</i> 168).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">"What!" exclaimed Rend, in disgust, "you wish that
+dirty, hideous little varlet to come near you?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Yes, I wish it."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Lillekort was summoned, and, as he had said, he
+once, twice, thrice let some drops of wine fall in Rend's
+plate.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The first time he was struck the coarse garments he
+wore fell off, and the valiant boy appeared in a suit of
+bronze armour, the second time in silver armour, and
+the third time in armour of glittering gold.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Then the Princess cried: "For shame to strike him
+whom I love&mdash;he who saved me&mdash;he whom I should
+wed!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">Rend swore loudly that it was he who had saved
+her.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Let us see the proofs of the victors," said the King.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The knight immediately showed the tongues and lungs
+of the trolls.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Lillekort fetched the treasures he had taken from the
+monsters' ships. At the sight of the gold, silver, and
+diamonds, no one had the slightest doubt.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"The trolls alone have such treasures," said the King,
+"and only he who kills them can obtain possession of
+their riches."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Rend, the coward and impostor, was thrown into a
+ditch full of serpents, and the Princess's hand was given
+to Lillekort, together with half of the kingdom.</p>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<h2><a name="The_Ten_Little_Fairies" id="The_Ten_Little_Fairies"></a>The Ten Little Fairies.</h2>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0541.jpg" width="70%"  alt="The Ten little fairies. From the french of George Mitchell" title="The Ten little fairies. From the french of George Mitchell" />
+</div>
+
+<p class="initialMarginTop">VAINLY I try to recall from my recollections of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">171</a></span>
+yesterday, still vividly remembered, and from
+those of the long past, grown tenderly dim
+in the mists of intervening time, from whom I learned
+the powerfully moral story I am here going to repeat
+to children great and small, to men and their companions:
+I cannot determine from whom it was I learned it.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Did I first read it in some old book laden with the
+dust of ages? Was it told to me by my mother, by
+my nurse, one evening when I would not go to sleep&mdash;or
+one night when, sleeping soundly, a fairy came and
+sang it to me in my slumber? I cannot tell. I cannot
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">172</a></span>remember. I have forgotten all the details, of which
+there only remains with me the subtle perfume&mdash;too fine
+and evanescent for me to seize it in its passage through
+my mind. But I retain&mdash;perfectly retain&mdash;the moral,
+which is the daughter of all things healthy and strong.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The things which I am going to recount happened in
+a charming country&mdash;one of those bright lands which we
+see only in delightful dreams, where the men are all
+good and the women all as amiable as they are beautiful.</p>
+
+<p class="in">In that happy country there lived a great nobleman
+who, left a widower early in life, had an only daughter
+whom he loved more than anything in the whole
+world.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Rosebelle was seventeen years old&mdash;a pure marvel of
+grace and beauty; gay as a joyous heart, good as a
+happy one. For ten leagues round she was known to
+be the most beautiful and best. She was simple and
+gentle, and her exquisite ingenuousness caused her
+everywhere&mdash;in the mansion and the cottage&mdash;to be
+beloved.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Her father, fearful lest the least of the distresses of
+our poor existence should overtake her, watched over
+her with jealous care, so that no harm should come to
+her; while she passed her days in calmly thinking of
+the time before her, sure that it would not be other
+than delightful.</p>
+
+<p class="in">When she was eighteen, her father consented to her
+being betrothed to the son of a Prince&mdash;to Greatheart,
+a handsome youth, who had been carefully reared, and
+detested the false excitements and factitious pleasures
+of cities loving enthusiastically the fresh charms of
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">173</a></span>Nature&mdash;of the common mother who claims us all, the
+Earth.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Rosebelle loved her <i>fiancé</i>, married, and adored him.</p>
+
+<p class="in">With him she went to live in the admirable calm of
+the country, in the midst of great trees that gave back
+the plaint of winds, by a river with its ever-flowing song,
+winding under willowy banks, and overshadowed by tall
+poplars.</p>
+
+<p class="in">She lived in a very old, old castle, where the sires of
+her husband had been born&mdash;a great castle reached by
+roads hewn out of the solid rock; a great castle, with
+immense, cold halls, where echo answered echo mysteriously;
+where the night-owl drearily replied to the
+early thrush's song to the rising sun, and the other
+awakened birds singing and chirping on the borders of
+the deep woods, where the sun enters timidly&mdash;almost
+with the hesitation of a trespasser.</p>
+
+<p class="in">When the time for parting came, her father had said
+to her, through his tears:</p>
+
+<p class="in">"You are going from me&mdash;your happiness claims that
+I should let you go: go, therefore, but take all care of
+yourself for love of me, who have only you in the world
+to love."</p>
+
+<p class="in">To his son-in-law he said:</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Watch over her, I intrust her to you. Surround her
+with a thousand safeguards; screen her from the least
+chance of harm or pain. Remember that even in stooping
+to pluck a flower she may fall and wound herself, that
+in gathering a fruit she may tear her hand. See that all
+is done for her that can be done, keep her for me ever
+beautiful."</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">174</a></span>Absorbed in her love for her husband, Rosebelle realised
+the sweet dreams of her young girlhood. Then she
+dreamed&mdash;languorously&mdash;Heaven knows what! The delightful
+future which she had seen in the visions of the
+past was still present with her, however.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Her husband, tender and good, wished that she should
+do nothing but live and love. He had surrounded her
+with numerous servants, all ready to obey the least of
+her desires, the slightest of her fancies, to comprehend
+the most trivial of her wants. She had nothing to do
+but to let time glide slowly by her.</p>
+
+<p class="in">At length she wearied&mdash;languished mysteriously.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Her father, to whom she communicated this strange
+experience, was astounded. He reminded her of all the
+sources of happiness which ought to have existed in
+her case. He took her in his arms and said all he
+could think of in laudation of the husband who so greatly
+loved her; gave her innumerable reasons why her happiness
+ought to have been unparalleled; offered money&mdash;more
+money&mdash;wishful to give all the felicities in the world.</p>
+
+<p class="in">She wished for nothing of all that; it only tired,
+enervated her.</p>
+
+<p class="in">He besought her to be happy; she replied:</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I wish I could be so, for your sake and for that of
+my husband, whom I love so dearly."</p>
+
+<p class="in">And she struggled against the strange evil which so
+weighed upon her, against the deadly <i>ennui</i> that was
+sapping her young life. But the mysterious ill which
+tormented her soul grew and grew until it became overwhelming.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Greatheart speedily detected her distress, and sought
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">175</a></span>to discover its cause, but ineffectually; and from alarm
+he passed into despair.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0551.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;SHE VOWED FOR HIM A BOUNDLESS LOVE&quot;" title="&quot;SHE VOWED FOR HIM A BOUNDLESS LOVE&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;SHE VOWED FOR HIM A BOUNDLESS LOVE&quot; (<i>p.</i> 176).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">Now, when he returned from the plain, the fields, or
+the camp, when he embraced her he pressed against his
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">176</a></span>bosom a bosom cold and filled with sadness and tears&mdash;a
+bosom so cold that it might have been thought to contain
+a block of ice in place of a heart&mdash;and he redoubled
+his tenderness towards her. Seeing how much he was
+suffering on her account, she vowed for him a boundless
+love.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Courageous, energetic even, she tried to shake off the
+languor which possessed her, endeavouring to intoxicate
+her soul and drown her self-consciousness in the love
+of her adored husband; but all her efforts were made
+in vain; she became more and more oppressed with
+weariness, and the crowd of servants about her, all eager
+to realise her wishes, were utterly unable to mitigate her
+condition by anything they could do.</p>
+
+<p class="in">At last she fell into a state of the deepest melancholy.
+The rose-tints faded from her cheeks, her beauty paled
+like that of a languishing flower; the light in her eyes
+grew each day more dim. She was very ill.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The most learned doctors in the healing art were called
+to her, brought, regardless of cost, from the most distant
+countries, only to confess their complete inability; excusing
+themselves by affirming that there was no remedy
+for an indefinable ailment&mdash;an ailment impalpable, incomprehensible.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Then, one day, an old, white-haired shepherd, with a
+long, snowy beard, who had learned to understand men
+from having always lived alone with his sheep and
+thinking, thinking, while he led them to their pasture&mdash;an
+old philosopher&mdash;came to Greatheart, of whom he
+was one of the vassals, and said to him:</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I know where there lives, close by here, an old
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">177</a></span>grand-dame, with one foot in the grave, she is so old
+People call her a sorceress; but never mind that; she,
+and she alone, can cure our lady, our mistress, whom
+you love so well."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Knowing not what to do in his suffering, Greatheart
+believed what the old shepherd told him.</p>
+
+<p class="in">He took Rosebelle far away from the castle along the
+bank of the river, to a spot where the path ran between
+high rocks, leading to a deep and profoundly dark cavity,
+within which they found the old, old woman of whom
+the shepherd had spoken, crouching by the side of a
+scanty fire of pine-branches, warming herself in their
+fitful light, in the midst of owls and ravens, cats and
+rats with phosphorescent eyes, showing green in the
+obscurity when lit by the intermittent sparkle of the
+crackling branches on the hearth.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Ho, there! sorceress!" cried the young Prince.
+"Cure my wife, and I will give you the half of all I
+possess!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">The very old woman looked for a long time at Rosebelle
+out of her little bright eyes, meeting those of the young
+Princess, and holding her as if by a spell. For awhile
+longer she remained silent, as if in contemplation; then,
+suddenly, she rose to her feet, raised her long arms
+towards the herbs suspended from the rocky roof of her
+dwelling-place, spread out her fleshless fingers and cried:</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I see! I see! I understand it all! Yes, my lord,
+I will cure your wife, your adored one; and presently in
+your arms, on your heart, shall sleep a heart beating
+with great joy for love of you!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">As they both sprang nearer to her, the better to
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">178</a></span>hear her wonderful words, the old woman retreated,
+saying:</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Yes, I will cure her; but to aid me in the task, I
+need the assistance of ten little fairies&mdash;ten friends who
+have ever been dear to me, ever faithful to me, and who,
+by an unfortunate chance, have not visited me to-day.
+To-morrow I shall be sure to have them with me, my
+tiny comrades; so come back to me to-morrow, my dear,
+when I will detain them until you arrive, and will take
+measures for enabling them to cure you."</p>
+
+<p class="in">The sun, next day, had hardly risen, hardly caressed
+the earth with its earliest beam, when Rosebelle re-entered
+the old sorceress's murky dwelling-place.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Over the still crackling fire of pine-branches she extended
+her white hands by direction of the old woman,
+who raised her arms and uttered some curious words,
+accompanied by some strange gestures.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Then, from a small cavity in the rocky wall she
+appeared to draw forth an invisible something, which
+she carefully conveyed to the shelter of her bare bosom.
+And when she had repeated these actions ten times, she
+cried:</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I have them!&mdash;I have them all!&mdash;all warm in my
+bosom&mdash;my faithful little fairies! Oh!&mdash;do not attempt
+to see them, or they will at once fly away. They desire
+to serve you&mdash;to cure you. Here they are!"</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">179</a></span>
+<img src="images/i0561.jpg" width="50%"  alt="THE SORCERESS." title="THE SORCERESS." />
+<p class="caption">THE SORCERESS.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">And laughing, dancing, and singing, the old, old woman
+tapped with the crooked thumb of her right hand the
+young Princess's ten extended fingers, while the quaint
+song she sang was gaily given back by the echo of the
+rocky vault above her. This was the song she sang,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">180</a></span>holding the Princess's delicate fingers caressingly in her
+left hand:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Ten good little fairies hie,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">To these ten good fingers nigh:<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Each of you reside in one<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Until your kindly task is done,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Until by certain signs you're sure<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">That you have made a perfect cure.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Potent fairies, from this hour<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Exercise your utmost pow'r;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Drive away the evil spell<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Cast on one who'll love you well!"<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p class="in">Then, still laughing heartily, she pressed Rosebelle's
+fingers tightly, and went on:</p>
+
+<p class="in">"They are all here, the wonderful little doctors! Guard
+them preciously; do not weary them; keep them by you
+and, to do all that, never give them a moment's rest so
+long as the sun shines in the sky. Keep on moving
+them&mdash;actively, rapidly&mdash;so long as you are awake. Now
+go, and come back to me when you are quite cured,
+returning me my trusty little fairies."</p>
+
+<p class="in">With her hands filled with this precious load, Rosebelle
+hurried home, and told Greatheart of her dear hope of
+a renewal of life.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Of an evening, thenceforth, for a long time, she would
+even refrain from eating, so as to leave herself more time
+to exercise her unresting fingers, in which the ten little
+fairies were tenderly housed. As soon as the sun had
+sunk beneath the earth she went to sleep, and as soon
+as daylight returned, she at once rose and began once
+again to move her fairy-laden fingers.</p>
+
+<p class="in">During many, many days she continued to move her
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">181</a></span>fingers in every way she could devise; but at length,
+growing tired of this useless play, she went back to her
+old friend the sorceress.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0571.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;ROSEBELLE DREW HER HARP FORM ITS CASE AND PLAYED ON IT&quot;" title="&quot;ROSEBELLE DREW HER HARP FORM ITS CASE AND PLAYED ON IT&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;ROSEBELLE DREW HER HARP FORM ITS CASE AND PLAYED ON IT&quot; (<i>p.</i> 182).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">"Nobody ever taught you to use your fingers usefully?"
+replied the old woman. "Go on moving them,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">182</a></span>still moving them, but in some employment that interests
+you. Don't let my fairies go to sleep&mdash;that is all they
+desire in their imprisonment."</p>
+
+<p class="in">On returning home, Rosebelle drew her long-neglected
+harp from its case and played on it. Then, to occupy
+her fingers more usefully, she had needles brought to her
+and employed them in dainty sewing.</p>
+
+<p class="in">But, growing weary of the dull monotony of these
+labours, she sought more varied employment for her
+fingers&mdash;gathered flowers in the garden and arranged
+them in charming bouquets; plucked fruit from the
+trees in the orchard; attended to the sick and ailing;
+consoled the poor&mdash;exercising her fingers constantly by
+slipping gold pieces into their grateful hands.</p>
+
+<p class="in">One by one, she sent away her crowd of obsequious
+servants, who had now nothing left for them to do but
+to go to sleep at their posts.</p>
+
+<p class="in">She would not allow anybody to do anything for her
+which she could do for herself, but threw her whole
+soul and being into the things God intended to be done
+by them.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Every day, and all the while the sun shone in the
+sky, she found active employment for her beautiful fingers.
+And the roses came back to her cheeks and health to
+all her being, and songs and laughter to her lips; and
+she could, once again, give to her beloved one a heart
+filled with ineffable tenderness.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Perfectly cured, she went to the sorceress and gave
+her back her wonderful little fairy doctors.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Ah, my child!" said the old dame, "they are very
+proud of having saved you. Give them to me, for I
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">183</a></span>have every day great need of them&mdash;can never have too
+much of them. Indeed, if I had enough of them to
+serve all the idlers in the world, I should want as many
+as there are stars in the heavens at night. But I will
+keep those I have for the service of those who are
+pining from <i>ennui</i>&mdash;and there are enough of <i>them</i>, goodness
+knows!"</p>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<h2><a name="The_Magician_and_his_Pupil" id="The_Magician_and_his_Pupil"></a>The Magician and his Pupil.</h2>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0581.jpg" width="70%"  alt="The magician and his pupil. From the German of A. Godin" title="The magician and his pupil. From the German of A. Godin" />
+</div>
+
+<p class="initialMarginTop">THERE was once a poor shoemaker renowned far<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">187</a></span>
+and wide as a drunkard. He had a good wife
+and many daughters, but only one son. As
+soon as this son was old enough his mother dressed him
+in his best clothes, combed his hair until it shone, and
+then led him far, far away; for she wished to take him
+to the capital, and there apprentice him to a master
+who would teach him a really good trade.</p>
+
+<p class="in">When they had accomplished about half their journey
+they met a man in black, who asked whither they were
+going and the object of their journey. On being told,
+he offered to take the boy as his apprentice, but as he
+had not given the customary Christian greeting, and
+would not mention the name of his trade, also because
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">188</a></span>the mother thought there was a wicked gleam in his
+eyes, she declined to trust him with her son. As he
+persisted in his offer they were rude, then he troubled
+them no further.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Shortly after leaving the old man they came to a
+wide stretch of land, solitary and barren as a desert,
+over which they journeyed until hunger, thirst, and
+fatigue compelled them to rest. Exhausted, they sank
+on the sandy ground and wept bitterly. Suddenly, at
+a short distance from them arose a large stone, on whose
+surface stood a dish of smoking roast beef, a loaf of
+white bread, and a jug of foaming ale.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Eagerly the weary travellers hastened forward. Alas!
+the moment they moved, meat and drink vanished,
+leaving the stone bare and barren; but as soon as they
+stepped back, the food again made its appearance.
+After this had happened several times the shoemaker's
+son guessed what was at the bottom of it. Pointing
+his stick of aspen wood&mdash;a wood, by the way, very
+powerful against enchantment&mdash;he cautiously approached
+the stone, and thrust his stick into that place on the
+earth where the shadow of the stone rested.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Immediately the stone with everything on it disappeared,
+and in the place where the shadow had lain
+stood the stranger in black who had met them earlier
+in the day. He bowed politely to the youth and requested
+him to remove his stick.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"No, that I will not do! This time the stone has
+met its match! You are a magician, or at least a necromancer.
+You locked us in this desert and amused
+yourself with our misery. Now you shall be treated
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">189</a></span>as you deserve. You shall stand here for a year and
+six weeks, until you are as dry as the stick with which
+I have nailed you to the earth."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Loose me, I entreat you."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Yes, on certain conditions! First, you must once
+more become a stone, and on the stone must appear
+everything we have already seen."</p>
+
+<p class="in">The magician immediately vanished, and in his stead
+appeared the stone covered with a white cloth, and
+bearing the hot roast beef, white bread, and foaming
+ale, of which the travellers ate and drank to their hearts'
+content. When they had finished the stone became
+the man in black, who entreated piteously to be unnailed.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I will unnail you directly," said the youth, "but
+only on one condition. You must take me as apprentice
+for three years, as you yourself formerly proposed, and
+give me a pledge that you will really teach me all
+your art."</p>
+
+<p class="in">The magician bowed himself to the earth, dug his
+fingers into the sand, and drew forth a handful of
+ducats, which he threw into the boy's cap.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Thanks," replied the youth; "this money will be
+very useful to my mother, but you must give me a
+better pledge than that. I must have a piece of your
+ear."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Will nothing else serve?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Nothing!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Well, then," said the magician, "take your knife."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I have no knife with me," replied the youth; "you
+must lend me yours."</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">190</a></span>The magician obediently lent his knife, and bent his
+right ear towards the youth.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"No, no, I want the left ear; you offer the right
+far too willingly."</p>
+
+<p class="in">The magician then offered his left ear; and the
+youth cut off a slant piece, laid it in his wallet, and
+then drew his stick out of the ground. The magician
+groaned, rubbed his mutilated ear, then, turning a
+somersault, changed himself into a black cock, ordered
+the youth to take his mother back, and return at midnight
+and await his arrival at the cross-road where
+they now stood, when he would take him home and
+teach him for three years. The cock then flapped his
+wings, changed into a magpie, and flew away.</p>
+
+<p class="in">When the youth had accompanied his mother to the
+next village he kissed her hands and feet, shook the
+gold into her apron, and begged her to call for him in
+three years at the place where he had made his agreement
+with the magician. He then hastened back and
+reached the cross-road just at midnight.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Being very tired he leaned against the mile-stone to
+await the arrival of his master. He waited long, then
+as no one came, he drew the piece of the magician's
+ear from his wallet and bit it hard. At this the mile-stone
+staggered, cracked, and roared. The youth sprang
+quickly aside, looked at the inscription, and cried: "Ho!
+ho! Is that you, master?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Of course, it is! But why did you bite me?" asked
+the magician.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Take human form instantly!" replied the youth.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I have done so!" With this the man in black
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">191</a></span>stood on the cross-road. "Now we will go home," said
+he. "I take you as my pupil, but remember, from this
+moment you remain my pupil and servant, until, the
+three years ended, your mother fetches you away."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0591.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;THE MILE-STONE STAGGERED, CRACKED, AND ROARED&quot;" title="&quot;THE MILE-STONE STAGGERED, CRACKED, AND ROARED&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;THE MILE-STONE STAGGERED, CRACKED, AND ROARED&quot; (<i>p.</i> 190).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">Thus the youth became the magician's pupil. You
+wish to know how he taught him his art? Well, so
+be it. He stretched his hands and feet, turned him
+into a paper bag, and then left him to return to his
+proper shape as best he could. Or else, he thrust his
+hand and arm up to the shoulder down the youth's
+throat, turned him inside out, and left him to turn himself
+right.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The youth learnt so well, that at the end of the three
+years his skill in magic surpassed even that of his
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">192</a></span>master. During this time many parents had come to
+fetch their children, for the magician had quite a crowd
+of pupils; but the cunning old man always contrived
+that they went away without them. Three days before
+the time appointed for the shoemaker's wife to fetch
+her son, the youth met her on the road and told her
+how to recognise him.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Remember, dearest mother," said he, "when the
+magician calls his horses together, a fly will buzz over
+my ear; when the doves fly down, I shall not eat of
+the peas; and when the maidens stand around you, a
+brown mole will make its appearance above my eyebrow!
+Be sure you remember this, or you will destroy
+us both."</p>
+
+<p class="in">When the shoemaker's wife demanded her son of the
+magician, he blew a brazen trumpet towards all four
+corners of the world. Immediately a crowd of coal-black
+horses rushed forward; they were not, however,
+real horses, but enchanted scholars.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Find your son&mdash;then you can take him with you!"
+said the magician.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The mother went from horse to horse, trying hard
+to recognise her son; she trembled at the mere thought
+that she might make a mistake, and thus destroy both
+herself and her beloved child. At length she noted a
+fly buzzing over the ear of one of the horses, and cried
+joyfully: "That is my son!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Right," said the magician; "now guess again." So
+saying he blew a silver trumpet towards the corners of
+the earth, and threw on the ground half a bushel of
+peas. Then like some vast cloud down flew a flock
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">193</a></span>of doves, and began eagerly picking up the peas. The
+shoemaker's wife looked at dove after dove, until she
+found one that only appeared to eat. "That is my
+son!" said she.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Right again! Now comes the third and last trial.
+Guess right, and your son goes with you; guess wrong,
+and he remains with me for ever." The magician then
+blew his trumpet, and immediately beautiful songs resounded
+through the air. At the same time lovely
+maidens approached and surrounded the shoemaker's
+wife. They were all crowned with cornflowers, and wore
+white robes with rose-coloured girdles.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The shoemaker's wife examined each carefully, and
+saw a brown mole over the right eye of the most
+beautiful. "This is my son!" she exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Scarcely had she spoken than the maiden changed
+into her son, threw himself into her arms, and thanked
+her for his deliverance. The other maidens flew away,
+and the mother and son returned home.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The student of magic had not been long at home
+before he discovered that in his father's house Want
+was a constant guest. The money given by the magician
+had long since come to an end, for the shoemaker had
+spent it all in drink.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"What have you learnt in foreign parts?" he asked
+his son. "What help am I to expect from you."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I have learned magic, and will give you help enough.
+I can at your wish change myself into all possible
+shapes, to-day into a falcon, to-morrow into a greyhound,
+a nightingale, a sheep, or any other form. Lead me as
+an animal to market, and there sell me, but be sure
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">194</a></span>always to bring back the rope with which you led me
+thither, and never desire me to become a horse: the
+money thus acquired would be useless to you, and you
+would make me, and through me yourself, unhappy."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Thereupon the shoemaker demanded a falcon for sale;
+his son at once disappeared, and a splendid falcon sat
+on the father's shoulder. The shoemaker took the bird
+to market, where he sold it to a hunter for a good price,
+but on returning home, he found his son seated at the
+table enjoying a good dinner.</p>
+
+<p class="in">When the money thus gained had been spent to the
+last farthing, the shoemaker required a greyhound, which
+he again sold to a hunter, and on his return home found
+his son had arrived there before him.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Thus the father led his son to market again and
+again, as an ox, a cow, a sheep, a goose, a turkey, and
+in many other animal forms. One day he thought: "I
+should very much like to know why my son does not
+wish to become a horse! Surely he takes me for a fool,
+and grudges me the best prize!" He was half drunk
+when he thought this, and then and there desired his
+son to become a horse. Hardly had he spoken than
+his wish was gratified: a splendid horse stood before
+the window; he dug his hoofs deep into the ground,
+whilst his eyes shot forth lightning, and flames issued
+from his nostrils.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The shoemaker mounted and rode into the town.
+Here a merchant stopped him, admired the horse, and
+offered to give the animal's weight in gold if his master
+would only sell him. They went together to a pair of
+scales: the merchant shook gold from a sack on one
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">195</a></span>of the wooden scales, whilst the shoemaker made his
+horse mount on the other. As he was staring in amazement
+at the heap of gold in the scales, one of the
+chains broke, and the gold pieces rolled over the street.
+The shoemaker threw himself on the ground to pick
+them up, and forgot both the horse and bridle.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0601.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;THE SHOEMAKER&#39;S WIFE LOOKED AT DOVE AFTER DOVE&quot;" title="&quot;THE SHOEMAKER&#39;S WIFE LOOKED AT DOVE AFTER DOVE&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;THE SHOEMAKER&#39;S WIFE LOOKED AT DOVE AFTER DOVE&quot; (<i>p.</i> 193).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">The merchant meanwhile mounted the horse, and
+galloped out of the town, digging his spurs into the
+poor animal's sides until the blood flowed, and beating
+him cruelly with a steel riding-whip; for this merchant
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">196</a></span>was none other than the magician, who thus revenged
+himself for the piece cut from his ear.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The poor horse was quite exhausted when the magician
+arrived with him at his invisible dwelling; this house,
+it is true, stood in an open field, yet no one could see
+it. The horse was then led to the stable, whilst the
+magician considered how he might best torture him.</p>
+
+<p class="in">But while the magician was considering, the horse,
+who knew what a terrible fate awaited him, succeeded
+in throwing the bridle over a nail, on which it remained
+hanging, thus enabling him to draw his head out. He
+fled across the field, and changing into a gold ring,
+threw himself before the feet of a beauteous Princess just
+returning from bathing.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The Princess stooped, picked up the gold circle,
+slipped it on her finger, and then looked around in
+wonder. In the meantime, the magician&mdash;changed into
+a Grecian merchant&mdash;came up and courteously asked
+the Princess to return the gold ring he had lost. Terrified
+at the sight of his black beard and gleaming eyes, the
+Princess screamed aloud, and pressed the ring to her
+breast.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Alarmed by her cries, her attendants and playmates,
+who were waiting near, hastened up and formed a circle
+round their beloved Princess. But as soon as they
+understood the cause of her distress, they threw themselves
+on the importunate stranger, and began tickling
+him in such a manner that he laughed, cried, giggled,
+coughed, and at length danced over the ground like
+a maniac, forgetting through sheer distress that he was
+still a magician.</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">197</a></span>When, however, he did remember it, he changed himself
+into a hedgehog, and stuck his bristles into the
+maidens until their blood flowed, and they were glad
+to leave him alone.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0611.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;HE DANCED OVER THE GROUND LIKE A MANIAC&quot;" title="&quot;HE DANCED OVER THE GROUND LIKE A MANIAC&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;HE DANCED OVER THE GROUND LIKE A MANIAC&quot; (<i>p.</i> 196).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">Meanwhile the Princess hastened home and showed
+her father the ring, which pleased her so much that
+she wore it on her heart-finger night and day. Once
+when playing with it, the ring slipped from her hand,
+fell to the ground and sprang in pieces, when, oh, wonder!
+before her stood a handsome youth, the magician's pupil.</p>
+
+<p class="in">At first the Princess was very troubled, and did not
+venture to raise her eyes, but when the scholar had told
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">198</a></span>her everything she was satisfied, conversed with him a
+long while, and promised to ask her father to have the
+magician driven away by the dogs should he ever come
+to demand the ring. When in the course of the day
+the magician came, the King, in spite of all his daughter's
+entreaties, ordered the ring to be given up.</p>
+
+<p class="in">With tears in her eyes the Princess took the ring
+(the scholar had resumed this form immediately after
+relating his adventures) and threw it at the merchant's
+feet. It shivered into little pearls.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Trembling with rage, the merchant threw himself on
+the ground in the shape of a hen, picked up the pearls,
+and when he saw no more, flew out of the window,
+flapped his wings, cried, "Kikeriki! Scholar, are you
+here?" and then soared into the air.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Having been told by the scholar what to do should
+she be compelled to return the ring, the Princess had
+let her handkerchief fall at the same moment she threw
+the ring on the ground, and two of the largest pearls
+had rolled beneath it. She now took out these pearls,
+and they immediately called, in mocking imitation of
+the hen's voice:</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Kikeriki! I am here!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">They then changed into a hawk and chased after the
+hen. Seizing it with his sharp talons, he bit its left
+wing with such force that all the feathers cracked, and
+the hen fell like a stone into the water, where it was
+drowned.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The hawk then returned to the Princess, perched on
+her shoulder, gazed fondly into her eyes, and then
+became once more the young and handsome scholar.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">199</a></span>The Princess had grown so fond of him that she chose
+him as her husband, and from that moment he gave up
+magic for ever. In his prosperity he did not forget his
+relations&mdash;his mother lived with him and the Princess
+in their magnificent palace, his sisters married wealthy
+merchants, and even his father was content.</p>
+
+<p class="in">When the old King died the magician's pupil became
+King over the land, and lived so happily with his wife
+and children, and all his subjects, that no pen can write,
+no song sing, and no story tell of half their happiness.</p>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<h2><a name="The_Strawberry_Thief" id="The_Strawberry_Thief"></a>The Strawberry Thief.</h2>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i062.jpg" width="70%"  alt="The Strawbery thief. From the German by Pauline Schanz" title="The Strawbery thief. From the German by Pauline Schanz" />
+</div>
+
+<p class="initialMarginTop">THE mid-day sun was shining brightly as two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">203</a></span>
+children ran merrily down the steep grassy slope
+leading from the little village to the neighbouring
+forest. Their loose, scanty clothing left head, neck, and
+feet bare. But this did not trouble them, for the sun's
+rays kissed their little round limbs, and the children liked
+to feel their warm kisses.</p>
+
+<p class="in">They were brother and sister; each carried a small jar
+to fill with strawberries, which their mother would sell
+in the town on the morrow. They were very poor, almost
+the poorest people in the village. Their mother, a widow,
+had to work hard to procure bread for herself and children.</p>
+
+<p class="in">When strawberries or nuts were in season, or even the
+early violets, the children went into the forest to seek
+them, and by the fruit or flowers they gathered helped
+to earn many a groschen. The happy children ran
+joyously along as though they were the rulers of the
+beautiful world that stretched so seductively before them.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">204</a></span>The forest berries were still scarce, and would fetch a
+high price in the town; this is why they started so early
+in the afternoon, whilst other people still rested in their
+cool rooms.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Deep in the forest was many a spot, well known to
+the children, where large masses of strawberry plants
+flourished and bloomed, covering the ground with a
+luxurious carpet. White star-like blossoms in profusion
+looked roguishly out from the ample foliage; the little
+green and bright-red berries were there in crowds, but the
+ripe, dark-red fruit was difficult to find.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Very slowly the work proceeded, and as the gathered
+treasures in their small jars grew higher and higher the
+sun sank lower and lower. Busy with their task, the
+children forgot laughter and chattering; they tasted none
+of the lovely berries, scarcely looked at the violets and
+anemones; the sun's rays peeping through the branches
+the cock-chafers and butterflies were alike unheeded.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Lorchen," cried Fried, at length, throwing back his
+sunburnt, heated face; "look, Lorchen, my jar is full!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">Lorchen looked up, her face flushed with toil; her poor
+little jar was scarcely half-full. Oh, how she envied her
+brother his full jar! Fried was a good boy&mdash;he loved his
+little sister dearly. He made her sit down on the soft
+grass, placed his jar beside her, and did not cease his
+work until Lorchen's jar was likewise filled. Their day's
+work was now ended. But it was so beautiful in the
+forest. The birds sang so joyfully among the leaves,
+everything exhaled the fragrance of the dewy evening
+that crept slowly between the trembling branches.</p>
+
+<p class="in">At a little distance a small stretch of meadow shimmered
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">205</a></span>through the trees. The bright sunshine still rested on the
+fresh, green grass, and thousands of daffodils, bluebells,
+pinks, and forget-me-nots unfolded there their varied
+beauties. It was a delightful play-place for the children.
+They hastened thither, placed their jars carefully behind
+a large tree-trunk, and soon forgot their hard afternoon's
+work in a merry game. Greyer grew the shadows, closer
+the dusk of evening veiled the lonely forest. Then the
+brother and sister thought of returning&mdash;the rest had
+strengthened their weary limbs, and their game in the
+flowery meadow had made them cheerful and merry.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Now the dew that wetted their bare feet, and hunger
+that began to make itself felt, urged them to return home.
+They ran to the tree behind which they had placed their
+jars, but oh, horror! the jars had vanished. At first the
+children thought they had mistaken the place; they
+searched farther, behind every trunk, behind every bush,
+but no trace of the jars could they find.</p>
+
+<p class="in">They had vanished, together with the precious fruit.
+What would their mother say when they returned home,
+their task unfulfilled? With the price of the berries she
+intended to buy meal to make bread. They had been
+almost without bread for several days, and now they had
+not even the jars in which to gather other berries.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Lorchen began to sob loudly; Fried's face grew crimson
+with rage, and his eyes sparkled, he did not weep. The
+darkness increased, the tree-trunks looked black and
+spectral, the wind rustled in the branches. Who could
+have stolen their berries? No one had come near the
+meadow. Squirrels and lizards could not carry away
+jars. The poor children stood helpless beside the old
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">206</a></span>tree-trunk. They could not return to their mother empty-handed;
+they feared she would reproach them for losing
+sight of their jars.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The little maiden shivered in her thin frock, and wept
+with fear, hunger, and fatigue. Fried took his little
+sister's hand, and said: "Listen, Lorchen: you must run
+home, it is night now in the forest. Tell mother our jars
+have disappeared, eat your supper, and go to bed and
+to sleep. I will remain here and search behind every
+tree and everywhere, until I find the jars. I am neither
+hungry nor tired, and am not afraid to pass the night
+alone in the forest, in spite of all the stories our grand-mother
+used to tell of wicked spirits in the forest,
+hobgoblins who tease children, will-o'-the-wisps, and
+mountain-demons who store their treasures beneath the
+earth."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Lorchen shuddered and looked fearfully around&mdash;she
+was a timid, weakly child. Wrapping her little arms in
+her apron, she wept bitterly.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Come home with me, Fried," she pleaded. "I am
+afraid to go through the gloomy forest alone!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">Fried took her hand and went with her until they saw
+the lights of the village. Then he stopped and said:
+"Now run along alone; see, there is the light burning in
+our mother's window. I shall turn back, I cannot go
+home empty-handed."</p>
+
+<p class="in">He turned quickly into the forest. Lorchen waited a
+moment, and cried, "Fried, Fried!" Then, receiving no
+answer, she fled swiftly up the grassy slope she had
+descended so merrily a few hours previously.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Their mother, who had grown uneasy at their prolonged
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">207</a></span>absence, was standing at the door when Lorchen returned,
+weeping and breathless. Poor child, she had scarcely
+strength enough left to tell that they had lost strawberries
+and jars, and that Fried had remained behind.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i063.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;LORCHEN BEGAN TO SOB&quot;" title="&quot;LORCHEN BEGAN TO SOB&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;LORCHEN BEGAN TO SOB&quot; (<i>p.</i> 205).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">The mother grew sad as she listened&mdash;she had scarcely
+any bread left, and knew not whence to procure more;
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">208</a></span>but Fried remaining in the forest was worse than all,
+for she, like all the villagers, firmly believed in hobgoblins.
+Sadly she lay down to rest beside her little
+daughter.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Fried ran ever farther and farther into the forest,
+through whose thick foliage the stars looked down timidly.
+He said his evening prayer, and no longer feared the
+rustling of the leaves, the cracking of the branches, or the
+whisper of the night wind in the trees.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Soon the moon arose, and it was light enough for Fried
+to seek his jars. In vain his search&mdash;the hours passed
+and he found nothing. At length he saw a small mountain
+overgrown with shrubs. Then the moon crept behind a
+thick cloud, and all was dark. Tired out, Fried sank
+down behind a tree and almost fell asleep. Suddenly he
+saw a bright light moving about close to the mountain,
+He sprang up and hastened towards it.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Coming closer, he heard a peculiar noise, as of groans
+uttered by a man engaged in heavy toil. He crept softly
+forward, and beheld, to his astonishment, a little dwarf,
+who was trying to push some heavy object into a hole,
+that apparently led into the mountain. The little man
+wore a silver coat and a red cap with points, to which the
+wonderful light, a large, sparkling precious stone, was
+fastened.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Fried soon stood close behind the dwarf, who in his
+eagerness had not observed the boy's approach, and saw
+with indignation that the object the little man was striving
+so hard to push into the hole was his jar of strawberries.
+In great wrath Fried seized a branch that lay near, and
+gave the little man a mighty blow. Thereupon the dwarf
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">209</a></span>uttered a cry very like the squeak of a small mouse,
+and tried to creep into the hole.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i064.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;But Fried held him fast.&quot;
+" title="&quot;But Fried held him fast.&quot;
+" />
+<p class="caption"><span style="margin-left: 25%">&quot;But Fried held him fast.&quot;</span>
+<span style="margin-left: 25%"><i>page 209</i></span></p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">But Fried held him fast by his silver coat, and angrily
+demanded where he had put his other jar of strawberries.
+The dwarf replied he had no other jar, and strove to
+free himself from the grasp of the little giant.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Fried again seized his branch, which so terrified the
+dwarf that he cried: "The other jar is inside; I will fetch
+it for you."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I should wait a long time," said Fried, "if I once let
+you escape; no, I will go with you and fetch my own
+jar."</p>
+
+<p class="in">The dwarf stepped forward, the light in his cap shining
+brighter than the brightest candle. Fried followed, his
+jar in one hand, and the branch in the other. Thus they
+journeyed far into the mountain. The dwarf crept along
+like a lizard, but Fried, whose head almost touched the
+roof, could scarcely get along.</p>
+
+<p class="in">At length strains of lovely music resounded through the
+vaulted passages: a little farther on their journey was
+stopped by a grey stone wall. Taking a silver hammer
+from his doublet, the little dwarf gave three sounding
+knocks on the wall; it sprang asunder, and as it opened
+such a flood of light streamed forth that Fried was obliged
+to close his eyes. Half-blinded, with hand shading his
+face, he followed the dwarf, the stone door closed behind
+them, and Fried was in the secret dwellings of the gnomes.</p>
+
+<p class="in">A murmur of soft voices, mingled with the sweet strains
+of the music, sounded in his ears. When at length he
+was able to remove his hand from his eyes, he saw a
+wondrous sight. A beauteous, lofty hall, hewn out of the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">210</a></span>rock, lay before him; on the walls sparkled thousands of
+precious stones such as his guide had worn in his cap.
+They served instead of candles, and shed forth a radiance
+that almost blinded human eyes.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Between them hung wreaths and sprays of flowers such
+as Fried had never before seen. All around crowds of
+wonderful little dwarfs stood gazing at him full of
+curiosity.</p>
+
+<p class="in">In the centre of the hall stood a throne of green transparent
+stone, with cushions of soft mushrooms. On this
+sat the gnome-King; around him was thrown a golden
+mantle, and on his head was a crown cut from a flaming
+carbuncle. Before the throne the dwarf, Fried's guide,
+stood relating his adventure.</p>
+
+<p class="in">When the dwarf ceased speaking, the King rose,
+approached the boy, who still stood by the door, surrounded
+by the gnomes, and said: "You human child,
+what has brought you to my secret dwelling?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"My Lord Dwarf," replied Fried politely, "I desire
+my strawberries which yonder dwarf has stolen. I pray
+you order them to be restored to me, and then suffer
+me to return to my mother."</p>
+
+<p class="in">The King thought for a few moments, then he said:
+"Listen, to-day we hold a great feast, for which your
+strawberries are necessary. I will, therefore, buy them.
+I will also allow you to remain with us a short time,
+then my servants shall lead you back to the entrance
+of the mountain."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Have you money to buy my strawberries?" asked the
+boy.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Foolish child, know you not that the gold, silver,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">211</a></span>and copper come out of the earth? Come with me and
+see my treasure-chambers."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i065.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;I WILL GO WITH YOU&quot;" title="&quot;I WILL GO WITH YOU&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;I WILL GO WITH YOU&quot; (<i>p.</i> 209).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">So saying, the King led him from the hall through long
+rooms, in which mountains of gold, silver, and copper
+were piled; in other rooms lay like masses of precious
+stones. Presently they came to a grotto, in the centre
+of which stood a large vase. From out this vase poured
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">212</a></span>three sparkling streams, each of a different colour: they
+flowed out of the grotto and discharged themselves into
+the veins of the rocks.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Beside these streams knelt dwarfs, filling buckets with
+the flowing gold, silver, and copper, which other dwarfs
+carried away and stored in the King's treasure-chambers.
+But the greatest quantity flowed into the crevices of
+the mountain, from whence men dig it out with much
+toil.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Fried would have liked to fill his pockets with the
+precious metals, but did not dare ask the gnome-King's
+permission. They soon returned to the hall where the
+feast was prepared. On a long white marble table stood
+rows of golden dishes filled with various dainties, prepared
+from Fried's strawberries. In the background sat the
+musicians, bees and grasshoppers, that the dwarfs had
+caught in the forest. The dwarfs ate off little gold plates,
+and Fried ate with them. But the pieces were so tiny,
+they melted on his tongue before he could taste them.</p>
+
+<p class="in">After the feast came dancing. The gnome-men were
+old and shrivelled, with faces like roots of trees; all
+wore silver coats and red caps. The gnome-maidens were
+tall and stately, and wore on their heads wreaths of flowers
+that sparkled as though wet with dew. Fried danced
+with them, but because his clothes were so poor, his
+partner took a wreath of flowers from the wall and placed
+it on his head. Very pretty it looked on his bright, brown
+hair&mdash;but he could not see this, for the dwarfs have no
+looking-glasses. The bees buzzed and hummed like flutes
+and trombones, the grasshoppers chirped like fiddles.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The dancing ended, Fried approached the King, who
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">213</a></span>was resting on his green throne, and said: "My Lord
+King, be so good as to pay for my berries, and have
+me guided out of the mountain, for it is time I returned
+to my mother."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0661.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;IT IS TIME I RETURNED TO MY MOTHER.&quot;" title="&quot;IT IS TIME I RETURNED TO MY MOTHER.&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;IT IS TIME I RETURNED TO MY MOTHER.&quot;</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">214</a></span>The King nodded his carbuncle crown, and wrapping
+his golden mantle around him, departed to fetch the
+money. How Fried rejoiced at the thought of taking
+that money home! Being very tired, he mounted the
+throne, seated himself on the soft mushroom cushion
+from which the gnome-King had just risen, and, ere
+that monarch returned, Fried was sleeping sound as a
+dormouse.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Day was dawning in the forest when he awoke. His
+limbs were stiff, and his bare feet icy cold. He rubbed
+his eyes and stretched himself. He still sat beneath
+the tree from whence, on the previous evening, he had
+seen the light moving. "Where am I?" he muttered;
+then he remembered falling asleep on the gnome-King's
+mushroom cushion. He also remembered the
+money he had been promised, and felt in his pockets&mdash;they
+were empty. Yes, he remembered it all. This
+was the morning his mother should have gone to town,
+and he had neither berries nor money. Tears flowed from
+his eyes, and he reviled the dwarfs who had carried
+him sleeping from the mountain, and cheated him out
+of his money. Rising sorrowfully, he went to the mountain,
+but though he searched long and carefully, no
+opening could he find.</p>
+
+<p class="in">There was nothing for it but to return home, and
+this he did with a heavy heart. No one was stirring
+when he reached the village. Gently he knocked on
+the shutter of the room where his mother slept. "Wake
+up, mother," he cried. "It is I, your Fried."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Quickly the door of the little house opened.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Thank Heaven you have returned," said his mother,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">215</a></span>embracing him. "But has nothing happened to you all
+night alone in the forest?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Nothing, mother," he replied; "I only had a foolish
+dream about the gnomes who dwell in the mountain."</p>
+
+<p class="in">And whilst his mother lit the stove, Fried related
+his dream. She shook her head on hearing it, for she
+believed her boy had really seen and heard these wonderful
+things.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Then Lorchen came in, and her mother told her to
+unfasten the shutters. The child obeyed, but on re-entering
+the room, she cried aloud, and placed her hands
+on her brother's head.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Something heavy and sparkling fell to the ground.
+They picked it up. It was the wreath of many-coloured
+flowers Fried's partner had given him at the dance. But
+the flowers were not like those that grow in the fields
+and meadows: they were cold, and sparkling, like those
+that adorned the walls of the mountain hall, and which
+the gnome-maidens wore in their hair.</p>
+
+<p class="in">It was now clear that Fried had really spent the night
+with the dwarfs. They all thought the flowers were
+only coloured glass; but as they sparkled so brilliantly,
+and filled the cottage with indescribable splendour, the
+mother determined to ask advice about them. She therefore
+broke a tiny branch from the wreath and took it
+to the town to a goldsmith, who told her, to her great
+astonishment, that the branch was composed of the most
+costly gems, rubies, diamonds, and sapphires. In exchange
+for it, he gave her a sack of gold so heavy she could
+scarcely carry it home.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Want was now at an end for ever, for the wreath
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">216</a></span>was a hundred times more valuable than the tiny branch.
+Great excitement prevailed in the village when the
+widow's good fortune was made known, and all the
+villagers ran into the forest to search for the wonderful
+hole. But their searching was vain&mdash;none ever found
+the entrance to the mountain. From henceforth the widow
+and her children lived very happily; they remained pious
+and industrious in spite of their wealth, did good to
+the poor, and were contented to the end of their lives.</p>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<h2><a name="The_Adventures_of_Said" id="The_Adventures_of_Said"></a>The Adventures of Said.</h2>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0671.jpg" width="70%"  alt="The adventures of Said. From the German of W. Hauff." title="The adventures of Said. From the German of W. Hauff." />
+</div>
+
+<p class="initialMarginTop">IN the time of Haroun Al-Raschid, ruler of Bagdad,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">219</a></span>
+there lived in Balsora a man Benezar by name.
+His means enabled him to live quietly and comfortably,
+without carrying on a business or trade; and
+when a son was born to him he made no change in his
+manner of living, "For," said he, "what will feed two will
+feed three." Said, for so they called the boy, soon made
+a name for himself among his playmates as a lusty
+fighter, and was surpassed by none in riding or swimming.</p>
+
+<p class="in">When he was eighteen, his father sent him on a
+pilgrimage to Mecca, and before he started gave him
+much good advice, and provided him with money for
+his journey. Lastly he said:</p>
+
+<p class="in">"There is something more I must tell you, my boy.
+I am not the man to believe that fairies and enchanters,
+whatever they may be, have any influence over the fate
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">220</a></span>of mankind; that sort of nonsense is only good for
+whiling away the time; but your mother believed in
+them as firmly as in the Koran. She even told me,
+after making me swear never to reveal the secret except
+to her child, that she herself was under the protection
+of a fairy. I always laughed at her, but still I must
+confess that some very strange events happened at your
+birth. It rained and thundered all day, and the heavens
+were black with clouds.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"When they told me that I had a little son, I hastened
+to see and bless my first-born, but I found my wife's door
+shut, and all her attendants standing outside. I knocked,
+but with no result. While I was waiting there, the sky
+cleared just over Balsora, although the lightning still
+flashed and writhed round the blue expanse. As I was
+gazing in astonishment at this spectacle, your mother's
+door flew open and I went in alone. On entering the
+room, I perceived a delicious odour of roses, carnations,
+and hyacinths. Your mother Zemira showed me a
+tiny silver whistle, that was hanging round your neck
+by a gold chain as fine as silk. 'This is the fairy's gift
+to our boy,' she said. 'Well,' I laughed, 'I think she
+might have given him something better than that&mdash;a
+purse of gold, for instance, or a horse.'</p>
+
+<p class="in">"But Zemira begged me not to anger the good fairy,
+for fear she might turn her blessing to a curse; so, to
+please her, the matter was never mentioned again till
+she was dying. Then she gave me the whistle, telling
+me never to part with you till you were twenty, when
+the whistle was to be yours. But I see no objection
+to your going away now. You have common sense,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">221</a></span>and can defend yourself as well as any man of four-and-twenty.
+Go in peace, my son. Think ever of your
+father in good fortune or in ill, and may Heaven defend
+you from that last."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Said took an affectionate farewell of his father, and
+placing the chain round his neck, sprang lightly into
+his saddle, and went off to join the caravan for
+Mecca. At last they were all assembled, and Said
+rode gaily out of Balsora. Just at first the novelty of
+his position and surroundings occupied his thoughts, but
+as they drew near to the desert he began to consider
+his father's words. He drew out the whistle and put it
+to his lips, but wonder of wonders, no matter how hard
+he blew, not a sound came out! This was disappointing,
+and Said impatiently thrust the whistle back into his
+girdle; still the marvellous had a strange attraction for
+him, and he spent the whole day in building his airy
+castles.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Said was a fine-looking fellow, with a distinguished
+face, and a bearing which, young as he was, marked him
+out as one born to command. Every one was attracted
+to him, and especially was this the case with an elderly
+man, who rode near him. They entered into conversation,
+and it was not long before the mysterious power
+of fairies was mentioned.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Do you believe in fairies?" asked Said, at last.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Well," replied the other, stroking his beard thoughtfully,
+"I should not like to say that there are no such
+beings, although I have never seen one." And then he
+began to relate such wonderful stories, that Said felt
+that his mother's words must have been true, and when
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">222</a></span>he went to sleep was transported to a veritable
+fairyland.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The next day the travellers were dismayed to see a
+band of robbers swooping down on them. All was
+confusion in an instant, and they had scarcely had time
+to place the women and children in the centre, when the
+Arabs were upon them. Bravely as the men acquitted
+themselves, all was in vain, for the robbers were more
+than four hundred strong. At this dreadful moment
+Said bethought him of his whistle; but, alas! it remained
+dumb as before, and poor Said, dropping it hastily, fired
+on a man, who seemed from his dress to be of some
+importance.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"What have you done?" cried the old man, who
+was fighting at his side. "There is no hope for us
+now."</p>
+
+<p class="in">And so, indeed, it seemed&mdash;for the robbers, maddened
+by the death of the man, pressed so closely on the youth
+that they broke down even his sturdy resistance. The
+others were soon overcome or slain, and Said found
+himself on horseback, bound and guarded by armed men.
+These treated him with roughness, and the only drop of
+comfort in his cup was that his old friend was riding
+near. You may be sure his thoughts were not very
+pleasant&mdash;slavery or death was all he had to look
+forward to.</p>
+
+<p class="in">After riding for some time, they saw in the far distance
+trees and tents, and in a short time they were met by
+bands of women and children, who had no sooner heard
+the news than they began to throw sticks and clods of
+earth at Said, shrieking, "That is the man who killed
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">223</a></span>the great Almansor, bravest of men; he must die, and
+we will throw his body to the jackals."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0681.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;AFTER SEVERAL HOURS HE AWOKE&quot;" title="&quot;AFTER SEVERAL HOURS HE AWOKE&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;AFTER SEVERAL HOURS HE AWOKE&quot; (<i>p.</i> 225).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">They became so threatening that the bandits interfered
+and, bearing off their prisoner, led him bound into one
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">224</a></span>of the tents. Here was seated an old man, evidently
+the leader of the band. His head was bent.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"The weeping of the women has told me all&mdash;Almansor
+is dead," said he.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Almansor is dead," answered the robbers, "O Mighty
+One of the Desert, but here is his murderer. Only
+speak the word. Shall his doom be to be shot, or to be
+hanged from the nearest tree?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">But the aged Selim questioned Said, and found that
+his son had been slain in fair fight. "He has done,
+then, no more than we ourselves should have done.
+Loose his bonds. The innocent shall not die," cried
+Selim, in his sternest tones, seeing his men's reluctance
+and discontent. As for Said, the very fulness of his
+heart closed his lips, and he could not find words in
+which to thank his deliverer. From this time he lived
+in Selim's tent, almost taking the place of that son
+whose death he had caused.</p>
+
+<p class="in">But sedition was rife among the robbers. Their
+beloved Prince had been murdered, and his murderer was
+shielded by the father! Many were the execrations hurled
+at Said, as he walked in the camp; indeed, several
+attempts were made on his life. At length Selim perceived
+that soon even his influence would not be sufficient
+to guard the young man, and so he sent him away
+with an escort, saying that his ransom had been paid.
+But before they started he bound the robbers by a
+dreadful oath that they would not kill Said.</p>
+
+<p class="in">It was indeed a terrible ride! Said saw that his guides
+were performing their task with great reluctance, and soon
+they began to whisper together. He nerved himself to
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">225</a></span>listen, and what he heard did not tend to reassure
+him.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"This is the very spot," said one. "I shall never
+forget it."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"And to think that his murderer still lives!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Ah! if his father had not made us take that
+oath!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Stay," cried the most forbidding-looking of all,
+"we have not sworn to bring this fellow to the end
+of his journey. We will leave him his life, but the
+scorching sun and the sharp teeth of the jackal shall
+perform our vengeance. Let us bind him and leave
+him here."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Said, hearing this brutal suggestion, made a
+desperate effort for his life. Spurring his horse, he rode off at
+full speed; but the bandits soon recovered from their
+amazement, and, giving chase, had him at their mercy.
+Tears, prayers, even bribes were of no avail, and the
+wretched Said was left to face death in its most painful
+form. Higher and higher mounted the sun, and Said
+tried to roll over to obtain some small relief. In doing
+this the whistle attracted his notice, and he contrived to
+get it between his lips; but for the third time it refused
+its office, and Said, overcome by the heat and the
+horror of his situation, fainted. After several hours
+he awoke to see, not the dreaded beast of prey but a
+human being.</p>
+
+<p class="in">This was a little man with small eyes and a long
+beard, who informed Said, when the latter had somewhat
+recovered, that he was Kalum Bek, a merchant,
+and that he was on a business expedition when he
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">226</a></span>found him lying half dead in the sand. Said thanked
+the little man, and gratefully accepted a seat on his
+camel. As they were journeying the merchant related
+many stories in praise of the justice and acuteness of
+the Father of the Faithful.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"My cousin Messour," he said, "is his Lord
+Chamberlain, and he has often told me how the Caliph
+is wont to sally forth at night, attended by himself alone,
+to see how his people are cared for. And so, when we
+go about the streets at night, we have to be polite to
+every idiot we meet, for it is as likely to be the
+Caliph as some dog of an Arab from the desert."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Hearing such accounts as these, Said thought himself
+a lucky fellow to have the chance of seeing Bagdad and
+the renowned Al-Raschid. When they arrived in the
+city, Kalum invited Said to accompany him home. The
+next day the youth had just dressed himself in his
+most magnificent clothes, thinking of the sensation he
+would cause, when the merchant entered, and, looking
+at him scornfully, said: "That is all very fine, my
+young sir, but it seems to me you are a great dreamer.
+Have you the money to keep up that style?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"It is true, sir," said Said, blushing, "that I have no
+money; but perhaps you will be kind enough to lend me
+sufficient to travel home with, for my father is sure to
+repay you."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Your father, boy," laughed the merchant. "I really
+think the sun must have affected your brain. You
+don't suppose, do you, that I believe the fable you made
+up for my benefit? I know all the rich men in Balsora,
+but no Benezar. Besides, do you think the disappearance
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">227</a></span>of a whole caravan would pass unnoticed? And then,
+you bare-faced liar, that story about Selim! Why, that
+man is noted for his cruelty; and do you mean to tell
+me that he allowed the murderer of his son to go free&mdash;and
+that, too, without ransom? Oh, you shameless
+liar!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Indeed, I have spoken the truth," cried Said. "I have
+no proof of my words, and can only swear to you that
+I have spoken no falsehood. If you will not help me
+then I must appeal to the Caliph."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Really!" scoffed the little man; "you will beg, then,
+from no less exalted a person than our gracious ruler!
+Just consider that the Caliph can only be approached
+through my cousin Messour, and that with a word I
+could&mdash;&mdash;But I pity your youth. You are not too old
+yet for reformation. You shall serve in my shop for a
+year, and then, if you wish to leave me, I will pay you
+your wages, and let you go whither you will. I give
+you till mid-day to think over it. If you refuse, I will
+seize your clothes and possessions to pay myself for your
+passage, and throw you on the streets."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Said was indeed in difficulties; bad luck seemed to
+press upon him at every turn. There was no escaping
+from the room, for the windows were barred and the
+door locked. After cudgelling his brains for some time,
+he saw that he must submit to the indignity imposed upon
+him by the villainous little man, and so the next day
+he followed him to the shop in the bazaar. His duty
+was to stand (his gallant attire a thing of the past) in
+the doorway, a veil or a shawl in either hand, and cry
+his wares to the passers-by.</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">228</a></span>Said soon saw why Kalum had been so anxious to
+retain him as a servant. No one wished to do business
+with the hateful old man, but when the salesman was
+a handsome youth it was a different matter altogether.
+One especially busy day all the porters were employed,
+when an elderly lady entered and made some purchases.
+After she had bought all she wanted she
+demanded some one to carry her parcels home for her.
+In vain did the merchant promise to send them in half
+an hour&mdash;she would have them then or never; and her
+eye falling on Said, she wanted to know why he should
+not accompany her. After much remonstrance Kalum
+had to give in, and Said found himself following in the
+wake of the lady, who stopped at last before a magnificent
+house. She knocked and they were admitted,
+and after mounting a wide marble staircase, Said found
+himself in a lofty hall, far grander than he had ever seen
+before. Here he was relieved of his burden, and was
+just going out at the door, when&mdash;</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Said," cried a sweet voice behind him. He turned
+round quickly, and saw to his amazement a daintily
+beautiful lady surrounded by attendants, instead of the
+old lady he had followed.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Said, my dear boy," she said, "it is a great
+misfortune that you left Balsora before you were twenty;
+but here in Bagdad there is some chance for you. Have
+you still your little whistle?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Indeed I have," he cried gladly; "perhaps you are
+the kindly fairy who befriended my mother?"</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">229</a></span>
+<img src="images/i0691.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;A DAINTILY BEAUTIFUL LADY&quot;" title="&quot;A DAINTILY BEAUTIFUL LADY&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;A DAINTILY BEAUTIFUL LADY&quot; (<i>p.</i> 228).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">"Yes, and as long as you are good I will help you.
+But, alas! I cannot even deliver you from that wretch,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">230</a></span>Kalum Bek, for he is protected by your most powerful
+enemy."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"But can we do nothing? Can I not go to the
+Caliph? He is a just man and will help me."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Haroun is indeed just, but he is greatly influenced
+by Messour, who, a model of uprightness himself, has
+been already primed by Kalum with his version of your
+story. But there are other ways of getting at the
+Caliph, and it is written in the stars that you will
+obtain his favour."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I am to be pitied if I have to stay much longer
+with that rascal of a shopkeeper. But there is one
+favour I beg of you, most gracious of fairies. Jousts are
+held every week, but only for the freeborn. Couldn't
+you manage to give me equipments, and make my face
+so that no one would know me?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"That is a wish worthy of a brave man, and I will
+grant it. Come here each week, and you will find everything
+you want. And now, farewell. Be cautious and
+virtuous. In six months your whistle will sound, and
+Zulima will answer its appeal."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Said took leave of his protectress, and, taking note
+of the position of the house, made his way back to the
+shop. He arrived there in the very nick of time, for
+Kalum was surrounded by a crowd of jeering neighbours,
+and was literally dancing with rage. This was what had
+happened. Two men had asked the merchant if he could
+direct them to the shop of the handsome salesman.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Well! well!" said the old man, smiling, "Heaven
+has guided you to the right place this time. What do
+you want, a shawl or a veil?"</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">231</a></span>This to the men seemed nothing short of insolence,
+and they fell upon him tooth and nail, the neighbours
+refusing to help the old skinflint. But Said, seeing his
+master in such distress, strode to the rescue, and one of
+the assailants soon found himself on the ground. Under
+the influence of his flashing eyes the crowd soon melted
+away, for violence on the wrong side was not to their
+taste.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Oh, you prince of shopmen, that is what I call interfering
+to some purpose! Didn't he lie on the ground
+as if he had never used his legs? I should have lost
+my beard for ever if you had not come up. How shall
+I reward you?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">Said had only acted upon the impulse of the moment;
+indeed, he now felt rather sorry that he had deprived
+the scoundrel of a well-deserved thrashing. He seized
+the opportunity, however, and asked for an evening a
+week in which to take a walk. This was granted him,
+and the next Wednesday he set out for the fairy's house.
+Here he found everything as Zulima had promised.
+First the servants gave him a wash, which changed him
+from a stripling to a black-bearded man, whose face
+was bronzed by exposure to the sun. Then he was
+led into a second room, where he saw a dress that would
+not have been put to shame by the State robes of the
+Caliph. He hastily donned this, and, magnificently
+equipped, descended the stairs. As he reached the door,
+a servant handed him a silk handkerchief with which to
+wipe his face when he wished to rid himself of his disguise.
+In the court were standing three horses; two
+were ridden by squires, but the most magnificent was
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">232</a></span>for his own use. When Said arrived on the plain set
+apart for the jousts, all eyes turned on him, and curiosity
+was rife as to who the unknown knight could be; that
+he was distinguished and of high family none doubted.</p>
+
+<p class="in">When Said entered the lists he gave his name as
+Almansor of Cairo, and said that he had come to Bagdad
+because of the fame of the youths of that city. The
+sides were chosen, and the opposing parties charged.
+Said's horse was as swift as an eagle, and his prowess
+with the sword was so great that even the bravest
+shunned meeting him, and the Caliph's brother, who
+had been on his side, challenged him to single combat.
+The two fought, but were so equal that the contest had
+to be postponed till the next meeting. On the following
+day all Bagdad was ringing with the praises of the
+gallant young knight; and little did the people guess
+that he was then serving in a shop in the bazaar.</p>
+
+<p class="in">At the next tournament Said carried all before him,
+and received from the Caliph a golden medallion hanging
+from a gold chain. This aroused the envy of the other
+youths. Was a stranger to come to Bagdad and rob
+them of their honour? Said noticed the signs of discontent,
+and observed that all viewed him askance,
+except the brother and son of the Caliph. By a strange
+chance the one most bitter against him was the man he
+had knocked down before Kalum Bek's shop. Led by
+this man, the others made a sudden attack on Said, who
+must have fallen if the Royal combatants had not rushed
+to his aid.</p>
+
+<p class="in">For more than four months he continued to fight in
+the lists, but one night as he was going home he noticed
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">233</a></span>four men who were walking slowly before him. To his
+astonishment, he found they were speaking in the dialect
+used by Selim's band. He suspected that they were
+after no good, and so he crept nearer to hear what they
+were saying.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i070.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;THE TWO FOUGHT&quot;" title="&quot;THE TWO FOUGHT&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;THE TWO FOUGHT&quot; (<i>p.</i> 232).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">"He will be in the street to the right of the bazaar
+to-night, attended by the Grand Vizier," said one.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"That is good," answered the other; "there is no
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">234</a></span>fear of the Grand Vizier, but I am not so sure of the
+Caliph&mdash;there might be some of his guard near."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"No, there won't," broke in a third; "he is always
+alone at night."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I think it would be best to throw a lasso over his
+head," said the first.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Very well, an hour after midnight;" and with these
+words they separated.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Well, I have discovered a pretty plot," thought Said,
+and his first idea was to go at once to the Caliph; but
+he remembered how Kalum had maligned him to
+Messour, and stopped. No, the only way was for him
+to defend the Caliph in person. Accordingly, when night
+came on, he betook himself to the appointed street, and
+waited to see what was going to happen. Soon the
+men came and concealed themselves in different parts
+of the street. All was quiet for half an hour, and at
+the end of that time one of the robbers gave a sign,
+for the Caliph was in sight. With one accord the band
+rushed upon him, but Said rose from his hiding-place,
+and laid about him with such hearty goodwill that they
+were soon glad to take to their heels with all speed.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"My rescue," said the Caliph, "is no less wonderful
+than the attack made upon me. How did you know
+who I was? How did you get to know of the plot?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">Said then told how he had followed the men, and,
+hearing their plans, determined to frustrate their villainous
+intention.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Receive my thanks," said the Caliph, "and accept
+this ring. Present it to-morrow at the palace, and we
+will see what can be done for you."</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">235</a></span>The Vizier, too, gave him a ring, together with a heavy
+purse.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Mad with joy, Said hurried home, but here Kalum
+was awaiting him, anxious lest he should have lost his
+handsome servant. The little man raved at Said, but
+the latter had seen that his purse was full of money,
+and told him flatly that he would stay there no longer.
+He strode out at the door, leaving Kalum staring after
+him in open-mouthed astonishment. The next morning
+the merchant set the police on his track, and they
+brought him word that his quondam servant, dressed
+in a most magnificent fashion, was just setting out with
+a caravan.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"He has stolen money from me, the thief!" Kalum
+shrieked, and ordered the constable to arrest Said. As
+Kalum was known to be related to Messour, his commands
+were promptly attended to, and poor Said found himself
+condemned, unheard, as having stolen the purse
+from his master. He was sentenced to life-long banishment
+on a desert island, and all his protestations of
+innocence were of no avail. The poor fellow was in
+despair, and even the stony-hearted merchant put in a
+plea for him. He was thrown into a filthy dungeon,
+together with nineteen others. He comforted himself
+with the thought that his life would be more endurable
+on board ship, but here he was mistaken. The atmosphere
+was foul, and the men fought like wild beasts
+for the best places. Food and water were handed out
+to them once a day, and at the same time the men
+who had died were hauled out.</p>
+
+<p class="in">A fortnight was passed in this misery, but one day
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">236</a></span>they felt the ship was tossing more than usual, and their
+discomfort was increased. At last the survivors burst
+the hatches open, but to their despair they saw that
+the ship had been deserted by all the crew. The storm
+raged even more wildly, the ship rocked and settled
+deeper into the water. At last it went to pieces, and
+Said managed to cling to the mast. After he had floated
+for about half an hour, he suddenly remembered his
+whistle. It still hung round his neck, and holding on
+well with one hand to the mast, he put it to his mouth,
+and this time it did not fail him. At the sound of the
+clear, sweet note, the storm ceased as if by magic, and
+the sea became like glass, and, what was more wonderful
+still, the mast by which Said was supported was changed
+into a huge dolphin, to his no small terror. But he soon
+found there was no need for him to be afraid, for the
+fish bore him as swiftly as an arrow through the water.</p>
+
+<p class="in">After some time Said, remembering tales of enchanters,
+drew out his whistle, and blowing a shrill blast, wished
+for a meal. At once a table rose from the depths of
+the sea, and Said enjoyed the much-needed refreshment.
+The sun was just sinking, when he saw a large town
+in the distance which reminded him of Bagdad. The
+thought of Bagdad was not so very pleasant, but still
+he trusted that the fairy, who had guarded him so far,
+would not let him fall into the hands of Kalum Bek.
+As he drew nearer he noticed a large house on the bank
+of the river, the roof of which was crowded with men,
+who were all gazing in astonishment at himself. No
+sooner had Said set foot on the land, than the fish
+vanished, and at the same time the servants appeared
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">237</a></span>to lead him before their master. On the roof were
+standing three men, who questioned him in a friendly
+way. Said at once began to relate his story, from the
+time when he left Balsora, and his listeners declared
+that they believed him; still, they asked if he could
+produce the golden chain and the rings of which he had
+spoken.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0711.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;A TABLE ROSE FROM THE DEPTHS OF THE SEA&quot;" title="&quot;A TABLE ROSE FROM THE DEPTHS OF THE SEA&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;A TABLE ROSE FROM THE DEPTHS OF THE SEA&quot; (<i>p.</i> 236).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">238</a></span>"Here they are," said Said. "I determined not to
+part with them while I had life to defend them."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"By the beard of the Prophet, this is my ring, Grand
+Vizier&mdash;our deliverer stands before us!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">Said was overcome by finding in whose presence
+he was, and flung himself at the Caliph's feet. But
+Haroun raised him, and overwhelmed him with praise
+and thanks. Nothing would do but that Said must
+return with them to the palace, where they would
+conceive some plan to bring the merchant Kalum to
+book. On the next day Kalum himself begged for
+admittance to the presence of Haroun. A dispute had
+arisen between himself and a man of Balsora, and he
+asked for judgment.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I will hear him," said the Caliph. "Said," turning
+to the youth as the servant left the room, "this is no
+other than your father. Do you hide behind that curtain,
+and you, Grand Vizier, fetch the magistrate who condemned
+Said."</p>
+
+<p class="in">In a short time Kalum entered, accompanied by
+Benezar, and, after the Caliph had mounted his throne,
+began his complaint.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I was standing at my door a few days ago, when
+this man Benezar came down the street, offering a purse
+of gold for news of Said. I at once claimed the money,
+and told him how his son, for so I found him to be,
+had suffered the penalty for stealing a purse from
+me. Then the madman demanded his money back,
+and wanted to make me responsible for his rascal of
+a son."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Bring the magistrate who condemned the youth,"
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">239</a></span>commanded Haroun. He was produced as if by magic.
+After much questioning, the justice confessed that
+no witness had been brought forward except the
+purse.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Why," shouted the Grand Vizier, "that is my purse,
+you scoundrel; and I gave it to the gallant youth who
+saved me."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Then," thundered the Caliph, "you swore falsely,
+Kalum Bek. What was done to Said?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I sent him to a desert island," stammered the magistrate.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Oh, Said, my son, my son!" wept the unhappy
+father.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Stand forth, Said," said the Caliph.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Confronted by this apparition, Kalum and the justice
+flung themselves on their knees, crying, "Mercy! mercy!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Did you have mercy on the misfortunes of this
+unhappy boy? You, my best of judges, shall retire to
+a desert island, so that you may have an opportunity of
+studying justice. But, Kalum Bek, what am I to say
+to you? You shall pay Said for all the time he has
+served you, and," as Kalum was beginning to congratulate
+himself on coming so well out of the business, "for the
+perjury you shall receive a hundred strokes on the soles
+of your feet. Take the men away and carry out their
+sentence."</p>
+
+<p class="in">The wretched beings were led away, and the Caliph
+took Said and his father into another apartment. Here
+their conversation was interrupted by the yells of Kalum,
+who was undergoing punishment in the court outside.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">240</a></span>The Caliph invited Benezar to bring his goods
+and settle in Bagdad. He gladly consented, and
+Said spent his life in the palace built for him by the
+grateful Caliph&mdash;indeed, the proverb ran in Bagdad,
+"May I be as good and fortunate as Said, the son of
+Benezar."</p>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<h2><a name="Little_Blue_Flower" id="Little_Blue_Flower"></a>Little Blue Flower.</h2>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0721.jpg" width="70%"  alt="Little Blue Flower. From the German by Miss F. E. Hynam." title="Little Blue Flower. From the German by Miss F. E. Hynam." />
+</div>
+
+<p class="initialMarginTop">A STORK swept high over the Bohemian forest.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">243</a></span>
+It was a most important duty that had brought
+him from his own marshes into this mountainous
+region, where far and wide no croak of frog could be
+heard. In his beak he carried two little children, a boy
+and a girl, both intended for the knight who dwelt in
+the gloomy fortress below. Smaller and smaller grew
+the circles made by the stork in his flight. Lower and
+lower he sank towards the earth, until at length he rested
+on the highest chimney of the castle.</p>
+
+<p class="in">But before letting the children slip down the narrow
+black hole he paused and looked carefully around. While
+in the air, this old castle, with its round turrets glittering
+in the rising sun, had appeared to him a most stately
+edifice. But now, when quite close, the stork discovered
+many things that did not please him. The walls were
+sadly out of repair, there were holes in the roof, whilst
+the courtyard was overgrown with weeds.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I do not like this," said the stork, looking thoughtfully
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">244</a></span>down his long, red beak. "This place seems to
+have a very bad landlord. A knight who cannot keep
+his castle in proper repair certainly does not deserve two
+children. I will take one away with me."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Which should he have now, the boy or the girl?"
+thought the stork. He looked once more thoughtfully
+down his long beak, and on the two children smiling
+happily in their dreams. "I think I will give him the
+boy," he said at length. "He will push his way in this
+wretched place better than the girl." With these words
+he made a movement to throw the little boy down the
+chimney.</p>
+
+<p class="in">This, however, was not so easy as the stork had thought.
+In their sleep the little ones had embraced each other, and
+would not let go. "I have never had two such obstinate
+little creatures in my beak before," exclaimed the stork
+angrily. Then he began to shake them, at first gently,
+then harder, and at last so roughly that the children half
+awoke from their dreams, and looked at each other with
+blinking eyes. After this the boy would not let go his
+companion, and no wonder, for the little girl had shown
+him a pair of blue eyes of such wondrous beauty, that
+there were not many like them in the world. But the
+stork, now thoroughly angry, gave the poor little fellow a
+kick that sent him head first down the castle chimney.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Now, what shall I do with the other little thing?"
+said the stork thoughtfully, scratching the back of his
+ear. "Ah! I have it," he cried&mdash;the little girl had kept
+on blinking her eyes, and the stork had also seen their
+beautiful blue&mdash;"I have it!" he repeated. "Such eyes
+can only belong to Norway."</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">245</a></span>High overhead soared the stork. Powerfully his wings
+clove the air as he sailed away towards the north.</p>
+
+<p class="in">In the midst of the blue Baltic Sea a little wooded
+island lay sparkling like a green jewel. Here dwelt Bjorn,
+a grim old sea-king of Norwegian blood. Every year he
+and his men ploughed the sea with their swift ships,
+and very rich was the spoil he brought home to his
+strong castle that stood in the centre of the island,
+defended by wall and moat.</p>
+
+<p class="in">To this castle the stork bore the little maiden on his
+strong wings.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Bjorn and his men were sitting in the spacious hall,
+quaffing from golden cups the sweet wine they had
+brought back in their ships from the sunny land of
+Greece. Very wild was their joy when the little maiden
+came down the chimney, and throughout the whole
+night their boisterous songs could be heard far across
+the wide sea.</p>
+
+<p class="in">And the little, sparkling waves sang in reply a rushing
+murmuring song, to celebrate the arrival of the young
+child. "To our sea-king a little daughter has been
+born," they sang. "A beauteous little maiden, with eyes
+blue as the sea, locks fair as the sea foam, and lips rosy
+as the morning red when it gilds the crests of the waves."
+Even the stupid fishes rejoiced, but as they could not
+sing they leapt into the air, high up out of the waves,
+and their scales glittered in the moonlight like gold and
+silver.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Many days and many nights Bjorn and his crew drank
+of the pearly wine. Then he could rest at home no
+longer, so ordered his ships and sailed away, leaving
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">246</a></span>the child, to whom he had given the name of Swanhild,
+in charge of a faithful nurse.</p>
+
+<p class="in">On this voyage Bjorn encountered more storms and
+enemies than he had ever done before. Often, whilst
+on the tossing billows, he thought with longing of the
+little one at home. Yet many long years passed ere he
+could at length return home laden with rich spoil.</p>
+
+<p class="in">As he set foot on the little island he was greeted by
+a beautiful maiden, with deep blue eyes, rosy lips, and
+the fair hair of Norway. Full of joy, Bjorn clasped his
+lovely child to his heart. Then he sat with his men in the
+castle hall, feasting and quaffing the costly Grecian wine.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Swanhild had never before seen such noisy feasts.
+Often, on moonlight nights, she would leave the castle
+and wander alone on the sea-shore.</p>
+
+<p class="in">But one evening, as she thus wandered, clad in her
+white garments, and with her fair head bent towards
+the waves, she was seen by a wicked magician, who
+had flown thither through the air on a black goat. He
+came from the cliffs of Norway, where he had been sent
+to seize the soul of a poor Laplander who had stolen his
+neighbour's reindeer, and he was now travelling to Blocksberg
+to take this soul to his master, a powerful evil spirit.</p>
+
+<p class="in">When the magician saw Swanhild he was much delighted.
+He had never before beheld any one so lovely.
+But alas! while he was lost in contemplation of her
+beauty the soul of the little Laplander escaped, and flew
+away. He let it go. Seeking a secluded spot, he at
+once summoned a number of crabs and water-beetles,
+which he placed in three shining mussel-shells. One
+touch of his staff changed these shells filled with crabs
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">248</a></span>and water-beetles into magnificent vessels full of well-armed
+men. His black goat became a skald, and played
+the harp. Then transforming himself into a handsome
+young Viking, he ordered the sails to be hoisted, and
+rounding a wooded promontory, sailed into the bay where
+Bjorn's vessel lay.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">(247)</a></span>
+<img src="images/i0731.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;WHEN THE MAGICIAN SAW SWANHILD HE WAS MUCH
+DELIGHTED&quot;" title="&quot;WHEN THE MAGICIAN SAW SWANHILD HE WAS MUCH
+DELIGHTED&quot;." />
+<p class="caption">&quot;WHEN THE MAGICIAN SAW SWANHILD HE WAS MUCH
+DELIGHTED&quot; (<i>p.</i> 246).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">Loudly the sentries on Bjorn's ship blew their horns.
+Louder yet rang out the answering blast from the castle.
+Wildly Bjorn and his men broke through the forest.
+Furious was their war-cry, shrilly clanged their weapons.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The strange Viking stepped forward boldly, and extending
+his hand to Bjorn in token of friendship, besought
+hospitality for himself and his men.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Bjorn let himself be persuaded. He led the strangers
+into his splendid halls, and drank and feasted with them
+many days and many nights. Then the strange hero
+ordered rich presents to be brought from his ships:
+garments studded with gold, gold ornaments, and shining
+swords. This completely deceived Bjorn and his followers,
+and when the stranger asked for Swanhild in marriage,
+the Viking readily gave his consent. That Swanhild
+turned pale no one heeded. Nor did they heed that she
+wept nightly in the solitude of her chamber.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The marriage day at length arrived. But when everything
+was ready, and Swanhild, in glittering array, was
+being led towards the stranger, she, with a quick movement,
+turned her back on him and fled to her chamber.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Loudly raged the father, his eyes glowing with fury.
+But wilder still rolled the eyes of the stranger. He broke
+into a laugh, and cried, with mocking voice, "You shall
+all pay for this."</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">249</a></span>One look from those fierce eyes, and his men became
+a crowd of crabs and water-beetles. The skald threw
+away his harp, and stood there a black goat with fiery
+eyes. The stranger shook off his armour, and was a
+horrible old man.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Bjorn grew pale with terror, his followers began to
+tremble and shake. Another look from the magician:
+they all shrank together, and a crawling mass of frogs
+covered the floor. Bjorn was the largest of them all.
+Then opening door and gate, the magician drove them
+out into the marshy moat. Here they dived.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The magician then locked the door and threw the
+key into the moat. At her chamber windows Swanhild
+sat weeping. He looked up at her furiously, but she
+was so good and pure, his glance had no power over
+her. He shook his fist threateningly.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Now sit there all alone," he cried, "since you will
+not marry me. You cannot escape, and no one can
+deliver you, for my goat keeps guard."</p>
+
+<p class="in">He flew away whistling. The black goat walked round
+and round the moat, his eyes gleaming like living coals.
+The frogs croaked in the evening light, and above, in
+her chamber, Swanhild wept solitary and forsaken.</p>
+
+<p class="in">In the meantime, the boy left by the stork at the
+gloomy castle in the Bohemian forest had become a
+valiant knight, who knew well how to use his sword. Yet
+so strange a knight as he had never before sat in Walnut-tree
+Castle. This was the name of his ancestral home.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Since his father's death Wulf had lived quite alone
+in the ruined castle, for none of the servants would stay
+after the old knight died. But this did not trouble
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">250</a></span>Wulf. He did not care to hunt the wild boar through
+the thicket, or kill the frightened stag. His chief pleasure
+was to stretch himself on the thick, soft moss, and gaze
+through the green branches of the forest trees at the
+blue heavens that smiled here and there in little flocks
+through the thick foliage. He also loved to seek for
+forest flowers&mdash;the blue were his favourites. Whence
+this preference he knew not, but he dreamt he had once
+looked into Swanhild's blue eyes. Or, when tired of
+these things, he would stand at one of the castle
+windows, gazing thoughtfully out into the blue distance.
+"Far away yonder," so ran his thoughts at these times,
+"where the blue heaven bends down to touch the earth,
+should I not find happiness there? Were it not better
+to journey abroad in search of happiness than to remain
+alone in this solitary castle, through whose walls the
+wind whistles, whilst owls and bats are now the only
+occupants of its once stately halls?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">But though longing to go out into the world, Wulf
+remained in the ruined castle, in obedience to an old
+command of one of his ancestors.</p>
+
+<p class="in">In the middle of the castle court there grew in the
+cleft of a rock a gigantic walnut tree. From it the castle had received its name. The nut from which
+this tree had sprung had been planted in olden times by
+one of Wulf's ancestors, who at the same time had
+carved these words on the rock:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Where flourishes this tree, there shall my house remain.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">While it stands, forsake it not to search abroad for fame;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">But should the ancient glory from these halls e'er disappear,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Life from this tree shall make it shine once more quite bright and clear.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">251</a></span>Their splendour had long since disappeared, and how
+the tree could restore it Wulf could not imagine; still,
+he remained obedient to the command.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0741.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;A CRAWLING MASS OF FROGS COVERED THE FLOOR&quot;" title="&quot;A CRAWLING MASS OF FROGS COVERED THE FLOOR&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;A CRAWLING MASS OF FROGS COVERED THE FLOOR&quot; (<i>p.</i> 249).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">One evening a mighty storm arose. Black clouds
+obscured the sky. The lightning flashed; the thunder
+rolled. The storm raged through the forest. The
+mouldering stones of the old castle slipped from their
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">252</a></span>places, and the wind whistled through the gaps, and
+raged through the old rooms and passages. Then a flash
+of lightning! a clap of thunder! The castle was in ruins!
+Wulf escaped into the open air; before him lay the
+walnut tree, shivered by the lightning.</p>
+
+<p class="in">He immediately saddled his horse. What need to
+remain here longer? Hastily snatching a few ripe nuts
+that lay among the shattered branches, he concealed them
+in his doublet as a remembrance, and then rode away
+through the gloomy forest.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Far and wide, Wulf wandered over the green earth
+beneath the blue heavens, encountering many enemies.
+But in spite of all he kept courageously on his way.</p>
+
+<p class="in">One day his path led through a thick forest of beech
+trees. He looked around thoughtfully as his horse
+scattered the fallen leaves at every step. Suddenly he
+looked up. What was it that shimmered so blue through
+the trees? Wulf urged his horse forward, but beneath
+a giant beech at the edge of the forest he halted; the
+endless sea lay before him.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Here is blue heaven above and beneath, surely I shall
+find happiness here?" thought Wulf, as he swung himself
+to earth. Without a thought he left his horse, and
+hastened to the shore. On the soft waves a small bark
+was rocking. Wulf sprang in and loosed the chain.
+Lightly the waves bore the boat out into the blue
+distance.</p>
+
+<p class="in">For a long time Wulf lay contentedly in the bottom
+of the boat. He felt as though he were a little child
+folded into his mother's arms, safe from all want and
+danger. And he thought the waves wished to tell him
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">253</a></span>something, but he could not understand their language.
+Yet he saw that they bore his bark ever more swiftly
+forward, and he rejoiced at the increasing speed.</p>
+
+<p class="in">There was a grating sound under the keel: Wulf had
+reached land at last. Before him lay a wooded island.
+Above the tops of the trees rose the turrets of a stately
+castle. He hastened forward and arrived at the castle
+moat. An unearthly stillness reigned over all around.
+Nothing moved save a swarm of frogs. These swam
+round and round in the moat, or sat on the leaves of
+the water-lilies, and croaked in what seemed to Wulf
+most sorrowful tones. But the largest amongst them
+behaved in a most extraordinary manner. He was for
+ever trying to climb up the castle wall, but if after much
+trouble he managed to get up a little way, he always
+fell back again. Then he would seat himself on a water-lily,
+look upwards, and wipe his eyes as though he were
+weeping.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Wulf also looked up.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Happiness at last!" he exclaimed. "The blue eyes!"
+But he got no further. A violent push from an angry
+goat sent him flying into the middle of the moat.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Wulf felt himself sinking fast. His feet got entangled
+among the twisted roots of the water-lilies. With great
+difficulty he managed to keep his head above the water.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"And here I must die," said he in anguish.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Then from out his doublet sounded soft little voices:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"The blessing of Urahn to you is near.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Do not despair, for help is present here."<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p class="in">And behold! all around him now began a wonderful
+rustling and moving. He groped about with his hands,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">254</a></span>and felt that tender little roots had forced their way
+through his doublet and were taking root in the slime.
+And all around him he saw little green walnut tree leaves
+rising out of the water. Twigs followed the leaves, and
+these again became branches. Wulf felt he was being
+forced upwards; soon he was safely out of the water.
+Looking up, he saw Swanhild's blue eyes. He stretched
+out his arms towards her and she smiled.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Higher and higher Wulf was borne. Five strong
+walnut trees grew beneath him, and bore him up on
+their branches. Now he could reach up and touch
+Swanhild's hands. Now he sat by her at the window,
+and gazed into her blue eyes.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"What is your name?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Swanhild," she replied.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"It is a very beautiful name," said Wulf. "But for
+my sake you must now be called Little Blue Flower.
+When I was quite a child I saw your eyes in my dreams.
+They appeared to me like little blue flowers, and every
+day I searched for these flowers in the forest, but they
+were never sufficiently beautiful. Now you shall be my
+Little Blue Flower." And then he gave her a kiss.</p>
+
+<p class="in">But now a fresh movement began in the moat below.
+The stout frog was able to scramble up the crooked,
+rough stems of the walnut tree, better than up the smooth
+castle wall. Boldly he climbed, and the whole army of
+frogs followed him. At length he reached the top.
+Swanhild gently laid her hand on his head, and instead
+of the frog old Bjorn sat on one of the branches of the
+walnut tree, and embraced and kissed both his daughter
+and Wulf. Then the other frogs came, and Swanhild
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">256</a></span>laid her hand on them all. Soon all Bjorn's followers
+were sitting in crowds on the branches, dangling their
+legs for joy. Full of anger, the black goat ran round
+and round the castle moat, rolling his great fiery eyes.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i075.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;Now he could reach up and touch Swanhild&#39;s hands.&quot;
+" title="&quot;Now he could reach up and touch Swanhild&#39;s hands.&quot;
+" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;Now he could reach up and touch Swanhild&#39;s hands.&quot;
+<span style="margin-left: 70%"><i>Page 254</i></span></p>
+</div>
+
+<div class="figcenter"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">(255)</a></span>
+<img src="images/i0761.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;SOON ALL BJORN&#39;S FOLLOWERS WERE SITTING ON THE
+BRANCHES&quot;" title="&quot;SOON ALL BJORN&#39;S FOLLOWERS WERE SITTING ON THE
+BRANCHES&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;SOON ALL BJORN&#39;S FOLLOWERS WERE SITTING ON THE
+BRANCHES&quot; (<i>p.</i> 256).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">Just as the last frog was changed, a mighty rushing
+noise was heard. The magician flew raging through
+the air. With his magic staff he struck the poor goat
+a fierce blow, and then rode back on him to Blocksberg.
+Here it went very badly with him, because he came
+without the soul of the little Laplander, and he was
+severely punished.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Bjorn, with Wulf and all his men, joyfully entered the
+castle through Swanhild's window. A few days later
+Swanhild's marriage with Wulf was celebrated with great
+splendour, and they lived together in peace and happiness
+to the end of their days.</p>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<h2><a name="The_Princess_Who_Despised_all_Men" id="The_Princess_Who_Despised_all_Men"></a>"The Princess Who Despised all Men."</h2>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0771.jpg" width="70%" alt="The Princess who despised all men. By Charles Smith Cheltnam." title="The Princess who despised all men. By Charles Smith Cheltnam." />
+</div>
+
+<p class="initialMarginTop">THERE was once a King and Queen who, having<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">259</a></span>
+everything a King and Queen could reasonably
+desire, might have been as happy as the day
+was long&mdash;if they had only taken the right means for
+making the best of their good fortune.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The King was a pattern of amiability, and, as to
+wisdom, could have held his own in comparison with
+any crowned potentate on earth; but of the Queen not
+half as much could be said in praise. As a girl, her
+beauty had been renowned, and had brought to her
+Princes by the score as wooers; but to their suits she
+had, as the phrase is, turned a deaf ear, regarding men
+as creatures made wholly of ill qualities, and marriage
+with them a debasement of herself in every sense; and
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">260</a></span>it was not until her father threatened to imprison her
+for the rest of her life in a town built of steel and
+adamant, that she could be induced to accept a husband.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The amiability of her spouse was often sorely tried
+by her constant disparagement of men; but, being founded
+upon exceptional goodness of character, he did not allow
+it to be overcome, and schooled himself to bear with her
+fantastic ideas, rewarding himself for his leniency by
+sometimes laughing in his sleeve at the more preposterous
+of her pretensions.</p>
+
+<p class="in">A great many years passed without their having any
+family until, one day, the Queen had a baby girl, and
+consoled herself by reflecting that that, at least, was
+better than having a boy, "to grow up into a horrid
+man," as she expressed herself.</p>
+
+<p class="in">It happened that, at the moment of the little Princess's
+birth, the fairy Gaieia was passing the palace, and, as
+she had no particularly pressing business on hand, slipped
+in, and, after congratulating the Queen on the beauty
+of her offspring, constituted herself the infant's god-mother&mdash;as
+was the fairy custom at that period&mdash;at the
+same time laughingly predicting that she would prove
+to be "the joy of her parents."</p>
+
+<p class="in">It hardly needs to be recorded that, with her very
+peculiar views as to what a woman's conduct in life
+ought to be, the Queen did not permit her daughter to
+receive instruction of any kind from anybody but herself;
+the King, consequently, rarely saw his child, and knew
+nothing of the character which had been made for her
+by her mother, rather than allowed to come to her and
+develop itself in the natural order of things.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">261</a></span>In this way the Princess Disdainana&mdash;so her mother
+had insisted on naming her&mdash;was brought up until she
+had reached her seventeenth year. If the youthful beauty
+of her mother had been renowned, that of the Princess
+was celebrated far and near as being nothing less than
+marvellous, and a hundred of the richest and handsomest
+Kings and Princes in the world vied with each other
+in their endeavours to obtain her hand; but to not one
+of them would she deign to listen even for a moment,
+regarding all men as a sort of natural excrescence, whose
+only fitting place in the world was in companionship
+with the horses and dogs, or, at most, as ugly and
+repulsive creatures necessary for the performance of the
+most unpleasant labours. It was on this account that
+she had become universally known as "The Princess Who
+Despised All Men."</p>
+
+<p class="in">This state of things became, at last, a cause of extreme
+uneasiness to the King. By the time she had
+arrived at a marriageable age, the fact that he, too,
+was year by year growing older began to recur to
+his mind with disquieting persistency; for, having no
+son to succeed him, he saw that, if his daughter's disinclination
+to marry were maintained, his dynasty was
+in danger of coming to an end&mdash;and that is a prospect
+which no King can be expected to contemplate with
+equanimity.</p>
+
+<p class="in">One day, therefore, when the subject was worrying him
+very much, he sent for his wife and daughter and explained
+to them the extreme discomforts of the situation
+which had been brought about by the obduracy of the
+Princess.</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">262</a></span>"My daughter, I am happy to say, knows her duty
+to herself," replied the Queen proudly.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The King was about to retort, "But she does not
+appear to know anything whatever about her duty to
+her father;" but, as it was a rule of conduct with him
+never to use that form of contradiction in any discussion
+he had with his wife, he held his peace.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Rather than become the wife of an ugly, coarse,
+bearded man, I would die a hundred deaths!" cried
+the Princess vehemently.</p>
+
+<p class="in">As the last syllable left her lips, a gay laugh rippled
+through the air of the room.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"May I ask what you find to laugh at in what my
+daughter has said?" demanded the Queen of her husband,
+indignantly.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Nothing whatever, my dear&mdash;and, consequently, I did
+not laugh," replied the King mildly.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"What! Perhaps you will say that it was <i>I</i> who
+uttered that insolent sound?" cried the Queen.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Now I come to recall the fact, I don't think I ever
+heard you laugh, my dear; but I am sure the voice that
+laughed a moment ago was not in the least like yours,"
+said the King.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"It was more like my daughter's, perhaps you will
+say?" remarked the Queen sarcastically.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Not in the least&mdash;I should imagine, for I never had
+the advantage of hearing her laugh any more than yourself,"
+replied the King.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Again the gay sound of a musical voice, laughing
+lightly, rang through the room.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Oh! This is too insulting!" cried the Queen. "Come
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">263</a></span>with me, my love&mdash;out of such an unendurable atmosphere
+of coarseness."</p>
+
+<p class="in">And, without deigning to listen to a word of remonstrance
+from the King, she hurried the Princess back to
+her own apartment&mdash;followed by another silvery peal
+of laughter.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i078.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;SHE HURRIED THE PRINCESS BACK TO HER OWN APARTMENT.&quot;" title="&quot;SHE HURRIED THE PRINCESS BACK TO HER OWN APARTMENT.&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;SHE HURRIED THE PRINCESS BACK TO HER OWN APARTMENT.&quot;</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">The King was equally puzzled and vexed by the abrupt
+termination of what he had hoped would have been a
+conference resulting in relief to himself from pressing
+anxieties. Now&mdash;knowing his wife's absolute and unyielding
+temper, and the complete control she exercised
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">264</a></span>over her daughter&mdash;he saw no way but one (that of
+using his extreme parental authority) to bring the Princess
+to obedience; but that measure he was too kind-hearted
+to resolve upon applying.</p>
+
+<p class="in">In the utmost perplexity of mind he had paced his
+study for several minutes, without noticing that he was
+grasping in his right hand a scroll of parchment. On
+becoming aware of this fact, he stopped suddenly and
+gazed on the document with bewildered astonishment.
+It was absolutely certain that he had never seen it before,
+that it was not in his hand when the Queen and Princess
+quitted his presence, and that nobody else had entered
+the room.</p>
+
+<p class="in">While he was thinking of all this, the gay laugh,
+which had been heard three times before, rang through
+the study again, only more gaily than ever&mdash;for a moment
+angering the King, though he was one of the most
+placable of Sovereigns, and causing him to ferret in
+every possible hiding-place in his study in search of the
+daring jester. But not a trace of an intruder was discoverable.
+When he had perfectly assured himself of this,
+he unfolded the mysteriously conveyed parchment.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The opening words of the document caused him to
+turn pale, and the sight of the signature at the end of
+it sent a thrill of terror through his frame. It was
+nothing less than a formal demand for the hand of the
+Princess Disdainana, on the part of Kloxoxskin the
+Ninety-ninth&mdash;one of the ugliest and most belligerent
+monarchs in the world&mdash;the document being drawn in
+the form of an ultimatum, calling upon the King to
+give his daughter to the said Kloxoxskin in marriage,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">265</a></span>within two hours of the receipt of this demand, or,
+failing compliance therewith, to surrender his throne to
+the said Kloxoxskin, who would, at the time specified,
+come, supported by his invincible army of one million
+nine hundred and ninety-nine veteran warriors, to receive
+the said King's answer.</p>
+
+<p class="in">In his moments of worst apprehension, the King had
+never thought of anything so terrible as this. He called
+his wife and daughter back to him, and made them
+clearly understand the crisis that had come to him and
+them; but though the Queen was inclined to save her
+share of the throne by submission, the Princess declared
+that no consideration would induce her to give herself
+to any man&mdash;to such a human monster as Kloxoxskin
+least of all.</p>
+
+<p class="in">From that resolution her father tried to move her,
+but she was inflexible against all his arguments and
+prayers; and when the two hours' grace was spent, the
+King found himself in the presence of the redoubtable
+Kloxoxskin the Ninety-ninth, a prisoner in his palace,
+and wholly at the mercy of his all-powerful conqueror.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Realising the peril in which she stood, the Queen
+did her best to persuade her daughter to submit to the
+inevitable; but the Princess quickly silenced her by
+giving her back the arguments that had all her life
+been used in the cultivation of her detestation of all
+men.</p>
+
+<p class="in">But though she had no misgiving as to her moral
+strength, the Princess could not but contemplate with
+alarm the danger of a personal encounter with King
+Kloxoxskin, so she determined to seek safety in flight
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">266</a></span>and, as soon as dusk came, contrived to slip unperceived
+from the palace into a dense forest which grew at no
+great distance from the walls of her father's capital.</p>
+
+<p class="in">For a long time she pressed farther and farther into
+the depths of the forest, growing every moment more
+and more relieved from the apprehension that she might
+be pursued.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Pausing at length to rest, she noticed that night had
+thoroughly set in, and that it would be impossible for
+her to go any farther in the darkness. At the same
+moment a terrible sound fell upon her ears&mdash;the roaring
+of wild beasts of some kind, coming rapidly nearer and
+nearer. For an instant her heart stood still, but she
+was not wanting in courage or resource, and, observing
+that she was at the foot of a giant oak tree, she lost not
+a moment in climbing to the shelter of its spreading
+boughs.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Choosing the securest position she could find, her
+alarm of the moment subsided; but though she was
+greatly fatigued, the memory of the peril from which
+she was endeavouring to escape, coupled with anxiety
+as to the trials which might be awaiting her all night,
+prevented her from going to sleep; and, when morning
+dawned, she prepared, tired and hungry, to descend to
+the ground and continue her undefined journey.</p>
+
+<p class="in">But she found that climbing was a far easier matter
+than descending from her place of refuge; for she now
+observed that the tree sent out, on nearly all sides of
+its gnarled trunk, the remains of huge jagged and lifeless
+branches, to avoid which would require a skill which
+she did not possess. She had no choice, however, but
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">267</a></span>to make an attempt to get down, and had nearly succeeded
+in reaching the ground when, to her consternation,
+the full skirt of her splendid dress caught upon an
+enormous splinter, and held her hanging helpless some
+feet in the air, all her efforts to free herself proving
+unavailing.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i079.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;AT THE MERCY OF HIS ALL-POWERFUL CONQUEROR&quot;" title="&quot;AT THE MERCY OF HIS ALL-POWERFUL CONQUEROR&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;AT THE MERCY OF HIS ALL-POWERFUL CONQUEROR&quot; (<i>p.</i> 265).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">Hours passed by. The sunlight pierced some of the
+neighbouring tree-tops; but the return of day brought
+her neither comfort nor the hope of release, and she
+was giving way to the horrible idea that she would
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">268</a></span>have to endure all the torments of a lingering death,
+when she heard the voice of a woodman, whistling on
+his way to his work, and called to him.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The man came towards her out of the underwood.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Assist me down," said the Princess, in her habitual
+tone of disdain.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Not I," replied the woodman. "I recognise you:
+you are the Princess Who Despises All Men! Ho!
+ho!&mdash;<i>I'm</i> a man, remember!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">That said, he went on his way, whistling cheerfully,
+leaving the Princess to think, for a moment, that her
+rooted antipathy to men was amply justified by the
+brutal conduct of this coarse and ugly wretch.</p>
+
+<p class="in">But the distress of her position became every moment
+more and more acute, and, seeing that it was hopeless
+to anticipate the assistance of any chance passer, she
+made one more effort to free herself, and by exerting
+all her remaining strength, succeeded in tearing herself
+from the offensive bough&mdash;at the cost of a great rent
+in her beautiful dress and a fall, which left her for a
+few minutes lying insensible on the ground at the foot
+of the tree.</p>
+
+<p class="in">After returning to consciousness, and sitting for a
+while to recover her presence of mind, she rose and
+continued her blind way through the forest, always
+hungry and many times faint with fatigue, all day
+long, until once again she found the shades of evening
+closing about her.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Just before night had actually come, she reached a
+spot at which a party of charcoal-burners were seated
+about a cheerful fire in front of their hut, eating their
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">269</a></span>supper of bread and potatoes, roasted in the embers at
+their feet. The appetising scents of these well-cooked
+roots provoked the starving Princess's hunger in an
+almost unendurable degree.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Give me one of your potatoes," she said, still unable
+to modify the disdainful tone of her voice.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Not we!" replied the head charcoal-burner. "I
+recognise you: you are the Princess Who Despises All
+Men! Ho! ho! <i>We</i> are men, remember!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">More than ever disgusted with men, the Princess
+wandered all night through the forest, afraid to lie down,
+lest she might fall asleep and become a prey to some
+prowling wild beast.</p>
+
+<p class="in">As the dawn of another day was becoming visible,
+she found herself on the border of a meadow, and saw
+a young farmer drawing water from a well for some
+horses which were waiting near him.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Give me some of that water&mdash;I'm thirsty!" she
+said imperiously.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Aha," said the young farmer, "I recognise you:
+you are the Princess Who Despises All Men! If you
+want water, dig a well for yourself, as I have had
+to do."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Loathsome creatures, one and all!" the Princess
+said to herself, as she turned away from the spot. "My
+good mother was right in teaching me to despise
+them."</p>
+
+<p class="in">She presently reached a more open part of the country,
+though she was still near the forest through which she
+had passed, and, towards noon, when she was almost
+overcome by the sun's heat, she came upon a rising
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">270</a></span>ground, whence she beheld, afar off, a great stretch of
+water, and, on what seemed its most distant reach, an
+opalesque haze.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Then there suddenly came to her mind a story she
+had heard of the existence of an island-kingdom peopled
+by women who, like herself, held all men in disdain,
+and would never permit one of them to set foot where
+they were. And she was overtaken by a burning desire
+to reach that island, which she fancied must be hidden
+in the midst of the opalesque haze on which she was
+gazing.</p>
+
+<p class="in">So she hurried on and on, sustained wholly by the
+intensity of her desire, till she came upon the sea-shore&mdash;for
+the great water she had looked upon was the
+wide ocean.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Alongside his boat, and busy with his nets, she found
+a fisherman, and at once accosted him.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Is yonder mist-enveloped island the kingdom of
+Diaphanosia?" she asked him.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Yes," he answered.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Then row me over to it in your boat," she said
+eagerly.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Not I," he replied. "I recognise you: you are the
+Princess Who Despises All men, and <i>I</i> am a man, you
+know. If you want a boat, make one for yourself, as
+I had to do. Over there, in the forest, you will find
+plenty of wood for your purpose, only you will have
+to cut it down."</p>
+
+<p class="in">To get out of the sun's burning rays, and to give
+herself time for reflection, the Princess retired into the
+forest and sat down at the foot of a hollow tree, by
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">271</a></span>the side of which a rusty axe was lying, as if it had
+been left there by some woodman and forgotten.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0801.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;THE DISTRESS OF HER POSITION BECAME EVERY MOMENT
+MORE ACUTE&quot;" title="&quot;THE DISTRESS OF HER POSITION BECAME EVERY MOMENT
+MORE ACUTE&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;THE DISTRESS OF HER POSITION BECAME EVERY MOMENT
+MORE ACUTE&quot; (<i>p.</i> 268).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">Strange! A merry laugh came out of the thicket
+near to her; but though she searched with her eyes in
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">272</a></span>every direction she could discover nobody who could
+have given it utterance.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Strange again! It flashed upon her mind that the
+mere expression of disdain for men was wanting in force
+if it were not emphasised by the demonstration of woman's
+power to do absolutely without them.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Upon the strength of this reasoning, she at once
+seized the axe, and after many days of hard work,
+succeeded in felling the hollow tree and giving to it
+something of the shape of a boat, in which, by the aid
+of a roughly fashioned pair of oars, she rowed herself
+across to the island-kingdom, where she hoped to find
+the realisation of all her aspirations for a state of existence
+in which men were wholly ignored.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Not once or twice, but over and over again, she
+succeeded in reaching the border of the opalesque haze
+in which the kingdom of Diaphanosia was perpetually
+veiled; but she was as often beaten back by an irresistible
+current which set towards the shore from which she
+had started.</p>
+
+<p class="in">On one of these fruitless voyages her strength utterly
+left her, and she sank down in the bottom of her boat
+insensible, the oars dropping from her nerveless hands
+and drifting away; so that, even if she had immediately
+returned to consciousness, she would have found herself
+helplessly at the mercy of the sea.</p>
+
+<p class="in">When she <i>did</i> recover from her state of insensibility,
+it was to discover herself lying upon a mossy bank
+on the skirt of the forest, a handsome and superbly
+dressed young man tending her with delicately eager
+solicitude.</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">273</a></span>She did not attempt to rise or to speak; she thought
+she was sleeping and dreaming&mdash;the only thing strange
+in her state of feeling being that the near presence of a
+man provoked no sense of repugnance or resentment.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Thank Heaven!" said the young gentleman, in a
+tone of intense relief, as he saw her open her eyes.
+"For awhile I have been terribly afraid that my efforts
+to rescue you had been unavailing."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Still held by the idea that she was dreaming, the
+Princess only continued to look into his face without
+replying to his words.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Rest here for a short time, and sleep if you can,
+while I watch over you," he continued. "When you
+have become strong enough to travel, my horse shall
+carry you to my father's palace, which stands not very
+far from this spot: once there, my mother will be
+delighted to tend upon you as if you were her own
+daughter."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Take me to your kind mother," she said, rising, the
+soft tones of her own voice sounding in her ears as if
+they came from the lips of some other person than
+herself.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The handsome young Prince&mdash;for he was no less&mdash;blew
+a golden whistle suspended to his neck by a
+jewelled chain, and in a few moments a splendidly
+caparisoned horse came to him from out the forest.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Upon the back of this noble steed the Prince
+gallantly lifted his beautiful charge, and taking the
+bridle on his hand, led him through the forest openings,
+walking by the Princess's side and relating to her how,
+while hunting, it had been his blest fortune to see her
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">274</a></span>helpless condition in her boat, and, by swimming out
+to her, rescue her at the moment when her rude vessel
+was on the point of sinking with her beneath the
+waves.</p>
+
+<p class="in">She listened silently to all he said to her, filled with
+an inexplicable sense of wonder at herself in finding
+that ever the voice of a man could fall sympathetically
+on her ears! "I <i>must</i> be dreaming!" she said to herself
+again and again.</p>
+
+<p class="in">At last, on reaching an eminence, the Prince pointed
+to a noble pile of buildings on the outskirts of a great
+city, and said&mdash;something of sadness coming into the
+tone of his voice:</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Yonder is my father's palace; we shall reach it in
+a very little time&mdash;and then the happy privilege of these
+delightful moments will cease to be mine, never to be
+renewed, perhaps."</p>
+
+<p class="in">All things about her seemed, at the sound of those
+words, to melt into a roseate mist, carrying with them
+all sense of herself. Apart from her will, unconsciously,
+she held out her hand to her preserver, who pressed it
+to his lips with tender gratitude.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Clearly and with wonderful sweetness of intonation,
+the gay laugh which had greeted her on so many
+eventful moments of her life once more rang in the
+Princess's ears.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Ah! I recognise it now!" she cried&mdash;"the sweet
+voice of my fairy god-mother! Oh, wise and kind Gaieia,
+still be my guardian, as you have ever been, and make
+me in the future all that I have failed to make myself
+in the past!"</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">275</a></span>The laugh that answered her entreaty was as gay
+and sweet as ever, but came from afar; for, in fact, the
+good fairy had sped away, having a great deal still to
+do for her froward godchild, and that without delay:
+amongst other things to make King Kloxoxskin immediately
+evacuate the palace and dominions of the Princess's
+father, under the idea that he was escaping from a great
+peril which would certainly have overwhelmed him if
+he had persisted in forcing the Princess Disdainana to
+marry him.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0811.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;HER RUDE VESSEL WAS ON THE POINT OF SINKING&quot;" title="&quot;HER RUDE VESSEL WAS ON THE POINT OF SINKING&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;HER RUDE VESSEL WAS ON THE POINT OF SINKING&quot; (<i>p.</i> 274).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">More than that&mdash;a task much more difficult to accomplish&mdash;the
+merry fairy had to overcome the prejudice of
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">276</a></span>the Queen, whose obstinacy had returned in full force
+as soon as she was once again able to exercise it on
+the side of her anti-matrimonial fancies. But, as everybody
+knows, nothing can permanently withstand the
+power and strategy of a good fairy; so it came about&mdash;really
+as a matter of course&mdash;that, her daughter having
+accepted for her husband the charming Prince who had
+saved her life, the Queen consented to receive him as her
+son-in-law; and it is a well-attested matter of history,
+that nobody ever heard her utter a single word in
+dissent from her husband's freely-expressed delight at
+the saving of his dynasty from what had, for awhile,
+seemed its inevitable extinction.</p>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<h2><a name="The_Necklace_of_Tears" id="The_Necklace_of_Tears"></a>The Necklace of Tears.</h2>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i082.jpg" width="70%"  alt="The Necklace of Tears. By Mrs. Egerton Eastwick." title="The Necklace of Tears. By Mrs. Egerton Eastwick." />
+</div>
+
+<p class="initialMarginTop">ONCE, many years ago, there lived in Ombrelande<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">279</a></span>
+a most beautiful Princess. Now, Ombrelande
+is a country which still exists, and in which many
+strange things still happen, although it is not to be found
+in any map of the world that I know of.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The Princess, at the time the story begins, was little
+more than a child, and while her growing beauty was
+everywhere spoken of, she was unfortunately still more
+noted for her selfish and disagreeable nature. She cared
+for nothing but her own amusement and pleasure, and
+gave no thought to the pain she sometimes inflicted on
+others in order to gratify her whims. It must be mentioned,
+however, as an excuse for her heartlessness, that,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">280</a></span>being an only child, she had been spoilt from her babyhood,
+and always allowed to have her own way, while
+those who thwarted her were punished.</p>
+
+<p class="in">One day the Princess Olga, that was her name, escaped
+from her governess and attendants, and wandered into
+the wood which joined the gardens of the palace. It
+was her fancy to be alone; she would not even allow
+her faithful dachshund to bear her company.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The air was soft with the coming of spring; the sun
+was shining, the songs of the birds were full of gratitude
+and joy; the most lovely flowers, in all imaginable hues,
+turned the earth into a jewelled nest of verdure.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Olga threw herself down on a bank, bright with green
+moss and soft as a downy pillow. The warmth and her
+wanderings had already wearied her. She had neglected
+her morning studies, and left her singing-master waiting
+for her in despair in the music-room of the palace, that
+she might wander into the wood, and already the pleasure
+was gone.</p>
+
+<p class="in">She threw herself down on the bank and wished she
+was at home. There was one thing, however, of which
+she never tired, and that was her own beauty; so now,
+having nothing to do, and finding the world and the
+morning exceedingly tiresome and tame and dull, she
+unbound her long golden hair, and spread it all around
+her like a carpet over the moss and the flowers, that
+she might admire its softness and luxuriance, by way of
+a change.</p>
+
+<p class="in">She held up the yellow meshes in her hands and drew
+them through her fingers, laughing to see the golden
+lights that played among the silky waves in the sunlight;
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">281</a></span>then she fell to admiring the small white hands which
+held the treasure, holding them up against the light to
+see their almost transparent delicacy, and the pretty rose-pink
+lines where the fingers met. Certainly she made
+a charming picture, there in the sunshine among the
+flowers: the picture of a lovely innocent child, if she
+had been less vain and self-conscious.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Presently she heard a slight rustle of boughs behind her,
+and looking round she saw that she was no longer alone.
+Not many paces away, gazing at her with admiring
+wonder, stood a youth in the dress of a beggar, and
+over his shoulder looked the face of a young girl, which
+Olga was forced to acknowledge as lovely as her own.
+Now, the forest was the private property of the King,
+and the presence of these poor-looking people was certainly
+an intrusion.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"What are you doing here?" said Olga haughtily.
+"Don't you know that you are trespassing? This wood
+belongs to the King, and is forbidden to tramps and
+beggars."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"We are no beggars, lady," said the youth. He spoke
+with great gentleness, but his voice was strong and sweet
+as a deep-toned bell. "To us no land is forbidden&mdash;and
+we own allegiance to no one."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"My father will have you put in prison," said Olga
+angrily. "What is your name?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"My name is Kasih."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"And that girl behind you&mdash;she is hiding&mdash;why does
+she not come forward?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"It is Kasukah&mdash;my sister," he said, looking round with
+a smile; "she is shy, and frightened, perhaps."</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">282</a></span>"What outlandish names! You must be gypsies,"
+said Olga rudely, "and perhaps thieves."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Indeed, lady, you are mistaken; on the contrary, it
+is in our power to bestow upon you many priceless gifts.
+But we have travelled far to find you, and are weary;
+only bid us welcome&mdash;let us go with you to the castle
+to rest&mdash;Kasukah&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"How dare you speak so to me?" interrupted Olga,
+in a fury. "To the castle, indeed&mdash;what are you thinking
+of? There is a poor-house somewhere, I have heard the
+people say, maintained by my father's bounty out of
+the taxes, you can go there. Go at once&mdash;or&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p class="in">She raised the little silver-handled dog-whip which hung
+at her girdle. To do her justice, she was no coward.
+Kasukah had quite disappeared; the boy stood alone
+looking at Olga with sad, reproachful eyes. For a moment,
+she thought what a pity he was so poor and shabby;
+he had the face and bearing of a king. But she was
+too proud to change her tone.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Or what?" he said.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I will drive you away," she said defiantly. Still
+Kasih did not move, and the next moment she had struck
+him smartly across the cheek with the whip.</p>
+
+<p class="in">He made no effort at self-defence or retaliation, only
+it seemed to her that she herself felt the pain of the
+wound. For a few instants she saw his sorrowful face
+grown white and stern, and the red, glowing scar which
+her whip had caused; then, like Kasukah, he seemed
+to vanish, and disappeared among the trees, while where
+he had stood a sunbeam crossed the grass.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Olga felt rather scared. She had been certainly very
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">283</a></span>audacious, and it was odd that the boy should have shown
+no resentment. After all, she rather wished she had
+asked both him and his sister to stay, they might have
+proved amusing.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0831.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;GO AT ONCE&quot;" title="&quot;GO AT ONCE&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;GO AT ONCE&quot; (<i>p.</i> 282).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">However, it was too late now; she could not call them
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">284</a></span>back; so she thought she would return to the castle;
+she was beginning to feel hungry. So she went leisurely
+home, and, for the remainder of the day, proved a little
+more tractable than usual. She did not forget Kasih
+and his sister, and for a time wondered if they would
+ever seek her again; but the months went by and she
+saw them no more.</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+
+<p class="in">Now, as Olga grew older, of course the question arose
+of finding for her a desirable husband. And one suitor
+came and another, but none pleased her; and, indeed,
+more than one highly eligible young Prince was frightened
+away by her haughty manners and violent temper.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The truth was, that in secret she had not forgotten
+the face of Kasih, and she sometimes told herself that
+if she could find among her suitors one who was at all
+like him, and was also rich and powerful enough to
+give her all she desired in other ways, him she would
+choose. Kasih was certainly very handsome, in spite of
+his beggar's clothes; and, suitably dressed, he would have
+been quite adorable. Also, it would be delightful to find
+a husband with such a gentle, yielding disposition, who
+never thought of resenting anything she said or did.</p>
+
+<p class="in">And one day a suitor came to the palace who really
+made her heart beat a little faster than usual at first;
+he was so like the lost Kasih. But unfortunately he was
+only the younger son of a Royal Duke, and could offer
+her nothing better than a small, insignificant Principality
+and an income hardly sufficient to pay her dressmaker's
+bills. So it was no use thinking about him, and he was
+dismissed with the others. Olga's father began to think
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">285</a></span>his daughter would never find all she required in a
+husband, but would remain for ever in the ancestral
+castle: as every year she grew more disagreeable, the
+prospect did not afford him entire satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p class="in">At length, however, appeared a very powerful Prince,
+who peremptorily demanded her hand. He was a big,
+strong man, and carried on his wooing in such a masterful
+manner that even Olga was a little afraid of him. At
+the same time he loaded her with jewels and beautiful
+presents of all kinds, brought from his own country. He
+was said to possess fabulous wealth; and, partly because
+she feared him, and partly because of her pride and
+ambition, haughty Olga surrendered and promised to
+become his wife. Having once gained her consent, Hazil
+would brook no delay.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The date was immediately fixed, and the grandest
+possible preparations made for the wedding. No expense
+was spared, innumerable guests were invited, while those
+less favoured among the people came from far and near
+to see the bride's wedding clothes and to bring her
+presents. Indeed, the King of Ombrelande was forced
+to add a new suite of rooms to the castle to contain
+the wedding gifts and display them to the best advantage.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Such a sight as the bridal train had never been seen
+before, for it was spangled all over with diamonds so
+closely that Olga when she moved looked like a living
+jewel&mdash;and her veil was sprinkled with diamond dust,
+which sparkled like myriads of tiny stars.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The evening before the wedding day Olga sat alone
+in her chamber, thinking of the magnificence that awaited
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">286</a></span>her, also a little of Hazil, the bridegroom. She had
+that day seen Hazil, in a passion, punish, with his own
+hands, a servant for disobedience, and the sight had
+displeased her. It had been an ugly and unpleasant
+exhibition, but worse than all, the sight of the poor
+man's wounds had recalled that livid mark across the
+fair cheek of Kasih which she herself had wrought. The
+boy's gentle face, which had become so stern when they
+parted, the laughing eyes of Kasukah, quite haunted her
+to-night. She thought she would like to make amends
+for her rudeness; if she knew where they were, she would
+ask brother and sister to her wedding. And just as
+she was so thinking, a soft tap sounded at the door,
+and before she could ask who was there (she thought it
+must surely be the Queen, her mother, come to bid
+her a last good-night, and felt rather displeased at the
+interruption) the door opened, and a stranger entered
+the room.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Olga saw a tall figure, draped from head to foot in
+a soft darkness that shrouded her like a cloud, obscuring
+even her face.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Who are you?" said Olga, "and what do you want
+in my private apartments? Who dared admit you without
+my leave?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I asked admittance of no one, for none can refuse me
+or bar my way," answered the stranger, in a voice like
+the sighing of soft winds at night. "My name is
+Kasuhama&mdash;I am the foster-sister of Kasukah and Kasih,
+of whom you were just now thinking, and I come to
+bring you a wedding gift."</p>
+
+<p class="in">She withdrew her veil slightly as she spoke, and Olga
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">287</a></span>saw a pale, serene face, sorrowful in expression, and
+framed with snow-white hair, but yet bearing a likeness,
+that was like a memory, to Kasih and Kasukah.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0841.jpg" width="50%" alt="&quot;I COME TO BRING YOU A WEDDING GIFT&quot;" title="&quot;I COME TO BRING YOU A WEDDING GIFT&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;I COME TO BRING YOU A WEDDING GIFT&quot; (<i>p.</i> 286).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">"I wish," said Olga petulantly, "that Kasih had brought
+it to-morrow and been present at our feast. I would
+have seen that he was properly attired for the occasion.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">288</a></span>Your sad face is hardly suitable for a wedding feast.
+Shall I ever see him again?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"As to that, I cannot answer," said Kasuhama gravely;
+"but your wedding is no place either for him or Kasukah.
+As for me&mdash;I go everywhere. I am older in appearance
+than the others, you see, though, in reality, it is not so.
+But that is because they have immortal souls and I have
+none. The time will come when I must bid them farewell.
+We but journey together for a time."</p>
+
+<p class="in">The air of the room seemed to have become strangely
+chill and cold, and Olga shivered. "I am tired," she
+said, "and I wish to rest. Will you state your business
+and leave me?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">Experience had made her less abruptly rude than when
+she dismissed Kasih in the wood; also this cold, pale,
+soulless woman struck her with something like awe.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Yes,&mdash;I will say farewell to you now. In the future
+you will know me better and perhaps learn not to fear
+me&mdash;but I will leave with you the present I came to
+bring."</p>
+
+<p class="in">She held out a necklace of pearls more wonderful than
+even Olga had ever seen. They were large and round,
+lustrous and fair; but as Olga took them in her hands
+it seemed to her that, in their mysterious depths, each
+jewel held imprisoned a living soul.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Wear them," said Kasuhama; "by them you will
+remember me."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Almost involuntarily Olga raised her hands and fastened
+the necklace around her slender throat. The clasps just
+met, and the pearls glistened like dewdrops on her bosom&mdash;or
+were they tears?</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">289</a></span>But in the centre of the necklace was a vacant space.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"There is one lost!" she said.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Not lost, but missing," answered Kasuhama softly.
+"One day the place will be filled, and the necklace will
+be complete." And with these words she waved her
+hand to Olga, and, drawing her dusky veil around her,
+quitted the room as quietly as she had entered.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The ceremonies of the following day passed off without
+let or hindrance, and Olga, dazzled by her grandeur,
+would have thought little of her visitor of the previous
+night&mdash;would indeed have believed the incident a dream,
+a trick of the imagination&mdash;but for the necklace. It
+still encircled her throat, for her utmost efforts proved
+unavailing to unfasten the clasps, and every one stared
+and marvelled at the wonderful pearls which seemed
+endowed with a curious fascination.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Only Prince Hazil was displeased; for he could not
+bear his bride to wear jewels not his gift, and that
+outshone by their lustre any he could produce; also,
+he was jealous of the unknown giver. When the wedding
+was over, and they were travelling away to the distant
+castle where the first weeks of Olga's new life were to
+be spent, he tried to take the jewels from their resting-place.
+Olga smiled, for she knew that even his great
+strength would be unavailing, and so it proved; and
+although on reaching their destination Hazil sent for all
+the Court jewellers, neither then nor at any other time
+could the most experienced among them loosen Kasuhama's
+magic gift from its place.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The months rolled by, and Olga reigned a Queen in her
+husband's country, but her life was a sad one. Hazil was
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">290</a></span>often cruel, and it seemed as though he were bent upon
+heaping upon her all the contumely and harshness she had
+shown to others. Still her proud spirit refused to yield.
+She met him with defiance in secret, and openly bore herself
+with so much cold haughtiness that no one dared to
+hint at her trouble, much less to offer her any sympathy.</p>
+
+<p class="in">But when alone in her chamber she saw again the
+faces of Kasih and Kasukah; but more often that of
+Kasuhama. For the necklace was still there to remind
+her; the pearls still shone with mysterious, undimmed
+lustre; indeed, they seemed to grow more numerous,
+and to be woven into more delicate and intricate designs,
+as time went on. Still, however, the place for the central
+jewel remained unfilled. Often Olga herself tried with
+passionate, almost agonising, effort to break their fatal
+chain, for every day their weight grew heavier, until
+she seemed to bear fetters of iron about her fair throat,
+and when the pearls touched her they burned as though
+the iron were molten.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Still, in public, they were universally admired, and
+gratified vanity enabled her to bear the pain and inconvenience
+without open complaint.</p>
+
+<p class="in">But one day was placed in her arms another treasure&mdash;a
+beautiful living child, and she was so fair that they
+called her Pearl, but the Queen hated the name. The
+child, however, found a soft place in Hazil's rough nature;
+indeed, he idolised her; but Olga rarely saw her little
+daughter, and left her altogether to the care of the
+nurses and attendants.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">291</a></span>
+<img src="images/i0851.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;HE TRIED TO TAKE THE JEWELS FROM THEIR RESTING-PLACE&quot;" title="&quot;HE TRIED TO TAKE THE JEWELS FROM THEIR RESTING-PLACE&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;HE TRIED TO TAKE THE JEWELS FROM THEIR RESTING-PLACE&quot; (<i>p.</i> 289).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">So little Pearl grew very fragile, and had a wistful
+look in her blue eyes, as though waiting for something
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">292</a></span>that never came; for in her grand nurseries and among
+all her beautiful playthings she found no mother-love to
+perfect and nourish her life.</p>
+
+<p class="in">And all this time Olga had seen no more of Kasih or
+Kasukah; had, indeed, almost forgotten what their faces
+were like. But one night, at the close of a grand entertainment,
+she was summoned in haste to the nursery. The
+Court physician came to tell her that little Pearl was ill.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Olga was very weary. Never had the necklace seemed
+so heavy a burden as that night, or the Court functions
+so endless. She rose, however, and followed the physician
+at once. Hazil, the King, was far away, visiting a distant
+part of his great territory; he would be terribly angry if
+anything went wrong with little Pearl during his absence.</p>
+
+<p class="in">She reached the room where the child lay on her lace-covered
+pillows, very white and small, but with a happy
+smile on her tiny face, a happy light in her blue eyes,
+which looked satisfied at last. But Olga knew that
+the smile was not for her, that the child did not recognise
+her, would never know her any more.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Some one else stood beside the couch: a stranger with
+bent head and loving, out-stretched arms, and little Pearl
+prattled in baby language of playthings and flowers and
+sunlight and green fields. Olga drew near and watched,
+helpless and terrified, with a strange despair at her heart.
+And soon the little voice grew weaker&mdash;but the happy
+smile deepened as the blue eyes closed.</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+
+<p class="in">And there was a great silence in the nursery. The
+stranger lifted the little form in his arms, and as he
+raised his head Olga saw his face, and she knew that
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">293</a></span>it was Kasih come at last, for across his cheek still glowed
+the red line of the wound which her hand had dealt
+many years before. His eyes met hers with the same
+stern sadness of reproach as when they had parted&mdash;then
+she remembered no more.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0861.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;THE STRANGER LIFTED THE LITTLE FORM IN HIS ARMS&quot;" title="&quot;THE STRANGER LIFTED THE LITTLE FORM IN HIS ARMS&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;THE STRANGER LIFTED THE LITTLE FORM IN HIS ARMS&quot; (<i>p.</i> 292).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">When the Queen recovered from her swoon they told
+her that her little daughter was dead; but she knew that
+Kasih had taken her. She said no word and showed
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">294</a></span>few signs of grief, but remained outwardly proud and
+cold, though her heart was wrung with a pain and fear
+she could not understand. She was full of wrath against
+Kasih, who, she thought, had taken this way of avenging
+the old insult she had offered him. Yet the sorrowful
+look in his eyes haunted her.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The pearls about her neck pressed upon her with a
+heavier weight, and in her sleep she saw them as in
+a vision, and in their depths she discerned strange
+pictures: faces she had known years ago and long since
+forgotten, the faces of those whom her pride and harshness
+had caused to suffer, who had appealed to her for love
+and pity and were denied.</p>
+
+<p class="in">And then in her dream she understood that the pearls
+were in truth the tears of those she had made sorrowful,
+kept and guarded by Kasih in his treasure-house, but
+given to her by Kasuhama to be her punishment.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Before many days had passed, the King Hazil returned,
+and when he learned that his little daughter was dead,
+he summoned the Queen to his presence. Olga went
+haughtily, for she dared not altogether disobey. Then
+Hazil loaded her with reproaches, and in his anger he
+told her many, many hard things, and the words sank
+deep into her heart. It seemed, presently, that she could
+bear no more, and hardly knowing what she did, she
+cast herself at his feet and prayed for mercy.</p>
+
+<p class="in">She asked him to remember that the child had been
+hers also&mdash;that she had loved it. But Hazil, in his
+bitterness, laughed in her face and told her she was a
+monster, that it was for lack of her love that the child
+had died, that she had never loved anything&mdash;not even
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">295</a></span>herself. He turned away to nurse his own grief, and
+Olga dragged herself up and went away to the silent
+room, and knelt by the little couch where she had seen
+Kasih take away her child.</p>
+
+<p class="in">And there at length the blessed tears fell, for she was
+humbled at last, and sorry, and quite desolate and alone.
+And it seemed to her that through her tears she once
+more saw Kasih, and that he held towards her the little
+Pearl, more beautiful than ever, and the child put its arms
+about her neck, and she was comforted.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Well, from that day the life of the Queen was changed.
+When next she looked at the pearl necklace she found
+that a jewel, more beautiful than any of the others, had
+been added to it; and she knew that the tear of her
+humiliation had filled the vacant place.</p>
+
+<p class="in">And henceforth she often saw the face of Kasih: near
+the bed of the dying, beside all who needed consolation,
+kindness, and love, there she met him constantly. Near
+him sometimes she caught a glimpse of bright Kasukah,
+but for a while, more often of Kasuhama.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The face of the white-haired sister, however, had grown
+very gentle and kind, and she whispered of a time when
+Kasukah should take her place for ever&mdash;for Love and
+Joy are eternal, but Sorrow has an end. And with every
+act of unselfish kindness and love that the Queen Olga
+performed the weight and burden of the necklace grew
+less, until the day that it fell from her of its own accord,
+and she was able to give it back to Kasuhama. And
+Hazil, the King, seeing how greatly Olga was changed,
+in time grew gentle towards her, and loved her; for
+Kasuhama softened his heart.</p>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<h2><a name="The_Prince_and_the_Lions" id="The_Prince_and_the_Lions"></a>The Prince and the Lions.</h2>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0871.jpg" width="70%"  alt="The Prince and the Lions. From the Persian." title="The Prince and the Lions. From the Persian." />
+</div>
+
+<p class="initialMarginTop">IN an Eastern city there once lived a young Prince<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">299</a></span>
+named Azgid. He was virtuous and accomplished,
+but had one fault&mdash;he was a bit of a coward!</p>
+
+<p class="in">Prince Azgid's father had recently died, and he was
+looking forward to his coronation. A few days before
+the day fixed for the ceremony, the old Vizier called
+upon the Prince and informed His Royal Highness that
+before he could ascend the throne he must in accordance
+with an ancient custom, fight a certain huge red lion
+which was kept in a den within the precincts of the
+palace.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The Prince, upon hearing this, was so frightened that
+he made up his mind to run away. He rose in the night,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">300</a></span>dressed himself hastily, mounted his horse, and left the
+city. Thus he journeyed for three days.</p>
+
+<p class="in">In the course of the third day, as he rode through a
+beautiful thickly-wooded country, he heard the sound of
+exquisite music, and presently overtook a handsome
+youth, who was leading a few sheep, and playing upon
+a flute.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The young man having courteously saluted the
+stranger, Prince Azgid begged him to go on playing, for
+never in his life before, said the Prince, had he listened
+to such enchanting strains.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The player then told Azgid that he was the slave of
+the wealthy shepherd named Oaxus, to whose abode,
+which was close at hand, he offered to conduct the
+traveller.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The Prince gladly accepted this invitation, and in a
+few moments was entering the house of Oaxus, who
+accorded him a hearty welcome, and placed food and
+drink before him. When Azgid had finished his meal,
+he felt it incumbent upon him to make some sort of explanation
+to his host.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Doubtless," said he, "you wonder who I am, and
+what is my errand in coming hither? I can tell you this
+much&mdash;that I am a Prince whom trouble has driven from
+home. Pardon me if I do not divulge my name; that
+is a secret which must be securely locked within my own
+breast. If convenient to you, I would gladly remain in
+this delightsome spot. I have ample means, and can
+remunerate you for your kindness."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Oaxus assured his guest that nothing would give him
+greater pleasure than to entertain him for as long a
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">301</a></span>period as he cared to stay, and he begged him not to
+think of offering any remuneration.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"And now, Isdril," added Oaxus, addressing his
+slave, "show the Prince our fountains and waterfalls, our
+rocks and vales, for I perceive that he is one who can
+appreciate Nature's beauties."</p>
+
+<p class="in">The youth took up his flute and went out with the
+Prince.</p>
+
+<p class="in">After wandering awhile amidst romantic scenery, the
+two young men sat down to rest upon a rock in a shady
+valley. The slave put his flute to his lips, and began to
+play. The prince loved music passionately, and the
+idea had already occurred to him that, if he ever left this
+fair retreat, he would like to purchase from Oaxus his
+accomplished slave.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Suddenly Isdril broke the spell of the Prince's enjoyment
+by rising to his feet, with the words: "It is time
+for us to be going."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Wherefore?" queried the Prince. "Why should we
+quit this delicious spot so soon?"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Because," replied the other, "the neighbourhood is
+infested with lions. It is well, therefore, to retire early
+within our abodes, and close the gates. Upon one
+occasion I lagged behind, and see the consequence!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">He rolled up his sleeve and revealed a big scar upon
+his arm. Azgid turned pale, and upon reaching the
+house, informed his host that he had changed his mind
+and found himself obliged to ride on farther. He
+thanked Oaxus, bade farewell to him and to Isdril, and
+galloped off.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Again he journeyed for three days, and came to a vast
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">302</a></span>desert, in the midst of which he beheld an Arab encampment.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Thankfully he rode up to the black tents, for both
+he and his horse were worn out with hunger and
+fatigue.</p>
+
+<p class="in">He was received by a dignified Sheik, to whom he
+made the same speech that he had addressed to the
+kindly Oaxus.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Sheik Hajaar, like the shepherd, answered to the
+effect that he desired no other remuneration than the
+pleasure of the Prince's society, and that he should be
+delighted to keep his guest for ever, if so it might be.
+He introduced Azgid to a large number of his friends,
+and provided for his use a magnificent steed.</p>
+
+<p class="in">A week passed. Day by day the Prince accompanied
+the Sheik in his antelope-hunting expeditions, which he
+enjoyed exceedingly. He quite thought that he was
+now happily settled for life, when one night, after he
+had retired to rest, Sheik Hajaar approached his couch,
+and said:</p>
+
+<p class="in">"My son, I have come to tell you how pleased my
+people are with you, more especially with the spirit you
+have shown in the chase. But our life is not wholly
+taken up in such easy recreations; we frequently engage
+in hard fighting with other tribes. All my men are
+seasoned warriors, and before they can have perfect
+confidence in you it is necessary that they should have
+some proof of your prowess. Two leagues to the south
+is a range of hills infested with lions. Go, then, early
+in the morning, mounted upon your horse, and armed
+with sword and spear. Slay one of these fierce beasts
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">303</a></span>and bring us his skin; so shall we know that we may
+rely upon you in the day of battle."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0881.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;HE ROLLED UP HIS SLEEVE AND REVEALED A BIG SCAR&quot;" title="&quot;HE ROLLED UP HIS SLEEVE AND REVEALED A BIG SCAR&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;HE ROLLED UP HIS SLEEVE AND REVEALED A BIG SCAR&quot; (<i>p.</i> 301).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">When the Sheik had left him, Azgid rose, dressed
+himself, slipped quietly out of his tent, and bade a
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">304</a></span>sorrowful, affectionate farewell to the horse which the
+Sheik had allowed him to use, now tethered with the
+others. Then he mounted his own steed, and rode forth
+into the night.</p>
+
+<p class="in">By the middle of the next day, he was rejoiced to find
+that he was leaving the desert, and entering a fair region
+of hill and dale, meadows and streams. Soon he came
+to a splendid palace, built of porphyry, and standing in
+the midst of a magnificent garden.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The owner of the palace, a rich Emir, was sitting in
+the porch, with his golden-haired daughter, Perizide.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Here, again, the Prince was most kindly received.
+The interior of the building proved to be even more
+beautiful than the exterior. The rooms blazed with
+gold and precious stones; walls and ceilings were covered
+with valuable paintings; the windows were of the costliest
+stained glass. The Emir set before his guest a collection
+of delicate viands.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The Prince made his accustomed speech, avowing his
+rank, but concealing his name. He added also his
+customary request, that he might be allowed to remain
+for a time in the house of his present entertainer.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The Emir replied politely that the prince was heartily
+welcome to remain until the end of his life, if he chose to
+do so. Then he begged his guest to excuse him for a
+few minutes, as he was expecting some friends, and
+wished to make preparations for their reception.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Thus Azgid was left alone with Perizide, with whom he
+was already in love. She took him into the garden,
+after exploring the beauties of which the pair returned
+to the house.</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">305</a></span>The palace, now illuminated from top to bottom, was
+full of company. The evening passed merrily. Observing
+a lute which lay upon a couch, the music-loving
+young Prince begged Perizide to play to him. In the
+midst of his enjoyment, however, he was startled by a
+strange, loud sound, and asked his fair companion what
+it might be.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Oh!" replied she, with a laugh, "that is only Boulak,
+our black porter, indulging in a yawn."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Good gracious!" exclaimed Azgid; "what uncommonly
+good lungs he must have!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">After the other guests had left, and Perizide had
+gone to bed, the Emir and the Prince chatted and smoked
+together for some time. By-and-by, the former offered
+to conduct the latter to his sleeping apartment. When
+they came to the foot of the grand staircase, which was
+of white marble, Azgid, looking up, was horrified to
+behold an enormous black lion stretched upon the topmost
+landing.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"What is that?" faltered he.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"That," returned his host, "is Boulak, our black
+porter. He is a tame lion, and will not harm you, if you
+are not afraid of him. He knows when any one fears
+him and then becomes ferocious."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I fear him greatly!" whispered the Prince.</p>
+
+<p class="in">As he could not be persuaded to mount the stairs,
+he had to return to the saloon, and repose upon one of
+the divans.</p>
+
+<p class="in">After the Emir had left him, Azgid carefully locked
+the door and fastened the windows. Then he lay down,
+but not to sleep. For he could hear the lion walking
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">306</a></span>about, and once the beast actually came to the door, and
+uttering a terrific roar, sprang against it with his forepaws.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The poor Prince made sure that the door would burst
+open, and that he should be devoured. Nothing of the
+kind happened, however. In a few moments Boulak
+went upstairs, and came down no more that night.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Azgid lay thinking. Evidently he had flown in the
+face of Providence when he had fled from the lion at
+home. Since then, lions had met him at every turn.
+He resolved to submit to what was so clearly his
+destined duty&mdash;to return home and fulfil the condition
+required.</p>
+
+<p class="in">In the morning, therefore, he told the Emir the whole
+truth. The kind old man had been acquainted with
+Azgid's father, the King Almamoun. He highly
+approved of the young man's resolution, and, with a
+parting blessing, sped him on his way. But the Prince
+had no opportunity of making his adieux to the fair
+Perizide.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Then Azgid rode back to the Arab camp, and confessed
+all to the good Sheik Hajaar. He also inquired
+after the beautiful horse.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"He is well," replied the other, "and I should be
+gratified if you could stay with us and use him again
+But it would be wrong to hinder you from your pious,
+undertaking. Return to your home, and do your duty
+like a man."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Azgid next visited Oaxus, to whom, as to the others,
+he revealed his name and parentage, confessed his fault,
+and expressed his repentance.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">307</a></span>
+<img src="images/i0891.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;I FEAR HIM GREATLY!&quot;" title="&quot;I FEAR HIM GREATLY!&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;I FEAR HIM GREATLY!&quot; (<i>p.</i> 305).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">308</a></span>"Go, my friend!" said the kindly shepherd, "and may
+Heaven give you strength to persevere in your laudable
+resolution!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Farewell!" answered Azgid; "greet Isdril from me,
+and tell him that I hope some day to return and listen
+to his sweet music in spite of the lions."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Without further interruption, the Prince rode straight
+home, and announced to the old Vizier his intention to
+fight the lion.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The old man wept tears of joy at his Prince's return,
+and it was arranged that the combat should take place
+in a week's time.</p>
+
+<p class="in">When the hour came, and the Prince entered the
+arena, the lion gave a loud roar, and approached his
+opponent slowly, with fierce looks. Azgid did not quail.
+With steady gaze he advanced, spear in hand. Suddenly
+the lion bounded forward, and, with another roar, sprang
+clean over the Prince's head. Then he ran joyously up
+to him, and began licking his hands with every demonstration
+of affection.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The Vizier called out to the Prince that he had
+conquered, and bade him leave the arena. The lion
+followed like a dog.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"As you now see, Prince Azgid," said the old Minister,
+"the lion is a tame one, and would injure no one. You,
+however, were ignorant of this fact, and have satisfactorily
+proved your courage and valour by your readiness to
+fight him. Now all will know that you are worthy to
+ascend the throne of your heroic ancestors."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Two men&mdash;one old, the other very young&mdash;came forward
+to congratulate the Prince. They were Oaxus and Isdril.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i090.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;With steady gaze he advanced, spear in hand.&quot;" title="&quot;With steady gaze he advanced, spear in hand.&quot;" />
+<p class="caption">&quot;With steady gaze he advanced, spear in hand.&quot;
+<span style="margin-left: 70%"><i>page 308</i></span></p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">309</a></span>"Prince Azgid," said the old shepherd, "as a memento
+of this happy day, allow me to make you a present."
+So saying, he pushed forward his slave, Isdril.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<img src="images/i0911.jpg" width="50%"  alt="&quot;THE LION SPRANG CLEAN OVER THE PRINCE&#39;S HEAD&quot;" title="&quot;THE LION SPRANG CLEAN OVER THE PRINCE&#39;S HEAD&quot; (p. 308)." />
+<p class="caption">&quot;THE LION SPRANG CLEAN OVER THE PRINCE&#39;S HEAD&quot; (<i>p.</i> 308).</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="in">"I heartily thank you, Oaxus!" said the Prince,
+"and you, Isdril, are no longer a slave. From this
+moment you are free; but you shall be my companion,
+and delight me with your skill upon the flute."</p>
+
+<p class="in">Presently another little group presented itself. It
+was composed of Sheik Hajaar, some of his Arabs, and
+the horse which the Prince had learned to love.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"Azgid!" said the Sheik, "I congratulate you heartily,
+and beg your acceptance of this steed."</p>
+
+<p class="in"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">310</a></span>The Prince thanked and embraced the Sheik, and
+kissed the beautiful creature, who returned his caresses.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The Emir was the next person to appear upon the
+scene. He was surrounded by a brilliant retinue, with
+music and banners.</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I have come to congratulate you," said he to the
+Prince. "I have brought you no present, but I and all
+my belongings are yours."</p>
+
+<p class="in">"I am rejoiced to see you, noble Emir!" replied
+Azgid. "And how is your lovely daughter? As soon
+as I am crowned, I intend to set off at lightning speed
+to visit her!"</p>
+
+<p class="in">"That will be needless," said the Emir; "come with
+me." And he led the young man to a veiled lady, who
+sat upon a white horse. It was Perizide!</p>
+
+<p class="in">Then, by order of the Vizier, the whole procession
+wended its way towards the palace.</p>
+
+<p class="in">Many thoughts and emotions stirred within the breast
+of the young Prince. "When I fled from duty," reflected
+he, "everything went against me; now that I have
+fulfilled it, fresh happiness meets me at every step."</p>
+
+<p class="in">The coronation&mdash;and also a wedding&mdash;took place on
+the same day. Azgid and Perizide reigned long and
+happily. By the King's command, his adventures were
+recorded in the annals of the kingdom. And over the
+door of his palace were inscribed, in golden letters, these
+words: "<i>Never run from the lion.</i>"</p>
+<hr />
+
+<p class="center">Printed by Hazell, Watson, &amp; Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury.</p>
+
+<hr class="l65" />
+<h2>THE FIFTY-TWO
+LIBRARY</h2>
+
+<p class="center">Edited by ALFRED H. MILES</p>
+
+<p class="center"><i>In large crown 8vo, 400&mdash;500 pp., cloth, bevelled boards, richly
+gilt, gilt edges, well illustrated.</i></p>
+
+<p class="center"><b>5s. each</b></p>
+
+<p class="center">The "Fifty-two Series" forms an excellent library of fiction for
+young people. The stories are by the best writers for boys and
+girls, including:</p>
+
+<div class="center">
+<table summary="authors" width="100%">
+<tr>
+<td><span class="smcap">G. A. Henty</span><br /></td>
+<td><span class="smcap">F. C. Selous</span><br /></td>
+</tr>
+<tr><td><span class="smcap">W. Clark Russell</span><br /></td>
+<td><span class="smcap">Robert Chambers</span><br /></td>
+</tr>
+<tr><td><span class="smcap">G. Manville Fenn</span><br /></td>
+<td><span class="smcap">R. E. Francillon</span><br /></td>
+</tr>
+<tr><td><span class="smcap">W. H. G. Kingston</span><br /></td>
+<td><span class="smcap">David Ker</span><br /></td>
+</tr>
+<tr><td><span class="smcap">R. M. Ballantyne</span><br /></td>
+<td><span class="smcap">Mrs. G. Linnćus Banks</span><br /></td>
+</tr>
+<tr><td><span class="smcap">Captain Mayne Reid</span><br /></td>
+<td><span class="smcap">Rosa Mulholland</span><br /></td>
+</tr>
+<tr><td><span class="smcap">Gordon Stables, M.D., R.N.</span><br /></td>
+<td><span class="smcap">Alice Corkran</span><br /></td>
+</tr>
+<tr><td><span class="smcap">Ascott Hope</span><br /></td>
+<td><span class="smcap">Sarah Doudney</span><br /></td>
+</tr></table></div>
+<p class="center">and <span class="smcap">Many Other Well-known Writers</span>.</p>
+
+<p class="in"><i>The Guardian</i> says: "Such volumes are invaluable for young people, and all
+thanks are due to those who have brought them within easy reach of every child
+in the three kingdoms."</p>
+
+<p class="center">Over half a million volumes sold.</p>
+
+<p class="in">The following are the volumes:</p>
+
+<ul>
+<li>1. Fifty-two Stories for Boys.</li>
+
+<li>2. Fifty-two Stories for Girls.</li>
+<li>3. Fifty-two more Stories for Boys.</li>
+
+<li>4. Fifty-two more Stories for Girls.</li>
+
+<li>5. Fifty-two further Stories for Boys.</li>
+
+<li>6. Fifty-two further Stories for Girls.</li>
+
+<li>7. Fifty-two other Stories for Boys.</li>
+
+<li>8. Fifty-two other Stories for Girls.</li>
+
+<li>9. Fifty-two Fairy Tales.</li>
+
+<li>10. Fifty-two Stories for Boyhood and Youth.</li>
+
+<li>11. Fifty-two Stories for Girlhood and Youth.</li>
+
+<li>12. Fifty-two Stories for Children.</li>
+
+<li>13. Fifty-two Stories of Boy Life.</li>
+
+<li>14. Fifty-two Stories of Girl Life.</li>
+
+<li>15. Fifty-two Stories of Life and Adventure for Boys.</li>
+
+<li>16. Fifty-two Stories of Life and Adventure for Girls.</li>
+
+<li>17. Fifty-two Stories of the Indian Mutiny and the Men who
+saved India. Edited by A. H. Miles and A. J. Pattle.</li>
+
+<li>18. Fifty-two Stories of Pluck and Peril for Boys.</li>
+
+<li>19. Fifty-two Stories of Pluck, Peril, and Romance for Girls.</li>
+
+<li>20. Fifty-two Stories of the British Navy.</li>
+
+<li>21. Fifty-two Stories of Duty and Daring for Boys.</li>
+
+<li>22. Fifty-two Stories of Duty and Daring for Girls.</li>
+
+<li>23. Fifty-two Stories of the British Army.</li>
+
+<li>24. Fifty-two Holiday Stories for Boys.</li>
+
+<li>25. Fifty-two Holiday Stories for Girls.</li>
+
+<li>26. Fifty-two Sunday Stories for Boys and Girls.</li>
+
+<li>27. Fifty-two Stories of Heroism in Life and Action for Boys.</li>
+
+<li>28. Fifty-two Stories of Heroism in Life and Action for Girls.</li>
+
+<li>29. Fifty-two Stories of the Wide, Wide World.</li>
+
+<li>30. Fifty-two Stirring Stories for Boys.</li>
+
+<li>31. Fifty-two Stirring Stories for Girls.</li>
+
+<li>32. Fifty-two Stories of the British Empire.</li>
+
+<li>33. Fifty-two Stories of Courage and Endeavour for Boys.</li>
+
+<li>34. Fifty-two Stories of Courage and Endeavour for Girls.</li>
+
+<li>35. Fifty-two Stories of Greater Britain.</li>
+
+<li>36. Fifty-two Stories of the Brave and True for Boys.</li>
+
+<li>37. Fifty-two Stories of the Brave and True for Girls.</li>
+
+<li>38. Fifty-two Stories for the Little Ones.</li>
+
+<li>39. Fifty-two Stories of School Life and After for Boys.</li>
+
+<li>40. Fifty-two Stories of School Life and After for Girls.</li>
+
+<li>41. Fifty-two Stories of Animal Life and Adventure.</li>
+
+<li>42. Fifty-two Stories of Grit and Character for Boys.</li>
+
+<li>43. Fifty-two Stories of Grit and Character for Girls.</li>
+
+<li>44. Fifty-two Stories of Wild Life, East and West.</li>
+
+<li>45. Fifty-two Stories of Head, Heart, and Hand for Boys.</li>
+
+<li>46. Fifty-two Stories of Head, Heart, and Hand for Girls.</li>
+
+<li>47. Fifty-two Thrilling Stories of Life at Home and Abroad.</li>
+
+<li>48. Fifty-two New Stories for Boys.</li>
+
+<li>49. Fifty-two New Stories for Girls.</li>
+
+<li>50. Fifty-two Pioneer Stories all round the Compass.</li>
+
+<li>51. Fifty-two Excelsior Stories for Boys.</li>
+
+<li>52. Fifty-two Excelsior Stories for Girls.</li>
+</ul>
+
+<div class='tnote'>
+<h3>List of corrections:</h3>
+
+<p>p. <a href="#Page_160">160</a>: "It inceased yet more" was changed to "It increased yet more."</p>
+
+<p>p. <a href="#Page_225">225</a>: "made a despeate effort" was changed to "made a desperate
+  effort."</p>
+
+<p>p. <a href="#Page_250">250</a>: "From it the the castle had received its name" was changed to
+  "From it the castle had received its name."</p>
+<h3>Errata:</h3>
+
+<p>Some chapter titles do not match exactly with the corresponding titles
+in the contents' page. The original wording has been retained.</p>
+</div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Diamond Fairy Book, by Various
+
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+</body>
+</html>
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@@ -0,0 +1,6943 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Diamond Fairy Book, by Various
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Diamond Fairy Book
+
+Author: Various
+
+Illustrator: Frank Pape
+             H. R. Millar
+
+Release Date: November 12, 2011 [EBook #37995]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DIAMOND FAIRY BOOK ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Edwards, Eleni Christofaki and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from images generously made available
+by The Internet Archive)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's notes:
+
+Some illustrations of this work have been moved from the original
+sequence to enable the contents to continue without interruption.
+Obvious punctuation errors have been silently repaired and hyphenation
+was normalised. A list of the corrections made can be found at the end
+of the book. Italics indicated with _underscores_, bold typeface with
+=equal signs=.
+
+
+
+
+  THE DIAMOND FAIRY BOOK.
+
+
+
+
+  _UNIFORM WITH THIS VOLUME_
+
+
+  Each in square 8vo, richly bound in cloth gilt and gilt edges, =3s. 6d.=
+
+  THE RUBY FAIRY BOOK
+
+    With 8 beautiful coloured plates by Frank Pape and 77 drawings by H.
+    R. Millar.
+
+  THE GOLDEN FAIRY BOOK
+
+    With 8 beautiful coloured plates by Frank Pape and 110 drawings by H.
+    R. Millar.
+
+  THE SILVER FAIRY BOOK
+
+    With 8 beautiful coloured plates by Norman Little and 83 illustrations
+    by H. R. Millar.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "Upon the back of his noble steed the Prince gallantly
+lifted his beautiful charge."
+
+FRONTISPIECE. _page 273_]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: THE DIAMOND FAIRY BOOK
+
+COMPRISING STORIES BY
+
+  ISABEL BELLERBY
+
+  Z. TOPELIUS.
+
+  MRS. EGERTON EASTWICK.
+
+  CLEMENS BRENTANO.
+
+  XAVIER MARMIER.
+
+  J. JARRY.
+
+  W. HAUFF.
+
+  RICHARD LEANDER.
+
+  K. E. SUTTER.
+
+  SAINT-JUIRS.
+
+  A. GODIN.
+
+  PAULINE SCHANZ.]
+
+
+With 8 Coloured Plates by FRANK PAPE and 82 Drawings by H. R. MILLAR
+
+
+  LONDON
+  HUTCHINSON & CO.
+  PATERNOSTER ROW
+
+
+
+
+  PRINTED BY HAZELL, WATSON AND VINEY, LD., LONDON AND AYLESBURY.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+                                                                    PAGE
+
+  PRINCESS CRYSTAL, OR THE HIDDEN TREASURE.                            1
+      _By Isabel Bellerby._
+
+  THE STORY OF THE INVISIBLE KINGDOM.                                 15
+      _From the German of Richard Leander._
+
+  HOW SAMPO LAPPELILL SAW THE MOUNTAIN KING.                          35
+      _From the Swedish of Z. Topelius._
+
+  THE WITCH-DANCER'S DOOM.                                            51
+      _A Breton Legend._
+
+  THE THREE VALLEYS.                                                  61
+      _From the German._
+
+  THE SPRING-TIDE OF LOVE.                                            77
+      _By Pleydell North (Mrs. Egerton Eastwick)._
+
+  RINGFALLA BRIDGE.                                                   97
+      _By K. E. Sutter._
+
+  THE CHILDREN'S FAIRY.                                              113
+      _From the French of Saint-Juirs._
+
+  WITTYSPLINTER.                                                     127
+      _From the German of Clemens Brentano._
+
+  THE MID-DAY ROCK.                                                  143
+      _From the French of J. Jarry._
+
+  LILLEKORT.                                                         157
+      _From the French of Xavier Marmier._
+
+  THE TEN LITTLE FAIRIES.                                            169
+      _From the French of Georges Mitchell._
+
+  THE MAGICIAN AND HIS PUPIL.                                        185
+      _From the German of A. Godin._
+
+  THE STRAWBERRY THIEF.                                              201
+      _From the German of Pauline Schanz._
+
+  THE ADVENTURES OF SAID.                                            217
+      _From the German of W. Hauff._
+
+  LITTLE BLUE FLOWER.                                                241
+      _From the German of Miss F. E. Hynam._
+
+  "THE PRINCESS WHO DESPISED ALL MEN."                               257
+      _By Charles Smith Cheltnam._
+
+  THE NECKLACE OF TEARS.                                             277
+      _By Mrs. Egerton Eastwick._
+
+  THE PRINCE AND THE LIONS.                                          297
+      _From the Persian._
+
+
+
+
+Princess Crystal, or the Hidden Treasure.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+PRINCESS CRYSTAL OR THE HIDDEN TREASURE.
+
+A Story by Isabel Bellerby.
+
+
+THERE were the four Kings: the King of the North, the region of
+perpetual snow; the King of the South, where the sun shines all the year
+round; the King of the East, from whence the cold winds blow; and the
+King of the West, where the gentle zephyrs breathe upon the flowers, and
+coax them to open their petals while the rest of the world is still
+sleeping.
+
+And there was the great Dragon, who lived on top of a high mountain in
+the centre of the universe. He could see everything that happened
+everywhere by means of his magic spectacles, which enabled him to look
+all ways at once, and to see through solid substances; but he could only
+see, not hear, for he was as deaf as a post.
+
+Now the King of the North had a beautiful daughter called Crystal. Her
+eyes were bright like the stars; her hair was black like the sky at
+night; and her skin was as white as the snow which covered the ground
+outside the palace where she lived, which was built entirely of crystals
+clear as the clearest glass.
+
+And the King of the South had a son who had been named Sunshine on
+account of his brightness and warmth of heart.
+
+The King of the East had a son who, because he was always up early and
+was very industrious, had been given the name of Sunrise.
+
+The King of the West also had a son, perhaps the handsomest of the
+three, and always magnificently dressed; but as it took him all day to
+make his toilette, so that he was never seen before evening, he received
+the name of Sunset.
+
+All three Princes were in love with the Princess Crystal, each hoping to
+win her for his bride. When they had the chance they would go and peep
+at her as she wandered up and down in her glass palace. But she liked
+Prince Sunshine best, because he stayed longer than the others, and was
+always such excellent company. Prince Sunrise was too busy to be able to
+spare her more than half an hour or so; and Prince Sunset never came
+until she was getting too tired and sleepy to care to see him.
+
+It was of no use, however, for her to hope that Sunshine would be her
+husband just because she happened to prefer him to the others. Her
+father--the stern, blusterous old King, with a beard made of icicles so
+long that it reached to his waist and kept his heart cold--declared
+that he had no patience for such nonsense as likes and dislikes; and one
+day he announced, far and wide, in a voice that was heard by the other
+three Kings, and which made the earth shake so that the great green
+Dragon immediately looked through his spectacles to see what was
+happening:
+
+"He who would win my daughter must first bring me the casket containing
+the Hidden Treasure, which is concealed no man knows where!"
+
+Of course the Dragon was none the wiser for looking through his
+spectacles, because the words--loud though they were--could not be heard
+by his deaf ears.
+
+But the other Kings listened diligently; as did the young Princes. And
+poor Princess Crystal trembled in her beautiful palace lest Sunrise, who
+was always up so early, should find the treasure before Sunshine had a
+chance: she was not much afraid of the indolent Sunset, except that it
+might occur to him to look in some spot forgotten by his rivals.
+
+Very early indeed on the following morning did Prince Sunrise set to
+work; he glided along the surface of the earth, keeping close to the
+ground in his anxiety not to miss a single square inch. He knew he was
+not first in the field; for the Northern King's proclamation had been
+made towards evening on the previous day, and Prince Sunset had
+bestirred himself for once, and had lingered about rather later than
+usual, being desirous of finding the treasure and winning the charming
+Princess.
+
+But the early morning was passing, and very soon the cheery,
+indefatigable Sunshine had possession of the entire land, and flooded
+Crystal's palace with a look from his loving eyes which bade her not
+despair.
+
+Then he talked to the trees and the green fields and the flowers,
+begging them to give up the secret in return for the warmth and gladness
+he shed so freely on them. But they were silent, except that the trees
+sighed their sorrow at not being able to help him, and the long grasses
+rustled a whispered regret, and the flowers bowed their heads in grief.
+
+Not discouraged, however, Prince Sunshine went to the brooks and rivers,
+and asked their assistance. But they, too, were helpless. The brooks
+gurgled out great tears of woe, which rushed down to the rivers, and so
+overcame them--sorry as they were on account of their own inability to
+help--that they nearly overflowed their banks, and went tumbling into
+the sea, who, of course, wanted to know what was the matter; but, when
+told, all the sea could do was to thunder a loud and continuous "No!" on
+all its beaches. So Prince Sunshine had to pass on and seek help
+elsewhere.
+
+He tried to make the great Dragon understand; but it could not hear him.
+Other animals could, though, and he went from one to another, as
+cheerful as ever, in spite of all the "Noes" he had met with; until, at
+last, he knew by the twittering of the birds that he was going to be
+successful.
+
+[Illustration: "'MY ROBE IS OF SNOW,' SHE FALTERED" (_p._ 8).]
+
+"We go everywhere and learn most things," said the swallows, flying up
+and down in the air, full of excitement and joy at being able to reward
+their beloved Sunshine for all his kindness to them. "And we know this
+much, at any rate: the Hidden Treasure can only be found by him who
+looks at its hiding-place through the Dragon's magic spectacles."
+
+Prince Sunshine exclaimed that he would go at once and borrow these
+wonderful spectacles; but a solemn-looking old owl spoke up:
+
+"Be not in such a hurry, most noble Prince! The Dragon will slay any
+one--even so exalted a personage as yourself--who attempts to remove
+those spectacles while he is awake; and, as is well known, he never
+allows himself to sleep, for fear of losing some important sight."
+
+"Then what is to be done?" asked the Prince, beginning to grow impatient
+at last, for the afternoon was now well advanced, and Prince Sunset
+would soon be on the war-path again.
+
+A majestic eagle came swooping down from the clouds.
+
+"There is only one thing in all the world," said he, "which can send the
+Dragon to sleep, and that is a caress from the hand of the Princess
+Crystal."
+
+Sunshine waited to hear no more. Smiling his thanks, he hastened away to
+put his dear Crystal's love to the test. She had never yet ventured
+outside the covered gardens of her palace. Would she go with him now,
+and approach the great Dragon, and soothe its savage watchfulness into
+the necessary repose?
+
+As he made the request, there stole into the Princess's cheeks the first
+faint tinge of colour that had ever been seen there.
+
+[Illustration: "HE LEARNED THE SECRET AT ONCE" (_p._ 11).]
+
+"My robe is of snow," she faltered; "if I go outside these crystal
+walls into your radiant presence it will surely melt."
+
+"You look as if you yourself would melt at my first caress, you
+beautiful, living snowflake," replied the Prince; "but have no fear:
+see, I have my own mantle ready to enfold you. Come, Princess, and trust
+yourself to me."
+
+Then, for the first time in her life, Princess Crystal stole out of her
+palace, and was immediately wrapped in Prince Sunshine's warm mantle,
+which caused her to glow all over; her face grew quite rosy, and she
+looked more than usually lovely, so that the Prince longed to kiss her;
+but she was not won yet, and she might have been offended at his taking
+such a liberty.
+
+Therefore, he had to be content to have her beside him in his golden
+chariot with the fiery horses, which flew through space so quickly that
+they soon stood on the high mountain, where the Dragon sat watching them
+through his spectacles, wondering what the Princess was doing so far
+from home, and what her father would think if he discovered her absence.
+
+It was no use explaining matters to the Dragon, even had they wished to
+do so; but of course nothing was further from their intention.
+
+Holding Prince Sunshine's hand to give her courage, the Princess
+approached the huge beast and timidly laid her fingers on his head.
+
+"This is very nice and soothing," thought the Dragon, licking his lips;
+"very kind of her to come, I'm sure; but--dear me!--this won't do! I'm
+actually--going--to--sleep!"
+
+He tried to rise, but the gentle hand prevented that. A sensation of
+drowsiness stole through all his veins, which would have been delightful
+but for his determination never to sleep. As it was, he opened his mouth
+to give a hiss that would surely have frightened the poor Princess out
+of her wits; but he fell asleep before he could so much as begin it; his
+mouth remained wide open; but his eyes closed, and his great head began
+to nod in a very funny manner.
+
+Directly they were satisfied that he really slept, Prince Sunshine
+helped himself to the Dragon's spectacles, requesting the Princess not
+to remove her hand, lest the slumber should not last long enough for
+their purpose.
+
+Then he put on the spectacles, and Princess Crystal exclaimed with fear
+and horror when--as though in result of his doing so--she saw her
+beloved Prince plunge his right hand into the Dragon's mouth.
+
+Prince Sunshine had stood facing the huge beast as he transferred the
+spectacles to his own nose, and, naturally enough, the first thing he
+saw through them was the interior of the Dragon's mouth, with the tongue
+raised and shot forward in readiness for the hiss which sleep had
+intercepted; and under the tongue was the golden casket containing the
+Hidden Treasure!
+
+The spectacles enabled the Prince to see through the cover; so he
+learned the secret at once, and knew why the King of the North was so
+anxious to possess himself of it, the great treasure being a pair of
+spectacles exactly like those hitherto always worn by the Dragon, and by
+him alone--which would keep the King informed of all that was going on
+in every corner of his kingdom, so that he could always punish or reward
+the right people and never make mistakes; also he could learn a great
+deal of his neighbours' affairs, which is pleasant even to a King.
+
+The Princess was overjoyed when she knew the casket was already found;
+she very nearly removed her hand in her eagerness to inspect it; but,
+fortunately, she remembered just in time, and kept quite still until
+Prince Sunshine had drawn his chariot so close that they could both get
+into it without moving out of reach of the Dragon's head.
+
+Then, placing the spectacles, not in their accustomed place, but on the
+ground just beneath, and laying the golden casket on the Princess's lap,
+the Prince said, as he gathered up the reins:
+
+"Now, my dearly beloved Crystal--really mine at last--take away your
+hand, and let us fly, without an instant's delay, to the Court of the
+King, your royal father."
+
+It is well they had prepared for immediate departure. Directly the
+Princess's hand was raised from the Dragon's head his senses returned to
+him, and, finding his mouth open ready for hissing, he hissed with all
+his angry might, and looked about for his spectacles that he might
+pursue and slay those who had robbed him; for, of course, he missed the
+casket at once.
+
+But he was a prisoner on that mountain and unable to leave it, though he
+flapped his great wings in terrible wrath when he saw the Prince and
+Princess, instead of driving down the miles and miles of mountain side
+as he had hoped, being carried by the fiery horses right through the
+air, where he could not reach them.
+
+They only laughed when they heard the hiss and the noise made by the
+useless flapping of wings. Prince Sunshine urged on his willing steeds,
+and they arrived at the Court just as the King, Crystal's father, was
+going to dinner; and he was so delighted at having the treasure he had
+so long coveted, that he ordered the marriage to take place at once.
+
+Prince Sunset called just in time to be best man, looking exceedingly
+gorgeous and handsome, though very disappointed to have lost the
+Princess; and the festivities were kept up all night, so that Prince
+Sunrise was able to offer his good wishes when he came early in the
+morning, flushed with the haste he had made to assure Prince Sunshine
+that he bore him no ill-will for having carried off the prize.
+
+Princess Crystal never returned to her palace, except to peep at it
+occasionally. She liked going everywhere with her husband, who, she
+found, lived by no means an idle life, but went about doing
+good--grumbled at sometimes, of course, for some people will grumble
+even at their best friend--but more generally loved and blessed by all
+who knew him.
+
+
+
+
+The Story of the Invisible Kingdom.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+The Story of the Invisible Kingdom.
+
+From the German of Richard Leander.
+
+
+IN a little house half-way up the mountain-side, and about a mile from
+the other houses of the village, there lived with his old father a young
+man called George. There was just enough land belonging to the house to
+enable the father and son to live free from care.
+
+Immediately behind the house the wood began, the oak trees and beech
+trees in which were so old that the grandchildren of the people who had
+planted them had been dead for more than a hundred years, but in front
+of the house there lay a broken old mill-stone--who knows how it got
+there? Any one sitting on the stone would have a wonderful view of the
+valley down below, with the river flowing through it, and of the
+mountains rising on the other side of the river. In the evening, when he
+had finished his work in the fields, George often sat here for hours at
+a time dreaming, with his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands;
+and because he cared little for the villagers, but generally went about
+silent and absorbed like one who is thinking of all sorts of things, the
+people nicknamed him "George the Dreamer." But he did not mind it at
+all.
+
+The older he grew, the more silent he became, and when at last his old
+father died, and he had buried him under a great old oak tree, he became
+quite silent. Then, when he sat on the broken mill-stone, as he did more
+often than before, and looked down into the lovely valley, and saw how
+the evening mists came into the valley at one end and slowly climbed the
+mountains, and how it then became darker and darker, until at last the
+moon and the stars appeared in the sky in their full glory, a wonderful
+feeling came into his heart. The waves of the river began to sing, quite
+softly at first, but gradually louder, until they could be heard quite
+plainly; and they sang of the mountains, down from which they had come,
+and of the sea, to which they wished to go, and of the nixies who lived
+far down at the bottom of the river. Then the forest began to rustle,
+quite differently from an ordinary forest, and it used to relate the
+most wonderful tales. The old oak tree especially, which stood at his
+father's grave, knew far more than all the other trees. The stars, high
+up in the sky, wanted so much to tumble down into the green forest and
+the blue water, that they twinkled and sparkled as if they could not
+bear it any longer. But the angels who stand behind the stars held them
+firmly in their places, and said: "Stars, stars, don't be foolish! You
+are much too old to do silly things--many thousand years old, and more.
+Stay quietly in your places."
+
+[Illustration: "IN THE SWING SAT A CHARMING PRINCESS" (_p._ 20).]
+
+It was truly a wonderful valley! But it was only George the Dreamer who
+heard and saw all that. The people who lived in the valley had not a
+suspicion of it, for they were quite ordinary people. Now and then they
+hewed down a huge old tree, cut it up into firewood, and made a high
+stack, and then they said: "Now we shall be able to make our coffee
+again for some time." In the river they washed their clothes; it was
+very convenient. And even when the stars sparkled most beautifully, they
+only said, "It will be very cold to-night: let us hope our potatoes
+won't freeze." Once George the Dreamer tried to bring them to see
+differently, but they only laughed at him. They were just quite ordinary
+people.
+
+Now, one day as he was sitting on the mill-stone and thinking that he
+was quite alone in the world, he fell asleep. Then he dreamt that he
+saw, hanging down from the sky, a golden swing, which was fastened to
+two stars by silver ropes. In the swing sat a charming Princess, who was
+swinging so high that each time she touched the sky, then the earth, and
+then the sky again. Each time the swing came near the earth, the
+Princess clapped her hands with joy and threw George the Dreamer a rose.
+But suddenly the ropes broke, and the swing, with the Princess, flew far
+into the sky, farther and farther, until at last he could see it no
+longer.
+
+Then he woke up, and when he looked round, he saw a great bunch of
+roses lying beside him on the mill-stone.
+
+The next day he went to sleep again, and dreamt the same thing, and when
+he woke up the roses were lying on the stone by his side.
+
+This happened every day for a whole week. Then George said to himself
+that some part of the dream must be true, because he always dreamt
+exactly the same thing. So he shut up his house, and set out to seek the
+Princess.
+
+After he had travelled for many days, he saw in the distance a country
+where the clouds touched the earth. He hastened towards it, but came, on
+his way, to a large forest. Here he suddenly heard fearful groans and
+cries, and on approaching the place from which they seemed to come, he
+saw a venerable old man with a silver-grey beard lying on the ground.
+Two horribly ugly, naked fellows were kneeling on him, trying to
+strangle him. Then George the Dreamer looked round to see whether he
+could find some sort of weapon with which to run the two fellows through
+the body; but he could find nothing, so, in mortal terror, he tore down
+a huge tree-trunk. He had scarcely seized it when it changed in his
+hands into a mighty halberd. Then he rushed at the two monsters, and ran
+them through the body, and they let go the old man and ran away howling.
+
+Then George lifted the old man up and comforted him, and asked him why
+the two fellows had wanted to choke him. The old man said that he was
+the King of Dreams, and had come by mistake into the kingdom of his
+greatest enemy, the King of Realities. The latter, as soon as he noticed
+this, had sent two of his servants to lie in wait for him and kill him.
+
+"Have you then done the King of Realities any harm?" asked George the
+Dreamer.
+
+"God forbid!" the old man assured him. "He is always very easily
+provoked, that is his character. And me he hates like poison."
+
+"But the fellows he sent to strangle you were quite naked!"
+
+"Yes, indeed," said the King, "stark naked. That is fashion in the land
+of Realities; all the people, even the King, go about naked, and are not
+at all ashamed. They are an abominable nation. But now, since you have
+saved my life, I will prove my gratitude to you by showing you my
+country. It is the most glorious country in the whole world, and Dreams
+are my subjects."
+
+Then the Dream-King went on in front and George followed him. When they
+came to the place where the clouds touched the earth, the King showed
+him a trap-door that was so well hidden in the thicket that not even a
+person who knew it was there would have been able to find it. He lifted
+it up and led his companion down five hundred steps into a brightly
+lighted grotto that stretched for miles in undiminished splendour. It
+was unspeakably beautiful. There were castles on islands in the midst of
+large lakes, and the islands floated about like ships. If you wished to
+go into one of them, all you had to do was to stand on the bank and call
+out:--
+
+    Little castle, swim to me,
+    That I may get into thee.
+
+[Illustration: "GEORGE COULD DO NOTHING BUT WONDER AND ADMIRE" (_p._
+24).]
+
+Then it came to the shore by itself. Farther on were other castles, on
+clouds, floating slowly in the air. But if you said:--
+
+    Float down, little castle in the air,
+    Take me up to see thy beauties rare,
+
+they slowly floated down. Besides these, there were gardens with flowers
+which gave out a sweet smell by day, and a bright light by night;
+beautifully tinted birds, which told stories; and a host of other
+wonderful things. George could do nothing but wonder and admire.
+
+"Now I will show you my subjects, the Dreams," said the King. "I have
+three kinds--good Dreams for good people, bad Dreams for bad people, and
+also Dream-goblins. With the last I amuse myself now and then, for a
+King must sometimes have a joke."
+
+So he took George into one of the castles, which was so queerly built
+that it looked irresistibly comical.
+
+"Here the Dream-goblins live: they are a tiny, high-spirited, roguish
+lot--never do any harm, but love to tease." Then he called to one of the
+goblins: "Come here, little man, and be serious a moment for once in
+your life. Do you know," he continued, addressing George, "what this
+rogue does if I, once in a way, allow him to go down to the earth? He
+runs to the next house, drags the first man he comes across, who is
+sound asleep, out of bed, carries him to the church tower, and throws
+him down, head over heels. Then he rushes down the stairs so as to reach
+the bottom first, catches the man, carries him home, and flings him so
+roughly into bed that the bedstead creaks horribly. Then the man wakes
+up, rubs the sleep out of his eyes, and says: 'Dear me! I thought I was
+falling from the church tower. What a good thing it was only a dream.'"
+
+"Is that the one?" cried George. "Look here, he has been to me before;
+but if he comes again, and I catch him, it will be the worse for him."
+He had scarcely finished speaking when another goblin sprang out from
+under the table. He looked like a little dog, for he had a very ragged
+waistcoat on, and he let his tongue hang out of his mouth.
+
+"He is not much better," said the King. "He barks like a dog, and is as
+strong as a giant. When people in their dreams are frightened at
+something, he holds their hands and feet so that they cannot move."
+
+"I know him, too," interrupted George. "When you want to run away, you
+feel as stiff and stark as a piece of wood. If you want to move your
+arms or your legs, you can't do it. But often it is not a dog, but a
+bear, or a robber, or some other horrid thing."
+
+"I will never allow them to come to you again, George the Dreamer," the
+King assured him. "Now come and see the bad Dreams. But don't be afraid,
+they won't do you any harm--they are only for bad people."
+
+Then they passed through a great iron door into a vast space, inclosed
+by a high wall. Here the most terrible shapes and most horrible monsters
+were crowded together; some looked like men, others like animals, others
+were half men and half animals. George was terrified, and made his way
+back to the iron door. But the King spoke kindly to him, and persuaded
+him to see more closely what wicked people have to dream. Beckoning to a
+Dream that stood near--a hideous giant, with a mill-wheel under each
+arm--he commanded him to tell them what he was going to do that night.
+
+Then the monster raised his shoulders, wriggled about with joy, grinned
+until his mouth met his ears, and said: "I am going to the rich man, who
+has let his father starve. One day, when the old man was sitting on the
+stone steps before his son's house, begging for bread, the son came and
+said to the servants: 'Drive away that fellow.' So I go to him at night
+and pass him through my mill-wheels, until all his bones are broken into
+tiny pieces. When he is properly soft and quivering, I take him by the
+collar and shake him and say, 'See how you tremble now, you fellow!'
+Then he wakes up with his teeth chattering, and calls to his wife to
+bring him another blanket, for he is freezing. And when he has fallen
+asleep once more, I begin it all again."
+
+When George the Dreamer heard this, he rushed out through the door,
+dragging the King after him, and crying out that he would not stay a
+moment longer with the bad Dreams. They were too horrible!
+
+The King next led him into a lovely garden where the paths were of
+silver, the beds of gold, and the flowers, beautifully cut precious
+stones. Here the good Dreams were walking up and down. The first he saw
+was a pale young woman, with a Noah's Ark under one arm, and a box of
+bricks under the other.
+
+"Who is that?" asked the Dreamer.
+
+[Illustration: "GEORGE CRIED OUT THAT HE WOULD NOT STAY A MOMENT LONGER"
+(_p._ 26).]
+
+"She goes every evening to a little sick boy, whose mother is dead. He
+is quite alone all day, and no one troubles about him, but towards
+evening she goes to him, plays with him, and stays the whole night. She
+goes early, because he goes to sleep early. The other Dreams go much
+later. Let us proceed; if you want to see everything, we must make
+haste."
+
+Then they went farther into the garden, into the midst of the good
+Dreams. There were men, women, old men, and children, all with dear,
+good faces, and most beautifully dressed. Many of them were carrying all
+sorts of things: everything that the heart can possibly wish for.
+Suddenly George stood still and cried out so loudly that all the Dreams
+turned round to look.
+
+"What is the matter?" said the King.
+
+"There is my Princess--she who has so often appeared to me, and who gave
+me the roses," George the Dreamer answered, in an ecstasy.
+
+"Certainly, certainly, it is she," said the King. "Have I not sent you a
+very pretty Dream? It is almost the prettiest I have."
+
+Then George ran up to the Princess, who was sitting swinging in her
+little golden swing. As soon as she saw him coming she sprang down into
+his arms. But he took her by the hand and led her to a golden bench, on
+which they both sat down, telling one another how sweet it was to meet
+again! And when they had finished saying so, they began again. The King
+of Dreams meanwhile walked up and down the broad path which goes
+straight through the garden, with his hands behind his back. Now and
+then he took out his watch, to see how the time was getting on; for
+George the Dreamer and the Princess never came to an end of what they
+had to say to one another. At length he went to them, and said:
+
+"That's enough, children. You, Dreamer, are far from your home, and I
+cannot keep you here over-night, for I have no beds. You see, the Dreams
+never sleep, but have to go up every night to men on the earth. And you,
+Princess, must make yourself ready; dress yourself all in pink, and then
+come to me, so that I may tell you to whom you must appear to-night, and
+what you must say."
+
+When George the Dreamer heard this, he felt more courageous than ever
+before in his life. Standing up, he said firmly: "My lord the King, I
+will never more leave my Princess. You must either keep me here below or
+let her go up with me to the earth: I love her much too much to live
+without her." Then a tear big as a hazel-nut came into each of his eyes.
+
+"But George, George," answered the King, "it is the prettiest dream I
+have. Still, you saved my life; so have your own way; take your Princess
+up with you. But as soon as you have got on to the earth take off her
+silver veil, and throw it down to me through the trap-door. Then she
+will be of flesh and blood like every other child of man; now she is
+only a Dream."
+
+George the Dreamer thanked the King most heartily, and then said: "Dear
+King, because you are so very good I should like to ask for one thing
+more. I have a Princess now--but no kingdom. A Princess without a
+kingdom is impossible. Cannot you get me one, if it is only a small
+one?"
+
+Then the King answered: "I have no visible kingdoms to give away,
+Dreamer, only invisible ones; one of the latter you shall have, one of
+the biggest and best that I possess."
+
+Then George asked what invisible kingdoms were like. The King told him
+he would find that out, and would be amazed at their beauty and
+magnificence.
+
+"You see," he said, "it is often very unpleasant to have anything to do
+with ordinary, visible kingdoms. For example: suppose you are an
+ordinary King, and early one morning your Minister comes to your bedside
+and says: 'Your Majesty, I want a hundred pounds for the kingdom.' Then
+you open your treasury and find not even a farthing in it! What are you
+to do? Or again, you wage war and lose, and the King who has conquered
+you marries your Princess, and shuts you up in a tower. Such things
+cannot happen in invisible kingdoms."
+
+"But if we cannot see it, of what use would our kingdom be to us?" asked
+George, still somewhat puzzled.
+
+"You strange man," said the King, and pointing to his forehead, he
+continued: "You and your Princess see it well enough. You see the
+castles and gardens, the meadows and forests which belong to your
+kingdom. You live in it, walk in it, do what you like with it. It is
+only other people who do not see it."
+
+[Illustration: "THEY LIFTED UP THE CLOTH AND BEGAN TO SPREAD IT OUT"
+(_p._ 32).]
+
+Then the Dreamer was highly delighted, for he was beginning to be afraid
+lest the village people should look enviously at him if he came home
+with his Princess and was King. He took a very touching leave of the
+King of Dreams, climbed the five hundred steps with his Princess, took
+the silver veil off her head and threw it down. Then he wanted to shut
+the trap-door, but it was so heavy that he could not hold it. So he let
+it fall, and the noise it made was as great as the noise of many cannons
+shot off at the same time, and for a moment he became unconscious. When
+he came to himself again he was sitting in front of his cottage with the
+Princess sitting on the mill-stone at his side, and she was of flesh and
+blood like any other person. She was holding his hand, stroking it, and
+saying: "You dear, good, stupid man, you have not dared tell me how much
+you love me for such a long time. Have you been very much afraid of me?"
+
+And the moon rose and illumined the river, the waves beat against the
+banks, and the forest rustled, but they still sat there and talked.
+Suddenly it seemed as if a small black cloud was passing over the moon,
+and all at once something like a large folded shawl fell at their feet;
+then the moon stood out again in her full glory. They lifted up the
+cloth and began to spread it out. But they took a long time over this,
+for it was very fine and folded many hundred times. When it was quite
+spread out, it looked like a large map; in the middle was a river, and
+on both sides were towns, forests, and lakes. Then they noticed that it
+was a kingdom, and knew that the good Dream-King must have sent it down
+to them from the sky. And when they looked at their little cottage it
+had become a beautiful castle, with glass stairs, marble walls, velvet
+carpets, and pointed blue-tiled towers. Then they took hands and went
+into the castle, where their subjects were already assembled. The
+servants bowed low, drums and trumpets sounded, and little pages went
+before them strewing flowers. They were King and Queen.
+
+The next morning the news that George the Dreamer had come back, and had
+brought a wife with him, ran like wildfire through the village. "She is
+probably very clever," the people said. "I saw her early this morning,
+when I went into the forest," said a peasant; "she was standing at the
+door with him. She is nothing special, quite an ordinary person, small
+and delicate-looking, and rather shabbily dressed. What did he see in
+her? He has nothing, and she probably has nothing!"
+
+So the stupid people chattered, for they could not see that she was a
+Princess; and in their stupidity they did not see that the house had
+changed into a great, wonderful castle--for the kingdom that had come
+down from the sky for George the Dreamer was an invisible one. So he did
+not trouble about the stupid people, but lived happily and contentedly
+in his kingdom with his Princess, who presented him with six children,
+each one more beautiful than the other, and they were all six Princes
+and Princesses. But no one in the village knew it, for they were quite
+ordinary people, and much too silly to notice it.
+
+
+
+
+How Sampo Lappelill saw the Mountain King.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+HOW SAMPO LAPPELILL SAW THE MOUNTAIN KING.
+
+From the Swedish of Z. Topelius.
+
+
+FAR away in Lapland, at a place called Aimio, near the River Jana, there
+lived, in a little hut, a Laplander and his wife, with their small son,
+Sampo.
+
+Sampo Lappelill was now between seven and eight years of age. He had
+black hair, brown eyes, a snub nose, and a wide mouth, which last is
+considered a mark of beauty in curious Lapland. Sampo was a strong child
+for his age; he delighted to dance down the hills in his little
+snow-shoes, and to drive his own reindeer in his own little sledge. The
+snow whirled about him as he passed through the deep drifts, until
+nothing of him could be seen except the tuft of his black forelock.
+
+"I shall never feel comfortable while he is from home!" said the mother.
+"He may meet Hisue's reindeer with the golden antlers."
+
+Sampo overheard these words, and wondered what reindeer it could be that
+had golden antlers. "It must be a splendid animal!" said he; "how much I
+should like to drive to Rastekais with it!" Rastekais is a high, dreary
+mountain, and can be seen from Aimio, from which it is five or six miles
+distant.
+
+"You audacious boy!" exclaimed the mother; "how dare you talk so?
+Rastekais is the home of the trolls, and Hisue dwells there also."
+
+"Who is Hisue?" inquired Sampo.
+
+"What ears that boy has!" thought the Lapp-wife. "But I ought not to
+have spoken of such things in his presence; the best thing I can do now
+is to frighten him well." Then she said aloud: "Take care, Lappelill,
+that you never go near Rastekais, for there lives Hisue, the Mountain
+King, who can eat a whole reindeer at one mouthful, and who swallows
+little boys like flies."
+
+Upon hearing these words, Sampo could not help thinking what good fun it
+would be to have a peep at such a wonderful being--from a safe distance,
+of course!
+
+Three or four weeks had elapsed since Christmas, and darkness brooded
+still over Lapland. There was no morning, noon, or evening; it was
+always night. Sampo was feeling dull. It was so long since he had seen
+the sun that he had nearly forgotten what it was like. Yet he did not
+desire the return of summer, for the only thing he remembered about that
+season was that it was a time when the gnats stung very severely. His
+one wish was that it might soon become light enough for him to use his
+snow-shoes.
+
+One day, at noon (although it was dark), Sampo's father said: "Come
+here! I have something to show you."
+
+Sampo came out of the hut. His father pointed towards the south.
+
+"Do you know what that is?" asked he.
+
+"A southern light," replied the boy.
+
+"No," said his father, "it is the herald of the sun. To-morrow, maybe,
+or the day after that, we shall see the sun himself. Look, Sampo, how
+weirdly the red light glows on the top of Rastekais!"
+
+Sampo perceived that the snow upon the gloomy summit, which had been so
+long shrouded in darkness, was coloured red. Again the idea flashed into
+his mind what a grand sight the terrible Mountain King would be--from a
+distance. The boy brooded on this for the remainder of the day, and
+throughout half the night, when he should have been asleep.
+
+He thought, and thought, until at length he crept silently out of the
+reindeer skins which formed his bed, and then through the door-hole. The
+cold was intense. Far above him the stars were shining, the snow
+scrunched beneath his feet. Sampo Lappelill was a brave boy, who did not
+fear the cold. He was, moreover, well wrapped up in fur. He stood gazing
+at the stars, considering what to do next.
+
+Then he heard a suggestive sound. His little reindeer pawed the ground
+with its feet. "Why should I not take a drive?" thought Sampo, and
+proceeded straightway to put his thought into action. He harnessed the
+reindeer to the sledge, and drove forth into the wilderness of snow.
+
+"I will drive only a little way towards Rastekais," said Sampo to
+himself, and off he went, crossing the frozen River Jana to the opposite
+shore, which--although the child was unaware of this fact--belonged to
+the kingdom of Norway.
+
+As Sampo drove, he sang a bright little song. The wolves were running
+round his sledge like grey dogs, but he did not mind them. He knew well
+that no wolf could keep pace with his dear, swift little reindeer. Up
+hill and down dale he drove on, with the wind whistling in his ears. The
+moon seemed to be racing with him, and the rocks to be running
+backwards. It was thoroughly delightful!
+
+Alas! at a sudden turning upon the downward slope of a hill the sledge
+overturned, and Sampo was pitched into a snow-drift. The reindeer did
+not observe this, and, in the belief that its master was still sitting
+behind it, it ran on. Sampo could not cry "Stop!" for his mouth was
+stuffed with snow.
+
+He lay there in the darkness, in the midst of the vast snowy wilderness,
+in which was no human habitation for miles around.
+
+At first, he naturally felt somewhat bewildered. He scrambled unhurt out
+of the big snow-drift. Then, by the wan moonlight, he saw that he was
+surrounded on all sides by snow-drifts and huge mountains. One mountain
+towered above the others, and this he knew must be Rastekais, the home
+of the fierce Mountain King, who swallowed little boys like flies!
+
+[Illustration: "THEY WENT OFF AT A GALLOP" (_p._ 42).]
+
+Sampo Lappelill was frightened now, and heartily wished himself safe at
+home. But how was he to get there?
+
+There sat the poor child, alone in the darkness, amongst the desolate,
+snow-covered rocks, with the big, black shadow of Rastekais frowning
+down upon him. As he wept his tears froze immediately, and rolled down
+over his jacket in little round lumps like peas; so Sampo thought that
+he had better leave off crying, and run about in order to keep himself
+warm.
+
+"Rather than freeze to death here," he said to himself, "I would go
+straight to the Mountain King. If he has a mind to swallow me, he must
+do so, I suppose; but I shall advise him to eat instead some of the
+wolves in this neighbourhood. They are much fatter than I, and their fur
+would not be so difficult to swallow."
+
+Sampo began to ascend the mountain. Before he had gone far, he heard the
+trotting of some creature behind him, and a moment after a large wolf
+overtook him. Although inwardly trembling, Sampo would not betray his
+fear. He shouted:
+
+"Keep out of my way! I am the bearer of a message to the King, and you
+hinder me at your peril!"
+
+"Dear me!" said the wolf (on Rastekais all the animals can speak). "And,
+pray, what little shrimp are you, wriggling through the snow?"
+
+"My name is Sampo Lappelill," replied the boy. "Who are you?"
+
+"I," answered the wolf, "am first gentleman-usher to the Mountain King.
+I have just been all over the kingdom to call together his subjects for
+the great sun festival. As you are going my way, you may, if you please,
+get upon my back, and so ride up the mountain."
+
+Sampo instantly accepted the invitation. He climbed upon the shaggy back
+of the wolf, and they went off at a gallop.
+
+"What do you mean by the sun festival?" inquired Sampo.
+
+"Don't you know _that_?" said the wolf. "We celebrate the sun's feast
+the day he first appears on the horizon after the long night of winter.
+All trolls, goblins, and animals in the north then assemble on
+Rastekais, and on that day they are not permitted to hurt each other.
+Lucky it was for you, my boy, that you came here to-day. On any other
+day, I should have devoured you long ago."
+
+"Is the King bound by the same law?" asked Sampo anxiously.
+
+"Of course he is," answered the wolf. "From one hour before sunrise
+until one hour after sunset he will not dare to harm you. If, however,
+you are on the mountain when the time expires, you will be in great
+danger. For the King will then seize whoever comes first, and a thousand
+bears and a hundred thousand wolves will also be ready to rush upon you.
+There will soon be an end of Sampo Lappelill!"
+
+"But perhaps, sir," said Sampo timidly, "you would be so kind as to help
+me back again before the danger begins?"
+
+The wolf laughed. "Don't count on any such thing, my dear Sampo; on the
+contrary, I mean to seize you first myself. You are such a very nice,
+plump little boy! I see that you have been fattened on reindeer milk and
+cheese. You will be splendid for breakfast to-morrow morning!"
+
+Sampo began to think that his best course might be to jump off the
+wolf's back at once. But it was too late. They had now arrived at the
+top of Rastekais. Many curious and marvellous things were there to be
+seen. There sat the terrible Mountain King on his throne of cloudy
+rocks, gazing out over the snow-fields. He wore on his head a cap of
+white snow-clouds; his eyes were like a full moon; his nose resembled a
+mountain-ridge. His mouth was an abyss; his beard was like tufts of
+immense icicles; his arms were as thick and strong as fir trees; his
+coat was like an enormous snow-mountain. Sampo Lappelill had a good view
+of the King and his subjects, for a bow of dazzling northern lights
+shone in the sky and illuminated the scene.
+
+All around the King stood millions of goblins, trolls, and brownies;
+tiny, grey creatures, who had come from remotest parts of the world to
+worship the sun. This they did from fear, not from love; for trolls and
+goblins hate the sun, and always hope that he will never return when
+they see him disappear at the end of summer.
+
+Farther off stood all the animals of Lapland, thousands and thousands of
+them of all sizes; from the bear, the wolf, and the glutton, to the
+little mountain-rat, and the brisk, tiny reindeer-flea. No gnats
+appeared, however; _they_ had all been frozen.
+
+Sampo was greatly astonished at what he saw. Unobserved, he slipped from
+the wolf's back, and hid behind a ponderous stone, to watch the
+proceedings.
+
+[Illustration: "THE TERRIBLE MOUNTAIN KING" (_p._ 44).]
+
+The Mountain King shook his head, and the snow whirled about him. The
+northern lights shone around his head like a crown of glory, sending
+long, red streamers across the deep blue sky; they whizzed and sparkled,
+expanded and drew together, fading sometimes, then again darting out
+like lightning over the snow-clad mountains. This performance amused the
+King. He clapped with his icy hands until the sound echoed like thunder,
+causing the trolls to scream with joy, and the animals to howl with
+fear. At this the King was still more delighted, and he shouted across
+the desert:
+
+"This is to my mind! Eternal darkness! Eternal night! May they never
+end!"
+
+"May they never end!" repeated all the trolls at the top of their
+voices. Then arose a dispute amongst the animals. All the beasts of prey
+agreed with the trolls, but the reindeer and other gentle creatures felt
+that they should like to have summer back again, although they disliked
+the gnats that would certainly return with it. One creature alone was
+ready to welcome summer quite unreservedly. This was the reindeer-flea.
+She piped out as loudly as she could:
+
+"If you please, your Majesty, have we not come here to worship the sun,
+and to watch for his coming?"
+
+"Nonsense!" growled a polar bear. "Our meeting here springs from a
+stupid old custom. The sooner it ends the better! In my opinion, the sun
+has set for ever; he is dead!"
+
+At these words the animals shuddered, but the trolls and goblins were
+much pleased with them, and reiterated them gaily, shaking with laughter
+to such an extent that their tiny caps fell off their heads. Then the
+King roared, in a voice of thunder:
+
+"Yea! Dead is the sun! Now must the whole world worship me, the King of
+Eternal Night and Eternal Winter!"
+
+Sampo, sitting behind the stone, was so greatly enraged by this speech
+that he came forth from his hiding-place, exclaiming:
+
+"That, O King, is a lie as big as yourself! The sun is _not_ dead, for
+only yesterday I saw his forerunner. He will be here very shortly,
+bringing sweet summer with him, and thawing the icicles in your funny,
+frozen beard!"
+
+[Illustration: "'That, O King, is a lie as big as yourself!' exclaimed
+Sampo." _page 46_]
+
+The King's brow grew black as a thunder-cloud. Forgetful of the law, he
+lifted his tremendous arm to strike Sampo; but at that moment the
+northern light faded. A red streak shot suddenly across the sky, shining
+with such brilliancy into the King's face that it entirely dazzled him.
+His arm fell useless at his side. Then the golden sun rose in slow
+stateliness on the horizon, and that flood of glorious light caused even
+those who had rejoiced in his supposed death to welcome his
+re-appearance.
+
+But the goblins were considerably astonished. From under their red caps
+they stared at the sun with their little grey eyes, and grew so excited
+that they stood on their heads in the snow. The beard of the
+Mountain King began to melt and drip, until it was flowing down his
+jacket like a running stream.
+
+By-and-by, Sampo heard a reindeer say to her little one:
+
+"Come, my child, we must be going, or we shall be eaten by the wolves."
+
+"Such will be _my_ fate also if I linger longer," thought Sampo. So he
+sprang upon the back of a beautiful reindeer with golden antlers, which
+started off with him at once, darting down the rocks with lightning
+speed.
+
+"What is that rustling sound that I hear behind us?" asked the boy
+presently.
+
+"It is made by the thousand bears; they are pursuing us in order to eat
+us up," replied the reindeer. "You need not fear, however, for I am the
+King's own enchanted reindeer, and no bear has ever been able as yet to
+nibble my heels!"
+
+They went on in silence for a time, then Sampo put another question.
+
+"What," asked he, "is that strange panting I hear behind us?"
+
+"That," returned the reindeer, "is made by the hundred thousand wolves;
+they are at full gallop behind us, and wish to tear us in pieces. But
+fear nothing from them! No wolf has ever beaten me in a race yet!"
+
+Again Sampo spoke:
+
+"Is it not thundering over there amongst the rocky mountains?"
+
+"No," answered the now trembling reindeer; "that noise is made by the
+King, who is chasing us. Now, indeed, all hope has fled, for no one can
+escape _him_!"
+
+"Can we do nothing?" asked Sampo.
+
+"There is no safety to be found here," said the reindeer, "but there is
+just one chance for us. We must try to reach the priest's house over
+yonder by Lake Enare. Once there, we shall be safe, for the King has no
+power over Christians."
+
+"Oh, make haste! make haste! dear reindeer!" cried Sampo, "and you shall
+feed on golden oats, and out of a silver manger."
+
+On sped the reindeer. As they entered the priest's house, the Mountain
+King crossed the courtyard, and knocked at the door with such violence
+that it is a wonder he did not knock the house down.
+
+"Who is there?" called the priest from within.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"It is I!" answered a thundering voice; "it is the mighty Mountain
+King! Open the door! You have there a child, whom I claim as my prey."
+
+"Wait a moment!" cried the priest. "Permit me to robe myself, in order
+that I may give your Majesty a worthier reception."
+
+"All right!" roared the King; "but be quick about it, or I may break
+down your walls!" A moment later he raised his enormous foot for a kick,
+yelling: "Are you not ready yet?"
+
+Then the priest opened the door, and said solemnly, "Begone, King of
+Night and Winter! Sampo Lappelill is under my protection, and he shall
+never be yours!"
+
+Upon this, the King flew into such a violent passion that he exploded in
+a great storm of snow and wind. The flakes fell and fell, until the snow
+reached the roof of the priest's house, so that every one inside it
+expected to be buried alive. But as soon as the sun rose, the snow began
+to melt, and all was well. The Mountain King had completely vanished,
+and no one knows exactly what became of him, although some think that he
+is still reigning on Rastekais.
+
+Sampo thanked the priest heartily for his kindness, and begged, as an
+additional favour, the loan of a sledge. To this sledge the boy
+harnessed the golden-antlered reindeer, and drove home to his parents,
+who were exceedingly glad to see him.
+
+How Sampo became a great man, who fed his reindeer with golden oats out
+of a silver manger, is too lengthy a story to tell now.
+
+
+
+
+The Witch-Dancer's Doom.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+THE WITCH-DANCER'S DOOM.
+
+A BRETON LEGEND.
+
+
+I.
+
+LONG, long ago, in the days of good King Arthur, Count Morriss dwelt in
+the old chateau of La Roche Morice, near Landerneau, in Brittany. With
+him lived his beautiful niece, Katel. Although charming in face and
+figure, this maiden had a somewhat uncanny reputation. For it was
+said--and with reason--that she was a witch.
+
+The Count had often urged Katel to marry, but in vain. The lady had no
+mind to lose her freedom. Dancing was the one passion of her life.
+"When," said she, "I can find a knight who shall be able to dance
+continuously with me for twelve hours, with no break, to him I promise
+to give my hand!"
+
+This scornful challenge was proclaimed by heralds in every neighbouring
+town and hamlet. In response came many wooers to attempt the impossible
+task. Those whom Katel favoured she made her partners at the rustic
+fetes and open-air dances which were then in vogue. In the soft-swarded
+meadows, by sunlight or starlight, the dancers would meet, and, to the
+dreamy music of the pipes, eager couples would whirl until the hills
+around began to blush in the light of the early dawn. The wildest,
+giddiest, yet most graceful of the throng was Katel, who danced madly on
+until one by one her partners sank fainting upon the ground, and death
+released them from the heartless sorceress who had lured them into her
+toils.
+
+Thus perished many suitors, until the cruel maiden became an object of
+general hatred and horror. When her doings came to the ears of the
+Count, he sternly forbade her to attend any more of the dances. In order
+to enforce her obedience, he shut her up in a tower, where, said he, she
+was to remain until she should choose a husband from among such suitors
+as still persisted in offering her marriage.
+
+Now, Katel had a wizened little page, no bigger than a leveret, and as
+black as a raven's wing. This creature she summoned to her one morning
+before dawn, and, with her finger at her lips, she said to him: "Be
+swift and silent! My uncle still slumbers. Get thee gone by the ladder,
+and his thee to the castle of Salauen, who is waiting for a message from
+her he loves. The guards will allow thee to pass; take horse, ride like
+the wind, and tell Salauen that Katel calls him to deliver her from this
+tower before the day dawns."
+
+[Illustration: "KATEL TURNED COLDLY AWAY" (_p._ 57).]
+
+The infatuated young knight obeyed the summons immediately. In an
+hour's time he was assisting the lady to mount his horse, after having
+got her in safety down the rope-ladder. As, from the window of the
+donjon, the dwarf watched them ride away, he chuckled to himself:
+
+"Ha! ha! And so they are off to the great ball held to-day in the
+Martyrs' Meadow! Ah, my dear Salauen! before another sun shall rise your
+death-knell will be tolled!"
+
+
+II.
+
+When Katel and her gallant cavalier arrived at the Martyrs' Meadow, they
+excited general surprise and admiration. Some, however, shook their
+heads forebodingly, as they heard that Salauen, now Katel's affianced
+lover, was to be her partner, for they knew that the brave young knight
+must needs fall a victim to her spell.
+
+The ball began. Some of the most skilful pipers in the land had been
+engaged for the occasion, and they played gavottes, rondes, courantes,
+and many other dances, without intermission. But Katel waited until
+night came and the torches were lit. Then she took Salauen's hand and
+they began to dance together.
+
+"Round again! Once more! Ha! ha!" laughed the witch-maiden, as they spun
+along. "What! are you tired already? Do you give in so soon as this?"
+
+"Never--while I am with _you_!" was the fervent reply. The fatal spell
+had begun to work.
+
+Thus on they whirled, yet more swiftly than before, so that the other
+dancers stood aside to watch them. After a time, however, Katel observed
+that her partner was gradually becoming weaker, and that he would soon
+be unable to keep pace with her.
+
+"Courage!" exclaimed she, in a bantering tone. "We cannot stop yet; it
+wants but a very short time to midnight, and then I shall be yours!"
+
+Salauen, although almost exhausted, strained every nerve and muscle in a
+frantic, final effort to continue the dance. Round the field they flew,
+at lightning speed; but it was for the last time. The knight's knees
+shook--his breath came more quickly--then with difficulty he gasped out
+the words:
+
+"Oh, Katel! have mercy! I can do no more! Katel, my love, have I not won
+you yet?"
+
+But as he sank lifeless upon the grass Katel turned coldly away. His
+fate was nothing to her. At that moment the clock in a neighbouring
+tower struck twelve. All the lights flickered and expired; darkness
+reigned supreme. And through the darkness, shrilling high above every
+other sound, rang the mocking laugh of the impish dwarf.
+
+
+III.
+
+"What!" exclaimed Katel derisively, glancing angrily at the worn-out
+pipers, who had at last paused in their wild music, "exhausted already
+by such slight exertions? I wish the Evil One would send me some
+musicians and dancers worthy of me! Of what use are these miserable,
+puny creatures?"
+
+As she uttered the words, stamping her foot in her fury, a weird, red
+light gleamed in the sky; there was a terrible peal of thunder, and a
+strange stir in the trees. Then suddenly, in the centre of the field,
+appeared two phantom forms, at the sight of whom the panic-stricken
+by-standers would fain have fled. To their horror, however, they found
+flight impossible; they were rooted to the spot!
+
+One of the phantoms was attired in a red garment, covered with a black
+cloak. Beneath his arm he held a large double pipe, coiled around which
+were five hissing, writhing serpents. The other stranger, who was
+exceedingly tall, was dressed in a tightly fitting black suit, and
+heavy, red mantle, while upon his head waved an imposing tuft of
+vultures' plumes.
+
+The ghostly piper began at once to play an unearthly dance-tune, so wild
+and maddening that it made all the hearers tremble. His tall, grim
+companion seized Katel by the waist, and the couple whirled round to the
+mad measure, which grew ever faster and more furious. In an instant the
+torches were relit. A few others joined in the dance; not for long,
+however. Katel and her phantom were soon the only dancers. Shriller
+still shrieked the pipes, faster yet grew the music, more and more
+swiftly spun the feet. Ere long the witch-maiden felt that her strength
+was deserting her; the torches swam before her eyes, and, in the last
+extremity of terror, she struggled to release herself from the iron grip
+which held her so relentlessly.
+
+"What! so soon tired?" cried the spectre, jeering at her. "Do you give
+in so soon as this? Come! round once more! Ha! ha!"
+
+[Illustration: "THE COUPLE WHIRLED ROUND TO THE MAD MEASURE" (_p._ 58).]
+
+Thus was Katel treated as she had treated others. She had no breath
+left wherewith to answer; her last hour had come. She made one more
+wild, despairing bound, then fell to the ground in the throes of death.
+At the same moment, the phantoms vanished. There was a vivid
+lightning-blaze, a terrific crash of thunder; then fell black darkness
+hiding everything. A tempestuous wind arose, and rain fell in torrents.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+When the storm had cleared, and the morning sun shone out, those who
+found courage to visit the spot beheld the forms of Katel and her lover
+Salauen lying dead upon the shrivelled turf.
+
+Ever since that time, the spot has been shunned by all, and still, by
+their firesides on the winter nights, the peasants tell the tale of
+Katel, the witch-dancer, and her fearful fate.
+
+
+
+
+The Three Valleys.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+THE THREE VALLEYS.
+
+From the German.
+
+
+IN olden days there lived a Count, who had many castles and estates, and
+a most beautiful daughter, but no one would associate with him, for it
+was rumoured he was in league with the Evil One; indeed, from time to
+time one or other of his servants most mysteriously disappeared.
+
+The last who disappeared was the shepherd. One evening he did not return
+to the castle. Search was made for him throughout the village, but in
+vain; no trace of him could be found. After this no one would enter the
+Count's service as shepherd; but at last, a bold, handsome youth
+presented himself; he had travelled far as a soldier, and cared nothing
+for evil spirits. The Count immediately engaged him, and said he could
+take the sheep to feed wherever he liked, only he must never go into the
+three valleys to the east of the castle. For a time all went well; the
+young man drove the sheep into the rich meadows around the castle as
+his master had ordered, and led a very comfortable life. But he was
+always thinking of the three valleys, and being a brave youth who did
+not fear evil spirits, he one day took the cross-bow and bolts he had
+used when soldiering, put a new string to his bow, and said, as he
+struck his rusty spear against the ground:
+
+"I will see who will venture to harm me in the three valleys; it will
+fare badly with him, I think."
+
+Going towards the east, he soon arrived with his sheep in the first
+valley, where he found beautiful meadows in which he could safely leave
+his flock. He looked carefully around, but, except the butterflies
+fluttering to and fro, and the humming of the bees, there was neither
+sound nor movement. Then he sat down beneath an oak and began to play on
+his pipe; suddenly, in the wood near, arose a crashing and cracking as
+if some mighty animal were breaking through the bushes, and, before our
+shepherd could fix a bolt in his cross-bow, a powerful giant stood
+before him and cried:
+
+"What are you doing here with your grass-eaters, destroying my meadows,
+you insolent fellow? You shall answer for this."
+
+[Illustration: "A WELL-DIRECTED THRUST SOON QUIETED HIM" (_p._ 67).]
+
+He did not wait for an answer, but threw his spear with fearful force at
+the shepherd, who saved himself by springing behind the oak, into which
+the spear sank so deep that the point stuck out on the other side. Then,
+fixing a bolt into his cross-bow, the shepherd took aim, and struck the
+giant so skilfully in the centre of the forehead that he fell with a
+deep groan to the earth. Before he had time to rise, the shepherd
+bounded forward and ran his spear through his adversary's neck, nailing
+him to the ground, and his spirit soon fled. The shepherd took the
+giant's sword and armour, and was about to return home, when in an
+opening of the forest he saw a stately castle. The doors were wide open;
+he entered. In the spacious hall stood a stone table on which was a cup
+covered with a silver plate bearing these words:--
+
+    Who drinks of this cup
+    Shall overcome the Evil One.
+
+The young man had no confidence in the words or the drink, and left the
+cup untouched. He laid the dead giant's armour in the hall; then, taking
+the key of the door with him, he returned home with his flock, and went
+to rest without mentioning his adventure to any one. The next day he
+tended his sheep on the mountain slopes surrounding the castle, but the
+second day he could not rest; so, girding on the sword he had taken from
+the dead giant, he started with his flock for the second valley, in
+hopes of fresh adventure. Here also were beautiful pastures, if possible
+richer and more luxuriant than in the first valley; the flowers breathed
+forth their fragrance, the birds sang sweetly, and through the meadows
+meandered a stream clear as crystal, by whose bank the shepherd lay down
+to rest. He was just thinking that all adventure and danger were past
+when an enormous block of rock fell on the ground near him, and a voice
+rough and wild, like that of a bear, said: "What are you doing here with
+your grass-eaters, you insolent fellow?" And from behind a wall of rock
+stepped a mighty giant, brandishing a ponderous stone club. He aimed a
+blow at the shepherd, who ducked behind the rock which the giant had
+thrown as his first greeting, and the club descending on the stone, it
+broke in pieces from the force of the blow.
+
+Quick as lightning the youth drew his sword, and with one stroke cut
+through the sinews in the bend of the giant's knee, who fell to the
+earth with a loud roar. He struck out wildly with his fists, but a
+well-directed thrust through the heart soon quieted him. The shepherd
+left him lying there, and turned towards the wall of rock; here he found
+a massive door concealed amongst the thicket. Through this he passed,
+and entered a hall-like cavern, in which, at a stone manger, stood a
+snow-white horse ready saddled, and over the manger was engraved this
+saying:--
+
+    Who springs on this white horse
+    Shall overcome the Evil One.
+
+Now, the shepherd thought: "I am strong enough to take care of myself,
+and I do not want to overcome the Evil One, he has always left me in
+peace; but I will remember that here stands a fine horse on which I can
+ride forth into the wide world." He threw fresh oats into the manger,
+shut the door, and returned home. The next few days he remained very
+quiet, lest his movements might have been observed; then, as no one
+questioned him, he one fine morning drove his sheep into the third
+valley. Beautiful meadows glittered in the sunshine; from a hill of rock
+a waterfall plashed down, forming a small sea in which sported
+innumerable fish. The shepherd looked carefully around, searched under
+every bush, but found nothing. No sound was heard save the continued
+plash, plash, of the cool water. The day was very sultry, and the
+shepherd was just preparing for a bathe in the fresh, clear water, when
+from out a ravine near the sea appeared a horrible human head, with one
+eye, as large as a plate, in the centre of the forehead, and a voice
+loud as the roll of thunder shouted: "What do you want here, you
+insolent earth-worm?"
+
+The head rose higher and higher, until a giant as high as a tower stood
+before the shepherd, who with a sure aim sent his lance into the eye of
+his adversary. The monster, thus blinded, groped wildly about with his
+hands, in hopes to strangle his enemy, but he only seized an oak, which
+he tore up by the roots and threw it high into the air. Now the victory
+was easy, for though the giant could no longer be hurt by cuts and
+thrusts, which slipped off from his body as from a mossy stone, the
+shepherd soon found other means. He mocked and insulted the blind giant,
+and by the sound of his voice drew him ever nearer and nearer to the
+sea, at the side where the cliff overhung the water. At last he sprang
+for a moment on the edge of the precipice, and gave a loud, mocking cry,
+then silently concealed himself behind a tree. The giant, deceived by
+the shout, pursued him eagerly, lost his footing, and fell heavily into
+the sea.
+
+Then the shepherd went down into the ravine from which the monster had
+appeared. Here lay a meadow full of beautiful flowers, in the midst of
+which rose a spacious mansion, built of the trunks of trees. The
+shepherd entered the hall and saw a mighty spear, on whose shaft these
+words were cut:--
+
+    Who throws this lance
+    Shall overcome the Evil One.
+
+He seized the spear, but his arms were too weak to raise it, and he
+wearily laid the mighty weapon back in the corner; at the same time he
+thought, since he had conquered three giants, he could surely overcome
+the Evil One without this lance. As the day drew to a close he gathered
+his sheep together and returned to the castle. Arrived there, he was
+immediately summoned before the Count, who asked him angrily where he
+had been. The shepherd then truthfully related all that had happened in
+the three valleys, and how he had that day slain the giant as tall as a
+tower.
+
+[Illustration: "'WHAT DO YOU WANT HERE?'" (_p._ 68).]
+
+"Woe to you and to me," replied the Count, with pale lips. "I heard the
+giants' cries of rage, and hoped you were paying for your disobedience
+with your life. But it has happened otherwise, and now I and my daughter
+must suffer because you, you insolent fellow, disobeyed my commands and
+entered the giants' territories; for it has been made known to me that
+to-morrow the mighty lord of the giants, the Prince of the Infernal
+Regions, will appear, and demand my daughter or me as a sacrifice; but
+before that you, you miserable fellow, shall suffer all the agonies of
+torture, as a punishment for bringing me into this trouble.
+
+"Seize him!" he cried to the servants who were standing in the
+entrance-hall. His command was at once obeyed, when the Count's
+daughter, who had listened with glowing cheeks to the shepherd's story,
+threw herself on her knees and implored for delay.
+
+"Dearest father," she cried, "should you not rather endeavour to make
+use of this brave youth for our deliverance than put him to the torture?
+He has overcome three giants; surely he will be able to vanquish the
+Prince of the Infernal Regions."
+
+[Illustration: "SHE IMPLORED FOR DELAY" (_p._ 70).]
+
+The Count remained for a few moments in deep thought, and then
+acknowledged that his daughter's suggestion was both good and clever. He
+asked the shepherd if he were willing to expiate his crime by a combat
+with the Evil One, and the young man, with a grateful look at his
+deliverer, at once agreed. With the first dawn of morning he rose from
+his couch, for he now recalled the words about overcoming the Evil
+One, and hastened to the first valley, where in the castle stood the
+cup with the inscription:--
+
+    Who drinks of this cup
+    Shall overcome the Evil One.
+
+He seized the cup and emptied it at one draught, and--wonderful--the
+magic draught flowed through his veins like fire, and he felt courage
+and strength enough to combat a whole army. With sparkling eyes he
+hastened to the second valley, mounted the white horse, who greeted him
+with a joyful neigh, and then galloped as if in flight to the third
+valley, in which stood the mighty lance. Yesterday he could scarcely
+move it; to-day, with one hand, he swung it high over his head, as if it
+had been a small arrow.
+
+By sunrise he was again at the Count's castle, waiting eagerly for what
+would happen, but the day passed and no one appeared. The sun had sunk
+to rest, and the moon had just risen in all her splendour, when in the
+north of the heavens was seen what appeared to be a dark storm-cloud.
+With the speed of lightning it approached the castle, and a voice, as of
+a bassoon, sounded from out the cloud: "Where are my propitiatory
+sacrifices?" At the same time a gigantic eagle, with greenish-grey
+wings, like the storm-cloud, hovered high over the castle, ready to
+swoop down on his prey. Then the young man set spurs into his white
+horse, and shaking his lance high above his head, cried with a loud
+voice: "There are no sacrifices here for you, you robber! Begone
+instantly, or you shall feel my arrows!" On hearing these words, the
+eagle swooped down with a wild cry, before the shepherd could take his
+cross-bow, and the young man would certainly have perished had it not
+been for his presence of mind and the strength and activity of his
+steed. A touch with the spur, and it flew swift as the wind under a very
+old and thickly leaved linden tree, whose branches hung down almost to
+the ground, so that the eagle could only break in through the side.
+
+[Illustration: "The eagle swooped down with a wild cry." _page 72_]
+
+This the bird at once attempted, and it caused his death, for his
+outspread wings became entangled in the branches, and the brave rider,
+with one powerful blow of his sword, severed the head from the body.
+But, oh, horror! instead of blood there came forth from the headless
+body of the eagle a huge serpent, who, with wide-open jaws, approached
+the shepherd and tried to enfold him in the rings of its flexible body.
+By a skilful movement, it encircled the horse and rider, and crushed
+them until the young man thought he should be forced into the body of
+his steed; but the horse pressed himself so close against the tree that
+the head of the serpent came round on the other side of the trunk, and
+thus it was hindered from harming the shepherd with its poisonous bite
+or breath. One stroke of the shepherd's sharp dagger, and the body of
+the serpent fell in two pieces to the ground; the horse immediately
+trampled on the head. But the hinder part of the serpent swelled and
+swelled, the cut became a frightful mouth, which spurted out smoke and
+flames, while from the rings of the serpent's body grew forth claws and
+wings, and at last a horrible monster in the form of a dragon threw
+itself on the shepherd, whose strength had already begun to fail
+through the dreadful pressing of the serpent. But in his greatest need a
+saving thought occurred to him--he turned his horse round: it broke
+through the branches of the linden tree into the open field, and sped
+with its rider to the nearest stream, in whose waters they both cooled
+themselves. The dragon snorted after them, spitting forth fire and
+smoke. But as the head of the serpent, from whose body the dragon had
+grown, had been destroyed, there was no deadly poison in its breath, and
+the rider was safe from the flames through bathing in the stream. So he
+rode boldly towards the approaching dragon with lance in rest, and tried
+to approach it from the side; but all his blows glanced off from its
+scaly body as from a coat of mail. Suddenly it occurred to him to thrust
+his lance down the monster's throat. He turned his horse and spurred him
+straight towards the dragon, and thrusting his lance through the smoke
+and flame, stuck it right into the creature's throat. He was obliged to
+leave his lance, for his horse, singed by the fiery breath of the
+dragon, bounded far to one side; but the monster did not attempt to
+follow them, the lance had stuck deep into its body. It struck wildly
+with its tail on the ground, until the earth burst, then it shivered and
+fell over, first on its side, then on its back, a stream of fire poured
+forth from its wide-open jaws, and with the flames its life passed away.
+
+Thus was the combat ended and the Evil One subdued. Joyfully the
+shepherd rode back to the Count and his daughter, and told them all that
+had happened. The Count, embracing him, said: "You are our deliverer,
+to you I owe my life and all that I possess: take the half of whatever
+is mine, or choose from it whatever pleases you."
+
+[Illustration: "WITH THE FLAMES ITS LIFE PASSED AWAY" (_p._ 74).]
+
+The shepherd gazed earnestly into the eyes of the Count's lovely
+daughter, and replied:
+
+"I know of nothing, Sir Count, in the whole world which is dearer to me
+than your daughter. Give her to me for my wife, if she be willing."
+
+The Count smiled. "Are you willing, my child?"
+
+"I love him more than words can express," said the maiden, and sank on
+the breast of the shepherd.
+
+The next day the marriage was celebrated with great splendour, and when
+Heaven had blessed their union with children, and these were grown up,
+the hero of this story, a shepherd no longer, used to say to his sons
+when telling them of his adventures: "There are three things by which
+one can subdue giants and evil spirits, and become great: courage,
+perseverance, and presence of mind."
+
+
+
+
+The Spring-tide of Love.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+THE SPRING-TIDE OF LOVE.
+
+By Pleydell North (Mrs. Egerton Eastwick).
+
+
+THE mists of the early twilight were falling, and Elsa, the little girl
+who lived at the woodman's cottage, was still far from home. She had
+wandered out in the spring sunshine in search of the bluebells and wild
+anemones with which the wood abounded, for the child loved the company
+of the birds and flowers better than the rough play of the boys who were
+called her brothers.
+
+The woodman and his wife said she was strange and dreamy, full of
+curious fancies which they found it hard to understand; but, then, they
+were not Elsa's real parents, which might account for their difficulty.
+They were kind to her, however, in their fashion, and Elsa always tried
+to remember to obey them; but sometimes she forgot. She had forgotten
+to-day--for although the good wife had told her to remain near the
+cottage, the eagerness of her search for the flowers she loved had led
+her farther into the wood than she had ever been before.
+
+The sunlight disappeared, and the darkness seemed to come quite suddenly
+under the thick branches of the trees; the birds had chanted their last
+evening song and gone to their nests--only a solitary thrush sang loudly
+just overhead; Elsa thought it was warning her to hurry homewards. She
+turned quickly, taking as she thought the direction of the cottage; but
+as she was barely seven years old, and felt a little frightened, it is
+not surprising that she only plunged deeper into the wood.
+
+Now she found herself in the midst of a great silence; the beautiful
+tracery of young green leaves through which she had hitherto caught
+glimpses of the sky had disappeared, and over her head stretched only
+bare brown branches, between which she saw the shining stars, clear as
+on a frosty winter's night. The stars looked friendly, and she was glad
+to see them, but it was growing dreadfully cold. The plucked flowers
+withered and fell from her poor little numbed hands, and she shivered in
+her thin cotton frock.
+
+Ah! what would she not have given for a sight of the open door and the
+fire in the woodman's cottage, and a basin of warm bread and milk, even
+though it was given with a scolding from the woodman's wife! She
+struggled on, with her poor little tired feet, for it seemed to her that
+the wood was growing thinner--perhaps there might be a house hereabouts.
+
+But, oh! how terribly cold. Now there was frost upon the ground at her
+feet, frost upon dead leaves and blades of grass, frost upon the bare
+tree branches. The moon had risen, and she could see that all the world
+around her was white and chill and dead. Surely she had wandered back
+into the cruel bitter winter, frost-bound and hard.
+
+It was strange that she had strength to go on, but she looked up at the
+stars, and thought that they were guiding her. At length she came to the
+border of the wood, and there stretched before her a wide, open space,
+with only a few trees scattered here and there, and through an opening
+of the trees the cold moon shone down upon a white, silent house.
+
+The house looked as dead and winter-bound as everything else; but still
+it _was_ a house, and Elsa said to herself that surely some one must
+live in it. So she thanked the friendly stars for leading her aright,
+and with what remaining strength she had, dragged her poor little numbed
+feet up the broad path or road between the trees. At the end of the road
+an iron gate hung open upon its hinges, and Elsa found herself in what
+once had been a garden. Now the lawns and flower-beds were all alike one
+blinding sheet of ice and frozen snow.
+
+But, oh, joy! there was the great white house, and from one window shone
+a light, surely the light of a fire. All the rest was dark. Up a flight
+of stone steps the child dragged her weary feet, across a terrace that
+had surely once been gay with flowers, until she stood before a huge
+door, brown and black, except where the frost gleamed, closed and
+barred with iron bars. The great knocker hung high above her reach; but
+with her poor little hands she beat against the woodwork. Surely, if
+some one did not let her in soon, she must fall down there and sleep and
+die upon the step. But at the sound of her faint knocking there came
+from within the deep baying of a hound, and Elsa was terrified anew, but
+could not run away; then in a few moments a heavy bar seemed to be
+withdrawn and the great door opened slowly.
+
+A tall man stood within--a man in the dress of a hunter, pale-faced in
+the moonlight, but strong and powerful, and wearing a long, dark beard
+that reached almost to his waist. His was a figure to fill any child
+with fear, but Elsa saw only the scene behind him. A great blazing wood
+fire upon an open hearth, with rugs in front of it upon which were
+stretched two large hounds; a third, shaking himself slowly, had
+followed his master to the door. Elsa stretched out her little hands to
+the blazing warmth, with the cry of a perishing child.
+
+"Take me in--oh! take me in!" she pleaded. "Please let me come in!"
+
+She ran forward. Then with a strange hoarse sound, that she did not
+understand, the man stooped and lifted her in his arms, and carried her
+forward and laid her gently down upon the rugs in the grateful warmth,
+and the hounds sniffed round her and seemed well pleased, and ready to
+welcome her--and--for a little while she remembered no more.
+
+When Elsa came to herself (she thought she must have been asleep, but
+the waking was a little strange and difficult) she found that she was
+propped up among soft cushions still upon the rugs; the dogs now lay at
+a respectful distance, each with his forepaws stretched out and his nose
+held between them, while with gleaming eyes he watched with keenest
+interest all that going was on.
+
+[Illustration: "HER NEW FRIEND WAS OBLIGED TO FEED HER" (_p._ 84).]
+
+The rough-looking man with the long, dark beard and the pale face knelt
+beside her, holding a basin of warm, steaming broth. Then Elsa sat up
+and tried to drink, but she was so weak with fatigue and cold that her
+new friend was obliged to feed her with a spoon, which he did rather
+awkwardly. After she had swallowed the broth, the warm blood flowed once
+more freely through her veins, and she sank into a deep, sweet sleep,
+her little head falling serenely against the stranger's breast and her
+hair spreading out in golden waves over the arm that held her.
+
+When Elsa once more opened her eyes, the cold grey light of morning fell
+through the uncurtained windows into the hall. She found herself lying
+on a couch covered with rugs of warm fur, at the side of the hearth,
+where logs of pine wood, newly kindled, leapt and blazed, filling the
+air with sweet, pungent odours.
+
+For a while she was bewildered, wondering how she came to be there,
+instead of in her little room at the woodman's cottage. Then she saw her
+friend of the night before kneeling in front of the fire, evidently
+preparing food, while the dogs, grouped around, sat on their haunches
+with ears erect, keen and observant, watching his movements. Then Elsa
+remembered; and she clapped her hands with a merry laugh, the laugh of a
+happy, waking child. The man kneeling by the fire started at the sound,
+and then turned his grave face towards her with a wistful expression
+strange to see.
+
+"I want to get up," said Elsa promptly. "If you please, I can wash and
+dress myself; I've been taught how."
+
+"Wait a few minutes, little lady, then you shall have all you want."
+
+The voice sounded strangely, and the man seemed listening to its tones
+as though surprised to hear himself speak. But the rough, halting
+accents seemed less out of keeping with the old house than Elsa's laugh.
+The dogs came and licked her hands, and she played with them until the
+man rose from his place before the fire, and lifting her up bade her
+come with him.
+
+He led her to a small room off the hall, which was indeed curious in its
+arrangements. A toilet-table stood there with most costly fittings;
+brushes with silver and ivory handles were lying upon the faded silk; a
+little pair of satin shoes had been thrown carelessly upon the floor; a
+cloak of crimson satin was flung over a chair. All these things looked
+as though a hand had cast them aside but yesterday--yet all were faded
+and soiled, and the dust lay thick as though that yesterday had been
+many years ago.
+
+And among these relics of an unknown past the child made her simple
+toilet. She had never seen such magnificence, or felt, she thought, so
+sad. But when she returned to the hall ten minutes later, the sadness
+was forgotten.
+
+She looked a quaint little figure, indeed, clad in a silken wrapper
+provided by her host, which trailed far behind on the ground, greatly to
+her delight; her little feet were cased in dainty slippers which, small
+as they were, yet were many sizes too large. In spite of misfits,
+however, she contrived to walk with a stately grandeur quite amazing to
+behold, until the dogs jumped and fawned upon her, when she forgot her
+finery in a game of play and lost her slippers in the rug.
+
+On the table, a breakfast was rudely spread: cold meats for the master
+of the house, who fed his dogs from his own plate, while for Elsa was
+provided a bowl of goat's milk and some crisp cakes, which she thought
+delicious.
+
+When the meal was over, Elsa pleaded to be allowed to do for her new
+friend the household duties she had been taught to fulfil by the
+woodman's wife; and soon, with the wrapper deftly pinned about her
+waist, and the silken sleeves tucked up from bare and dimpled arms, she
+stood before a bowl of steaming water, washing plates and dishes. Only
+the table was rather high, and she was forced to stand upon a stool.
+
+From that day a strange new life began for little Elsa.
+
+The rough-looking man who had given her shelter seemed to be living
+quite alone with his dogs. Every morning he went out with them and his
+gun, apparently to hunt and shoot in the forest, for he usually returned
+laden with game, which served to keep the larder stocked.
+
+Of other kinds of provisions there seemed to be a plentiful supply on
+the premises; the granaries were well stocked with corn, which the
+master ground himself, while some goats tethered in the outhouses gave a
+sufficient quantity of milk for the daily needs of the little household.
+
+Of Elsa's return to the woodman's cottage there seemed to be no
+question. She was terrified at the thought of being again lost in the
+wood, and pleaded hard to remain with her new friend, who, on his side,
+was equally loth to part with her.
+
+[Illustration: "SHE LOOKED A QUAINT LITTLE FIGURE" (_p._ 85).]
+
+Soon, having learned many useful ways from the woodman's wife, she
+became a clever little housekeeper, and could make a good stew, while
+Ulric, as the master of the house bade her call him, was out with his
+dogs in the forest, though now only two of the hounds accompanied him in
+his expeditions; one was always left as Elsa's companion and guardian.
+Then, too, she could milk and feed the goats, and keep the house-place
+clean and tidy. But all the day was not given to such work as this.
+
+When Ulric had returned, and they had dined together, he would bring the
+great carved wooden chair with the huge back up to the fire, and Elsa
+would fetch a stool to his side and busy herself with needle and thread,
+while he told her strange stories; or sometimes he would fetch a
+ponderous volume from a library the house contained and read, either to
+himself or aloud to her, such things as she could understand.
+
+Now, if you wonder where Elsa found the needle and thread which I have
+mentioned, I must tell you that Ulric had given her a little work-basket
+neatly fitted, but the silk lining of which was much faded, and some of
+the needles were rusty. There was in it also a golden thimble, which
+Elsa found a little too large.
+
+And as for the clothes she worked at, one day he brought her a quantity
+of beautiful garments, some of silk and satin, and some of fine cloth,
+and in these, having nothing of her own but her one poor little cotton
+frock, the child managed to dress herself, till she looked like a quaint
+little fairy princess. Her stitches were awkward and badly done at
+first, but as time went on, instinct helped her small knowledge, and she
+grew handy with her needle.
+
+When she was cooking and feeding the goats, she wore a woollen
+petticoat and an apron, a costume more suited to the occasion.
+
+[Illustration: "HE WOULD READ ALOUD TO HER" (_p._ 88).]
+
+In the evenings Ulric taught her many things: to read and to write, and
+even to speak in strange languages, so that her education was by no
+means neglected. He let her wander over the great mansion where she
+would, and showed her many of the rooms himself. All bore signs of
+having been used quite recently, and yet a long time ago. Dust was thick
+everywhere, and soon Elsa grew to understand that the dust must remain
+and accumulate; no hand was to be allowed to touch anything in that
+strange, silent house beyond the hall and the little room which Ulric
+had arranged for her sleeping apartment. One part of the mansion,
+however, she never penetrated. At the end of a long passage hung a heavy
+velvet curtain, and behind this was a door, always securely locked. Only
+Ulric passed beyond it, at stated times, and when he returned from these
+visits he was more than usually sad for many hours.
+
+The weeks slipped into months, and Elsa dwelt on in this strange home.
+Every day at first she looked eagerly for the breaking of the frost--for
+the promise of the sunshine and flowers she had left behind her in the
+wood. But the spring never came. The bitter cold and the frost
+continued, and in time the child's heart must have frozen too, but for
+the strong, warm love which had sprung up within it for Ulric.
+
+Old and thoughtful she grew, beyond her years, but never unhappy. Ulric
+needed her, was glad of her presence; she could minister to his wants
+and brighten his sad life.
+
+So Ulric's love grew more to her than the flowers and sunshine of the
+outer world; to think of leaving him now would break her heart, but she
+wondered often over the mystery that shadowed his life and hers. And
+the months grew to years, and Elsa was twelve years old.
+
+Then one evening Ulric came in from one of his visits to the closed
+chamber, more sad and thoughtful even than usual, and taking Elsa's hand
+in his, bade her sit beside him for a little while and put aside her
+work. She came obediently, looking anxiously into his face.
+
+"Little Elsa," he said, "I have counted the time, and it is now five
+years since you came to me. You told me then you were seven years old,
+now you are therefore twelve, and will soon be growing into a maiden.
+The time has come----"
+
+Instinctively the child clasped his hand closer.
+
+"Not to part us, father?" (for so she had learned to call him.)
+
+"That, my child, must rest with you."
+
+"Then it is soon settled," said Elsa, trying to laugh, "for I will never
+leave you."
+
+Something like the light of hope shone in the man's clouded eyes--eyes
+in which Elsa had never seen a smile, although his lips had smiled at
+her often.
+
+"Listen," he said; "before you speak rash words, I must tell you all.
+Then you shall decide.
+
+"It is a little more than eleven years since the curse fell upon me. I
+was a hard man then, Elsa--hard and cruel and strong--it was my boast
+that I never forgave a debt, or pardoned an enemy.
+
+"I had married a young and beautiful wife, and her I loved passionately,
+but in my own hard and selfish fashion. Often I refused to heed even
+her gentle pleadings for the suffering, the sinful, and the poor. And we
+had one child--a girl--then only a few months old.
+
+"It was a New Year's Eve that I decided upon giving a great
+entertainment to all the country round. I did it for my own
+glorification. Among the rich I was disliked, but tolerated on account
+of my position; by the poor far and wide I was feared and hated.
+
+"Every one invited came to my ball. My wife looked exquisitely lovely,
+more lovely I thought than on our bridal day--everything ministered to
+my pride and satisfaction.
+
+"We had mustered here, here in this hall, to drink the health of the
+dying year and welcome the incoming of the new, when above the sounds of
+laughter and good cheer was heard from without a pitiful, feeble
+wail--the wail of a child in pain. That feeble cry rang then above every
+other sound--it rings in my heart still.
+
+"Before I could interfere, my wife, with her own hands, had flung wide
+the great barred door, and I saw a sight which I alone could explain.
+
+"Upon the step was huddled a woman, with a child in her arms. A man,
+gaunt and hunger-stricken, towered behind her in the darkness; two other
+children clung to her, shivering and weeping. We were in the midst of
+the cruel, bitter winter; the earth was frost-bound, hard and cold, even
+as now. That day I had given orders that these people, poor and starving
+as they were, should be turned from their home. The man I had suspected
+of being a poacher, and he was doing no work--a good-for-nothing--but
+_she_, my wife, had pleaded for them that I would wait, at least, until
+the summer. Now she bent down to that poor creature on the step, who was
+striving to nurse and warm her babe in her chill arms, and whispered
+something--I guessed it was a promise of shelter.
+
+[Illustration: "'MOTHER, AWAKE!' SHE SAID" (_p._ 95).]
+
+"In my fierce pride and anger I laid my hand upon her arm, and with a
+strong grip drew her back--then without a word I closed the door and
+barred it. But within there was no more laughter. A voice rose upon the
+still night air--the sound of a bitter curse--a curse that should rest
+upon me and mine, the chill of winter and of death, of pitiless
+desolation and remorse, until human love should win me back to human
+pity and God's forgiveness.
+
+"One by one, with cold good-nights, my guests departed. My wife stole
+away to her own apartments without a word; upon her arm I saw the mark
+of my cruel hand.
+
+"In the morning the curse had fallen. The woman I had turned away had
+been found at my gates, dead, her child still clasped to her breast.
+
+"The servants fled and left me alone, taking with them our child; my
+wife--that night--she, too--died--to me."
+
+The man's head drooped upon his hands. For a moment there was silence in
+the hall.
+
+Elsa stood--her child's heart grieved at the terrible story, her whole
+nature sorrowing, pitiful, shocked.
+
+Presently Ulric recovered himself and continued: "Now, Elsa, you know
+all. My child, if you will return to the world and leave me to work out
+my fate, you shall not go penniless. I have wealth. For your sake I will
+venture once more among the haunts of men and see you placed in a safe
+home, then--I will try to forget. It is right that you should shrink."
+
+"Father, dear father, I love you--you are sorry--I will not leave
+you--do not send me away."
+
+A look almost of rapture changed the worn and tear-stained face of the
+man who had owned his sin--and the child's arms closed once more around
+his neck, and her golden head nestled to his breast. A few minutes later
+he led her to the closed chamber. Together they passed beyond it, and
+Elsa found herself standing in a richly furnished room.
+
+Near a window was a couch covered with dark velvet, and upon the couch a
+figure lay stretched as if in quiet, death-like sleep, or carved in
+marble. The figure was that of a young and very fair woman. Her dress of
+white satin had yellowed with time; her hands were clasped upon her
+breast as though in prayer; her golden hair lay unbound upon the pillow.
+
+"It is fitting now," said Ulric, "that you should come here."
+
+Softly Elsa advanced. She stood beside the couch, gazing down upon the
+still, white face, so sweet in its settled grief, but which in this long
+silence seemed to have lost its first youth. Elsa bent lower, lower.
+What new instinct filled her warm, young heart, and made her speak?
+
+"Mother, awake!" she said. "Mother!" and kissed the cold, quiet lips.
+
+Was it a ray of sunlight that stole through the open window and trembled
+upon the mouth, curving it into a smile? Slowly the dark eyes opened and
+rested with a look of ineffable love upon Elsa's face.
+
+And so the curse and the shadows of eternal winter passed away from the
+house of Ulric, and his young bride came back from her long slumber. In
+due time the garden, too, awoke to the touch of spring, and the flowers
+bloomed, and the birds mated once more and sang in budding trees, and
+the sun shone. And Elsa's love bound closely together the hearts of her
+father and mother; for perhaps you have been clever enough to find out
+that the woodman's wife was the nurse who had carried away with her in
+her flight Ulric's little daughter on the night of the New Year's ball.
+
+
+
+
+Ringfalla Bridge.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+RINGFALLA BRIDGE.
+
+By K. E. Sutter.
+
+
+ONCE upon a time there lived a King who had two kingdoms to govern--his
+own always the perfection of law and order, while the other was given
+over to confusion and rebellion, which, strive as he would, got ever
+worse instead of better.
+
+It had been the worry of his life ever since he began to reign--and as
+he had no son to help him, he was obliged to find a ruler for it among
+his Ministers, but not one of them, however clever, could manage to
+control its unruly inhabitants.
+
+Sometimes, at long intervals, he even went to live there himself, on
+which occasions his troubles in regard to it multiplied so exceedingly
+that he swore they were half demons, as the name of their kingdom,
+Nokkeland, proved, and for his part he wished they could find an evil
+spirit like themselves to govern them in his stead, as no mere mortal
+could. And then, as he could think of nothing else, he called a council
+of his most trusted chiefs, and conferred with them; but as they had all
+given their best consideration to the subject many times before, none of
+them could come to any more brilliant conclusion than formerly.
+
+Therefore King Kaftan said he would hunt on the morrow to distract his
+mind, so a great party set forth at daybreak, and scoured the woods far
+and near, but no sport could they get; no fourfooted beast could they
+find excepting rabbits, and they were everywhere.
+
+Unwilling to return empty-handed, and hoping for better luck on the
+morrow, the King gave the order to camp in the wood. Some of the men
+were catching rabbits for supper, whilst others were making fires to
+cook them, when just as the last rim of the sinking sun disappeared
+below the horizon, a beautiful hart as white as snow with antlers and
+hoofs of gold, suddenly appeared, and walked leisurely down the glade
+towards the sunset.
+
+Instantly, with one accord, King, courtiers, huntsmen, and servants
+rushed off in hot pursuit, helter-skelter over each other, on foot, on
+horseback, armed or unarmed, just as they found themselves when it first
+appeared. The King, who had not dismounted, was ahead of the others, and
+urged his steed with whip and spur; but poor Rolf was very weary, and do
+as he would, his master could get no nearer to his quarry.
+
+Night was rapidly closing in when the King found himself far ahead of
+his attendants, and alone with a spent horse in a part of the forest
+where he had never been before, and miles from any human habitation.
+
+More and more faltering grew Rolf's jaded pace, and in proportion as it
+slackened, slower went the hart. The King's pulses quivered with
+excitement. He leapt from the saddle, drew his dagger, and prepared to
+follow on foot; but, to his astonishment, the beast had turned and was
+coming slowly towards him, the moonlight turning his antlers to silver,
+and gleaming on his milk-white coat.
+
+Half instinctively, the King had raised his dagger, when the hart
+stopped and spoke in courteous, but authoritative tones.
+
+"Stay thy hand and know that I also am a King in my own country. I have
+much to say to thee, therefore follow me and fear nothing."
+
+So King Kaftan followed, wondering, until the hart stopped before a
+great rock, overhung with a tangle of eglantine and honeysuckle--and
+pushing aside the fragrant curtain dexterously with his horns, disclosed
+what appeared to be the mouth of a cave. Entering this, closely followed
+by the King, they proceeded for some way in almost total darkness.
+Gradually it grew lighter and the path wider, when the King perceived,
+to his amazement, that the illumination proceeded from countless numbers
+of bats, ridden by small imps carrying lighted glow-worms.
+
+Presently they came to a spacious garden, where all the trees were
+lighted by coloured lamps hanging among the branches, and the air was
+filled with music and perfume.
+
+Within the garden was a great pavilion of purple silk, most gorgeously
+emblazoned with scarlet and gold, and having a Royal banner floating
+from the roof.
+
+Within was a table, covered with every variety of food and wine,
+lavishly decorated with flowers and gold plate, and laid for two. Here
+the hart entertained his Royal guest to supper, and after he was
+completely refreshed and rested, handed him an enamelled box, which, on
+being opened, disclosed a clay pipe, blackened with much use, a tinder,
+and a flint.
+
+"Smoke, O King!" said the host; "unfortunately I cannot join you; and
+now to explain why I have lured you from your own people to my enchanted
+land.
+
+"I know your difficulties in Nokkeland, because for one reason we are
+very near neighbours, though probably you are unaware of it. The people
+who inhabit that kingdom are descended from a water fiend, and the
+turbulent instincts inherited from him can never be quelled until the
+power of the Neck, who rules the river between your kingdom and theirs,
+is broken. Now, the Neck is my enemy as well as yours, and if you will
+ally yourself with me and follow my counsels, you will have peace,
+honour, and happiness for the rest of your life in all probability."
+
+"I am ready," said the King, "only tell me what to do; the Klavs are the
+plague of my life, but from what you say success even then is by no
+means a certainty."
+
+"Much depends on luck," said the hart, "and to neither your Majesty nor
+myself is it given to do much. You have three daughters, Solveig, Ulva,
+and little Kirsten; one of them must go over Ringfalla Bridge without
+stumbling and without speaking one word. This done, your troubles and my
+own are at an end."
+
+[Illustration: "AN ENAMELLED BOX" (_p._ 102).]
+
+Now, Ringfalla Bridge it was that spanned the river between King
+Kaftan's own territory and that of the Klavs, and what between the Klavs
+themselves and the Neck who inhabited the river, it had a very evil
+reputation indeed.
+
+The King looked grave, and then he laughed rather grimly. "There won't
+be much difficulty about that," he said. "To cross it has been the
+desire of their hearts ever since they were babies; it is only my strict
+orders that keep them from it."
+
+"She who undertakes it must go of her own free will, and if she
+accomplishes it without stumbling and without speaking, the kingdom is
+saved." Those were the last words of the hart ere bidding the King
+good-night, and they were ringing in his ears when he awoke in the
+morning. But he was no longer lying on the silken cushions on which he
+had rested the night before. Pavilion, garden, and hart had vanished,
+the sun was high in the heavens, he was lying on a heap of moss and
+ferns in the wood, with Rolf standing over him and thrusting his soft
+nozzle into his face.
+
+The King was greatly perplexed as to whether all the events of the
+preceding night had actually happened, or if he had only dreamt them,
+and was rather inclined to the latter belief. Mounting Rolf, and leaving
+that good steed to find his own way back to the camp, he pondered deeply
+over all the hart had told him, and resolved at least to try what he had
+suggested.
+
+When at last he came to the camp it was nearly deserted, as most of the
+party had gone to hunt for the King, but after much blowing of horns the
+company was collected, and, abandoning all further idea of sport, rode
+back to the capital.
+
+There they found everything silent, except that the bells were
+mournfully tolling, and the flag over the palace hanging half-mast high.
+"What is this? Who is dead?" asked the King, but no one seemed inclined
+to explain.
+
+At last the captain of the guard, who could not run away, was forced to
+salute and answer the King.
+
+"Sire," he said, "your Majesty's daughter, the Princess Solveig, was
+drowned yesterday in trying to cross Ringfalla Bridge."
+
+Greatly to the captain's surprise, however, the King inquired no further
+on the subject, but went straight up to the tower where the apartments
+of the three Princesses were situated.
+
+There he found the two youngest overwhelmed with grief for their
+sister's loss, but overjoyed to see him and give an account of the
+catastrophe.
+
+On the previous day, after seeing the King start at the head of a great
+cavalcade on his hunting expedition, the three Princesses cast about in
+their minds how they might amuse themselves, and finally agreed to go
+down and picnic by the river. Now, although the river itself was not
+absolutely forbidden, they were quite aware that the King disapproved of
+their going there, but they pacified their consciences by taking a
+strong escort, their old nurse, and a very large variety of hampers
+containing lunch.
+
+Poor old Nurse Gerda was as much averse to the expedition as King Kaftan
+himself could have been, and told gruesome tales of the evil water
+spirit and his doings; but the Princesses only laughed, and enjoyed
+preparing their own lunch, and eating it afterwards, extremely. Then
+they wandered along the banks, gathering primroses and long grasses, all
+the while drawing near to the forbidden bridge; but it looked so
+inviting with its stone parapet and curious wooden pavement, and the
+water flowed so peacefully beneath the arches, that they there and then
+made up their minds to cross it, and drew lots to decide which should
+venture first. The lot fell to Solveig, the eldest, and she set out
+boldly with six archers to guard her--three before and three behind,
+walking abreast--a last precaution insisted upon by Gerda, the nurse,
+who watched the proceeding in terror.
+
+All went well till they had almost reached the middle, then she tripped,
+and in falling touched the parapet, which instantly gave way, and the
+Princess fell into the river. As she touched the water a great pair of
+hairy arms caught and drew her under, so that she was seen no more.
+"And," continued Ulva, who up till now had done most of the talking,
+"the wall closed up again, with no sign of a break, directly she
+disappeared, and though two of the guard jumped in after her, the Neck
+took no notice of them, and they swam ashore in the end quite safely."
+
+"The bridge is enchanted," said the King gloomily; and then he told them
+his adventure with the white hart.
+
+"Then," said Ulva, with great decision, "I will go: it is very simple.
+Solveig talked to Ulf, the archer, all the time, and was looking at the
+river when she stumbled. Now, I know what is required of me: I will look
+at my feet and say nothing, not a word. Do, father, let me go." And she
+gave the King no peace till he consented; but she fared no better than
+her sister.
+
+[Illustration: "A GREAT PAIR OF HAIRY ARMS CAUGHT AND DREW HER UNDER"
+(_p._ 106).]
+
+Boldly and silently she marched in the very centre of the fatal bridge,
+till suddenly she saw in front of her an enormous serpent with fiery
+eyes and forked tongue, with head up ready to spring. Poor Ulva's chief
+fear in life was a snake. She recoiled in terror, calling to warn the
+archers, who had seen nothing. And then the flooring gave way beneath
+her, and she too sank into the flood, a great pair of hairy hands
+clutching her as she fell.
+
+Then there was great mourning throughout the land. The people clothed
+themselves in black, and the King reviled the hart and his own folly in
+acting on his advice, and refused to be comforted.
+
+Then little Kirsten, the youngest sister, and the fairest maiden in the
+land, put her white arms about his neck and told him to be of good
+cheer; "for I will ride across," she said, "and if Freyja my mare
+stumble, it will be her fault, not mine, and I will neither speak nor
+scream, for they will tie a scarf over my lips so that I cannot. So,
+father, let me go, for it is I who will save the kingdom."
+
+But the King swore a great oath, and vowed she should not, and for three
+days nothing could move him. Then, the Princess prevailed, and the whole
+city came out to see her ride over Ringfalla Bridge.
+
+This time neither guards nor soldiers attempted to cross--a dozen
+courtiers, richly apparelled and mounted, accompanied the youngest
+Princess, who, dressed in white and all her pet jewels, with diamond
+fireflies glistening in the golden hair that floated to her little
+shoes, and her small, red mouth bound fast with a silken scarf, rode
+gaily upon Freyja till she had crossed the middle of the bridge, when,
+once again, appeared a wonder on the verge of the forest--a great white
+hart, with horns and hoofs of burnished gold. And straightway all the
+courtiers were tearing after it helter-skelter in hot haste, entirely
+forgetful of the poor little Princess and everything else.
+
+[Illustration: "THE YOUNGEST PRINCESS RODE GAILY UPON FREYJA" (_p._
+108).]
+
+And Freyja that morning was very frisky; she minced along sideways on
+her golden shoes, coquetting with her own shadow, and making little
+playful snaps at her bridle. So she, too, stumbled at last on the
+treacherous planks, throwing her mistress over the parapet into the
+swiftly running stream; but this time no demon hands were stretched out
+to receive their prey--only a flash of white and gold ere the water
+closed over her head, and then all was still.
+
+Meantime the white hart was giving the truant courtiers a lively time of
+it; he bounded, trotted, and doubled, keeping all the time close to the
+bridge, but eluding all their efforts to come near him. When, however,
+the maiden fell, a marvellous thing chanced--the beautiful beast
+vanished, and in his place stood the handsomest knight that had ever
+been seen in that or any other land. His armour was of gold, curiously
+inlaid with silver; on his helmet was a crown of emeralds, and his long
+purple mantle was lined with ermine, so there could be no doubt about
+his being a King.
+
+Then all the courtiers doffed their plumed caps, and did obeisance to
+him; but the stranger, after acknowledging their homage, called aloud
+for "Asaph," and out of the wood, running as fast as he could, came a
+beautiful little page, clothed in green, and carrying a golden harp.
+
+Then the strange knight crossed the bridge and saluted King Kaftan, who
+was standing on the bank looking at the river like one dazed.
+
+"Be of good cheer, Sir King," he cried; "the Princess Kirsten has broken
+the charm, and I am no longer the white hart, but the rightful King of
+your troublesome Klavs--me they obey and no other; and now, thanks for
+your courtesy." So saying, he took the harp from his little foot-page,
+and, seating himself on the bank, began to play.
+
+[Illustration: "And then little Kirsten came smiling out of the water."
+_page 111_]
+
+Very softly at first, but so wondrous were the magic notes that all the
+assembled people listened silent and motionless, for never before had
+they heard the like. First the sound was like the distant echo of silver
+trumpets when they welcomed the host back from battle; and then coming,
+as it were, nearer, like the ripple of waves on a pebbly beach, and all
+the fishes swam up to listen, while out of the wood flocked bird and
+beast also. So wondrous was the strain.
+
+And then little Kirsten came smiling out of the water and sat upon the
+harper's knee, and one arm he put about her to hold her fast, but still
+he kept on playing. And now the music waxed fierce and terrible, like
+the roll of thunder among the mountains, or the crash of armies when
+they meet in battle. And the waves grew black and angry and lashed
+themselves into foam, for the Neck, the evil water spirit, was furious,
+but he could not fight against his master, and so at the last he also
+came forth, black and hideous, but subdued, leading the two Princesses
+Solveig and Ulva, who looked more beautiful than ever, and none the
+worse for their sojourn below the river.
+
+So there were great rejoicings in both kingdoms, for the youngest
+Princess had broken the spell laid on Sir Sigurd by the Neck, who caught
+him in the forest alone without his harp, and condemned him to wander as
+a white hart until a Royal Princess should of her own free will cross
+Ringfalla Bridge without stumbling and without talking.
+
+This little Kirsten did, and she had her reward, for she married Sigurd
+and reigned over the Klavs, who were turbulent no more, because their
+King and Queen had been born for the special purpose of ruling over
+them.
+
+
+
+
+The Children's Fairy.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+THE CHILDREN'S FAIRY.
+
+FROM THE FRENCH of SAINT-JUIRS.
+
+
+IT was a dull, heavy afternoon, and the long, dusty road looked quite
+deserted, not a horse or even a foot-passenger in sight. The birds were
+taking their afternoon siesta, and the leaves were hanging down
+languidly from the poor trees, which were dying with thirst. There were
+three solitary-looking, tumble-down cottages on one side of the road,
+and presently the door of one of them opened, and a woman's voice called
+out:
+
+"Come, Yvette, come, go out and play."
+
+In answer to this summons a little girl of some three or four years old
+soon appeared, and with great difficulty on all fours began to descend
+the steep steps from the house to the footpath. It was quite a piece of
+work, that perilous descent, and it was accomplished slowly, carefully,
+and very awkwardly by what looked like nothing but a bundle of clothes.
+
+The child had on a little bonnet made of two pieces of figured muslin
+sewn together, and from which a few tresses of fair hair which had
+escaped fell over her forehead and down the back of her neck. Her little
+frock had been lengthened many times, and, consequently, the waist was
+now up under the arms, like one sees in the Empire dresses. As to shoes
+and stockings--well, it was not very cold, and so they were put away for
+a future occasion.
+
+When once she had reached the bottom of the steps, the child stood
+upright and looked round for a minute or two, evidently deep in thought,
+with her little finger pressed against her face. Play! Yes, it was all
+very well, but what should she play at?
+
+At the very time when the poor little mite was turning this question
+over in her mind, hundreds of other children, accompanied by their
+mother or by their nurse, would be all out in the gardens or parks, and
+they would have with them all kinds of games and toys, from the
+favourite spade and bucket to a real little steam-boat, which would sail
+along on the ponds. They would have cannons, skipping-ropes, reins (all
+covered with little bells), hoops, battledores and shuttlecocks, bowls,
+marbles, balls, balloons, dolls of every description, pistols, guns,
+swords, and, in fact, everything that the heart of a child can desire.
+
+Then, too, those other children nearly always had little playmates, so
+that it was easy enough to organise a game.
+
+But, Yvette--on that deserted road, what could she do? Her father, a
+poor road-mender, earned only just enough to make a bare living for his
+wife and child, and certainly not a halfpenny could be spared for toys.
+
+[Illustration: "DEEP IN THOUGHT" (_p._ 116).]
+
+Yvette sat down just near a great heap of stones, which her father had
+to break into small pieces in order to fill in the ruts. When she was
+comfortably installed, she began to fumble in her pocket, and there she
+certainly found all kinds of wonderful things: two cherry-stones, a
+piece of string, a small carrot, a shoe-button, a small penny knife, a
+little bit of blue braid and some crumbs of bread. Now, these were all
+very nice in their way, and were indeed very valuable articles, but
+somehow they did not appeal to Yvette at all just then. She put them
+all very carefully back one by one in her pocket.
+
+Then there was a profound silence. Yvette was not happy. The little face
+puckered itself up into a significant grimace--the little nose was all
+screwed up, and the mouth was just opening--tears were surely on the
+way! Just at that moment, fortunately, the Children's Fairy was passing
+by.
+
+Now you, perhaps, do not know about this Fairy, for no one ever sees
+her, but it is the very one which makes children smile in their dreams,
+and gives them all kinds of pretty thoughts. There is no limit to the
+power of this Fairy, for, with a stroke of her magic wand, she can
+transform things just as she wishes. She is very good and kind-hearted,
+and the proof is that she bestows her favours more generally on the poor
+and unfortunate than on others.
+
+Well, this good Fairy saw that Yvette was just going to cry. She
+stretched her golden wand out over the heap of stones and then flew away
+again, laughing, for she was just as light and as gay as a ray of
+sunshine.
+
+Now, directly the Fairy had gone, it seemed to the road-mender's little
+daughter that one of the big stones near her had a face, and that it was
+dressed just like a little baby. Oh, it was really just like a little
+baby! Yvette stretched out her hand, took the stone up, and immediately
+began to feel for it all the love which a mother feels for her child.
+
+[Illustration: "SHE STRETCHED HER GOLDEN WAND OVER THE HEAP OF STONES"
+(_p._ 118).]
+
+"Ah!" she said to it, cuddling it up in her arms; "do you want to be my
+little girl? You don't speak--oh! but that is because you are too
+young--but I see you would like to. Very well, then; I will be your
+mother, and I shall love you and never whip you. You must be good,
+though, and then I shall never scold you. Oh! but if you are not
+good--you know, I've got a birch rod. Now, come, I'm going to dress you
+better: you look dreadful in that frock." Hereupon Yvette rolled her
+child up in her pinafore, so that there was nothing to be seen of the
+stone but what was supposed to be the baby's head.
+
+"Oh! how pretty she is, dear little thing. There, now, she shall have
+something to eat. Ah! you are crying--but you must not cry, my pretty
+one--there, there." And the hard stone was rocked gently in the soft
+little arms of its fond mother.
+
+"Bye-bye, baby--bye-bye-bye." Yvette sang with all her might, tapping
+her little daughter's back energetically, but evidently all to no
+purpose, for the stone refused to go to sleep. "Ah! naughty girl; you
+won't go to sleep? Oh no, I won't tell you any more stories. I have told
+you Tom Thumb, and that's quite enough for to-night. Go to
+sleep--quick--quick, I say. Oh, dear, dear, naughty child--I've got a
+knife--what! you are crying again! If you only knew how ugly you are
+when you cry! There! now I'm going to slap you--take that, and that, and
+that, to make you quiet. Oh dear, how dreadful it is to have such a
+child. I believe I'll change you, and have a boy. Now, just say you are
+sorry for being so naughty----What! you won't? I'll give you another
+chance. Now--one--two--three. Oh, very well. I know what I shall do. I
+shall just go and take you back. I shall say: 'If you please, I've got a
+dreadful little girl, and I want to change her for a nice little boy,
+named Eugene.' And then they'll say: 'Yes, ma'am; will you have him with
+light hair or dark?' 'Oh,' I shall say, 'I don't mind, as long as he is
+good.' 'He'll be very dear, though, ma'am,' they'll say; 'good little
+boys are very rare, and they cost a great deal.' 'How much?' I shall
+ask. 'Why, one penny, ma'am.' And then I shall think about it----Now,
+then, are you going to be good, and say you are sorry? No? Oh! very
+well--it's too late now--I've changed you. I have no little girl now,
+but a very pretty little boy, named Zizi."
+
+[Illustration: "OH! HOW PRETTY SHE IS" (_p._ 120).]
+
+The stone immediately underwent a complete transformation. Just now,
+when it was a little girl, it had been very quiet and gentle, and had
+kept quite still on Yvette's lap. Now that it was a boy there was no
+more peace: it would jump about, and it would try to get away, for boys
+are always so restless.
+
+"Zizi, will you be still, and will you stay on my lap instead of
+tumbling about in the road? There, let me lift you up! Oh, dear! how
+heavy boys are. There, now, don't you stir, but just eat your bread and
+milk. It will make you grow, and then when you are big you'll have
+beautiful grey whiskers, like father. You shall have a sword, too, and
+perhaps you shall be a policeman. It's very nice to be a policeman, you
+know, because they are never put in prison--they take other people there
+if the people make a noise in the street. Oh, Zizi, do keep still. If
+you don't, I'll call the wolf--you know, the big wolf that runs off with
+little children and takes them into the woods to eat them up. Wolf,
+wolf, where are you?"
+
+Just at that moment a dog appeared--a large, well-fed, happy-looking
+dog, impudent too, and full of fun. He belonged to a carrier who was
+always moving about from place to place, and the dog, accustomed as he
+was to these constant journeys, had got rather familiar, like certain
+commercial travellers, who, no matter where they are, always make
+themselves quite at home.
+
+Now, the dog had got tired of following his master's cart, and when he
+saw something in the distance which was moving about, he bounded off to
+discover what it was. This something was Yvette and her little boy.
+
+"Look, look!" exclaimed the small mother, and there was a tremor in her
+voice. "You see, he is coming--the big wolf!"
+
+He _was_ coming, there was no doubt about that, for he was tearing
+along, and his tongue was hanging out and his ears were pricked up.
+
+The little stone boy was not at all frightened, but Yvette began to
+regret having called the dreadful animal. Oh! if she could only get away
+now; but, alas! she did not dare to move or even to speak.
+
+[Illustration: "THE IMPERTINENT DOG CAME STRAIGHT TO THEM" (_p._ 123).]
+
+The impertinent dog came straight to them. Poor Yvette, half frightened
+to death, threw away the precious stone baby she had been fondling, and,
+picking herself up, began to run, calling out: "Mother! Mother!"
+
+The dog was quite near her, jumping up at her, and then suddenly he
+turned to go and sniff at the little stone boy. He probably thought it
+was a bone or a piece of bread, but he was soon undeceived, and then he
+rushed to the hedge to bark and wake up all the birds.
+
+As to Yvette, she was hurrying along as fast as her little legs could
+carry her, for she was in despair, as she thought the wolf was just
+behind her, and she imagined that she still felt his hot breath on her
+little hand. She stopped when she got to the steps of her home, for she
+was out of breath and all trembling with terror, and she felt sure that
+if she tried to scramble up the steps the wolf would bite her legs.
+Suddenly the inspiration, which the ostrich once had, came to her, and
+she rushed into the corner which was formed by the front of the house
+and the stone steps, and holding her face close to the wall, so that she
+could not see the dreadful animal, she was convinced that she too was
+out of his sight.
+
+She stayed there some minutes in perfect anguish, thinking: "Oh! if I
+move, he'll eat me up!" She was quite surprised even that he did not
+find her, and that his great teeth did not bite her, for she always
+thought wolves were so quick to eat up little girls. Whatever could he
+be doing? And then, not hearing any sound of him, she thought she would
+risk one peep round. Very slowly she turned her head, and then, as
+nothing dreadful happened, she grew bolder and bolder.
+
+The wolf was not in sight, and instead of the barking which had
+terrified her, she now heard a lot of little bells tinkling, and in the
+distance she saw a waggon with four horses coming along.
+
+The sound of the bells was so fascinating that Yvette forgot her duty as
+a mother, and stood there watching the waggon as it approached.
+
+The horses were all grey, and they were coming so fast. Suddenly the
+child uttered an awe-struck cry.
+
+Her child, her little son, was under the heavy wheels! Crunch! crunch!
+and it had gone by, the horrible waggon. Yvette went on to the
+horse-road, and her little heart was very full; for there, where poor
+Zizi had been lying, there was only some yellowish crunched stone. Zizi
+had been ground into powder by the huge wheels. The poor child was in
+despair, and, with tears in her eyes, she shook her little fists at the
+carrier, who was whipping up his horses.
+
+[Illustration: "HER CHILD, HER LITTLE SON, WAS UNDER THE HEAVY WHEELS!"]
+
+"Cruel, wicked man!" she cried, and then her eyes happening to fall on
+the heap of stones which had supplied her with a family, she saw another
+stone smiling at her now. She ran quickly to it, picked it up and kissed
+it affectionately, and then, happy in her new treasure, she cried out
+defiantly to the carrier, whom she could still see in the distance: "Ah!
+I don't care! I've got another--there, then! and it's a girl this time.
+I won't have any more dreadful boys to be afraid of wolves, and to go
+and get themselves killed just to make their poor mother unhappy."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Oh! kind, good Fairy, you who watch over the children, and who give them
+their happiness and console them in sorrow when they are playing at
+life--oh, good Fairy, do not forget your big children.
+
+Older men tell me that I am young, but the younger ones do not think so;
+and I, myself, saw, only this morning, a silver thread in my hairs. Oh,
+kind Fairy, Fairy of the children, help me, too, to believe that the
+moon is made of green cheese; for, after all, our happiness here below
+consists in our faith and in our illusions.
+
+
+
+
+"Wittysplinter."
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"WITTYSPLINTER."
+
+From the German of Clemens Brentano.
+
+
+ONCE upon a time there was a King of Roundabout who had, among many
+other servants, a page-boy who was called Wittysplinter, and he
+preferred him above all the others, and showered upon him honours and
+presents, because of his uncommon skill and cleverness, and because
+everything the King gave him to do he always accomplished successfully.
+Now, because of the great favour which the King showed to Wittysplinter,
+all the other page-boys and servants were jealous of him; for, if his
+cleverness were rewarded with money, they generally received nothing but
+scoldings for their stupidity; if Wittysplinter received praise from the
+King, they generally received a blowing-up; when Wittysplinter got a new
+coat to his back, they got instead the application of a stick to theirs;
+and if Wittysplinter were permitted to kiss the King's hand, they were
+only allowed to touch it when they got a smack from it.
+
+On account of all these things, therefore, they got very angry with
+Wittysplinter, and went about murmuring and whispering the whole day
+long, and putting their heads together and plotting how best they could
+deprive Wittysplinter of the love of the King. One of them scattered a
+lot of peas on the steps up to the throne, so that Wittysplinter might
+stumble and break the glass sceptre which he always had to present to
+the King; another nailed pieces of melon skin to his shoes, so that he
+might slide along and make a dreadful mess of the King's gown when he
+was handing him the soup; a third put all sorts of horrid flies in a
+straw, and blew them into the King's wig when Wittysplinter was dressing
+it; a fourth played some other nasty trick, and every one sought to do
+something to deprive Wittysplinter of the King's favour. Wittysplinter
+was so cautious, however, and so clever and watchful, that everything
+they did was in vain, and he brought all the commands of the King to a
+successful issue.
+
+Well, when they found that all these manoeuvres were quite useless, they
+determined to try something else. Now, the King had an enemy, whom he
+could never get the better of, and who was always doing him some
+mischief. This was a giant who was called Sleepyhead, and who lived in a
+large mountain, where he had a splendid palace surrounded by a thick,
+gloomy wood; and with the exception of his wife, Thickasmud, no human
+being lived with him; but a lion who was called Hendread, and a bear
+called Honeybeard, and a wolf called Lambsnapper, and a dog called
+Harescare, acted as his servants. He had also in the stables a horse
+called Flyinglegs.
+
+Now, there dwelt in the neighbourhood of Roundabout a very beautiful
+Queen, Madam Flosk, who had a daughter, Miss Flink, and the King of
+Roundabout, who wanted to possess all the land adjoining his own, was
+very anxious to marry Madam Flosk. But she was proud, and let him know
+that many other Kings were also anxious to marry her, and that she would
+accept in marriage that King only who was most expeditious, and that he
+who was first by her side when she went into church next Monday morning
+at half-past ten should have her as his wife, and all her possessions
+into the bargain.
+
+Thereupon the King summoned all his household, and put the question to
+them: "How am I to manage to be first in the church on Monday morning
+next, and so gain Queen Flosk for my wife?"
+
+Then his servants answered him, and said: "You must gain possession of
+the horse Flyinglegs, belonging to the giant Sleepyhead; if you once get
+astride of it, no one can possibly get there before you; and to get this
+horse for you no one is more suited than Wittysplinter, who is so
+successful in all he undertakes."
+
+Thus spoke the wicked servants, in the hope that the Giant Sleepyhead
+would kill Wittysplinter. The King, accordingly, commanded Wittysplinter
+to bring the horse Flyinglegs to him.
+
+Wittysplinter got a hand-barrow, and placed a bees hive on it, then a
+sack into which he thrust a cock, a hare, and a lamb, and laid it on the
+barrow; he took with him, also, a long piece of rope, and a large box
+full of snuff; slung round him a riding whip, fastened a pair of good
+spurs to his boots, and quietly set off, pushing his barrow in front of
+him.
+
+Towards evening he had reached the summit of the high mountain, and when
+he had traversed the wood he saw before him the castle of the giant
+Sleepyhead. Night drew on, and very soon he heard the giant Sleepyhead
+and his wife, Thickasmud, and his lion, Hendread, and his bear,
+Honeybeard, and his wolf, Lambsnapper, and his dog, Harescare, all
+snoring loudly; only the horse, Flyinglegs, was still awake, and
+stamping the floor of the stable with its hoofs.
+
+Then Wittysplinter took the long piece of rope very quietly from the
+sack, and stretched it across in front of the door of the castle from
+one tree to another, and placed the box of snuff in the middle; next he
+took the beehive and placed it in a tree by the side of the path, and
+then went into the stable and undid the fastenings of Flyinglegs. He
+placed the sack with the lamb, the hare, and the cock on its back, and
+jumping up himself and using his spurs, he rode out of the stable.
+
+But the horse Flyinglegs could speak, and screamed out quite loudly:--
+
+    "Thickasmud and Sleepyhead!
+    Honeybeard and Hendread!
+    Lambsnapper and Harescare!
+    I'm being stolen, so pray beware!"
+
+and then it galloped off as hard as it could, because, with
+Wittysplinter on its back, it couldn't help itself. Then Thickasmud and
+Sleepyhead woke up and heard the cry of the horse Flyinglegs. Quickly
+they awakened the bear Honeybeard, the lion Hendread, the wolf
+Lambsnapper, and the dog Harescare, and all together they rushed
+pell-mell out of the house, to try and catch Wittysplinter with the
+horse Flyinglegs.
+
+[Illustration: "THEY RUSHED PELL-MELL OUT OF THE HOUSE."]
+
+But in the darkness the giant Sleepyhead and his wife Thickasmud
+stumbled over the rope which Wittysplinter had tied in front of the
+castle door, and, splosh!--they fell with their eyes and noses right
+into the box of snuff which he had placed there. They rubbed their eyes
+and sneezed one time after another, and Sleepyhead said: "Your good
+health,[1] Thickasmud." "I thank you," answered Thickasmud, and then
+said: "Good health to you, Sleepyhead." "I thank you," answered he; and
+so on, until they had wept the snuff out of their eyes and sneezed it
+out of their noses, and by the time this had happened Wittysplinter was
+clear of the wood.
+
+The bear Honeybeard was the first after him, but when he came to the
+bees' hive the smell of the honey enticed him, and he wanted to eat it;
+then the bees came buzzing out, and stung him all over the face to such
+an extent that he ran back half blind to the castle. Wittysplinter had
+already got some distance out of the wood when he heard the lion
+Hendread coming bounding after him, so he quickly took the cock out of
+his sack, and when it flew up into a tree and began to crow, the lion
+got so dreadfully frightened that it ran back again.
+
+Now Wittysplinter heard the wolf Lambsnapper behind him. He quickly let
+loose the lamb out of his sack, and the wolf galloped after it, and let
+him ride off in safety. He was by this time quite near the town when he
+heard a bark behind him, and looking round, saw the dog Harescare
+coming tearing after him. Quickly he let loose the hare out of the sack,
+and the dog ran after it, and he arrived safely in the town.
+
+The King thanked Wittysplinter very much for the horse, but the wicked
+servants of the Court were very much annoyed that he had come off with a
+whole skin. On the following Monday the King mounted upon his horse
+Flyinglegs and rode off to Queen Flosk, and the horse galloped so
+quickly that he was there long before any of the other Kings, and had
+already danced several of his wedding dances when they arrived. Just
+when he was about to start off home with his Queen, his servants said to
+him: "Your Majesty has indeed the giant Sleepyhead's horse, but how much
+more splendid it would be if you had his clothes as well, which are said
+to surpass anything that man has ever seen. The clever Wittysplinter
+would, no doubt, very soon bring them to you if you commanded him to do
+so."
+
+The King was at once possessed with a great desire for Sleepyhead's
+clothes, and again gave the commission to Wittysplinter. When the latter
+had started off upon the road the wicked servants rejoiced, and thought
+that this time he would surely not escape the clutches of the giant
+Sleepyhead.
+
+On this occasion Wittysplinter took nothing with him but a few good
+strong sacks. On arriving at the giant's castle he climbed up into a
+tree, and lay hid until every one was in bed. When everything had become
+quiet he climbed down again. Just then he heard Madam Thickasmud calling
+out: "Sleepyhead, my pillow is very low; fetch me a bundle of straw
+from outside." Thereupon Wittysplinter quickly slipped into a bundle of
+straw, and Sleepyhead carried him, along with the straw, into his room,
+shoved him under the pillow, and then lay down in bed again.
+
+As soon as they had fallen asleep Wittysplinter packed all Sleepyhead's
+and Thickasmud's clothes into his sack, and very quietly and very
+carefully tied it to the tail of the lion Hendread; then he tied the
+wolf Lambsnapper, and the bear Honeybeard, and the dog Harescare, who
+were lying about asleep, fast to the giant's bed, and opened the door
+very wide. So far he had managed everything just as he would have
+wished, but he wanted to take away the giant's beautiful bed-cover as
+well. So he gave the corner of it a slight tug, then another, and
+another, and so on, until it fell on the floor. He immediately wrapped
+himself up in it, and seated himself on the sack containing the giant's
+clothes, which he had tied to the lion's tail. Soon the cool night wind
+began to blow through the open door and over Thickasmud's legs, and
+waking up, she cried, "Sleepyhead, you've pulled all the bed-clothes off
+me. I've nothing at all over me." "Thickasmud, _you've_ pulled all the
+clothes off _me_," and thereupon they began to belabour each other, so
+that Wittysplinter began to laugh loudly at them. As soon as they heard
+this they called out "Thieves, thieves! Up, Hendread! Up, Lambsnapper!
+Up, Honeybeard and Harescare! Thieves, thieves!" At this all the animals
+woke up, and the lion sprang forth out of the door. Now Wittysplinter,
+wrapped up in the bed-cover, was sitting on the bundle of clothes tied
+to the lion's tail; and as soon as the lion began to run, he was driven
+along just as if he was in a carriage. He began to cry out several times
+"kikriki-ki-kri-ki,' just like a cock, and the lion got such a fright at
+this that he ran in mad terror right up to the gates of the city. When
+quite near to the gates, Wittysplinter took out his knife and cut the
+string, and the lion, who was going at such a rate that he couldn't stop
+himself, ran his head full bang against the gates and fell down dead.
+
+[Illustration: "HE COULDN'T STOP HIMSELF" (_p._ 138).]
+
+The other animals, who had been bound to the bedstead of Sleepyhead and
+Thickasmud, could not get it out of the door because it was too wide,
+and they dragged it and pulled it about the room so much that both
+Sleepyhead and Thickasmud fell out, and became so angry that they beat
+the wolf, the bear, and the dog to death, although the poor animals
+really couldn't help it.
+
+When the watch in the city heard the noise of the great blow which the
+lion had given to the gates, they opened them, and Wittysplinter carried
+the clothes of Sleepyhead and Thickasmud in triumph to the King, who
+nearly jumped out of his skin with joy, for such clothes had never
+before been seen. There was, among other things, a hunting-coat, made of
+the skins of all the fourfooted animals, and so beautifully sewn
+together that one could see the whole story of Reynard the Fox depicted
+on it. Also a bird-catcher's coat, made of feathers from all the birds
+in the world, an eagle in front and an owl behind; and in the pockets
+there were a musical box and a peal of bells, which made music just like
+all kinds of birds singing together. Further, there was a bathing-dress
+and a fisher's-dress, made from the skins of all the fish in the world,
+sewn together so that one saw a whale-hunt and a great catch of herrings
+on it. Then a garden-dress of Madam Thickasmud's, on which all sorts of
+flowers and fruits, salads and vegetables, were embroidered. But what
+surpassed everything else was the bed-cover; it was made entirely of the
+skins of bats, and all the stars of heaven were represented on it by
+means of diamonds.
+
+The Royal family were quite dumb with astonishment and wonder.
+Wittysplinter was kissed and embraced, and his enemies nearly exploded
+with rage to see that he had again escaped without hurt from the hands
+of Sleepyhead.
+
+Even yet they did not despair, and put the idea into the King's head
+that nothing was now wanting to his dignity but that he should possess
+the castle of Sleepyhead itself, and the King, who was a very child in
+these matters and always wanted to have whatever took his fancy, said
+immediately to Wittysplinter that he wanted Sleepyhead's castle, and
+that as soon as he got it for him he would be rewarded.
+
+Wittysplinter did not take much time to think about it, and for the
+third time ran off to the abode of Sleepyhead. When he arrived there,
+the giant was not at home, and he heard something in the room crying
+like a calf. Then he looked through the window, and saw Dame Thickasmud
+chopping wood, and at the same time nursing a little giant on her arm,
+who was showing his teeth and bleating like a calf.
+
+Wittysplinter went in, and said: "Good-day, my great and beautiful,
+broad and portly dame! How is it that you have got to do so much work
+and have to nurse your child at the same time? Have you no maids or
+grooms? Where is your husband, then?"
+
+"Ach," said Madam Thickasmud, "my husband has gone out to invite all
+his relations to a feast we are going to hold. And I have to cook
+everything for myself now, for my husband killed the bear, and the wolf,
+and the dog, that used to help us; and the lion has run off, too."
+
+"That is certainly very hard lines on you," said Wittysplinter. "If I
+could do anything to help you, I should be only too glad."
+
+Then Thickasmud asked him to chop up four logs of wood into small pieces
+for her; and Wittysplinter took the axe and said to the giantess: "You
+might hold the wood for me a moment, please," and the giantess bent down
+and caught hold of the wood. Wittysplinter raised the axe in the air,
+and swish! down it came, and cut Thickasmud's head off and Mollakopp's
+at the same time, and there they lay.
+
+The next thing he proceeded to do was to dig a large, deep hole right in
+front of the castle door, into which he threw Thickasmud and Mollakopp,
+and then covered over the opening with a thin layer of branches and
+leaves. Then he proceeded to light up all the rooms of the castle with
+candles and torches, and took a large copper kettle, and beat upon it
+with soup ladles. Then he got a tin funnel, and blew a blast on it just
+like a trumpet, and between each performance he shouted, "Hurrah! Long
+live His Majesty the King of Roundabout."
+
+When Sleepyhead was returning home towards evening, and saw all the
+lights in the windows and heard the shouting, he was mad with rage, and
+ran with such fury against the door that he fell through the hole
+covered with branches and lay there a prisoner, shouting and making a
+great noise. Wittysplinter immediately ran down and threw large stones
+on him, until he had filled up the hole.
+
+[Illustration: "WITTYSPLINTER THREW LARGE STONES ON HIM."]
+
+And now Wittysplinter took the key of the castle and ran with it to King
+Roundabout, who immediately betook himself to the castle, along with his
+wife Flosk and her daughter Flink and Wittysplinter, and inspected all
+there was to be seen there. After they had spent fourteen whole days in
+looking at an immense number of rooms, chambers, cellars, look-out
+towers, bakeries, furnaces, kitchens, wood-stove houses, dining-rooms,
+smoking-rooms, wash-houses, etc., the King asked Wittysplinter what he
+would like as a reward for his faithful services. And Wittysplinter
+replied that he would like to marry the Princess Flink, if it were
+agreeable to her. The Princess very readily consented, and they were
+married and lived in the giant's castle, where they are to be found to
+this day.
+
+FOOTNOTE:
+
+[1] The custom of wishing one "Good Health" after a sneeze, prevalent
+in Germany and other European countries, is supposed to have origin in
+the fact that the crisis, or turning-point for better or worse of a
+certain fever, is indicated by a sneeze from the patient, and hence the
+natural expression of a hope for a favourable recovery.
+
+
+
+
+The Mid-day Rock.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+THE MID-DAY ROCK.
+
+FROM THE FRENCH of J. JARRY.
+
+
+ONCE upon a time there was a poor man, who lived somewhere in the middle
+of the woods near a place called Gatines de Treigny. Everybody called
+him Father Rameau. Not that he had any children--he had not even ever
+been married; nor that he was very old, for he was barely fifty; but he
+had always had such a hard time of it that his hair had grown grey very
+early, and his back had been bent and bowed long before its time.
+
+He was generally to be seen toiling along under a big bundle of brooms,
+which he made with the greatest skill from young birch branches, selling
+them on market days to the housewives of Saint-Amand or Saint-Sauveur.
+
+Father Rameau was not ambitious, far from it; if he had been alone in
+the world, without relations depending on him, he would have been quite
+content to live on black bread every day of the week, with an occasional
+glass of wine from the charitable folk of the neighbourhood. But Father
+Rameau had a younger sister married to a vine-dresser of Perreuse, and
+he was god-father to their daughter; she was just growing up into a
+woman, and was so pretty and modest and intelligent, that every one had
+a good word for her, and now she was engaged to be married to a young
+man called George, a capital worker, but without a penny in the world.
+The wedding was to take place as soon as she was twenty; and they had
+given each other engagement rings--common leaden rings, bought from one
+of the pedlars who visit the hamlets of the district.
+
+Humble as he was where he himself only was concerned, Father Rameau was
+proud indeed in matters connected with his niece.
+
+"A leaden ring," he murmured, "when so many other girls, not half as
+good as my god-daughter, have a gold one! How I wish Madeleine could
+choose the one she liked best from the jeweller's shop in Saint-Sauveur!
+Ah, it's not much use wishing. If I put by every penny I could spare for
+years and years I could never afford it. Madeleine's poor, George is
+poor, I am poor, and always shall be. Well, we're honest, that's one
+comfort, and we needn't be jealous, at any rate."
+
+As the old broomseller was thinking all this, he met George, who was
+driving a pair of oxen, their nostrils steaming in the first rays of the
+morning sun. "Good-day, lad," said he.
+
+"Good-day, Father Rameau."
+
+"Off to work already?"
+
+"Yes, father. I'm just going over the master's fields for the last time
+before seed sowing; we shall begin next week. We're rather behind hand
+you know."
+
+"So you are; October's nearly over."
+
+"Can you guess what I was thinking of as I came along?"
+
+"_What_ you were thinking of? You mean _who_," said Father Rameau,
+rather crossly.
+
+"Well, yes, you're right. Madeleine is never out of my mind," answered
+George thoughtfully. "I was saying to myself that, if there are plenty
+of weeds over there" (and he pointed to the uncultivated moor with his
+goad), "there is good soil as well, and that any one who had time to
+clear even a corner of it might buy the girl he was engaged to----"
+
+"A gold ring!"
+
+"How _did_ you guess what I meant? You don't come from Cheneau, where
+all the wizards live," laughed George.
+
+"No witchcraft in that, nephew. The other day I saw how unhappy you were
+that you could only give Madeleine a leaden ring, and I was just as
+sorry myself that I couldn't buy her a better one ... and ever since
+I've been trying to think of a way...."
+
+"And have you found one, father?"
+
+"_You've_ found it for me, lad. I shall make a clearing of a bit of the
+moor."
+
+Even at the risk of offending his future uncle, the young labourer could
+not help smiling.
+
+"That's a task for stronger arms than yours, father," he said. "No one
+can beat you at cutting birch branches and making them into brooms. But
+that doesn't need so much muscle as digging up soil like this, pulling
+up the great roots out of it, or smashing and carrying away huge
+boulders of rock. Ah, if only I had not given my word to stay with my
+master till I am married!"
+
+"You may laugh at me, lad, but I won't bear malice," said the old man.
+"If the old are not so strong as the young, they are more persevering. I
+shall clear a bit of the moor, and with the money from my first harvest
+we will go and buy the ring. Good-bye, lad."
+
+"Good-bye, father; we shall see you doing wonders before long, I know."
+
+"I shall be working for Madeleine," he said, "and your patron saint
+(George means cultivator of the soil) will help me."
+
+At twelve precisely, Father Rameau came back to the moor with a heavy
+pick on his shoulder; he meant to set to work without delay.
+
+Bang went the first stroke of the pick, accompanied with the significant
+grunt diggers, woodmen, and such folk give over their work. But just as
+he was raising his arm for another try, he stood suddenly stock-still,
+with eyes staring wide in a white, terrified face.
+
+From the midst of the boulders scattered about, which were trembling
+like Celtic monuments, had arisen an apparition, which the old man knew
+was supernatural and divine, though its form was human.
+
+Imagine a tiny little lady, ethereal rather than thin, youthfully lovely
+and dainty, a kind of dream beauty, attired in a silvery tunic
+embroidered with gorse blossoms. On her head a wreath of heather; in her
+hand a wand of the broom plant in blossom; all around the holly, ferns,
+and junipers, all the wild plants and shrubs, were bowing down as if in
+homage to a Sovereign. A ray of sunlight was playing round her head like
+an aureole. She was the Fairy of the Moor.
+
+"You are a bold man," she said to the old workman, "to dare thus to
+encroach on my domains." There was a thrill of anger in her clear voice,
+and her blue eyes sparkled.
+
+[Illustration: "HE STOOD SUDDENLY STOCK-STILL" (_p._ 148).]
+
+"Lady Fairy," stammered the old man, "be merciful to a wretched labourer
+who never meant to wrong you. Your domains are so vast, I hoped there
+would be no harm if I took the liberty of borrowing just a little corner
+from you."
+
+"What do you want it for?"
+
+"To cultivate it," answered old Rameau, who was beginning to feel less
+frightened.
+
+"To cultivate it!" cried the fairy. "You mean to dig it up, turn it
+over, and upset it all round! Do you not see how lovely it is now, and
+are you so presumptuous as to think you can do better for it than Nature
+has done already?" Her voice grew softer as she went on: "What could you
+find anywhere that is as beautiful as this spot in spring-time, when,
+under a sky of the tenderest blue, the little leaves are beginning to
+bud on the branches, the tufts of narcissus are opening among the
+marshes, and everywhere in the woods around the blackbirds are beginning
+to whistle their first notes, the doves keep up a gentle cooing, and the
+jays are chattering like parrots?"
+
+"A couple of partridges calling to each other," answered the old man, "a
+quail uttering its three sonorous cries, or a lark soaring into the sky
+with its breathless melody, make a pleasanter sound, to my way of
+thinking. But these are birds that like to build their nests among the
+corn. They are not found near your kingdom."
+
+"In summer," went on the fairy, "when the moors are flooded with
+sunshine, and the heat brings out a delicious odour of resin from my
+favourite shrubs, I love to look on the purple of the heather, and the
+gold of gorse and broom."
+
+"I prefer the pink clover with the drowsy bees humming over it,"
+answered the old man, "and the ripening harvest, yellow like your
+beautiful hair, Lady Fairy."
+
+Fairy as she was, the queen of the moors was not displeased at the
+compliment. Father Rameau saw this from her face, and said to himself
+his cause was half won.
+
+"In autumn," she retorted, though, "even here, there comes to me, out
+of the depths of the thickets near, the baying of the pack when the hunt
+is out, and often they traverse my domains to get from one part of the
+forest to another. The poor, hunted stag, whose tongue is hanging out of
+his mouth with weariness, makes for this very heap of rocks sometimes;
+then I help him to elude his cruel foes and to get away safely."
+
+"Yes," said the old man, as if he liked this idea, "the dogs get their
+noses pricked on the thorn-bushes and lose trace of their prey. That is
+indeed a kind action. I, too, like to put the pack on a wrong scent. The
+stags are such dear things, with their soft brown eyes. Those in this
+neighbourhood know me, and when I sit down to make my brooms right in
+the middle of a copse, as I do sometimes, they come quite close up to
+me. If only there were wheat growing on your moor, you would be able to
+protect the hares, too, for they would then take refuge in the shelter
+of your park."
+
+"But when you have pulled up my holly and junipers and broom-bushes, how
+shall I be able to make fires for the long winter evenings? I shall die,
+pierced by the cruel breath of the keen north wind, and be buried under
+a shroud of white snow."
+
+"Oh, gracious fay, if you fear the cold, will there not always be the
+place of honour kept for you by our chimney-corner, in the little home I
+mean to build on the moor? You will come and get warm whenever you like
+by our fireside. My god-daughter, Madeleine, will keep you company, and
+some day, perhaps, I shall entreat you to be god-mother to her first
+baby."
+
+Thus Father Rameau had his answer ready for all her objections. These
+last words of his touched the fairy, and the expression of her face
+became very soft and kind. "I know Madeleine well," she said; "I know
+how fair she is to see, in her snowy white caps. I know how her goodness
+is spoken of far and wide; and I have even heard that she is to marry
+that hard-working lad I saw talking with you this morning. They will be
+a charming pair, and their home will be a delightful place. And you,
+dear old man, who have no ambition for yourself, but only care for your
+dear ones, you will have your reward for your cheerful faith in the
+future. Take up your pick and have courage over your digging. I grant
+you this corner of my domain. The rest I am sure you will respect, for
+you are not greedy; will the others who come after you spare it, too?
+Alas, when once the moor has been cleared all over and cultivated, I
+shall have to die! But we will only think of the happiness of your young
+folk; and, silence! not a word of all this to any one!"
+
+And with a finger on her lips, she vanished.
+
+By the end of October Father Rameau had dug over, cleared, and prepared
+two acres of ground. All by himself? With his pickaxe and spade? Yes,
+quite by himself, and with his pickaxe and spade. He had worked as if by
+magic, for the fairy, always present and always invisible, had endowed
+him with some of her magic power. She helped him to split the hardest
+boulders, to haul up the most tenacious roots, to collect in bundles the
+old tree-stumps and weeds, and every kind of rubbish, and set fire to
+it, and so make the very first dressing the soil had ever had on it.
+Will you believe it? By seed-sowing time the ground was ready, and was
+sown with oats, which began to grow in no time, came well through all
+the frosts, and by the following April was waving abroad in a luxuriant
+mass of green. A lark built its nest in it, and every morning nodded its
+little tufted head at Father Rameau, who was watching over its nest, as
+if out of gratitude for what he had done.
+
+[Illustration: FATHER RAMEAU CLEARS THE PATCH.]
+
+The harvest was splendid, and fetched a high price.
+
+George could no longer smile at Father Rameau's old arms, and had to
+confess he had found his master: Father Rameau smiled slily when he
+said, "After all, nephew, we shall have a gold ring for Madeleine." But
+when the time came for getting it, Madeleine would not allow it. "No,
+father," she said, "you have toiled and moiled this year at your
+digging; buy a plough: any one will lend you a plough-horse for a few
+days, and it won't be nearly such hard work for you."
+
+So when autumn came again, the old man cleared another two acres, and
+next summer his harvest was twice as big--and so were his profits.
+
+Madeleine still refused the precious ring. "Buy a pair of oxen," she
+said; "you will be independent then of every one."
+
+Next year the old man's field was bigger than ever; and Madeleine
+advised him to use the profit of his harvest for building a little
+house. Her modest, sensible advice was acted upon every time, and, in
+fact, when the wedding-day arrived, the gold ring had still not been
+bought and at the marriage ceremony, in the church at Treigny, it was
+over the old leaden rings of their betrothal that the cure pronounced
+his blessing. "We have given our hearts to each other," said the young
+wife; "what do we want with gold rings after that? What do you think,
+George?"
+
+"I mean to spend the money on a christening robe, then," said Father
+Rameau gaily. "Bless me, things'll have to be just so then, if ever they
+are! If you only knew what kind of a god-mother----"
+
+But he stopped short just in time, remembering the fairy's injunction
+about silence; and Madeleine, whom he had made very inquisitive, could
+not get another word out of him. She never found out what he meant till
+her first baby was born, when on the day of the christening there
+stepped into the cottage, surrounded by a circle of bright light, the
+marvellous god-mother, the Fairy of the Moor.
+
+[Illustration: "THE FAIRY OF THE MOOR."]
+
+Many tried to follow Father Rameau's example and cultivate a portion of
+the moor; but very few succeeded, because the fairy could see into the
+very bottom of their hearts, and would only help the true-hearted--rare
+folk, alas! in this world. There is much left still to be cleared. And
+she yet lives on, the little fairy of the silvery tunic embroidered with
+gorse blossoms, with her crown of heather bells, and her wand a verdant
+broom branch. But if ever you want to see her, as old Father Rameau did,
+you must arrive at the Mid-day Rock on the first stroke of twelve, and
+have a conscience perfectly clear; two conditions which seem easy
+enough, and which are really very difficult of fulfilment.
+
+
+
+
+Lillekort.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Lillekort.
+
+From the French of Xavier Marmier.
+
+
+THERE was once a man and his wife who were very, very poor, and had a
+great many children. Each year added one to the number. One day the wife
+gave birth to a beautiful boy, who, on opening his eyes, cried:
+
+"Dearest mother, give me some of my brother's old clothes, and food for
+two days, and I will go into the world and seek my fortune, for I see
+you have enough children here without me."
+
+"Heaven forbid, my child!" exclaimed the mother. "You are much too young
+to leave the house."
+
+But the little one insisted; so at length his mother gave him some
+clothes and some food, and he departed, full of joy. Lillekort (for so
+he named himself) travelled towards the east. Presently he met an old,
+one-eyed woman, and took away her eye.
+
+"Alas!" she cried, "I can no longer see. What will become of me?"
+
+"What will you give me for your eye?" asked Lillekort.
+
+"A sword that will slay a whole army, no matter how numerous."
+
+"So be it."
+
+Lillekort took the sword and continued his journey. A little farther on
+he met another old, one-eyed woman, took away her eye, and asked what
+she would give him for returning it.
+
+The old woman said she would give him a ship that would sail over land
+and sea, over mountains and valleys, and on his agreeing, she gave him a
+little ship so small and light that he could carry it about in his
+pocket.
+
+As soon as he was quite alone Lillekort stopped to examine his little
+vessel. He drew it from his pocket and put one foot in it. Immediately
+it grew larger. He put in the second foot. It grew yet larger. He sat
+down in it. It increased yet more. Then he said:
+
+"Go over the waves of the ocean, over mountains and through valleys,
+until you reach the palace of the King."
+
+The ship immediately sped through space with the rapidity of a bird, and
+stopped in front of a magnificent palace. From one of the windows of
+this palace several persons beheld, with astonishment and interest, this
+boy who travelled in a manner so strange, and they hastened out to
+obtain a nearer view of the wonder. But Lillekort had already put his
+ship in his pocket. They asked who he was and whence he came. To these
+different questions he knew not how to reply; but in a firm voice said
+he wished to enter the service of the King, no matter in what capacity;
+if need be, as a servant of the servants.
+
+His humble request was granted. He was ordered to fetch wood and water
+for the kitchen. Arriving at the palace he saw with surprise that all
+the walls were hung with black, both without and within.
+
+"Wherefore," he asked the cook, "this appearance of mourning?"
+
+"Alas!" she replied, "the only daughter of our King has been promised to
+three trolls, enormous ogres, and Thursday next the first comes to claim
+her. A knight, whose name is Rend, has undertaken to defend her. But how
+should he succeed? In the meantime we are all plunged in anguish and
+affliction."
+
+Thursday evening Rend led the Princess to the sea-shore. It was here he
+had to defend her. But he was not very brave, so instead of waiting near
+her he climbed a tree and hid among the branches. In vain the Princess
+begged him to assist her.
+
+"No, no," said he; "why two victims? One is sufficient."
+
+At that moment Lillekort asked the cook's permission to go to the
+sea-shore.
+
+"Go," said she, "but be sure you return by the time I prepare supper,
+and do not forget to bring me a good load of wood."
+
+Lillekort promised, and ran toward the beach. At the same time the
+troll appeared, making a noise like thunder. His body was of enormous
+dimensions and he had five frightful heads.
+
+"Madman!" he cried, on seeing the little kitchen-boy.
+
+"Madman!" repeated Lillekort.
+
+"Do you know how to fight?"
+
+"If I do not know I will learn."
+
+The troll then threw a bar of iron at Lillekort, which, falling on the
+ground, raised a pile of sand and dust.
+
+"A beautiful tower of strength," cried Lillekort. "Now, see mine."
+
+With these words he drew his sword, and with one blow smote off the
+monster's five heads.
+
+Finding herself delivered, the Princess began to dance and sing gaily,
+then she said to the young boy: "Rest, lay your head on my knees."
+
+Whilst he thus rested she placed on him a suit of golden armour.
+
+All danger being over, Rend came down from the tree, took the tongues
+and lungs of the monster, and then told the Princess he would kill her
+unless she promised to acknowledge him publicly as her deliverer. She
+yielded to his threats, and he returned with her in triumph to the
+palace. The King loaded him with honours, and at supper seated him at
+his right hand. Meanwhile, Lillekort entered the giant's ship, and
+brought from thence a quantity of gold and silver trinkets.
+
+"From whence all these riches?" asked the cook anxiously, for she feared
+he had stolen them.
+
+"Reassure yourself," he replied. "I went home for a moment; these
+trinkets fell from an old piece of furniture, so I brought them back for
+you."
+
+"What beautiful things! A thousand thanks!"
+
+[Illustration: "WHILST HE THUS RESTED SHE PLACED ON HIM A SUIT OF GOLDEN
+ARMOUR" (_p._ 162).]
+
+The Thursday following, fresh grief, fresh anguish. However, Rend said
+as he had vanquished the first troll, he reckoned he could conquer the
+second. But this time also he took refuge among the branches of a tree,
+saying: "Why two victims? One is surely sufficient."
+
+Lillekort again obtained the cook's permission to go out, he said to
+play with some children on the sea-shore; so he hastened forth, after
+promising to return by the time she prepared supper, and bring a good
+load of wood.
+
+As he reached the shore he saw the troll approaching. He was twice as
+colossal as the first, and had ten heads.
+
+"Madman!" exclaimed the troll, on seeing Lillekort.
+
+"Madman!" repeated the valiant boy, and on the troll asking if he could
+fight, replied, as on the former occasion, that he could learn.
+
+The giant then threw a bar of iron at him, which, falling on the ground,
+raised a column of dust thirty feet high.
+
+"A beautiful tower of strength," said the boy. "Now, see mine." And
+drawing his sword, he, with one blow, smote off the monster's ten heads.
+
+Again the Princess desired him to rest his head on her knees, and this
+time she placed on him a suit of silver armour.
+
+Rend now came down from the tree, took the tongues and lungs of the
+troll, and returned with the Princess in triumph to the palace, after
+having declared he would kill her if she did not acknowledge him
+publicly as her deliverer. The King received him with enthusiasm, and
+knew not how to show his gratitude.
+
+Lillekort returned to the kitchen, carrying a quantity of gold and
+silver he had taken from the troll's ship.
+
+[Illustration: "HE HAD FIFTEEN HEADS" (_p._ 166).]
+
+The third Thursday, the palace was again hung with black, and the people
+were plunged in grief. But Rend said he had already conquered two
+formidable monsters and would overcome the third. But, as on the
+preceding Thursdays, he hid in the tree, and when the Princess implored
+him to remain with her, said one victim was sufficient.
+
+Lillekort, who had again obtained the cook's permission to go out,
+reached the shore at the same time as the monster, who was much more
+terrible than either of the two former. He had fifteen heads, and the
+bar of iron he threw at his brave little adversary raised a column of
+earth forty feet high. Lillekort, however, with his magic sword, struck
+off the fifteen heads at one blow.
+
+"Rest," said the Princess; "rest your head on my knees."
+
+Whilst he thus rested, she put on him a suit of bronze armour, and said:
+
+"How can we make it known that it is you who saved me?"
+
+"Listen," replied Lillekort, "this is my idea. Rend will go without
+scruple to claim the reward promised to your deliverer: your hand and
+the half of your father's kingdom. When the day for your marriage
+arrives say you wish to be served at table by the boy who carries wood
+and water to the kitchen. I will let a few drops of wine fall on Rend's
+plate. He will strike me. A second and a third time I will do the same,
+and again he will strike me; then you shall say: 'For shame to strike
+him whom I love--he who saved me--he whom I should wed!'"
+
+Seeing the troll was dead, Rend came down from the tree and led the
+Princess back to the palace, after having made her swear a third time
+to proclaim him as her deliverer.
+
+[Illustration: "Lillekort with his magic sword struck off the fifteen
+heads at one blow." _page 166_]
+
+The King announced that his daughter's deliverer should receive in the
+most splendid manner the reward he had so well deserved. The cowardly
+knight was betrothed to the Princess, and half the kingdom was given
+him. The day of the Princess's marriage she would be served by the boy
+who carried wood and water to the kitchen.
+
+[Illustration: "IN ARMOUR OF GLITTERING GOLD" (_p._ 168).]
+
+"What!" exclaimed Rend, in disgust, "you wish that dirty, hideous little
+varlet to come near you?"
+
+"Yes, I wish it."
+
+Lillekort was summoned, and, as he had said, he once, twice, thrice let
+some drops of wine fall in Rend's plate.
+
+The first time he was struck the coarse garments he wore fell off, and
+the valiant boy appeared in a suit of bronze armour, the second time in
+silver armour, and the third time in armour of glittering gold.
+
+Then the Princess cried: "For shame to strike him whom I love--he who
+saved me--he whom I should wed!"
+
+Rend swore loudly that it was he who had saved her.
+
+"Let us see the proofs of the victors," said the King.
+
+The knight immediately showed the tongues and lungs of the trolls.
+
+Lillekort fetched the treasures he had taken from the monsters' ships.
+At the sight of the gold, silver, and diamonds, no one had the slightest
+doubt.
+
+"The trolls alone have such treasures," said the King, "and only he who
+kills them can obtain possession of their riches."
+
+Rend, the coward and impostor, was thrown into a ditch full of serpents,
+and the Princess's hand was given to Lillekort, together with half of
+the kingdom.
+
+
+
+
+The Ten Little Fairies.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+THE TEN LITTLE FAIRIES.
+
+FROM THE FRENCH of GEORGES MITCHELL.
+
+
+VAINLY I try to recall from my recollections of yesterday, still vividly
+remembered, and from those of the long past, grown tenderly dim in the
+mists of intervening time, from whom I learned the powerfully moral
+story I am here going to repeat to children great and small, to men and
+their companions: I cannot determine from whom it was I learned it.
+
+Did I first read it in some old book laden with the dust of ages? Was it
+told to me by my mother, by my nurse, one evening when I would not go to
+sleep--or one night when, sleeping soundly, a fairy came and sang it to
+me in my slumber? I cannot tell. I cannot remember. I have forgotten
+all the details, of which there only remains with me the subtle
+perfume--too fine and evanescent for me to seize it in its passage
+through my mind. But I retain--perfectly retain--the moral, which is the
+daughter of all things healthy and strong.
+
+The things which I am going to recount happened in a charming
+country--one of those bright lands which we see only in delightful
+dreams, where the men are all good and the women all as amiable as they
+are beautiful.
+
+In that happy country there lived a great nobleman who, left a widower
+early in life, had an only daughter whom he loved more than anything in
+the whole world.
+
+Rosebelle was seventeen years old--a pure marvel of grace and beauty;
+gay as a joyous heart, good as a happy one. For ten leagues round she
+was known to be the most beautiful and best. She was simple and gentle,
+and her exquisite ingenuousness caused her everywhere--in the mansion
+and the cottage--to be beloved.
+
+Her father, fearful lest the least of the distresses of our poor
+existence should overtake her, watched over her with jealous care, so
+that no harm should come to her; while she passed her days in calmly
+thinking of the time before her, sure that it would not be other than
+delightful.
+
+When she was eighteen, her father consented to her being betrothed to
+the son of a Prince--to Greatheart, a handsome youth, who had been
+carefully reared, and detested the false excitements and factitious
+pleasures of cities loving enthusiastically the fresh charms of
+Nature--of the common mother who claims us all, the Earth.
+
+Rosebelle loved her _fiance_, married, and adored him.
+
+With him she went to live in the admirable calm of the country, in the
+midst of great trees that gave back the plaint of winds, by a river with
+its ever-flowing song, winding under willowy banks, and overshadowed by
+tall poplars.
+
+She lived in a very old, old castle, where the sires of her husband had
+been born--a great castle reached by roads hewn out of the solid rock; a
+great castle, with immense, cold halls, where echo answered echo
+mysteriously; where the night-owl drearily replied to the early thrush's
+song to the rising sun, and the other awakened birds singing and
+chirping on the borders of the deep woods, where the sun enters
+timidly--almost with the hesitation of a trespasser.
+
+When the time for parting came, her father had said to her, through his
+tears:
+
+"You are going from me--your happiness claims that I should let you go:
+go, therefore, but take all care of yourself for love of me, who have
+only you in the world to love."
+
+To his son-in-law he said:
+
+"Watch over her, I intrust her to you. Surround her with a thousand
+safeguards; screen her from the least chance of harm or pain. Remember
+that even in stooping to pluck a flower she may fall and wound herself,
+that in gathering a fruit she may tear her hand. See that all is done
+for her that can be done, keep her for me ever beautiful."
+
+Absorbed in her love for her husband, Rosebelle realised the sweet
+dreams of her young girlhood. Then she dreamed--languorously--Heaven
+knows what! The delightful future which she had seen in the visions of
+the past was still present with her, however.
+
+Her husband, tender and good, wished that she should do nothing but live
+and love. He had surrounded her with numerous servants, all ready to
+obey the least of her desires, the slightest of her fancies, to
+comprehend the most trivial of her wants. She had nothing to do but to
+let time glide slowly by her.
+
+At length she wearied--languished mysteriously.
+
+Her father, to whom she communicated this strange experience, was
+astounded. He reminded her of all the sources of happiness which ought
+to have existed in her case. He took her in his arms and said all he
+could think of in laudation of the husband who so greatly loved her;
+gave her innumerable reasons why her happiness ought to have been
+unparalleled; offered money--more money--wishful to give all the
+felicities in the world.
+
+She wished for nothing of all that; it only tired, enervated her.
+
+He besought her to be happy; she replied:
+
+"I wish I could be so, for your sake and for that of my husband, whom I
+love so dearly."
+
+And she struggled against the strange evil which so weighed upon her,
+against the deadly _ennui_ that was sapping her young life. But the
+mysterious ill which tormented her soul grew and grew until it became
+overwhelming.
+
+Greatheart speedily detected her distress, and sought to discover its
+cause, but ineffectually; and from alarm he passed into despair.
+
+[Illustration: "SHE VOWED FOR HIM A BOUNDLESS LOVE" (_p._ 176).]
+
+Now, when he returned from the plain, the fields, or the camp, when he
+embraced her he pressed against his bosom a bosom cold and filled with
+sadness and tears--a bosom so cold that it might have been thought to
+contain a block of ice in place of a heart--and he redoubled his
+tenderness towards her. Seeing how much he was suffering on her account,
+she vowed for him a boundless love.
+
+Courageous, energetic even, she tried to shake off the languor which
+possessed her, endeavouring to intoxicate her soul and drown her
+self-consciousness in the love of her adored husband; but all her
+efforts were made in vain; she became more and more oppressed with
+weariness, and the crowd of servants about her, all eager to realise her
+wishes, were utterly unable to mitigate her condition by anything they
+could do.
+
+At last she fell into a state of the deepest melancholy. The rose-tints
+faded from her cheeks, her beauty paled like that of a languishing
+flower; the light in her eyes grew each day more dim. She was very ill.
+
+The most learned doctors in the healing art were called to her, brought,
+regardless of cost, from the most distant countries, only to confess
+their complete inability; excusing themselves by affirming that there
+was no remedy for an indefinable ailment--an ailment impalpable,
+incomprehensible.
+
+Then, one day, an old, white-haired shepherd, with a long, snowy beard,
+who had learned to understand men from having always lived alone with
+his sheep and thinking, thinking, while he led them to their pasture--an
+old philosopher--came to Greatheart, of whom he was one of the vassals,
+and said to him:
+
+"I know where there lives, close by here, an old grand-dame, with one
+foot in the grave, she is so old People call her a sorceress; but never
+mind that; she, and she alone, can cure our lady, our mistress, whom you
+love so well."
+
+Knowing not what to do in his suffering, Greatheart believed what the
+old shepherd told him.
+
+He took Rosebelle far away from the castle along the bank of the river,
+to a spot where the path ran between high rocks, leading to a deep and
+profoundly dark cavity, within which they found the old, old woman of
+whom the shepherd had spoken, crouching by the side of a scanty fire of
+pine-branches, warming herself in their fitful light, in the midst of
+owls and ravens, cats and rats with phosphorescent eyes, showing green
+in the obscurity when lit by the intermittent sparkle of the crackling
+branches on the hearth.
+
+"Ho, there! sorceress!" cried the young Prince. "Cure my wife, and I
+will give you the half of all I possess!"
+
+The very old woman looked for a long time at Rosebelle out of her little
+bright eyes, meeting those of the young Princess, and holding her as if
+by a spell. For awhile longer she remained silent, as if in
+contemplation; then, suddenly, she rose to her feet, raised her long
+arms towards the herbs suspended from the rocky roof of her
+dwelling-place, spread out her fleshless fingers and cried:
+
+"I see! I see! I understand it all! Yes, my lord, I will cure your wife,
+your adored one; and presently in your arms, on your heart, shall sleep
+a heart beating with great joy for love of you!"
+
+As they both sprang nearer to her, the better to hear her wonderful
+words, the old woman retreated, saying:
+
+"Yes, I will cure her; but to aid me in the task, I need the assistance
+of ten little fairies--ten friends who have ever been dear to me, ever
+faithful to me, and who, by an unfortunate chance, have not visited me
+to-day. To-morrow I shall be sure to have them with me, my tiny
+comrades; so come back to me to-morrow, my dear, when I will detain them
+until you arrive, and will take measures for enabling them to cure you."
+
+The sun, next day, had hardly risen, hardly caressed the earth with its
+earliest beam, when Rosebelle re-entered the old sorceress's murky
+dwelling-place.
+
+Over the still crackling fire of pine-branches she extended her white
+hands by direction of the old woman, who raised her arms and uttered
+some curious words, accompanied by some strange gestures.
+
+Then, from a small cavity in the rocky wall she appeared to draw forth
+an invisible something, which she carefully conveyed to the shelter of
+her bare bosom. And when she had repeated these actions ten times, she
+cried:
+
+"I have them!--I have them all!--all warm in my bosom--my faithful
+little fairies! Oh!--do not attempt to see them, or they will at once
+fly away. They desire to serve you--to cure you. Here they are!"
+
+[Illustration: THE SORCERESS.]
+
+And laughing, dancing, and singing, the old, old woman tapped with the
+crooked thumb of her right hand the young Princess's ten extended
+fingers, while the quaint song she sang was gaily given back by the echo
+of the rocky vault above her. This was the song she sang, holding the
+Princess's delicate fingers caressingly in her left hand:--
+
+    "Ten good little fairies hie,
+    To these ten good fingers nigh:
+    Each of you reside in one
+    Until your kindly task is done,
+    Until by certain signs you're sure
+    That you have made a perfect cure.
+    Potent fairies, from this hour
+    Exercise your utmost pow'r;
+    Drive away the evil spell
+    Cast on one who'll love you well!"
+
+Then, still laughing heartily, she pressed Rosebelle's fingers tightly,
+and went on:
+
+"They are all here, the wonderful little doctors! Guard them preciously;
+do not weary them; keep them by you and, to do all that, never give them
+a moment's rest so long as the sun shines in the sky. Keep on moving
+them--actively, rapidly--so long as you are awake. Now go, and come back
+to me when you are quite cured, returning me my trusty little fairies."
+
+With her hands filled with this precious load, Rosebelle hurried home,
+and told Greatheart of her dear hope of a renewal of life.
+
+Of an evening, thenceforth, for a long time, she would even refrain from
+eating, so as to leave herself more time to exercise her unresting
+fingers, in which the ten little fairies were tenderly housed. As soon
+as the sun had sunk beneath the earth she went to sleep, and as soon as
+daylight returned, she at once rose and began once again to move her
+fairy-laden fingers.
+
+During many, many days she continued to move her fingers in every way
+she could devise; but at length, growing tired of this useless play, she
+went back to her old friend the sorceress.
+
+[Illustration: "ROSEBELLE DREW HER HARP FORM ITS CASE AND PLAYED ON IT"
+(_p._ 182).]
+
+"Nobody ever taught you to use your fingers usefully?" replied the old
+woman. "Go on moving them, still moving them, but in some employment
+that interests you. Don't let my fairies go to sleep--that is all they
+desire in their imprisonment."
+
+On returning home, Rosebelle drew her long-neglected harp from its case
+and played on it. Then, to occupy her fingers more usefully, she had
+needles brought to her and employed them in dainty sewing.
+
+But, growing weary of the dull monotony of these labours, she sought
+more varied employment for her fingers--gathered flowers in the garden
+and arranged them in charming bouquets; plucked fruit from the trees in
+the orchard; attended to the sick and ailing; consoled the
+poor--exercising her fingers constantly by slipping gold pieces into
+their grateful hands.
+
+One by one, she sent away her crowd of obsequious servants, who had now
+nothing left for them to do but to go to sleep at their posts.
+
+She would not allow anybody to do anything for her which she could do
+for herself, but threw her whole soul and being into the things God
+intended to be done by them.
+
+Every day, and all the while the sun shone in the sky, she found active
+employment for her beautiful fingers. And the roses came back to her
+cheeks and health to all her being, and songs and laughter to her lips;
+and she could, once again, give to her beloved one a heart filled with
+ineffable tenderness.
+
+Perfectly cured, she went to the sorceress and gave her back her
+wonderful little fairy doctors.
+
+"Ah, my child!" said the old dame, "they are very proud of having saved
+you. Give them to me, for I have every day great need of them--can
+never have too much of them. Indeed, if I had enough of them to serve
+all the idlers in the world, I should want as many as there are stars in
+the heavens at night. But I will keep those I have for the service of
+those who are pining from _ennui_--and there are enough of _them_,
+goodness knows!"
+
+
+
+
+The Magician and his Pupil.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+THE MAGICIAN AND HIS PUPIL
+
+From the German of A. Godin.
+
+
+THERE was once a poor shoemaker renowned far and wide as a drunkard. He
+had a good wife and many daughters, but only one son. As soon as this
+son was old enough his mother dressed him in his best clothes, combed
+his hair until it shone, and then led him far, far away; for she wished
+to take him to the capital, and there apprentice him to a master who
+would teach him a really good trade.
+
+When they had accomplished about half their journey they met a man in
+black, who asked whither they were going and the object of their
+journey. On being told, he offered to take the boy as his apprentice,
+but as he had not given the customary Christian greeting, and would not
+mention the name of his trade, also because the mother thought there
+was a wicked gleam in his eyes, she declined to trust him with her son.
+As he persisted in his offer they were rude, then he troubled them no
+further.
+
+Shortly after leaving the old man they came to a wide stretch of land,
+solitary and barren as a desert, over which they journeyed until hunger,
+thirst, and fatigue compelled them to rest. Exhausted, they sank on the
+sandy ground and wept bitterly. Suddenly, at a short distance from them
+arose a large stone, on whose surface stood a dish of smoking roast
+beef, a loaf of white bread, and a jug of foaming ale.
+
+Eagerly the weary travellers hastened forward. Alas! the moment they
+moved, meat and drink vanished, leaving the stone bare and barren; but
+as soon as they stepped back, the food again made its appearance. After
+this had happened several times the shoemaker's son guessed what was at
+the bottom of it. Pointing his stick of aspen wood--a wood, by the way,
+very powerful against enchantment--he cautiously approached the stone,
+and thrust his stick into that place on the earth where the shadow of
+the stone rested.
+
+Immediately the stone with everything on it disappeared, and in the
+place where the shadow had lain stood the stranger in black who had met
+them earlier in the day. He bowed politely to the youth and requested
+him to remove his stick.
+
+"No, that I will not do! This time the stone has met its match! You are
+a magician, or at least a necromancer. You locked us in this desert and
+amused yourself with our misery. Now you shall be treated as you
+deserve. You shall stand here for a year and six weeks, until you are as
+dry as the stick with which I have nailed you to the earth."
+
+"Loose me, I entreat you."
+
+"Yes, on certain conditions! First, you must once more become a stone,
+and on the stone must appear everything we have already seen."
+
+The magician immediately vanished, and in his stead appeared the stone
+covered with a white cloth, and bearing the hot roast beef, white bread,
+and foaming ale, of which the travellers ate and drank to their hearts'
+content. When they had finished the stone became the man in black, who
+entreated piteously to be unnailed.
+
+"I will unnail you directly," said the youth, "but only on one
+condition. You must take me as apprentice for three years, as you
+yourself formerly proposed, and give me a pledge that you will really
+teach me all your art."
+
+The magician bowed himself to the earth, dug his fingers into the sand,
+and drew forth a handful of ducats, which he threw into the boy's cap.
+
+"Thanks," replied the youth; "this money will be very useful to my
+mother, but you must give me a better pledge than that. I must have a
+piece of your ear."
+
+"Will nothing else serve?"
+
+"Nothing!"
+
+"Well, then," said the magician, "take your knife."
+
+"I have no knife with me," replied the youth; "you must lend me yours."
+
+The magician obediently lent his knife, and bent his right ear towards
+the youth.
+
+"No, no, I want the left ear; you offer the right far too willingly."
+
+The magician then offered his left ear; and the youth cut off a slant
+piece, laid it in his wallet, and then drew his stick out of the ground.
+The magician groaned, rubbed his mutilated ear, then, turning a
+somersault, changed himself into a black cock, ordered the youth to take
+his mother back, and return at midnight and await his arrival at the
+cross-road where they now stood, when he would take him home and teach
+him for three years. The cock then flapped his wings, changed into a
+magpie, and flew away.
+
+When the youth had accompanied his mother to the next village he kissed
+her hands and feet, shook the gold into her apron, and begged her to
+call for him in three years at the place where he had made his agreement
+with the magician. He then hastened back and reached the cross-road just
+at midnight.
+
+Being very tired he leaned against the mile-stone to await the arrival
+of his master. He waited long, then as no one came, he drew the piece of
+the magician's ear from his wallet and bit it hard. At this the
+mile-stone staggered, cracked, and roared. The youth sprang quickly
+aside, looked at the inscription, and cried: "Ho! ho! Is that you,
+master?"
+
+"Of course, it is! But why did you bite me?" asked the magician.
+
+"Take human form instantly!" replied the youth.
+
+"I have done so!" With this the man in black stood on the cross-road.
+"Now we will go home," said he. "I take you as my pupil, but remember,
+from this moment you remain my pupil and servant, until, the three years
+ended, your mother fetches you away."
+
+[Illustration: "THE MILE-STONE STAGGERED, CRACKED, AND ROARED" (_p._
+190).]
+
+Thus the youth became the magician's pupil. You wish to know how he
+taught him his art? Well, so be it. He stretched his hands and feet,
+turned him into a paper bag, and then left him to return to his proper
+shape as best he could. Or else, he thrust his hand and arm up to the
+shoulder down the youth's throat, turned him inside out, and left him to
+turn himself right.
+
+The youth learnt so well, that at the end of the three years his skill
+in magic surpassed even that of his master. During this time many
+parents had come to fetch their children, for the magician had quite a
+crowd of pupils; but the cunning old man always contrived that they went
+away without them. Three days before the time appointed for the
+shoemaker's wife to fetch her son, the youth met her on the road and
+told her how to recognise him.
+
+"Remember, dearest mother," said he, "when the magician calls his horses
+together, a fly will buzz over my ear; when the doves fly down, I shall
+not eat of the peas; and when the maidens stand around you, a brown mole
+will make its appearance above my eyebrow! Be sure you remember this, or
+you will destroy us both."
+
+When the shoemaker's wife demanded her son of the magician, he blew a
+brazen trumpet towards all four corners of the world. Immediately a
+crowd of coal-black horses rushed forward; they were not, however, real
+horses, but enchanted scholars.
+
+"Find your son--then you can take him with you!" said the magician.
+
+The mother went from horse to horse, trying hard to recognise her son;
+she trembled at the mere thought that she might make a mistake, and thus
+destroy both herself and her beloved child. At length she noted a fly
+buzzing over the ear of one of the horses, and cried joyfully: "That is
+my son!"
+
+"Right," said the magician; "now guess again." So saying he blew a
+silver trumpet towards the corners of the earth, and threw on the ground
+half a bushel of peas. Then like some vast cloud down flew a flock of
+doves, and began eagerly picking up the peas. The shoemaker's wife
+looked at dove after dove, until she found one that only appeared to
+eat. "That is my son!" said she.
+
+"Right again! Now comes the third and last trial. Guess right, and your
+son goes with you; guess wrong, and he remains with me for ever." The
+magician then blew his trumpet, and immediately beautiful songs
+resounded through the air. At the same time lovely maidens approached
+and surrounded the shoemaker's wife. They were all crowned with
+cornflowers, and wore white robes with rose-coloured girdles.
+
+The shoemaker's wife examined each carefully, and saw a brown mole over
+the right eye of the most beautiful. "This is my son!" she exclaimed.
+
+Scarcely had she spoken than the maiden changed into her son, threw
+himself into her arms, and thanked her for his deliverance. The other
+maidens flew away, and the mother and son returned home.
+
+The student of magic had not been long at home before he discovered that
+in his father's house Want was a constant guest. The money given by the
+magician had long since come to an end, for the shoemaker had spent it
+all in drink.
+
+"What have you learnt in foreign parts?" he asked his son. "What help am
+I to expect from you."
+
+"I have learned magic, and will give you help enough. I can at your wish
+change myself into all possible shapes, to-day into a falcon, to-morrow
+into a greyhound, a nightingale, a sheep, or any other form. Lead me as
+an animal to market, and there sell me, but be sure always to bring
+back the rope with which you led me thither, and never desire me to
+become a horse: the money thus acquired would be useless to you, and you
+would make me, and through me yourself, unhappy."
+
+Thereupon the shoemaker demanded a falcon for sale; his son at once
+disappeared, and a splendid falcon sat on the father's shoulder. The
+shoemaker took the bird to market, where he sold it to a hunter for a
+good price, but on returning home, he found his son seated at the table
+enjoying a good dinner.
+
+When the money thus gained had been spent to the last farthing, the
+shoemaker required a greyhound, which he again sold to a hunter, and on
+his return home found his son had arrived there before him.
+
+Thus the father led his son to market again and again, as an ox, a cow,
+a sheep, a goose, a turkey, and in many other animal forms. One day he
+thought: "I should very much like to know why my son does not wish to
+become a horse! Surely he takes me for a fool, and grudges me the best
+prize!" He was half drunk when he thought this, and then and there
+desired his son to become a horse. Hardly had he spoken than his wish
+was gratified: a splendid horse stood before the window; he dug his
+hoofs deep into the ground, whilst his eyes shot forth lightning, and
+flames issued from his nostrils.
+
+The shoemaker mounted and rode into the town. Here a merchant stopped
+him, admired the horse, and offered to give the animal's weight in gold
+if his master would only sell him. They went together to a pair of
+scales: the merchant shook gold from a sack on one of the wooden
+scales, whilst the shoemaker made his horse mount on the other. As he
+was staring in amazement at the heap of gold in the scales, one of the
+chains broke, and the gold pieces rolled over the street. The shoemaker
+threw himself on the ground to pick them up, and forgot both the horse
+and bridle.
+
+[Illustration: "THE SHOEMAKER'S WIFE LOOKED AT DOVE AFTER DOVE" (_p._
+193).]
+
+The merchant meanwhile mounted the horse, and galloped out of the town,
+digging his spurs into the poor animal's sides until the blood flowed,
+and beating him cruelly with a steel riding-whip; for this merchant was
+none other than the magician, who thus revenged himself for the piece
+cut from his ear.
+
+The poor horse was quite exhausted when the magician arrived with him at
+his invisible dwelling; this house, it is true, stood in an open field,
+yet no one could see it. The horse was then led to the stable, whilst
+the magician considered how he might best torture him.
+
+But while the magician was considering, the horse, who knew what a
+terrible fate awaited him, succeeded in throwing the bridle over a nail,
+on which it remained hanging, thus enabling him to draw his head out. He
+fled across the field, and changing into a gold ring, threw himself
+before the feet of a beauteous Princess just returning from bathing.
+
+The Princess stooped, picked up the gold circle, slipped it on her
+finger, and then looked around in wonder. In the meantime, the
+magician--changed into a Grecian merchant--came up and courteously asked
+the Princess to return the gold ring he had lost. Terrified at the sight
+of his black beard and gleaming eyes, the Princess screamed aloud, and
+pressed the ring to her breast.
+
+Alarmed by her cries, her attendants and playmates, who were waiting
+near, hastened up and formed a circle round their beloved Princess. But
+as soon as they understood the cause of her distress, they threw
+themselves on the importunate stranger, and began tickling him in such a
+manner that he laughed, cried, giggled, coughed, and at length danced
+over the ground like a maniac, forgetting through sheer distress that he
+was still a magician.
+
+When, however, he did remember it, he changed himself into a hedgehog,
+and stuck his bristles into the maidens until their blood flowed, and
+they were glad to leave him alone.
+
+[Illustration: "HE DANCED OVER THE GROUND LIKE A MANIAC" (_p._ 196).]
+
+Meanwhile the Princess hastened home and showed her father the ring,
+which pleased her so much that she wore it on her heart-finger night and
+day. Once when playing with it, the ring slipped from her hand, fell to
+the ground and sprang in pieces, when, oh, wonder! before her stood a
+handsome youth, the magician's pupil.
+
+At first the Princess was very troubled, and did not venture to raise
+her eyes, but when the scholar had told her everything she was
+satisfied, conversed with him a long while, and promised to ask her
+father to have the magician driven away by the dogs should he ever come
+to demand the ring. When in the course of the day the magician came, the
+King, in spite of all his daughter's entreaties, ordered the ring to be
+given up.
+
+With tears in her eyes the Princess took the ring (the scholar had
+resumed this form immediately after relating his adventures) and threw
+it at the merchant's feet. It shivered into little pearls.
+
+Trembling with rage, the merchant threw himself on the ground in the
+shape of a hen, picked up the pearls, and when he saw no more, flew out
+of the window, flapped his wings, cried, "Kikeriki! Scholar, are you
+here?" and then soared into the air.
+
+Having been told by the scholar what to do should she be compelled to
+return the ring, the Princess had let her handkerchief fall at the same
+moment she threw the ring on the ground, and two of the largest pearls
+had rolled beneath it. She now took out these pearls, and they
+immediately called, in mocking imitation of the hen's voice:
+
+"Kikeriki! I am here!"
+
+They then changed into a hawk and chased after the hen. Seizing it with
+his sharp talons, he bit its left wing with such force that all the
+feathers cracked, and the hen fell like a stone into the water, where it
+was drowned.
+
+The hawk then returned to the Princess, perched on her shoulder, gazed
+fondly into her eyes, and then became once more the young and handsome
+scholar. The Princess had grown so fond of him that she chose him as
+her husband, and from that moment he gave up magic for ever. In his
+prosperity he did not forget his relations--his mother lived with him
+and the Princess in their magnificent palace, his sisters married
+wealthy merchants, and even his father was content.
+
+When the old King died the magician's pupil became King over the land,
+and lived so happily with his wife and children, and all his subjects,
+that no pen can write, no song sing, and no story tell of half their
+happiness.
+
+
+
+
+The Strawberry Thief.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+THE STRAWBERRY THIEF.
+
+FROM THE GERMAN BY PAULINE SCHANZ.
+
+
+THE mid-day sun was shining brightly as two children ran merrily down
+the steep grassy slope leading from the little village to the
+neighbouring forest. Their loose, scanty clothing left head, neck, and
+feet bare. But this did not trouble them, for the sun's rays kissed
+their little round limbs, and the children liked to feel their warm
+kisses.
+
+They were brother and sister; each carried a small jar to fill with
+strawberries, which their mother would sell in the town on the morrow.
+They were very poor, almost the poorest people in the village. Their
+mother, a widow, had to work hard to procure bread for herself and
+children.
+
+When strawberries or nuts were in season, or even the early violets, the
+children went into the forest to seek them, and by the fruit or flowers
+they gathered helped to earn many a groschen. The happy children ran
+joyously along as though they were the rulers of the beautiful world
+that stretched so seductively before them. The forest berries were
+still scarce, and would fetch a high price in the town; this is why they
+started so early in the afternoon, whilst other people still rested in
+their cool rooms.
+
+Deep in the forest was many a spot, well known to the children, where
+large masses of strawberry plants flourished and bloomed, covering the
+ground with a luxurious carpet. White star-like blossoms in profusion
+looked roguishly out from the ample foliage; the little green and
+bright-red berries were there in crowds, but the ripe, dark-red fruit
+was difficult to find.
+
+Very slowly the work proceeded, and as the gathered treasures in their
+small jars grew higher and higher the sun sank lower and lower. Busy
+with their task, the children forgot laughter and chattering; they
+tasted none of the lovely berries, scarcely looked at the violets and
+anemones; the sun's rays peeping through the branches the cock-chafers
+and butterflies were alike unheeded.
+
+"Lorchen," cried Fried, at length, throwing back his sunburnt, heated
+face; "look, Lorchen, my jar is full!"
+
+Lorchen looked up, her face flushed with toil; her poor little jar was
+scarcely half-full. Oh, how she envied her brother his full jar! Fried
+was a good boy--he loved his little sister dearly. He made her sit down
+on the soft grass, placed his jar beside her, and did not cease his work
+until Lorchen's jar was likewise filled. Their day's work was now ended.
+But it was so beautiful in the forest. The birds sang so joyfully among
+the leaves, everything exhaled the fragrance of the dewy evening that
+crept slowly between the trembling branches.
+
+At a little distance a small stretch of meadow shimmered through the
+trees. The bright sunshine still rested on the fresh, green grass, and
+thousands of daffodils, bluebells, pinks, and forget-me-nots unfolded
+there their varied beauties. It was a delightful play-place for the
+children. They hastened thither, placed their jars carefully behind a
+large tree-trunk, and soon forgot their hard afternoon's work in a merry
+game. Greyer grew the shadows, closer the dusk of evening veiled the
+lonely forest. Then the brother and sister thought of returning--the
+rest had strengthened their weary limbs, and their game in the flowery
+meadow had made them cheerful and merry.
+
+Now the dew that wetted their bare feet, and hunger that began to make
+itself felt, urged them to return home. They ran to the tree behind
+which they had placed their jars, but oh, horror! the jars had vanished.
+At first the children thought they had mistaken the place; they searched
+farther, behind every trunk, behind every bush, but no trace of the jars
+could they find.
+
+They had vanished, together with the precious fruit. What would their
+mother say when they returned home, their task unfulfilled? With the
+price of the berries she intended to buy meal to make bread. They had
+been almost without bread for several days, and now they had not even
+the jars in which to gather other berries.
+
+Lorchen began to sob loudly; Fried's face grew crimson with rage, and
+his eyes sparkled, he did not weep. The darkness increased, the
+tree-trunks looked black and spectral, the wind rustled in the branches.
+Who could have stolen their berries? No one had come near the meadow.
+Squirrels and lizards could not carry away jars. The poor children stood
+helpless beside the old tree-trunk. They could not return to their
+mother empty-handed; they feared she would reproach them for losing
+sight of their jars.
+
+The little maiden shivered in her thin frock, and wept with fear,
+hunger, and fatigue. Fried took his little sister's hand, and said:
+"Listen, Lorchen: you must run home, it is night now in the forest. Tell
+mother our jars have disappeared, eat your supper, and go to bed and to
+sleep. I will remain here and search behind every tree and everywhere,
+until I find the jars. I am neither hungry nor tired, and am not afraid
+to pass the night alone in the forest, in spite of all the stories our
+grand-mother used to tell of wicked spirits in the forest, hobgoblins
+who tease children, will-o'-the-wisps, and mountain-demons who store
+their treasures beneath the earth."
+
+Lorchen shuddered and looked fearfully around--she was a timid, weakly
+child. Wrapping her little arms in her apron, she wept bitterly.
+
+"Come home with me, Fried," she pleaded. "I am afraid to go through the
+gloomy forest alone!"
+
+Fried took her hand and went with her until they saw the lights of the
+village. Then he stopped and said: "Now run along alone; see, there is
+the light burning in our mother's window. I shall turn back, I cannot go
+home empty-handed."
+
+He turned quickly into the forest. Lorchen waited a moment, and cried,
+"Fried, Fried!" Then, receiving no answer, she fled swiftly up the
+grassy slope she had descended so merrily a few hours previously.
+
+Their mother, who had grown uneasy at their prolonged absence, was
+standing at the door when Lorchen returned, weeping and breathless. Poor
+child, she had scarcely strength enough left to tell that they had lost
+strawberries and jars, and that Fried had remained behind.
+
+[Illustration: "LORCHEN BEGAN TO SOB" (_p._ 205).]
+
+The mother grew sad as she listened--she had scarcely any bread left,
+and knew not whence to procure more; but Fried remaining in the forest
+was worse than all, for she, like all the villagers, firmly believed in
+hobgoblins. Sadly she lay down to rest beside her little daughter.
+
+Fried ran ever farther and farther into the forest, through whose thick
+foliage the stars looked down timidly. He said his evening prayer, and
+no longer feared the rustling of the leaves, the cracking of the
+branches, or the whisper of the night wind in the trees.
+
+Soon the moon arose, and it was light enough for Fried to seek his jars.
+In vain his search--the hours passed and he found nothing. At length he
+saw a small mountain overgrown with shrubs. Then the moon crept behind a
+thick cloud, and all was dark. Tired out, Fried sank down behind a tree
+and almost fell asleep. Suddenly he saw a bright light moving about
+close to the mountain, He sprang up and hastened towards it.
+
+Coming closer, he heard a peculiar noise, as of groans uttered by a man
+engaged in heavy toil. He crept softly forward, and beheld, to his
+astonishment, a little dwarf, who was trying to push some heavy object
+into a hole, that apparently led into the mountain. The little man wore
+a silver coat and a red cap with points, to which the wonderful light, a
+large, sparkling precious stone, was fastened.
+
+Fried soon stood close behind the dwarf, who in his eagerness had not
+observed the boy's approach, and saw with indignation that the object
+the little man was striving so hard to push into the hole was his jar of
+strawberries. In great wrath Fried seized a branch that lay near, and
+gave the little man a mighty blow. Thereupon the dwarf uttered a cry
+very like the squeak of a small mouse, and tried to creep into the hole.
+
+[Illustration: "But Fried held him fast." _page 209_]
+
+But Fried held him fast by his silver coat, and angrily demanded where
+he had put his other jar of strawberries. The dwarf replied he had no
+other jar, and strove to free himself from the grasp of the little
+giant.
+
+Fried again seized his branch, which so terrified the dwarf that he
+cried: "The other jar is inside; I will fetch it for you."
+
+"I should wait a long time," said Fried, "if I once let you escape; no,
+I will go with you and fetch my own jar."
+
+The dwarf stepped forward, the light in his cap shining brighter than
+the brightest candle. Fried followed, his jar in one hand, and the
+branch in the other. Thus they journeyed far into the mountain. The
+dwarf crept along like a lizard, but Fried, whose head almost touched
+the roof, could scarcely get along.
+
+At length strains of lovely music resounded through the vaulted
+passages: a little farther on their journey was stopped by a grey stone
+wall. Taking a silver hammer from his doublet, the little dwarf gave
+three sounding knocks on the wall; it sprang asunder, and as it opened
+such a flood of light streamed forth that Fried was obliged to close his
+eyes. Half-blinded, with hand shading his face, he followed the dwarf,
+the stone door closed behind them, and Fried was in the secret dwellings
+of the gnomes.
+
+A murmur of soft voices, mingled with the sweet strains of the music,
+sounded in his ears. When at length he was able to remove his hand from
+his eyes, he saw a wondrous sight. A beauteous, lofty hall, hewn out of
+the rock, lay before him; on the walls sparkled thousands of precious
+stones such as his guide had worn in his cap. They served instead of
+candles, and shed forth a radiance that almost blinded human eyes.
+
+Between them hung wreaths and sprays of flowers such as Fried had never
+before seen. All around crowds of wonderful little dwarfs stood gazing
+at him full of curiosity.
+
+In the centre of the hall stood a throne of green transparent stone,
+with cushions of soft mushrooms. On this sat the gnome-King; around him
+was thrown a golden mantle, and on his head was a crown cut from a
+flaming carbuncle. Before the throne the dwarf, Fried's guide, stood
+relating his adventure.
+
+When the dwarf ceased speaking, the King rose, approached the boy, who
+still stood by the door, surrounded by the gnomes, and said: "You human
+child, what has brought you to my secret dwelling?"
+
+"My Lord Dwarf," replied Fried politely, "I desire my strawberries which
+yonder dwarf has stolen. I pray you order them to be restored to me, and
+then suffer me to return to my mother."
+
+The King thought for a few moments, then he said: "Listen, to-day we
+hold a great feast, for which your strawberries are necessary. I will,
+therefore, buy them. I will also allow you to remain with us a short
+time, then my servants shall lead you back to the entrance of the
+mountain."
+
+"Have you money to buy my strawberries?" asked the boy.
+
+"Foolish child, know you not that the gold, silver, and copper come out
+of the earth? Come with me and see my treasure-chambers."
+
+[Illustration: "I WILL GO WITH YOU" (_p._ 209).]
+
+So saying, the King led him from the hall through long rooms, in which
+mountains of gold, silver, and copper were piled; in other rooms lay
+like masses of precious stones. Presently they came to a grotto, in the
+centre of which stood a large vase. From out this vase poured three
+sparkling streams, each of a different colour: they flowed out of the
+grotto and discharged themselves into the veins of the rocks.
+
+Beside these streams knelt dwarfs, filling buckets with the flowing
+gold, silver, and copper, which other dwarfs carried away and stored in
+the King's treasure-chambers. But the greatest quantity flowed into the
+crevices of the mountain, from whence men dig it out with much toil.
+
+Fried would have liked to fill his pockets with the precious metals, but
+did not dare ask the gnome-King's permission. They soon returned to the
+hall where the feast was prepared. On a long white marble table stood
+rows of golden dishes filled with various dainties, prepared from
+Fried's strawberries. In the background sat the musicians, bees and
+grasshoppers, that the dwarfs had caught in the forest. The dwarfs ate
+off little gold plates, and Fried ate with them. But the pieces were so
+tiny, they melted on his tongue before he could taste them.
+
+After the feast came dancing. The gnome-men were old and shrivelled,
+with faces like roots of trees; all wore silver coats and red caps. The
+gnome-maidens were tall and stately, and wore on their heads wreaths of
+flowers that sparkled as though wet with dew. Fried danced with them,
+but because his clothes were so poor, his partner took a wreath of
+flowers from the wall and placed it on his head. Very pretty it looked
+on his bright, brown hair--but he could not see this, for the dwarfs
+have no looking-glasses. The bees buzzed and hummed like flutes and
+trombones, the grasshoppers chirped like fiddles.
+
+The dancing ended, Fried approached the King, who was resting on his
+green throne, and said: "My Lord King, be so good as to pay for my
+berries, and have me guided out of the mountain, for it is time I
+returned to my mother."
+
+[Illustration: "IT IS TIME I RETURNED TO MY MOTHER."]
+
+The King nodded his carbuncle crown, and wrapping his golden mantle
+around him, departed to fetch the money. How Fried rejoiced at the
+thought of taking that money home! Being very tired, he mounted the
+throne, seated himself on the soft mushroom cushion from which the
+gnome-King had just risen, and, ere that monarch returned, Fried was
+sleeping sound as a dormouse.
+
+Day was dawning in the forest when he awoke. His limbs were stiff, and
+his bare feet icy cold. He rubbed his eyes and stretched himself. He
+still sat beneath the tree from whence, on the previous evening, he had
+seen the light moving. "Where am I?" he muttered; then he remembered
+falling asleep on the gnome-King's mushroom cushion. He also remembered
+the money he had been promised, and felt in his pockets--they were
+empty. Yes, he remembered it all. This was the morning his mother should
+have gone to town, and he had neither berries nor money. Tears flowed
+from his eyes, and he reviled the dwarfs who had carried him sleeping
+from the mountain, and cheated him out of his money. Rising sorrowfully,
+he went to the mountain, but though he searched long and carefully, no
+opening could he find.
+
+There was nothing for it but to return home, and this he did with a
+heavy heart. No one was stirring when he reached the village. Gently he
+knocked on the shutter of the room where his mother slept. "Wake up,
+mother," he cried. "It is I, your Fried."
+
+Quickly the door of the little house opened.
+
+"Thank Heaven you have returned," said his mother, embracing him. "But
+has nothing happened to you all night alone in the forest?"
+
+"Nothing, mother," he replied; "I only had a foolish dream about the
+gnomes who dwell in the mountain."
+
+And whilst his mother lit the stove, Fried related his dream. She shook
+her head on hearing it, for she believed her boy had really seen and
+heard these wonderful things.
+
+Then Lorchen came in, and her mother told her to unfasten the shutters.
+The child obeyed, but on re-entering the room, she cried aloud, and
+placed her hands on her brother's head.
+
+Something heavy and sparkling fell to the ground. They picked it up. It
+was the wreath of many-coloured flowers Fried's partner had given him at
+the dance. But the flowers were not like those that grow in the fields
+and meadows: they were cold, and sparkling, like those that adorned the
+walls of the mountain hall, and which the gnome-maidens wore in their
+hair.
+
+It was now clear that Fried had really spent the night with the dwarfs.
+They all thought the flowers were only coloured glass; but as they
+sparkled so brilliantly, and filled the cottage with indescribable
+splendour, the mother determined to ask advice about them. She therefore
+broke a tiny branch from the wreath and took it to the town to a
+goldsmith, who told her, to her great astonishment, that the branch was
+composed of the most costly gems, rubies, diamonds, and sapphires. In
+exchange for it, he gave her a sack of gold so heavy she could scarcely
+carry it home.
+
+Want was now at an end for ever, for the wreath was a hundred times
+more valuable than the tiny branch. Great excitement prevailed in the
+village when the widow's good fortune was made known, and all the
+villagers ran into the forest to search for the wonderful hole. But
+their searching was vain--none ever found the entrance to the mountain.
+From henceforth the widow and her children lived very happily; they
+remained pious and industrious in spite of their wealth, did good to the
+poor, and were contented to the end of their lives.
+
+
+
+
+The Adventures of Said.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+THE ADVENTURES OF SAID.
+
+From the German of W. Hauff.
+
+
+IN the time of Haroun Al-Raschid, ruler of Bagdad, there lived in
+Balsora a man Benezar by name. His means enabled him to live quietly and
+comfortably, without carrying on a business or trade; and when a son was
+born to him he made no change in his manner of living, "For," said he,
+"what will feed two will feed three." Said, for so they called the boy,
+soon made a name for himself among his playmates as a lusty fighter, and
+was surpassed by none in riding or swimming.
+
+When he was eighteen, his father sent him on a pilgrimage to Mecca, and
+before he started gave him much good advice, and provided him with money
+for his journey. Lastly he said:
+
+"There is something more I must tell you, my boy. I am not the man to
+believe that fairies and enchanters, whatever they may be, have any
+influence over the fate of mankind; that sort of nonsense is only good
+for whiling away the time; but your mother believed in them as firmly as
+in the Koran. She even told me, after making me swear never to reveal
+the secret except to her child, that she herself was under the
+protection of a fairy. I always laughed at her, but still I must confess
+that some very strange events happened at your birth. It rained and
+thundered all day, and the heavens were black with clouds.
+
+"When they told me that I had a little son, I hastened to see and bless
+my first-born, but I found my wife's door shut, and all her attendants
+standing outside. I knocked, but with no result. While I was waiting
+there, the sky cleared just over Balsora, although the lightning still
+flashed and writhed round the blue expanse. As I was gazing in
+astonishment at this spectacle, your mother's door flew open and I went
+in alone. On entering the room, I perceived a delicious odour of roses,
+carnations, and hyacinths. Your mother Zemira showed me a tiny silver
+whistle, that was hanging round your neck by a gold chain as fine as
+silk. 'This is the fairy's gift to our boy,' she said. 'Well,' I
+laughed, 'I think she might have given him something better than that--a
+purse of gold, for instance, or a horse.'
+
+"But Zemira begged me not to anger the good fairy, for fear she might
+turn her blessing to a curse; so, to please her, the matter was never
+mentioned again till she was dying. Then she gave me the whistle,
+telling me never to part with you till you were twenty, when the whistle
+was to be yours. But I see no objection to your going away now. You have
+common sense, and can defend yourself as well as any man of
+four-and-twenty. Go in peace, my son. Think ever of your father in good
+fortune or in ill, and may Heaven defend you from that last."
+
+Said took an affectionate farewell of his father, and placing the chain
+round his neck, sprang lightly into his saddle, and went off to join the
+caravan for Mecca. At last they were all assembled, and Said rode gaily
+out of Balsora. Just at first the novelty of his position and
+surroundings occupied his thoughts, but as they drew near to the desert
+he began to consider his father's words. He drew out the whistle and put
+it to his lips, but wonder of wonders, no matter how hard he blew, not a
+sound came out! This was disappointing, and Said impatiently thrust the
+whistle back into his girdle; still the marvellous had a strange
+attraction for him, and he spent the whole day in building his airy
+castles.
+
+Said was a fine-looking fellow, with a distinguished face, and a bearing
+which, young as he was, marked him out as one born to command. Every one
+was attracted to him, and especially was this the case with an elderly
+man, who rode near him. They entered into conversation, and it was not
+long before the mysterious power of fairies was mentioned.
+
+"Do you believe in fairies?" asked Said, at last.
+
+"Well," replied the other, stroking his beard thoughtfully, "I should
+not like to say that there are no such beings, although I have never
+seen one." And then he began to relate such wonderful stories, that Said
+felt that his mother's words must have been true, and when he went to
+sleep was transported to a veritable fairyland.
+
+The next day the travellers were dismayed to see a band of robbers
+swooping down on them. All was confusion in an instant, and they had
+scarcely had time to place the women and children in the centre, when
+the Arabs were upon them. Bravely as the men acquitted themselves, all
+was in vain, for the robbers were more than four hundred strong. At this
+dreadful moment Said bethought him of his whistle; but, alas! it
+remained dumb as before, and poor Said, dropping it hastily, fired on a
+man, who seemed from his dress to be of some importance.
+
+"What have you done?" cried the old man, who was fighting at his side.
+"There is no hope for us now."
+
+And so, indeed, it seemed--for the robbers, maddened by the death of the
+man, pressed so closely on the youth that they broke down even his
+sturdy resistance. The others were soon overcome or slain, and Said
+found himself on horseback, bound and guarded by armed men. These
+treated him with roughness, and the only drop of comfort in his cup was
+that his old friend was riding near. You may be sure his thoughts were
+not very pleasant--slavery or death was all he had to look forward to.
+
+After riding for some time, they saw in the far distance trees and
+tents, and in a short time they were met by bands of women and children,
+who had no sooner heard the news than they began to throw sticks and
+clods of earth at Said, shrieking, "That is the man who killed the
+great Almansor, bravest of men; he must die, and we will throw his body
+to the jackals."
+
+[Illustration: "AFTER SEVERAL HOURS HE AWOKE" (_p._ 225).]
+
+They became so threatening that the bandits interfered and, bearing off
+their prisoner, led him bound into one of the tents. Here was seated an
+old man, evidently the leader of the band. His head was bent.
+
+"The weeping of the women has told me all--Almansor is dead," said he.
+
+"Almansor is dead," answered the robbers, "O Mighty One of the Desert,
+but here is his murderer. Only speak the word. Shall his doom be to be
+shot, or to be hanged from the nearest tree?"
+
+But the aged Selim questioned Said, and found that his son had been
+slain in fair fight. "He has done, then, no more than we ourselves
+should have done. Loose his bonds. The innocent shall not die," cried
+Selim, in his sternest tones, seeing his men's reluctance and
+discontent. As for Said, the very fulness of his heart closed his lips,
+and he could not find words in which to thank his deliverer. From this
+time he lived in Selim's tent, almost taking the place of that son whose
+death he had caused.
+
+But sedition was rife among the robbers. Their beloved Prince had been
+murdered, and his murderer was shielded by the father! Many were the
+execrations hurled at Said, as he walked in the camp; indeed, several
+attempts were made on his life. At length Selim perceived that soon even
+his influence would not be sufficient to guard the young man, and so he
+sent him away with an escort, saying that his ransom had been paid. But
+before they started he bound the robbers by a dreadful oath that they
+would not kill Said.
+
+It was indeed a terrible ride! Said saw that his guides were performing
+their task with great reluctance, and soon they began to whisper
+together. He nerved himself to listen, and what he heard did not tend
+to reassure him.
+
+"This is the very spot," said one. "I shall never forget it."
+
+"And to think that his murderer still lives!"
+
+"Ah! if his father had not made us take that oath!"
+
+"Stay," cried the most forbidding-looking of all, "we have not sworn to
+bring this fellow to the end of his journey. We will leave him his life,
+but the scorching sun and the sharp teeth of the jackal shall perform
+our vengeance. Let us bind him and leave him here."
+
+Said, hearing this brutal suggestion, made a desperate effort for his
+life. Spurring his horse, he rode off at full speed; but the bandits
+soon recovered from their amazement, and, giving chase, had him at their
+mercy. Tears, prayers, even bribes were of no avail, and the wretched
+Said was left to face death in its most painful form. Higher and higher
+mounted the sun, and Said tried to roll over to obtain some small
+relief. In doing this the whistle attracted his notice, and he contrived
+to get it between his lips; but for the third time it refused its
+office, and Said, overcome by the heat and the horror of his situation,
+fainted. After several hours he awoke to see, not the dreaded beast of
+prey but a human being.
+
+This was a little man with small eyes and a long beard, who informed
+Said, when the latter had somewhat recovered, that he was Kalum Bek, a
+merchant, and that he was on a business expedition when he found him
+lying half dead in the sand. Said thanked the little man, and gratefully
+accepted a seat on his camel. As they were journeying the merchant
+related many stories in praise of the justice and acuteness of the
+Father of the Faithful.
+
+"My cousin Messour," he said, "is his Lord Chamberlain, and he has often
+told me how the Caliph is wont to sally forth at night, attended by
+himself alone, to see how his people are cared for. And so, when we go
+about the streets at night, we have to be polite to every idiot we meet,
+for it is as likely to be the Caliph as some dog of an Arab from the
+desert."
+
+Hearing such accounts as these, Said thought himself a lucky fellow to
+have the chance of seeing Bagdad and the renowned Al-Raschid. When they
+arrived in the city, Kalum invited Said to accompany him home. The next
+day the youth had just dressed himself in his most magnificent clothes,
+thinking of the sensation he would cause, when the merchant entered,
+and, looking at him scornfully, said: "That is all very fine, my young
+sir, but it seems to me you are a great dreamer. Have you the money to
+keep up that style?"
+
+"It is true, sir," said Said, blushing, "that I have no money; but
+perhaps you will be kind enough to lend me sufficient to travel home
+with, for my father is sure to repay you."
+
+"Your father, boy," laughed the merchant. "I really think the sun must
+have affected your brain. You don't suppose, do you, that I believe the
+fable you made up for my benefit? I know all the rich men in Balsora,
+but no Benezar. Besides, do you think the disappearance of a whole
+caravan would pass unnoticed? And then, you bare-faced liar, that story
+about Selim! Why, that man is noted for his cruelty; and do you mean to
+tell me that he allowed the murderer of his son to go free--and that,
+too, without ransom? Oh, you shameless liar!"
+
+"Indeed, I have spoken the truth," cried Said. "I have no proof of my
+words, and can only swear to you that I have spoken no falsehood. If you
+will not help me then I must appeal to the Caliph."
+
+"Really!" scoffed the little man; "you will beg, then, from no less
+exalted a person than our gracious ruler! Just consider that the Caliph
+can only be approached through my cousin Messour, and that with a word I
+could----But I pity your youth. You are not too old yet for reformation.
+You shall serve in my shop for a year, and then, if you wish to leave
+me, I will pay you your wages, and let you go whither you will. I give
+you till mid-day to think over it. If you refuse, I will seize your
+clothes and possessions to pay myself for your passage, and throw you on
+the streets."
+
+Said was indeed in difficulties; bad luck seemed to press upon him at
+every turn. There was no escaping from the room, for the windows were
+barred and the door locked. After cudgelling his brains for some time,
+he saw that he must submit to the indignity imposed upon him by the
+villainous little man, and so the next day he followed him to the shop
+in the bazaar. His duty was to stand (his gallant attire a thing of the
+past) in the doorway, a veil or a shawl in either hand, and cry his
+wares to the passers-by.
+
+Said soon saw why Kalum had been so anxious to retain him as a servant.
+No one wished to do business with the hateful old man, but when the
+salesman was a handsome youth it was a different matter altogether. One
+especially busy day all the porters were employed, when an elderly lady
+entered and made some purchases. After she had bought all she wanted she
+demanded some one to carry her parcels home for her. In vain did the
+merchant promise to send them in half an hour--she would have them then
+or never; and her eye falling on Said, she wanted to know why he should
+not accompany her. After much remonstrance Kalum had to give in, and
+Said found himself following in the wake of the lady, who stopped at
+last before a magnificent house. She knocked and they were admitted, and
+after mounting a wide marble staircase, Said found himself in a lofty
+hall, far grander than he had ever seen before. Here he was relieved of
+his burden, and was just going out at the door, when--
+
+"Said," cried a sweet voice behind him. He turned round quickly, and saw
+to his amazement a daintily beautiful lady surrounded by attendants,
+instead of the old lady he had followed.
+
+"Said, my dear boy," she said, "it is a great misfortune that you left
+Balsora before you were twenty; but here in Bagdad there is some chance
+for you. Have you still your little whistle?"
+
+"Indeed I have," he cried gladly; "perhaps you are the kindly fairy who
+befriended my mother?"
+
+[Illustration: "A DAINTILY BEAUTIFUL LADY" (_p._ 228).]
+
+"Yes, and as long as you are good I will help you. But, alas! I cannot
+even deliver you from that wretch, Kalum Bek, for he is protected by
+your most powerful enemy."
+
+"But can we do nothing? Can I not go to the Caliph? He is a just man and
+will help me."
+
+"Haroun is indeed just, but he is greatly influenced by Messour, who, a
+model of uprightness himself, has been already primed by Kalum with his
+version of your story. But there are other ways of getting at the
+Caliph, and it is written in the stars that you will obtain his favour."
+
+"I am to be pitied if I have to stay much longer with that rascal of a
+shopkeeper. But there is one favour I beg of you, most gracious of
+fairies. Jousts are held every week, but only for the freeborn. Couldn't
+you manage to give me equipments, and make my face so that no one would
+know me?"
+
+"That is a wish worthy of a brave man, and I will grant it. Come here
+each week, and you will find everything you want. And now, farewell. Be
+cautious and virtuous. In six months your whistle will sound, and Zulima
+will answer its appeal."
+
+Said took leave of his protectress, and, taking note of the position of
+the house, made his way back to the shop. He arrived there in the very
+nick of time, for Kalum was surrounded by a crowd of jeering neighbours,
+and was literally dancing with rage. This was what had happened. Two men
+had asked the merchant if he could direct them to the shop of the
+handsome salesman.
+
+"Well! well!" said the old man, smiling, "Heaven has guided you to the
+right place this time. What do you want, a shawl or a veil?"
+
+This to the men seemed nothing short of insolence, and they fell upon
+him tooth and nail, the neighbours refusing to help the old skinflint.
+But Said, seeing his master in such distress, strode to the rescue, and
+one of the assailants soon found himself on the ground. Under the
+influence of his flashing eyes the crowd soon melted away, for violence
+on the wrong side was not to their taste.
+
+"Oh, you prince of shopmen, that is what I call interfering to some
+purpose! Didn't he lie on the ground as if he had never used his legs? I
+should have lost my beard for ever if you had not come up. How shall I
+reward you?"
+
+Said had only acted upon the impulse of the moment; indeed, he now felt
+rather sorry that he had deprived the scoundrel of a well-deserved
+thrashing. He seized the opportunity, however, and asked for an evening
+a week in which to take a walk. This was granted him, and the next
+Wednesday he set out for the fairy's house. Here he found everything as
+Zulima had promised. First the servants gave him a wash, which changed
+him from a stripling to a black-bearded man, whose face was bronzed by
+exposure to the sun. Then he was led into a second room, where he saw a
+dress that would not have been put to shame by the State robes of the
+Caliph. He hastily donned this, and, magnificently equipped, descended
+the stairs. As he reached the door, a servant handed him a silk
+handkerchief with which to wipe his face when he wished to rid himself
+of his disguise. In the court were standing three horses; two were
+ridden by squires, but the most magnificent was for his own use. When
+Said arrived on the plain set apart for the jousts, all eyes turned on
+him, and curiosity was rife as to who the unknown knight could be; that
+he was distinguished and of high family none doubted.
+
+When Said entered the lists he gave his name as Almansor of Cairo, and
+said that he had come to Bagdad because of the fame of the youths of
+that city. The sides were chosen, and the opposing parties charged.
+Said's horse was as swift as an eagle, and his prowess with the sword
+was so great that even the bravest shunned meeting him, and the Caliph's
+brother, who had been on his side, challenged him to single combat. The
+two fought, but were so equal that the contest had to be postponed till
+the next meeting. On the following day all Bagdad was ringing with the
+praises of the gallant young knight; and little did the people guess
+that he was then serving in a shop in the bazaar.
+
+At the next tournament Said carried all before him, and received from
+the Caliph a golden medallion hanging from a gold chain. This aroused
+the envy of the other youths. Was a stranger to come to Bagdad and rob
+them of their honour? Said noticed the signs of discontent, and observed
+that all viewed him askance, except the brother and son of the Caliph.
+By a strange chance the one most bitter against him was the man he had
+knocked down before Kalum Bek's shop. Led by this man, the others made a
+sudden attack on Said, who must have fallen if the Royal combatants had
+not rushed to his aid.
+
+For more than four months he continued to fight in the lists, but one
+night as he was going home he noticed four men who were walking slowly
+before him. To his astonishment, he found they were speaking in the
+dialect used by Selim's band. He suspected that they were after no good,
+and so he crept nearer to hear what they were saying.
+
+[Illustration: "THE TWO FOUGHT" (_p._ 232).]
+
+"He will be in the street to the right of the bazaar to-night, attended
+by the Grand Vizier," said one.
+
+"That is good," answered the other; "there is no fear of the Grand
+Vizier, but I am not so sure of the Caliph--there might be some of his
+guard near."
+
+"No, there won't," broke in a third; "he is always alone at night."
+
+"I think it would be best to throw a lasso over his head," said the
+first.
+
+"Very well, an hour after midnight;" and with these words they
+separated.
+
+"Well, I have discovered a pretty plot," thought Said, and his first
+idea was to go at once to the Caliph; but he remembered how Kalum had
+maligned him to Messour, and stopped. No, the only way was for him to
+defend the Caliph in person. Accordingly, when night came on, he betook
+himself to the appointed street, and waited to see what was going to
+happen. Soon the men came and concealed themselves in different parts of
+the street. All was quiet for half an hour, and at the end of that time
+one of the robbers gave a sign, for the Caliph was in sight. With one
+accord the band rushed upon him, but Said rose from his hiding-place,
+and laid about him with such hearty goodwill that they were soon glad to
+take to their heels with all speed.
+
+"My rescue," said the Caliph, "is no less wonderful than the attack made
+upon me. How did you know who I was? How did you get to know of the
+plot?"
+
+Said then told how he had followed the men, and, hearing their plans,
+determined to frustrate their villainous intention.
+
+"Receive my thanks," said the Caliph, "and accept this ring. Present it
+to-morrow at the palace, and we will see what can be done for you."
+
+The Vizier, too, gave him a ring, together with a heavy purse.
+
+Mad with joy, Said hurried home, but here Kalum was awaiting him,
+anxious lest he should have lost his handsome servant. The little man
+raved at Said, but the latter had seen that his purse was full of money,
+and told him flatly that he would stay there no longer. He strode out at
+the door, leaving Kalum staring after him in open-mouthed astonishment.
+The next morning the merchant set the police on his track, and they
+brought him word that his quondam servant, dressed in a most magnificent
+fashion, was just setting out with a caravan.
+
+"He has stolen money from me, the thief!" Kalum shrieked, and ordered
+the constable to arrest Said. As Kalum was known to be related to
+Messour, his commands were promptly attended to, and poor Said found
+himself condemned, unheard, as having stolen the purse from his master.
+He was sentenced to life-long banishment on a desert island, and all his
+protestations of innocence were of no avail. The poor fellow was in
+despair, and even the stony-hearted merchant put in a plea for him. He
+was thrown into a filthy dungeon, together with nineteen others. He
+comforted himself with the thought that his life would be more endurable
+on board ship, but here he was mistaken. The atmosphere was foul, and
+the men fought like wild beasts for the best places. Food and water were
+handed out to them once a day, and at the same time the men who had died
+were hauled out.
+
+A fortnight was passed in this misery, but one day they felt the ship
+was tossing more than usual, and their discomfort was increased. At last
+the survivors burst the hatches open, but to their despair they saw that
+the ship had been deserted by all the crew. The storm raged even more
+wildly, the ship rocked and settled deeper into the water. At last it
+went to pieces, and Said managed to cling to the mast. After he had
+floated for about half an hour, he suddenly remembered his whistle. It
+still hung round his neck, and holding on well with one hand to the
+mast, he put it to his mouth, and this time it did not fail him. At the
+sound of the clear, sweet note, the storm ceased as if by magic, and the
+sea became like glass, and, what was more wonderful still, the mast by
+which Said was supported was changed into a huge dolphin, to his no
+small terror. But he soon found there was no need for him to be afraid,
+for the fish bore him as swiftly as an arrow through the water.
+
+After some time Said, remembering tales of enchanters, drew out his
+whistle, and blowing a shrill blast, wished for a meal. At once a table
+rose from the depths of the sea, and Said enjoyed the much-needed
+refreshment. The sun was just sinking, when he saw a large town in the
+distance which reminded him of Bagdad. The thought of Bagdad was not so
+very pleasant, but still he trusted that the fairy, who had guarded him
+so far, would not let him fall into the hands of Kalum Bek. As he drew
+nearer he noticed a large house on the bank of the river, the roof of
+which was crowded with men, who were all gazing in astonishment at
+himself. No sooner had Said set foot on the land, than the fish
+vanished, and at the same time the servants appeared to lead him before
+their master. On the roof were standing three men, who questioned him in
+a friendly way. Said at once began to relate his story, from the time
+when he left Balsora, and his listeners declared that they believed him;
+still, they asked if he could produce the golden chain and the rings of
+which he had spoken.
+
+[Illustration: "A TABLE ROSE FROM THE DEPTHS OF THE SEA" (_p._ 236).]
+
+"Here they are," said Said. "I determined not to part with them while I
+had life to defend them."
+
+"By the beard of the Prophet, this is my ring, Grand Vizier--our
+deliverer stands before us!"
+
+Said was overcome by finding in whose presence he was, and flung himself
+at the Caliph's feet. But Haroun raised him, and overwhelmed him with
+praise and thanks. Nothing would do but that Said must return with them
+to the palace, where they would conceive some plan to bring the merchant
+Kalum to book. On the next day Kalum himself begged for admittance to
+the presence of Haroun. A dispute had arisen between himself and a man
+of Balsora, and he asked for judgment.
+
+"I will hear him," said the Caliph. "Said," turning to the youth as the
+servant left the room, "this is no other than your father. Do you hide
+behind that curtain, and you, Grand Vizier, fetch the magistrate who
+condemned Said."
+
+In a short time Kalum entered, accompanied by Benezar, and, after the
+Caliph had mounted his throne, began his complaint.
+
+"I was standing at my door a few days ago, when this man Benezar came
+down the street, offering a purse of gold for news of Said. I at once
+claimed the money, and told him how his son, for so I found him to be,
+had suffered the penalty for stealing a purse from me. Then the madman
+demanded his money back, and wanted to make me responsible for his
+rascal of a son."
+
+"Bring the magistrate who condemned the youth," commanded Haroun. He
+was produced as if by magic. After much questioning, the justice
+confessed that no witness had been brought forward except the purse.
+
+"Why," shouted the Grand Vizier, "that is my purse, you scoundrel; and I
+gave it to the gallant youth who saved me."
+
+"Then," thundered the Caliph, "you swore falsely, Kalum Bek. What was
+done to Said?"
+
+"I sent him to a desert island," stammered the magistrate.
+
+"Oh, Said, my son, my son!" wept the unhappy father.
+
+"Stand forth, Said," said the Caliph.
+
+Confronted by this apparition, Kalum and the justice flung themselves on
+their knees, crying, "Mercy! mercy!"
+
+"Did you have mercy on the misfortunes of this unhappy boy? You, my best
+of judges, shall retire to a desert island, so that you may have an
+opportunity of studying justice. But, Kalum Bek, what am I to say to
+you? You shall pay Said for all the time he has served you, and," as
+Kalum was beginning to congratulate himself on coming so well out of the
+business, "for the perjury you shall receive a hundred strokes on the
+soles of your feet. Take the men away and carry out their sentence."
+
+The wretched beings were led away, and the Caliph took Said and his
+father into another apartment. Here their conversation was interrupted
+by the yells of Kalum, who was undergoing punishment in the court
+outside. The Caliph invited Benezar to bring his goods and settle in
+Bagdad. He gladly consented, and Said spent his life in the palace built
+for him by the grateful Caliph--indeed, the proverb ran in Bagdad, "May
+I be as good and fortunate as Said, the son of Benezar."
+
+
+
+
+Little Blue Flower.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+LITTLE BLUE FLOWER.
+
+FROM THE GERMAN BY MISS F. E. HYNAM.
+
+
+A STORK swept high over the Bohemian forest. It was a most important
+duty that had brought him from his own marshes into this mountainous
+region, where far and wide no croak of frog could be heard. In his beak
+he carried two little children, a boy and a girl, both intended for the
+knight who dwelt in the gloomy fortress below. Smaller and smaller grew
+the circles made by the stork in his flight. Lower and lower he sank
+towards the earth, until at length he rested on the highest chimney of
+the castle.
+
+But before letting the children slip down the narrow black hole he
+paused and looked carefully around. While in the air, this old castle,
+with its round turrets glittering in the rising sun, had appeared to him
+a most stately edifice. But now, when quite close, the stork discovered
+many things that did not please him. The walls were sadly out of repair,
+there were holes in the roof, whilst the courtyard was overgrown with
+weeds.
+
+"I do not like this," said the stork, looking thoughtfully down his
+long, red beak. "This place seems to have a very bad landlord. A knight
+who cannot keep his castle in proper repair certainly does not deserve
+two children. I will take one away with me."
+
+"Which should he have now, the boy or the girl?" thought the stork. He
+looked once more thoughtfully down his long beak, and on the two
+children smiling happily in their dreams. "I think I will give him the
+boy," he said at length. "He will push his way in this wretched place
+better than the girl." With these words he made a movement to throw the
+little boy down the chimney.
+
+This, however, was not so easy as the stork had thought. In their sleep
+the little ones had embraced each other, and would not let go. "I have
+never had two such obstinate little creatures in my beak before,"
+exclaimed the stork angrily. Then he began to shake them, at first
+gently, then harder, and at last so roughly that the children half awoke
+from their dreams, and looked at each other with blinking eyes. After
+this the boy would not let go his companion, and no wonder, for the
+little girl had shown him a pair of blue eyes of such wondrous beauty,
+that there were not many like them in the world. But the stork, now
+thoroughly angry, gave the poor little fellow a kick that sent him head
+first down the castle chimney.
+
+"Now, what shall I do with the other little thing?" said the stork
+thoughtfully, scratching the back of his ear. "Ah! I have it," he
+cried--the little girl had kept on blinking her eyes, and the stork had
+also seen their beautiful blue--"I have it!" he repeated. "Such eyes can
+only belong to Norway."
+
+High overhead soared the stork. Powerfully his wings clove the air as
+he sailed away towards the north.
+
+In the midst of the blue Baltic Sea a little wooded island lay sparkling
+like a green jewel. Here dwelt Bjorn, a grim old sea-king of Norwegian
+blood. Every year he and his men ploughed the sea with their swift
+ships, and very rich was the spoil he brought home to his strong castle
+that stood in the centre of the island, defended by wall and moat.
+
+To this castle the stork bore the little maiden on his strong wings.
+
+Bjorn and his men were sitting in the spacious hall, quaffing from
+golden cups the sweet wine they had brought back in their ships from the
+sunny land of Greece. Very wild was their joy when the little maiden
+came down the chimney, and throughout the whole night their boisterous
+songs could be heard far across the wide sea.
+
+And the little, sparkling waves sang in reply a rushing murmuring song,
+to celebrate the arrival of the young child. "To our sea-king a little
+daughter has been born," they sang. "A beauteous little maiden, with
+eyes blue as the sea, locks fair as the sea foam, and lips rosy as the
+morning red when it gilds the crests of the waves." Even the stupid
+fishes rejoiced, but as they could not sing they leapt into the air,
+high up out of the waves, and their scales glittered in the moonlight
+like gold and silver.
+
+Many days and many nights Bjorn and his crew drank of the pearly wine.
+Then he could rest at home no longer, so ordered his ships and sailed
+away, leaving the child, to whom he had given the name of Swanhild, in
+charge of a faithful nurse.
+
+On this voyage Bjorn encountered more storms and enemies than he had
+ever done before. Often, whilst on the tossing billows, he thought with
+longing of the little one at home. Yet many long years passed ere he
+could at length return home laden with rich spoil.
+
+As he set foot on the little island he was greeted by a beautiful
+maiden, with deep blue eyes, rosy lips, and the fair hair of Norway.
+Full of joy, Bjorn clasped his lovely child to his heart. Then he sat
+with his men in the castle hall, feasting and quaffing the costly
+Grecian wine.
+
+Swanhild had never before seen such noisy feasts. Often, on moonlight
+nights, she would leave the castle and wander alone on the sea-shore.
+
+But one evening, as she thus wandered, clad in her white garments, and
+with her fair head bent towards the waves, she was seen by a wicked
+magician, who had flown thither through the air on a black goat. He came
+from the cliffs of Norway, where he had been sent to seize the soul of a
+poor Laplander who had stolen his neighbour's reindeer, and he was now
+travelling to Blocksberg to take this soul to his master, a powerful
+evil spirit.
+
+When the magician saw Swanhild he was much delighted. He had never
+before beheld any one so lovely. But alas! while he was lost in
+contemplation of her beauty the soul of the little Laplander escaped,
+and flew away. He let it go. Seeking a secluded spot, he at once
+summoned a number of crabs and water-beetles, which he placed in three
+shining mussel-shells. One touch of his staff changed these shells
+filled with crabs and water-beetles into magnificent vessels full of
+well-armed men. His black goat became a skald, and played the harp. Then
+transforming himself into a handsome young Viking, he ordered the sails
+to be hoisted, and rounding a wooded promontory, sailed into the bay
+where Bjorn's vessel lay.
+
+[Illustration: "WHEN THE MAGICIAN SAW SWANHILD HE WAS MUCH DELIGHTED"
+(_p._ 246).]
+
+Loudly the sentries on Bjorn's ship blew their horns. Louder yet rang
+out the answering blast from the castle. Wildly Bjorn and his men broke
+through the forest. Furious was their war-cry, shrilly clanged their
+weapons.
+
+The strange Viking stepped forward boldly, and extending his hand to
+Bjorn in token of friendship, besought hospitality for himself and his
+men.
+
+Bjorn let himself be persuaded. He led the strangers into his splendid
+halls, and drank and feasted with them many days and many nights. Then
+the strange hero ordered rich presents to be brought from his ships:
+garments studded with gold, gold ornaments, and shining swords. This
+completely deceived Bjorn and his followers, and when the stranger asked
+for Swanhild in marriage, the Viking readily gave his consent. That
+Swanhild turned pale no one heeded. Nor did they heed that she wept
+nightly in the solitude of her chamber.
+
+The marriage day at length arrived. But when everything was ready, and
+Swanhild, in glittering array, was being led towards the stranger, she,
+with a quick movement, turned her back on him and fled to her chamber.
+
+Loudly raged the father, his eyes glowing with fury. But wilder still
+rolled the eyes of the stranger. He broke into a laugh, and cried, with
+mocking voice, "You shall all pay for this."
+
+One look from those fierce eyes, and his men became a crowd of crabs
+and water-beetles. The skald threw away his harp, and stood there a
+black goat with fiery eyes. The stranger shook off his armour, and was a
+horrible old man.
+
+Bjorn grew pale with terror, his followers began to tremble and shake.
+Another look from the magician: they all shrank together, and a crawling
+mass of frogs covered the floor. Bjorn was the largest of them all. Then
+opening door and gate, the magician drove them out into the marshy moat.
+Here they dived.
+
+The magician then locked the door and threw the key into the moat. At
+her chamber windows Swanhild sat weeping. He looked up at her furiously,
+but she was so good and pure, his glance had no power over her. He shook
+his fist threateningly.
+
+"Now sit there all alone," he cried, "since you will not marry me. You
+cannot escape, and no one can deliver you, for my goat keeps guard."
+
+He flew away whistling. The black goat walked round and round the moat,
+his eyes gleaming like living coals. The frogs croaked in the evening
+light, and above, in her chamber, Swanhild wept solitary and forsaken.
+
+In the meantime, the boy left by the stork at the gloomy castle in the
+Bohemian forest had become a valiant knight, who knew well how to use
+his sword. Yet so strange a knight as he had never before sat in
+Walnut-tree Castle. This was the name of his ancestral home.
+
+Since his father's death Wulf had lived quite alone in the ruined
+castle, for none of the servants would stay after the old knight died.
+But this did not trouble Wulf. He did not care to hunt the wild boar
+through the thicket, or kill the frightened stag. His chief pleasure was
+to stretch himself on the thick, soft moss, and gaze through the green
+branches of the forest trees at the blue heavens that smiled here and
+there in little flocks through the thick foliage. He also loved to seek
+for forest flowers--the blue were his favourites. Whence this preference
+he knew not, but he dreamt he had once looked into Swanhild's blue eyes.
+Or, when tired of these things, he would stand at one of the castle
+windows, gazing thoughtfully out into the blue distance. "Far away
+yonder," so ran his thoughts at these times, "where the blue heaven
+bends down to touch the earth, should I not find happiness there? Were
+it not better to journey abroad in search of happiness than to remain
+alone in this solitary castle, through whose walls the wind whistles,
+whilst owls and bats are now the only occupants of its once stately
+halls?"
+
+But though longing to go out into the world, Wulf remained in the ruined
+castle, in obedience to an old command of one of his ancestors.
+
+In the middle of the castle court there grew in the cleft of a rock a
+gigantic walnut tree. From it the castle had received its name. The nut
+from which this tree had sprung had been planted in olden times by one
+of Wulf's ancestors, who at the same time had carved these words on the
+rock:--
+
+    Where flourishes this tree, there shall my house remain.
+    While it stands, forsake it not to search abroad for fame;
+    But should the ancient glory from these halls e'er disappear,
+    Life from this tree shall make it shine once more quite bright and
+     clear.
+
+Their splendour had long since disappeared, and how the tree could
+restore it Wulf could not imagine; still, he remained obedient to the
+command.
+
+[Illustration: "A CRAWLING MASS OF FROGS COVERED THE FLOOR" (_p._ 249).]
+
+One evening a mighty storm arose. Black clouds obscured the sky. The
+lightning flashed; the thunder rolled. The storm raged through the
+forest. The mouldering stones of the old castle slipped from their
+places, and the wind whistled through the gaps, and raged through the
+old rooms and passages. Then a flash of lightning! a clap of thunder!
+The castle was in ruins! Wulf escaped into the open air; before him lay
+the walnut tree, shivered by the lightning.
+
+He immediately saddled his horse. What need to remain here longer?
+Hastily snatching a few ripe nuts that lay among the shattered branches,
+he concealed them in his doublet as a remembrance, and then rode away
+through the gloomy forest.
+
+Far and wide, Wulf wandered over the green earth beneath the blue
+heavens, encountering many enemies. But in spite of all he kept
+courageously on his way.
+
+One day his path led through a thick forest of beech trees. He looked
+around thoughtfully as his horse scattered the fallen leaves at every
+step. Suddenly he looked up. What was it that shimmered so blue through
+the trees? Wulf urged his horse forward, but beneath a giant beech at
+the edge of the forest he halted; the endless sea lay before him.
+
+"Here is blue heaven above and beneath, surely I shall find happiness
+here?" thought Wulf, as he swung himself to earth. Without a thought he
+left his horse, and hastened to the shore. On the soft waves a small
+bark was rocking. Wulf sprang in and loosed the chain. Lightly the waves
+bore the boat out into the blue distance.
+
+For a long time Wulf lay contentedly in the bottom of the boat. He felt
+as though he were a little child folded into his mother's arms, safe
+from all want and danger. And he thought the waves wished to tell him
+something, but he could not understand their language. Yet he saw that
+they bore his bark ever more swiftly forward, and he rejoiced at the
+increasing speed.
+
+There was a grating sound under the keel: Wulf had reached land at last.
+Before him lay a wooded island. Above the tops of the trees rose the
+turrets of a stately castle. He hastened forward and arrived at the
+castle moat. An unearthly stillness reigned over all around. Nothing
+moved save a swarm of frogs. These swam round and round in the moat, or
+sat on the leaves of the water-lilies, and croaked in what seemed to
+Wulf most sorrowful tones. But the largest amongst them behaved in a
+most extraordinary manner. He was for ever trying to climb up the castle
+wall, but if after much trouble he managed to get up a little way, he
+always fell back again. Then he would seat himself on a water-lily, look
+upwards, and wipe his eyes as though he were weeping.
+
+Wulf also looked up.
+
+"Happiness at last!" he exclaimed. "The blue eyes!" But he got no
+further. A violent push from an angry goat sent him flying into the
+middle of the moat.
+
+Wulf felt himself sinking fast. His feet got entangled among the twisted
+roots of the water-lilies. With great difficulty he managed to keep his
+head above the water.
+
+"And here I must die," said he in anguish.
+
+Then from out his doublet sounded soft little voices:--
+
+    "The blessing of Urahn to you is near.
+    Do not despair, for help is present here."
+
+And behold! all around him now began a wonderful rustling and moving. He
+groped about with his hands, and felt that tender little roots had
+forced their way through his doublet and were taking root in the slime.
+And all around him he saw little green walnut tree leaves rising out of
+the water. Twigs followed the leaves, and these again became branches.
+Wulf felt he was being forced upwards; soon he was safely out of the
+water. Looking up, he saw Swanhild's blue eyes. He stretched out his
+arms towards her and she smiled.
+
+Higher and higher Wulf was borne. Five strong walnut trees grew beneath
+him, and bore him up on their branches. Now he could reach up and touch
+Swanhild's hands. Now he sat by her at the window, and gazed into her
+blue eyes.
+
+"What is your name?" he asked.
+
+"Swanhild," she replied.
+
+"It is a very beautiful name," said Wulf. "But for my sake you must now
+be called Little Blue Flower. When I was quite a child I saw your eyes
+in my dreams. They appeared to me like little blue flowers, and every
+day I searched for these flowers in the forest, but they were never
+sufficiently beautiful. Now you shall be my Little Blue Flower." And
+then he gave her a kiss.
+
+But now a fresh movement began in the moat below. The stout frog was
+able to scramble up the crooked, rough stems of the walnut tree, better
+than up the smooth castle wall. Boldly he climbed, and the whole army of
+frogs followed him. At length he reached the top. Swanhild gently laid
+her hand on his head, and instead of the frog old Bjorn sat on one of
+the branches of the walnut tree, and embraced and kissed both his
+daughter and Wulf. Then the other frogs came, and Swanhild laid her
+hand on them all. Soon all Bjorn's followers were sitting in crowds on
+the branches, dangling their legs for joy. Full of anger, the black goat
+ran round and round the castle moat, rolling his great fiery eyes.
+
+[Illustration: "Now he could reach up and touch Swanhild's hands." _Page
+254_]
+
+[Illustration: "SOON ALL BJORN'S FOLLOWERS WERE SITTING ON THE BRANCHES"
+(_p._ 256).]
+
+Just as the last frog was changed, a mighty rushing noise was heard. The
+magician flew raging through the air. With his magic staff he struck the
+poor goat a fierce blow, and then rode back on him to Blocksberg. Here
+it went very badly with him, because he came without the soul of the
+little Laplander, and he was severely punished.
+
+Bjorn, with Wulf and all his men, joyfully entered the castle through
+Swanhild's window. A few days later Swanhild's marriage with Wulf was
+celebrated with great splendour, and they lived together in peace and
+happiness to the end of their days.
+
+
+
+
+"The Princess Who Despised all Men."
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"THE PRINCESS WHO DESPISED ALL MEN."
+
+By Charles Smith Cheltnam.
+
+
+THERE was once a King and Queen who, having everything a King and Queen
+could reasonably desire, might have been as happy as the day was
+long--if they had only taken the right means for making the best of
+their good fortune.
+
+The King was a pattern of amiability, and, as to wisdom, could have held
+his own in comparison with any crowned potentate on earth; but of the
+Queen not half as much could be said in praise. As a girl, her beauty
+had been renowned, and had brought to her Princes by the score as
+wooers; but to their suits she had, as the phrase is, turned a deaf ear,
+regarding men as creatures made wholly of ill qualities, and marriage
+with them a debasement of herself in every sense; and it was not until
+her father threatened to imprison her for the rest of her life in a town
+built of steel and adamant, that she could be induced to accept a
+husband.
+
+The amiability of her spouse was often sorely tried by her constant
+disparagement of men; but, being founded upon exceptional goodness of
+character, he did not allow it to be overcome, and schooled himself to
+bear with her fantastic ideas, rewarding himself for his leniency by
+sometimes laughing in his sleeve at the more preposterous of her
+pretensions.
+
+A great many years passed without their having any family until, one
+day, the Queen had a baby girl, and consoled herself by reflecting that
+that, at least, was better than having a boy, "to grow up into a horrid
+man," as she expressed herself.
+
+It happened that, at the moment of the little Princess's birth, the
+fairy Gaieia was passing the palace, and, as she had no particularly
+pressing business on hand, slipped in, and, after congratulating the
+Queen on the beauty of her offspring, constituted herself the infant's
+god-mother--as was the fairy custom at that period--at the same time
+laughingly predicting that she would prove to be "the joy of her
+parents."
+
+It hardly needs to be recorded that, with her very peculiar views as to
+what a woman's conduct in life ought to be, the Queen did not permit her
+daughter to receive instruction of any kind from anybody but herself;
+the King, consequently, rarely saw his child, and knew nothing of the
+character which had been made for her by her mother, rather than allowed
+to come to her and develop itself in the natural order of things. In
+this way the Princess Disdainana--so her mother had insisted on naming
+her--was brought up until she had reached her seventeenth year. If the
+youthful beauty of her mother had been renowned, that of the Princess
+was celebrated far and near as being nothing less than marvellous, and a
+hundred of the richest and handsomest Kings and Princes in the world
+vied with each other in their endeavours to obtain her hand; but to not
+one of them would she deign to listen even for a moment, regarding all
+men as a sort of natural excrescence, whose only fitting place in the
+world was in companionship with the horses and dogs, or, at most, as
+ugly and repulsive creatures necessary for the performance of the most
+unpleasant labours. It was on this account that she had become
+universally known as "The Princess Who Despised All Men."
+
+This state of things became, at last, a cause of extreme uneasiness to
+the King. By the time she had arrived at a marriageable age, the fact
+that he, too, was year by year growing older began to recur to his mind
+with disquieting persistency; for, having no son to succeed him, he saw
+that, if his daughter's disinclination to marry were maintained, his
+dynasty was in danger of coming to an end--and that is a prospect which
+no King can be expected to contemplate with equanimity.
+
+One day, therefore, when the subject was worrying him very much, he sent
+for his wife and daughter and explained to them the extreme discomforts
+of the situation which had been brought about by the obduracy of the
+Princess.
+
+"My daughter, I am happy to say, knows her duty to herself," replied
+the Queen proudly.
+
+The King was about to retort, "But she does not appear to know anything
+whatever about her duty to her father;" but, as it was a rule of conduct
+with him never to use that form of contradiction in any discussion he
+had with his wife, he held his peace.
+
+"Rather than become the wife of an ugly, coarse, bearded man, I would
+die a hundred deaths!" cried the Princess vehemently.
+
+As the last syllable left her lips, a gay laugh rippled through the air
+of the room.
+
+"May I ask what you find to laugh at in what my daughter has said?"
+demanded the Queen of her husband, indignantly.
+
+"Nothing whatever, my dear--and, consequently, I did not laugh," replied
+the King mildly.
+
+"What! Perhaps you will say that it was _I_ who uttered that insolent
+sound?" cried the Queen.
+
+"Now I come to recall the fact, I don't think I ever heard you laugh, my
+dear; but I am sure the voice that laughed a moment ago was not in the
+least like yours," said the King.
+
+"It was more like my daughter's, perhaps you will say?" remarked the
+Queen sarcastically.
+
+"Not in the least--I should imagine, for I never had the advantage of
+hearing her laugh any more than yourself," replied the King.
+
+Again the gay sound of a musical voice, laughing lightly, rang through
+the room.
+
+"Oh! This is too insulting!" cried the Queen. "Come with me, my
+love--out of such an unendurable atmosphere of coarseness."
+
+And, without deigning to listen to a word of remonstrance from the King,
+she hurried the Princess back to her own apartment--followed by another
+silvery peal of laughter.
+
+[Illustration: "SHE HURRIED THE PRINCESS BACK TO HER OWN APARTMENT."]
+
+The King was equally puzzled and vexed by the abrupt termination of what
+he had hoped would have been a conference resulting in relief to himself
+from pressing anxieties. Now--knowing his wife's absolute and unyielding
+temper, and the complete control she exercised over her daughter--he
+saw no way but one (that of using his extreme parental authority) to
+bring the Princess to obedience; but that measure he was too
+kind-hearted to resolve upon applying.
+
+In the utmost perplexity of mind he had paced his study for several
+minutes, without noticing that he was grasping in his right hand a
+scroll of parchment. On becoming aware of this fact, he stopped suddenly
+and gazed on the document with bewildered astonishment. It was
+absolutely certain that he had never seen it before, that it was not in
+his hand when the Queen and Princess quitted his presence, and that
+nobody else had entered the room.
+
+While he was thinking of all this, the gay laugh, which had been heard
+three times before, rang through the study again, only more gaily than
+ever--for a moment angering the King, though he was one of the most
+placable of Sovereigns, and causing him to ferret in every possible
+hiding-place in his study in search of the daring jester. But not a
+trace of an intruder was discoverable. When he had perfectly assured
+himself of this, he unfolded the mysteriously conveyed parchment.
+
+The opening words of the document caused him to turn pale, and the sight
+of the signature at the end of it sent a thrill of terror through his
+frame. It was nothing less than a formal demand for the hand of the
+Princess Disdainana, on the part of Kloxoxskin the Ninety-ninth--one of
+the ugliest and most belligerent monarchs in the world--the document
+being drawn in the form of an ultimatum, calling upon the King to give
+his daughter to the said Kloxoxskin in marriage, within two hours of
+the receipt of this demand, or, failing compliance therewith, to
+surrender his throne to the said Kloxoxskin, who would, at the time
+specified, come, supported by his invincible army of one million nine
+hundred and ninety-nine veteran warriors, to receive the said King's
+answer.
+
+In his moments of worst apprehension, the King had never thought of
+anything so terrible as this. He called his wife and daughter back to
+him, and made them clearly understand the crisis that had come to him
+and them; but though the Queen was inclined to save her share of the
+throne by submission, the Princess declared that no consideration would
+induce her to give herself to any man--to such a human monster as
+Kloxoxskin least of all.
+
+From that resolution her father tried to move her, but she was
+inflexible against all his arguments and prayers; and when the two
+hours' grace was spent, the King found himself in the presence of the
+redoubtable Kloxoxskin the Ninety-ninth, a prisoner in his palace, and
+wholly at the mercy of his all-powerful conqueror.
+
+Realising the peril in which she stood, the Queen did her best to
+persuade her daughter to submit to the inevitable; but the Princess
+quickly silenced her by giving her back the arguments that had all her
+life been used in the cultivation of her detestation of all men.
+
+But though she had no misgiving as to her moral strength, the Princess
+could not but contemplate with alarm the danger of a personal encounter
+with King Kloxoxskin, so she determined to seek safety in flight and,
+as soon as dusk came, contrived to slip unperceived from the palace into
+a dense forest which grew at no great distance from the walls of her
+father's capital.
+
+For a long time she pressed farther and farther into the depths of the
+forest, growing every moment more and more relieved from the
+apprehension that she might be pursued.
+
+Pausing at length to rest, she noticed that night had thoroughly set in,
+and that it would be impossible for her to go any farther in the
+darkness. At the same moment a terrible sound fell upon her ears--the
+roaring of wild beasts of some kind, coming rapidly nearer and nearer.
+For an instant her heart stood still, but she was not wanting in courage
+or resource, and, observing that she was at the foot of a giant oak
+tree, she lost not a moment in climbing to the shelter of its spreading
+boughs.
+
+Choosing the securest position she could find, her alarm of the moment
+subsided; but though she was greatly fatigued, the memory of the peril
+from which she was endeavouring to escape, coupled with anxiety as to
+the trials which might be awaiting her all night, prevented her from
+going to sleep; and, when morning dawned, she prepared, tired and
+hungry, to descend to the ground and continue her undefined journey.
+
+But she found that climbing was a far easier matter than descending from
+her place of refuge; for she now observed that the tree sent out, on
+nearly all sides of its gnarled trunk, the remains of huge jagged and
+lifeless branches, to avoid which would require a skill which she did
+not possess. She had no choice, however, but to make an attempt to get
+down, and had nearly succeeded in reaching the ground when, to her
+consternation, the full skirt of her splendid dress caught upon an
+enormous splinter, and held her hanging helpless some feet in the air,
+all her efforts to free herself proving unavailing.
+
+[Illustration: "AT THE MERCY OF HIS ALL-POWERFUL CONQUEROR" (_p._ 265).]
+
+Hours passed by. The sunlight pierced some of the neighbouring
+tree-tops; but the return of day brought her neither comfort nor the
+hope of release, and she was giving way to the horrible idea that she
+would have to endure all the torments of a lingering death, when she
+heard the voice of a woodman, whistling on his way to his work, and
+called to him.
+
+The man came towards her out of the underwood.
+
+"Assist me down," said the Princess, in her habitual tone of disdain.
+
+"Not I," replied the woodman. "I recognise you: you are the Princess Who
+Despises All Men! Ho! ho!--_I'm_ a man, remember!"
+
+That said, he went on his way, whistling cheerfully, leaving the
+Princess to think, for a moment, that her rooted antipathy to men was
+amply justified by the brutal conduct of this coarse and ugly wretch.
+
+But the distress of her position became every moment more and more
+acute, and, seeing that it was hopeless to anticipate the assistance of
+any chance passer, she made one more effort to free herself, and by
+exerting all her remaining strength, succeeded in tearing herself from
+the offensive bough--at the cost of a great rent in her beautiful dress
+and a fall, which left her for a few minutes lying insensible on the
+ground at the foot of the tree.
+
+After returning to consciousness, and sitting for a while to recover her
+presence of mind, she rose and continued her blind way through the
+forest, always hungry and many times faint with fatigue, all day long,
+until once again she found the shades of evening closing about her.
+
+Just before night had actually come, she reached a spot at which a party
+of charcoal-burners were seated about a cheerful fire in front of their
+hut, eating their supper of bread and potatoes, roasted in the embers
+at their feet. The appetising scents of these well-cooked roots provoked
+the starving Princess's hunger in an almost unendurable degree.
+
+"Give me one of your potatoes," she said, still unable to modify the
+disdainful tone of her voice.
+
+"Not we!" replied the head charcoal-burner. "I recognise you: you are
+the Princess Who Despises All Men! Ho! ho! _We_ are men, remember!"
+
+More than ever disgusted with men, the Princess wandered all night
+through the forest, afraid to lie down, lest she might fall asleep and
+become a prey to some prowling wild beast.
+
+As the dawn of another day was becoming visible, she found herself on
+the border of a meadow, and saw a young farmer drawing water from a well
+for some horses which were waiting near him.
+
+"Give me some of that water--I'm thirsty!" she said imperiously.
+
+"Aha," said the young farmer, "I recognise you: you are the Princess Who
+Despises All Men! If you want water, dig a well for yourself, as I have
+had to do."
+
+"Loathsome creatures, one and all!" the Princess said to herself, as she
+turned away from the spot. "My good mother was right in teaching me to
+despise them."
+
+She presently reached a more open part of the country, though she was
+still near the forest through which she had passed, and, towards noon,
+when she was almost overcome by the sun's heat, she came upon a rising
+ground, whence she beheld, afar off, a great stretch of water, and, on
+what seemed its most distant reach, an opalesque haze.
+
+Then there suddenly came to her mind a story she had heard of the
+existence of an island-kingdom peopled by women who, like herself, held
+all men in disdain, and would never permit one of them to set foot where
+they were. And she was overtaken by a burning desire to reach that
+island, which she fancied must be hidden in the midst of the opalesque
+haze on which she was gazing.
+
+So she hurried on and on, sustained wholly by the intensity of her
+desire, till she came upon the sea-shore--for the great water she had
+looked upon was the wide ocean.
+
+Alongside his boat, and busy with his nets, she found a fisherman, and
+at once accosted him.
+
+"Is yonder mist-enveloped island the kingdom of Diaphanosia?" she asked
+him.
+
+"Yes," he answered.
+
+"Then row me over to it in your boat," she said eagerly.
+
+"Not I," he replied. "I recognise you: you are the Princess Who Despises
+All men, and _I_ am a man, you know. If you want a boat, make one for
+yourself, as I had to do. Over there, in the forest, you will find
+plenty of wood for your purpose, only you will have to cut it down."
+
+To get out of the sun's burning rays, and to give herself time for
+reflection, the Princess retired into the forest and sat down at the
+foot of a hollow tree, by the side of which a rusty axe was lying, as
+if it had been left there by some woodman and forgotten.
+
+[Illustration: "THE DISTRESS OF HER POSITION BECAME EVERY MOMENT MORE
+ACUTE" (_p._ 268).]
+
+Strange! A merry laugh came out of the thicket near to her; but though
+she searched with her eyes in every direction she could discover nobody
+who could have given it utterance.
+
+Strange again! It flashed upon her mind that the mere expression of
+disdain for men was wanting in force if it were not emphasised by the
+demonstration of woman's power to do absolutely without them.
+
+Upon the strength of this reasoning, she at once seized the axe, and
+after many days of hard work, succeeded in felling the hollow tree and
+giving to it something of the shape of a boat, in which, by the aid of a
+roughly fashioned pair of oars, she rowed herself across to the
+island-kingdom, where she hoped to find the realisation of all her
+aspirations for a state of existence in which men were wholly ignored.
+
+Not once or twice, but over and over again, she succeeded in reaching
+the border of the opalesque haze in which the kingdom of Diaphanosia was
+perpetually veiled; but she was as often beaten back by an irresistible
+current which set towards the shore from which she had started.
+
+On one of these fruitless voyages her strength utterly left her, and she
+sank down in the bottom of her boat insensible, the oars dropping from
+her nerveless hands and drifting away; so that, even if she had
+immediately returned to consciousness, she would have found herself
+helplessly at the mercy of the sea.
+
+When she _did_ recover from her state of insensibility, it was to
+discover herself lying upon a mossy bank on the skirt of the forest, a
+handsome and superbly dressed young man tending her with delicately
+eager solicitude.
+
+She did not attempt to rise or to speak; she thought she was sleeping
+and dreaming--the only thing strange in her state of feeling being that
+the near presence of a man provoked no sense of repugnance or
+resentment.
+
+"Thank Heaven!" said the young gentleman, in a tone of intense relief,
+as he saw her open her eyes. "For awhile I have been terribly afraid
+that my efforts to rescue you had been unavailing."
+
+Still held by the idea that she was dreaming, the Princess only
+continued to look into his face without replying to his words.
+
+"Rest here for a short time, and sleep if you can, while I watch over
+you," he continued. "When you have become strong enough to travel, my
+horse shall carry you to my father's palace, which stands not very far
+from this spot: once there, my mother will be delighted to tend upon you
+as if you were her own daughter."
+
+"Take me to your kind mother," she said, rising, the soft tones of her
+own voice sounding in her ears as if they came from the lips of some
+other person than herself.
+
+The handsome young Prince--for he was no less--blew a golden whistle
+suspended to his neck by a jewelled chain, and in a few moments a
+splendidly caparisoned horse came to him from out the forest.
+
+Upon the back of this noble steed the Prince gallantly lifted his
+beautiful charge, and taking the bridle on his hand, led him through the
+forest openings, walking by the Princess's side and relating to her how,
+while hunting, it had been his blest fortune to see her helpless
+condition in her boat, and, by swimming out to her, rescue her at the
+moment when her rude vessel was on the point of sinking with her beneath
+the waves.
+
+She listened silently to all he said to her, filled with an inexplicable
+sense of wonder at herself in finding that ever the voice of a man could
+fall sympathetically on her ears! "I _must_ be dreaming!" she said to
+herself again and again.
+
+At last, on reaching an eminence, the Prince pointed to a noble pile of
+buildings on the outskirts of a great city, and said--something of
+sadness coming into the tone of his voice:
+
+"Yonder is my father's palace; we shall reach it in a very little
+time--and then the happy privilege of these delightful moments will
+cease to be mine, never to be renewed, perhaps."
+
+All things about her seemed, at the sound of those words, to melt into a
+roseate mist, carrying with them all sense of herself. Apart from her
+will, unconsciously, she held out her hand to her preserver, who pressed
+it to his lips with tender gratitude.
+
+Clearly and with wonderful sweetness of intonation, the gay laugh which
+had greeted her on so many eventful moments of her life once more rang
+in the Princess's ears.
+
+"Ah! I recognise it now!" she cried--"the sweet voice of my fairy
+god-mother! Oh, wise and kind Gaieia, still be my guardian, as you have
+ever been, and make me in the future all that I have failed to make
+myself in the past!"
+
+The laugh that answered her entreaty was as gay and sweet as ever, but
+came from afar; for, in fact, the good fairy had sped away, having a
+great deal still to do for her froward godchild, and that without delay:
+amongst other things to make King Kloxoxskin immediately evacuate the
+palace and dominions of the Princess's father, under the idea that he
+was escaping from a great peril which would certainly have overwhelmed
+him if he had persisted in forcing the Princess Disdainana to marry him.
+
+[Illustration: "HER RUDE VESSEL WAS ON THE POINT OF SINKING" (_p._
+274).]
+
+More than that--a task much more difficult to accomplish--the merry
+fairy had to overcome the prejudice of the Queen, whose obstinacy had
+returned in full force as soon as she was once again able to exercise it
+on the side of her anti-matrimonial fancies. But, as everybody knows,
+nothing can permanently withstand the power and strategy of a good
+fairy; so it came about--really as a matter of course--that, her
+daughter having accepted for her husband the charming Prince who had
+saved her life, the Queen consented to receive him as her son-in-law;
+and it is a well-attested matter of history, that nobody ever heard her
+utter a single word in dissent from her husband's freely-expressed
+delight at the saving of his dynasty from what had, for awhile, seemed
+its inevitable extinction.
+
+
+
+
+The Necklace of Tears.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+THE NECKLACE _of_ TEARS.
+
+By Mrs. Egerton Eastwick.
+
+
+ONCE, many years ago, there lived in Ombrelande a most beautiful
+Princess. Now, Ombrelande is a country which still exists, and in which
+many strange things still happen, although it is not to be found in any
+map of the world that I know of.
+
+The Princess, at the time the story begins, was little more than a
+child, and while her growing beauty was everywhere spoken of, she was
+unfortunately still more noted for her selfish and disagreeable nature.
+She cared for nothing but her own amusement and pleasure, and gave no
+thought to the pain she sometimes inflicted on others in order to
+gratify her whims. It must be mentioned, however, as an excuse for her
+heartlessness, that, being an only child, she had been spoilt from her
+babyhood, and always allowed to have her own way, while those who
+thwarted her were punished.
+
+One day the Princess Olga, that was her name, escaped from her governess
+and attendants, and wandered into the wood which joined the gardens of
+the palace. It was her fancy to be alone; she would not even allow her
+faithful dachshund to bear her company.
+
+The air was soft with the coming of spring; the sun was shining, the
+songs of the birds were full of gratitude and joy; the most lovely
+flowers, in all imaginable hues, turned the earth into a jewelled nest
+of verdure.
+
+Olga threw herself down on a bank, bright with green moss and soft as a
+downy pillow. The warmth and her wanderings had already wearied her. She
+had neglected her morning studies, and left her singing-master waiting
+for her in despair in the music-room of the palace, that she might
+wander into the wood, and already the pleasure was gone.
+
+She threw herself down on the bank and wished she was at home. There was
+one thing, however, of which she never tired, and that was her own
+beauty; so now, having nothing to do, and finding the world and the
+morning exceedingly tiresome and tame and dull, she unbound her long
+golden hair, and spread it all around her like a carpet over the moss
+and the flowers, that she might admire its softness and luxuriance, by
+way of a change.
+
+She held up the yellow meshes in her hands and drew them through her
+fingers, laughing to see the golden lights that played among the silky
+waves in the sunlight; then she fell to admiring the small white hands
+which held the treasure, holding them up against the light to see their
+almost transparent delicacy, and the pretty rose-pink lines where the
+fingers met. Certainly she made a charming picture, there in the
+sunshine among the flowers: the picture of a lovely innocent child, if
+she had been less vain and self-conscious.
+
+Presently she heard a slight rustle of boughs behind her, and looking
+round she saw that she was no longer alone. Not many paces away, gazing
+at her with admiring wonder, stood a youth in the dress of a beggar, and
+over his shoulder looked the face of a young girl, which Olga was forced
+to acknowledge as lovely as her own. Now, the forest was the private
+property of the King, and the presence of these poor-looking people was
+certainly an intrusion.
+
+"What are you doing here?" said Olga haughtily. "Don't you know that you
+are trespassing? This wood belongs to the King, and is forbidden to
+tramps and beggars."
+
+"We are no beggars, lady," said the youth. He spoke with great
+gentleness, but his voice was strong and sweet as a deep-toned bell. "To
+us no land is forbidden--and we own allegiance to no one."
+
+"My father will have you put in prison," said Olga angrily. "What is
+your name?"
+
+"My name is Kasih."
+
+"And that girl behind you--she is hiding--why does she not come
+forward?"
+
+"It is Kasukah--my sister," he said, looking round with a smile; "she is
+shy, and frightened, perhaps."
+
+"What outlandish names! You must be gypsies," said Olga rudely, "and
+perhaps thieves."
+
+"Indeed, lady, you are mistaken; on the contrary, it is in our power to
+bestow upon you many priceless gifts. But we have travelled far to find
+you, and are weary; only bid us welcome--let us go with you to the
+castle to rest--Kasukah----"
+
+"How dare you speak so to me?" interrupted Olga, in a fury. "To the
+castle, indeed--what are you thinking of? There is a poor-house
+somewhere, I have heard the people say, maintained by my father's bounty
+out of the taxes, you can go there. Go at once--or----"
+
+She raised the little silver-handled dog-whip which hung at her girdle.
+To do her justice, she was no coward. Kasukah had quite disappeared; the
+boy stood alone looking at Olga with sad, reproachful eyes. For a
+moment, she thought what a pity he was so poor and shabby; he had the
+face and bearing of a king. But she was too proud to change her tone.
+
+"Or what?" he said.
+
+"I will drive you away," she said defiantly. Still Kasih did not move,
+and the next moment she had struck him smartly across the cheek with the
+whip.
+
+He made no effort at self-defence or retaliation, only it seemed to her
+that she herself felt the pain of the wound. For a few instants she saw
+his sorrowful face grown white and stern, and the red, glowing scar
+which her whip had caused; then, like Kasukah, he seemed to vanish, and
+disappeared among the trees, while where he had stood a sunbeam crossed
+the grass.
+
+Olga felt rather scared. She had been certainly very audacious, and it
+was odd that the boy should have shown no resentment. After all, she
+rather wished she had asked both him and his sister to stay, they might
+have proved amusing.
+
+[Illustration: "GO AT ONCE" (_p._ 282).]
+
+However, it was too late now; she could not call them back; so she
+thought she would return to the castle; she was beginning to feel
+hungry. So she went leisurely home, and, for the remainder of the day,
+proved a little more tractable than usual. She did not forget Kasih and
+his sister, and for a time wondered if they would ever seek her again;
+but the months went by and she saw them no more.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Now, as Olga grew older, of course the question arose of finding for her
+a desirable husband. And one suitor came and another, but none pleased
+her; and, indeed, more than one highly eligible young Prince was
+frightened away by her haughty manners and violent temper.
+
+The truth was, that in secret she had not forgotten the face of Kasih,
+and she sometimes told herself that if she could find among her suitors
+one who was at all like him, and was also rich and powerful enough to
+give her all she desired in other ways, him she would choose. Kasih was
+certainly very handsome, in spite of his beggar's clothes; and, suitably
+dressed, he would have been quite adorable. Also, it would be delightful
+to find a husband with such a gentle, yielding disposition, who never
+thought of resenting anything she said or did.
+
+And one day a suitor came to the palace who really made her heart beat a
+little faster than usual at first; he was so like the lost Kasih. But
+unfortunately he was only the younger son of a Royal Duke, and could
+offer her nothing better than a small, insignificant Principality and an
+income hardly sufficient to pay her dressmaker's bills. So it was no use
+thinking about him, and he was dismissed with the others. Olga's father
+began to think his daughter would never find all she required in a
+husband, but would remain for ever in the ancestral castle: as every
+year she grew more disagreeable, the prospect did not afford him entire
+satisfaction.
+
+At length, however, appeared a very powerful Prince, who peremptorily
+demanded her hand. He was a big, strong man, and carried on his wooing
+in such a masterful manner that even Olga was a little afraid of him. At
+the same time he loaded her with jewels and beautiful presents of all
+kinds, brought from his own country. He was said to possess fabulous
+wealth; and, partly because she feared him, and partly because of her
+pride and ambition, haughty Olga surrendered and promised to become his
+wife. Having once gained her consent, Hazil would brook no delay.
+
+The date was immediately fixed, and the grandest possible preparations
+made for the wedding. No expense was spared, innumerable guests were
+invited, while those less favoured among the people came from far and
+near to see the bride's wedding clothes and to bring her presents.
+Indeed, the King of Ombrelande was forced to add a new suite of rooms to
+the castle to contain the wedding gifts and display them to the best
+advantage.
+
+Such a sight as the bridal train had never been seen before, for it was
+spangled all over with diamonds so closely that Olga when she moved
+looked like a living jewel--and her veil was sprinkled with diamond
+dust, which sparkled like myriads of tiny stars.
+
+The evening before the wedding day Olga sat alone in her chamber,
+thinking of the magnificence that awaited her, also a little of Hazil,
+the bridegroom. She had that day seen Hazil, in a passion, punish, with
+his own hands, a servant for disobedience, and the sight had displeased
+her. It had been an ugly and unpleasant exhibition, but worse than all,
+the sight of the poor man's wounds had recalled that livid mark across
+the fair cheek of Kasih which she herself had wrought. The boy's gentle
+face, which had become so stern when they parted, the laughing eyes of
+Kasukah, quite haunted her to-night. She thought she would like to make
+amends for her rudeness; if she knew where they were, she would ask
+brother and sister to her wedding. And just as she was so thinking, a
+soft tap sounded at the door, and before she could ask who was there
+(she thought it must surely be the Queen, her mother, come to bid her a
+last good-night, and felt rather displeased at the interruption) the
+door opened, and a stranger entered the room.
+
+Olga saw a tall figure, draped from head to foot in a soft darkness that
+shrouded her like a cloud, obscuring even her face.
+
+"Who are you?" said Olga, "and what do you want in my private
+apartments? Who dared admit you without my leave?"
+
+"I asked admittance of no one, for none can refuse me or bar my way,"
+answered the stranger, in a voice like the sighing of soft winds at
+night. "My name is Kasuhama--I am the foster-sister of Kasukah and
+Kasih, of whom you were just now thinking, and I come to bring you a
+wedding gift."
+
+She withdrew her veil slightly as she spoke, and Olga saw a pale,
+serene face, sorrowful in expression, and framed with snow-white hair,
+but yet bearing a likeness, that was like a memory, to Kasih and
+Kasukah.
+
+[Illustration: "I COME TO BRING YOU A WEDDING GIFT" (_p._ 286).]
+
+"I wish," said Olga petulantly, "that Kasih had brought it to-morrow and
+been present at our feast. I would have seen that he was properly
+attired for the occasion. Your sad face is hardly suitable for a
+wedding feast. Shall I ever see him again?"
+
+"As to that, I cannot answer," said Kasuhama gravely; "but your wedding
+is no place either for him or Kasukah. As for me--I go everywhere. I am
+older in appearance than the others, you see, though, in reality, it is
+not so. But that is because they have immortal souls and I have none.
+The time will come when I must bid them farewell. We but journey
+together for a time."
+
+The air of the room seemed to have become strangely chill and cold, and
+Olga shivered. "I am tired," she said, "and I wish to rest. Will you
+state your business and leave me?"
+
+Experience had made her less abruptly rude than when she dismissed Kasih
+in the wood; also this cold, pale, soulless woman struck her with
+something like awe.
+
+"Yes,--I will say farewell to you now. In the future you will know me
+better and perhaps learn not to fear me--but I will leave with you the
+present I came to bring."
+
+She held out a necklace of pearls more wonderful than even Olga had ever
+seen. They were large and round, lustrous and fair; but as Olga took
+them in her hands it seemed to her that, in their mysterious depths,
+each jewel held imprisoned a living soul.
+
+"Wear them," said Kasuhama; "by them you will remember me."
+
+Almost involuntarily Olga raised her hands and fastened the necklace
+around her slender throat. The clasps just met, and the pearls glistened
+like dewdrops on her bosom--or were they tears?
+
+But in the centre of the necklace was a vacant space.
+
+"There is one lost!" she said.
+
+"Not lost, but missing," answered Kasuhama softly. "One day the place
+will be filled, and the necklace will be complete." And with these words
+she waved her hand to Olga, and, drawing her dusky veil around her,
+quitted the room as quietly as she had entered.
+
+The ceremonies of the following day passed off without let or hindrance,
+and Olga, dazzled by her grandeur, would have thought little of her
+visitor of the previous night--would indeed have believed the incident a
+dream, a trick of the imagination--but for the necklace. It still
+encircled her throat, for her utmost efforts proved unavailing to
+unfasten the clasps, and every one stared and marvelled at the wonderful
+pearls which seemed endowed with a curious fascination.
+
+Only Prince Hazil was displeased; for he could not bear his bride to
+wear jewels not his gift, and that outshone by their lustre any he could
+produce; also, he was jealous of the unknown giver. When the wedding was
+over, and they were travelling away to the distant castle where the
+first weeks of Olga's new life were to be spent, he tried to take the
+jewels from their resting-place. Olga smiled, for she knew that even his
+great strength would be unavailing, and so it proved; and although on
+reaching their destination Hazil sent for all the Court jewellers,
+neither then nor at any other time could the most experienced among them
+loosen Kasuhama's magic gift from its place.
+
+The months rolled by, and Olga reigned a Queen in her husband's country,
+but her life was a sad one. Hazil was often cruel, and it seemed as
+though he were bent upon heaping upon her all the contumely and
+harshness she had shown to others. Still her proud spirit refused to
+yield. She met him with defiance in secret, and openly bore herself with
+so much cold haughtiness that no one dared to hint at her trouble, much
+less to offer her any sympathy.
+
+But when alone in her chamber she saw again the faces of Kasih and
+Kasukah; but more often that of Kasuhama. For the necklace was still
+there to remind her; the pearls still shone with mysterious, undimmed
+lustre; indeed, they seemed to grow more numerous, and to be woven into
+more delicate and intricate designs, as time went on. Still, however,
+the place for the central jewel remained unfilled. Often Olga herself
+tried with passionate, almost agonising, effort to break their fatal
+chain, for every day their weight grew heavier, until she seemed to bear
+fetters of iron about her fair throat, and when the pearls touched her
+they burned as though the iron were molten.
+
+Still, in public, they were universally admired, and gratified vanity
+enabled her to bear the pain and inconvenience without open complaint.
+
+But one day was placed in her arms another treasure--a beautiful living
+child, and she was so fair that they called her Pearl, but the Queen
+hated the name. The child, however, found a soft place in Hazil's rough
+nature; indeed, he idolised her; but Olga rarely saw her little
+daughter, and left her altogether to the care of the nurses and
+attendants.
+
+[Illustration: "HE TRIED TO TAKE THE JEWELS FROM THEIR RESTING-PLACE"
+(_p._ 289).]
+
+So little Pearl grew very fragile, and had a wistful look in her blue
+eyes, as though waiting for something that never came; for in her
+grand nurseries and among all her beautiful playthings she found no
+mother-love to perfect and nourish her life.
+
+And all this time Olga had seen no more of Kasih or Kasukah; had,
+indeed, almost forgotten what their faces were like. But one night, at
+the close of a grand entertainment, she was summoned in haste to the
+nursery. The Court physician came to tell her that little Pearl was ill.
+
+Olga was very weary. Never had the necklace seemed so heavy a burden as
+that night, or the Court functions so endless. She rose, however, and
+followed the physician at once. Hazil, the King, was far away, visiting
+a distant part of his great territory; he would be terribly angry if
+anything went wrong with little Pearl during his absence.
+
+She reached the room where the child lay on her lace-covered pillows,
+very white and small, but with a happy smile on her tiny face, a happy
+light in her blue eyes, which looked satisfied at last. But Olga knew
+that the smile was not for her, that the child did not recognise her,
+would never know her any more.
+
+Some one else stood beside the couch: a stranger with bent head and
+loving, out-stretched arms, and little Pearl prattled in baby language
+of playthings and flowers and sunlight and green fields. Olga drew near
+and watched, helpless and terrified, with a strange despair at her
+heart. And soon the little voice grew weaker--but the happy smile
+deepened as the blue eyes closed.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+And there was a great silence in the nursery. The stranger lifted the
+little form in his arms, and as he raised his head Olga saw his face,
+and she knew that it was Kasih come at last, for across his cheek still
+glowed the red line of the wound which her hand had dealt many years
+before. His eyes met hers with the same stern sadness of reproach as
+when they had parted--then she remembered no more.
+
+[Illustration: "THE STRANGER LIFTED THE LITTLE FORM IN HIS ARMS" (_p._
+292).]
+
+When the Queen recovered from her swoon they told her that her little
+daughter was dead; but she knew that Kasih had taken her. She said no
+word and showed few signs of grief, but remained outwardly proud and
+cold, though her heart was wrung with a pain and fear she could not
+understand. She was full of wrath against Kasih, who, she thought, had
+taken this way of avenging the old insult she had offered him. Yet the
+sorrowful look in his eyes haunted her.
+
+The pearls about her neck pressed upon her with a heavier weight, and in
+her sleep she saw them as in a vision, and in their depths she discerned
+strange pictures: faces she had known years ago and long since
+forgotten, the faces of those whom her pride and harshness had caused to
+suffer, who had appealed to her for love and pity and were denied.
+
+And then in her dream she understood that the pearls were in truth the
+tears of those she had made sorrowful, kept and guarded by Kasih in his
+treasure-house, but given to her by Kasuhama to be her punishment.
+
+Before many days had passed, the King Hazil returned, and when he
+learned that his little daughter was dead, he summoned the Queen to his
+presence. Olga went haughtily, for she dared not altogether disobey.
+Then Hazil loaded her with reproaches, and in his anger he told her
+many, many hard things, and the words sank deep into her heart. It
+seemed, presently, that she could bear no more, and hardly knowing what
+she did, she cast herself at his feet and prayed for mercy.
+
+She asked him to remember that the child had been hers also--that she
+had loved it. But Hazil, in his bitterness, laughed in her face and told
+her she was a monster, that it was for lack of her love that the child
+had died, that she had never loved anything--not even herself. He
+turned away to nurse his own grief, and Olga dragged herself up and went
+away to the silent room, and knelt by the little couch where she had
+seen Kasih take away her child.
+
+And there at length the blessed tears fell, for she was humbled at last,
+and sorry, and quite desolate and alone. And it seemed to her that
+through her tears she once more saw Kasih, and that he held towards her
+the little Pearl, more beautiful than ever, and the child put its arms
+about her neck, and she was comforted.
+
+Well, from that day the life of the Queen was changed. When next she
+looked at the pearl necklace she found that a jewel, more beautiful than
+any of the others, had been added to it; and she knew that the tear of
+her humiliation had filled the vacant place.
+
+And henceforth she often saw the face of Kasih: near the bed of the
+dying, beside all who needed consolation, kindness, and love, there she
+met him constantly. Near him sometimes she caught a glimpse of bright
+Kasukah, but for a while, more often of Kasuhama.
+
+The face of the white-haired sister, however, had grown very gentle and
+kind, and she whispered of a time when Kasukah should take her place for
+ever--for Love and Joy are eternal, but Sorrow has an end. And with
+every act of unselfish kindness and love that the Queen Olga performed
+the weight and burden of the necklace grew less, until the day that it
+fell from her of its own accord, and she was able to give it back to
+Kasuhama. And Hazil, the King, seeing how greatly Olga was changed, in
+time grew gentle towards her, and loved her; for Kasuhama softened his
+heart.
+
+
+
+
+The Prince and the Lions.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+THE PRINCE and THE LIONS.
+
+From the Persian.
+
+
+IN an Eastern city there once lived a young Prince named Azgid. He was
+virtuous and accomplished, but had one fault--he was a bit of a coward!
+
+Prince Azgid's father had recently died, and he was looking forward to
+his coronation. A few days before the day fixed for the ceremony, the
+old Vizier called upon the Prince and informed His Royal Highness that
+before he could ascend the throne he must in accordance with an ancient
+custom, fight a certain huge red lion which was kept in a den within the
+precincts of the palace.
+
+The Prince, upon hearing this, was so frightened that he made up his
+mind to run away. He rose in the night, dressed himself hastily,
+mounted his horse, and left the city. Thus he journeyed for three days.
+
+In the course of the third day, as he rode through a beautiful
+thickly-wooded country, he heard the sound of exquisite music, and
+presently overtook a handsome youth, who was leading a few sheep, and
+playing upon a flute.
+
+The young man having courteously saluted the stranger, Prince Azgid
+begged him to go on playing, for never in his life before, said the
+Prince, had he listened to such enchanting strains.
+
+The player then told Azgid that he was the slave of the wealthy shepherd
+named Oaxus, to whose abode, which was close at hand, he offered to
+conduct the traveller.
+
+The Prince gladly accepted this invitation, and in a few moments was
+entering the house of Oaxus, who accorded him a hearty welcome, and
+placed food and drink before him. When Azgid had finished his meal, he
+felt it incumbent upon him to make some sort of explanation to his host.
+
+"Doubtless," said he, "you wonder who I am, and what is my errand in
+coming hither? I can tell you this much--that I am a Prince whom trouble
+has driven from home. Pardon me if I do not divulge my name; that is a
+secret which must be securely locked within my own breast. If convenient
+to you, I would gladly remain in this delightsome spot. I have ample
+means, and can remunerate you for your kindness."
+
+Oaxus assured his guest that nothing would give him greater pleasure
+than to entertain him for as long a period as he cared to stay, and he
+begged him not to think of offering any remuneration.
+
+"And now, Isdril," added Oaxus, addressing his slave, "show the Prince
+our fountains and waterfalls, our rocks and vales, for I perceive that
+he is one who can appreciate Nature's beauties."
+
+The youth took up his flute and went out with the Prince.
+
+After wandering awhile amidst romantic scenery, the two young men sat
+down to rest upon a rock in a shady valley. The slave put his flute to
+his lips, and began to play. The prince loved music passionately, and
+the idea had already occurred to him that, if he ever left this fair
+retreat, he would like to purchase from Oaxus his accomplished slave.
+
+Suddenly Isdril broke the spell of the Prince's enjoyment by rising to
+his feet, with the words: "It is time for us to be going."
+
+"Wherefore?" queried the Prince. "Why should we quit this delicious spot
+so soon?"
+
+"Because," replied the other, "the neighbourhood is infested with lions.
+It is well, therefore, to retire early within our abodes, and close the
+gates. Upon one occasion I lagged behind, and see the consequence!"
+
+He rolled up his sleeve and revealed a big scar upon his arm. Azgid
+turned pale, and upon reaching the house, informed his host that he had
+changed his mind and found himself obliged to ride on farther. He
+thanked Oaxus, bade farewell to him and to Isdril, and galloped off.
+
+Again he journeyed for three days, and came to a vast desert, in the
+midst of which he beheld an Arab encampment.
+
+Thankfully he rode up to the black tents, for both he and his horse were
+worn out with hunger and fatigue.
+
+He was received by a dignified Sheik, to whom he made the same speech
+that he had addressed to the kindly Oaxus.
+
+Sheik Hajaar, like the shepherd, answered to the effect that he desired
+no other remuneration than the pleasure of the Prince's society, and
+that he should be delighted to keep his guest for ever, if so it might
+be. He introduced Azgid to a large number of his friends, and provided
+for his use a magnificent steed.
+
+A week passed. Day by day the Prince accompanied the Sheik in his
+antelope-hunting expeditions, which he enjoyed exceedingly. He quite
+thought that he was now happily settled for life, when one night, after
+he had retired to rest, Sheik Hajaar approached his couch, and said:
+
+"My son, I have come to tell you how pleased my people are with you,
+more especially with the spirit you have shown in the chase. But our
+life is not wholly taken up in such easy recreations; we frequently
+engage in hard fighting with other tribes. All my men are seasoned
+warriors, and before they can have perfect confidence in you it is
+necessary that they should have some proof of your prowess. Two leagues
+to the south is a range of hills infested with lions. Go, then, early in
+the morning, mounted upon your horse, and armed with sword and spear.
+Slay one of these fierce beasts and bring us his skin; so shall we know
+that we may rely upon you in the day of battle."
+
+[Illustration: "HE ROLLED UP HIS SLEEVE AND REVEALED A BIG SCAR" (_p._
+301).]
+
+When the Sheik had left him, Azgid rose, dressed himself, slipped
+quietly out of his tent, and bade a sorrowful, affectionate farewell to
+the horse which the Sheik had allowed him to use, now tethered with the
+others. Then he mounted his own steed, and rode forth into the night.
+
+By the middle of the next day, he was rejoiced to find that he was
+leaving the desert, and entering a fair region of hill and dale, meadows
+and streams. Soon he came to a splendid palace, built of porphyry, and
+standing in the midst of a magnificent garden.
+
+The owner of the palace, a rich Emir, was sitting in the porch, with his
+golden-haired daughter, Perizide.
+
+Here, again, the Prince was most kindly received. The interior of the
+building proved to be even more beautiful than the exterior. The rooms
+blazed with gold and precious stones; walls and ceilings were covered
+with valuable paintings; the windows were of the costliest stained
+glass. The Emir set before his guest a collection of delicate viands.
+
+The Prince made his accustomed speech, avowing his rank, but concealing
+his name. He added also his customary request, that he might be allowed
+to remain for a time in the house of his present entertainer.
+
+The Emir replied politely that the prince was heartily welcome to remain
+until the end of his life, if he chose to do so. Then he begged his
+guest to excuse him for a few minutes, as he was expecting some friends,
+and wished to make preparations for their reception.
+
+Thus Azgid was left alone with Perizide, with whom he was already in
+love. She took him into the garden, after exploring the beauties of
+which the pair returned to the house.
+
+The palace, now illuminated from top to bottom, was full of company.
+The evening passed merrily. Observing a lute which lay upon a couch, the
+music-loving young Prince begged Perizide to play to him. In the midst
+of his enjoyment, however, he was startled by a strange, loud sound, and
+asked his fair companion what it might be.
+
+"Oh!" replied she, with a laugh, "that is only Boulak, our black porter,
+indulging in a yawn."
+
+"Good gracious!" exclaimed Azgid; "what uncommonly good lungs he must
+have!"
+
+After the other guests had left, and Perizide had gone to bed, the Emir
+and the Prince chatted and smoked together for some time. By-and-by, the
+former offered to conduct the latter to his sleeping apartment. When
+they came to the foot of the grand staircase, which was of white marble,
+Azgid, looking up, was horrified to behold an enormous black lion
+stretched upon the topmost landing.
+
+"What is that?" faltered he.
+
+"That," returned his host, "is Boulak, our black porter. He is a tame
+lion, and will not harm you, if you are not afraid of him. He knows when
+any one fears him and then becomes ferocious."
+
+"I fear him greatly!" whispered the Prince.
+
+As he could not be persuaded to mount the stairs, he had to return to
+the saloon, and repose upon one of the divans.
+
+After the Emir had left him, Azgid carefully locked the door and
+fastened the windows. Then he lay down, but not to sleep. For he could
+hear the lion walking about, and once the beast actually came to the
+door, and uttering a terrific roar, sprang against it with his forepaws.
+
+The poor Prince made sure that the door would burst open, and that he
+should be devoured. Nothing of the kind happened, however. In a few
+moments Boulak went upstairs, and came down no more that night.
+
+Azgid lay thinking. Evidently he had flown in the face of Providence
+when he had fled from the lion at home. Since then, lions had met him at
+every turn. He resolved to submit to what was so clearly his destined
+duty--to return home and fulfil the condition required.
+
+In the morning, therefore, he told the Emir the whole truth. The kind
+old man had been acquainted with Azgid's father, the King Almamoun. He
+highly approved of the young man's resolution, and, with a parting
+blessing, sped him on his way. But the Prince had no opportunity of
+making his adieux to the fair Perizide.
+
+Then Azgid rode back to the Arab camp, and confessed all to the good
+Sheik Hajaar. He also inquired after the beautiful horse.
+
+"He is well," replied the other, "and I should be gratified if you could
+stay with us and use him again But it would be wrong to hinder you from
+your pious, undertaking. Return to your home, and do your duty like a
+man."
+
+Azgid next visited Oaxus, to whom, as to the others, he revealed his
+name and parentage, confessed his fault, and expressed his repentance.
+
+[Illustration: "I FEAR HIM GREATLY!" (_p._ 305).]
+
+"Go, my friend!" said the kindly shepherd, "and may Heaven give you
+strength to persevere in your laudable resolution!"
+
+"Farewell!" answered Azgid; "greet Isdril from me, and tell him that I
+hope some day to return and listen to his sweet music in spite of the
+lions."
+
+Without further interruption, the Prince rode straight home, and
+announced to the old Vizier his intention to fight the lion.
+
+The old man wept tears of joy at his Prince's return, and it was
+arranged that the combat should take place in a week's time.
+
+When the hour came, and the Prince entered the arena, the lion gave a
+loud roar, and approached his opponent slowly, with fierce looks. Azgid
+did not quail. With steady gaze he advanced, spear in hand. Suddenly the
+lion bounded forward, and, with another roar, sprang clean over the
+Prince's head. Then he ran joyously up to him, and began licking his
+hands with every demonstration of affection.
+
+The Vizier called out to the Prince that he had conquered, and bade him
+leave the arena. The lion followed like a dog.
+
+"As you now see, Prince Azgid," said the old Minister, "the lion is a
+tame one, and would injure no one. You, however, were ignorant of this
+fact, and have satisfactorily proved your courage and valour by your
+readiness to fight him. Now all will know that you are worthy to ascend
+the throne of your heroic ancestors."
+
+Two men--one old, the other very young--came forward to congratulate the
+Prince. They were Oaxus and Isdril.
+
+[Illustration: "With steady gaze he advanced, spear in hand." _page
+308_]
+
+"Prince Azgid," said the old shepherd, "as a memento of this happy day,
+allow me to make you a present." So saying, he pushed forward his slave,
+Isdril.
+
+[Illustration: "THE LION SPRANG CLEAN OVER THE PRINCE'S HEAD" (_p._
+308).]
+
+"I heartily thank you, Oaxus!" said the Prince, "and you, Isdril, are no
+longer a slave. From this moment you are free; but you shall be my
+companion, and delight me with your skill upon the flute."
+
+Presently another little group presented itself. It was composed of
+Sheik Hajaar, some of his Arabs, and the horse which the Prince had
+learned to love.
+
+"Azgid!" said the Sheik, "I congratulate you heartily, and beg your
+acceptance of this steed."
+
+The Prince thanked and embraced the Sheik, and kissed the beautiful
+creature, who returned his caresses.
+
+The Emir was the next person to appear upon the scene. He was surrounded
+by a brilliant retinue, with music and banners.
+
+"I have come to congratulate you," said he to the Prince. "I have
+brought you no present, but I and all my belongings are yours."
+
+"I am rejoiced to see you, noble Emir!" replied Azgid. "And how is your
+lovely daughter? As soon as I am crowned, I intend to set off at
+lightning speed to visit her!"
+
+"That will be needless," said the Emir; "come with me." And he led the
+young man to a veiled lady, who sat upon a white horse. It was Perizide!
+
+Then, by order of the Vizier, the whole procession wended its way
+towards the palace.
+
+Many thoughts and emotions stirred within the breast of the young
+Prince. "When I fled from duty," reflected he, "everything went against
+me; now that I have fulfilled it, fresh happiness meets me at every
+step."
+
+The coronation--and also a wedding--took place on the same day. Azgid
+and Perizide reigned long and happily. By the King's command, his
+adventures were recorded in the annals of the kingdom. And over the door
+of his palace were inscribed, in golden letters, these words: "_Never
+run from the lion._"
+
+
+    Printed by Hazell, Watson, & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury.
+
+
+
+
+THE FIFTY-TWO LIBRARY
+
+Edited by ALFRED H. MILES
+
+_In large crown 8vo, 400--500 pp., cloth, bevelled boards, richly gilt,
+gilt edges, well illustrated._
+
+=5s. each=
+
+The "Fifty-two Series" forms an excellent library of fiction for young
+people. The stories are by the best writers for boys and girls,
+including:
+
+  G. A. HENTY
+  W. CLARK RUSSELL
+  G. MANVILLE FENN
+  W. H. G. KINGSTON
+  R. M. BALLANTYNE
+  CAPTAIN MAYNE REID
+  GORDON STABLES, M.D., R.N.
+  ASCOTT HOPE
+  F. C. SELOUS
+  ROBERT CHAMBERS
+  R. E. FRANCILLON
+  DAVID KER
+  MRS. G. LINNAEUS BANKS
+  ROSA MULHOLLAND
+  ALICE CORKRAN
+  SARAH DOUDNEY
+
+and MANY OTHER WELL-KNOWN WRITERS.
+
+_The Guardian_ says: "Such volumes are invaluable for young people, and
+all thanks are due to those who have brought them within easy reach of
+every child in the three kingdoms."
+
+Over half a million volumes sold.
+
+The following are the volumes:
+
+  1. Fifty-two Stories for Boys.
+
+  2. Fifty-two Stories for Girls.
+
+  3. Fifty-two more Stories for Boys.
+
+  4. Fifty-two more Stories for Girls.
+
+  5. Fifty-two further Stories for Boys.
+
+  6. Fifty-two further Stories for Girls.
+
+  7. Fifty-two other Stories for Boys.
+
+  8. Fifty-two other Stories for Girls.
+
+  9. Fifty-two Fairy Tales.
+
+  10. Fifty-two Stories for Boyhood and Youth.
+
+  11. Fifty-two Stories for Girlhood and Youth.
+
+  12. Fifty-two Stories for Children.
+
+  13. Fifty-two Stories of Boy Life.
+
+  14. Fifty-two Stories of Girl Life.
+
+  15. Fifty-two Stories of Life and Adventure for Boys.
+
+  16. Fifty-two Stories of Life and Adventure for Girls.
+
+  17. Fifty-two Stories of the Indian Mutiny and the Men who saved India.
+  Edited by A. H. MILES and A. J. PATTLE.
+
+  18. Fifty-two Stories of Pluck and Peril for Boys.
+
+  19. Fifty-two Stories of Pluck, Peril, and Romance for Girls.
+
+  20. Fifty-two Stories of the British Navy.
+
+  21. Fifty-two Stories of Duty and Daring for Boys.
+
+  22. Fifty-two Stories of Duty and Daring for Girls.
+
+  23. Fifty-two Stories of the British Army.
+
+  24. Fifty-two Holiday Stories for Boys.
+
+  25. Fifty-two Holiday Stories for Girls.
+
+  26. Fifty-two Sunday Stories for Boys and Girls.
+
+  27. Fifty-two Stories of Heroism in Life and Action for Boys.
+
+  28. Fifty-two Stories of Heroism in Life and Action for Girls.
+
+  29. Fifty-two Stories of the Wide, Wide World.
+
+  30. Fifty-two Stirring Stories for Boys.
+
+  31. Fifty-two Stirring Stories for Girls.
+
+  32. Fifty-two Stories of the British Empire.
+
+  33. Fifty-two Stories of Courage and Endeavour for Boys.
+
+  34. Fifty-two Stories of Courage and Endeavour for Girls.
+
+  35. Fifty-two Stories of Greater Britain.
+
+  36. Fifty-two Stories of the Brave and True for Boys.
+
+  37. Fifty-two Stories of the Brave and True for Girls.
+
+  38. Fifty-two Stories for the Little Ones.
+
+  39. Fifty-two Stories of School Life and After for Boys.
+
+  40. Fifty-two Stories of School Life and After for Girls.
+
+  41. Fifty-two Stories of Animal Life and Adventure.
+
+  42. Fifty-two Stories of Grit and Character for Boys.
+
+  43. Fifty-two Stories of Grit and Character for Girls.
+
+  44. Fifty-two Stories of Wild Life, East and West.
+
+  45. Fifty-two Stories of Head, Heart, and Hand for Boys.
+
+  46. Fifty-two Stories of Head, Heart, and Hand for Girls.
+
+  47. Fifty-two Thrilling Stories of Life at Home and Abroad.
+
+  48. Fifty-two New Stories for Boys.
+
+  49. Fifty-two New Stories for Girls.
+
+  50. Fifty-two Pioneer Stories all round the Compass.
+
+  51. Fifty-two Excelsior Stories for Boys.
+
+  52. Fifty-two Excelsior Stories for Girls.
+
+
+
+
+List of corrections:
+
+  p. 160: "It inceased yet more" was changed to "It increased yet more."
+
+  p. 225: "made a despeate effort" was changed to "made a desperate
+  effort."
+
+  p. 250: "From it the the castle had received its name" was changed to
+  "From it the castle had received its name."
+
+
+Errata:
+
+Some chapter titles do not match exactly with the corresponding titles
+in the contents' page. The original wording has been retained.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Diamond Fairy Book, by Various
+
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