Re

ert in Africa, nor a field, town or city in Southern or Middle Europe which he had not traversed in vain. But what had he to hope for in Europe? No tigers are found there except th

ake, captured it and carried it alive to his master. Just

and I will tel

bird," the prince exclaimed, asto

the duck, at the same tim

such a kingdom. When he inquired about it

until the road ends, the forest ends, and you no

, steadily northward; stopping not until the road came to an end, the forest c

e suddenly discovered, at the foot of a high mountain, this lone tent of reindeer skin. The last day of August! The sun still shone

e lost princess, when to his indescribable astonishment he perceived in the distance an insc

dag

door of the mountain grotto, so that he could f

out to draw his sword and enter the tent w

I will send you to the Kingdom of the

cted encounter and could think of no better way out of the difficulty than to change himself instantly into a mountain fox. With a hasty spring

he fox hid in every cleft and jumped over the mountain ravines; but Valledivau, even more

entered the fox just as it had before gone into the tiger; an

his master understood that now their common enemy had

g reindeer meat; and her boy, Pimpepanturi, stretched lazily on the soft moss,

is dead. Give me back the Princess Lin

there should come an end to his evil arts. As for Lindagull, we must seek her out there among the heather blossoms. My husband has chang

ch you wither?" cried the prince, throwing himself down among the heather on the boundless moor, wh

Lindagull was enchanted! I thought he planned a wrong against the child, and crept

nai Marra

hat help us when we do not know the

ent to look for his mother. When he heard the prince's words, he scratched his forehead thoughtfully

did!" said t

ve a great leap, landed on a rock, and shouted

a?san don

. No blossom arose. The sun was sinking rapidly t

magic command, repeated it time after time saying the words i

bit of heather on a distant mound had lifted itself up to listen, but s

o not quickly find the right manner of saying the word

and damp evening mist, the forerunner of the frost, spread itself like a veil over moor and mound.

oice choked, and he could scarcely articulate t

donai Adá

grew as rapidly as does the lily which the Afghanistan fairies cause to spring

pproached the mound, running breathlessly, Lindagull came toward him pale with the escape of d

gth soon returned under the Lappish woman's kind care. Pimpedora was happy; and Pimpe

ST AROSE A SL

d the wonder of her recovery, swooned with rapture. His first words

o be changed into

ood and knew no more of the world than to eat, drin

el when you came b

n a clear morning after a

all we go bac

ave had a share in saving the poor captive Lindagull. We wil

ered Pimpedora; "I like my re

reindeer in Persia?"

," said the princess; "and instead of reinde

an go with pleasure, and marry whom you wish. Nowhere in

following day without them. Before departing they presented the Lapp woman and her son with their gold-embr

efully away in birch bark, and rejoiced because

t his lost daughter. His wicked and ungrateful sons had raised a rebellion against him, an

that a young foreign couple, dressed in reindeer skin and follo

such a traveler would know something of his dear lost ch

young woman, without ado, threw her arms around his neck; at which

ognized his child so long sought and so hopelessly bewailed.

rraman. "Now shall you live to rejoice wi

, he immediately proclaimed Prince Abderraman successor to his throne, promised him the Princess Lindagull in

battle, took the rebel sons prisoners, and came b

ut one day every year,-and that was the thirty-first of August, the date of Princess Lindagull's deliverance,-the royal pair showed themselves (to the great wonderment

vau, lived to be thirty years old and died of the toothache (!); his skin was stuffed and kept in great honor. But about Pimpedora, and Pimpepanturi who bore for a season the pro

Tope

AND TH

ve been Sixtus, but the tongue of the Finn is so unmanageable that some names baffle it, and in that case he simpl

e was always gay and happy, and while tending his cows at the foot of Sipuri Mountain, sang songs from morn

s that he rejoiced in a comrade named Kettu, a long-nosed, long-tailed y

idday nap, and Sikku shared with Kettu the hard bread that was, for both, the usual breakfast and dinner. With the bread, they always had a fine soup of clear spring water

egin, toward evening, to long for the porridge pot. Oh, that nice warm porridge pot, that he could scrape and scrape, eating all the porridge there was left anywhere in it! Kettu g

He had his freedom, and the only thing he was responsible for was that all the fifteen cows returned to the fa

d never in his life thought that the world could be so big! His heart warmed within him as he saw the sun sparkle on the lakes between the dark branches of the pines. When a cloud sailed over the sky, one gleam afte

Mountain! Tu

′! Fa

e world not a b

s cows, with such

′! Fa

hideous little old woman who said to him, "All the land tha

the woman closely and recognizing h

ontinued she, "and say when you g

answered: "Indeed I will not.

said the troll woman; and with that she

tood up above the soft, yielding ground. He tried to drag her out, but he was not strong enough, and when he had worked over

the next morning was sent to his work without anything to eat,

ul at the foot of the mountain. By and by, the long-

the wolf tore her to pieces, and I will give

SIKKU, RECOGNIZING H

no such rascal as that!"

" said the troll; and with that off he

e a birch-bark cone, in which he brought water from the spring and dashed over her head; but it was of no use. He must go home with only thirteen cows and report the misfortune. This time he was shut up in the cella

p right in the midst of the herd, so that no further ill might befall. Then there came to him the pretty li

at a bear tore her to pieces, and you shall have this nice fresh

oll, he looked at the pretty little troll maiden and had to bite his tongue to keep from in

ot. I am no such

the troll maiden; and with that, fluttering

h upon the grass with a snake hanging fast to her nose; and in a short time she was dead from the poisonous bite. What did it matter

angry farmer. "Shall I roast you in the bath-house fur

e times they offered me all the land I could see from Sipuri Peak if I would

to you, if you, before the next full moon, lead to my farm nine beautiful cows in the place of Kimmo, Mustikka, and Man

nd let him eat his fill of the view of the land you promise him," said the

ountain; and everybody was forbidden to give him anything to eat or drink. The remaining twelve cows

ered in the sunshine, twilight came, night came, the dew fell, the thrushes sang, the stars twinkled, and the

, there is nevertheless One who sees all the oppressed and miserable upon earth; and He saw even poor fo

though he was hungry, Kettu chose rather to dash up the mountain in search of Sikku, to lie at Sikku's bound feet, and lick his bound

ple in North Finland did not know much about this war, but lived in peace behind their thick forests. Suddenly an enemy's fleet

near Sipuri. They attacked, burned and plundered Anttilla Farm, took the ma

ing in other places. And certain Cossacks were left behind to guard the prisone

to the mountain top to get a good view of the land and see whither they should now betake themselves. Finding a young boy, tied an

he men lifted Sikku to his horse's back, the other drove Kettu away so that he should not foll

re so eager to continue their raids that they left only six men to guard

, they got into a small boat, taking Sikku with them, and rowed out to an island in the lake, so that they might pass the night in s

bly beach, and a strong wind blew toward the mainland. Sikku was wakeful, and heard the long-drawn, regular breathing

sacks began talking in his sleep and tossed his arms abo

down to the boat at the shore. Here the trusted guard was also asleep, and slept so heavily that he knew nothing of Sikku's doings,

ped quietly on. He had ridden hard, many, many

s that bound the prisoners. The Cossack still slept. The released prisoners could scarcely believe that they were free. They

wake, but too late. He had be

the island and kill the others while they

er's voice. "Let us rather take their boo

barns, and stolen everything I

food," said Sikku, who seem

nemy's horses, others drove herds of cattle off to safe hiding-places in the forest, and each person carrie

bands returned from their raid

danger, and many came from their burnt farms. They gathered at the church to consult together as to what was best to be don

ill them!" sh

ikku," said others.

promise from them that they would not fight against Fi

themselves in a tiny hut on their estate which t

ng they sat in their new poor home. "I

had!" said

rom the hillside grove toward the hut, driving before him, with th

? And Kettu?" exc

our cows?" cried

hat the robbers had taken away with them. Three had been slain, but t

cows!" shouted Sikku. He would fain have

and his wife at the same time. Then they embraced Sikk

Pussy's broken dish still stood by the water-tub. Miss Pussy

asked the mistress. Her c

ku. "I was thinking of somethin

. Here was Sikku with nine cows, and true enough, the moon was not yet full. Well, Sikku had proved himself a fi

much land while you are so little? Serve me faithfully for seven years, and I wil

" said

rts and caps and shoes, married the farmer's daughter, the kind Greta, and received with h

rs and, when they died, were both b

in which live three crows. They can give you news of the trolls, if any one c

Tope

O LA

real forests, nor regular houses, but only great barren bogs and high mountains, and small huts, which they crawl into through a hole. The country of the Lapps is strange. Half the

nessed before the pulk, but a reindeer. Have you ever seen a reindeer? It is as large as a little horse, is gray in color, has high branching horns, a stooping neck, and a p

beautiful Northern Lights as at Aimio. There they had built themselves a hut such as Lapps usually live in. No large trees grew in that region,-only slender birches, that were more like bushes than trees-so where could they get wood for a house? Instead, they took long, thin sticks, stuck them into the snow, in a circle, tied the upper ends together, hung reindeer skins over the sticks, so that altoge

the Lapp woman had never seen before, which they called "sugar." They gave Sampo a few pieces of the sweet snow, and they patted him on the cheek and said: "Lappelil! Lappelil!" which means "little Lapp." They could not say anything else, for they could not tal

es,' and I tell you, Mother, don't spoil the name! For, some time, Sampo will beco

ot christened yet, for at that time there was no priest within a hundred miles. "Next year we will go to the priest and let him christen th

it is to be thought really fine. Sampo was not a stupid boy for his age; he had his own little snow-shoes and on them he danced over the high hills near the Tana; and his own little reindeer which he har

The wolves may get him some fine day here on the mountains, or he may meet Hiisi's reinde

be that had golden horns. "That must be a beautiful reindeer," said

mountain that may be seen from

he mother, and scolded him. "It is just on Raste

is that?" a

she thought to herself. "Why do I stand here and talk about such things

for there lives Hiisi, the great mountain king who eats

He thought to himself: "It must be good fun to see such a horri

nd the stars twinkled brightly all the time. Sampo began to feel dull. It was so long since he had seen the sun that he had almost forgotten what it looked like; and when any one talked of summer Sampo only

pt out of the hut in the dark, and looked toward the south, for it was in that direct

hat that is?"

d idea of the points of the compass, and knew very we

-morrow or the day after we shall see the sun itself. Only lo

n the dark, wild top of Rastekais. Immediately it came into his mind how

he crept quite softly out from the reindeer-skin under which he lay, and out through the door. It was so cold that the stars snapped and the snow crackled under his feet. But Sampo Lappelil was no

ratching in the snow not far off. "W

d. "I will drive a little way toward Rastekais, only a little way," he thought to himself. So he drove down over the frozen river and u

dear, good Bishop Franzén, whom all Sweden and all Finland love, and have you ever seen the title-page of the fourth volume of his song

rt is t

ad is

rk to

hurry

pack li

t, litt

they went over stones and hills! The wind whistled in their ears! Sampo Lappelil only rushed on. The reindeer's hoofs snapped, and the moon in the sky raced with him, and the high mountains seemed to rebound,

had got his mouth so full of snow that he could not call. There he lay, like a lemming that had lost a

FT LYING IN

and high mountains. But one mountain reached high above all the others, and Sampo guessed that he was now near Rastekais. Here lived the horrible mountain king, who ate a reindeer in one mouthful, and swallowed boys like gnats! Now Sampo Lappelil grew

e high black shadow of Rastekais, where the mountain king lived! But it did not help him to sit there and cry, for his tears fro

e, then he will eat me. But I will tell him that it would be better that he should eat the wolves here on the

a great furry wolf sprang out close to his side. Sampo started, his little Lapp heart beat loud, but he determined to behave as if he were not afr

Rastekais all the animals could talk. "Who are you

pelil," answered the

een running from mountain to mountain to bring his people to the great Sun Festiv

furry coat, and they rushed a

at does that mea

e sky, then we celebrate. All the animals and all the trolls collect here on Rastekais, and on that day no one is allowed

law for the king,

our head; but you must take care, after that time; for if you are still on the mountain, then a hundred thousand wolves and a thousand bear

lp me back, as soon as there is dange

d he; "I will be the first to stick my claws into you. You are a fine fat boy; I see that you have be

k night. On his head he wore a cap of white snow-clouds; his eyes were like the full moon when it rises over the woods, his nose like a mountain top, his mouth like a mountain cleft, his beard like long icicles; his arms were as thick as the thickest fir-tree, his hands were like pine branches, his leg

Spitsbergen and Greenland and Iceland-yes, from the North Pole itself, to worship the sun, as savages from fear worship the devil; for the trolls do not like the sun and would prefer that it should never rise again after it has once set behind the barren mountai

down quietly from the master-wolf's back and hid h

hen its flames leap up against the crowns of the pine-trees; now the Lights spread themselves out, now they drew together again; now the brightness was very dazzling, now it grew pale, then one gleam of light after another shot like a sudden shower out over the snow-covered mountain.

be! Forever winter and foreve

trolls as loud as they could, for they all liked

eer and the other animals would have found no fault with the summer, if they had not suddenly happened to think of the gnats in Lapland. It w

t. "It is only an old custom that makes us collect together here. But it will be

ad!" murmured all the animals, and

voice of thunder and called out over the wilderness: "So shall it be! So shall it be! The sun is dead. The

ucy voice: "You are lying, mountain king! you are lying, as tall as you are! Yesterday I saw the forerun

rible long arm to crush Sampo Lappelil. But at that moment the Northern Lights grew pale, and a red ray sprang up in t

if many million of roses had rained down upon it, and the sun shone into all their eyes, yes, and into all their hearts, too. Even those who had rejoiced because the sun was dead were now really glad to see it again. It was funny to witness the trolls' surprise. They stared at the sun wit

d almost slipped away, and Sampo Lappelil heard one of the reindeer say to its little

ger. And as he saw by his side a reindeer with beautiful golden horns, he ju

behind us?" asked Sampo after a while, when

answered the reindeer. "But don't be afraid; I am the mountain k

ampo asked: "What can that be that bre

ming after us at full gallop to tear you and me to pieces. But don't b

Sampo asked: "Is it thundering i

si, the mountain king himself, who is coming with giant steps after us; an

no help?"

o get to the parsonage off there near Enare Lake. If we get there

deer, over mountain and valley, and I wil

e priest's house when the mountain king came up outside and knocked so hard on the door

ered a voice of

THE REINDEER WI

king. There is an unchristened child

ollar, so that I can receive so distinguished a

mountain king; "hurry, or I

ediately, sir," a

wl of water and christened Sampo

d the mountain king, and he lifted hi

nter, for with this child you have nothing to do! The sun of God's grace s

ver the roof of the parsonage and they all expected to be buried alive. But when the morning came the sun shone on the snow, the snow melted away, and t

his reindeer with golden oats from a silver manger, that is another story, which it would take too long to tell now. It is said that since that time when Sampo had such a narrow escape, the Lapps have never, as before, put off from year to year having their little c

Tope

by Margar

END O

a little lone cottage. The snow whirled over the frozen lake in great clouds

ed joyfully for their Christmas feast, while inside the cottage food was scanty, as usual. The peasants' little children, however, listened happily to

the sparrows, we might have had fresh wheaten rolls fo

essed?" asked the gentle old peasant wit

of the air eat our bre

y? Besides, I have saved enough to be able to buy four fresh rolls and a can of milk for Christmas. Let us send t

t a wolf on the ice,"

" said the father. "He will ge

nd the children had difficulty in dragging the sled, so that when they turned toward home the early darkness was already beginning to settle down. They trudged thr

oved in the darkness. When it came near

. "I have a good club." And with the

raordinary for it sounded as if he uttered words in it,-words that the children could understand. "It is so cold, so

rolls for them, and we ourselves will eat hard bread to-ni

olf as he took the two fr

ow, but in a little while they heard some creature

find out what he meant although they tried hard; but the bear kept on growling and fin

water everywhere is frozen and my poor little ones have nothi

? But that is your affair. We will give you our half of the milk for your little ones. Hanna and I

rch-bark cone which he carried in his fore-paws. Then wit

could see the Christmas lights shining through the windows of their home; b

ead and milk!" screamed the owl, stretching

to teach you to be polite." So saying, he gave the owl such a cle

t home, gaily beating the snow from

a wolf!" sh

ear some milk!

e club!" laughed Hanna. Then t

o think that their children had shown mercy even to the wild be

le upon which, besides the usual poor fare, was the half porti

might have the Christmas goodies; but the parents would not allow that. They joyfully sha

ces from either of the rolls, the fresh delicious wheaten rolls never grew smaller; and howeve

the wolf and the bear with their fore-paws against the window pane. Both animals grinned and nodded in a knowing, f

times

pen

oo! Ho

from

from

ged o

oo! Ho

THE WOLF A

e, and the two beasts, after a little more gri

sted upon their Christmas food because it had been shared in mercy with tho

as fresh as when the children bought them,-and with no sign that the rolls had ever been broken or any milk used! And all that day it was the same! There were not only riches on

Tope

N'S

MADE FRIEN

spreads a wide fruitful valley. A mighty river rushes southward singing of courage and joy, and from the mountains

the weight of rich fruits. But more than all else, grapevines grow here. The vines twine themselves in an endless wreath

nd there in the valley's green expanse like birds' nests in a spreading tree. On the surrounding heights rose the proud castles where the nobles lived. They tyrannized over the farmers

st of the mountain castles. He had, by force and violence, made himself Lord over one of the cit

e carried on horses' backs up to the mountain castle; and when the grapes w

the peasants grew tired of this state of th

low and sow and reap and grind so that Rynkebryn can s

weat of our brows and when the grapes are ripe, the wine we make must go to Falkensten so that Rynkebryn and his men

rus. Then it was determined that they should send Rynkebry

s wine wherever he chose. Neither bag nor ba

ty about getting the letter written. The Mayor himself wrote it; and upon th

for every one well knew that he who carried such a message t

ins in his legs, another could by no means be spared from home, and another was sure he could never fi

n?" And immediately all shouted, "Yes, that is

brought up among other poor children of the town in the Cloister School. Now that he was twelve or thirteen years old, he m

ountry roundabout; and as he could manage the most spirited horse, he drove, too, if there were no other driver to be had. He often to

Anton. He was quick of foot and light of hand, true as gold and sile

ery important errand. He was to go to Falkensten with a letter to Baron Rynkebryn. Of what was in the let

d if anything happens to him,-well!-we must hope that all is for the best. It is surely better that he should perish than that we w

it over and over in his hands, and

nuff. He could not look Anton straight in the face as he re

ight back?" quer

letter and take to your

pocket, slung an old gun over his shoulder and started on his long tramp from the valley to Falkensten. He could see the castle hig

oked in the heat. Vines were planted on the lowest slopes of the mountain, so here Anton could walk up the stone steps between the walls. He tu

lds. The grass had already been cut for the second time

looked like toys spread out on a green carpet. The sun glowed hotter and hotter, and Anton took off his jacket, and walked on, in his shi

humming a little song and idly striking the g

wall of rock and creep forth among the ferns. It wriggled its supple little body out into th

e lizard. "Would you be so kind as to sing it

, and hummed the song again. He kept the switch behind

eature said to Anton, "Come, Anton, what are you really thinking of? I think your dark

I do think it might be amusing to give you a hit with

ow strange! It seems to me that would not be at all amusing. I think it is

PERFECTLY STI

ut continued to beat th

live. Let me go in peace. Don't do me any harm. Perhaps I can be of use t

sked Anton, as he got up. "But since you ask me so prettily, I will

calling back, however, "Farewell, Anton; you may be sure I shall not lose sight

ked now like many tiny white stones scattered over the ground. The path, steeper and steeper, led through a grove of larches,

nch of a neighboring larch, eating the seeds from a cone. Between the mouthfuls he spat the shells down, ch

rel. With the butt end he could easily enough hit the little squirrel. But the alert creature, which was watching him with kee

frightened squirrel, poking his little head

Anton. "It would be a nice fur collar for me wh

e could in the air. "You see I was born with this tail, and therefore it is mine; and so, if

said Anton, lifting the gun. "If I can

u. I don't want to be crushed with the butt end of a gun. It is ugly of you to think of it, ugly, ugly! And to be bro

ng from branch to branch in fright

e alone! Let me hop around, a happy living squ

gain. "I am afraid I should dream of the frightened look in your e

hall go, too. No harm shall happen to you while I am able to hop." With that, the squirrel set o

e masses. The sun was no longer to be seen. The clouds changed to gray and violet and dark-blue, with glowing edges, and thunder began to roll among the mountains. Anton

on the ground, groaning with weariness. Not a drop more of the refreshing sou

fresh and living that one could not understand how it could gush forth from the dead stones. Anton

harming wood-dove, with blue-flecked wings and a little round head. The dove must, like him, have been thirsty, for she flew directly to the foaming

taking aim, when the dove lifted her he

ve quenched your thirst and I have quenched mine. The sprin

n. "It would look fine if I stretched you

mountain path is difficult for you, little Anton; but you are at least free to purs

d in such friendly tones that Anton

will," said he, waving his hands. "We might se

t if it is to that fierce Baron you are taking a message,

e out like emeralds against the dark blue haze beyond. All creatures had become wonderfully silent; not a bird sang, not an in

a little chamois that stood with all its four feet

cocked his gun; but the chamois with a couple o

rocks where the chamois stood. "I am a good shot, let me tell you;

a little farther away. "What harm have I ever done to you?

rns. I should like to put them up over my

is. "You have a gun, and I have nothing. But I had al

ambled hastily up the rocks

t leap it could. "I would truly rather have my horns on my head than over your

ecame altogether uncomfortable and put his gun down. "Leap where you will, then," he

ut I will wait for you outside the castle wall, and if you need my help y

d and began to think he had gone astray, but suddenly, at a turn in the

oward the path. From the tower waved Rynkebryn's banner,-a fiery red flag on which was a black falcon. The drawbridge that led over to the castle was drawn up, and over t

without any kind of a railing to hold fast to; but he must deliv

't glide like

oss not the

that came hurrying towa

e to Baron Rynkebryn?" said Anton. He

irrel with his red tail high in the air like a flag, and with wi

n't hop like

shun; be war

d to my errand?" Anton was n

came flying and floating o

n't float and

rn back and h

, flying near

tter," said Anton, "but I don't turn back when I am half-way

d everything turned black before his eyes; but he pressed his hands against his breast where he had hidden the letter, kept his gaze straight ahead, and walked on with firm

t stood, but when Anton stole around it, he found a small door,-an iron door with many locks and fastenings. He

the thunder among the rocks; but no. The sound came from the hall where Baron Rynkebryn a

TURN BACK,"

ear the echoes answer from mountain to mountain and at last die away; but now there were signs of life in the castle

he man slam the shutter to, come with a clatter down the stairs, trudge across the courtyard, and begin to rattle the

is voice sounded like a bear's. "What ha

yn himself," answered Anton. "The

to the falcon's nest!" said the warrior, but he op

sight of the chamois which stood on a stone

"I will keep on the watch by the wal

low sound in the small courtyard; and it was dark and damp as a cellar, inside the castle on the great winding stairs that led to the baroni

like those of an angry bull, and they laughed and shouted so that the high rafters shook. Little Anton squee

he wine flowed over his beard; he sat with both arms leaning on the tab

finger. So Anton had to go forward. He bowed many times as he crossed the room, each bow deeper

e mountain chain after another gleamed forth, lit by the sun; streams lay like narrow white ribbons in the valley; and the boundless sky arched over all, its big thunder-cloud

e table so violently that the wine bottles tumbled over, and the rich red wine ran in streams a

ked Anton. He trembled like an aspen leaf. "I

u had peeped into this letter. If you had, I think you would have turned back with it. Herein"-he shook the letter till it rattled-"herein those traitors of the valley renou

et a word over his lips. He grew icy

overwhelming horror, like a thief in the night, and lay their land waste. Sure as death, before t

t?" asked Anton, in a

ight's lodging at Falkensten. Your guest-chamber is ready. You shall march down to the castle prison, and there you can lie and amuse yourself guessing what death you are to die in the morni

d the little lizard with this very treatment, and ha

crush you with one whack of my gun,

of terror that he was feeling must the squirrel have f

t has been shot upon a barn door. There you could hang as a warning to t

thought with anguish. "This is just the way I th

"Then I could put your head on top of the tower where there is a glorious view. What a treat

e harmless chamois, and put its horns over the door. "Oh, God be praised that I let it run!" he thought; but just then R

with strong iron bars across it. The men threw Anton on the floor and then went out, locking the door afte

her. And Anton lay and thought that when their light was quenched again, his life was to be put out, as if it were but a spark. What made him most unhappy was the thought that he could no

ose; but something small came creeping lightly over him right up to his cheek. "Don't be afraid," it whispered. "It is only I, the little lizard you met on your way. I have hurried at your heels the

t is too late to think of that, and

I could get into the castle prison, we shall manage to get you ou

ack against the barred window. It squeezed itself be

rel, hopping to Anton. "What foo

"I am captured and bound, and

. "It is a long time to morning. Much c

aid Anton. "Don't you see how they

n's back, beginning immediately to gnaw at the knots with his small pointed teeth. He bit and pulled at the rope so that his little body shook with th

hugging and kissing the squirrel. "Now I am a

id the squirrel. "We must have the dove's help now."

t filled the whole window. He soon saw that it was the dove flapping her out-spread wings against the bars. She could not get in, but she had somethi

ay, ready to be used for his evil purposes; but no

h up to the window, and to fasten them there so firmly that he could climb up the ropes. Then he filed and filed at the iron

ittle Anton stood, rescued and free,

the chamois wa

"And hold tight! for we are going to gallop down the mount

t had been trudging up the mountain, he now went down with a speed like that of a stone wh

ton, clinging for dear life to the chamo

ois; "nor I, either. I am very sure-foo

mself came to open it, and was overwhelmed with wonder when he saw little Anton

kebryn and his men after you before you know it; and he is not going to spare an

ountry round had the town folk summoned help, and the men were armed with lances and javelins, with scythes and pitchforks; and there was nothing for Rynkebryn to do but to hasten up the mountain again as fast as his legs could carry him. But the peasants followed him all the way to Falkensten, gathered brushwood a

r in the palatial hall of the Council House. But little Anton only thanked them over and over. He had not the least desire in the world to be Mayor, neither did he

o give a party to his nearest and dearest friends. Oh, yes! The peopl

S OVERWHELME

mall snails; and one trousers-pocket full of nuts, and the other full of salt. He wo

liar indeed; but he received what he had ask

ouncil House, where the people sat and feasted, and shouted hurrahs for their old Mayor. A spring bubbled near him; the chestnut-tree shad

vited his guests to take their food. The lizard had all the little snails; the dove ate grain from Anton's one hand, while the chamois licked salt from the othe

na Ny

OREST

where the clear and strong sunshine streamed down, one could see that spring had c

gh the forest: a ten-year-old girl, nam

too tiny and too much hidden for so small a child as Johannes to discover

s hut, back of the hill. This little hut had been their home only for a short time. When their dear father and mo

round with Johannes by the hand, who should stand before them but a

" she shrieked; "are you plucking flowers in my

that we must not pick flowers here. We are s

to what children say; nor to old folks' talk either, for that matter. Indeed I don't! Snikkesnak! snikkesnak! But it is not you that I

round her brother. "It is my fault! I showed him the flowers, and let him

no work for you then; so I shall not trouble myself about you for the present. But when autumn has come and gone, and all the leaves and flowers have disappeared, then are we very busy in the underground world. Then you may believ

d eyes glared around for an instant till she noticed that Nina stood, with her a

wist his arms and legs all out of joint!" screamed t

hrough the forest, with the crows shrieking after her

e with Johannes. Like a kind sister she suited her frigh

had not in the least under stood the cruel threats she had used

ARMS AROUND HE

ad said, and she herself would not disclose the dreadful doom hanging over her. She was determine

fields, the meadows, and the gardens. Nina welcomed them as her dearest friends. They would protect her against the Forest Wit

ned into summer, and summer went faster than ever before, it seemed to poor Nina. The tears streamed down her

other's old rose-bush outside the door of the hut. Nina kissed them and begged t

the trees by thousands. Yet Nina discovered to her joy and comfort that there were flowers still. Along the roadside sto

elp came to Nina; for the hazel-bush was completely hoaxed by the mild weather and thought it was spring; so it beg

going to the Witch; but this could not long continue. Cold weather

was impossible to get out of the hut, because the wind kept whirling the snow into high drifts a

under the cold snow, after this bitter storm. She must go and keep her compact with the Witch.

ook at the hut, which now seemed so cozy and dear, whi

away immediately when she discovered the Witch a few steps from

to your bargain!" exclaimed the Witch

e me go with yo

the Witch's great feet, and besought her wil

d the Witch. "Up wit

, fairly beside herself with fright and despair, began to scrape the snow

nikkesnak!" laughed the Witch, her face g

ry, for where Nina had cleared the snow away, there appeare

up high toward the Witch and rushed away into the hut. The Witch, in her disappointment and vexation,

and the grandmother took the little girl's sweet, frightened fa

the garden (helleborus niger); for that was the flower which had saved her; and the w

gainst its powers. The snow lying over it keeps it from freezing; and if one brushes away this beautiful covering, the Christmas Rose appears with its lovely, white, gold-centered blossoms, laughing a

being a Forest Witch, did not know of the Ch

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G OF THE T

housetops and windows, flowers were wreathed about poles and arches, and green br

front of the castle, on a beautiful green mound, stood gilded cannon, which at

ival was in her honor. At the conclusion of each speech and chorus of joyous shouts up at the castle, the cannon sent forth their signaling volley; and at each volley the people in the town took up the rejoicing and heartily echoed "Ha

e stately hall and strolled about the terraces and garden

sts for the dull simplicity of his attire. He was no other than the Wise One from Fir Forest who wore now, as at

speeches were to no other end than to wish happiness and good fortune to my beloved daughter. What showers of good wishes ha

ne gravely. "But the Princess, like a

you?" aske

from forgetting self and living for the joy of

happy," sa

f. You take kindliest care of all in your dukedom, ever doing good among the poor and the sick, and givi

nt gratification. He could not but be pleased

win her hand. Indeed, two have already asked to appear before me, and I receive them in the morning. Many will seek her for the dukedom's sake, since the one she

all others, he who is wholly free from selfishness and envy. Only to such a one,"

to test the hearts of those who come? Their hearts are not of glass, so that one may peep into them

inquired slowly, "Who is the most despised, the

er than that stupid, good-natured Klaus Klodrian. He is but the fourth groom's

welling one day as honored guest at the castle, and one day in the poor hut of Klaus Klodrian, and perh

. "Glad am I to rely on your help,

the festivities and excitement of the castle, and longed to reach his peaceful little log hut in the midst of the great Fir Forest. Seldom

re young and stately and sat proudly upon their beautiful horses. The one knight was clad in green velvet, with graceful hat and waving plume of the same color, and the trappi

nd exchanging friendly words and glances, it would be hard

oon after, a great blackbird stole forth from the woods, turned its yellow beak toward the road which the two knights had ta

ned one of the windows and leaned far out, looking up into th

oing?" asked th

e stars," answ

y?" asked the

re every evening. The stars shine down upon us with such benign watchfulness, tha

ny eyes peeped out at them through windows and door cracks, and the host of "The Golden Fish" rubbed his fat hands together with pleasure. He saw

hts. Princess Inga stood by his side. White-robed and with a cluster of dewy roses in her

r, gave them his friendly permission to make further acquaintance wit

ke would have each knight in turn spend one day with the Princess and one day with Klaus K

he matter was at an end; for this was the pl

Duke, "to agree between yourselves which of you shall rem

The offer was accepted with much pleasure, and while the Green Knight bowed before the Princess and began to talk with her, the Blue Knight was conducted out of the audience hall, down a broad st

is frugal noonday meal. He jumped up in great conf

o spend the day with him, and began to talk to him in a friendly manner, Klaus gradually recovered from his confusion and became his quiet, simple self again. He clattered clumsily about on his heavy wooden shoes, wit

treasure-two white doves in a cage,-and began to talk eagerly about them. It seemed as if he could rei

toward all, he soon discovered that Klaus Klodrian was not altogether a hopeless dullard. If only one would tell him a thing twelve or fourteen times,

him, giving him long explanations, telling him the same things again and again, a

ittle comprehension. He laughed so heartily over it all, that it

e day had he seen the Princess and the Green Knight walking together in the castle garden. They talked and laughed, and seemed, he thought, to hav

incess. They are already excellent friends, and I am greatly prejudiced in his favor. He is really charming! You

T FORTH HIS

said the Wise One. "Let us see him t

liantly illuminated, and from its windows the light streamed out, while soft strains of

he day long, no matter how intently he was laboring with Klaus; so when eve

more gaily than any other in the merry company, and oh! how proud and happy she lo

. He turned away and walked sad

er a little of one of the airs, and now sat down upon the edge of his stra

said Klaus, as the knight ent

more by my journey hither, I have learned from you how little a man need have in order to be content

summer sky and gazed long at the stars. He was convinced that he had lost the Princess, and that the Green Knight had won her; but as he stood there, looking at the stars, a sense of peace stole over him,

ng seen the success which his rival had met with the previous day. But before he had mounted, a courteous messag

Klaus Klodrian; but though he came, he felt that he was being

ld him to hold his tongue; and when, a little after, poor Klaus, stupid and forgetful, began again his rambling ta

e saw them, speeding with fear-quickened wings over the tree-tops,

messengers. Daily they took their flight out into the world, far and near, and when they came back to the forest, they told their master all t

hovered in unusual swarms near the hut of Klaus Klodrian, and over the castle gardens. They had hovered ther

Blue Knight had taught him, he felt only confusion of mind, and in his bewilderment made more stupid blunders than ever before. But worst of all, it was impossible for the poor witless fellow to understand the gathering wrath of the Green Knight, and so, now and again througho

Blue Knight up at the castle, walking in the garden with the Princess. And when he went near enough to see her pluck roses for her companion, he

he had given the thrashing. And when the day was at last ended and the darkness fell, his bitter envious though

e within the hall. Ah! There were the Princess and the Blue Knight. His heart burned with envy; he forgot that the Blue Knight

d; but he did not notice that as he did so, a bird ru

ver, was enjoying the ball so much that she asked the Duke if she might not

t turned toward the balcony door, drawn by a great desi

and all the guests were greatly astonished, for never before h

ing near, then threw wide open the large doors leading to the balcony. There stood the Green Knight

this?" ask

nd with gentle step approached the Princess. In her terror she had grasped the Blu

toward the Duke an i

and I believe that the heart

racter of the suitors. Your wise counsel has served us well, good friend. Will you not honor us now by coming to the

e musicians playing gladdest m

his horse. Hastily mounting, he sped his steed mercile

s her eyes could see him, while he bowed and waved fond adieus. Behind the Blue Knight rode, rather awkwardly, his new squire,-none other than Klaus Klodrian! He was proudly conscious of his fine long riding-boots and other new attire, an

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