\"No，heisnotanuglything，\"repliedthefather，withresentment;\"heisabonnyboy，that’swhatheis.\"
Thewoman，inordertomollifyGrim，turnedtotheboy，andasked，withhersweetestmanner，\"Whatisyourname，child？\"
\"Bonnyboy，\"murmuredthechild，withavaguelyoffendedair——\"bonnyboy.\"
AndfromthatdaythenameBonnyboyclungtohim.
II.
ToteachBonnyboythetradeofacarpenterwasataskwhichwouldhaveexhaustedthepatienceofallthesaintsinthecalendar.
Iftherewasanypossiblewayofdoingathingwrong，Bonnyboywouldbesuretohituponthatway.Whenhewaselevenyearsoldhechoppedoffthethirdjointofthering—fingeronhisrighthandwithacuttingtoolwhileworkingtheturning—lathe;andbythetimehewasfourteenitseemedamarveltohisfatherthathehadanyfingersleftatall.ButBonnyboyperseveredinspiteofalldifficulties，wasalwayscheerfulandofgoodcourage，andwhenhisfather，indespair，exclaimed：\"Well，youwillneveramounttoanything，Bonnyboy，\"hewouldlookupwithhisslow，winningsmileandsay：
\"Don’tworry，father.Betterlucknexttime.\"
\"But，mydearboy，howcanIhelpworrying，whenyoudon’tlearnanythingbywhichyoucanmakeyourliving？\"
\"Oh，well，father，\"saidBonnyboy，soothingly（forhewasbeginningtofeelsorryonhisfather’saccountratherthanonhisown），\"Iwouldn’tbotheraboutthatifIwereyou.Idon’tworryabit.Somethingwillturnupformetodo，soonerorlater.\"
\"Butyou’lldoitbadly，Bonnyboy，andthenyouwon’tgetasecondchance.Andthen，whoknowsbutyoumaystarvetodeath.
You’llchopoffthefingersyouhaveleft;andwhenIamdeadandcannolongerlookafteryou，Iamverymuchafraidyou’llmanagetochopoffyourheadtoo.\"
\"Well，\"observedBonnyboy，cheerfully，\"inthatcaseIshallnotstarvetodeath.\"
Grimhadtolaughinspiteofhimselfatthepaternalwayinwhichhissoncomfortedhim，asifhewerethepartytobepitied.Bonnyboy’sunfailingcheerfulness，whichhaditsgreatcharm，begantocausehimuneasiness，becausehefeareditwasbutanotherformofstupidity.Aclevererboywouldhavebeensorryforhismistakesandanxiousabouthisownfuture.ButBonnyboylookedintothefuturewiththesereneconfidenceofachild，andnothingunderthesunevertroubledhim，excepthisfather’stendencytoworry.Forhewasveryfondofhisfather，andpraisedhimasaparagonofskillandexcellence.Helavishedanabjectadmirationoneverythinghedidandsaid.Hisdexterityintheuseoftools，andhisvariedaccomplishmentsasawatch—makerandahorse—doctor，filledBonnyboywithungrudgingamazement.Heknewitwasahopelessthingforhimtoaspiretorivalsuchgenius，andhetookthethingphilosophically，anddidnotaspire.
ItoccurredtoGrimoneday，whenBonnyboyhadmadeamostdiscouragingexhibitionofhisawkwardness，thatitmightbeagoodthingtoaskthepastor’sadviceinregardtohim.Thepastorhadhadalongexperienceineducatingchildren，andhisown，thoughtheywerenotallclever，promisedtoturnoutwell.
AccordinglyGrimcalledattheparsonage，waswellreceived，andreturnedhomechargedtothemuzzlewithgoodadvice.Thepastorlenthimabookfullofstories，andrecommendedhimtoreadthemtohisson，andafterwardquestionhimabouteverysinglefactwhicheachstorycontained.Thisthepastorhadfoundtobeagoodwaytodeveloptheintellectofabackwardboy.
III.
WhenBonnyboyhadbeenconfirmed，thequestionagainrosewhatwastobecomeofhim.Hewasnowatallyoungfellow，red—checked，broad—shouldered，andstrong，andrathernice—looking.Aslow，good—naturedsmilespreadoverhisfacewhenanyonespoketohim，andhehadawayofflinginghisheadback，whenthetuftofyellowhairwhichusuallyhungdownoverhisforeheadobscuredhissight.Mostpeoplelikedhim，eventhoughtheylaughedathimbehindhisback;buttohisfacenobodylaughed，becausehisstrengthinspiredrespect.Nordidheknowwhatfearwaswhenhewasroused;butthatwasprobably，aspeoplethought，becausehedidnotknowmuchofanything.Atanyrate，onacertainoccasionheshowedthattherewasalimittohisgood—nature，andwhenthatlimitwasreached，hewasnotasharmlessafellowashelooked.
OntheneighboringfarmofGimlehaugtherewasaweddingtowhichGrimandhissonwereinvited.Ontheafternoonofthesecondweddingday——forpeasantweddingsinNorwayareoftencelebratedforthreedays——anotoriousbullynamedOlaKlemmerudtookitintohisheadtohavesomesportwiththebiggood—naturedsimpleton.So，bywayofpleasantry，hepulledthetuftofhairwhichhungdownuponBonnyboy’sforehead.
\"Don’tdothat，\"saidBonnyboy.
OlaKlemmerudchuckled，andthenexttimehepassedBonnyboy，pinchedhisear.
\"IfyoudothatagainIsha’n’tlikeyou，\"criedBonnyboy.
Theinnocenceofthatremarkmadethepeoplelaugh，andthebully，seeingthattheirsympathywasonhisside，wasencouragedtocontinuehisteasing.Takingafewdancingstepsacrossthefloor，hemanagedtotouchBonnyboy’snosewiththetoeofhisboot，whichfeatagainwasrewardedwithaburstoflaughter.
Thepoorladquietlyblewhisnose，wipedtheperspirationoffhisbrowwitharedhandkerchief，andsaid，\"Don’tmakememad，Ola，orImighthurtyou.\"
Thisspeechstruckthecompanyasbeingimmenselyfunny，andtheylaughedtillthetearsrandowntheircheeks.AtthismomentGrimentered，andperceivedatoncethatOlaKlemmerudwasamusingthecompanyathisson’sexpense.Hegrewhotabouthisears，clinchedhisteeth，andstaredchallenginglyatthebully.
Thelatterbegantofeeluncomfortable，buthecouldnotstopatthispointwithoutturningthelaughagainsthimself，andthathehadnotthecouragetodo.Soinordertoavoidrousingthefather’swrath，andyetpreservinghisowndignity，hewentovertoBonnyboy，rumpledhishairwithbothhishands，andtweakedhisnose.Thisappearedsuchinnocentsport，accordingtohisnotion，thatnorationalcreaturecouldtakeoffenceatit.ButGrim，whosesenseofhumorwasprobablydefective，failedtoseeitinthatlight.
\"Lettheboyalone，\"hethundered.
\"Well，don’tbitemyheadoff，oldman，\"repliedOla.\"Ihaven’thurtyourfoolofaboy.Ihaveonlybeenjokingwithhim.\"
\"Idon’tthinkyouaretroubledwithovermuchwityourself，judgingbythestyleofyourjokes，\"wasGrim’scoolretort.
Thecompany，whoplainlysawthatOlawastryingtowriggleoutofhisdifficulty，butwereanxiousnottoloseanexcitingscene，screamedwithlaughteragain;butthistimeatthebully’sexpense.Thebloodmountedtohishead，andhisangergotthebetterofhisnaturalcowardice.Insteadofsneakingoff，ashehadintended，hewheeledaboutonhisheelandstoodforamomentirresolute，clinchinghisfistinhispocket.
\"Whydon’tyoutakeyourlunkheadofasonhometohismother，ifheisn’tbrightenoughtounderstandfun！\"heshouted.
\"Nowletmeseeifyouarebrightenoughtounderstandthesamekindoffun，\"criedGrim.WhereuponheknockedoffOla’scap，rumpledhishair，andgavehisnosesuchapullthatitwasawonderitdidnotcomeoff.
Thebully，takenbysurprise，tumbledastepbackward，butrecoveringhimself，struckGriminthefacewithhisclinchedfist.Atthismoment.Bonnyboy，whohadscarcelytakeninthesituation;jumpedupandscreamed，\"Sitdown，OlaKlemmerud，sitdown！\"
Theeffectofthisabruptexclamationwassocomical，thatpeoplenearlyfellfromtheirbenchesastheywrithedandroaredwithlaughter.
Bonnyboy，whohadrisentogotohisfather’sassistance，pausedinastonishmentinthemiddleofthefloor.Hecouldnotcomprehend，poorboy，whyeverythinghesaidprovokedsuchuncontrollablemirth.Hesurelyhadnointentionofbeingfunny.
So，takenabackalittle，herepeatedtohimself，halfwonderingly，withanabruptpauseaftereachword，\"Sit——down——Ola——Klemmerud——sit——down！\"
ButOlaKlemmerud，insteadofsittingdown，hitGrimrepeatedlyaboutthefaceandhead，anditwasevidentthattheelderman，inspiteofhisstrength，wasnotamatchforhiminalertness.
ThisdawnedpresentlyuponBonnyboy’sslowcomprehension，andhisgood—naturedsmilegavewaytoaflushofexcitement.Hetooktwolongstridesacrossthefloor，pushedhisfathergentlyaside，andstoodfacinghisantagonist.Herepeatedoncemorehisinvitationtositdown;towhichthelatterrespondedwithaslapwhichmadethesparksdancebeforeBonnyboy’seyes.NowBonnyboybecamereallyangry.Insteadofreturningtheslap，heseizedhisenemywithasuddenandmightygrabbybothhisshoulders，liftedhimupasifhewereabagofhay，andputhimdownonachairwithsuchforcethatitbrokeintosplintersunderhim.
\"Willyounowsitdown？\"saidBonnyboy.
Nobodylaughedthistime，andthebully，notdaringtorise，remainedseatedontheflooramongtheruinsofthechair.
Thereupon，withimperturbablecomposure，Bonnyboyturnedtohisfather，brushedoffhiscoatwithhishandsandsmoothedhisdisorderedhair.\"Nowletusgohome，father，\"hesaid，andtakingtheoldman’sarmhewalkedoutoftheroom.Buthardlyhadhecrossedthethresholdbeforetheastonishedcompanybrokeintocheering.
\"Goodforyou，Bonnyboy！\"\"Welldone，Bonnyboy！\"\"Youareabullyboy，Bonnyboy！\"theycriedafterhim.
ButBonnyboystrodecalmlyalong，quiteunconsciousofhistriumph，andonlyhappytohavegottenhisfatheroutoftheroomsafeandsound.Foragoodwhiletheywalkedoninsilence.
Then，whentheeffectoftheexcitementhadbeguntowearaway，Grimstoppedinthepath，gazedadmiringlyathisson，andsaid，\"Well，Bonnyboy，youareaqueerfellow.\"
\"Oh，yes，\"answeredBonnyboy，blushingwithembarrassment（forthoughhedidnotcomprehendtheremark，hefelttheapprovinggaze）;\"butthen，youknow，Iaskedhimtositdown，andhewouldn’t.\"
\"Blessyourinnocentheart！\"murmuredhisfather，ashegazedatBonnyboy’shonestfacewithaminglingofaffectionandpity.
IV.
WhenBonnyboywastwentyyearsoldhisfathergaveup，onceforall，hisattempttomakeacarpenterofhim.Anumberofsaw—millshadbeenbuiltduringthelastyearsalongtheriverdowninthevalley，andtheoldrapidshadbeenbrokenupintoasuccessionofmill—dams，oneabovetheother.Atoneofthesesaw—millsBonnyboysoughtwork，andwasengagedwithmanyothersasamillhand.Hisbusinesswastorollthelogsontothelittletrucksthatranonrails，andtopushthemuptothesaws，wheretheyweretakeninchargebyanothersetofmen，whofastenedandwatchedthemwhiletheywerecutupintoplanks.
Verylittleartwas，indeed，requiredforthissimpletask;butstrengthwasrequired，andofthisBonnyboyhadenoughandtospare.Heworkedwithawillfromearlymorntilldewyeve，andwashappyinthethoughtthathehadatlastfoundsomethingthathecoulddo.Itmadethesimple—heartedfellowproudtoobservethathewasactuallygaininghisfather’sregard;or，atallevents，softeningthedisappointmentwhich，inavagueway，heknewthathisdulnessmusthavecausedhim.If，occasionally，hewashurtbyarollinglog，heneverletanyoneknowit;buteventhoughhisfootwasamassofagonyeverytimehesteppedonit，hewouldmarchalongasstifflyasasoldier.Itwasasifhefelthisfather’seyeuponhimlongbeforehesawhim.
Therewasacuriouskindofsympathybetweenthemwhichexpresseditself，onthefather’spart，inaneedtobenearhisson.Buthefearedtoavowanysuchweakness，knowingthatBonnyboywouldinterpretitasdistrustofhisabilitytotakecareofhimself，andadesiretohelphimifhegotintotrouble.Grim，therefore，inventedallkindsoftransparentpretextsforpayingvisitstothesaw—mills.AndwhenhesawBonnyboy，consciousthathiseyewasrestinguponhim，swinginghisaxesothatthechipsflewabouthisears，andtheperspirationrainedfromhisbrow，adimanxietyoftentookpossessionofhim，thoughhecouldgivenoreasonforit.Thatbigbrawnyfellow，withtheframeofamanandthebrainofachild，withhisguilelessfaceandhisguilelessheart，strangelymovedhiscompassion.Therewassomethingalmostbeautifulabouthim，hisfatherthought;buthecouldnothavetoldwhatitwas;norwouldheprobablyhavefoundanyoneelsethatsharedhisopinion.ThatfrankandgenialgazeofBonnyboy’s，whichexpressedgoodnessofheartbutnothingelse，seemedtoGriman\"opensesame\"toallhearts;andthatunawakenedsomethingwhichgoessowellwithchildhood，butnotwithadultage，filledhimwithtendernessandavagueanxiety.
\"Mypoorlad，\"hewouldmurmurtohimself，ashecaughtsightofBonnyboy’sbigperspiringface，withtheyellowtuftofhairhangingdownoverhisforehead，\"cleveryouarenot;butyouhavethatwhichthecleverestofusoftenlack.\"
V.
Thereweresixteensaw—millsinall，andtheoneatwhichBonnyboywasemployedwasthelastoftheseries.Theywerebuiltonlittleterracesonbothbanksoftheriver，andeveryfourofthemweresuppliedwithpowerfromanartificialdam，inwhichthewaterwasstoredintimeofdrought，andfromwhichitescapedinamill—racewhenrequiredforuse.Thesefourdamswerebuiltofbigstones，earthwork，andlumber，facedwithsmoothplanks，overwhichasmallquantityofwaterusuallydrizzledintotheshallowriver—bed.Formerly，beforethepowerwasutilized，thisslopehadbeencoveredwithseethingandswirlingrapids——afavoriteresortofthesalmon，whichleapedhighinthespring，andwerecaughtinthebox—trapsthathungonlongbeamsoverthewater.Nowthesalmonhadsmallchanceofsheddingtheirspawninthecool，brightmountainpools，fortheycouldnotleapthedams，andifbychanceonegotintothemill—
race，ithadahopelessstruggleagainstacurrentthatwouldhavecarriedanelephantoffhisfeet.Bonnyboy，whomorethanoncehadseenthebeautifulsilveryfishspringrightontothemillwheel，andbeflungupontherocks，hadwishedthathehadunderstoodthelanguageofthefishes，sothathemighttellthemhowfoolishsuchproceedingswere.Butmercifulthoughhewas，hehadbeenmuchdiscouragedwhen，afterhavingputthembackintotheriver，theyhadpromptlyrepeatedtheexperiment.
Therewereabouttwenty—fiveorthirtymenemployedatthemillwhereBonnyboyearnedhisbreadinthesweatofhisbrow，andhewas，onthewhole，ongoodtermswithallofthem.Theydid，tobesure，makefunofhimoccasionally;butsometimeshefailedtounderstandit，andatothertimeshemadeclumsybutgood—humoredattemptstorepaytheirgibesinkind.Theytookgoodcare，however，nottorousehiswrath，forthereputationhehadacquiredbyhistreatmentofOlaKlemmerudmadethemafraidtoriskacollision.
Thiswasthesituationwhenthegreatfloodsof188—came，andintroducedaspiceofdangerintoBonnyboy’smonotonouslife.
Themill—raceswerenowkeptopennightandday，andyetthewaterburstlikearoaringcascadeoverthetopsofdams，andtheriver—bedwasfilledtooverflowingwithaswiftly—hurryingtawnytorrent，whichfilledtheairwithitsrushandswash，andsenthissingshowersofsprayflyingthroughthetree—tops.Bonnyboyandagangoftwentymenwereworkingastheyhadneverworkedbeforeintheirlives，underthedirectionofanengineer，whohadbeensummonedbythemill—ownertostrengthenthedams;forifbutoneofthemburst，thewholetremendousvolumeofwaterwouldbeprecipitateduponthevalley，andthevillagebythelowerfallsandeveryfarmwithinhalfamileoftheriver—bankswouldbesweptoutofexistence.Guardswerestationedallthewayuptherivertointerceptanystraylumberthatmightbeafloat.Forifalogjamwereaddedtotheterrificstrainoftheflood，therewouldsurelybenosalvationpossible.Yetinspiteofallprecautions，biglogsnowandthencamebumpingagainstthedams，andshotwithwildgyrationsandsomersaultsdownintothebrowneddiesbelow.
Theengineer，whowasstandingonthetopofalogpile，hadshouteduntilhewashoarse，andgesticulatedwithhiscaneuntilhisarmswerelame，butyettherewasagreatdealtodobeforehecouldgotobedwithaneasyconscience.Bonnyboyandhiscomrades，whohadhadbyfartheharderpartofthetask，werereadytodropwithfatigue.Itwasnoweighto’clockintheevening，andtheyhadworkedsincesixinthemorning，andhadscarcelyhadtimetoswallowtheirscantrations.Someofthembegantogrumble，andtheengineerhadtocoaxandthreatenthemtoinducethemtopersevereforanotherhour.Themoonwasjustrisingbehindthemountainridges，andthebeautifulvalleylay，withitsgreenfields，sproutingforests，andred—paintedfarm—houses，atBonnyboy’sfeet.Itwasterribletothinkthatperhapsdestructionwastoovertakethosehappyandpeacefulhomes，wheremenhadlivedanddiedformanyhundredyears.
Bonnyboycouldscarcelykeepbackthetearswhenthisfearsuddenlycameoverhim.Wasitnotstrangethat，thoughtheyknewthatdangerwasthreatening，theymadenottheslightestefforttosavethemselves？Inthevillagebelowmenwerestillworkingintheirforges，whosechimneysbelchedforthfierysmoke，andthesoundoftheirhammer—blowscouldbeheardabovetheroaroftheriver.Womenwerebusywiththeirhouseholdtasks;someboyswereplayinginthestreets，damminguptheguttersandshriekingwithjoywhentheirdamsbroke.Afewprovidentsoulshaddriventheircattletotheneighboringhills;
butneitherthemselvesnortheirchildrenhadtheythoughtitnecessarytoremove.Thefactwas，nobodybelievedthatthedamswouldbreak，astheyhadnotimaginationenoughtoforeseewhatwouldhappenifthedamsdidbreak.
Bonnyboywaswettotheskin，andhiskneeswereatrifleshakyfromexhaustion.Hehadbeencuttingdownanenormousmast—tree，whichwasneededforaproptothedam，andhadhauleditdownwithtwohorses，oneofwhichwasahalf—brokengraycolt，unusedtopullinginateam.TorestrainthisfriskyanimalhadrequiredallBonnyboy’sstrength，andhestoodwipinghisbrowwiththesleeveofhisshirt.Justatthatmomentaterrifiedyellsoundedfromabove：\"Runforyourlives！Theupperdamisbreaking！\"
Theengineerfromthetopofthelog—pilecastaswiftglanceupthevalley，andsawatoncefromtheincreasingvolumeofwaterthatthereportwastrue.
\"Saveyourselves，lads！\"hescreamed.\"Runtothewoods！\"
Andsuitinghisactiontohiswords，hetumbleddownfromthelogpile，anddartedupthehill—sidetowardtheforest.Theothermen，hearingthewildrushandroarabovethem，lostnotimeinfollowinghisexample.OnlyBonnyboy，slowofcomprehensionasalways，didnotobey.Suddenlythereflaredupawildresolutioninhisface.Hepulledouthisknife，cutthetraces，andleapeduponthecolt’sback.Lashingthebeast，andshoutingatthetopofhisvoice，hedasheddownthehill—sideatabreak—neckpace.
\"Thedamisbreaking！\"heroared.\"Runforthewoods！\"
Heglancedanxiouslybehindhimtoseeifthefloodwasovertakinghim.Agreatcloudofspraywasrisingagainstthesky，andheheardtheyellsofmenandthefrenziedneighingofhorsesthroughthethunderousroar.Buthappilytherewastime.
Thedamwasgivingwaygradually，andhadnotyetletloosethetremendousvolumeofdeathanddesolationwhichitheldenclosedwithinitsfrailtimbers.Thecolt，catchingthespiritofexcitementintheair，flewlikethewind，leavingfarmafterfarmbehindit，untilitreachedthevillage.
\"Thedamisbreaking！Runforyourlives！\"criedBonnyboy，witharousingclarionyellwhichroseaboveallotherpoises;andupanddownthevalleythedreadtidingsspreadlikewildfire.Inaninstantallwasinwildestcommotion.Terrifiedmothers，withbabesintheirarms，cameburstingoutofthehouses，andlittlegirls，huggingkittensorcageswithcanary—birds，clungweepingtotheirskirts;shoutingmen，shriekingwomen，cryingchildren，barkingdogs，gustyshowerssweepingfromnowheredownuponthedistractedfugitives，andabovealltheominous，throbbing，pulsatingroarasofamightychorusofcataracts.Itcamenearerandnearer.Itfilledthegreatvaultoftheskywitharushasofcolossalwing—beats.Thentherecameadeafeningcreakingandcrashing;thenahugebrownish—whiterollingwall，uponwhichthemoonlightgleamedforaninstant，andthentheverytrumpofdoom——awrithing，brawling，welteringchaosofcattle，dogs，men，lumber，houses，barns，whirlingandstrugglinguponthedestroyingflood.
VI.
Itwasthemorningafterthedisaster.Thesunroseredandthreatening，circledwitharingoffierymist.Peopleencampeduponthehill—sidegreetedeachotherasonthemornofresurrection.Formanywerefoundamongthelivingwhowerebeingmournedasdead.Mothershuggedtheirchildrenwithtearfuljoy，thankingGodthattheyhadbeenspared;andhusbandswhohadheardthroughthenighttheagonizedcriesoftheirdrowningwives，findingthematdawnsafeandsound，feltasiftheyhadrecoveredthemfromtheverygatesofdeath.Whenallwerecounted，itwasascertainedthatbutveryfewofthevillagershadbeenovertakenbytheflood.Thetimelywarninghadenabledalltosavethemselves，exceptsomewhointheireagernesstorescuetheirgoodshadlingeredtoolong.
Impoverishedmostofthemwerebythelossoftheirhousesandcattle.Thecalamitywasindeedoverwhelming.Butwhentheyconsideredhowmuchgreaterthedisasterwouldhavebeenifthefloodhadcomeuponthemunheralded，theyfeltthattheyhadcauseforgratitudeinthemidstoftheirsorrow.Andwhowasitthatbroughtthetidingsthatsnatchedthemfromthejawsofdeath？Well，nobodyknew.Herodetoofast.Andeachwastoomuchstartledbythemessagetotakenoteofthemessenger.Butwhocouldhepossiblyhavebeen？AnangelfromHeaven，perhapssentbyGodinHismercy.Thatwasindeedmorethanlikely.Thebeliefwasatonceacceptedthattherescuerwasanangelfromheaven.Butjustthenalumbermansteppedforwardwhohadworkedatthemillandsaid：\"ItwasBonnyboy，GrimCarpenter’sson.I
sawhimjumponhisgraycolt.\"
Bonnyboy，GrimCarpenter’sson.Itcouldn’tbepossible.Butthelumbermaninsistedthatitwas，andtheyhadtobelievehim，though，ofcourse，itwasadisappointment.ButwherewasBonnyboy？Hedeservedthanks，surely.And，moreover，thatgraycoltwasavaluableanimal.Itwastobehopedthatitwasnotdrowned.
Thewaterhadnowsubsided，thoughityetoverflowedthebanks;
sothattrees，bentandsplinteredbytheterrificforceoftheflood，grewfaroutintheriver.Thefouldamshadallbeensweptaway，andthetawnytorrentranagainwithtumultuousrapidsinitsoldchannel.Ofthemillsscarcelyavestigewasleftexceptslightcavitiesinthebanks，andafewtwistedbeamsclingingtotherockswheretheyhadstood.Theruinsofthevillage，withjaggedchimneysandbrokenwalls，loomedoutofahalf—inundatedmeadow，throughwhicherraticcurrentsweresweeping.Hereandtherelayadeadcowordog，andinthebranchesofamaple—treethecarcassesoftwosheepwereentangled.Inthismarshyfieldastoopingfigurewasseenwadingabout，asifinsearchofsomething.Thewaterbrokeabouthisknees，andsometimesreacheduptohiswaist.Hestoodlikeonedazed，andstaredintothebrownswirlingtorrent.Nowhepokedsomethingwithhisboat—hook，nowbentdownandpurledsomedeadthingoutofacopseofshrubberyinwhichithadbeencaught.Thesunrosehigherinthesky，andtheredvaporswerescattered.Butstilltheoldmantrudgedwearilyabout，withthestonystareinhiseyes，searchingforhimwhomhehadlost.Onecompanyafteranothernowdescendedfromthehill—sides，andfromthehigh—lyingfarmswhichhadnotbeenreachedbythefloodcamewagonswithprovisionsandclothes，andmenandwomeneagerandanxioustohelp.Theyshoutedtotheoldmaninthesubmergedfield，andaskedwhathewaslookingfor.Butheonlyshookhishead，asifhedidnotunderstand.
\"Why，thatisoldGrimthecarpenter，\"saidsomeone.\"HasanybodyseenBonnyboy？\"
ButnoonehadseenBonnyboy.
\"Doyouwanthelp？\"theyshoutedtoGrim;buttheygotnoanswer.
HourafterhouroldGrimtrudgedaboutinthechillywatersearchingforhisson.Then，aboutnoon，whenhehadworkedhiswayfardowntheriver，hecaughtsightofsomethingwhichmadehisheartstandstill.Inabrownpool，inwhichahalf—submergedwillow—treegrew，hesawalargegrayishshapewhichresembledahorse.Hestretchedouttheboat—hookandrolleditover.Dumbly，fearlessly，hestoodstaringintothepool.Therelayhisson——therelayBonnyboystarkanddead.
ThecoldperspirationbrokeoutuponGrim’sbrow，andhisgreatbreastlabored.Slowlyhestoopeddown，drewthedeadbodyoutofthewater，andtenderlylaiditacrosshisknees.Hestaredintothesightlesseyes，andmurmuringablessing，closedthem.
Therewasalargediscoloredspotontheforehead，asofabruise.Grimlaidhishandsoftlyuponit，andstrokedawaytheyellowtuftofhair.
\"Mypoorlad，\"hesaid，whilethetearscourseddownhiswrinkledcheeks，\"youhadaweakhead，butyourheart，Bonnyboy——yourheartwasgood.\"
THECHILDOFLUCK
I.
Asunny—temperedlittlefellowwasHans，andhisfatherdeclaredthathehadbroughtluckwithhimwhenhecameintotheworld.
\"Hewassuchahandsomebabywhenhewasborn，\"saidInga，hismother;\"butyouwouldscarcelybelieveitnow，runningaboutashedoesinforestandfield，tearinghisclothesandscratchinghisface.\"
Now，itwastrue，asHans’smothersaid，thathedidoftentearhisclothes;andashehadanindomitablecuriosity，andhadtoinvestigateeverythingthatcameinhisway，itwasalsonouncommonthingforhimtocomehomewithhisfacestungorscratched.
\"Whymustyoudragthatchildwithyouwhereveryougo，Nils？\"
themothercomplainedtoHans’sfather，whenthelittleboywasbroughttoherinsuchadisreputablecondition.\"Whycan’tyouleavehimathome？Whatothermandoyouknowwhocarriesasix—year—oldlittlefellowaboutwithhiminrainandshine，stormandquiet？
\"Well，\"Nilsinvariablyanswered，\"Ilikehimandhelikesme.
Hebringsmeluck.\"
ThiswasastandingdisputebetweenNilsandInga，hiswife，andtheynevercametoanagreement.SheknewaswellasherhusbandthatbeforelittleHanswasborntherewaswantandmiseryintheircottage.Butfromthehourthechildliftedupitstinyvoice，announcingitsarrival，therehadbeenprosperityandcontentment.Theirluckhadturned，Nilssaid，anditwasthechildthathadturnedit.Theyhadbeenmarriedforfouryears，andthoughtheyhadnoonetoprovideforbutthemselves，theyscarcelymanagedtokeepbodyandsoultogether.Allsortsofuntowardthingshappened.NowatreewhichhewascuttingdownfelluponNilsandlaidhimupforamonth;nowhegotwateronhiskneefromablowhereceivedwhilerollinglogsintothechute;nowthepigdiedwhichwastohaveprovidedthemwithsaltporkforthewinter，andthehenstooktothebush，andlaidtheireggswherenobodyexcepttheratsandtheweaselscouldfindthem.ButsincelittleHanshadcomeandputanendtoallthesedisasters，hisfatherhadasuperstitiousfeelingthathecouldnotbeartohavehimawayfromhim.ThereforeeverymorningwhenhestartedoutfortheforestortheriverhecarriedHansonhisshoulder.Andthelittleboysatthere，smilingproudlyandwavinghishandtohismother，whostoodinthedoorlookinglonginglyafterhim.
\"Hello，littlechap！\"criedthelumbermen，whentheysawhim.
\"Good—morningtoyouandgoodluck！\"
Theyalwayscheeredup，howeverbadtheweatherwas，whentheysawlittleHans，fornobodycouldlookathissunnylittlefacewithoutfeelingsomethinglikearayofsunlightstealingintohisheart.Hanshadasmileandawaveofhishandforeverybody.Heknewallthelumbermenbyname，andtheyknewhim.
Theysangastheyswungtheaxeortheboat—hook，andtheworkwentmerrilywhenlittleHanssatonthetopofthelogpileandshoutedtothem.Butifbychancehewasabsentforadayortwotheymissedhim.Nosongswereheard，butharshwords，andnotinfrequentlyquarrels.Now，nobodybelieved，ofcourse，thatlittleHanswassuchawizardthathecouldmakepeoplefeelandbehaveanybetterthanitwasintheirnaturetodo;butsureitwas——atleastthelumbermeninsistedthatitwasso——therewasjoyandgood—temperedmirthwhereverthatchildwent，andlifeseemedalittlesadderandpoorertothosewhoknewhimwhenhewasaway.
NoonewillwonderthatNilssometimesboastedofhislittleson.
Hetoldnotonce，butahundredtimes，astheysataboutthecamp—fireeatingtheirdinner，thatlittleHanswasachildofluck，andthatnomisfortunecouldhappenwhilehewasnear.
Lumbermenarenaturallysuperstitious，andthoughperhapsatfirsttheymayhavehadtheirdoubts，theygraduallycametoacceptthestatementwithoutquestion.TheycametoregarditasakindofrighttohavelittleHanssitonthetopofthelogpilewhentheyworked，orrunningalongthechute，whilethewild—catstringsoflogsshotdownthesteepslidewithlightningspeed.Theywerenotintheleastafraidlestthelogsshouldjumpthechute，astheyhadoftendonebefore，killingormaimingtheunhappymanthatcametoonear.ForwasnotlittleHans’slifecharmed，sothatnoharmcouldbefallhim？
Now，ithappenedthatInga，littleHans’smother，cameonedaytotherivertoseehowhewasgettingon.Nilswasthenstandingonarafthookingthefloatinglogswithhisboat—hook，whiletheboywaswatchinghimfromtheshore，shoutingtohim，throwingchipsintothewater，andamusinghimselfasbesthecould.ItwasearlyinMay，andtheriverwasswollenfromrecentthaws.
Belowthecataractwherethelumbermenworked，thebroad，browncurrentmovedslowlyalongwithsluggishwhirlsandeddies;buttheraftwasmooredbychainstotheshore，sothatitwasinnodangerofgettingadrift.Itwascapitalfuntoseethelogscomerushingdowntheslide，plungingwithatremendoussplashintotheriver，andthenbobuplikelivethingsafterhavingbumpedagainstthebottom.LittleHansclappedhishandsandyelledwithdelightwhenastringofthreeorfourcametearingalonginthatway，anddived，oneaftertheother，headlongintothewater.
\"Catchthatone，papa！\"hecried;\"thatisagoodbigfellow.
Hedivedlikeaman，hedid.Hehaswashedthedirtoffhissnoutnow;thatwasthereasonhetooksuchabigplunge.\"
Nilsneverfailedtoreachhisboat—hookaftertheloglittleHansindicated，forhelikedtohumorhim，andlittleHanslikedtobehumored.Hehadanideathathewasdirectinghisfather’swork，andNilsinventedallsortsofinnocentdevicestoflatterlittleHans’sdignity，andmakehimthinkhimselfindispensable.
Itwasofnouse，therefore，forpoorIngatobeglittleHanstogohomewithher.Hehadsomuchtodo，hesaid，thathecouldn’t.Heeventriedtotearhimselfawayfromhismotherwhenshetookhimbythearmandremonstratedwithhim.AndthenandtheretheconvictionstoleuponIngathatherchilddidnotloveher.Shewasnothingtohimcomparedtowhathisfatherwas.AndwasitrightforNilsthustorobheroftheboy’saffection？LittleHanscouldscarcelybeblamedforlovinghisfatherbetter;forloveislargelydependentuponhabit，andNilshadbeenhisconstantcompanionsincehewasayearold.A
bittersenseoflonelinessandlossovercamethepoorwifeasshestoodontheriver—bankpleadingwithherchild，andfindingthatsheannoyedinsteadofmovinghim.
\"Won’tyoucomehomewithmamma，littleHans？\"sheasked，tearfully.\"Thekittenmissesyouverymuch;ithasbeenmewingforyouallthemorning.\"
\"No，\"saidlittleHans，thrustinghishandsintohispockets，andturningaboutwithamanlystride;\"wearegoingtohavethelumberinspectorhereto—day？andthenpapa’sbigraftisgoingdowntheriver.\"
\"Butthisdreadfulnoise，dear;howcanyoustandit？Andthelogsshootingdownthatslideandmakingsucharacket.Andthesegreatpilesoflumber，Hans——think，iftheyshouldtumbledownandkillyou！\"
\"Oh，I’mnotafraid，mamma，\"criedHans，proudly;and，toshowhisfearlessness，heclimbedupthelogpile，andsoonstoodonthetopofit，wavinghiscapandshouting.
\"Oh，docomedown，child——docomedown！\"beggedInga，anxiously.
Shehadscarcelyutteredthewordswhensheheardawarningshoutfromtheslopeabove，andhadjusttimetolifthereyes，whenshesawabigblackobjectdartpasther，strikethelogpile，andbreakwithadeafeningcrash.Alongconfusedrumbleofrollinglogsfollowed，terrifiedvoicesrenttheair，and，aboveitall，thedeepandsteadyroarofthecataract.Shesaw，asthroughafog，littleHans，sereneandsmilingasever，bornedownonthetopoftherollinglumber，nowrisingupandskippingfromlogtolog，nowclappinghishandsandscreamingwithpleasure，andthensuddenlyvanishinginthebrownwrithingriver.Hislaughterwasstillringinginherears;thepoorchild，hedidnotrealizehisdanger.Therumblingoffallinglogscontinuedwithterrifyingpersistence.Splash！splash！
splash！theywent，divingbytwos，byfours，andbydozensattheveryspotwhereherchildhadvanished.ButwherewaslittleHans？Oh，wherewashe？Itwasallsomisty，sounrealandconfused.ShecouldnottellwhetherlittleHanswasamongthelivingoramongthedead.Butthere，allofasudden，hisheadpoppedupinthemiddleoftheriver;andtherewasanotherheadclosetohis——itwasthatofhisfather！Androundaboutthemotherheadsbobbedup;forallthelumbermenwhowereontherafthadplungedintothewaterwithNilswhentheysawthatlittleHanswasindanger.Adozenmorewererunningdowntheslopeasfastastheirlegscouldcarrythem;andtheygaveatremendouscheerwhentheysawlittleHans’sfaceabovethewater.Helookedatriflepaleandshivery，andhegaveafunnylittlesnort，sothatthewaterspurtedfromhisnose.Hehadlosthishat，buthedidnotseemtobehurt.Hislittlearmsclungtightlyabouthisfather’sneck，whileNils，dodgingthebobbinglogs，struckoutwithallhismightfortheshore.Andwhenhefeltfirmbottomunderhisfeet，andcamestumblingupthroughtheshallowwater，lookinglikeadrownedrat，whatawelcomehereceivedfromthelumbermen！TheyallwantedtotouchlittleHansandpathischeek，justtomakesurethatitwasreallyhe.
\"Itwaswonderfulindeed，\"theysaid，\"thatheevercameupoutofthathorriblejumbleofpitchinganddivinglogs.Heisachildofluck，ifevertherewasone.\"
Notoneofthemthoughtoftheboy’smother，andlittleHanshimselfscarcelythoughtofher，elatedashewasatthewelcomehereceivedfromthelumbermen.PoorIngastooddazed，strugglingwithahorriblefeeling，seeingherchildpassedfromonetotheother，whilesheherselfclaimednoshareinhim.
Somehowthethoughtstungher.Asuddenclearnessburstuponher;sherushedforward，withapiercingscream，snatchedlittleHansfromhisfather’sarms，andhugginghiswetlittleshiveringformtoherbreast，fledlikeadeerthroughtheunderbrush.
FromthatdaylittleHanswasnotpermittedtogototheriver.
ItwasinvainthatNilspleadedandthreatened.Hiswifeactedsounreasonablywhenthatquestionwasbroachedthathesawitwasuselesstodiscussit.SheseizedlittleHansasatigressmightseizeheryoung，andheldhimtightlyclasped，asifdaringanybodytotakehimawayfromher.Nilsknewitwouldrequireforcetogethissonbackagain，andthathewasnotreadytoemploy.ButalljoyseemedtohavegoneoutofhislifesincehehadlostthedailycompanionshipoflittleHans.Hisworkbecamedrudgery;andallthelittleannoyancesoflife，whichformerlyhehadbrushedawayasonebrushesaflyfromhisnose，becameburdensandcalamities.TheraftuponwhichhehadexpendedsomuchlaborwenttopiecesduringasuddenriseoftheriverthenightafterlittleHans’sadventure，andthreedayslaterThorkelFossenwaskilledoutrightbyastringoflogsthatjumpedthechute.
\"Itisn’tthesamesortofplacesinceyoutooklittleHansaway，\"thelumbermenwouldoftensaytoNils.\"There’snosortofluckinanything.\"
Sometimestheytauntedhimwithwantofcourage，andcalledhima\"night—cap\"anda\"hen—peckedcoon，\"allofwhichmadeNilsuncomfortable.HemadetwoorthreeattemptstopersuadehiswifetochangehermindinregardtolittleHans，butthelasttimeshegotsofrightenedthatsheranoutofthehouseandhidinthecowstablewiththeboy，crouchinginanemptystall，andcryingasifherheartwouldbreak，whenlittleHansescapedandbetrayedherhiding—place.Theboy，infact，sympathizedwithhisfather，andfoundhisconfinementathomeirksome.Thecompanionshipofthecathadnomorecharmforhim;andeventhebrindledcalf，whichhadcausedsuchanexcitementwhenhefirstarrived，hadbecomeanoldstory.LittleHallsfretted，wasmischievousforwantofbetteremployment，andgavehismothernoendoftrouble.Helongedforthegayandanimatedlifeattheriver，andhewouldhaverunawayifhehadnotbeenwatched.Hecouldnotimaginehowthelumbermencouldbegettingonwithouthim.Itseemedtohimthatallworkmustcometoastopwhenhewasnolongersittingonthetopofthelogpiles，orstandingonthebankthrowingchipsintothewater.
Now，asamatteroffact，theywerenotgettingonverywellattheriverwithoutlittleHans.Theluckhaddesertedthem，thelumbermensaid;andwhatevermishapstheyhad，theyattributedtotheabsenceoflittleHans.Theycametolookwithill—suppressedhostilityatNils，whomtheyregardedasresponsiblefortheirmisfortunes.Fortheycouldscarcelybelievethathewasquiteinearnestinhisdesirefortheboy’sreturn，otherwisetheycouldnotcomprehendhowhiswifecoulddaretoopposehim.Theweatherwasstormy，andthemountainbrookwhichranalongtheslideconcludedtowastenomorelaborincarvingoutabedforitselfintherock，whenitmightaswellbeusingtheslidewhichitfoundreadymade.Andonefinedayitbrokeintotheslideandhalffilledit，sothatthelogs，whentheywerestarteddownthesteepincline，sentthewaterflying，turnedsomersaults，stoodonend，andplayednoendofdangeroustrickswhichnoonecouldforesee.Severalmenwerebadlyhurtbybeamsshootinglikerocketsthroughtheair，andoldMadsFurubakkenwasknockedsenselessandcarriedhomefordead.Thenthelumbermenheldacouncil，andmadeuptheirmindstogetlittleHansbyfairmeansorfoul.Theythoughtfirstofsendingadelegationoffourorfivementhatverymorning，butfinallydeterminedtomarchuptoNils’scottageinabodyanddemandtheboy.Thereweretwentyofthemattheveryleast，andthetopsoftheirlongboat—hooks，whichtheycarriedontheirshoulders，wereseenagainstthegreenforestbeforetheywerethemselvesvisible.
Nils，whowasjustoutofbed，wassittingonthethresholdsmokinghispipeandpitchingaballtolittleHans，wholaughedwithdelightwheneverhecaughtit.Ingawasbustlingaboutinsidethehouse，preparingbreakfast，whichwastoconsistofporridge，saltherring，andbakedpotatoes.Ithadrainedduringthenight，andtheskywasyetovercast，butthesunwasstrugglingtobreakthroughthecloud—banks.Acoupleofthrushesinthealder—bushesaboutthecottagewererejoicingatthechangeintheweather，andNilswaslisteningtotheirsongandtohisson’smerryprattle，whenhecaughtsightofthetwentylumbermenmarchingupthehillside.Herose，withsomeastonishment，andwenttomeetthem.Inga，hearingtheirvoices，cametothedoor，andseeingthemanymen，snatcheduplittleHans，andwithawildlypalpitatingheartranintothecottage，boltingthedoorbehindher.Shehadavagueforebodingthatthisunusualvisitmeantsomethinghostiletoherself，andsheguessedthatNilshadbeenonlythespokesmanofhiscomradesindemandingsoeagerlythereturnoftheboytotheriver.Shebelievedalltheirtalkabouthislucktobeidlenonsense;butsheknewthatNilshadunwittinglyspreadthisbelief，andthatthelumbermenwereconvincedthatlittleHanswastheirgoodgenius，whosepresenceaverteddisaster.Distractedwithfearandanxiety，shestoodpressingherearagainstthecrackinthedoor，andsometimespeepingouttoseewhatmeasuresshemusttakeforthechild’ssafety.WouldNilsstandbyher，orwouldhedeserther？Butsurely——whatwasNilsthinkingabout？Hewasextendinghishandtoeachofthemen，andreceivingthemkindly.
NexthewouldbeinvitingthemtocomeinandtakelittleHans.
Shesawoneofthemen——StubbyMonsbyname——stepforward，andsheplainlyheardhimsay：
\"Wemissthelittlechapdownattheriver，Nils.Theluckhasbeenagainstussinceheleft.\"
\"Well，Mons，\"Nilsanswered，\"Imissthelittlechapasmuchasanyofyou;perhapsmore.Butmywife——she’sgotasortofcrookednotionthattheboywon’tcomehomealiveifsheletshimgototheriver.Shegotabadscarelasttime，anditisn’tanyusearguingwithher.\"
\"Butwon’tyouletustalktoher，Nils？\"oneofthelumbermenproposed.\"Itisatangledskein，andIdon’tpretendtosaythatIcanstraightenitout.Buttwomenhavebeenkilledandonecrippledsincethelittlechapwastakenaway.Andinthethreeyearshewaswithusnountowardthinghappened.Nowthatspeaksforitself，Nils，doesn’tit？\"
\"Itdoes，indeed，\"saidNils，withanairofconviction.
\"Andyou’llletustalktoyourwife，andseeifwecan’tmakeherlistentoreason，\"themanurged.
\"Youarewelcometotalktoherasmuchasyoulike，\"Nilsreplied，knockingouthispipeontheheelofhisboot;\"butI
warnyouthatshe’smightycantankerous.\"
Heroseslowly，andtriedtoopenthedoor.Itwaslocked.
\"Open，Inga，\"hesaid，atrifleimpatiently;\"therearesomemenherewhowanttoseeyou.\"
II.
Ingasatcrouchingonthehearth，hugginglittleHanstoherbosom.Sheshookandtrembledwithfear，lethereyeswanderaroundthewalls，andnowandthenmoanedatthethoughtthatnowtheywouldtakelittleHansawayfromher.
\"Whydon’tyouopenthedoorforpapa？\"askedlittleHans，wonderingly.
Ah，hetoowasagainsther！Alltheworldwasagainsther！Andherhusbandwasinleaguewithherenemies！
\"Open，Isay！\"criedNils，vehemently.\"Whatdoyoumeanbylockingthedoorwhendecentpeoplecometocalluponus？\"
Shouldsheopenthedoororshouldshenot？HoldinglittleHansinherarms，sherosehesitatingly，andstretchedoutherhandtowardthebolt.Butallofasudden，inaparoxysmoffear，shewithdrewherhand，turnedabout，andfledwiththechildthroughthebackdoor.Thealderbushesgrewcloseuptothewallsofthecottage，andbystoopingalittleshemanagedtoremainunobserved.HergreatestdifficultywastokeeplittleHansfromshoutingtohisfather，andshehadtoputherhandoverhismouthtokeephimquiet;fortheboy，whohadheardthevoiceswithout，couldnotunderstandwhyheshouldnotbepermittedtogooutandconversewithhisfriendsthelumbermen.Thewildeyesandagitatedfaceofhismotherdistressedhim，andthelittleshowersoflastnight’srainwhichthetreesshookdownuponhimmadehimshiver.
\"Whydoyourunso，mamma？\"heasked，whensheremovedherhandfromhismouth.
\"Becausethebadmenwanttotakeyouawayfromme，Hans，\"sheanswered，panting.
\"Thosewerenotbadmen，mamma，\"theboyejaculated.\"ThatwasStubbyMonsandStutteringPeterandLarsSkin—breeches.Theydon’t，wanttohurtme.\"
Heexpectedthathismammawouldbemuchrelievedatreceivingthisvaluableinformation，andreturnhomewithoutdelay.Butshestillpressedon，flushedandpanting，andcastthesameanxiousglancesbehindher.
InthemeanwhileNilsandhisguestshadentirelylosttheirpatience.Findinghispersuasionsofnoavail，theformerbegantothumpatthedoorwiththehandleofhisaxe，andreceivingnoresponse，heclimbeduptothewindowandlookedin.Tohisamazementtherewasnooneintheroom.ThinkingthatIngamighthavegonetothecow—stable，herantotherearofthecottage，andcalledhername.Stillnoanswer.
\"Hans，\"hecried，\"whereareyou？\"
ButHans，too，wasasifspiritedaway.ItscarcelyoccurredtoNils，untilhehadsearchedthecow—stableandthehouseinvain，thathiswifehadfledfromtheharmlesslumbermen.Thenthethoughtshotthroughhisbrainthatpossiblyshewasnotquiterightinherhead;thatthisfixedideathateverybodywantedtotakeherchildawayfromherhadunsettledherreason.
Nilsgrewhotandcoldinthesamemomentasthisdreadfulapprehensiontooklodgementinhismind.Mightshenot，inherconfusedefforttosavelittleHans，dohimharm？Intheblindandfeverishterrorwhichpossessedhermightshenotrushintothewater，orleapoveraprecipice？VisionsoflittleHansdrowning，orwhirledintotheabyssinhismother’sarms，crowdedhisfancyashewalkedbacktothelumbermen，andtoldthemthatneitherhiswifenorchildwasanywheretobefound.
\"Iwouldaskyethis，lads，\"hesaid，finally：\"ifyouwouldhelpmesearchforthem.ForInga——Ireckonsheisalittletouchedintheupperstory——shehasgoneoffwiththeboy，andIcan’tgetonwithoutlittleHansanymorethanyoucan.\"
Themenunderstoodthesituationataglance，andpromisedtheiraid.TheyhadalllookeduponIngaas\"high—strung\"and\"queer，\"
anditdidnotsurprisethemtohearthatshehadbeenfrightenedoutofherwitsattheirrequestfortheloanoflittleHans.
Formingaline，withaspaceoftwentyfeetbetweeneachman，theybegantobeatthebush，climbingthesteepslopetowardthemountains.Inga，pausingforaninstant，andpeeringoutbetweenthetreetrunks，sawthealderbusheswaveastheybrokethroughtheunderbrush.Sheknewnowthatshewaspursued.Tiredshewas，too，andtheboygrewheavierforeverystepthatsheadvanced.Andyetifshemadehimwalk，hemightrunawayfromher.Ifheheardhisfather’svoice，hewouldbecertaintoanswer.Muchperplexed，shelookedaboutherforahiding—place.
For，asthemenwouldbesuretoovertakeher，heronlysafetywasinhiding.Withtotteringkneesshestumbledalong，carryingtheheavychild，grabbingholdofthesaplingsforsupport，andyetscarcelykeepingfromfalling.Thecoldperspirationbrokefromherbrowandastrangefaintnessovercameher.
\"Youwillhavetowalk，littleHans，\"shesaid，atlast.\"Butifyourunawayfromme，dear，Ishallliedownhereanddie.\"
LittleHanspromisedthathewouldnotrunaway，andforfiveminutestheywalkedupastonypathwhichlookedliketheabandonedbedofabrook.
\"Youhurtmyhand，mamma，\"whimperedtheboy，\"yousqueezesohard.\"
Shewouldhaveanswered，butjustthensheheardthevoicesofthelumbermenscarcelyfiftypacesaway.Withachokingsensationandastitchinhersideshepressedon，cryingoutinspiritforthehillstohideherandthemountainstoopentheirgatesandreceiveher.Suddenlyshestoodbeforearockywallsomeeightyorahundredfeethigh.Shecouldgonofarther.