Herstrengthwasutterlyexhausted.Therewasabigboulderlyingatthebaseoftherock，andaspreadingjuniperhalfcoveredit.Knowingthatinanotherminuteshewouldbediscovered，sheflungherselfdownbehindtheboulder，thoughthejuniperneedlesscratchedherface，andpulledlittleHansdownatherside.But，strangetosay，littleHansfellfartherthanshehadcalculated，andutterly—vanishedfromsight.Sheheardamuffledcry，andreachingherhandinthedirectionwherehehadfallen，caughtholdofhisarm.Astrong，wildsmellbeatagainsther，andlittleHans，ashewaspulledout，wasenvelopedinamostunpleasantodor.Butodorornoodor，herewastheveryhiding—placeshehadbeenseeking.Adesertedwolf’sden，itwas，probably——atleastshehopeditwasdeserted;forifitwasnot，shemightbeconfrontedwithevenugliercustomersthanthelumbermen.Butshehadnotimefordebatingthequestion，forshesawtheheadofStubbyMonsemergingfromtheleaves，andimmediatelybehindhimcameStutteringPeter，withhislongboat—
hook.Quickasaflashsheslippedintothehole，anddraggedHansafterher.Thejuniper—bushentirelycoveredtheentrance.
Shecouldseeeveryonewhoapproached，withoutbeingseen.
Unhappily，theboytoocaughtsightofStubbyMons，andcalledhimbyname.Thelumbermanstoppedandprickeduphisears.
\"Didyouhearanybodycall？\"heaskedhiscompanion.
\"N—n—n—n—aw，Id—d—d—d—didn’t，\"answeredStutteringPeter.
\"Thereb—belotsofqu—qu—qu—qu—eern—noisesinthew—w—w—woods.\"
LittleHansheardeverywordthattheyspoke，andhewouldhavecriedoutagain，ifithadn’tappearedsuchgreatfuntobeplayinghide—and—go—seekwiththelumbermen.Hehadadelicioussenseofbeingwellhidden，andhadforgotteneverythingexceptthezestofthegame.MostexcitingitbecamewhenStubbyMonsdrewthejuniper—bushasideandpeeredeagerlybehindtheboulder.Inga’sheartstuckinherthroat;shefeltsurethatinthenextinstanttheywouldbediscovered.Andasill—luckwouldhaveit，therewassomethingalivescramblingaboutherfeetandtuggingatherskirts.Suddenlyshefeltasharpbite，butclinchedherteeth，andutterednosound.Whenhervisionagaincleared，thejuniperbranchhadreboundedintoitsplace，andthefaceofStubbyMonswasgone.Shedrewadeepbreathofrelief，butyetdidnotdaretoemergefromtheden.Forone，two，threetremulousminutessheremainedmotionless，feelingallthewhilethatuncomfortablesensationoflivingthingsabouther.
Atlastshecouldendureitnolonger.ThrustinglittleHansbeforeher，shecrawledoutofthehole，andlookedbackintothesmallcavern.Assoonashereyesgrewaccustomedtothetwilightsheutteredacryofamazement，foroutfromherskirtsjumpedalittlegrayfurryobject，andtwofriskylittlecustomersofthesamesortweredartingaboutamongthestonesandtree—roots.Thetruthdawneduponher，anditchilledhertothemarrowofherbones.Thewolf’sdenwasnotdeserted.Theoldfolkswereonlyouthunting，andtheshoutingandcommotionofthesearchingpartyhadprobablypreventedthemfromreturningintimetolookaftertheirfamily.SheseizedlittleHansbythehand，andoncemoredraggedhimawayovertheroughpath.Hesoonbecametiredandfretful，andinspiteofallherentreatiesbegantoshoutlustilyforhisfather.Butthemenwerenowsofarawaythattheycouldnothearhim.Hecomplainedofhunger;
andwhenpresentlytheycametoablueberrypatch，sheflungherselfdownontheheatherandallowedhimtopickberries.Sheheardcow—bellsandsheep—bellstinklingroundabouther，andconcludedthatshecouldnotbefarfromthesaeters，ormountaindairies.Thatwasfortunate，indeed，forshewouldnothavelikedtosleepinthewoodswithwolvesandbearsprowlingabouther.
Shewasjustmakinganefforttorisefromthestoneuponwhichshewassitting，whenthebig，good—naturedfaceofacowbrokethroughtheleavesandstaredather.Therewasagainhelpinneed.Sheapproachedthecow，pattedit，andcallinglittleHans，badehimsitdownintheheatherandopenhismouth.Heobeyedratherwonderingly，butperceivedhismother’sintentwhenshekneltathissideandbegantomilkintohismouth.Itseemedtohimthathehadnevertastedanythingsodeliciousasthisfreshrichmilk，fragrantwiththeodorofthewoodsandthesucculentmountaingrass.Whenhishungerwassatisfied，hefellagaintopickingberries，whileIngarefreshedherselfwithmilkinthesamesimplefashion.Afterhavingrestedafullhour，shefeltstrongenoughtocontinueherjourney;andhearingtheloor，orAlpinehorn，re—echoingamongthemountains，shedeterminedtofollowthesound.Itwassingularwhatluckattendedherinthemidstofhermisfortune.Perhapsitwas，afterall，noidletalethatlittleHanswasachildofluck;andshehaddonethelumbermeninjusticeinderidingtheirfaithinhim.PerhapstherewassomeguidingProvidenceinallthathadhappened，destinedintheendtoleadlittleHanstofortuneandglory.
Muchencouragedbythisthought，shestoopedoverhimandkissedhim;thentookhishandandtrudgedalongoverlogsandstones，throughjuniperandbramblebushes.
\"Mamma，\"saidlittleHans，\"whereareyougoing？\"
\"Iamgoingtothesaeter，\"sheanswered;\"whereyouhavewantedsooftentogo.\"
\"Thenwhydon’tyoufollowthecows？Theyaregoingtheretoo.\"
Surelythatchildhadamarvellousmind！Shesmileddownuponhimandnodded.Byfollowingthecowstheyarrivedintwentyminutesataneatlittlelogcabin，fromwhichthesmokecurledupgaylyintotheclearair.
Thedairy—maidswhospentthesummertheretendingthecattlebothfellvictimstothecharmsoflittleHans，andofferedhimandhismothertheirsimplehospitality.Theytoldofthelumbermenwhohadpassedthesaeterhuts，andinquiredforher;
butotherwisetheyrespectedhersilence，andmadenoattempttopryintohersecrets.Thenextmorningshestarted，afterarefreshingsleep，westwardtowardthecoast，whereshehopedinsomewaytofindapassagetoAmerica.ForiflittleHanswasreallybornunderaluckystar——whichfactshenowcouldscarcelydoubt——thenAmericawastheplaceforhim.TherehemightrisetobecomePresident，orajudge，oraparson，orsomethingorother;whileinNorwayhewouldneverbeanythingbutalumbermanlikehisfather.Ingahadawell—to—dosister，whowasawidow，inthenearesttown，andshewouldborrowenoughmoneyfromhertopaytheirpassagetoNewYork.
ItwasearlyinJulywhenlittleHansandhismotherarrivedinNewYork.Thelatterhadrepentedbitterlyofherrashnessinstealingherchildfromhisfather，andunderablindimpulsetraversinghalftheglobeinawild—goosechaseafterfortune.
Theworldwassomuchbiggerthansheinherquietvalleyhadimagined;and，whatwasworse，itworesuchacoldandrepellentlook，andwassobewilderingandnoisy.Ingahadbeenverysea—sickduringthevoyage;andaftershesteppedashorefromthetugthatbroughthertoCastleGarden，thegroundkeptheavingandswellingunderherfeet，andmadeherdizzyandmiserable.
Shehadbeenverywicked，shewasbeginningtothink，anddeservedpunishment;andifithadnotbeenforavagueandadventurousfaithinthegreatfuturethatwasinstoreforherson，shewouldhavebeencontenttoreturnhome，dopenanceforherfolly，andbegherhusband’sforgiveness.But，inthefirstplace，shehadnomoneytopayforareturnticket;and，secondly，itwouldbeagreatpitytodeprivelittleHansofthePresidencyandallthegrandeurthathisluckystarmightherebringhim.
IngawasjustcontemplatingthisbrightvisionofHans’sfuture，whenshefoundherselfpassingthroughagate，atwhichaclerkwasseated.
\"Whatisyourname？\"heasked，throughaninterpreter.
\"IngaOlsdatterPladsen.\"
\"Age？\"
\"Twenty—eightaweekafterMichaelmas.\"
\"Singleormarried？\"
\"Married.\"
\"Whereisyourhusband？\"
\"InNorway.\"
\"Areyoudivorcedfromhim？\"
\"Divorced——I！Why，no！Whoeverheardofsuchathing？\"
Ingagrewquiteindignantatthethoughtofherbeingdivorced.
Adozenotherquestionswereasked，ateachofwhichherembarrassmentincreased.When，finally，shedeclaredthatshehadnomoney，nodefinitedestination，andnorelativesorfriendsinthecountry，theexaminationwascutshort，andafteranhour’sdelayandawearisomecross—questioningbydifferentofficials，shewasputonboardthetug，andreturnedtothesteamerinwhichshehadcrossedtheocean.Fourdrearydayspassed;thentherewasatremendouscommotionondeck：blowingofwhistles，roaringofsteam，playingofbands，bumpingoftrunksandboxes，andfinallythesteadypulsationoftheenginesasthebigshipstoodouttosea.Afterninedaysofdiscomfortinthestuffysteerageandthirty—sixhoursofdownrightmiserywhilecrossingthestormyNorthSea，Ingafoundherselfoncemoreinthelandofherbirth.Fullofhumiliationandshameshemetherhusbandattherailroadstation，andpreparedherselfforadelugeofharshwordsandreproaches.Butinsteadofthathepattedhergentlyonthehead，andclaspedlittleHansinhisarmsandkissedhim.Theysaidverylittletoeachotherastheyrodehomewardinthecars;butlittleHanshadathousandthingstotell，andhisfatherwasdelightedtohearthem.Intheevening，whentheyhadreachedtheirnativevalley，andtheboywasasleep，Ingapluckedupcourageandsaid，\"Nils，itisallamistakeaboutlittleHans’sluck.\"
\"Mistake！Why，no，\"criedNils.\"Whatgreaterluckcouldhehavethantobebroughtsafelyhometohisfather？\"
Ingahadindeedhopedformore;butshesaidnothing.
Nevertheless，fatestillhadstrangethingsinstoreforlittleHans.Thestoryofhismother’sflighttoandreturnfromAmericawaspickedupbysomeenterprisingjournalist，whomadeamosttouchingromanceofit.HundredsofinquiriesregardinglittleHanspouredinuponthepastorandthepostmaster;andofferstoadopthim，educatehim，andIknownotwhatelse，weremadetohisparents.ButNilswouldhearofnoadoption;norwouldheconsenttoanyplanthatseparatedhimfromtheboy.
When，however，hewasgivenapositionassuperintendentofalumberyardinthetown，andprosperitybegantosmileuponhim，hesentlittleHanstoschool，andasHanswasacleverboy，hemadethemostofhisopportunities.
AndnowlittleHansisindeedaverybigHans，butachildofluckheisyet;forIsawhimreferredtotheotherdayinthenewspapersasoneofthegreatestlumberdealers，andoneofthenoblest，mostgenerous，andpublic—spiritedmeninNorway.
THEBEARTHATHADABANKACCOUNT
I.
Youmaynotbelieveit，butthebearIamgoingtotellyouaboutreallyhadabankaccount！Helivedinthewoods，asmostbearsdo;buthehadareputationwhichextendedoverallNorwayandmorethanhalfofEngland.Earlsandbaronetscameeverysummer，withrepeating—riflesofthelatestpatent，andplaidsandfield—glassesandportablecooking—stoves，intentuponkillinghim.ButMr.Bruin，whoseonlyweaponswereapairofpawsandapairofjaws，bothuncommonlygoodoftheirkind，thoughnotpatented，alwaysmanagedtogetawayunscathed;andthatwassometimesmorethantheearlsandthebaronetsdid.
OnesummertheCrownPrinceofGermanycametoNorway.Healsoheardofthefamousbearthatnoonecouldkill，andmadeuphismindthathewasthemantokillit.Hetrudgedfortwodaysthroughbogs，andclimbedthroughglensandravines，beforehecameonthescentofabear，andabear’sscent，youmayknow，isstrong，andquiteunmistakable.Finallyhediscoveredsometracksinthemoss，likethoseofabarefootedman，or，Ishouldrathersay，perhaps，aman—footedbear.ThePrincewasjustturningthecornerofaprojectingrock，whenhesawahuge，shaggybeaststandingonitshindlegs，examininginaleisurelymannertheinsideofahollowtree，whileaswarmofbeeswerebuzzingaboutitsears.Itwasjusthaulingoutahandfulofhoney，andwassmilingwithagrewsomemirth，whenHisRoyalHighnesssentitabulletrightinthebreast，whereitsheartmusthavebeen，ifithadone.But，insteadoffallingdownflat，asitoughttohavedone，outofdeferencetothePrince，itcoollyturneditsback，andgaveitsassailantadisgustednodoveritsshoulderasittrudgedawaythroughtheunderbrush.Theattendantsrangedthroughthewoodsandbeatthebushesinalldirections，butMr.Bruinwasnomoretobeseenthatafternoon.
Itwasasifhehadsunkintotheearth;notatraceofhimwastobefoundbyeitherdogsormen.
FromthattimeforththerumorspreadabroadthatthisGausdaleBruin（forthatwasthenamebywhichhebecameknown）wasenchanted.Itwassaidthatheshookoffbulletsasaduckdoeswater;thathehadtheevileye，andcouldbringmisfortunetowhomsoeverhelookedupon.Thepeasantsdreadedtomeethim，andceasedtohunthim.Hissizewasdescribedassomethingenormous，histeeth，hisclaws，andhiseyesasbeingdiabolicalbeyondhumanconception.InthemeanwhileMr.Bruinhaditallhisownwayinthemountains，killedayoungbullorafatheiferforhisdinnereverydayortwo，chasedinpuresportaherdofsheepoveraprecipice;andasforLarsMoe’sbaymareStella，henearlyfinishedher，leavinghisclaw—marksonherflankinawaythatspoiledherbeautyforever.
NowLarsMoehimselfwastoooldtohunt;andhisnephewwas——well，hewasnotoldenough.Therewas，infact，nooneinthevalleywhowasoftherightagetohuntthisGausdaleBruin.
ItwasofnousethatLarsMoeeggedontheyoungladstotrytheirluck，shamingthem，orofferingthemrewards，accordingashismoodmighthappentobe.Hewasthewealthiestmaninthevalley，andhismareStellahadbeentheappleofhiseye.Hefeltitasapersonalinsultthatthebearshouldhavedaredtomolestwhatbelongedtohim，especiallythemostpreciousofallhispossessions.Itcuthimtothehearttoseethepoorwoundedbeauty，withthosecruelscratchesonherthigh，andonestiff，achinglegdoneupinoilandcotton.Whenheopenedthestable—door，andwasgreetedbyStella’slow，friendlyneighing，orwhenshelimpedforwardinherbox—stallandputhersmall，clean—shapedheadonhisshoulder，thenLarsMoe’sheartswelleduntilitseemedonthepointofbreaking.Andsoitcametopassthatheaddedacodiciltohiswill，settingasidefivehundreddollarsofhisestateasarewardtothemanwho，withinsixyears，shouldkilltheGausdaleBruin.
Soonafterthat，LarsMoedied，assomesaid，fromgriefandchagrin;thoughthephysicianaffirmedthatitwasofrheumatismoftheheart.Atanyrate，thecodicilrelatingtotheenchantedbearwasdulyreadbeforethechurchdoor，andpasted，amongotherlegalnotices，inthevestibulesofthejudge’sandthesheriff’soffices.Whentheexecutorshadsettleduptheestate，thequestionaroseinwhosenameortowhosecreditshouldbedepositedthemoneywhichwastobesetasideforthebenefitofthebear—slayer.Nooneknewwhowouldkillthebear，orifanyonewouldkillit.Itwasapuzzlingquestion.
\"Why，depositittothecreditofthebear，\"saidajocoseexecutor;\"then，intheabsenceofotherheirs，hisslayerwillinheritit.ThatisgoodoldNorwegianpractice，thoughIdon’tknowwhetherithaseverbeenthelaw.\"
\"Allright，\"saidtheotherexecutors，\"solongasitisunderstoodwhoistohavethemoney，itdoesnotmatter.\"
Andsoanamountequalto$500wasdepositedinthecountybanktothecreditoftheGausdaleBruin.SirBarryWorthington，Bart.，whocameabroadthefollowingsummerfortheshooting，heardthestory，andthoughtitagoodone.So，afterhavingvainlytriedtoearntheprizehimself，headdedanother$500tothedeposit，withthestipulationthathewastohavetheskin.
Buthisrivalforparliamentaryhonors，RobertStapleton，Esq.，thegreatiron—master，whohadcometoNorwaychieflytooutshineSirBarry，determinedthathewastohavetheskinofthatfamousbear，ifanyonewastohaveit，andthat，atallevents，SirBarryshouldnothaveit.SoMr.Stapletonadded$750tothebear’sbankaccount，withthestipulationthattheskinshouldcometohim.
Mr.Bruin，inthemeanwhile，asiftoresentthisunseemlycontentionabouthispelt，madeworsehavocamongtheherdsthanever，andcompelledseveralpeasantstomovetheirdairiestootherpartsofthemountains，wherethepastureswerepoorer，butwheretheywouldbefreefromhisdepredations.Ifthe$1，750inthebankhadbeenmeantasabribeorastipendforgoodbehavior，suchaswasformerlypaidtoItalianbrigands，itcertainlycouldnothavebeenmoredemoralizinginitseffect;
forallagreedthat，sinceLarsMoe’sdeath，Bruinmisbehavedworsethanever.
II.
TherewasanoddclauseinLarsMoe’swillbesidesthecodicilrelatingtothebear.Itread：
\"IherebygiveandbequeathtomydaughterUnna，or，incaseofherdecease，toheroldestlivingissue，mybaymareStella，asatokenthatIhaveforgivenherthesorrowshecausedmebyhermarriage.\"
ItseemedincrediblethatLarsMoeshouldwishtoplayapracticaljoke（andabadoneatthat）onhisonlychild，hisdaughterUnna，becauseshehaddispleasedhimbyhermarriage.
Yetthatwasthecommonopinioninthevalleywhenthissingularclausebecameknown.UnnahadmarriedThorkelTomlevold，apoortenant’sson，andhadrefusedhercousin，thegreatlumber—dealer，MortenJanson，whomherfatherhadselectedforason—in—law.
Shedweltnowinatenant’scottage，northwardintheparish;andherhusband，whowasasturdyandfine—lookingfellow，ekedoutalivingbyhuntingandfishing.Buttheysurelyhadnoaccommodationsforabroken—down，wounded，trottingmare，whichcouldnotevendrawaplough.ItistrueUnna，inthedaysofhergirlhood，hadbeenveryfondofthemare，anditisonlycharitabletosupposethattheclause，whichwasinthebodyofthewill，waswrittenwhileStellawasinherprime，andbeforeshehadsufferedatthepawsoftheGausdaleBruin.Butevengrantingthat，onecouldscarcelyhelpsuspectingmaliceaforethoughtinthecuriousprovision.ToUnnathegiftwasmeanttosay，asplainlyaspossible，\"There，youseewhatyouhavelostbydisobeyingyourfather！Ifyouhadmarriedaccordingtohiswishes，youwouldhavebeenabletoacceptthegift，whilenowyouareobligedtodeclineitlikeabeggar.\"
ButifitwasLarsMoe’sintentiontoconveysuchamessagetohisdaughter，hefailedtotakeintoaccounthisdaughter’sspirit.Sheappearedplainlybutdecentlydressedatthereadingofthewill，andcarriedherheadnotawhitlesshaughtilythanwasherwontinhermaidendays.SheexhibitednochagrinwhenshefoundthatJansonwasherfather’sheirandthatshewasdisinherited.Sheevenlistenedwithperfectcomposuretothereadingoftheclausewhichbequeathedtoherthebroken—downmare.
Itatoncebecameamatterofpridewithhertoaccepthergirlhood’sfavorite，andacceptitshedid！Andhavingborrowedaside—saddle，sherodehome，apparentlyquitecontented.A
littleshed，orlean—to，wasbuiltintherearofthehouse，andStellabecameamemberofThorkelTomlevold’sfamily.Oddasitmayseem，thefortunesofthefamilytookaturnforthebetterfromthedayshearrived;Thorkelrarelycamehomewithoutbiggame，andinhistrapshecaughtmorethananythreeothermeninalltheparish.
\"Themarehasbroughtusluck，\"hesaidtohiswife.\"Ifshecan’tplough，shecanatalleventspullthesleightochurch;
andyouhaveasgoodarightasanyonetoputonairs，ifyouchoose.\"
\"Yes，shehasbroughtusblessing，\"repliedUnna，quietly;\"andwearegoingtokeephertillshediesofoldage.\"
TothechildrenStellabecameapet，asmuchasifshehadbeenadogoracat.ThelittleboyLarsclimbedalloverher，andkissedherregularlygood—morningwhensheputherhandsomeheadinthroughthekitchen—doortogetherlumpofsugar.Shewasasgentleasalambandasintelligentasadog.Hergreatbrowneyes，withtheirsoft，liquidlook，spokeasplainlyaswordscouldspeak，expressingpleasurewhenshewaspatted;andthelowneighingwithwhichshegreetedthelittleboy，whensheheardhisfootstepsinthedoor，wastohimlikethevoiceofafriend.
Hegrewtolovethishandsomeandnobleanimalashehadlovednothingonearthexcepthisfatherandmother.
AsamatterofcourseheheardahundredtimesthestoryofStella’sadventurewiththeterribleGausdalebear.Itwasastorythatneverlostitsinterest，thatseemedtogrowmoreexcitingtheofteneritwastold.Thedeepscarsofthebear’sclawsinStella’sthighwerecuriouslyexamined，andeachtimegaverisetonewquestions.Themarebecamequiteaheroiccharacter，andthesuggestionwasfrequentlydiscussedbetweenLarsandhislittlesisterMarit，whetherStellamightnotbeanenchantedprincesswhowaswaitingforsomeonetocutoffherhead，sothatshemightshowherselfinherglory.Maritthoughttheexperimentwellworthtrying，butLarshadhisdoubts，andwasunwillingtotaketherisk;yetifshebroughtluck，ashismothersaid，thenshecertainlymustbesomethingmorethananordinaryhorse.
StellahaddraggedlittleLarsoutoftheriverwhenhefelloverboardfromthepier;andthat，too，showedmoresensethanhehadeverknownahorsetohave.
TherecouldbenodoubtinhismindthatStellawasanenchantedprincess.Andinstantlythethoughtoccurredtohimthatthedreadfulenchantedbearwiththeevileyewasthesorcerer，andthat，whenhewaskilled，Stellawouldresumeherhumanguise.
Itsoonbecamecleartohimthathewastheboytoaccomplishthisheroicdeed;anditwasequallyplaintohimthathemustkeephispurposesecretfromallexceptMarit，ashismotherwouldsurelydiscouragehimfromengaginginsoperilousanenterprise.Firstofall，hehadtolearnhowtoshoot;andhisfather，whowasthebestshotinthevalley，wasverywillingtoteachhim.ItseemedquitenaturaltoThorkelthatahunter’ssonshouldtakereadilytotherifle;anditgavehimgreatsatisfactiontoseehowtruehisboy’saimwas，andhowsteadyhishand.
\"Father，\"saidLarsoneday，\"youshootsowell，whyhaven’tyouevertriedtokilltheGausdaleBruinthathurtStellasobadly？\"
\"Hush，child！youdon’tknowwhatyouaretalkingabout，\"
answeredhisfather;\"noleadenbulletwillharmthatwickedbeast.\"
\"Whynot？\"
\"Idon’tliketotalkaboutit——butitiswellknownthatheisenchanted.\"
\"Butwillhethenliveforever？Istherenosortofbulletthatwillkillhim？\"askedtheboy.
\"Idon’tknow.Idon’twanttohaveanythingtodowithwitchcraft，\"saidThorkel.
Theword\"witchcraft\"settheboytothinking，andhesuddenlyrememberedthathehadbeenwarnednottospeaktoanoldwomannamedMarthaPladsen，becauseshewasawitch.Now，shewasprobablytheveryonewhocouldtellhimwhathewantedtoknow.
Hercottagelaycloseupunderthemountain—side，abouttwomilesfromhishome.Hedidnotdeliberatelongbeforegoingtoseekthismysteriousperson，aboutwhomthemostremarkablestoriesweretoldinthevalley.Tohisastonishment，shereceivedhimkindly，gavehimacupofcoffeewithrockcandy，anddeclaredthatshehadlongexpectedhim.Thebulletwhichwastoslaytheenchantedbearhadlongbeeninherpossession;andshewouldgiveittohimifhewouldpromisetogiveherthebeast’sheart.
Hedidnothavetobeaskedtwiceforthat;andoffhestartedgaylywithhisprizeinhispocket.Itwasratheranodd—lookingbullet，madeofsilver，markedwithacrossononesideandwithalotofqueerillegiblefiguresontheother.Itseemedtoburninhispocket，soanxiouswashetostartoutatoncetoreleasethebelovedStellafromthecruelenchantment.ButMarthahadsaidthatthebearcouldonlybekilledwhenthemoonwasfull;
anduntilthemoonwasfullheaccordinglyhadtobridlehisimpatience.
III.
ItwasabrightmorninginJanuary，and，asithappened，Lars’sfourteenthbirthday.Tohisgreatdelight，hismotherhadgonedowntothejudge’stosellsomeptarmigans，andhisfatherhadgonetofellsometimberupintheglen.Accordinglyhecouldsecuretheriflewithoutbeingobserved.Hetookanaffectionategood—byofStella，whorubbedhersoftnoseagainsthisown，playfullypulledathiscoat—collar，andblewhersweet，warmbreathintohisface.Larswasasimple—heartedboy，inspiteofhisage，andquiteachildatheart.Hehadlivedsosecludedfromallsociety，andbreathedsolongtheatmosphereoffairytales，thathecouldseenothingatallabsurdinwhathewasabouttoundertake.Theyoungestsoninthestory—bookalwaysdidjustthatsortofthing，andeverybodypraisedandadmiredhimforit.Larsmeant，foronce，toputthestory—bookherointotheshade.HeengagedlittleMarittowatchoverStellawhilehewasgone，andundernocircumstancestobetrayhim——allofwhichMaritsolemnlypromised.
Withhisrifleonhisshoulderandhisskeesonhisfeet，Larsglidedslowlyalongovertheglitteringsurfaceofthesnow，forthemountainwassteep，andhehadtozigzaginlonglinesbeforehereachedtheupperheights，wherethebearwassaidtohavehishaunts.TheplacewhereBruinhadhiswinterdenhadoncebeenpointedouttohim，andherememberedyethowpalehisfatherwas，whenhefoundthathehadstrayedbychanceintosodangerousaneighborhood.Lars’sheart，too，beatratheruneasilyashesawthetwoheapsofstones，called\"TheParson\"
and\"TheDeacon，\"andthetwohugefir—treeswhichmarkedthedreadedspot.IthadbeencustomaryfromimmemorialtimeforeachpersonwhopassedalongtheroadtothrowalargestoneontheParson’sheap，andasmalloneontheDeacon’s;butsincetheGausdaleBruinhadgoneintowinterquartersthere，thestoneheapshadceasedtogrow.
Underthegreatknottedrootsofthefir—treestherewasahole，whichwasmorethanhalf—coveredwithsnow;anditwasnoticeablethattherewasnotatrackofbirdorbeasttobeseenanywherearoundit.Lars，whoonthewayhadbeenbuoyedupbythesenseofhisheroism，begannowtofeelstrangelyuncomfortable.Itwassoawfullyhushedandstillroundabouthim;notthescreamofabird——noteventhefallingofabrokenboughwastobeheard.Thepinesstoodinlinesandinclumps，solemn，likeafuneralprocession，shroudedinsepulchralwhite.Evenifacrowhadcaweditwouldhavebeenarelieftothefrightenedboy——foritmustbeconfessedthathewasatriflefrightened——ifonlyalittleshowerofsnowhadfallenuponhisheadfromtheheavilyladenbranches，hewouldhavebeengratefulforit，foritwouldhavebrokenthespellofthisoppressivesilence.
Therecouldbenodoubtofit;inside，underthosetree—rootssleptStella’sfoe——thedreadedenchantedbeastwhohadputtheboldestofhunterstoflight，andsetlordsandbaronetsbytheearsfortheprivilegeofpossessinghisskin.Larsbecamesuddenlyawarethatitwasafoolhardythinghehadundertaken，andthathehadbetterbetakehimselfhome.Butthen，again，hadnotWitch—Marthasaidthatshehadbeenwaitingforhim;thathewasdestinedbyfatetoaccomplishthisdeed，justastheyoungestsonhadbeeninthestory—book.Yes，tobesure，shehadsaidthat;anditwasacomfortingthought.
Accordingly，havingagainexaminedhisrifle，whichhehadcarefullyloadedwiththesilverbulletbeforeleavinghome，hestartedboldlyforward，climbeduponthelittlehillockbetweenthetwotrees，andbegantopounditlustilywiththebutt—endofhisgun.Helistenedforamomenttremulously，andhearddistinctlylong，heavysighsfromwithin.
Hisheartstoodstill.Thebearwasawake！Soonhewouldhavetofaceit！Aminutemoreelapsed;Lars’sheartshotupintohisthroat.Heleapeddown，placedhimselfinfrontoftheentrancetotheden，andcockedhisrifle.Threelongminutespassed.
Bruinhadevidentlygonetosleepagain.Wildwithexcitement，theboyrushedforwardanddrovehisskee—staffstraightintothedenwithallhismight.Asullengrowlwasheard，likeadeepandmenacingthunder.Therecouldbenodoubtthatnowthemonsterwouldtakehimtotaskforhisimpertinence.
Againtheboyseizedhisrifle;andhisnerves，thoughtenseasstretchedbow—strings，seemedsuddenlycalmandsteady.Heliftedtherifletohischeek，andresolvednottoshootuntilhehadaclearaimatheartorbrain.Bruin，thoughLarscouldhearhimrummagingwithin，wasinnohurrytocomeout，Buthesighedandgrowleduproariously，andpresentlyshowedaterrible，long—clawedpaw，whichhethrustoutthroughhisdoorandthenagainwithdrew.Butapparentlyittookhimalongwhiletogethismindclearastothecauseofthedisturbance;forfullyfiveminuteshadelapsedwhensuddenlyabigtuftofmosswastossedoutuponthesnow，followedbyacloudofdustandanangrycreakingofthetree—roots.
Greatmassesofsnowwereshakenfromtheswayingtopsofthefirs，andfellwithlightthudsupontheground.Inthefaceofthisunexpectedshower，whichentirelyhidtheentrancetotheden，Larswasobligedtofallbackadozenpaces;but，astheglitteringdrizzleclearedaway，hesawanenormousbrownbeaststandinguponitshindlegs，withwidelydistendedjaws.Hewasconsciousofnofear，butofacuriousnumbnessinhislimbs，andstrangenoises，asofwarningshoutsandcries，fillinghisears.
Fortunately，thegreatglareofthesun—smittensnowdazzledBruin;headvancedslowly，roaringsavagely，butstaringratherblindlybeforehimoutofhissmall，evil—lookingeyes.
Suddenly，whenhewasbutafewyardsdistant，heraisedhisgreatpaw，asiftorubawaythecobwebsthatobscuredhissight.
Itwasthemomentforwhichtheboyhadwaited.Nowhehadaclearaim！Quicklyhepulledthetrigger;theshotreverberatedfrommountaintomountain，andinthesameinstantthehugebrownbulkrolledinthesnow，gaveagasp，andwasdead！Thespellwasbroken！Thesilverbullethadpiercedhisheart.TherewasacuriousunrealityaboutthewholethingtoLars.Hescarcelyknewwhetherhewasreallyhimselfortheheroofthefairy—tale.
AllthatwasleftforhimtodonowwastogohomeandmarryStella，thedeliveredprincess.
Thenoisesabouthimseemedtocomenearerandnearer;andnowtheysoundedlikehumanvoices.Helookedabouthim，andtohisamazementsawhisfatherandMarit，followedbytwowood—cutters，who，withraisedaxes，wererunningtowardhim.Thenhedidnotknowexactlywhathappened;buthefelthimselfliftedupbytwostrongarms，andtearsfellhotandfastuponhisface.
\"Myboy！myboy！\"saidthevoiceinhisears，\"Iexpectedtofindyoudead.\"
\"No，butthebearisdead，\"saidLars，innocently.
\"Ididn’tmeantotellonyou，Lars，\"criedMarit，\"butIwassoafraid，andthenIhadto.\"
TherumorsoonfilledthewholevalleythatthegreatGausdaleBruinwasdead，andthattheboyLarsTomlevoldhadkilledhim.
ItisneedlesstosaythatLarsTomlevoldbecametheparishherofromthatday.Hedidnotdaretoconfessinthepresenceofallthispraiseandwonderthatathearthewasbitterlydisappointed;forwhenhecamehome，throbbingwithwildexpectancy，therestoodStellabeforethekitchendoor，munchingapieceofbread;andwhenshehailedhimwithalowwhinny，heburstintotears.Buthedarednottellanyonewhyhewasweeping.
Thisstorymighthaveendedhere，butithasalittlesequel.
The$1，750whichBruinhadtohiscreditinthebankhadincreasedto$2，290;anditwasallpaidtoLars.Afewyearslater，MartinJanson，whohadinheritedtheestateofMoefromoldLars，failedinconsequenceofhisdaringforestspeculations，andyoungLarswasenabledtobuythefarmatauctionatlessthanhalfitsvalue.Thushehadthehappinesstobringhismotherbacktotheplaceofherbirth，ofwhichshehadbeenwrongfullydeprived;andStella，whowasnowtwenty—oneyearsold，occupiedoncemoreherhandsomebox—stall，asinthedaysofherglory.Andalthoughsheneverprovedtobeaprincess，shewastreatedasifshewereone，duringthefewyearsthatremainedtoher.