"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.