安徒生童话-第102部分

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em　of　gold。　One；　in　which　theprincess　lay；　was　white；　the　other　was　red；　and　in　this　Gerda　had　toseek　for　little　Kay。　She　pushed　one　of　the　red　leaves　aside；　and　saw　alittle　brown　neck。　Oh；　that　must　be　Kay！　She　called　his　name　out　quiteloud；　and　held　the　lamp　over　him。　The　dreams　rushed　back　into　the　roomon　horseback。　He　woke；　and　turned　his　head　round；　it　was　not　littleKay！　The　prince　was　only　like　him　in　the　neck；　still　he　was　youngand　pretty。　Then　the　princess　peeped　out　of　her　white…lily　bed；　andasked　what　was　the　matter。　Then　little　Gerda　wept　and　told　herstory；　and　all　that　the　crows　had　done　to　help　her。

〃You　poor　child；〃　said　the　prince　and　princess；　then　theypraised　the　crows；　and　said　they　were　not　angry　for　what　they　haddone；　but　that　it　must　not　happen　again；　and　this　time　they　shouldbe　rewarded。

〃Would　you　like　to　have　your　freedom？〃　asked　the　princess；　〃orwould　you　prefer　to　be　raised　to　the　position　of　court　crows；　with　allthat　is　left　in　the　kitchen　for　yourselves？〃

Then　both　the　crows　bowed；　and　begged　to　have　a　fixed　appointment；for　they　thought　of　their　old　age；　and　said　it　would　be　so　fortableto　feel　that　they　had　provision　for　their　old　days；　as　they　called　it。And　then　the　prince　got　out　of　his　bed；　and　gave　it　up　to　Gerda；…　hecould　do　no　more；　and　she　lay　down。　She　folded　her　little　hands；　andthought；　〃How　good　everyone　is　to　me；　men　and　animals　too；〃　then　sheclosed　her　eyes　and　fell　into　a　sweet　sleep。　All　the　dreams　cameflying　back　again　to　her；　and　they　looked　like　angels；　and　one　of　themdrew　a　little　sledge；　on　which　sat　Kay；　and　nodded　to　her。　But　allthis　was　only　a　dream；　and　vanished　as　soon　as　she　awoke。

The　following　day　she　was　dressed　from　head　to　foot　in　silk　andvelvet；　and　they　invited　her　to　stay　at　the　palace　for　a　few　days；　andenjoy　herself；　but　she　only　begged　for　a　pair　of　boots；　and　a　littlecarriage；　and　a　horse　to　draw　it；　so　that　she　might　go　into　the　wideworld　to　seek　for　Kay。　And　she　obtained；　not　only　boots；　but　also　amuff；　and　she　was　neatly　dressed；　and　when　she　was　ready　to　go；　there；at　the　door；　she　found　a　coach　made　of　pure　gold；　with　thecoat…of…arms　of　the　prince　and　princess　shining　upon　it　like　a　star；and　the　coachman；　footman；　and　outriders　all　wearing　golden　crownson　their　heads。　The　prince　and　princess　themselves　helped　her　into　thecoach；　and　wished　her　success。　The　forest　crow；　who　was　now　married；acpanied　her　for　the　first　three　miles；　he　sat　by　Gerda's　side；as　he　could　not　bear　riding　backwards。　The　tame　crow　stood　in　thedoor…way　flapping　her　wings。　She　could　not　go　with　them；　because　shehad　been　suffering　from　headache　ever　since　the　new　appointment；　nodoubt　from　eating　too　much。　The　coach　was　well　stored　with　sweetcakes；　and　under　the　seat　were　fruit　and　gingerbread　nuts。〃Farewell；　farewell；〃　cried　the　prince　and　princess；　and　littleGerda　wept；　and　the　crow　wept；　and　then；　after　a　few　miles；　the　crowalso　said　〃Farewell；〃　and　this　was　the　saddest　parting。　However；　heflew　to　a　tree；　and　stood　flapping　his　black　wings　as　long　as　he　couldsee　the　coach；　which　glittered　in　the　bright　sunshine。

　FIFTH　STORY

　LITTLE　ROBBER…GIRL

The　coach　drove　on　through　a　thick　forest；　where　it　lighted　up　theway　like　a　torch；　and　dazzled　the　eyes　of　some　robbers；　who　couldnot　bear　to　let　it　pass　them　unmolested。

〃It　is　gold！　it　is　gold！〃　cried　they；　rushing　forward；　and　seizingthe　horses。　Then　they　struck　the　little　jockeys；　the　coachman；　and　thefootman　dead；　and　pulled　little　Gerda　out　of　the　carriage。

〃She　is　fat　and　pretty；　and　she　has　been　fed　with　the　kernels　ofnuts；〃　said　the　old　robber…woman；　who　had　a　long　beard　and　eyebrowsthat　hung　over　her　eyes。　〃She　is　as　good　as　a　little　lamb；　how　niceshe　will　taste！〃　and　as　she　said　this；　she　drew　forth　a　shining　knife；that　glittered　horribly。　〃Oh！〃　screamed　the　old　woman　the　same　moment；for　her　own　daughter；　who　held　her　back；　had　bitten　her　in　the　ear。She　was　a　wild　and　naughty　girl；　and　the　mother　called　her　an　uglything；　and　had　not　time　to　kill　Gerda。

〃She　shall　play　with　me；〃　said　the　little　robber…girl；　〃sheshall　give　me　her　muff　and　her　pretty　dress；　and　sleep　with　me　in　mybed。〃　And　then　she　bit　her　mother　again；　and　made　her　spring　in　theair；　and　jump　about；　and　all　the　robbers　laughed；　and　said；　〃See　howshe　is　dancing　with　her　young　cub。〃

〃I　will　have　a　ride　in　the　coach；〃　said　the　little　robber…girl；and　she　would　have　her　own　way；　for　she　was　so　self…willed　andobstinate。

She　and　Gerda　seated　themselves　in　the　coach；　and　drove　away；　overstumps　and　stones；　into　the　depths　of　the　forest。　The　littlerobber…girl　was　about　the　same　size　as　Gerda；　but　stronger；　she　hadbroader　shoulders　and　a　darker　skin；　her　eyes　were　quite　black；　andshe　had　a　mournful　look。　She　clasped　little　Gerda　round　the　waist；　andsaid；…

〃They　shall　not　kill　you　as　long　as　you　don't　make　us　vexed　withyou。　I　suppose　you　are　a　princess。〃

〃No；〃　said　Gerda；　and　then　she　told　her　all　her　history；　and　howfond　she　was　of　little　Kay。

The　robber…girl　looked　earnestly　at　her；　nodded　her　head　slightly；and　said；　〃They　sha'nt　kill　you；　even　if　I　do　get　angry　with　you；for　I　will　do　it　myself。〃　And　then　she　wiped　Gerda's　eyes；　and　stuckher　own　hands　in　the　beautiful　muff　which　was　so　soft　and　warm。

The　coach　stopped　in　the　courtyard　of　a　robber's　castle；　the　wallsof　which　were　cracked　from　top　to　bottom。　Ravens　and　crows　flew　in　andout　of　the　holes　and　crevices；　while　great　bulldogs；　either　of　whichlooked　as　if　it　could　swallow　a　man；　were　jumping　about；　but　they　werenot　allowed　to　bark。　In　the　large　and　smoky　hall　a　bright　fire　wasburning　on　the　stone　floor。　There　was　no　chimney；　so　the　smoke　went　upto　the　ceiling；　and　found　a　way　out　for　itself。　Soup　was　boiling　ina　large　cauldron；　and　hares　and　rabbits　were　roasting　on　the　spit。

〃You　shall　sleep　with　me　and　all　my　little　animals　to…night；〃　saidthe　robber…girl；　after　they　had　had　something　to　eat　and　drink。　So　shetook　Gerda　to　a　corner　of　the　hall；　where　some　straw　and　carpetswere　laid　down。　Above　them；　on　laths　and　perches；　were　more　than　ahundred　pigeons；　who　all　seemed　to　be　asleep；　although　they　movedslightly　when　the　two　little　girls　came　near　them。　〃These　all　belongto　me；〃　said　the　robber…girl；　and　she　seized　the　nearest　to　her；held　it　by　the　feet；　and　shook　it　till　it　flapped　its　wings。　〃Kissit；〃　cried　she；　flapping　it　in　Gerda's　face。　〃There　sit　thewood…pigeons；〃　continued　she；　pointing　to　a　number　of　laths　and　a　cagewhich　had　been　fixed　into　the　walls；　near　one　of　the　openings。　〃Bothrascals　would　fly　away　directly；　if　they　were　not　closely　locked　up。And　here　is　my　old　sweetheart　'Ba；'　and　she　dragged　out　a　reindeerby　the　horn；　he　wore　a　bright　copper　ring　round　his　neck；　and　was　tiedup。　〃We　are　obliged　to　hold　him　tight　too；　or　else　he　would　run　awayfrom　us　also。　I　tickle　his　neck　every　evening　with　my　sharp　knife；which　frightens　him　very　much。〃　And　then　the　robber…girl　drew　a　longknife　from　a　chink　in　the　wall；　and　let　it　slide　gently　over　thereindeer's　neck。　The　poor　animal　began　to　kick；　and　the　littlerobber…girl　laughed；　and　pulled　down　Gerda　into　bed　with　her。

〃Will　you　have　that　knife　with　you　while　you　are　asleep？〃　askedGerda；　looking　at　it　in　great　fright。

〃I　always　sleep　with　the　knife　by　me；〃　said　the　robber…girl。　〃Noone　knows　what　may　happen。　But　now　tell　me　again　all　about　little　Kay；and　why　you　went　out　into　the　world。〃

Then　Gerda　repeated　her　story　over　again；　while　the　wood…pigeonsin　the　cage　over　her　cooed；　and　the　other　pigeons　slept。　The　littlerobber…girl　put　one　arm　across　Gerda's　neck；　and　held　the　knife　in　theother；　and　was　soon　fast　asleep　and　snoring。　But　Gerda　could　not　closeher　eyes　at　all；　she　knew　not　whether　she　was　to　live　or　die。　Therobbers　sat　round　the　fire；　singing　and　drinking；　and　the　old　womanstumbled　about。　It　was　a　terrible　sight　for　a　little　girl　to　witness。

Then　the　wood…pigeons　said；　〃Coo；　coo；　we　have　seen　little　Kay。A　white　fowl　carried　his　sledge；　and　he　sat　in　the　carriage　of　theSnow　Queen；　which　drove　through　the　wood　while　we　were　lying　in　ournest。　She　blew　upon　us；　and　all　the　young　ones　died　excepting　ustwo。　Coo；　coo。〃

〃What　are　you　saying　up　there？〃　cried　Gerda。　〃Where　was　the　SnowQueen　going？　Do　you　know　anything　about　it？〃

〃She　was　most　likely　travelling　to　Lapland；　where　there　isalways　snow　and　ice。　Ask　the　reindeer　that　is　fastened　up　there　with　arope。〃

〃Yes；　there　is　always　snow　and　ice；〃　said　the　reindeer；　〃and　it　isa　glorious　place；　you　can　leap　and　run　about　freely　on　the　sparklingice　plains。　The　Snow　Queen　has　her　summer　tent　there；　but　her　strongcastle　is　at　the　North　Pole；　on　an　island　called　Spitzbergen。〃

〃Oh；　Kay；　little　Kay！〃　sighed　Gerda。

〃Lie　still；〃　said　the　robber…girl；　〃or　I　shall　run　my　knife　intoyour　body。〃

In　the　morning　Gerda　told　her　all　that　the　wood…pigeons　hadsaid；　and　the　little　robber…girl　looked　quite　serious；　and　noddedher　head；　and　said；　〃That　is　all　talk；　that　is　all　talk。　Do　you　knowwhere　Lapland　is？〃　she　asked　the　reindeer。

〃Who　should　know　better　than　I　do？〃　said　the　animal；　while　hiseyes　sparkled。　〃I　was　born　and　brought　up　there；　and　used　to　run　aboutthe　snow…covered　plains。〃

〃Now　listen；〃　said　the　robber…girl；　〃all　our　men　are　gone　away；…only　mother　is　here；　and　here　she　will　stay；　but　at　noon　she　alwaysdrinks　out　of　a　great　bottle；　and　afterwards　sleeps　for　a　littlewhile；　and　then；　I'll　do　something　for　you。〃　Then　she　jumped　out　ofbed；　clasped　her　mother　round　the　neck；　and　pulled　her　by　the　beard；crying；　〃My　own　little　nanny　goat；　good　morning。〃　Then　her　motherfilliped　her　nose　till　it　was　quite　red；　yet　she　did　it　all　for　love。

When　the　mother　had　drunk　out　of　the　bottle；　and　was　gone　tosleep；　the　little　robber…maiden　went　to　the　reindeer；　and　said；　〃Ishould　like　very　much　to　tickle　your　neck　a　few　times　more　with　myknife；　for　it　makes　you　look　so　funny；　but　never　mind；…　I　will　untieyour　cord；　and　set　you　free；　so　that　you　may　run　away　to　Lapland；but　you　must　make　good　use　of　your　legs；　and　carry　this　littlemaiden　to　the　castle　of　the　Snow　Queen；　where　her　play…fellow　is。You　have　heard　what　she　told　me；　for　she　spoke　loud　enough；　and　youwere　listening。〃

Then　the　reindeer　jumped　for　joy；　and　the　little　robber…girllifted　Gerda　on　his　back；　and　had　the　forethought　to　tie　her　on；　andeven　to　give　her　her　own　little　cushion　to　sit　on。

〃Here　are　your　fur　boots　for　you；〃　said　she；　〃for　it　will　bevery　cold；　but　I　must　keep　the　muff；　it　is　so　pretty。　However；　youshall　not　be　frozen　for　the　want　of　it；　here　are　my　mother's　largewarm　mittens；　they　will　reach　up　to　your　elbows。　Let　me　put　them　on。There；　now　your　hands　look　just　like　my　mother's。〃

But　Gerda　wept　for　joy。

〃I　don't　like　to　see　you　fret；〃　said　the　little　robber…girl；〃you　ought　to　look　quite　happy　now；　and　here　are　two　loaves　and　a　ham；so　that　you　need　not　starve。〃　These　were　fastened　on　the　reindeer；　andthen　the　little　robber…maiden　opened　the　door；　coaxed　in　all　the　greatdogs；　and　then　cut　the　string　with　which　the　reindeer　was　fastened；with　her　sharp　knife；　and　said；　〃Now　run；　but　mind　you　take　goodcare　of　the　little　girl。〃　And　then　Gerda　stretched　out　her　hand；with　the　great　mitten　on　it；　towards　the　little　robber…girl；　and　said；〃Farewell；〃　and　away　flew　the　reindeer；　over　stumps　and　stones；through　the　great　forest；　over　marshes　and　plains；　as　quickly　as　hecould。　The　wolves　howled；　and　the　ravens　screamed；　while　up　in　the　skyquivered　red　lights　like　flames　of　fire。　〃There　are　my　old　northernlights；〃　said　the　reindeer；　〃see　how　they　flash。〃　And　he　ran　on　dayand　night　still　faster　and　faster；　but　the　loaves　and　the　ham　were　alleaten　by　the　time　they　reached　Lapland。

　SIXTH　STORY

　　　THE　LAPLAND　WOMAN　AND

　THE　FINLAND　WOMAN

They　stopped　at　a　little　hut；　it　was　very　mean　looking；　the　roofsloped　nearly　down　to　the　ground；　and　the　door　was　so　low　that　thefamily　had　to　creep　in　on　their　hands　and　knees；　when　they　went　in　andout。　There　was　no　one　at　home　but　an　old　Lapland　woman；　who　wascooking　fish　by　the　light　of　a　train…oil　lamp。　The　reindeer　told　herall　about　Gerda's　story；　after　having　first　told　his　own；　which　seemedto　him　the　most　important；　but　Gerda　was　so　pinched　with　the　cold　thatshe　could　not　speak。　〃Oh；　you　poor　things；〃　said　the　Lapland　woman；〃you　have　a　long　way　to　go　yet。　You　must　travel　more　than　a　hundredmiles　farther；　to　Finland。　The　Snow　Queen　lives　there　now；　and　sheburns　Bengal　lights　every　evening。　I　will　write　a　few　words　on　a　driedstock…fish；　for　I　have　no　paper；　and　you　can　take　it　from　me　to　theFinland　woman　who　lives　there；　she　can　give　you　better　informationthan　I　can。〃　So　when　Gerda　was　warmed；　and　had　taken　something　toeat　and　drink；　the　woman　wrote　a　few　words　on　the　dried　fish；　and　toldGerda　to　take　great　care　of　it。　Then　she　tied　her　again　on　thereindeer；　and　he　set　off　at　full　speed。　Flash；　flash；　went　thebeautiful　blue　northern　lights　in　the　air　the　whole　night　long。　And　atlength　they　reached　Finland；　and　knocked　at　the　chimney　of　the　Finlandwoman's　hut；　for　it　had　no　door　above　the　ground。　They　crept　in；　butit　was　so　terribly　hot　inside　that　that　woman　wore　scarcely　anyclothes；　she　was　small　and　very　dirty　looking。　She　loosened　littleGerda's　dress；　and　took　off　the　fur　boots　and　the　mittens；　or　Gerdawould　have　been　unable　to　bear　the　heat；　and　then　she　placed　a　pieceof　ice　on　the　reindeer's　head；　and　read　what　was　written　on　thedried　fish。　After　she　had　read　it　three　times；　she　knew　it　by　heart；so　she　popped　the　fish　into　the　soup　saucepan；　as　she　knew　it　was　goodto　eat；　and　she　never　wasted　anything。　The　reindeer　told　his　own　storyfirst；　and　then　little　Gerda's；　and　the　Finlander　twinkled　with　herclever　eyes；　but　she　said　nothing。　〃You　are　so　clever；〃　said　thereindeer；　〃I　know　you　can　tie　all　the　winds　of　the　world　with　apiece　of　twine。　If　a　sailor　unties　one　knot；　he　has　a　fair　wind；when　he　unties　the　second；　it　blows　hard；　but　if　the　third　andfourth　are　loosened；　then　es　a　storm；　which　will　root　up　wholeforests。　Cannot　you　give　this　little　maiden　something　which　willmake　her　as　strong　as　twelve　men；　to　overe　the　Snow　Queen？〃

〃The　Power　of　twelve　men！〃　said　the　Finland　woman；　〃that　wouldbe　of　very　little　use。〃　But　she　went　to　a　shelf　and　took　down　andunrolled　a　large　skin；　on　which　were　inscribed　wonderful　characters；and　she　read　till　the　perspiration　ran　down　from　her　forehead。　But　thereindeer　begged　so　hard　for　little　Gerda；　and　Gerda　looked　at　theFinland　woman　with　such　beseeching　tearful　eyes；　that　her　own　eyesbegan　to　twinkle　again；　so　she　drew　the　reindeer　into　a　corner；　andwhispered　to　him　while　she　laid　a　fresh　piece　of　ice　on　his　head；〃Little　Kay　is　really　with　the　Snow　Queen；　but　he　finds　everythingthere　so　much　to　his　taste　and　his　liking；　that　he　believes　it　isthe　finest　place　in　the　world；　but　this　is　because　he　has　a　piece　ofbroken　glass　in　his　heart；　and　a　little　piece　of　glass　in　his　eye。These　must　be　taken　out；　or　he　will　never　be　a　human　being　again；and　the　Snow　Queen　will　retain　her　power　over　him。〃

〃But　can　you　not　give　little　Gerda　something　to　help　her　toconquer　this　power？〃

〃I　can　give　her　no　greater　power　than　she　has　already；〃　said　thewoman；　〃don't　you　see　how　strong　that　is？　How　men　and　animals　areobliged　to　serve　her；　and　how　well　she　has　got　through　the　world；barefooted　as　she　is。　She　cannot　receive　any　power　from　me　greaterthan　she　n