صفحة 216 من 626

Her betrothed only replied, 'You must come and see me next

Sunday; I have already invited guests for that day, and that you

may not mistake the way, I will strew ashes along the path.'

When Sunday came, and it was time for the girl to start, a

feeling of dread came over her which she could not explain, and

that she might be able to find her path again, she filled her

pockets with peas and lentils to sprinkle on the ground as she

went along. On reaching the entrance to the forest she found the

path strewed with ashes, and these she followed, throwing down

some peas on either side of her at every step she took. She

walked the whole day until she came to the deepest, darkest part

of the forest. There she saw a lonely house, looking so grim and

mysterious, that it did not please her at all. She stepped

inside, but not a soul was to be seen, and a great silence

reigned throughout. Suddenly a voice cried:

'Turn back, turn back, young maiden fair, Linger not in this

murderers' lair.'