little way off some children were playing before
the door of a hut. Everything was bathed in red light from the glow of
the setting sun.

Wayland stood quite still on top of the stone, gazing at the scene with
all his eyes, yet thinking of the land of his birth, which was so
different. Then he looked again at the sea, which was already turning
to steel, and in the distance he saw something moving on the waves.

As it came nearer he discovered it was a water sprite, singing a song
which blended with the murmur of the waves and the notes of the bird.
And the song put new life and courage into his heart, for it told him
that if he would endure and await the pleasure of the gods, joy would
be his one day.

The sprite finished her song, and smiled up at Wayland at the window
before turning and swimming over the waves till she dived beneath them.
That same instant the bird flew away, and the moon was covered by a
cloud. But Wayland's heart was cheered, and when he lay down to rest
he slept quietly.

Some days later the King paid another visit, and suddenly espied the
three keys which had been hidden in a corner with some of Wayland's
tools.

He at once asked Wayland what they were, and when he would not tell him
the King grew so angry that, seizing an axe, he declared that he would
put his prisoner to death unless he confessed all he knew. There was
no help for it, and Wayland had to say how he came by them and what
wonders they wrought. The King heard him with delight and went away,
taking the keys with him.

PART IX.

No time was lost in preparing for a journey to the mountains, and when
the King reached the spot described by Wayland he divided his followers
into three parties, sending two to await him some distance off, and
keeping the third to enter the mountain with himself, if the copper key
did the wonders it had done before.

So he gave it to one of the bravest of his men, and told him to lay it
against the side of the mountain. The man obeyed, and instantly the
mountain split from top to bottom.

The King bade them enter, never doubting that rich spoils awaited him;
but instead, the men sank into a green marsh, which swallowed up many
of them, while the rest were stung to death by the green serpents
hanging from the roof. Those who, like the King, were near the
entrance alone escaped.

As soon as he had recovered from the terror into which this adventure
had thrown him, he commanded that it sh