into the sack, which Little Klaus fastened up and then went
on with the cows and oxen. Soon after Big Klaus came out of the
church, and taking up the sack on his shoulders it seemed to him as if
it had become lighter; for the old cattle-driver was not half as heavy
as Little Klaus.

'How easy he is to carry now! That must be because I heard part of the
service.'

So he went to the river, which was deep and broad, threw in the sack
with the old driver, and called after it, for he thought Little Klaus
was inside:

'Down you go! You won't mock me any more now!'

Then he went home; but when he came to the cross-roads, there he met
Little Klaus, who was driving his cattle.

'What's this?' said Big Klaus. 'Haven't I drowned you?'

'Yes,' replied Little Klaus; 'you threw me into the river a good
half-hour ago!'

'But how did you get those splendid cattle?' asked Big Klaus.

'They are sea-cattle!' said Little Klaus. 'I will tell you the whole
story, and I thank you for having drowned me, because now I am on dry
land and really rich! How frightened I was when I was in the sack! How
the wind whistled in my ears as you threw me from the bridge into the
cold water! I sank at once to the bottom; but I did not hurt myself,
for underneath was growing the most beautiful soft grass. I fell on
this, and immediately the sack opened; the loveliest maiden in
snow-white garments, with a green garland round her wet hair, took me
by the hand, and said, "Are you Little Klaus? Here are some cattle for
you to begin with, and a mile farther down the road there is another
herd, which I will give you as a present!" Now I saw that the river
was a great high-road for the sea-people. Along it they travel
underneath from the sea to the land till the river ends. It was so
beautiful, full of flowers and fresh grass; the fishes which were
swimming in the water shot past my ears as the birds do here in the
air. What lovely people there were, and what fine cattle were grazing
in the ditches and dykes!'

'But why did you come up to us again?' asked Big Klaus. 'I should not
have done so, if it is so beautiful down below!'

'Oh!' said Little Klaus, 'that was just so politic of me. You heard
what I told you, that the sea-maiden said to me a mile farther along
the road--and by the road she meant the river, for she can go by no
other way--there was another herd of cattle waiting for me. But I know
what windings the river makes, now here, now there, so