e. You
must set up this creature on three Thursday evenings at a cross-road,
and animate it with the words which I will teach you. On the third
Thursday the creature will come to life."

"God preserve us from the evil one!" cried the farmer.

"What! you are frightened? Have I told you too much already?"

"No, I'm not frightened at all. Go on."

The old man continued, "This creature is then your servant, for you have
brought him to life at a cross-road. Nobody can see him but his master.
He will bring him all kinds of money, corn, and hay, as often as he
likes, but not more at once than a man's burden."

"But, old man, if you knew all this, why haven't you yourself made such
a useful treasure-carrier, instead of which you have remained poor all
your life?"

"I have been about to do it a hundred times, and have made a beginning a
hundred times, but my courage always failed me. I had a friend who
possessed such a treasure-carrier, and often told me about it, but I
could not screw up courage to follow his example. My friend died, and
the creature, left without a master, lived in the village for a long
time, and wrought all manner of tricks among the people. He once tore
all a woman's yarn to pieces; but when it was discovered, and they were
going to remove it, they found a heap of money underneath. After this no
more was seen of the creature. At that time I should have been glad
enough to have a treasure-bringer, but I am now old and grey, and think
no more of it."

"I've plenty of courage," said the farmer; "but wouldn't it be better
for me to consult the parson about it?"

"No; you mustn't mention it to anybody, but least of all to the parson;
for if you call the creature to life, you sell your soul to the devil."

The farmer started back in horror.

"Don't be frightened," said the old man. "You are sure of a long life in
exchange, and of all your heart desires. And if you feel that your last
hour is approaching, you can always escape from the clutches of the
evil one, if you are clever enough to get rid of your familiar."[56]

"But how can this be done?"

"If you give him a task which he is unable to perform, you are rid of
him for the future. But you must set about it very circumspectly, for he
is not easy to outwit. The peasant of whom I told you wanted to get rid
of his familiar, and ordered him to fill a barrel of water with a sieve.
But the creature fetched and spilled water, and did not rest till the