Herstrengthwasutterlyexhausted.Therewasabigboulderlyingatthebaseoftherock，andaspreadingjuniperhalfcoveredit.Knowingthatinanotherminuteshewouldbediscovered，sheflungherselfdownbehindtheboulder，thoughthejuniperneedlesscratchedherface，andpulledlittleHansdownatherside.But，strangetosay，littleHansfellfartherthanshehadcalculated，andutterly—vanishedfromsight.Sheheardamuffledcry，andreachingherhandinthedirectionwherehehadfallen，caughtholdofhisarm.Astrong，wildsmellbeatagainsther，andlittleHans，ashewaspulledout，wasenvelopedinamostunpleasantodor.Butodorornoodor，herewastheveryhiding—placeshehadbeenseeking.Adesertedwolf’sden，itwas，probably——atleastshehopeditwasdeserted;forifitwasnot，shemightbeconfrontedwithevenugliercustomersthanthelumbermen.Butshehadnotimefordebatingthequestion，forshesawtheheadofStubbyMonsemergingfromtheleaves，andimmediatelybehindhimcameStutteringPeter，withhislongboat—
　　hook.Quickasaflashsheslippedintothehole，anddraggedHansafterher.Thejuniper—bushentirelycoveredtheentrance.
　　Shecouldseeeveryonewhoapproached，withoutbeingseen.
　　Unhappily，theboytoocaughtsightofStubbyMons，andcalledhimbyname.Thelumbermanstoppedandprickeduphisears.
　　"Didyouhearanybodycall？"heaskedhiscompanion.
　　"N—n—n—n—aw，Id—d—d—d—didn’t，"answeredStutteringPeter.
　　"Thereb—belotsofqu—qu—qu—qu—eern—noisesinthew—w—w—woods."
　　LittleHansheardeverywordthattheyspoke，andhewouldhavecriedoutagain，ifithadn’tappearedsuchgreatfuntobeplayinghide—and—go—seekwiththelumbermen.Hehadadelicioussenseofbeingwellhidden，andhadforgotteneverythingexceptthezestofthegame.MostexcitingitbecamewhenStubbyMonsdrewthejuniper—bushasideandpeeredeagerlybehindtheboulder.Inga’sheartstuckinherthroat;shefeltsurethatinthenextinstanttheywouldbediscovered.Andasill—luckwouldhaveit，therewassomethingalivescramblingaboutherfeetandtuggingatherskirts.Suddenlyshefeltasharpbite，butclinchedherteeth，andutterednosound.Whenhervisionagaincleared，thejuniperbranchhadreboundedintoitsplace，andthefaceofStubbyMonswasgone.Shedrewadeepbreathofrelief，butyetdidnotdaretoemergefromtheden.Forone，two，threetremulousminutessheremainedmotionless，feelingallthewhilethatuncomfortablesensationoflivingthingsabouther.
　　Atlastshecouldendureitnolonger.ThrustinglittleHansbeforeher，shecrawledoutofthehole，andlookedbackintothesmallcavern.Assoonashereyesgrewaccustomedtothetwilightsheutteredacryofamazement，foroutfromherskirtsjumpedalittlegrayfurryobject，andtwofriskylittlecustomersofthesamesortweredartingaboutamongthestonesandtree—roots.Thetruthdawneduponher，anditchilledhertothemarrowofherbones.Thewolf’sdenwasnotdeserted.Theoldfolkswereonlyouthunting，andtheshoutingandcommotionofthesearchingpartyhadprobablypreventedthemfromreturningintimetolookaftertheirfamily.SheseizedlittleHansbythehand，andoncemoredraggedhimawayovertheroughpath.Hesoonbecametiredandfretful，andinspiteofallherentreatiesbegantoshoutlustilyforhisfather.Butthemenwerenowsofarawaythattheycouldnothearhim.Hecomplainedofhunger;
　　andwhenpresentlytheycametoablueberrypatch，sheflungherselfdownontheheatherandallowedhimtopickberries.Sheheardcow—bellsandsheep—bellstinklingroundabouther，andconcludedthatshecouldnotbefarfromthesaeters，ormountaindairies.Thatwasfortunate，indeed，forshewouldnothavelikedtosleepinthewoodswithwolvesandbearsprowlingabouther.
　　Shewasjustmakinganefforttorisefromthestoneuponwhichshewassitting，whenthebig，good—naturedfaceofacowbrokethroughtheleavesandstaredather.Therewasagainhelpinneed.Sheapproachedthecow，pattedit，andcallinglittleHans，badehimsitdownintheheatherandopenhismouth.Heobeyedratherwonderingly，butperceivedhismother’sintentwhenshekneltathissideandbegantomilkintohismouth.Itseemedtohimthathehadnevertastedanythingsodeliciousasthisfreshrichmilk，fragrantwiththeodorofthewoodsandthesucculentmountaingrass.Whenhishungerwassatisfied，hefellagaintopickingberries，whileIngarefreshedherselfwithmilkinthesamesimplefashion.Afterhavingrestedafullhour，shefeltstrongenoughtocontinueherjourney;andhearingtheloor，orAlpinehorn，re—echoingamongthemountains，shedeterminedtofollowthesound.Itwassingularwhatluckattendedherinthemidstofhermisfortune.Perhapsitwas，afterall，noidletalethatlittleHanswasachildofluck;andshehaddonethelumbermeninjusticeinderidingtheirfaithinhim.PerhapstherewassomeguidingProvidenceinallthathadhappened，destinedintheendtoleadlittleHanstofortuneandglory.
　　Muchencouragedbythisthought，shestoopedoverhimandkissedhim;thentookhishandandtrudgedalongoverlogsandstones，throughjuniperandbramblebushes.
　　"Mamma，"saidlittleHans，"whereareyougoing？"
　　"Iamgoingtothesaeter，"sheanswered;"whereyouhavewantedsooftentogo."
　　"Thenwhydon’tyoufollowthecows？Theyaregoingtheretoo."
　　Surelythatchildhadamarvellousmind！Shesmileddownuponhimandnodded.Byfollowingthecowstheyarrivedintwentyminutesataneatlittlelogcabin，fromwhichthesmokecurledupgaylyintotheclearair.
　　Thedairy—maidswhospentthesummertheretendingthecattlebothfellvictimstothecharmsoflittleHans，andofferedhimandhismothertheirsimplehospitality.Theytoldofthelumbermenwhohadpassedthesaeterhuts，andinquiredforher;
　　butotherwisetheyrespectedhersilence，andmadenoattempttopryintohersecrets.Thenextmorningshestarted，afterarefreshingsleep，westwardtowardthecoast，whereshehopedinsomewaytofindapassagetoAmerica.ForiflittleHanswasreallybornunderaluckystar——whichfactshenowcouldscarcelydoubt——thenAmericawastheplaceforhim.TherehemightrisetobecomePresident，orajudge，oraparson，orsomethingorother;whileinNorwayhewouldneverbeanythingbutalumbermanlikehisfather.Ingahadawell—to—dosister，whowasawidow，inthenearesttown，andshewouldborrowenoughmoneyfromhertopaytheirpassagetoNewYork.
　　ItwasearlyinJulywhenlittleHansandhismotherarrivedinNewYork.Thelatterhadrepentedbitterlyofherrashnessinstealingherchildfromhisfather，andunderablindimpulsetraversinghalftheglobeinawild—goosechaseafterfortune.
　　Theworldwassomuchbiggerthansheinherquietvalleyhadimagined;and，whatwasworse，itworesuchacoldandrepellentlook，andwassobewilderingandnoisy.Ingahadbeenverysea—sickduringthevoyage;andaftershesteppedashorefromthetugthatbroughthertoCastleGarden，thegroundkeptheavingandswellingunderherfeet，andmadeherdizzyandmiserable.
　　Shehadbeenverywicked，shewasbeginningtothink，anddeservedpunishment;andifithadnotbeenforavagueandadventurousfaithinthegreatfuturethatwasinstoreforherson，shewouldhavebeencontenttoreturnhome，dopenanceforherfolly，andbegherhusband’sforgiveness.But，inthefirstplace，shehadnomoneytopayforareturnticket;and，secondly，itwouldbeagreatpitytodeprivelittleHansofthePresidencyandallthegrandeurthathisluckystarmightherebringhim.
　　IngawasjustcontemplatingthisbrightvisionofHans’sfuture，whenshefoundherselfpassingthroughagate，atwhichaclerkwasseated.
　　"Whatisyourname？"heasked，throughaninterpreter.
　　"IngaOlsdatterPladsen."
　　"Age？"
　　"Twenty—eightaweekafterMichaelmas."
　　"Singleormarried？"
　　"Married."
　　"Whereisyourhusband？"
　　"InNorway."
　　"Areyoudivorcedfromhim？"
　　"Divorced——I！Why，no！Whoeverheardofsuchathing？"
　　Ingagrewquiteindignantatthethoughtofherbeingdivorced.
　　Adozenotherquestionswereasked，ateachofwhichherembarrassmentincreased.When，finally，shedeclaredthatshehadnomoney，nodefinitedestination，andnorelativesorfriendsinthecountry，theexaminationwascutshort，andafteranhour’sdelayandawearisomecross—questioningbydifferentofficials，shewasputonboardthetug，andreturnedtothesteamerinwhichshehadcrossedtheocean.Fourdrearydayspassed;thentherewasatremendouscommotionondeck：blowingofwhistles，roaringofsteam，playingofbands，bumpingoftrunksandboxes，andfinallythesteadypulsationoftheenginesasthebigshipstoodouttosea.Afterninedaysofdiscomfortinthestuffysteerageandthirty—sixhoursofdownrightmiserywhilecrossingthestormyNorthSea，Ingafoundherselfoncemoreinthelandofherbirth.Fullofhumiliationandshameshemetherhusbandattherailroadstation，andpreparedherselfforadelugeofharshwordsandreproaches.Butinsteadofthathepattedhergentlyonthehead，andclaspedlittleHansinhisarmsandkissedhim.Theysaidverylittletoeachotherastheyrodehomewardinthecars;butlittleHanshadathousandthingstotell，andhisfatherwasdelightedtohearthem.Intheevening，whentheyhadreachedtheirnativevalley，andtheboywasasleep，Ingapluckedupcourageandsaid，"Nils，itisallamistakeaboutlittleHans’sluck."
　　"Mistake！Why，no，"criedNils."Whatgreaterluckcouldhehavethantobebroughtsafelyhometohisfather？"
　　Ingahadindeedhopedformore;butshesaidnothing.
　　Nevertheless，fatestillhadstrangethingsinstoreforlittleHans.Thestoryofhismother’sflighttoandreturnfromAmericawaspickedupbysomeenterprisingjournalist，whomadeamosttouchingromanceofit.HundredsofinquiriesregardinglittleHanspouredinuponthepastorandthepostmaster;andofferstoadopthim，educatehim，andIknownotwhatelse，weremadetohisparents.ButNilswouldhearofnoadoption;norwouldheconsenttoanyplanthatseparatedhimfromtheboy.
　　When，however，hewasgivenapositionassuperintendentofalumberyardinthetown，andprosperitybegantosmileuponhim，hesentlittleHanstoschool，andasHanswasacleverboy，hemadethemostofhisopportunities.
　　AndnowlittleHansisindeedaverybigHans，butachildofluckheisyet;forIsawhimreferredtotheotherdayinthenewspapersasoneofthegreatestlumberdealers，andoneofthenoblest，mostgenerous，andpublic—spiritedmeninNorway.
　　THEBEARTHATHADABANKACCOUNT
　　I.
　　Youmaynotbelieveit，butthebearIamgoingtotellyouaboutreallyhadabankaccount！Helivedinthewoods，asmostbearsdo;buthehadareputationwhichextendedoverallNorwayandmorethanhalfofEngland.Earlsandbaronetscameeverysummer，withrepeating—riflesofthelatestpatent，andplaidsandfield—glassesandportablecooking—stoves，intentuponkillinghim.ButMr.Bruin，whoseonlyweaponswereapairofpawsandapairofjaws，bothuncommonlygoodoftheirkind，thoughnotpatented，alwaysmanagedtogetawayunscathed;andthatwassometimesmorethantheearlsandthebaronetsdid.
　　OnesummertheCrownPrinceofGermanycametoNorway.Healsoheardofthefamousbearthatnoonecouldkill，andmadeuphismindthathewasthemantokillit.Hetrudgedfortwodaysthroughbogs，andclimbedthroughglensandravines，beforehecameonthescentofabear，andabear’sscent，youmayknow，isstrong，andquiteunmistakable.Finallyhediscoveredsometracksinthemoss，likethoseofabarefootedman，or，Ishouldrathersay，perhaps，aman—footedbear.ThePrincewasjustturningthecornerofaprojectingrock，whenhesawahuge，shaggybeaststandingonitshindlegs，examininginaleisurelymannertheinsideofahollowtree，whileaswarmofbeeswerebuzzingaboutitsears.Itwasjusthaulingoutahandfulofhoney，andwassmilingwithagrewsomemirth，whenHisRoyalHighnesssentitabulletrightinthebreast，whereitsheartmusthavebeen，ifithadone.But，insteadoffallingdownflat，asitoughttohavedone，outofdeferencetothePrince，itcoollyturneditsback，andgaveitsassailantadisgustednodoveritsshoulderasittrudgedawaythroughtheunderbrush.Theattendantsrangedthroughthewoodsandbeatthebushesinalldirections，butMr.Bruinwasnomoretobeseenthatafternoon.
　　Itwasasifhehadsunkintotheearth;notatraceofhimwastobefoundbyeitherdogsormen.
　　FromthattimeforththerumorspreadabroadthatthisGausdaleBruin（forthatwasthenamebywhichhebecameknown）wasenchanted.Itwassaidthatheshookoffbulletsasaduckdoeswater;thathehadtheevileye，andcouldbringmisfortunetowhomsoeverhelookedupon.Thepeasantsdreadedtomeethim，andceasedtohunthim.Hissizewasdescribedassomethingenormous，histeeth，hisclaws，andhiseyesasbeingdiabolicalbeyondhumanconception.InthemeanwhileMr.Bruinhaditallhisownwayinthemountains，killedayoungbullorafatheiferforhisdinnereverydayortwo，chasedinpuresportaherdofsheepoveraprecipice;andasforLarsMoe’sbaymareStella，henearlyfinishedher，leavinghisclaw—marksonherflankinawaythatspoiledherbeautyforever.
　　NowLarsMoehimselfwastoooldtohunt;andhisnephewwas——well，hewasnotoldenough.Therewas，infact，nooneinthevalleywhowasoftherightagetohuntthisGausdaleBruin.
　　ItwasofnousethatLarsMoeeggedontheyoungladstotrytheirluck，shamingthem，orofferingthemrewards，accordingashismoodmighthappentobe.Hewasthewealthiestmaninthevalley，andhismareStellahadbeentheappleofhiseye.Hefeltitasapersonalinsultthatthebearshouldhavedaredtomolestwhatbelongedtohim，especiallythemostpreciousofallhispossessions.Itcuthimtothehearttoseethepoorwoundedbeauty，withthosecruelscratchesonherthigh，andonestiff，achinglegdoneupinoilandcotton.Whenheopenedthestable—door，andwasgreetedbyStella’slow，friendlyneighing，orwhenshelimpedforwardinherbox—stallandputhersmall，clean—shapedheadonhisshoulder，thenLarsMoe’sheartswelleduntilitseemedonthepointofbreaking.Andsoitcametopassthatheaddedacodiciltohiswill，settingasidefivehundreddollarsofhisestateasarewardtothemanwho，withinsixyears，shouldkilltheGausdaleBruin.
　　Soonafterthat，LarsMoedied，assomesaid，fromgriefandchagrin;thoughthephysicianaffirmedthatitwasofrheumatismoftheheart.Atanyrate，thecodicilrelatingtotheenchantedbearwasdulyreadbeforethechurchdoor，andpasted，amongotherlegalnotices，inthevestibulesofthejudge’sandthesheriff’soffices.Whentheexecutorshadsettleduptheestate，thequestionaroseinwhosenameortowhosecreditshouldbedepositedthemoneywhichwastobesetasideforthebenefitofthebear—slayer.Nooneknewwhowouldkillthebear，orifanyonewouldkillit.Itwasapuzzlingquestion.
　　"Why，depositittothecreditofthebear，"saidajocoseexecutor;"then，intheabsenceofotherheirs，hisslayerwillinheritit.ThatisgoodoldNorwegianpractice，thoughIdon’tknowwhetherithaseverbeenthelaw."
　　"Allright，"saidtheotherexecutors，"solongasitisunderstoodwhoistohavethemoney，itdoesnotmatter."
　　Andsoanamountequalto$500wasdepositedinthecountybanktothecreditoftheGausdaleBruin.SirBarryWorthington，Bart.，whocameabroadthefollowingsummerfortheshooting，heardthestory，andthoughtitagoodone.So，afterhavingvainlytriedtoearntheprizehimself，headdedanother$500tothedeposit，withthestipulationthathewastohavetheskin.
　　Buthisrivalforparliamentaryhonors，RobertStapleton，Esq.，thegreatiron—master，whohadcometoNorwaychieflytooutshineSirBarry，determinedthathewastohavetheskinofthatfamousbear，ifanyonewastohaveit，andthat，atallevents，SirBarryshouldnothaveit.SoMr.Stapletonadded$750tothebear’sbankaccount，withthestipulationthattheskinshouldcometohim.
　　Mr.Bruin，inthemeanwhile，asiftoresentthisunseemlycontentionabouthispelt，madeworsehavocamongtheherdsthanever，andcompelledseveralpeasantstomovetheirdairiestootherpartsofthemountains，wherethepastureswerepoorer，butwheretheywouldbefreefromhisdepredations.Ifthe$1，750inthebankhadbeenmeantasabribeorastipendforgoodbehavior，suchaswasformerlypaidtoItalianbrigands，itcertainlycouldnothavebeenmoredemoralizinginitseffect;
　　forallagreedthat，sinceLarsMoe’sdeath，Bruinmisbehavedworsethanever.
　　II.
　　TherewasanoddclauseinLarsMoe’swillbesidesthecodicilrelatingtothebear.Itread：
　　"IherebygiveandbequeathtomydaughterUnna，or，incaseofherdecease，toheroldestlivingissue，mybaymareStella，asatokenthatIhaveforgivenherthesorrowshecausedmebyhermarriage."
　　ItseemedincrediblethatLarsMoeshouldwishtoplayapracticaljoke（andabadoneatthat）onhisonlychild，hisdaughterUnna，becauseshehaddispleasedhimbyhermarriage.
　　Yetthatwasthecommonopinioninthevalleywhenthissingularclausebecameknown.UnnahadmarriedThorkelTomlevold，apoortenant’sson，andhadrefusedhercousin，thegreatlumber—dealer，MortenJanson，whomherfatherhadselectedforason—in—law.
　　Shedweltnowinatenant’scottage，northwardintheparish;andherhusband，whowasasturdyandfine—lookingfellow，ekedoutalivingbyhuntingandfishing.Buttheysurelyhadnoaccommodationsforabroken—down，wounded，trottingmare，whichcouldnotevendrawaplough.ItistrueUnna，inthedaysofhergirlhood，hadbeenveryfondofthemare，anditisonlycharitabletosupposethattheclause，whichwasinthebodyofthewill，waswrittenwhileStellawasinherprime，andbeforeshehadsufferedatthepawsoftheGausdaleBruin.Butevengrantingthat，onecouldscarcelyhelpsuspectingmaliceaforethoughtinthecuriousprovision.ToUnnathegiftwasmeanttosay，asplainlyaspossible，"There，youseewhatyouhavelostbydisobeyingyourfather！Ifyouhadmarriedaccordingtohiswishes，youwouldhavebeenabletoacceptthegift，whilenowyouareobligedtodeclineitlikeabeggar."
　　ButifitwasLarsMoe’sintentiontoconveysuchamessagetohisdaughter，hefailedtotakeintoaccounthisdaughter’sspirit.Sheappearedplainlybutdecentlydressedatthereadingofthewill，andcarriedherheadnotawhitlesshaughtilythanwasherwontinhermaidendays.SheexhibitednochagrinwhenshefoundthatJansonwasherfather’sheirandthatshewasdisinherited.Sheevenlistenedwithperfectcomposuretothereadingoftheclausewhichbequeathedtoherthebroken—downmare.
　　Itatoncebecameamatterofpridewithhertoaccepthergirlhood’sfavorite，andacceptitshedid！Andhavingborrowedaside—saddle，sherodehome，apparentlyquitecontented.A
　　littleshed，orlean—to，wasbuiltintherearofthehouse，andStellabecameamemberofThorkelTomlevold’sfamily.Oddasitmayseem，thefortunesofthefamilytookaturnforthebetterfromthedayshearrived;Thorkelrarelycamehomewithoutbiggame，andinhistrapshecaughtmorethananythreeothermeninalltheparish.
　　"Themarehasbroughtusluck，"hesaidtohiswife."Ifshecan’tplough，shecanatalleventspullthesleightochurch;
　　andyouhaveasgoodarightasanyonetoputonairs，ifyouchoose."
　　"Yes，shehasbroughtusblessing，"repliedUnna，quietly;"andwearegoingtokeephertillshediesofoldage."
　　TothechildrenStellabecameapet，asmuchasifshehadbeenadogoracat.ThelittleboyLarsclimbedalloverher，andkissedherregularlygood—morningwhensheputherhandsomeheadinthroughthekitchen—doortogetherlumpofsugar.Shewasasgentleasalambandasintelligentasadog.Hergreatbrowneyes，withtheirsoft，liquidlook，spokeasplainlyaswordscouldspeak，expressingpleasurewhenshewaspatted;andthelowneighingwithwhichshegreetedthelittleboy，whensheheardhisfootstepsinthedoor，wastohimlikethevoiceofafriend.
　　Hegrewtolovethishandsomeandnobleanimalashehadlovednothingonearthexcepthisfatherandmother.
　　AsamatterofcourseheheardahundredtimesthestoryofStella’sadventurewiththeterribleGausdalebear.Itwasastorythatneverlostitsinterest，thatseemedtogrowmoreexcitingtheofteneritwastold.Thedeepscarsofthebear’sclawsinStella’sthighwerecuriouslyexamined，andeachtimegaverisetonewquestions.Themarebecamequiteaheroiccharacter，andthesuggestionwasfrequentlydiscussedbetweenLarsandhislittlesisterMarit，whetherStellamightnotbeanenchantedprincesswhowaswaitingforsomeonetocutoffherhead，sothatshemightshowherselfinherglory.Maritthoughttheexperimentwellworthtrying，butLarshadhisdoubts，andwasunwillingtotaketherisk;yetifshebroughtluck，ashismothersaid，thenshecertainlymustbesomethingmorethananordinaryhorse.
　　StellahaddraggedlittleLarsoutoftheriverwhenhefelloverboardfromthepier;andthat，too，showedmoresensethanhehadeverknownahorsetohave.
　　TherecouldbenodoubtinhismindthatStellawasanenchantedprincess.Andinstantlythethoughtoccurredtohimthatthedreadfulenchantedbearwiththeevileyewasthesorcerer，andthat，whenhewaskilled，Stellawouldresumeherhumanguise.
　　Itsoonbecamecleartohimthathewastheboytoaccomplishthisheroicdeed;anditwasequallyplaintohimthathemustkeephispurposesecretfromallexceptMarit，ashismotherwouldsurelydiscouragehimfromengaginginsoperilousanenterprise.Firstofall，hehadtolearnhowtoshoot;andhisfather，whowasthebestshotinthevalley，wasverywillingtoteachhim.ItseemedquitenaturaltoThorkelthatahunter’ssonshouldtakereadilytotherifle;anditgavehimgreatsatisfactiontoseehowtruehisboy’saimwas，andhowsteadyhishand.
　　"Father，"saidLarsoneday，"youshootsowell，whyhaven’tyouevertriedtokilltheGausdaleBruinthathurtStellasobadly？"
　　"Hush，child！youdon’tknowwhatyouaretalkingabout，"
　　answeredhisfather;"noleadenbulletwillharmthatwickedbeast."
　　"Whynot？"
　　"Idon’tliketotalkaboutit——butitiswellknownthatheisenchanted."
　　"Butwillhethenliveforever？Istherenosortofbulletthatwillkillhim？"askedtheboy.
　　"Idon’tknow.Idon’twanttohaveanythingtodowithwitchcraft，"saidThorkel.
　　Theword"witchcraft"settheboytothinking，andhesuddenlyrememberedthathehadbeenwarnednottospeaktoanoldwomannamedMarthaPladsen，becauseshewasawitch.Now，shewasprobablytheveryonewhocouldtellhimwhathewantedtoknow.
　　Hercottagelaycloseupunderthemountain—side，abouttwomilesfromhishome.Hedidnotdeliberatelongbeforegoingtoseekthismysteriousperson，aboutwhomthemostremarkablestoriesweretoldinthevalley.Tohisastonishment，shereceivedhimkindly，gavehimacupofcoffeewithrockcandy，anddeclaredthatshehadlongexpectedhim.Thebulletwhichwastoslaytheenchantedbearhadlongbeeninherpossession;andshewouldgiveittohimifhewouldpromisetogiveherthebeast’sheart.
　　Hedidnothavetobeaskedtwiceforthat;andoffhestartedgaylywithhisprizeinhispocket.Itwasratheranodd—lookingbullet，madeofsilver，markedwithacrossononesideandwithalotofqueerillegiblefiguresontheother.Itseemedtoburninhispocket，soanxiouswashetostartoutatoncetoreleasethebelovedStellafromthecruelenchantment.ButMarthahadsaidthatthebearcouldonlybekilledwhenthemoonwasfull;
　　anduntilthemoonwasfullheaccordinglyhadtobridlehisimpatience.
　　III.
　　ItwasabrightmorninginJanuary，and，asithappened，Lars’sfourteenthbirthday.Tohisgreatdelight，hismotherhadgonedowntothejudge’stosellsomeptarmigans，andhisfatherhadgonetofellsometimberupintheglen.Accordinglyhecouldsecuretheriflewithoutbeingobserved.Hetookanaffectionategood—byofStella，whorubbedhersoftnoseagainsthisown，playfullypulledathiscoat—collar，andblewhersweet，warmbreathintohisface.Larswasasimple—heartedboy，inspiteofhisage，andquiteachildatheart.Hehadlivedsosecludedfromallsociety，andbreathedsolongtheatmosphereoffairytales，thathecouldseenothingatallabsurdinwhathewasabouttoundertake.Theyoungestsoninthestory—bookalwaysdidjustthatsortofthing，andeverybodypraisedandadmiredhimforit.Larsmeant，foronce，toputthestory—bookherointotheshade.HeengagedlittleMarittowatchoverStellawhilehewasgone，andundernocircumstancestobetrayhim——allofwhichMaritsolemnlypromised.
　　Withhisrifleonhisshoulderandhisskeesonhisfeet，Larsglidedslowlyalongovertheglitteringsurfaceofthesnow，forthemountainwassteep，andhehadtozigzaginlonglinesbeforehereachedtheupperheights，wherethebearwassaidtohavehishaunts.TheplacewhereBruinhadhiswinterdenhadoncebeenpointedouttohim，andherememberedyethowpalehisfatherwas，whenhefoundthathehadstrayedbychanceintosodangerousaneighborhood.Lars’sheart，too，beatratheruneasilyashesawthetwoheapsofstones，called"TheParson"
　　and"TheDeacon，"andthetwohugefir—treeswhichmarkedthedreadedspot.IthadbeencustomaryfromimmemorialtimeforeachpersonwhopassedalongtheroadtothrowalargestoneontheParson’sheap，andasmalloneontheDeacon’s;butsincetheGausdaleBruinhadgoneintowinterquartersthere，thestoneheapshadceasedtogrow.
　　Underthegreatknottedrootsofthefir—treestherewasahole，whichwasmorethanhalf—coveredwithsnow;anditwasnoticeablethattherewasnotatrackofbirdorbeasttobeseenanywherearoundit.Lars，whoonthewayhadbeenbuoyedupbythesenseofhisheroism，begannowtofeelstrangelyuncomfortable.Itwassoawfullyhushedandstillroundabouthim;notthescreamofabird——noteventhefallingofabrokenboughwastobeheard.Thepinesstoodinlinesandinclumps，solemn，likeafuneralprocession，shroudedinsepulchralwhite.Evenifacrowhadcaweditwouldhavebeenarelieftothefrightenedboy——foritmustbeconfessedthathewasatriflefrightened——ifonlyalittleshowerofsnowhadfallenuponhisheadfromtheheavilyladenbranches，hewouldhavebeengratefulforit，foritwouldhavebrokenthespellofthisoppressivesilence.
　　Therecouldbenodoubtofit;inside，underthosetree—rootssleptStella’sfoe——thedreadedenchantedbeastwhohadputtheboldestofhunterstoflight，andsetlordsandbaronetsbytheearsfortheprivilegeofpossessinghisskin.Larsbecamesuddenlyawarethatitwasafoolhardythinghehadundertaken，andthathehadbetterbetakehimselfhome.Butthen，again，hadnotWitch—Marthasaidthatshehadbeenwaitingforhim;thathewasdestinedbyfatetoaccomplishthisdeed，justastheyoungestsonhadbeeninthestory—book.Yes，tobesure，shehadsaidthat;anditwasacomfortingthought.
　　Accordingly，havingagainexaminedhisrifle，whichhehadcarefullyloadedwiththesilverbulletbeforeleavinghome，hestartedboldlyforward，climbeduponthelittlehillockbetweenthetwotrees，andbegantopounditlustilywiththebutt—endofhisgun.Helistenedforamomenttremulously，andhearddistinctlylong，heavysighsfromwithin.
　　Hisheartstoodstill.Thebearwasawake！Soonhewouldhavetofaceit！Aminutemoreelapsed;Lars’sheartshotupintohisthroat.Heleapeddown，placedhimselfinfrontoftheentrancetotheden，andcockedhisrifle.Threelongminutespassed.
　　Bruinhadevidentlygonetosleepagain.Wildwithexcitement，theboyrushedforwardanddrovehisskee—staffstraightintothedenwithallhismight.Asullengrowlwasheard，likeadeepandmenacingthunder.Therecouldbenodoubtthatnowthemonsterwouldtakehimtotaskforhisimpertinence.
　　Againtheboyseizedhisrifle;andhisnerves，thoughtenseasstretchedbow—strings，seemedsuddenlycalmandsteady.Heliftedtherifletohischeek，andresolvednottoshootuntilhehadaclearaimatheartorbrain.Bruin，thoughLarscouldhearhimrummagingwithin，wasinnohurrytocomeout，Buthesighedandgrowleduproariously，andpresentlyshowedaterrible，long—clawedpaw，whichhethrustoutthroughhisdoorandthenagainwithdrew.Butapparentlyittookhimalongwhiletogethismindclearastothecauseofthedisturbance;forfullyfiveminuteshadelapsedwhensuddenlyabigtuftofmosswastossedoutuponthesnow，followedbyacloudofdustandanangrycreakingofthetree—roots.
　　Greatmassesofsnowwereshakenfromtheswayingtopsofthefirs，andfellwithlightthudsupontheground.Inthefaceofthisunexpectedshower，whichentirelyhidtheentrancetotheden，Larswasobligedtofallbackadozenpaces;but，astheglitteringdrizzleclearedaway，hesawanenormousbrownbeaststandinguponitshindlegs，withwidelydistendedjaws.Hewasconsciousofnofear，butofacuriousnumbnessinhislimbs，andstrangenoises，asofwarningshoutsandcries，fillinghisears.
　　Fortunately，thegreatglareofthesun—smittensnowdazzledBruin;headvancedslowly，roaringsavagely，butstaringratherblindlybeforehimoutofhissmall，evil—lookingeyes.
　　Suddenly，whenhewasbutafewyardsdistant，heraisedhisgreatpaw，asiftorubawaythecobwebsthatobscuredhissight.
　　Itwasthemomentforwhichtheboyhadwaited.Nowhehadaclearaim！Quicklyhepulledthetrigger;theshotreverberatedfrommountaintomountain，andinthesameinstantthehugebrownbulkrolledinthesnow，gaveagasp，andwasdead！Thespellwasbroken！Thesilverbullethadpiercedhisheart.TherewasacuriousunrealityaboutthewholethingtoLars.Hescarcelyknewwhetherhewasreallyhimselfortheheroofthefairy—tale.
　　AllthatwasleftforhimtodonowwastogohomeandmarryStella，thedeliveredprincess.
　　Thenoisesabouthimseemedtocomenearerandnearer;andnowtheysoundedlikehumanvoices.Helookedabouthim，andtohisamazementsawhisfatherandMarit，followedbytwowood—cutters，who，withraisedaxes，wererunningtowardhim.Thenhedidnotknowexactlywhathappened;buthefelthimselfliftedupbytwostrongarms，andtearsfellhotandfastuponhisface.
　　"Myboy！myboy！"saidthevoiceinhisears，"Iexpectedtofindyoudead."
　　"No，butthebearisdead，"saidLars，innocently.
　　"Ididn’tmeantotellonyou，Lars，"criedMarit，"butIwassoafraid，andthenIhadto."
　　TherumorsoonfilledthewholevalleythatthegreatGausdaleBruinwasdead，andthattheboyLarsTomlevoldhadkilledhim.
　　ItisneedlesstosaythatLarsTomlevoldbecametheparishherofromthatday.Hedidnotdaretoconfessinthepresenceofallthispraiseandwonderthatathearthewasbitterlydisappointed;forwhenhecamehome，throbbingwithwildexpectancy，therestoodStellabeforethekitchendoor，munchingapieceofbread;andwhenshehailedhimwithalowwhinny，heburstintotears.Buthedarednottellanyonewhyhewasweeping.
　　Thisstorymighthaveendedhere，butithasalittlesequel.
　　The$1，750whichBruinhadtohiscreditinthebankhadincreasedto$2，290;anditwasallpaidtoLars.Afewyearslater，MartinJanson，whohadinheritedtheestateofMoefromoldLars，failedinconsequenceofhisdaringforestspeculations，andyoungLarswasenabledtobuythefarmatauctionatlessthanhalfitsvalue.Thushehadthehappinesstobringhismotherbacktotheplaceofherbirth，ofwhichshehadbeenwrongfullydeprived;andStella，whowasnowtwenty—oneyearsold，occupiedoncemoreherhandsomebox—stall，asinthedaysofherglory.Andalthoughsheneverprovedtobeaprincess，shewastreatedasifshewereone，duringthefewyearsthatremainedtoher.