Pagina 443 di 626

'No,' said he, perceiving her evil intention, 'I will not give

you the light until I am standing with both feet upon the

ground.' The witch fell into a passion, let him fall again into

the well, and went away.

The poor soldier fell without injury on the moist ground, and the

blue light went on burning, but of what use was that to him? He

saw very well that he could not escape death. He sat for a while

very sorrowfully, then suddenly he felt in his pocket and found

his tobacco pipe, which was still half full. 'This shall be my

last pleasure,' thought he, pulled it out, lit it at the blue

light and began to smoke. When the smoke had circled about the

cavern, suddenly a little black dwarf stood before him, and said:

'Lord, what are your commands?' 'What my commands are?' replied

the soldier, quite astonished. 'I must do everything you bid me,'

said the little man. 'Good,' said the soldier; 'then in the first

place help me out of this well.' The little man took him by the

hand, and led him through an underground passage, but he did not

forget to take the blue light with him.