e hut. Then the
stranger, taking from his pocket the little black bread pellet, said,
"I know, because you gave me your dinner, that you will have to go
hungry. I have no money to offer you, but here is something that will
be of far greater value to you than money. Keep this pellet carefully,
and when you seek the sparkling golden water, as I know you will,
don't forget to bring it with you. Now go back: you must follow me no
farther." So saying, the stranger waved his hand to Hans, and,
plunging into the thicket, disappeared. Hans slipped the pellet into
his pocket and re-entered the hut, where he found his brothers in loud
dispute about the sparkling golden water. They were much too
interested in the matter to pay any attention to Hans or to ask him,
as he was afraid they would, whether the stranger had given him any
money before he left. As he came in, he heard Fritz saying in a loud
voice:

"I'm the eldest, and I will go first to get the sparkling golden
water. When I've got it I will buy all the land hereabouts and become
Count. I will hunt every day, and have lots of good wine; and
sometimes, if I'm passing near here, I'll just look in to see how you
all are, and to show you my fine clothes, and horses, and dogs, and
servants." Fritz was, for him, almost gracious at the bright prospect
before him.

"I don't care whether you're the eldest or not," growled Franz,
stubbornly, "I shall go, too, to find the sparkling golden water. When
I've found it I will buy the Burgomaster's office, and live in his
house in the town yonder, and wear his fur robes and gold chain; and,
best of all, walk at the head of all the grand processions. None of
your wild hunting for me--give me ease and comfort."

At last it was decided, after a great deal of squabbling, that Fritz
as the eldest should go first in search of the sparkling golden water,
and accordingly next day he set out. Hans ventured to hint that the
first thing to be done with this sparkling golden water when it was
found should be to provide a comfortable home for their mother, but
Fritz's only answer to this was a blow, and an angry order to Hans to
mind his own business.

We cannot follow Fritz all the way on his journey. As he had no money
he was forced to beg at the doors of the cottages and farmhouses which
he passed, for food and shelter for the night. Now, this proved to be
rather hard work, because nobody very much liked his looks or his
manner; and people onl