streaming out behind her like
a ragged banner. The Stag, bearing the old woman, rushed through the
woods and disappeared. Then came the dogs in full cry, and after the
dogs came the little boy's father, spurring his horse and yelling in
the excitement of the chase.

"'What do you think of it, Three Wits?' asked the little old man,
laughing.

"'I don't like it,' replied the boy. 'That man is my father.'

"'Your father!' cried the little old man. 'Oho! That alters the case.
Well, well! Let's see--let's see!'

"The little old man took from the wallet he had on his back a thick
book with a red cover. Then he sat at the foot of the chestnut-tree
and turned the well-thumbed leaves until he found the place he was
hunting for. He closed the book, but kept his forefinger between the
leaves, and took the little boy's hand in his."

[Illustration: THE LITTLE OLD MAN, THREE WITS, AND THE STAG]

XVI.

THE THREE IVORY BOBBINS.

"The little old man took the boy's hand in his, but before he could
say anything, a rustling was heard in the bushes. Presently, Old Top,
the deerhound, made his appearance. He went up to the boy, smelt of
him, wagged his tail as a sign of satisfaction, and then curled up in
the leaves as if to take a nap. But he didn't go to sleep. Every once
in awhile, Old Top raised his head and listened wistfully to the
running dogs that could be heard in the distance.

"'A very sensible dog!' exclaimed the little old man. 'He knows
something is wrong.'

"'What is it?' asked the boy.

"'Well, Three Wits,' said the little old man, 'I'll tell you. The man,
the horse, and the dogs, are under a spell. They are bewitched, and
they will continue to be bewitched until doomsday, unless the spell is
broken. They will go round and round on the trail until they exhaust
themselves, and then they will gradually grow thinner and thinner
until they disappear; and then nothing will be heard but the barking
of the dogs, and the sound of that will grow fainter and fainter,
until no human ear can hear it. Now, the question is, Three Wits, do
you wish the spell broken?'

"'I do,' replied the boy, 'for my mother's sake.'

"'Now that is well spoken,' said the old man, rising and laying his
hand gently on the boy's head. 'For, behold, Three Wits, what is
written in the book.'

"The old man opened the red volume and read as follows, pointing to
each word with his finger:--

"'Whoever shall, for the sake of his mother,