l King returned to his forge in
the depths of the mountain, and there shaped ploughshares and many other
implements of iron. These he placed outside his cavern door, as gifts to
the poor peasants.

It happened, on a time, there lived in that valley a lazy lad, who
would neither till his fields nor ply a trade. He was avaricious, but he
longed to win gold without mining, and wealth and fame without labor. So
it came to pass that he set out one day to find the mountain treasure of
the Metal King.

Taking a lighted lantern in one hand, a hatchet in the other, and a
bundle of twigs under his arm, he entered the dark cavern. The dampness
smote his cheek, bats flapped their wings in his face. Shivering with
fear and cold, he pressed on through a long passage under an arched
and blackened roof. As he passed along he dropped his twigs, one after
another, so that they might guide him aright when he returned.

He came at last to a place where the passage branched off in two
directions,--to the right and to the left. Choosing the right-hand path,
he walked on and at length came to an iron door. He struck it twice with
his hammer. It flew open, and a strong current of air rushing forth put
out his light.

"Come in! Come in!" shouted a voice like the rolling of thunder, and the
cavern echoes gave back the sounds.

Almost overcome by terror and shivering in every limb, the lad entered.
As he stepped forward a dazzling light shone from the vaulted roof
upheld by massive columns, and across the crystal side-walls flittered
curious, shadowy figures.

The Metal King, huge and fierce-eyed, surrounded by the misshapen
Spirits of the Mines, sat upon a block of pure silver, with a pile of
shining gold lying before him.

"Come in, my friend!" he shouted again, and again the echoes rolled
through the cavern.

"Come near, and sit beside me."

The lad advanced, pale and trembling, and took his seat upon the silver
block.

"Bring out more treasure," cried the Metal King, and at his command the
Mountain Spirits fluttered away like dreams, only to return in a moment
and pile high before the wondering lad bars of red gold, mounds of
silver coin, and stacks of precious jewels.

And when the lad saw all that wealth he felt his heart burst with
longing to grasp it, but when he tried to put out his hand, he found
that he could not move his arm, nor could he lift his feet, nor turn his
head.

"Thou seest these riches," said the Metal Kin