ere he had at least passed a short but happy
childhood, and sitting down on a hill he gazed once more fondly on his
native place.

Suddenly the little old woman stood before him, and, tapping him on the
shoulder, said, 'So far good, my boy; but what do you mean to do now?'

Peter was at a loss what to answer, for so far he had always thought
that fortune would drop into his mouth like a ripe cherry. The old
woman, who guessed his thoughts, laughed kindly and said, 'I'll tell you
what you must do, for I've taken a fancy to you, and I'm sure you won't
forget me when you've made your fortune.'

Peter promised faithfully he wouldn't, and the old woman continued:

'This evening at sunset go to yonder pear-tree which you see growing at
the cross roads. Underneath it you will find a man lying asleep, and a
beautiful large swan will be fastened to the tree close to him. You must
be careful not to waken the man, but you must unfasten the swan and take
it away with you. You will find that everyone will fall in love with
its beautiful plumage, and you must allow anyone who likes to pull out
a feather. But as soon as the swan feels as much as a finger on it, it
will scream out, and then you must say, "Swan, hold fast." Then the hand
of the person who has touched the bird will be held as in a vice, and
nothing will set it free, unless you touch it with this little stick
which I will make you a present of. When you have captured a whole lot
of people in this way, lead your train straight on with you; you will
come to a big town where a Princess lives who has never been known to
laugh. If you can only make her laugh your fortune is made; then I beg
you won't forget your old friend.'

Peter promised again that he wouldn't, and at sunset he went to the tree
the old woman had mentioned. The man lay there fast asleep, and a large
beautiful swan was fastened to the tree beside him by a red cord. Peter
loosed the bird, and led it away with him without disturbing the bird's
master.

He walked on with the swan for some time, and came at last to a
building-yard where some men were busily at work. They were all lost in
admiration of the bird's beautiful plumage, and one forward youth, who
was covered with clay from head to foot, called out, 'Oh, if I'd only
one of those feathers how happy I should be!'

'Pull one out then,' said Peter kindly, and the youth seized one from
the bird's tail; instantly the swan screamed, and Peter called out