close to her. "Good
evening; what a bright sword you wear, and what a big knapsack! You
shall have as much money as you wish for yourself!"

"Thank you, old witch," said the soldier. But he did not tell her that
she did not look as though she had much money to spare. He was too
wise to say anything but, "Thank you, old witch."

"Do you see that big tree?" she said, and she pointed to one that
stood close by the wayside. "It is hollow inside. Climb up to the top,
and you will see a hole. It is large. You must creep through it and
let yourself down, right down under the tree. Tie a rope round your
waist, and I will haul you up again when you call."

"But what am I to do under the tree?" asked the soldier.

"What are you to do? Why, did I not tell you you should have money.
It is there, under the tree, copper, silver, gold. Gold!" cried the
witch, in a rough and eager voice. "When you come to the bottom of the
tree there is a large passage. It is quite light, indeed it is ablaze
with light. More than a hundred lamps are burning. There you will see
three doors. The keys are in the keyholes. Unlock the doors and walk
in. In the first room in the middle of the floor, is a big box. On the
top of it sits a dog. He has big eyes, they are as big as saucers,
but do not let that trouble you. You shall have my blue checked apron.
Spread it on the floor. Go forward quickly, seize the dog and place
him on it. After that is done, you can open the box, and take out as
much money as you wish. It is true the box holds only copper coins,
but if you would rather have silver, just walk into the next room.
There sits another dog, on another box, with big eyes, eyes as big
as--oh, as big as mill-wheels, but never mind that. Place the dog on
my apron, then open the box and take as much silver as you wish. But
if you would rather have gold, why, then open the third door.
There you will see another dog, sitting on another box. This one is
tremendous, quite gigantic, and he has eyes, oh! such great, rolling
eyes! They are as large as the Round Tower. He is a dog indeed, but
do not let that trouble you. Place him on my blue checked apron and he
will not hurt you. Then take gold, as much gold as ever you wish."

"Splendid!" said the soldier. You see he had been to the wars and was
a brave man. "Splendid! But what am I to give you, old witch? You will
wish something, I am quite certain of that."

"No," said the witch: "I do not wish one single