climbed upon the trunk of the tree and ran along it to where they could
see across an open space in the forest without being seen themselves.
And when the sound of the horn drew very close, they saw a little boy
climb through the thick bushes.

As the little boy came out into the open space the three little gnomes
saw that he was crying.

"He must be lost!" said the first little gnome.

"He looks very tired and hungry!" said the second little gnome.

"Let us go and ask him!" said the third little gnome.

So the three little gnomes scrambled down from the trunk of the fallen
tree and went up to where the little boy had thrown himself upon the
ground. They stood about him and watched him, for he had put his face in
the crook of his arm and was crying.

Finally one of the little gnomes sat down in front of the little boy and
spoke to him.

"I am lost!" the little boy said. "My father went hunting yesterday with
all his men and when they were out of sight I took my little horn and
followed them, but I soon lost their track, and I have wandered about
with nothing to eat. Last night I climbed into a tree and slept!"

The three little gnomes wiped the little boy's eyes and led him to their
home under the fallen tree. There they finished preparing the dinner and
sat about until the little boy had eaten and had fallen asleep.