them; said she would be so glad if they would open a path for her to
walk in, she would thank them so much; so they began to pull the briars
back until there was a good path. Mary thanked them and went on until
she came to the spring and there was a rabbit jumping up and down in
it. Mary said: "Please Mr. Rabbit, don't muddy the water for I would
like to get a bucket of nice clean water to take home to make tea for
supper." The rabbit ran off and she dipped her bucket full of pure
water.

Then she looked down the branch, and there was a little lamb that had
fallen in and was lying down, and could not get up. The lamb said:
"Little girl, please pick me up and lay me on the grass to dry." Mary
stepped on some rocks till she got to the lamb and lifted him up and
laid him on the bank to dry. The lamb said: "When you go home, spit
in your mother's hand." Mary thought that would not be right, but she
said nothing. She went back through the briar patch and the little folks
held them from scratching her, and the little old man spoke nicely to her
and the gate opened for her. Her mother was watching for her and helped
her home with the water, kissed her, and prepared them a good supper.

While they were sitting at the table Mary said: "Mother, the little
lamb told me to do something I do not like to do."

"What was it?"

"He told me spit in your hand."

"Well, you can my child; come on;" and the mother held out her
hand and Mary spat in it, a diamond and a pearl. This made the family
happy and rich; they had men come the next day and dig a new well.