The Brown Fairy Book by Andrew Lang
page 60 of 360 (16%)
page 60 of 360 (16%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
replied his wife, 'and now that she knows you are my husband she
wants to kill you.' 'Oh, well, let her try,' replied Ball-Carrier. 'It is not the first time people have wished to do that. And here I am still, you see!' 'Be careful,' said the wife, ' she is very cunning.' But at this moment the sister-in-law came up. 'How do you do, brother-in-law? I have heard of you so often that I am very glad to meet you. I am told that you are more powerful than any man on earth, and as I am powerful too, let us try which is the strongest.' 'That will be delightful,' answered he. 'Suppose we begin with a short race, and then we will go on to other things.' ' That will suit me very well,' replied the woman, who was a witch. 'And let us agree that the one who wins shall have the right to kill the other.' 'Oh, certainly,' said Ball-Carrier;' and I don't think we shall find a flatter course than the prairie itself--no one knows how many miles it stretches. We will run to the end and back again.' This being settled they both made ready for the race, and Ball-Carrier silently begged the good spirits to help him, and not to let him fall into the hands of this wicked witch. |
|