heavy nailed boots. But beyond the hole no tracks led on across
the ice, and therefore the peasants supposed them all dead."

"And do you not believe them dead, Elsalill?" asked the stranger.

"Oh, yes, I think they must be drowned," said Elsalill; "and yet I
pray to God daily that they may have escaped. I speak to God in
this wise: 'Let it be so that they have only driven the horse and
the sledge into the hole, but have themselves escaped.'"

"Why do you wish this, Elsalill?" asked the stranger.

The tender maid Elsalill, she flung back her head and her eyes
shone like fire. "I would they were alive that I might find them
out and seize them. I would they were alive that I might tear
their hearts out. I would they were alive that I might see their
bodies quartered and spiked upon the wheel."

"How do you think to bring all this about?" said the stranger.
"For you are only a weak little maid."

"If they were living," said Elsalill, "I should surely bring their
punishment upon them. Rather would I go to my death than let them
go free. Strong and mighty they may be, I know it, but they would
not be able to escape me."

At this the stranger smiled upon her, but Elsalill stamped her
foot.

"If they were living, should I not remember that they have taken