Opening, part 36 · page 21 2101For a moment his heart sank, and he gave himself up for dead, till he remembered that, not far off, were two little lakes joined together by a short though very broad river.102In the middle of the river lay a stone that was always covered by water, except in dry seasons, and as the winter rains had been very heavy, he felt quite sure that not even the top of it could be seen.103The next minute, if anyone had been looking that way, he would have beheld a small reindeer calf speeding northwards, and by-and-by giving a great spring, which landed him in the midst of the stream.104But, instead of sinking to the bottom, he paused a second to steady himself, then gave a second spring which landed him on the further shore.105He next ran on to a little hill where he saw down and began to neigh loudly, so that the Stalo might know exactly where he was.106'Ah!107There you are,' cried the Stalo, appearing on the opposite bank; 'for a moment I really thought I had lost you.'108'No such luck,' answered Andras, shaking his head sorrowfully.109By this time he had taken his own shape again.110'Well, but I don't see how I am to get to you1' said the Stalo, looking up and down.111'Jump over, as I did,' answered Andras; 'it is quite easy.'112'But I could not jump this river; and I don't know how you did,' replied the Stalo.113'I should be ashamed to say such things,' exclaimed Andras. '114Do you mean to tell me that a jump, which the weakest Lapp boy would make nothing of, is beyond your strength?'115The Stalo grew red and angry when he heard these words, just as Andras meant him to do.116He bounded into the air and fell straight into the river.117Not that that would have mattered, for he was a good swimmer; but Andras drew out the bow and arrows which every Lapp carries, and took aim at him.118His aim was good, but the Stalo sprang so high into the air that the arrow flew between his feet.119A second shot, directed at his forehead, fared no better, for this time the Stalo jumped so high to the other side that the arrow passed between his finger and thumb.120Then Andras aimed his third arrow a little over the Stalo's head, and when he sprang up, just an instant too soon, it hit him between the ribs.1 2← previousOpening, part 35next →Opening, part 37↑ back to The Orange Fairy BookThis page in Markdown → https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3027/36/page/2/