But the accusing voice still went on: "And when the good old shepherd went to sleep a second time, then the naughty little boy climbed on the table and picked a hole in the thatch and got out and ran away." Another burst of laughter followed; then a youth in a shining, violet-coloured dress suddenly began twanging on his instrument and wildly capering about in imitation of old Jacob's dancing, and while he played and danced he sang-- "Ho, sheep whose ways are known to me, Both ewe and lamb And horned ram Wherever can that Martin be?
All day for him I ride Over the plains so wide, And on my horn I blow, Just to let him know That Jacob's on his track, And soon will have him back, I look and look all day, And when I'm home I say: He isn't like a mole To dig himself a hole; Them little legs he's got They can't go far, trot, trot, They can't go far, run run, Oh no, it is his fun; I'm sure he's near, He must be here A-skulking round the house Just like a little mouse.
I'll get a mouse-trap in a minute, And bait with cheese that's smelly To bring him helter-skelly-- That little empty belly, And then I'll have him in it.
Where have he hid, That little kid, That good old Jacob was so kind to?
And when a rest I am inclined to Who'll boil the cow and dig the kittles And milk the stockings, darn the wittles?
Who mugs of tea Will drink with me?
When round and round I pound the ground With boots of cowhide, boots of thunder, Who'll help to make the noise, I wonder?
Who'll join the row Of loud bow-wow With din of tin and copper clatter With bang and whang of pan and platter?
O when I find Him fast I'll bind And upside down I'll hold him; And when a-home I gallop late-o I'll give him no more cold potato, But cuff him, box him, bang him, scold him, And drench him with a pail of water, And fill his mouth with wool and mortar, Because he don't do things he oughter, But does the things he ought not to, Then tell me true, Both ram and ewe, Wherever have that Martin got to?
For Jacob's old and deaf and dim And never knowed the ways of him." "I forgive him everything," said the Queen very graciously, when the song ended, at which they all laughed.

"And now let two of you speak and each bestow a gift on him.

He deserves to be rewarded for running so far after us." Then one of those bright beautiful beings came forward and cried out: "He loves wandering; let him have his will and be a wanderer all his days on the face of the earth." "Well spoken!" cried the Queen.
"A wanderer he is to be," said another: "let the sea do him no harm--that is my gift." "So be it," said the Queen; "and to your two gifts I shall add a third.

Let all men love him.

Go now, Martin, you are well equipped, and satisfy your heart with the sight of all the strange and beautiful things the world contains." "Kneel and thank the Queen for her gifts," said a voice to Martin.
He dropped on to his knees, but could speak no word; when he raised his eyes again the whole glorious company had vanished.
[Illustration: ] The air was cool and fragrant, the earth moist as if a shower had just fallen.