call[Pg 89] her so now) said: “We must hurry to the witch and tell her before sunrise, or the ogre will have another day in which to bother the river-town people.”

[Pg 89]

When the old witch saw the Princess she began to laugh. “Ha-ha!” she said. “Now the ogre will be in my power. Leave him to me, my dear. I will change him into any shape you wish.”

The Princess told her she wished him changed into a huge rock to be placed in the middle of the river.

“Come along, my pretties; you shall see it done,” said the old witch, clapping her hands as she spoke.

Up from behind the cave jumped a big broomstick, and on it hopped the witch and the Princess and Nicko, and off they flew to the place where the ogre sat fishing by the river.

When they were near enough for the old witch to touch him with her crooked cane she leaned over and tapped him on the head and said:

“In the middle of the river,

To dwell there forever,

A rock you shall be

So all folks may see.”

[Pg 90] 

[Pg 90]

A peal of thunder that shook the woods around was heard, and then a loud splash.

When the mist of the splashing water cleared Nicko and the Princess saw a huge black rock in the middle of the river, and the next thing they knew they were flying through the air with the old witch again.

“Here is your home, Princess,” said the witch at last. “They will be waiting for you and your husband, for I sent word you had been rescued, and a feast is being made in honor of your marriage.”

Before Nicko or his bride could thank the witch she was far above their heads and flying away.

The King and the Queen were overjoyed to have their daughter 

 Prev. P 46/97 next