beside his wife； but nothing more was ever heard of their
daughter。
All night long after her talk with the lady Elsa had wept and
wailed her hard fate in being cast out from her home which she
loved。
Next morning； when she got up； the lady placed a gold seal ring
on her finger； strung a little golden box on a ribbon； and placed
it round her neck； then she called the old man； and； forcing back
her tears； took leave of Elsa。 The girl tried to speak； but
before she could sob out her thanks the old man had touched her
softly on the head three times with his silver staff。 In an
instant Elsa knew that she was turning into a bird： wings sprang
from beneath her arms； her feet were the feet of eagles； with
long claws； her nose curved itself into a sharp beak； and
feathers covered her body。 Then she soared high in the air； and
floated up towards the clouds； as if she had really been hatched
an eagle。
For several days she flew steadily south； resting from time to
time when her wings grew tired； for hunger she never felt。 And
so it happened that one day she was flying over a dense forest；
and below hounds were barking fiercely； because； not having wings
themselves； she was out of their reach。 Suddenly a sharp pain
quivered through her body； and she fell to the ground； pierced by
an arrow。
When Elsa recovered her senses； she found herself lying under a
bush in her own proper form。 What had befallen her； and how she
got there； lay behind her like a bad dream。
As she was wondering what she should do next the king's son came
riding by； and； seeing Elsa； sprang from his horse； and took her
by the hand； sawing； 'Ah！ it was a happy chance that brought me
here this morning。 Every night； for half a year； have I dreamed；
dear lady； that I should one day find you in this wood。 And
although I have passed through it hundreds of times in vain； I
have never given up hope。 To…day I was going in search of a
large eagle that I had shot； and instead of the eagle I have
foundyou。' Then he took Elsa on his horse； and rode with her
to the town； where the old king received her graciously。
A few days later the wedding took place； and as Elsa was
arranging the veil upon her hair fifty carts arrived laden with
beautiful things which the lady of the Tontlawald had sent to
Elsa。 And after the king's death Elsa became queen； and when she
was old she told this story。 But that was the last that was ever
heard of the Tontlawald。
＇From Ehstnische Marchen。＇