66 THE CHILDREN IN THE WooD

most cruel deed that ever yet was heard of ; and so the uncle
began to get everything ready for them. He told an artful
story to his wife, of what good it would do to the children to
put them forward in their learn-
ing; and how he had friend in
London who would take care of
them. He then said to the poor
little things, “Should you not
like, my pretty ones, to see the
famous town of London ; where
you, William, can buy a fine
wooden horse to ride upon all
day long, and a whip to make
him gallop, and a fine sword to
wear by your side? And you,
Jane, shall have pretty frocks, and dolls, and many other pretty
play-things; and a nice gilded coach shall be got to take you
there.” —* Oh yes, I will go, uncle,” said William: “Oh yes,
1 will go, uncle,” said Jane ; andthe uncle, with a heartas hard
‘as stone, soon got them ready for the journey. ‘The harmless
little creatures were put in a fine coach a few days after ; and
along with them the two eruel wretches, who were soon to put
an end to their merry prattle, and turn their smiles into tears.
One of them drove the coach, and the other sat inside, between
little William and little Jane.

When they had reached the entrance to the dark thick wood,
the two ruffians took them out of the coach, telling them they
might now walk a little way and gather some flowers; and while
the children were skipping about like lambs, the ruffians turned
their backs to them, and began to talk about what they had to do.

«Jn good truth,” said the one who had been sitting between
the children all the way, “now I have scen their sweet faces,