WASSA. MAKES A PLAN. 63

the ground, and, taking a deep breath, put his
lips into the water and drank deeply. Gradu-
ally the water receded from the margin of the
pond, and the giant drank on, until the muddy
basin was disclosed, and in it the large stone
around which Wassa had twisted the hunter’s
nets.

“Thou hast done well, Deepdrinker; it was
a goodly draught,” said the little gray man.
“ Rockroller, come hither.”

Another giant stepped out from among his
companions, and approached the edge of the
pond as Deepdrinker arose to his feet.

“Reach out thy hand, Rockroller, free the
nets, and toss yon pebble over the hill,” again
commanded the little gray man.

The giant did as he was bidden, extricated
carefully the nets that had been twisted about
the large stone, and then, lifting the stone be-
tween his thumb and finger, as if it had indeed
been a pebble, tossed it lightly over Blue Hill.

“ Swiftstepper, do thou take the nets and put
them in their proper places,” commanded the
little gray man, “and then back to bed, ye
sleepy heads.”

The little gray man vanished as suddenly