THE LAND OF THE AFTER-GLOW. 137

“Because I cannot hear her piteous cries
without wishing to help her,” replied the
beetle.

“Dost thou not know the naughty pranks
her envy of the hunter’s little maid has led her
to commit?” asked the little gray man.

“T know them all,” replied the beetle sadly.

“And did she not repulse thee rudely but
now?”

“Tt is true,’ answered the beetle.

“And still thou hast undertaken for her an
arduous and dangerous task,” said the little
gray man in a kindly tone. “Little beetle,
thou hast a large heart beneath thy honest
brown skin, and for thy sake will I grant thy
request. Go to thy rest, good beetle, and I
will finish thy task.”

The little gray man lightly stamped his foot
upon the rock upon which he stood. Soona
rumbling was heard, and the ground vibrated
as if swayed by an earthquake. The brown
beetle understood what this meant, and watched
from his safe position on a hazel bush to see
what was about to happen.

Before long, huge objects were seen coming
down the hill, one after another. These the