202 THE FAIRY-FOLK OF THE BLUE HILL.

same expressions regarding the burning on
and the salt, and her fear of the owl’s dipleas-
ure. At last Wassa could bear it no longer,
and exclaimed : —

“ Do let me have a little of the stew, it smells
so deliciously, and I am almost starved.”

As Wassa spoke, she picked up a dish that
lay on the ground, and boldly approached the
kettle.

“Stop!” cried the rattlesnake, “thou must
not do that! Nobody but she must touch it,
and even the other one does not dare to so
much as look at it until she has had all she
wants. And as for me, why, if I get the
kettle to lap out, it’s as much as ever I get.
Then dost thou suppose I would let thee have
any?”

Wassa was too hungry to be easily put aside,
and with a determined air attempted to dip up
some of the stew, but the snake sprang her
rattle loudly, at the same time rearing her
head upright and preparing to spring; but at
the sight of the rattlesnake’s flattened head and
vicious expression, Wassa quickly threw down
the dish and darted away. When at a safe
distance, she looked back, and saw the rattle-