Jacob and the Raven 2

have no fear! There is plenty for thee to
do, oh, plenty!”

Poor Jacob! What place was this on
which he had fallen, and what did all her
hints mean? He tried to remonstrate.

“May I sleep first, mistress? JI have
been walking all day.”

“ And I waiting for thee. Walking! Ay,
I know it, and now thou shalt work for a
change.”

And as she spoke she took down a cruel-
looking whip, and passed her hand along the
knotted thongs in a manner which made the
boy’s flesh creep. That very night she in-
sisted upon his chopping wood until every
limb ached for weariness, and all that he
got for supper was a bone which she flung
him to gnaw, and a bit of black bread, and
what was worse, he did not dare ask for
more. The next day and the next were
the same. His fear of the big man wore
off, for he seemed good-natured and only
lazy, but the woman was terrible. She
forced him to work like a slave, and out