Jacob and the Raven 25

all would quicken Jacob’s longing to get
away, and make him ready to do anything
for his liberty.

He drew a long breath and looked all
round at the brave winter world, and felt
miserable because he saw nothing of the
raven, for although he was more than ever
determined not to call him, it was something
to feel that he was near. The poor boy's
limbs ached so badly that he had very little
strength with which to chop wood; but
though the big man snored as usual, Jacob
was sure that his wife had eyes at the back
of her head, and did not dare to stop to rest,
lest she should rush out and beat him. _Pre-
sently, to his great joy, he heard the flap of
wings overhead, but when he looked up there
was no Krawk, only a couple of magpies
flying past. The next moment one of them
let fall something on a heap of hard snow
near the house, and the woman, who saw it
fall, came running out to pick it up. Jacob
stamped his foot with vexation, for he had
caught sight of a glittering flash as it fell,