Page:Legends of Rubezahl, and Other Tales (1845).djvu/164

 to him while thus occupied, went to another part of the grotto, to look for his writing materials. Veit then drew up the note in the most binding terms he could think of, and handed it over to the Gnome, who locked it up in a strong box, and then bad him farewell. “Go thy way, my friend,” said he, in the gentlest tone, “and by thy honest industry make the most of the money thou hast got. Forget not that thou art my debtor; impress well on thy memory the road to this valley, and the entrance to the cavern. On the third year complete from this day, thou must return and pay me principal and interest. I am a strict creditor; so fail not, or thou wilt repent it.” Honest Veit, without taking any oath in the matter, without pledging soul and salvation, as so many lax payers are so ready to do, promised, by his two hands, to be punctual to the day; and then departed, full of gratitude to the kind-hearted Mountain Spirit, finding his way out of the cavern without any of that difficulty which he experienced on entering it. The hundred dollars were to poor Veit a very balsam of life. When, on leaving the dark cave, he hailed the light of heaven, he felt as though born anew. Full of joy and renovated vigour, he walked sturdily homewards, and reached the miserable cottage just as the day was closing. As soon as the starving children descried their