Page:The grandmother; a story of country life in Bohemia.pdf/250

244 fruit trees over the whole hill. The hooting of the owl was heard from the forest, a blackbird chirped from a tall poplar by the roadside, and the nightingale's sweet song resounded from the park. Suddenly a flame was seen to shoot up from Zlici hill; in an instant more one appeared on Zernov hill, and along the hillsides lights were seen moving in all directions. Further off, upon the hills of Nachod and Newtown, were seen bonfires and dancing lights. Then Milo set fire to the pitched broom and threw it upon the heap of leaves and faggots, and presently the whole was in flames. The young people shouted, and each seized his pitched broom, lighted it, and hurling it high into the air cried: "Fly, witch, fly!" Then they fell into line, and began to dance wildly about, holding the burning torches; but the girls made a ring and, singing, danced round the burning faggots. When the heap fell down, they scattered the pieces and jumped over them, each trying to outjump all the others.

"See," said Milo, "this old witch must fly the farthest," and seizing a broom, he threw it up with such force that it whizzed through the air and flew almost to the green field where the lookers-on were standing.

"How she spits!" laughed the boys, running for the crackling broom, while the others applauded. From the other hills also were heard singing and laughter. Around the red flames people moved hither and thither, their dark forms producing a fantastic effect; from time to time a witch flew up out of their midst into the air, shook