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8 Then went we forth under the sky, and the wizard asked if I would throw up my hood and catch it again. In wonder at his silliness, I nevertheless did that folly. And just then I heard the clicking of the box, and the wizard said:

"I caught you well. I think it will come out good." Thereat was I sore afraid lest my foolish play with my hood had wrought witchery upon me. I waited to see what would "come out." But naught came forth, nor did I see that he had me caught, for I had full freedom of limbs as before.

He went into the cave, and I followed his footsteps. It was dark therein; but when he told me that I must come, I went, though I shook yet a little. "For," said I to myself, "even if I escape the wizard by running forth, he, the mighty and swift-footed Batta, will have me sure by the tunic."

So I went. There was a little light burning there, but the wizard did forthwith blow it out with the breath of his mouth, and did with a flint enkindle another light—a horrible light, the color of the crimson at sunset. Even yet with eyes shut I can see that witch-glow.

There in the redness did he open his box, draw forth a strange contrivance from which came a flat, light-colored shell, four-cornered,