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THE coach drove on through a thick forest, where it lighted up the way like a torch, and dazzled the eyes of some robbers, who could not bear to let it pass them unmolested. “It is gold! it is gold! cried they, rushing forward, and seizing the horses. Then they struck the little jockeys, the coachman, and the footman dead, and pulled little Gerda out of the carriage. “She is fat and pretty, and she has been fed with the kernels of nuts, said the old robber-woman, who had a long beard and eyebrows that hung over her eyes. “She is as good as a little lamb; how nice she will taste! and as she said this, she drew forth a shining knife, that glittered horribly. “Oh! screamed the old woman the same moment; for her own daughter, who held her back, had bitten her in the ear. She was a wild and naughty girl, and the mother called her an ugly thing, and had not time to kill Gerda. “She shall play with me, said the little robber-girl; “she shall give me her muff and her pretty dress, and sleep with me in my bed. And then she bit her mother again, and made her spring in the air, and jump about; and all the robbers laughed, and said, “See how she is dancing with her young cub. “I will have a ride in the coach, said the little robber-girl; and she would have her own way; for she was so self-willed and obstinate. | 
