“The leading herd had only just left when another bell tinkled, and the cattle from another farm tramped to the mountain top.  These came in the same order as the first and marched past the Wood-nymph, who stood there, stern and solemn, indicating animal after animal for death.

“Herd upon herd followed, without a break in the line of procession.  Some were so small that they included only one cow and a few sheep; others consisted of only a pair of goats.  It was apparent that these were from very humble homes, but they too were compelled to pass in review.

“The dean thought of the Delsbo farmers, who had so much love for their beasts.  ’Did they but know of it, surely they would not allow a repetition of this!’ he thought.  ’They would risk their own lives rather than let their cattle wander amongst bears and wolves, to be doomed by the Wood-nymph!’

“The last herd to appear was the one from the rectory farm.  The dean heard the sound of the familiar bell a long way off.  The horse, too, must have heard it, for he began to shake in every limb, and was bathed in sweat.

“’So it is your turn now to pass before the Wood-nymph to receive your sentence,’ the dean said to the horse.  ’Don’t be afraid!  Now I know why you brought me here, and I shall not leave you.’

“The fine cattle from the parsonage farm emerged from the forest and marched to the Wood-nymph and the wild beasts.  Last in the line was the horse that had brought his master to Black’s Ridge.  The dean did not leave the saddle, but let the animal take him to the Wood-nymph.

“He had neither knife nor gun for his defence, but he had taken out the Prayer-book and sat pressing it to his heart as he exposed himself to battle against evil.

“At first it appeared as if none had observed him.  The dean’s cattle filed past the Wood-nymph in the same order as the others had done.  She did not wave the torch toward any of these, but as soon as the intelligent horse stepped forward, she made a movement to mark him for death.

“Instantly the dean held up the Prayer-book, and the torchlight fell upon the cross on its cover.  The Wood-nymph uttered a loud, shrill cry and let the torch drop from her hand.

“Immediately the flame was extinguished.  In the sudden transition from light to darkness the dean saw nothing, nor did he hear anything.  About him reigned the profound stillness of a wilderness in winter.

“Then the dark clouds parted, and through the opening stepped the full round moon to shed its light upon the ground.  The dean saw that he and the horse were alone on the summit of Black’s Ridge.  Not one of the many wild beasts was there.  The ground had not been trampled by the herds that had passed over it; but the dean himself sat with his Prayer-book before him, while the horse under him stood trembling and foaming.

“By the time the dean reached home he no longer knew whether or not it had been a dream, a vision, or reality—­this that he had seen; but he took it as a warning to him to remember the poor creatures who were at the mercy of wild beasts.  He preached so powerfully to the Delsbo peasants that in his day all the wolves and bears were exterminated from that section of the country, although they may have returned since his time.”