The geese rushed to the food instantly.  They thought that they had fared well, and were in their best humour.  They must have observed, of course, that the sheep were anxious; but they knew how easily scared sheep generally are, and didn’t believe there was any actual danger on foot.  As soon as they had eaten, they intended to stand up to sleep as usual.  But then the big ram got up, and walked over to them.  The geese thought that they had never seen a sheep with such big and coarse horns.  In other respects, also, he was noticeable.  He had a high, rolling forehead, intelligent eyes, and a good bearing—­as though he were a proud and courageous animal.

“I cannot assume the responsibility of letting you geese remain, without telling you that it is unsafe here,” said he.  “We cannot receive night guests just now.”  At last Akka began to comprehend that this was serious.  “We shall go away, since you really wish it,” said she.  “But won’t you tell us first, what it is that troubles you?  We know nothing about it.  We do not even know where we are.”  “This is Little Karl’s Island!” said the ram.  “It lies outside of Gottland, and only sheep and seabirds live here.”  “Perhaps you are wild sheep?” said Akka.  “We’re not far removed from it,” replied the ram.  “We have nothing to do with human beings.  It’s an old agreement between us and some peasants on a farm in Gottland, that they shall supply us with fodder in case we have snow-winter; and as a recompense they are permitted to take away those of us who become superfluous.  The island is small, so it cannot feed very many of us.  But otherwise we take care of ourselves all the year round, and we do not live in houses with doors and locks, but we reside in grottoes like these.”

“Do you stay out here in the winter as well?” asked Akka, surprised.  “We do,” answered the ram.  “We have good fodder up here on the mountain, all the year around.”  “I think it sounds as if you might have it better than other sheep,” said Akka.  “But what is the misfortune that has befallen you?” “It was bitter cold last winter.  The sea froze, and then three foxes came over here on the ice, and here they have been ever since.  Otherwise, there are no dangerous animals here on the island.”  “Oh, oh! do foxes dare to attack such as you?” “Oh, no! not during the day; then I can protect myself and mine,” said the ram, shaking his horns.  “But they sneak upon us at night when we sleep in the grottoes.  We try to keep awake, but one must sleep some of the time; and then they come upon us.  They have already killed every sheep in the other grottoes, and there were herds that were just as large as mine.”

“It isn’t pleasant to tell that we are so helpless,” said the old ewe.  “We cannot help ourselves any better than if we were tame sheep.”  “Do you think that they will come here to-night?” asked Akka.  “There is nothing else in store for us,” answered the old ewe.  “They were here last night, and stole a lamb from us.  They’ll be sure to come again, as long as there are any of us alive.  This is what they have done in the other places.”  “But if they are allowed to keep this up, you’ll become entirely exterminated,” said Akka.  “Oh! it won’t be long before it is all over with the sheep on Little Karl’s Island,” said the ewe.