wait any longer.  “Grethel,” she cried in a passion, “get some water quickly; be Hansel fat or lean, this morning I will kill and cook him.”  Oh, how the poor little sister grieved, as she was forced to fetch the water, and fast the tears ran down her cheeks!  “Dear good God, help us now!” she prayed.  “Had we only been eaten by the wild beasts in the wood, then we should have died together.”  But the old witch called out, “Leave off that noise; it will not help you a bit.”

So early in the morning Grethel was compelled to go out and fill the kettle, and make a fire.  “First, we will bake, however,” said the old woman; “I have already heated the oven and kneaded the dough;” and so saying, she pushed poor Grethel up to the oven, out of which the flames were burning fiercely.  “Creep in,” said the witch, “and see if it is hot enough, and then we will put in the bread,” but she intended when Grethel got in, to shut up the oven and let her bake, so that she might eat her as well as Hansel.  Grethel perceived her wicked thoughts and said, “I do not know how to do it; how shall I get in?” “You stupid goose,” said she, “the opening is big enough.  See, I could even get in myself!” and she got up, and put her head into the oven.  Then Grethel gave her a push, so that she fell right in, and shutting the iron door bolted it.  Oh! how horribly the witch howled; but Grethel ran away, and left her to burn to ashes.

[Illustration]

Now she ran to Hansel, and, opening the door, called out, “Hansel we are saved; the old witch is dead?”

So he sprang out, like a bird from his cage when the door was opened; and they were so glad that they fell upon each other’s neck, and kissed each other over and over again.  And now, as there was nothing to fear, they went back to the witch’s house, where in every corner were caskets full of pearls and precious stones.  “These are better than pebbles,” said Hansel, putting as many into his pocket as it would hold; while Grethel thought, “I will take some home too,” and filled her apron full.

“We must be off now,” said Hansel, “and get out of this enchanted forest;” but when they had walked for two hours they came to a large piece of water.

“We cannot get over,” said Hansel; “I can see no bridge at all.”  “And there is no boat either,” said Grethel, “but there swims a white duck, I will ask her to help us over;” and she sang,

      “Little Duck, good little Duck,
      Grethel and Hansel, together we stand;
      There is neither stile nor bridge,
      Take us on your back to land.”

So the Duck came to them, and Hansel sat himself on, and bade his sister sit beside him.  “No,” replied Grethel, “that will be too much for the Duck, she shall take us over one at a time.”  This the good little bird did, and when both were happily arrived on the other side, and had gone a little way, they came to a well-known wood, which they knew the better every step they went, and at last they