Wearied with watching, he slept soundly, but his dreams were of wizards
and enchanters; heaps of gold and fairy palaces, wherein he roved
through glittering halls of illimitable extent, until morning dissipated
the illusion.
Some weeks passed on, during which, at times, Gregory was employed by
his mistress, doubtless to propitiate this greedy monster, in conveying
food secretly to the mouth of the chasm. He did not usually wait for his
appearance, but ran off with all convenient speed when his errand was
accomplished. Still his hankering for the treasure seemed to increase
with every visit. He oft invented some plan for outwitting the demon,
thereby securing to himself the product of the mine. Some of these
devices would doubtless have been accomplished had not fear prevented
the attempt. He had no wish to encounter again the hostility of that
fearful thing in its unhallowed abode.
His mistress, however, would, at some period or another, no doubt, be in
possession of all the wealth in the cave, and he should then expect a
handsome share. He had heard, in old legends, marvellous accounts of
ladies marrying with these accursed dwarfs for gold, and if he waited
patiently he might perchance have the best of the spoil.
Pages:
895
896
897
898
899
900
901
902
903
904
905
906
907
908
909
910
911
912
913
914
915
916
917
918
919