Page 611 - Child's own book

keg, which he made signs to Mm to carry, and then silently
motioned him to follow him. Peter went up several steps,
when he found himself in a court-yard walled in by high rocks,
and overshadowed by thick trees, through which a faint twilight
was barely struggling. Here he found twelve grave knights
playing- at nine-pins, on a smooth, cool bowling-green, without
exchanging a word. PeteT was silently enjoined to lift up the
hall.
At first his knees knocked against each other with fright, as
he obeyed the injunction, and cast a stolen glance at the strange
faces and time-worn garments of the noble knights; but by
degrees he grew bolder, and looked about him with a more
confident air, and at length ventured to drink out of a can that
was set down beside him, containing the most fragrant wine.
He now felt quite revived; and as often as he grew tired
again, he sought fresh strength from the never-failing con­
tents of the can. At last, howeveT, he was overpowered by sleep.
On waking, he found himself in the green enclosure where he
used to fold his goats at nightfall. He rubbed his eyes, but
neither dog nor goats could he perceive; and he was somewhat
surprised at seeing the grass had shot up to an amazing height,
as well as at the sight of several trees and bushes, which he had
never remarked before. He shook his head as he wended his
way through the paths and uplands which he was in the daily
habit of crossing; yet no where could he discern any traces of
his goats. Below him lay the village of Sifctendorf, as usual,
and he hastened dcrwn to tnake inquiries after his lost flock.
The people he met on his way to the village Were all
unknown to him, and were differently dtessed, and spoke
differently, from his acquaintance; and they all stared at him
too, when he inquired after his goats, and took hold of their
chins. At last he involuntarily did the same, when he found,