As he raised it to his lips, he suddenly saw the same fair child
that Hans had seen.
"Water!" said the child. "Water! I am dying."
"I have not enough for myself," said Schwartz, and passed on.
A low bank of black cloud rose out of the west.
When he had climbed for another hour, the thirst overcame him again, and
again he lifted the flask to his lips. As he did so, he saw an old man who
begged for water.
"I have not enough for myself," said Schwartz, and passed on.
A mist, of the colour of blood, came over the sun.
Then Schwartz climbed for another hour, and once more he had to drink.
This time, as he lifted the flask, he thought he saw his brother Hans
before him. The figure stretched its arms to him, and cried out for water.
"Ha, ha," laughed Schwartz, "do you suppose I brought the water up here
for you?" And he strode over the figure. But when he had gone a few yards
farther, he looked back, and the figure was not there.
Then he stood at the brink of the Golden River, and its waves were black,
and the roaring of the waters filled all the air. He cast the flask into
the stream. And as he did so the lightning glared in his eyes, the earth
gave way beneath him, and the river flowed over
The Two Black Stones.
When Gluck found himself alone, he at last decided to try his luck with
the King of the Golden River.
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