So he took leave of his parents, shouldered his gun, and started off into the world. [Illustration: But the Old Woman was a witch.] It so happened that one day he came to a thick forest, and when he got through it, he saw a fine castle lying in the plain beyond. He saw an Old Woman standing in one of the windows looking out, with a beautiful Maiden beside her. But the Old Woman was a witch, and she said to the Maiden: 'Here comes some one out of the forest. He has a wonderful treasure inside him; we must try to get it from him, my darling, it will suit us better than him. He has a bird's heart about him, and therefore he finds a gold coin every morning under his pillow when he wakes.' She told the girl how he had got it, and at last said: 'If you don't get it from him, it will be the worse for you.' When the Huntsman got nearer, he saw the Maiden, and said: 'I have been wandering about for a long time, I will go into this castle and take a rest. I have plenty of money.' But the real reason was that he had caught sight of the pretty picture at the window. He went in, and he was kindly received and hospitably treated. Before long, he was so enamoured of the Witch-Maiden that he thought of nothing else, and cared for nothing but pleasing her. The Old Woman said to the Maiden: 'Now we must get the bird's heart, he will never miss it.' They concocted a potion, and when it was ready they put it into a goblet. And the Maiden took it to him, and said: 'Now, my beloved, you must drink to me.' He took the cup and drank the potion, and when he was overpowered by it the bird's heart came out of his mouth. The Maiden took it away secretly and swallowed it herself, for the Old Woman wanted to have it. From this time the Huntsman found no more gold under his pillow; but the coin was always under the Maiden's instead, and the Old Woman used to fetch it away every morning. But he was so much in love, that he thought of nothing but enjoying himself in the Maiden's company. Then the Old Woman said: 'We have got the bird's heart, but we must have his wishing-cloak too.' The Maiden said: 'Let us leave him that; we have taken away his wealth.' The Old Woman was very angry, and said: 'A cloak like that is a very wonderful thing, and not often to be got. Have it I must, and will!' So she obeyed the Witch's orders, placed herself at the window, and looked sadly out at the distant hills. The Huntsman said: 'Why are you so sad?' 'Alas! my love,' was her answer, 'over there are the garnet mountains, where the precious stones are found. I long for them so much that I grow sad whenever I think of them. But who could ever get them? The birds which fly, perhaps; no mortal could ever reach them.' 'If that is all your trouble,' said the Huntsman, 'I can soon lift that load from your heart.'