"Grayskin led a good life," he said. "He understands me. He knows that
I'm a brave dog, and that I shall be glad to hear that he had a happy
end. Now tell me how--"
He raised his tail and threw back his head, as if to give himself a bold
and proud bearing--then he collapsed.
"Karr! Karr!" called a man's voice from the forest.
The old dog rose obediently.
"My master is calling me," he said, "and I must not tarry longer. I just
saw him load his gun. Now we two are going into the forest for the last
time.
"Many thanks, wild goose! I know everything that I need know to die
content!"
THE WIND WITCH
IN NAeRKE
In bygone days there was something in Naerke the like of which was not to
be found elsewhere: it was a witch, named Ysaetter-Kaisa.
The name Kaisa had been given her because she had a good deal to do with
wind and storm--and these wind witches are always so called. The surname
was added because she was supposed to have come from Ysaetter swamp in
Asker parish.
It seemed as though her real abode must have been at Asker; but she used
also to appear at other places. Nowhere in all Naerke could one be sure
of not meeting her.
She was no dark, mournful witch, but gay and frolicsome; and what she
loved most of all was a gale of wind. As soon as there was wind enough,
off she would fly to the Naerke plain for a good dance.
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