` Good-bye , good-bye ! ' called the prince and princess ; and little Gerda cried , and the crow cried . When he said good-bye , he flew on to a tree and waved with his black wings as long as the carriage , which shone like the sun , was in sight . They came at last to a dark wood , but the coach lit it up like a torch . When the robbers saw it , they rushed out , exclaiming , ` Gold ! gold ! ' They seized the horses , killed the coachman , footmen and postilions , and dragged Gerda out of the carriage . ` She is plump and tender ! I will eat her ! ' said the old robber-queen , and she drew her long knife , which glittered horribly . ` You shall not kill her ! ' cried her little daughter . ` She shall play with me . She shall give me her muff and her beautiful dress , and she shall sleep in my bed . ' The little robber-girl was as big as Gerda , but was stronger , broader , with dark hair and black eyes . She threw her arms round Gerda and said , ` They shall not kill you , so long as you are not naughty . Are n't you a princess ? ' ` No , ' said Gerda , and she told all that had happened to her , and how dearly she loved little Kay . The robber-girl looked at her very seriously , and nodded her head , saying , ` They shall not kill you , even if you are naughty , for then I will kill you myself ! ' And she dried Gerda 's eyes , and stuck both her hands in the beautiful warm muff .
The little robber-girl took Gerda XXXXX a corner of the robbers ' camp where she slept .
Kay as at for if in like robber-girl to with