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 to a corner of the robbers ' camp where she slept . All round were more than a hundred wood-pigeons which seemed to be asleep , but they moved a little when the two girls came up . There was also , near by , a reindeer which the robber-girl teased by tickling it with her long sharp knife .
Gerda lay awake XXXXX some time .
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