` Ah , I must hurry and catch it up , ' replied the second snake , and it hastened on . When it was out of sight , a voice from the pot said : ` Uncover me , ' and she lifted the lid , and the little grey snake slid rapidly to the ground . ' I am safe now , ' he said . ` But tell me , where are you going ? ' ' I can not tell you , for I do not know , ' she answered . ' I am just wandering in the wood . ' ` Follow me , and let us go home together , ' said the snake , and the girl followed his through the forest and along the green paths , till they came to a great lake , where they stopped to rest . ` The sun is hot , ' said the snake , ` and you have walked far . Take your baby and bathe in that cool place where the boughs of the tree stretch far over the water . ' ` Yes , I will , ' answered she , and they went in . The baby splashed and crowed with delight , and then he gave a spring and fell right in , down , down , down , and his mother could not find him , though she searched all among the reeds . Full of terror , she made her way back to the bank , and called to the snake , ` My baby is gone ! -- he is drowned , and never shall I see him again . ' ` Go in once more , ' said the snake , ` and feel everywhere , even among the trees that have their roots in the water , lest perhaps he may be held fast there . ' Swiftly she went back and felt everywhere with her whole hand , even putting her fingers into the tiniest crannies , where a crab could hardly have taken shelter . ` No , he is not here , ' she cried . ` How am I to live without him ? ' But the snake took no notice , and only answered , ` Put in your other arm too . ' ` What is the use of that ? ' she asked , ` when it has no hand to feel with ? '
but all the same she did as she was bid , and in an instant the wounded arm touched something round and soft , lying between two stones XXXXX a clump of reeds .
along among in into of on over till to with