With the first stroke of twelve a great noise arose over the silent heath , and the earth seemed to rock under the feet of the two watchers . The next moment by the light of the moon they beheld the huge stones near them leave their places and go down the slope leading to the river , knocking against each other in their haste . Passing the spot where stood Bernez and the beggar , they were lost in the darkness . It seemed as if a procession of giants had gone by . ` Quick , ' said the wizard , in a low voice , and he rushed towards the empty holes , which even in the night shone brightly from the treasures within them . Flinging himself on his knees , the old man began filling the wallets he had brought , listening intently all the time for the return of the stones up the hill , while Bernez more slowly put handfuls of all he could see into his pockets . The sorcerer had just closed his third wallet , and was beginning to wonder if he could carry away any more treasures when a low murmur as of a distant storm broke upon his ears . The stones had finished drinking , and were hastening back to their places . On they came , bent a little forward , the tallest of them all at their head , breaking everything that stood in their way . At the sight Bernez stood transfixed with horror , and said , ` We are lost ! They will crush us to death . ' ` Not me ! ' answered the sorcerer , holding up the crowsfoot and the five-leaved trefoil , ` for these will preserve me . But in order to keep my riches , I was obliged to sacrifice a Christian to the stones , and an evil fate threw you in my way . ' And as he spoke he stretched out the magic herbs to the stones , which were advancing rapidly . As if acknowledging a power greater than theirs , the monstrous things instantly parted to the right and left of the wizard , but closed their ranks again as they approached Bernez . The young man did not try to escape , he knew it was useless , and sank on his knees and closed his eyes . But suddenly the tall stone that was leading stopped straight in front of Bernez , so that no other could get past . It was the stone on which Bernez had carved the cross , and it was now a baptized stone , and had power to save him . So the stone remained before the young man till the rest had taken their places , and then , darting like a bird to its own hole , came upon the beggar , who , thinking himself quite safe , was staggering along under the weight of his treasures .
Seeing the stone approaching , he held out the magic herbs which he carried , but the baptized stone was no longer subject to the spells that bound the rest , and passed straight XXXXX its way , leaving the wizard crushed into powder in the heather .
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