A cold shiver shook Andras , and this time he wished himself the feet of a reindeer calf . For when a reindeer calf has reached the age at which he begins first to lose his hair he is so swift that neither beast nor bird can come near him . A reindeer calf is the swiftest of all things living . Yes ; but not so swift as a Stalo , as Andras found out when he stopped to rest , and heard the pipe playing ! For a moment his heart sank , and he gave himself up for dead , till he remembered that , not far off , were two little lakes joined together by a short though very broad river . In the middle of the river lay a stone that was always covered by water , except in dry seasons , and as the winter rains had been very heavy , he felt quite sure that not even the top of it could be seen . The next minute , if anyone had been looking that way , he would have beheld a small reindeer calf speeding northwards , and by-and-by giving a great spring , which landed him in the midst of the stream . But , instead of sinking to the bottom , he paused a second to steady himself , then gave a second spring which landed him on the further shore . He next ran on to a little hill where he saw down and began to neigh loudly , so that the Stalo might know exactly where he was . ` Ah ! There you are , ' cried the Stalo , appearing on the opposite bank ; ` for a moment I really thought I had lost you . ' ` No such luck , ' answered Andras , shaking his head sorrowfully . By this time he had taken his own shape again . ` Well , but I do n't see how I am to get to you , ' said the Stalo , looking up and down . ` Jump over , as I did , ' answered Andras ; ` it is quite easy . ' ` But I could not jump this river ; and I do n't know how you did , ' replied the Stalo . ' I should be ashamed to say such things , ' exclaimed Andras . ` Do you mean to tell me that a jump , which the weakest Lapp boy would make nothing of , is beyond your strength ? ' The Stalo grew red and angry when he heard these words , just as Andras meant him to do . He bounded into the air and fell straight into the river .
Not that that would have mattered , for he was a good swimmer ; but Andras drew out the bow and arrows which every Lapp carries , and took aim XXXXX him .
By For as at if in near that though till