The young man was grateful for these words , and promised to obey them . Then he rode on , and soon reached the castle . He walked boldly up the steps and entered the hall , where the hideous old witch came to meet him . She grinned horribly at him , and cried out , ` With one hair of my head I can change you into stone . ' ` Can you , indeed ? ' said the young man , seizing her by the hair . ` You old wretch ! tell me what you have done with my brother , or I will cut your head off this very instant . ' Now the witch 's strength was all gone from her , and she had to obey . ' I will take you to your brother , ' she said , hoping to get the better of him by cunning , ` but leave me alone . You hold me so tight that I can not walk . ' ` You must manage somehow , ' he answered , and held her tighter than ever . She led him into a large hall filled with stone statues , which once had been men , and , pointing out one , she said , ` There is your brother . ' The young man looked at them all and shook his head . ` My brother is not here . Take me to him , or it will be the worse for you . ' But she tried to put him off with other statues , though it was no good , and it was not until they had reached the last hall of all that he saw his brother lying on the ground . ` That is my brother , ' said he . ` Now give me the ointment that will restore him to life . ' Very unwillingly the old witch opened a cupboard close by filled with bottles and jars , and took down one and held it out to the young man .
But he was on the watch for trickery , and examined it carefully , and saw that it had no power XXXXX heal .
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