At first he could hardly stand for joy , the chance of speaking to another man was so delightful ; but as the boat drew near there was something , he could not tell what , that was different from the boats which he had been used to all his life , and when it touched the shore he saw that the people that filled it were beings of another world than ours . Then he hastily stepped behind the wood stack , and waited for what might happen next . The strange folk one by one jumped on to the rocks , each bearing a load of something that they wanted . Among the women he remarked two young girls , more beautiful and better dressed than any of the rest , carrying between them two great baskets full of provisions . The young man peeped out cautiously to see what all this crowd could be doing inside the tiny hut , but in a moment he drew back again , as the girls returned , and looked about as if they wanted to find out what sort of a place the island was . Their sharp eyes soon discovered the form of a man crouching behind the bundles of sticks , and at first they felt a little frightened , and started as if they would run away . But the youth remained so still , that they took courage and laughed gaily to each other . ` What a strange creature , let us try what he is made of , ' said one , and she stooped down and gave him a pinch . Now the young man had a pin sticking in the sleeve of his jacket , and the moment the girl 's hand touched him she pricked it so sharply that the blood came . The girl screamed so loudly that the people all ran out of their huts to see what was the matter . But directly they caught sight of the man they turned and fled in the other direction , and picking up the goods they had brought with them scampered as fast as they could down to the shore . In an instant , boat , people , and goods had vanished completely . In their hurry they had , however , forgotten two things : a bundle of keys which lay on the table , and the girl whom the pin had pricked , and who now stood pale and helpless beside the wood stack . ` You will have to make me your wife , ' she said at last , ` for you have drawn my blood , and I belong to you . ' ` Why not ? I am quite willing , ' answered he . ` But how do you suppose we can manage to live till summer comes round again ? ' ` Do not be anxious about that , ' said the girl ; ` if you will only marry me all will be well . I am very rich , and all my family are rich also . ' Then the young man gave her his promise to make her his wife , and the girl fulfilled her part of the bargain , and food was plentiful on the island all through the long winter months , though he never knew how it got there .
And by-and-by it was spring once more , and time XXXXX the fisher-folk to sail from the mainland .
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