said the beast , and his eyes sparkled . ' I was born and bred there on the snow-fields . ' ` Listen ! ' said the robber-girl to Gerda ; ` you see that all the robbers have gone ; only my mother is left , and she will fall asleep in the afternoon -- then I will do something for you ! ' When her mother had fallen asleep , the robber-girl went up to the reindeer and said , ' I am going to set you free so that you can run to Lapland . But you must go quickly and carry this little girl to the Snow-queen 's palace , where her playfellow is . You must have heard all that she told about it , for she spoke loud enough ! ' The reindeer sprang high for joy . The robber-girl lifted little Gerda up , and had the foresight to tie her on firmly , and even gave her a little pillow for a saddle . ` You must have your fur boots , ' she said , ` for it will be cold ; but I shall keep your muff , for it is so cosy ! But , so that you may not freeze , here are my mother 's great fur gloves ; they will come up to your elbows . Creep into them ! ' And Gerda cried for joy . ` Do n't make such faces ! ' said the little robber-girl . ` You must look very happy . And here are two loaves and a sausage ; now you wo n't be hungry ! ' They were tied to the reindeer , the little robber-girl opened the door , made all the big dogs come away , cut through the halter with her sharp knife , and said to the reindeer , ` Run now ! But take great care of the little girl . ' And Gerda stretched out her hands with the large fur gloves towards the little robber-girl and said , ` Good-bye ! '
Then the reindeer flew over the ground , XXXXX the great forest , as fast as he could .
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