one day the huntsman was chasing a roe; and when the animal turned aside from the forest into the open country, he pursued it and at last shot it. he did not notice that he was now in the neighbourhood of the dangerous mill-pond, and went, after he had disembowelled the stag, to the water, in order to wash his blood-stained hands. scarcely, however, had he dipped them in than the nix ascended, smilingly wound her dripping arms around him, and drew him quickly down under the waves, which closed over him. when it was evening, and the huntsman did not return home, his wife became alarmed. she went out to seek him, and as he had often told her that he had to be on his guard against the snares of the nix, and dared not venture into the neighbourhood of the mill-pond, she already suspected what had happened. she hastened to the water, and when she found his hunting-pouch lying on the shore, she could no longer have any doubt of the misfortune. lamenting her sorrow, and wringing her hands, she called on her beloved by name, but in vain.