what could he do? he was obliged to submit to his fate, and crawl along patiently behind the old woman. she seemed to grow more and more nimble, and his burden still heavier. all at once she made a spring, jumped on to the bundle and seated herself on the top of it; and however withered she might be, she was yet heavier than the stoutest country lass. the youth’s knees trembled, but when he did not go on, the old woman hit him about the legs with a switch and with stinging-nettles. groaning continually, he climbed the mountain, and at length reached the old woman’s house, when he was just about to drop.