as they crossed the heath again on their way home they surprised the dwarf, who had emptied out his bag of precious stones in a clean spot, and had not thought that anyone would come there so late. the evening sun shone upon the brilliant stones; they glittered and sparkled with all colors so beautifully that the children stood still and looked at them. "why do you stand gaping there?" cried the dwarf, and his ashen-gray face became copper-red with rage. he was going on with his bad words when a loud growling was heard, and a black bear came trotting towards them out of the forest. the dwarf sprang up in a fright, but he could not get to his cave, for the bear was already close. then in the dread of his heart he cried, "dear mr. bear, spare me, i will give you all my treasures; look, the beautiful jewels lying there! grant me my life; what do you want with such a slender little fellow as i? you would not feel me between your teeth. come, take these two wicked girls, they are tender morsels for you, fat as young quails; for mercy’s sake eat them!" the bear took no heed of his words, but gave the wicked creature a single blow with his paw, and he did not move again.