thereupon he got up, and rode forth into the forest, and it was not long before a fine stag crossed his path exactly according to his dream. he aimed and was about to shoot it, when the stag ran away. he gave chase over hedges and ditches for the whole day without feeling tired, but in the evening the stag vanished from his sight, and when the gold-child looked round him, he was standing before a little house, wherein was a witch. he knocked, and a little old woman came out and asked, "what are you doing so late in the midst of the great forest?"