Now, as its name shows, it is a long road to that well, and many a weary mile had the poor maid to go ere she reached it.
But she arrived there at last; and what was her disappointment to find it dry.
She was so tired and so vexed that she sat down beside it and began to cry; for she did not know where to get any more water, and she felt that she could not go back to her mother with an empty jug.
While she was crying, a nice yellow Paddock, with very bright eyes, came jump-jump-jumping over the stones of the well, and squatted down at her feet, looking up into her face.
"And why are ye greeting, my bonnie maid?" he asked. "Is there aught that I can do to help thee?"
"I am greeting because the well is empty," she answered, "and I cannot get any water to carry home to my mother."
"Listen," said the Paddock softly. "I can get thee water in plenty, if so be thou wilt promise to be my wife."
Now the lassie had but one thought in her head, and that was to get the water for her mother's oat-cakes, and she never for a moment thought that the Paddock was in earnest, so she promised gladly enough to be his wife, if he would get her a jug of water.
No sooner had the words passed her lips than the beastie jumped down the mouth of the well, and in another moment it was full to the brim with water.