"The hunter, who was waiting for him, had already fastened a metal ring around the wall that held in the waters of the lake.
"'Fasten the oxen to that ring,' commanded the hunter, 'and the rock will split open.'
"Somehow or other, the boy did not feel pleased at what he was told to do. Yet he obeyed, and started the oxen. But as he did so, he cried, 'Do this in the name of God!'
"At that very instant the sky grew black as night, the thunder rolled and the lightning flashed. And not only this, for at the same time the mountain shook and rumbled as though a mighty force were tearing it apart."
"What became of the poor boy?" asked Bertha.
"He fell senseless to the ground, while the oxen in their fright rushed headlong down the mountainside. But you needn't get excited, Bertha, no harm was done. The boy was saved as well as the village, because he had pulled in the name of God.
"The rock did not split entirely. It broke apart just enough to let out a tiny stream of water, which began to flow down the mountainside.
"When the boy came to his senses, the sky was clear and beautiful once more. The sun was shining brightly, and the hunter was nowhere to be seen. But the stream of water was running down the mountainside.
"A few minutes afterward, the boy's master came hurrying up the slope. He was frightened by the dreadful sounds he had heard. But when he saw the waterfall, he was filled with delight.
"'Every one in the village will rejoice,' he exclaimed, 'for now we shall never want for water.'