No sooner had they reached the base than dwarfs, lights, and ladder had vanished.
Then came the old Hibich, took him by the hand, and said: "As thou hast been on the summit of the Hibichenstein, and hast suffered so much anxiety and terror, thou shalt also see the Dwarf-King's castle."
Then they entered through a great arched door into the mountain, and the King conducted him to a large room, where stood chairs and a table.
The walls glittered with pure ore, the ceiling was a single piece of ponderous spar, white as the driven snow, and from it hung a chandelier of mountain crystal and precious stones.
The floor was strewed with branches of firs, and the panels shimmered with gold and jewels.
In the centre of this superb chamber stood a table of hematite; before it a silver chair, upon which the Dwarf-King seated himself, and commanded his companion also to sit down.
Then he struck with a silver rapier upon the table of hematite, which produced a tone the sweetness of which was never heard before.
A thousand tiny female forms appeared in answer to the summons, bearing strawberries and raspberries; and while the King and his guest partook of the fruit, the dwarf maidens played the most delicious music.
Afterward costly wine was brought in silver goblets.
When the repast was ended, Hibich led his young visitor into an adjoining chamber, on one side of which was silver, on the other gold, and at the royal command, "Silver!" "Gold!" the forester's son must take of the metal named till he was laden with wealth.