the same fate." And Ivan raised the axe to bring it down on its head, but the Devilkin began to plead.
"Don't kill me," he said, " and I'll do whatever you want me to."
"What can you do?"
" I can make as much money as you like."
"Very well," Ivan said; " make it, then."
And the Devilkin taught him what to do.
"Take some leaves from this oak and rub them in your hands and gold will fall to the ground."
Ivan took the leaves and rubbed them in his hand and gold rained down.
"This is well," he said; "on holidays it will amuse the children."
"Let me go," the Devilkin begged.
I don't mind," Ivan said, and taking up his axe, he freed the Devilkin of the branch. "Go, in God's name."
At the mention of God the Devilkin plunged into the ground like a stone thrown into water and there was nothing but the hole left.
