It first appeared like a human voice, but after following the sound for some distance, he reached the shores of a lake, and soon saw the object he was looking for.

At a distance out in the lake sat a most beautiful Red Swan, whose plumage glittered in the sun, and who would now and then make the same noise he had heard.

He was within long bow-shot, and, pulling the arrow from the bowstring up to his ear, took deliberate aim and shot.

The arrow took no effect; and he shot and shot again till his quiver was empty.

Still the swan remained, moving round and round, stretching its long neck and dipping its bill into the water, as if heedless of the arrows shot at it.