beat him so
that he was obliged to lie in bed for three days. The man then took a
pot down from the wall and rubbed him with what it contained, so that
the youth was as well as before.

After some time the man made another journey, and said he should not
return for a month. He then told the youth that if he went into the
fourth room, he must not think for a moment that his life would be
spared. One, two, even three weeks the youth refrained from entering the
forbidden room; but then, having no longer any command over himself, he
stole in. There stood a large black horse in a stall, with a trough of
burning embers at its head and a basket of hay at its tail. The youth
thought this was cruel, and therefore changed their position, putting
the basket of hay by the horse's head. The horse thereupon said:--

"As you have so kind a disposition that you enable me to get food, I
will save you: should the Troll return and find you here, he will kill
you. Now you must go up into the chamber above this, and take one of the
suits of armor that hang there: but on no account take one that is
bright; on the contrary, select the most rusty you can see, and take
that; choose also a sword and saddle in like manner."

The youth did so, but he found the whole very heavy for him to carry.
When he came back, the horse said that now he should strip and wash
himself well in the kettle, which stood boiling in the next apartment.
"I feel afraid," thought the youth, but nevertheless did so. When he had
washed himself, he became comely and plump, and as red and white as milk
and blood, and much stronger than before. "Are you sensible of any
change?" asked the horse. "Yes," answered the youth. "Try to lift me,"
said the horse. Aye, that he could, and brandished the sword with ease.
"Now lay the saddle on me," said the horse, "put on the armor and take
the whip of thorn, the stone and the water-flask, and the pot with
ointment, and then we will set out."

When the youth had mounted the horse, it started off at a rapid rate.
After riding some time, the horse said, "I think I hear a noise. Look
round: can you see anything?" "A great many men are coming after
us,--certainly a score at least," answered the youth. "Ah! that is the
Troll," said the horse, "he is coming with all his companions."

They traveled for a time, until their pursuers were gaining on them.
"Throw now the thorn whip over your shoulder," said the horse, "but
throw it far away fro