d the world? Take
heed to what I tell you. Bind one end of this silk thread to the left
fore-leg of the calf, and the other end to the little toe of your left
foot, so that the calf will never be able to leave your side, whether
you walk, stand, or lie.' After this the prince went to bed and slept
soundly.

The next morning he did exactly what the maiden had told him, and led
the calf with the silken thread to the meadow, where it stuck to his
side like a faithful dog.

By sunset, it was back again in its stall, and then came the master and
said, with a frown, 'Were you really so clever yourself, or did somebody
tell you what to do?'

'Oh, I have only my own poor head,' answered the prince, and the old man
went away growling, 'I don't believe a word of it! I am sure you have
found some clever friend!'

In the evening he called the prince and said: 'To-morrow I have no work
for you, but when I wake you must come before my bed, and give me your
hand in greeting.'

The young man wondered at this strange freak, and went laughing in
search of the maiden.

'Ah, it is no laughing matter,' sighed she. 'He means to eat you, and
there is only one way in which I can help you. You must heat an iron
shovel red hot, and hold it out to him instead of your hand.'

So next morning he wakened very early, and had heated the shovel before
the old man was awake. At length he heard him calling, 'You lazy fellow,
where are you? Come and wish me good morning.'

But when the prince entered with the red-hot shovel his master only
said, 'I am very ill to-day, and too weak even to touch your hand. You
must return this evening, when I may be better.'

The prince loitered about all day, and in the evening went back to the
old man's room. He was received in the most; friendly manner, and, to
his surprise, his master exclaimed, 'I am very well satisfied with you.
Come to me at dawn and bring the maiden with you. I know you have long
loved each other, and I wish to make you man and wife.'

The young man nearly jumped into the air for joy, but, remembering the
rules of the house, he managed to keep still. When he told the maiden,
he saw to his astonishment that she had become as white as a sheet, and
she was quite dumb.

'The old man has found out who was your counsellor,' she said when she
could speak, 'and he means to destroy us both.' We must escape somehow,
or else we shall be lost. Take an axe, and cut off the head of the calf
with o