erful manner that
it was quite amazing. While he thus sat, the old man with the gray beard
came up to him out of the forest. He was accompanied by a dog as large
as the former one. When the boy saw the fine animal, he said to
himself--

"I wish I had that dog as a companion in this wood. Then there would be
no danger."

The old man knew what he thought, and said--

"I have come to ask you to let me give you my dog for one of your hogs."

The boy did not hesitate long, but agreed to the bargain. He got the big
dog, and the man took the hog in exchange. As he went, the old man
said--

"I think you will be satisfied with your bargain. The dog is not like
other dogs. He is called Tear, and if you tell him to tear, tear he will
in pieces whatever it be, even the fiercest mountain giant."

Then he departed, and the boy was glad at heart, thinking he had made a
good bargain, though he well knew his old mother would not be much
pleased at it.

Towards evening he went home, and his mother was not a bit less angry
than she had been on the previous day. She dared not beat her son,
however, for his big dogs made her afraid. It usually happens that when
women have scolded enough they at last give in. So it was now. The boy
and his mother became friends once more; but the old woman thought she
had sustained such a loss as could never again be made good.

The boy went to the forest again with the hog and the two dogs. He was
very happy, and, sitting down on the trunk of a tree he played, as
usual, on his pipe; and the dogs danced in such fine fashion that it was
a treat to look at them. While the boy thus sat amusing himself, the old
man with the gray beard again appeared out of the forest. He had with
him a third dog as large as either of the others. When the boy saw it,
he said to himself--

"I wish I had that dog as a companion in this wood. Then there would be
no danger."

The old man said--

"I came because I wished you to see my dog, for I well know you would
like to have him."

The lad was ready enough, and the bargain was made. So he got the big
dog, giving his last hog for it. The old man then departed, saying--

"I think you will be satisfied with your bargain. The dog is not like
other dogs. He is called Quick-ear, and so quick does he hear, that he
knows all that takes place, be it ever so many miles away. Why, he hears
even the trees and the grass growing in the fields!"

Then the old man went off, and