t no one had seen him so during the seven long years
that had passed since he lost his daughters. When the dancing was
finished, the king asked the boy what he should give him as a return for
the amusement he had given them.

"My lord king," said the boy, "I am not come here for silver, goods, or
gold! I ask one thing of you, that you will give me leave to go and seek
the three princesses who are now in the hands of the mountain giants."
When the king heard this he knit his brow--"So you think," said he,
"that you can restore my daughters. The task is a dangerous one, and men
who were better than you have suffered in it. If, however, any one save
the princesses I will never break my word."

The lad thought these words kingly and honest. He bade farewell to the
king and set out, determined that he would not rest till he had found
what he wanted.

He travelled through many great countries without any extraordinary
adventure, and wherever he went his dogs went with him. Quick-ear ran
and heard what there was to hear in the place; Hold-fast carried the
bag; and on Tear, who was the strongest of the three, the lad rode when
he was tired. One day Quick-ear came running fast to his master to tell
him that he had been near a high mountain, and had heard one of the
princesses spinning within it. The giant, Quick-ear said, was not at
home. At this the boy felt very glad, and he made haste to the mountain
with his dogs. When they were come to it, Quick-ear said--

"We have no time to lose. The giant is only ten miles away, and I can
hear his horse's golden shoes beating on the stones."

The lad at once ordered his dogs to break in the door of the mountain,
which they did. He entered, and saw a beautiful maiden who sat spinning
gold thread on a spindle of gold. He stepped forward and spoke to her.
She was much astonished, and said--"Who are you, that dare to come into
the giant's hall? For seven long years have I lived here, and never
during that time have I looked on a human being. Run away, for Heaven's
sake, before the giant comes, or you will lose your life."

The boy told her his errand, and said he would await the troll's coming.
While they were talking, the giant came, riding on his gold-shod horse,
and stopped outside the mountain. When he saw that the door was open he
was very angry, and called out, in such a voice that the whole mountain
shook to its base, "Who has broken open my door?" The boy boldly
answered--