on the lad's neck
and kissed him. He led her to her sister, and one can well imagine how
glad they were to meet. The lad took all the treasures that the giant's
dwelling contained, put them on the gold-shod horses, and set out with
the two princesses.

They again travelled a great distance, and the youth waited on the
princesses with the respect and care they deserved.

It chanced one day that Quick-ear, who went before to get news, came
running fast to his master, and told him he had been near a high
mountain, and had heard the third princess sitting within, spinning
cloth of gold. The giant himself was not in. The youth was well pleased
to hear this, and he hurried to the mountain accompanied by his dogs.
When they came there, Quick-ear said--

"There is no time to be lost. The giant is not more than five miles off.
I well know it. I hear the sound of his horse's gold shoes on the
stones."

The lad told his dogs to break in the door, and they did so. When he
entered the mountain he saw there a maiden, sitting and weaving cloth of
gold. She was so beautiful that the lad thought another such could not
be found in the world. He advanced and spoke to her. The young princess
was much astonished, and said--

"Who are you, who 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. For Heaven's sake," added she, "run away before the giant
comes, or he will kill you!"

The lad, however, was brave, and said that he would lay down his life
for the beautiful princess.

In the middle of their talk home came the giant, riding on his horse
with the golden shoes, and stopped at the mountain. When he came in and
saw what unwelcome visitors were there he was very much afraid, for he
knew what had happened to his brethren. He thought it best to be careful
and cunning, for he dared not act openly. He began therefore with fine
words, and was very smooth and amiable. He told the princess to dress
meat, so that he might entertain the guest, and behaved in such a
friendly manner that the lad was perfectly deceived, and forgot to be on
his guard. He sat down at the table with the giant. The princess wept in
secret, and the dogs were very uneasy, but no one noticed it.

When the giant and his guest had finished the meal, the youth said--

"I am no longer hungry. Give me something to drink."

"There is," said the giant, "a spring up in the mountain whic