t the troll was up, his dark narrow face terrible with
rage, for the blood ran down the deer-skin tunic which half covered
him. And then the blows of his iron rod came thicker and faster, while
he moved so swiftly round about the knight that Sir Owen, though he
thrust quickly and fiercely, could not strike him again.

Sir Owen was becoming dizzy and weak, and felt that not for long now
could he bear up his dented and broken shield against the blows that
must at length smash his arm.

Suddenly the quick movements of the little troll ceased, and he
staggered. Then he dropped the iron bar and swayed like a drunken man
towards the knight. He fell on his knees before Sir Owen, put his head
upon the ground, and clutched the knight's steel-clad foot as if to put
it upon his neck. But he could do no more, and so lay panting and spent
with exhaustion.

And Sir Owen could not find it in himself to pierce him through with
his sword, for the troll's subjection made pity come into his heart.

'Ah, sir troll!' said the knight, panting also, and very fain to rest.
'A brave troll thou art, seeing thou hast used no magic, but hath
fought me like a very man.'

'Chieftain,' gasped the troll, 'my heart is like to break, for thou
hast tried me sore. Never yet hath a knight that sought the fountain
withstood my rod as valiantly as thou hast, and thou hast put my
strength all to naught.'

'But I know not why thou didst try to slay me,' said Sir Owen, 'seeing
that I did but ask thee to show me my way to the fountain.'

'I am the slave of him that overcometh me,' answered the troll, 'and I
must do his bidding. Sir Dewin did conquer me by evil wizardry, and he
sent thee to me with the three knocks on my door, whereby I knew he
commanded me to slay thee.'

'Well, and what wilt thou do now, valiant troll?'

'I must hide me from the wrath of Sir Dewin,' said the troll, 'until my
sore wound is healed. Then will I be thy slave, sir knight, and help
thee in whatever adventure thou mayst wish!'

'Get thee gone, then, good troll,' said Sir Owen, with a smile. 'But
first tell me my way to the fountain.'

Whereupon the troll showed him the way and gave him certain directions,
and then said:

'Chieftain, thou wilt conquer in all thy fighting, and great honour and
reward shall be thine. But beware thee of leaving the side of her that
shall love thee, for more than a night and a day, or long woe shall
find thee. And do thou take this, for it m