But rub-a-dub, rub-dub, hey-up, halloo!

"When I wish to have some fun,
Then I make the porkers run,
Till they gallop, snort, and wheeze,
Among the leafy trees;
Oh, rub-a-dub, rub-dub, hey-up, halloo!

"How their backs begin to bristle,
When I shout aloud and whistle!
How they kick at every lick
That I give them with my stick!
Oh, rub-a-dub, rub-dub, hey-up, halloo!"

"Get along, you rascals," cried the savage-looking herd, "or I'll kill
and roast you before your time." But soon the herd, with his swine, were
concealed from Eric's sight by the wood; though he still heard his
"rub-a-dub" chorus, to which he beat time with a sort of rude drum, made
with a dried skin and hoop. Eric determined to make his acquaintance, or
at all events to follow him to some house; so he descended from the
tree, and ran off in the direction from which he heard the song coming.
He soon over-took him.

[Illustration]

"Hollo!" said the wild-looking lad, with as much astonishment as if Eric
had fallen from the clouds: "Who? where from? where to?" "I have lost
my way in the wood," said Eric, "and want you to guide me." "To Ralph?"
asked the swineherd. "Ralph! pray, who is he?" "Master, chief, captain,
everything, everybody," replied the young savage. "I will go anywhere
for shelter, as night is coming on; but I will reward you if you bring
me to my father's home." "Who is your father, my fine fellow?" inquired
the swineherd, leaning on his stick. "The king," replied Eric. "You lie,
Sir Prince! Ralph is king." "I speak the truth, swineherd." The
swineherd by this time was examining Eric's dress with an impudent look.
"Pay me now," said he; "give me this gold band, and I will guide you."
"I cannot give you this gold band, for my father gave it to me, and I
have lost enough to-day. By the by, did you see a gold thread waving
anywhere among the trees?" "A gold thread! what do you mean? I saw
nothing but pigs until I saw you, and I shall treat you like a pig, d'ye
hear? and lick you too, for I have no time to put off. So give me your
band. Come, be quick!" said he, with his fierce face, and holding up his
stick as he came up to Eric. "Keep off, swineherd; don't touch me!"
"Don't touch you! why shouldn't I touch you? Do you see this stick? How
would you like to have it among your fine curls, as I drive it among the
pigs' bristles?" And he began to flourish it over his head, and to press
n