n. "Then it is quite impossible for me to grant
your request," said Slyboots, "for I cannot permit any one to taste
either the food or drink without a pledge." The old man was so anxious
about it that at last he gave his ring as a pledge.

Just as he was about to dip his spoon in the pot, Slyboots struck him so
heavy a blow on the head with the flat of an axe, that it might have
felled the strongest ox; but the old fellow did not fall, but only
staggered a little. Then Slyboots seized him by the beard with both
hands, and ordered strong ropes to be brought, with which he bound the
old man hand and foot, and hung him up by the legs to a beam. Then
Slyboots said to him mockingly, "You may wait there till the feast is
over, and then we will resume our conversation. Meantime, I'll keep your
ring, on which your power depends, as a token." The old man was obliged
to submit, whether he liked it or not, for he was bound so firmly that
he could not move hand or foot.

Then the great feast began, to which the people flocked in thousands
from all quarters. Although the feasting lasted for three whole weeks,
there was no want of either food or drink, for there was plenty and to
spare.

The people were much pleased, and had nothing but praise for the king
and the manager of the feast. When the king was about to pay Slyboots
the promised reward, he answered, "I have still a little business to
transact with the stranger before I receive my reward." Then he took
seven strong men with him, armed with heavy cudgels, and took them to
the place where the old man had been hanging for the last three weeks.
"Now, then," said Slyboots, "grasp your cudgels firmly, and belabour the
old man so that he shall never forget his hospitable reception for the
rest of his life." The seven men began to whack the old man all at once,
and would soon have made an end of his life, if the rope had not given
way under their blows. The little man fell down, and vanished
underground in an instant, leaving a wide opening behind him. Then said
Slyboots, "I have his pledge, with which I must follow him. Bring the
king a thousand greetings from me, and tell him to divide my reward
among the poor, if I should not return."

He then crept downwards through the hole in which the old man had
disappeared. At first he found the pathway very narrow, but it widened
considerably at the depth of a few fathoms, so that he was able to
advance easily. Steps were hewn in the ro