not been for me you would have driven the
dog away again, and we should have lost the money. After all, I always
know what is best.'

'Nonsense!' said her husband; 'women always think they know best. I
should have sold the dog just the same whatever you had told me. Put the
money away in a safe place, and don't talk so much.'

The next day Hans came again; but though everything had turned out as he
had foretold, he found that his father was still not quite satisfied.

'Be off with you!' said he, 'you'll get us into trouble.'

'I haven't helped you enough yet,' replied the boy. 'To-morrow there
will come a great fat cow, as big as the house. Take it to the king's
palace and you'll get as much as a thousand dollars for it. Only you
must unfasten the halter you lead it with and bring it back, and don't
return by the high road, but through the forest.'

The next day, when the couple rose, they saw an enormous head looking in
at their bedroom window, and behind it was a cow which was nearly as big
as their hut. Kirsten was wild with joy to think of the money the cow
would bring them.

'But how are you going to put the rope over her head?' asked she.

'Wait and you'll see, mother,' answered her husband. Then Peder took the
ladder that led up to the hayloft and set it against the cow's neck, and
he climbed up and slipped the rope over her head. When he had made sure
that the noose was fast they started for the palace, and met the king
himself walking in his grounds.

'I heard that the princess was going to be married,' said Peder, 'so
I've brought your majesty a cow which is bigger than any cow that was
ever seen. Will your majesty deign to buy it?'

The king had, in truth, never seen so large a beast, and he willingly
paid the thousand dollars, which was the price demanded; but Peder
remembered to take off the halter before he left. After he was gone
the king sent for the butcher and told him to kill the animal for the
wedding feast. The butcher got ready his pole-axe; but just as he was
going to strike, the cow changed itself into a dove and flew away,
and the butcher stood staring after it as if he were turned to stone.
However, as the dove could not be found, he was obliged to tell the king
what had happened, and the king in his turn despatched messengers to
capture the old man and bring him back. But Peder was safe in the woods,
and could not be found. When at last he felt the danger was over, and he
might go h