Page:Danish fairy and folk tales.djvu/215

 "I propose that you race as far as the large stone yonder. He who returns first may have the slippers." They agreed upon this, and started, raising the dust like a cloud behind them. When they returned they found the young man and the slippers had both disappeared. The kobolds looked at each other, and were sensible enough to understand that this was the easiest way in which to settle the dispute.

The young man now rapidly pursued his way. Towards evening he stopped at the gate of a large and magnificent palace. Upon his inquiry who lived there, he was told that the Wind-king was the owner of this stately mansion. "No doubt," thought he, "the Wind-king can tell me where the palace south of the sun, west of the moon, and in the middle of the wind is situated." He entered and requested an audience of the king. When taken into his presence and inquiring about the palace which he was seeking, he was told by his majesty that the location of the place was altogether unknown to him. Towards evening all the winds were, however, to return home. He, the king, would ask if any of them knew of such a place as the palace south of the sun, west of the moon and in the middle of the wind. Some one of them would be likely to know.

Towards evening there was a whistling and howling around the palace, and when all the winds had taken their seats in the large hall, the king entered,