Page:Grimm's household tales, volume 2 (1884).djvu/404

390 story as in the Nibelungen, 466, 3, he pulls his beard), and then, and not till then, does he reveal the subterranean abode (Lied, 99) of the dragon-watched princess (Lied von Siegfried, 57, 58). The release follows as it does there by the dragons which are sleeping in the maiden's lap being killed (Lied, 21). The help which the King of the Elves gives, corresponds with that which Euglin (Lied, 151, and before) gives Siegfried after the combat with the giant, and also by bringing him food (Lied, 119). In fact, they are generally subject to him here as there.

92.—.

Narrated to us by a soldier. There is another version from Zwehrn. A fisherman has to deliver the fishes which he is bound to supply and can catch none. Then the Devil comes, and in return for a good hawlhaul [sic], the fisherman gives him a written promise that he shall have his son. Next day he takes the son out into a meadow, where the Devil is to fetch him, but the youth takes the Bible with him, draws a circle, and seats himself within it, so that the Evil One cannot approach him. The Devil orders him to throw away the Bible, but he does not do it; so the Devil overturns his chair, and the circle is broken, and then he drags him a short distance away with him, but the youth still keeps hold of the Bible, and the Devil is at length forced to retire. The youth journeys forth and comes to a great house, in which there is one room in which no one can endure to stay, but he lies down to sleep in it. At night a headless servant enters who informs him that there is an enchanted princess in the house whom he is to deliver, which he will be able to do if he has no fear of anything. Presently some spirits come who play at nine-pins, and seize him, roll him up, and throw him at the nine-pins as if he were a ball. When this is over, however, a spirit comes who rubs him with oil, and he is once more as well as before. On the second night the spirits again come and play at ball with him until all his limbs crack and break, and when they leave off, they say, "If thou art here tomorrow, thou shalt be boiled in oil." Nevertheless he has no fear, and once more the good spirit comes and heals him. On the third night the spirits kindle a huge fire, set a cauldron with oil on it, and say, "When that boils, we will throw thee into it!" and after a while, when twelve o'clock is striking, they say, "Now it is time," and seize him to throw him into the cauldron, but he falls on one side of it and the spell is broken. A naked maiden is standing by him who thanks him, and says, "I am a king's daughter; thou hast delivered me, and shalt be my husband." Then he goes away, but she allows herself to be persuaded and betroths herself to another, who is a prince. The young fisherman