Page:Popular tales from the Norse (1912).djvu/398

 212 "Ah, bad luck to you," said the ferryman; "had you told me that before you might have set me free yourself."

So when they got to the first palace, the Queen asked if he had spoken to the Dragon about her gold keys.

"Yes," said the lad, and whispered in the Queen's ear; "he said you must look among the bushes where you lay the day you wot of."

"Hush! hush! don't say a word," said the Queen, and gave the lad a hundred dollars.

When they came to the second palace the King asked if he had spoken to the Dragon of what he begged him, "Yes," said the lad, "I did; and see, here is your daughter."

At that the King was so glad he would gladly have given the Princess to the miller's lad to wife, and half the kingdom beside; but as he was married already he gave him two hundred dollars, and coaches and horses, and as much gold and silver as he could carry away.

When he came to the third King's palace, out came the King and asked if he had asked the Dragon of what he begged him.

"Yes," said the lad, "and he said you must dig out the well, and take out the rotten old stump which lies at the bottom, and then you'll get plenty of clear water."

Then the King gave him three hundred dollars, and he set out home; but he was so loaded with gold and silver, and so grandly clothed, that it gleamed and glistened from him, and he was now far richer than Peter the Pedlar.

When Peter got the feathers he hadn't a word more to say against the wedding; but when he saw all that wealth, he asked if there was much still left at the Dragon's castle.