Page:Round the Yule Log.djvu/126

102 " Because I cannot turn round/' said the horse. So he cut its head off*, and the horse turned into a fine handsome fellow. He said he had been bewitched, and taken into the moun- tain and turned into a horse by the troll. He then helped the youngster to find the sword, which the troll had hidden at the bottom of the bed, and in the bed lay the old mother of the troll, asleep and snoring hard. So they set out for home by water, but when they had got some distance out to sea the old mother came after them. As she could not overtake them, she lay down and began to drink the sea, and she drank till the water fell ; but she could not drink the sea dry, and so she burst. When they came to land, the youngster sent word that the king must come and fetch the sword. He sent four horses, but no, they could not move it ; he sent eight, and he sent twelve ; but the sword remained where it was. They were not able to stir it from the spot. But the youngster took it and carried it up to the palace alone. The king could not believe his eyes when he saw the youngster back again. He appeared however to be pleased to see him, and promised him land and riches. When the youngster wanted more' work, the king said he might set out for an enchanted castle he had, where no one dared to live, and he would have to stop there till he had built a bridge over the sound, so that people could get across to the castle. If he was able to do this he would reward him handsomely, yes, he would even give him his daughter in marriage, said he. " Well, I think I can do it," said the youngster. No one had ever got away alive ; those who had got as far as the castle, lay there killed and torn to pieces as small as bariey, and the king thought he should never see him any more if he would go thither. • But the youngster started on his expedition ; he took with him the bag of food, a crooked, twisted block of a fir tree, an axe, a
 * ' But I will soon turn you round," said the youngster.
 * ' Rather cut my head off," said the horse.