Page:Round the Yule Log.djvu/170

146 began barking violently, and it was altogether very dismal and unpleasant. All of a sudden he ran against something, and when he put his hand out, he felt it was cold and slippery and very big. As he didn't think he had gone off the road, he had no idea of what this something could be, but unpleasant it was at any rate.

"Who is it?" asked Peter, for he could now feel it was moving.

"Oh, it's Humpy," was the answer.

Peter was no wiser for this, but walked on one side for some distance, thinking that so he would be able to pass the mysterious presence. But he ran against something again, and when he put his hand out he felt it was very big, cold, and slippery.

"Who is it?" asked Peter Gynt.

"Oh, it's Humpy," was the answer again.

"Well, you'll have to let me pass, whether you are Humpy or not," said Peter, for he guessed now that he was walking round in a ring, and that the monster had circled itself round the dairy. Just then the monster shifted itself a little, and Peter got past and soon found the house. When he came inside he found it was no lighter in there than outside. He was feeling his way about along the wall to put his gun away and hang his bag up, but while he was groping about in this way, he felt again something cold, big, and slippery.

"Who is it?" shouted Peter.

"Oh, it's the big Humpy," was the answer. Wherever he put his hands out or tried to get past he ran against the monster.

"It's not very pleasant to be here, I am sure," thought Peter, "since this Humpy is both outside and inside, but I'll try if I can't shunt this intruder out of my way."

So he took his gun and went outside, feeling his way carefully, till he found what he thought was the head of the monster, which he felt sure was a monster troll.

"What are you, and who are you?" asked Peter.

"Oh, I am the big Humpy from Etnedale," said the troll. Peter did not lose a moment, but fired three shots right into the troll's head.