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 98 "As long as I have lived," he said to himself, "I never saw such a fish; it looks more like a snake. Besides, how is a cook to prepare food without tasting it?"

When the snake was ready he ate a piece of it, just to try its flavour. Suddenly he heard something buzzing round his ears:—

"A piece for me! a piece for me!"

Irik looked round, but there was no one near, except a few flies darting about the kitchen. Then he heard a hoarse voice outside in the street:—

"Where are you going to? Where are you going to?"

And then various other voices answered,—

"To the miller's barley. To the miller's barley."

And looking out of the window he saw a gander with a flock of geese.

"O-ho!" said he to himself, "that's the 'fish,' is it?"

He understood the whole thing at once. He quickly ate another piece, and then, as if nothing had happened, took the dish to the king.

After dinner the king ordered Irik to saddle two horses, and accompany him on a ride. The king went on before, Irik following him. As they rode through a green meadow Irik's horse gave a bound, and said,—

"Ho, ho, brother, I feel so light! I should like to jump over the hills!"