After some time the man made another journey, and said he should not return for a month.  He then told the youth that if he went into the fourth room, he must not think for a moment that his life would be spared.  One, two, even three weeks the youth refrained from entering the forbidden room; but then, having no longer any command over himself, he stole in.  There stood a large black horse in a stall, with a trough of burning embers at its head and a basket of hay at its tail.  The youth thought this was cruel, and therefore changed their position, putting the basket of hay by the horse’s head.  The horse thereupon said:—­

“As you have so kind a disposition that you enable me to get food, I will save you:  should the Troll return and find you here, he will kill you.  Now you must go up into the chamber above this, and take one of the suits of armor that hang there:  but on no account take one that is bright; on the contrary, select the most rusty you can see, and take that; choose also a sword and saddle in like manner.”

The youth did so, but he found the whole very heavy for him to carry.  When he came back, the horse said that now he should strip and wash himself well in the kettle, which stood boiling in the next apartment.  “I feel afraid,” thought the youth, but nevertheless did so.  When he had washed himself, he became comely and plump, and as red and white as milk and blood, and much stronger than before.  “Are you sensible of any change?” asked the horse.  “Yes,” answered the youth.  “Try to lift me,” said the horse.  Aye, that he could, and brandished the sword with ease.  “Now lay the saddle on me,” said the horse, “put on the armor and take the whip of thorn, the stone and the water-flask, and the pot with ointment, and then we will set out.”

When the youth had mounted the horse, it started off at a rapid rate.  After riding some time, the horse said, “I think I hear a noise.  Look round:  can you see anything?” “A great many men are coming after us,—­certainly a score at least,” answered the youth.  “Ah! that is the Troll,” said the horse, “he is coming with all his companions.”

They traveled for a time, until their pursuers were gaining on them.  “Throw now the thorn whip over your shoulder,” said the horse, “but throw it far away from me.”

The youth did so, and at the same moment there sprang up a large thick wood of briars.  The youth now rode on a long way, while the Troll was obliged to go home for something wherewith to hew a road through the wood.  After some time the horse again said, “Look back:  can you see anything now?” “Yes, a whole multitude of people,” said the youth, “like a church congregation.”—­“That is the Troll; now he has got more with him; throw out now the large stone, but throw it far from me.”