“We have no time to lose.  The giant is only ten miles away, and I can hear his horse’s golden shoes beating on the stones.”

The lad at once ordered his dogs to break in the door of the mountain, which they did.  He entered, and saw a beautiful maiden who sat spinning gold thread on a spindle of gold.  He stepped forward and spoke to her.  She was much astonished, and said—­“Who are you, that dare to come into the giant’s hall?  For seven long years have I lived here, and never during that time have I looked on a human being.  Run away, for Heaven’s sake, before the giant comes, or you will lose your life.”

The boy told her his errand, and said he would await the troll’s coming.  While they were talking, the giant came, riding on his gold-shod horse, and stopped outside the mountain.  When he saw that the door was open he was very angry, and called out, in such a voice that the whole mountain shook to its base, “Who has broken open my door?” The boy boldly answered—­

“I did it, and now I will break you too.  Hold-fast, hold him fast; Tear and Quick-ear, tear him into a thousand pieces!”

Hardly had he spoken the words when the three dogs rushed forward, threw themselves on the giant, and tore him into numberless pieces.  The princess was very glad, and said—­

“Heaven be thanked!  Now I am free.”  She threw herself on the lad’s neck and kissed him.  The lad would not stop in the place, so he saddled the giant’s horses, put on them all the goods and gold he found, and set off with the beautiful young princess.  They travelled together for a long time, the lad waiting on the maiden with that respect and attention that such a noble lady deserved.

It chanced one day that Quick-ear, who had gone before to obtain news, came running fast to his master and informed him that he had been to a high mountain, and had heard another of the king’s daughters sitting within it spinning gold thread.  The giant, he said, was not at home.  The lad was well pleased to hear this, and hastened to the mountain with his three dogs.  When they arrived there, Quick-ear said—­

“We have no time to waste.  The giant is but eight miles off.  I can hear the sound of his horse’s gold shoes on the stones!”

The lad ordered the dogs to break in the door, and when they had done so he entered and found a beautiful maiden sitting in the hall, winding gold thread.  The lad stepped forward and spoke to her.  She was much surprised, and said—­

“Who are you, who dare to come into the giant’s dwelling?  Seven long years have I lived here, and never during that time have I looked on a human being.  Run away, for Heaven’s sake, before the giant comes, or you will lose your life.”

The lad told her why he had come, and said he would wait for the giant’s return home.

In the midst of their talk the giant came, riding on his gold-shod horse, and stopped outside the mountain.  When he saw the door was open he was in a great rage, and called out with such a voice that the mountain shook to its base.