"I wish I had that dog as a companion in this wood. Then there would be
no danger."

The old man said--

"I came because I wished you to see my dog, for I well know you would
like to have him."

The lad was ready enough, and the bargain was made. So he got the big
dog, giving his last hog for it. The old man then departed, saying--

"I think you will be satisfied with your bargain. The dog is not like
other dogs. He is called Quick-ear, and so quick does he hear, that he
knows all that takes place, be it ever so many miles away. Why, he hears
even the trees and the grass growing in the fields!"

Then the old man went off, and the lad felt very happy, for he thought
he had nothing now to be afraid of.

As evening came on the boy went home, and his mother was sorely grieved
when she found her son had parted with her all; but he told her to bid
farewell to sorrow, saying that he would see she had no loss. The lad
spoke so well that the old woman was quite pleased. At daybreak the lad
went out a-hunting with his two dogs, and in the evening he came back
with as much game as he could carry. He hunted till his mother's larder
was well stocked, then he bade her farewell, telling her he was going to
travel to see what fortune had in store for him, and called his dogs to
him.