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.