eighteen years of age he had got his own flocks, and in the course of a
few years was the richest sheep-master in the whole island of Bergen. At
last he was able to buy a knight's estate for himself, and that estate
was Grabitz, close by Rambin, which now belongs to the Lords of Sunde.
My father knew him there, and how from a shepherd's boy he became a
nobleman. He always conducted himself like a prudent, honest, and pious
man, who had a good word for every one. He brought up his sons like
gentlemen, and his daughters like ladies, some of whom are still alive,
and accounted people of great consequence.

Well may people who hear such stories wish that they had met with such
an adventure, and had found a little silver bell which the underground
people had lost!




MAIDEN SWANWHITE AND MAIDEN FOXTAIL.


There was once upon a time a wicked woman who had a daughter and a
step-daughter. The daughter was ugly and of an evil disposition, but the
step-daughter was most beautiful and good, and all who knew her wished
her well. When the girl's step-mother and step-sister saw this they
hated the poor girl.

One day it chanced that she was sent by her step-mother to the well to
draw water. When the girl came there she saw a little hand held out of
the water, and a voice said--