could not see how he was ever to cross it, and in order to test
how swift the current really was, he broke a branch from a tree
and threw it in. It seemed hardly to touch the water before it
was carried away, and even his magic sight could not follow it.
He could not help feeling frightened, but he hated giving up
anything that he had once undertaken, and, fastening the ball on
his right foot, he ventured on the river. To his surprise he was
able to stand up; then a panic seized him, and he scrambled up
the bank again. In a minute or two he plucked up courage to go a
little further into the river, but again its width frightened
him, and a second time he turned back. However, he felt rather
ashamed of his cowardice, as it was quite clear that his ball
could support him, and on his third trial he got safely to the
other side.

Once there he replaced the ball in the bag, and looked carefully
round him. The door of the Bad One's hut was open, and he saw
that the ceiling was supported by great wooden beams, from which
hung the bags of gold and the little bridge. He saw, too, the
Bad One sitting in the midst of his treasures eating his dinner,
and drinking something out of a horn. It was plain to the boy
that he must invent some plan of getting the Bad One out of the
way, or else he would never be able to steal the gold or the
bridge.

What should he do? Give horrible shrieks as if he were in pain?
But the Bad One would not care whether he were murdered or not!
Call him by his name? But the Bad One was very cunning, and
would suspect some trick. He must try something better than
that! Then suddenly an idea came to him, and he gave a little