'I cannot fight that giant,' he cried, looking at the dog with a
white face. 'I am afraid, let me turn homewards.'

'No, don't do that,' replied the dog. 'Eat and sleep, and I will
watch over you.' So the king ate and lay down, and slept till the
sun waked him.

'It is time for you to start on your way,' said the dog, 'and if
danger presses, call on me, and I will help you.'

'Farewell, then,' answered the king; 'I will not forget that
promise,' and on he went, and on, and on, till he reached a tall
cliff with many sticks lying about.

'It is almost night,' he thought; 'I will make a fire and rest,'
and thus he did, and when the flames blazed up, the hoary hawk of
the grey rock flew on to a bough above him.

'Sore was the plight of thy wife and thy horses when they passed
here with the giant,' said the hawk.

'Never shall I find them,' answered the king, 'and nothing shall
I get for all my trouble.'

'Oh, take heart,' replied the hawk; 'things are never so bad but
what they might be worse. Eat and sleep and I will watch thee,'
and the king did as he was bidden by the hawk, and by the morning
he felt brave again.