stood a great tree, under which he seated himself. Then he let the
horse loose and lay down to sleep, but before he did that he took
his bag off the horse. At daybreak he set off again, for he did not
feel as if he could take any rest. So he walked and rode the whole
day, through a great wood where there were many green places
which gleamed very prettily among the trees. He did not know
where he was or whither he was going, but he never lingered longer
in any place than was enough to let his horse get a little food
when they came to one of these green spots, while he himself took
out his bag of provisions.

So he walked and he rode, and it seemed to him that the wood
would never come to an end. But on the evening of the second
day he saw a light shining through the trees.

`If only there were some people up there I might warm myself
and get something to eat,' thought Halvor.

When he got to the place where the light had come from, he
saw a wretched little cottage, and through a small pane of glass he
saw a couple of old folks inside. They were very old, and as grey-
headed as a pigeon, and the old woman had such a long nose that
she sat in the chimney corner and used it to stir the fire.

`Good evening I good evening!' said the old hag; `but what
errand have you that can bring you here? No Christian folk have
been here for more than a hundred years.'

So Halvor told her that he wanted to get to Soria Moria Castle,
and inquired if she knew the way thither.