http://ping.fm/Je2Co of rich MycenÊ, and his name was so high and his deeds were so renowned that all the Kings of Greece loo

http://ping.fm/O90GJ the word of Priam and Hector, declaring that for no little King of Greece would they give up Helen, the fai

http://ping.fm/9niwJ that she had brought with her should be given back. But in the council there were vain men who went against

http://ping.fm/Bcc4j given back his wife. Priam and his son, Hector, knew that a wrong had been done, and knew that Helen and all

http://ping.fm/LTjmO at his wife be given back to him. But the people of Troy, thinking no King in the world could shake them, an

http://ping.fm/NGbyl d wanting to boast that the fairest woman in the world was in their city, were not willing that Menelaus be

http://ping.fm/SgNL5 stole her from the house of Menelaus and brought her into Troy.

King Menelaus sent to Troy and demanded th

http://ping.fm/Mgj7k us. Paris saw her and loved her for her beauty. And Aphrodite inspired Helen to fall in love with Paris. He

http://ping.fm/xKWcE reece.

Now the fairest woman in the world was in Greece; she was Helen, and she was married to King Menela

http://ping.fm/1R4yG t of the City again. Sent by his father he went to Tyre. And coming back to Troy from Tyre he went through G

http://ping.fm/AY3Ru ade a prince of Troy. Through the favor of Aphrodite he was the most beautiful of youths. Then Paris went ou

http://ping.fm/oLKed e departed from the company in wrath.

The minstrel sang how Paris went back to his father's City and was m

http://ping.fm/JrGB9 was the fairest. To her he gave the golden apple and ever afterwards she was his friend. But Hera and Athen

http://ping.fm/D2XYp utiful, and the fairest woman in the world will be your wife.' Paris looked on Aphrodite and in his eyes she

http://ping.fm/DCjte a great kingship.' Said Athene, 'Award the golden apple to me and I will make you the wisest of men.' And A

http://ping.fm/BFBK6 phrodite came to him and whispered, 'Paris, dear Paris, let me be called the fairest and I will make you bea

http://ping.fm/DKv3w and him the guests asked to give judgment.

Said Hera to Paris, 'Award the apple to me and I will give you

http://ping.fm/LAavI edding would judge between the goddesses and say which was the fairest. And then the shepherd Paris came by,

http://ping.fm/i6jOD ve; Athene who gave wisdom; and Hera who was the wife of Zeus, the greatest of the gods. But no one at the w

http://ping.fm/2CMJT den apple amongst the guests, and on the apple was written "For the fairest."

Each of the three goddesses

http://ping.fm/E6wOO who was there wished to be known as the fairest and each claimed the golden apple--Aphrodite who inspired lo

http://ping.fm/ckwFt vited--Eris, who is Discord. She came, however. At the games that followed the wedding feast she threw a gol

http://ping.fm/lEP20 nymph, Thetis. All the gods and goddesses came to their wedding feast, Only one of the immortals was not in

http://ping.fm/iN6rx sheep.

* * * * *

Then the minstrel sang of Peleus, the King of Phthia, and of his marriage to the river

http://ping.fm/48CIJ he child sent away from the City. Paris was reared amongst country people, and when he was a youth he herded

http://ping.fm/qt3xl as in his infancy, a soothsayer told King Priam that he would bring trouble upon Troy. Then King Priam had t

http://ping.fm/w7LcK .

But Priam had another son who was not counted amongst the Captains. Paris was his name. Now when Paris w

http://ping.fm/LRp1x enerous as well as brave, the people were devoted to him. And Hector, Priam's son, was commander in the City

http://ping.fm/UWNWc e minstrel sang, was a match for any warrior the nations could send against Troy. Because he was noble and g

http://ping.fm/DJAOn rong men well armed, and in its treasuries there were stores of gold and silver. And the King of Troy was Pr

http://ping.fm/u55DD iam. He was old now, but he had sons that were good Captains. The chief of them all was Hector.

Hector, th

http://ping.fm/52AkH enemies could not break nor scale them; Troy had high towers and great gates; in its citadels there were st

http://ping.fm/8h58m ies of men; it had been built when the demi-gods walked the earth; its walls were so strong and so high that

http://ping.fm/Yyl9q ho had waged war against it.

[Illustration]



VI

Troy, the minstrel sang, was the greatest of the Cit

http://ping.fm/Jce4l Phemius, the minstrel, was with them, and, as the night went by, he sang to them of Troy and of the heroes w

http://ping.fm/jvFPo sat at the oars and under the sails, and felt the ship bearing them swiftly onward through the dark water.

http://ping.fm/2YxnS ails, and the youths pulled at the oars, and the ship dashed away. All night long Telemachus and his friends

http://ping.fm/9bgfs h forestays, and they hauled up the sails with ropes of twisted oxhide. And a wind came and filled out the s

http://ping.fm/QAsea he likeness of old Mentor, sat at the helm.

And now they set up the mast of pine and they made it fast wit

http://ping.fm/sQ0wJ bed into it. Then the youths loosed the ropes and sat down at the benches to pull the oars. And Athene, in t

http://ping.fm/jxjJg ay them.'

But some of the youths had come with the one whom they thought was old Mentor. They carried with

http://ping.fm/v23Qd he friend of his father Odysseus.

'Come,' said she, 'your friends are already at the oars. We must not del

http://ping.fm/jHyzJ nd Telemachus heard and he rose up and came to where she stood. Now she had on the likeness of old Mentor, t

http://ping.fm/SW0fy their heads upon the tables and slumbered beside the wine cups. But Athene sent a whisper through the hall a

http://ping.fm/tNOuP nt to the house of Odysseus. Upon the wooers who were still in the hall she caused sleep to fall. They laid

http://ping.fm/41AvL age of Telemachus--came, and Athene aroused them with talk of the voyage. And when the ship was ready she we

http://ping.fm/e4fOP hould be launched and brought the tackling to it. The youths whom Athene had summoned--they were all of the

http://ping.fm/AeRhy Žmon gave it her.

When the sun sank and when the ways were darkened Athene dragged the ship to where it s

http://ping.fm/zbhzq s youth and that youth and told them of the voyage and asked them to make ready and go down to the beach whe

http://ping.fm/aXb52 re the boat would be. And then she went to a man called NoÃŽmon, and begged him for a swift ship, and NoÃ

http://ping.fm/N3dT7 our, have thrice bade you Mahthi cease your chatter and laughter. But you heeded me not. To my voice were added

http://ping.fm/e56Gu rose, strode over to the camp of Mahthi, and said fiercely to them: "I, Byamee, whom all the tribes hold in hon

http://ping.fm/ECxqU useless, gaily chattered and laughed the Mahthi. At length Byamee, mightiest and most famous of the Wirreenun,

http://ping.fm/JxC5d isation of their most sacred rites. Frequently the Wirreenun sternly bade them be silent. But admonitions were

http://ping.fm/GSPIl hatter and laughter amongst themselves, playing and shouting as if the tribes were not contemplating the solemn

http://ping.fm/XRN0O of treating their sayings and doings with the silent awe the Wirreenun expect, they had kept up an incessant c

http://ping.fm/hZbPv For some days the Mahthi had been behaving with a great want of respect for the wise men of the tribes. Instead

http://ping.fm/m3eRa hat stage arrived, Byamee, who was greatest of the Wirreenun present, had shown his power in a remarkable way.

http://ping.fm/SUZ4o had their suppers and corrobboreed, as on previous evenings, up to a certain stage. Before, on this occasion, t

http://ping.fm/qwK2t people and women to leave the old camps, and move into the borah ring. Inside this ring they made their camps,

http://ping.fm/MbZ2t a green switch in the other. When these men reached the middle of the enclosed ring was the time for the young

http://ping.fm/icgPa crub, along the path which they had previously banked on each side. Every man had a fire stick in one hand and

http://ping.fm/2ovey went away into the scrub. Then just about sundown they were all to be seen walking in single file out of the s

http://ping.fm/RQQcB ount of ceremony. In the afternoon, before the move had taken place, all the black fellows left their camps and

http://ping.fm/S2HQZ hey were moved to inside the big ring that the black fellows had made. This move was attended with a certain am

http://ping.fm/usVfZ s of borah are sacred from the ears, eyes, or tongues of women.

The next day a shift was made of the camps. T

http://ping.fm/cIHFj ust not even use the same word as the boys and men to express the borah spirit, for all concerning the mysterie

http://ping.fm/GyMox m. The boys said "Gayandy," and their eyes extended with fear. "Gayandy" meant borah devil too, but the women m

http://ping.fm/esywx men said, in an awestricken tone, "Gurraymy," that is "borah devil," and clutched their children tighter to the

http://ping.fm/ybWGK cular piece of wood at the end of a string and were whirling it round and round.

As the noise went on, the wo

http://ping.fm/tC7Wr hood. The noise really sounded, if you had not the dread of spirits in your mind, just as if some one had a cir

http://ping.fm/bpKhp hey knew that it was made by the spirits who were coming to assist at the initiation of the boys into young man

http://ping.fm/82gxr m the scrub round. The women and children shrank together, for the sudden, uncanny noise frightened them. And t

http://ping.fm/SUtgM y, when the attention of the blacks was fixed on this fight, there came a strange, whizzing, whirring noise fro

http://ping.fm/fk05f on for some time, one of the old Wirreenun walked right away from the crowd as if he were sulky. He went to his

http://ping.fm/aI2zW en all these preparations were finished, they had, as usual, a corrobboree at night. After this had been going

http://ping.fm/lGP2m red a pathway leading into the thick bush from the circle, and built a dam on either side of this pathway.

Wh

http://ping.fm/YEPil h day. They cleared a very large circle quite clear, then they built an earthen dam round this circle, and clea

http://ping.fm/KdV1V y by day they must all go forth as if to hunt and then prepare in secret the borah ground. Out went the man eac

http://ping.fm/dVaip e men of the tribes that they were going to hold a borah. But on no account must the innerh, or women, know. Da

http://ping.fm/rC4er nto, and always were the Wirreenun, or doctors of the tribes consulted.

After some days the Wirreenun told th

http://ping.fm/6XCmZ n girls promised to old men, babies in arms promised to grown men; many and diverse were the compacts entered i

http://ping.fm/J9ZNW dillibag for a boomerang, and so on; young daughters given to old warriors, old women given to young men, unbor

http://ping.fm/f4a2V day there was much hunting and feasting, by night much dancing and singing; pledges of friendship exchanged, a

http://ping.fm/iVTkT xcel the other in the fancifulness of their painted get-up, and the novelty of their newest song and dance. By

http://ping.fm/ej2sI were hundreds and hundreds assembled, and many and varied were the nightly corrobborees, each tribe trying to e

http://ping.fm/GJINK , and many other chiefs and their tribes, each had their camp on a different point. When all had arrived there

http://ping.fm/F5bOE dogs, another, and so on; Byamee and his tribe, Byahmul the black swans tribe, Oooboon, the blue tongued lizard

http://ping.fm/1XcWV where the corrobborees were to be. The Wahn, crows, had one point; the Dummerh, pigeons, another; the Mahthi,

http://ping.fm/0XKpC ogoorewon, each took up a position at one of the various points of the ridges, surrounding the clear open space

http://ping.fm/eVZEm hey might be free to marry wives, eat emu flesh, and learn to be warriors.

As tribe after tribe arrived at Go

http://ping.fm/68izz mahoomahnowee, to the gathering of the tribes, for the time had come when they should be made young men, that t

http://ping.fm/s5ps8 must not know. Old Byamee, who was a great Wirreenun, said he would take his two sons, Ghindahindahmoee and Boo

http://ping.fm/InKFW ing, how that the season was good, there must be a great gathering of the tribes. And the place fixed for the g

http://ping.fm/Khc4j d bones of the massacred nien.



26. THE BORAH OF BYAMEE



Word had been passed from tribe to tribe, tell

http://ping.fm/Bbdvt hdah and her dingoes used to slay the blacks, are heaps of white stones, which are supposed to be the fossilise

http://ping.fm/WU3BR dogs had never bitten the blacks as the other dogs had done. At the points of the Moorillahs where Bougoodooga

http://ping.fm/7Vjkt le dogs were changed into dayall minyah, a very small kind of carpet snake, non-poisonous, for these two little

http://ping.fm/VBEuM of the woman, all the dead dingoes were changed into snakes, many different kinds, all poisonous. The two litt

http://ping.fm/yxizS en they hear its cry in the daytime they know the rain will soon fall.

As the little bird flew from the heart

http://ping.fm/3rt7H ssums, killed and skinned them, plucked all the hair from the skins, saving it to roll into string to make goom

http://ping.fm/CzKEk he dungle empty; then he will be sorry that he would not lend us the dayoorl."

The wives soon caught some opo

http://ping.fm/zy2Ra ungle of water, take the children, and run away! When he returns he will find his wives and children gone and t

http://ping.fm/bVROY possum skins; we will fill them with water, then some day when Goomblegubbon is out hunting we will empty the d

http://ping.fm/nJBDj n two fires, already cooking. They determined to be revenged, so said:

"We will make some water bags of the o

http://ping.fm/QSn5G several times. They knew he did not want to use it himself, for they saw his durrie on a piece of bark, betwee

http://ping.fm/ufhdi ne, that they might grind some doonburr to make durrie. But he would not lend it to them, though they asked him

http://ping.fm/mpbeQ omblegubbon a short distance off in another. One day the wives asked their husband to lend them the dayoorl sto

http://ping.fm/Z2WKS ; their only water supply was a small dungle, or gilguy hole. The wives and children camped in one camp, and Go

http://ping.fm/egNfA argah the hawk, and Ouyan the curlew, with the two children of Beeargah, had their camps right away in the bush

http://ping.fm/mnqY5 ossum, his wife.



17. GOOMBLEGUBBON, BEEARGAH, AND OUYAN



Goomblegubbon the bustard, his two wives, Bee

http://ping.fm/Z8Oig on one side of which is a little star, which is his one arm; on the other a larger star, which is Moodai the op

http://ping.fm/QMky9 ir enemies; but their legend says that Mullyan the eagle hawk lives in the sky as Mullyangah the morning star,

http://ping.fm/ntRG5 re ceased, were the charred bones of the dwellers in the yaraan tree. That was all that the blacks found of the

http://ping.fm/LFrT3 late. As they turned to descend the tree, the roof of the humpy fell on them. And all that remained when the fi

http://ping.fm/uYzC0 the fire, they turned to leave the humpy to its fate, and make good their own escape. But they had left it too

http://ping.fm/POZ32 rnt off. The Moodai had their feet burnt, and Buttergah was badly burnt too. Seeing they were helpless against

http://ping.fm/qonMf im extinguish the flames. But in spite of their efforts the fire only blazed the brighter. Mullyan's arm was bu

http://ping.fm/yGKNp f fire from the end of his humpy. He called out to the three women, who were cooking, and they rushed to help h

http://ping.fm/9ZAKm he heard it fall. Once more be rose and replaced it. As he reached his resting-place again, out burst a flame o

http://ping.fm/kX0LD pear fall down. He jumped up and stuck it in its place again. He had no sooner thrown himself down, than again

http://ping.fm/TqQi8 hrew himself down to rest, for long had he walked and little had he gained. In a few minutes he heard his big s

http://ping.fm/tBdFc n came back. When he reached the entrance to his house he put down his big spear outside. Then he went in and t

http://ping.fm/fP1qZ d. And proud were Bibbee and Murrawondah as the black fellows praised their prowess.

After dinner-time Mullya

http://ping.fm/sGA8Y here to watch and wait for the end. Great was their joy at the thought that at last their enemy was circumvente

http://ping.fm/7yl4o e plan was to burn out Mullyan, and fearing that the tree might fall, they all moved to some little distance, t

http://ping.fm/LaNvF ouldering fire stick, Bibbee and Murrawondah found the blacks and told them what they had done. Hearing that th

http://ping.fm/bQo9s ning, but looking round they saw nothing, and as their own fire was safe, they took no notice, thinking it migh

http://ping.fm/C3S7T t have been caused by some grass having fallen into their fire.

After their descent from having hidden the sm

http://ping.fm/ZwhaV o one the wiser of their coming or going. During the day the women heard sometimes a crackling noise, as of bur

http://ping.fm/FRQoe one end of the humpy, taking care they were not seen by any of the women. Then they went quietly down again, n

http://ping.fm/T27Ca nd then sneaked into his humpy.

When they were safely inside, they hastened to secrete a smouldering stick in

http://ping.fm/kfQcu away in the morning, and then climbed on. At last they reached the home of Mullyan. They watched their chance a

http://ping.fm/V9ktI first night for them to see to reach a fork in the tree about half-way up. There they camped, watched Mullyan

http://ping.fm/5sf1Q to do, these famous climbers went to the yaraan tree and made a start at once. There was only light enough that

http://ping.fm/oKh0A bringing with him his friend Murrawondah of the climbing rat tribe.

Having heard what the blacks wanted them

http://ping.fm/vHNjY of the Bibbees, a tribe noted for its climbing powers. They summoned two young Bibbees to their aid. One came,

http://ping.fm/Ggmbo and straight, and they gave up the attempt after many efforts. In their despair at their failure they thought

http://ping.fm/4TOTR foot of the yaraan tree, in which was built the home of Mullyan. They tried to climb the tree, but it was high

http://ping.fm/GMhSp him to where he had evidently been slain; they took up the tracks of his slayer, and followed them right to the

http://ping.fm/yrLB5 ir friends determined to find out what became of them, and they tracked the last one they missed. They tracked

http://ping.fm/dNIj5 as Mullyan were cannibals. This went on for some time, until at last so many black fellows were slain that the

http://ping.fm/xGtMF tree. There the Moodai and Buttergab would cook it, and all of them would eat the flesh; for the women as well

http://ping.fm/m3hpG ary spear. If he found a black fellow hunting alone, he would kill him and take his body up to the house in the

http://ping.fm/ziRX9 sfy his cannibal cravings, he used to sally forth with a big spear, a spear about four times as big as an ordin

http://ping.fm/38zk5 the eagle hawk was a cannibal. That was the reason of his living apart from the other blacks. In order to sati

http://ping.fm/DVKzC ibe. Buttergah was a friend of Moodai, the wife of Mullyan, and a distant cousin to the Moodai tribe.

Mullyan

http://ping.fm/MSuUK f a home high in a yaraan tree. There he lived apart from his tribe, with Moodai the opossum, his wife, and Moo

http://ping.fm/JfQVI dai the opossum, his mother-in-law. With them too was Buttergah, a daughter of the Buggoo or flying squirrel tr

http://ping.fm/udcJT nd so were the Bilbers avenged.



16. MULLYANGAH THE MORNING STAR



Mullyan, the eagle hawk, built himsel

http://ping.fm/9G4j7 . She called out to Narahdarn that the honey was in a split in the tree. He called back to her to put her hand

http://ping.fm/tmhBQ come on, climb the tree, and chop out the honey. When they reached the marked tree one of the women climbed up

http://ping.fm/HRHiT mebo that he might know it again, he returned to hurry on his wives who were some way behind. He wanted them to

http://ping.fm/RJ9YW Narahdarn let the bee go again, and followed him to his nest, in a gunnyanny tree. Marking the tree with his co

http://ping.fm/kN1x7 him, imprisoned him under bark, and kept him safely there until next morning. When it was light enough to see,

http://ping.fm/qPtK7 rrees to carry home the honey in. Night came on and Wurranunnah the bee had not reached home. Narahdarn caught

http://ping.fm/p1E0n eather, and so follow the bee to its nest. He ordered his two wives, of the Bilber tribe, to follow him with wi

http://ping.fm/GiqI7 ht it, stuck a white feather between its hind legs, let it go and followed it. He knew he could see the white f

http://ping.fm/A3msW N THE BAT



Narahdarn, the bat, wanted honey. He watched until he saw a Wurranunnah, or bee, alight. He caug

http://ping.fm/5TRRR in had sat, with the blood of the slain. And the place is called Goomade and is red for ever.



15. NARAHDAR

http://ping.fm/KRTx3 the bank--not one escaped, And red was the bank of the creek, and red the stump whereon Deereeree and Burreenj

http://ping.fm/iwnnH water so high, and lashing so furiously, that all the fishermen were drowned, even Deereeree and Burreenjin on

http://ping.fm/ZsInK d not heed what was said to them. Soon the alligator smelt them, and he lashed out with his tail, splashing the

http://ping.fm/475tV you towards him. Go back or he will smell you."

But Deereeree and Burreenjin were watching the fishing and di

http://ping.fm/0obDD back of an alligator in the water." The diver and eagle hawk called back, "Go away, then. The wind blows from

http://ping.fm/g8KO0 wagtail, and Burreenjin, the peewee, who were on the bank sitting on a stump, called out, "Look out, we saw the

http://ping.fm/0O9kM ish down towards where Oongnairwah and Guinarey were stationed with their net. Presently little Deereeree, the

http://ping.fm/D692J e pelicans, black swans, and the rest to the creek. In they jumped, and splashed the water about to scare the f

http://ping.fm/bXmPq to the creek and catch fish, if some of them would go and beat the fish down towards the net.

Gladly went th

http://ping.fm/7VacW ey, the eagle hawk, told all the pelicans, black swans, cranes, and many others, that they would take their net

http://ping.fm/SmcuK tone. This swiftly he threw at his mother, hitting her with such force that she fell dead to the earth.

Then

http://ping.fm/2y11L on strode Bunbundoolooey to his camp.



14. OONGNAIRWAH AND GUINAREY



Oongnairwah, the diver, and Guinar

http://ping.fm/6KoMC , the son, and no answer did he make with his tongue. But he stooped to the ground and picked therefrom a big s

http://ping.fm/R0TI5 son!"

And she ran forward with her arms out, as if to embrace him.

But stern was the face of Bunbundoolooey

http://ping.fm/IsKtY ary, but glad is her heart, and loud could she sing in her joy. Ah, Bunbundoolooey, my son! Bunbundoolooey, my

http://ping.fm/N4sK0 u as a birrahlee, and left you. But now I have come to find you, my son. Long was the journey, my son, and your

http://ping.fm/bCYaV mother was weary, but now that she sees once more her birrahlee, who has grown into a man, she is no longer we

http://ping.fm/5ZsTb As he drew near she ran out to meet him, saying:

"Bunbundoolooey, I am your mother. The mother who forgot yo

http://ping.fm/WBtDf hole sometimes, but never away, always returning to their bush and seeming to be discussing the whole affair;

http://ping.fm/z8bUJ be killed without mercy. And as they talked they satisfied their hunger by eating some of the emu flesh.

Aft

http://ping.fm/uB9rQ ide.

Then at last she saw a man coming towards the camp, and she knew he was her birrahlee, grown into a man.

http://ping.fm/j62Kb em until she reached a camp. No one was in the camp, but a fire was there, so she waited, and while waiting loo

http://ping.fm/9vO2Q laughter, that they had killed the Weeoombeens at last, the black fellows hurried away to bring back the stren

http://ping.fm/Mf4cr ked round. She saw her son had made himself many weapons, and many opossum rugs, which he had painted gaily ins

http://ping.fm/zttaw started for help, only as they left to hear once more the laughter of the brothers.

The Weeoombeens finding

http://ping.fm/sphfN g. Bigger and bigger were the tracks she followed, until she saw they were the tracks of a man. She followed th

http://ping.fm/YWNhJ ched the spot she saw the tracks of her birrablee, first crawling, then standing, then walking, and then runnin

http://ping.fm/1OJn2 humpy made of grass.

When the Weeoombeens saw the black fellows coming, they caught hold of the emu and drag

http://ping.fm/lUHgB And away went the mother as fast as she could travel back to the Dunnia clump in the far country. When she rea

http://ping.fm/em5iH to where the emu had evidently been; then they saw that they had dragged the emu to their nyunnoo, which was a

http://ping.fm/AAd5R rrahlee. My poor birrahlee! I forgot it. Mad must I have been when I forgot him. My birrahlee! My birrahlee!"

http://ping.fm/usg6o cried, "I forgot my birrahlee. I left my birrablee where the Dunnias grow in a far country. I must go to my bi

http://ping.fm/5ObFK found it not. Then for the first time they missed the Weeoombeens.

Looking round they saw their tracks going

http://ping.fm/o5ozl disappointed, the Weeoombeens marched straight off and told some black fellows who lived near, that Piggiebill

http://ping.fm/0psTT he far country at length one day Bunbundoolooey, the mother, remembered the birrablee she had left.

"Oh," she

http://ping.fm/2OMNV was so afraid that Piggiebillah would find their emu and take it, that he said: "I hit a little bird with a st

http://ping.fm/CfWct ig boy, and then into a man, and his mother he never saw while he was growing from birrahlee to man.

But in t

http://ping.fm/u9FIz Quickly big Weeoombeen left the emu and joined his little brother.

Piggiebillah, when he came up, said: "Wha

http://ping.fm/lEaBu up quickly and throw the stone with such an accurate aim as to kill the bird on the spot. The little brother w

http://ping.fm/MVxRZ y by day he grew stronger and walked alone, and stronger still he grew, and could run. Then he grew on into a b

http://ping.fm/5WGXI id he tell her his tidings from beginning to end, and after they had eaten they slept in peace until the mornin

http://ping.fm/oAvKK ut where Grania sat with Angus before a blazing fire.

When Grania saw Dermat her heart leaped for joy. Then d

http://ping.fm/FYzs0 rd or spear. And no man dared to follow Dermat. Nor did the hero rest until he came to the warm, well-lighted h

http://ping.fm/jyHWl ded spot, sprang with a light bound over the fence, and ran so swiftly that soon he was beyond the reach of swo

http://ping.fm/Vac0W k, for by the door that Finn guardeth, by it only shall I pass out.'

But Dermat, seeing of a sudden an unguar

http://ping.fm/4CmZO d will sever thy head from thy body shouldst thou dare to come forth.'

'At length have I found the door I see

http://ping.fm/sVT3p he went to the seventh door and asked who was without. And the voice of Finn answered, 'He that hateth thee, an

http://ping.fm/3eqty ars.'

'Cowards, no fear of you keepeth me from coming forth, but I crave not the blood of such as ye.'

And

http://ping.fm/gopKA 'No friends of thine, for shouldst thou dare to venture forth, we will make thee a mark for our swords and spe

http://ping.fm/SwBKI their love of him.

But when Dermat came to the sixth door and asked by whom it was guarded, the answer came,

http://ping.fm/xO0ZZ he fifth door did Dermat go, and at each was he told how the men without were willing to fight to the death for

http://ping.fm/MyzJK who was without, and again was it told him, 'Thy bounden friends.'

Then to the third, to the fourth, and to t

http://ping.fm/V3wbC the door guarded by Finn, and by none other shall I leave this place.'

And he came to another door and asked

http://ping.fm/aUjqD ue friends are we, and no harm shall befall thee, shouldst thou venture forth.'

But Dermat answered, 'I seek

http://ping.fm/rWrrF and, deep in thought, he walked to one of the seven doors and asked who was without.

And the answer came, 'Tr

http://ping.fm/osyvu forth on the wings of the wind unseen of Finn.

When Angus and Grania had gone, Dermat girded on his armour,

http://ping.fm/ae2aR thee, Angus, send the Princess to her father and beg him that he deal gently with her.'

Then Dermat kissed Gr

http://ping.fm/v5ejN ania, and Angus, having told the way that they would go, placed the Princess beneath his mantle and was carried

http://ping.fm/8uNtd should go with Angus. 'And I will follow if it be that I leave this place alive, yet should I be slain, I pray

http://ping.fm/grkK4 his place, and Finn shall know it not.'

But Dermat would not flee from Finn, yet it was his will that Grania

http://ping.fm/7L5ks der my mantle, the one on the right side and the other on the left, for then will I bring you both forth from t

http://ping.fm/xKt4F h pursued us and would fain take my life.'

'No harm shall befall you,' said Angus, 'if ye will but shelter un

http://ping.fm/qbWPO d how she was his wedded wife. 'And now are we in sore strait, for Finn, whose will it was to marry Grania, hat

http://ping.fm/XUc4l oster-father, greeted him gladly and told him of the solemn vow which the Princess Grania had laid upon him, an

http://ping.fm/dChnt t and Grania dwelt, and, unseen of Finn or his chiefs, he entered the dwelling.

And Dermat, when he saw his f

http://ping.fm/hFG0b were his own son.

So Angus arose and travelled on the wings of the wind until he came to the hut where Derma

http://ping.fm/99XW0 illed in magic was this Angus, and to him was the plight of Dermat revealed--Dermat, whom he loved as though he

http://ping.fm/gg7vU f good cheer for all would yet be well.

Now it was by Angus of Bruga that Dermat had been brought up. Most sk

http://ping.fm/aYpLV n's voice, was filled with fear, and she trembled greatly. Then Dermat kissed her three times and bade her be o

http://ping.fm/fX2gN each door did Finn place strong men, so that Dermat should by no means escape.

And Grania, when she heard Fin

http://ping.fm/zfKkL ania, but none other shall come hither save with my leave.'

Now in the circle fence were seven doors, and at

http://ping.fm/lfO7I ? Art thou behind the fence?'

'Thou, as ever, art right, O King,' cried Dermat. 'I am here, and with me is Gr

http://ping.fm/1Wgr5 mat is hid behind yonder strong fence.'

And Finn cried aloud, 'Which of us, Dermat, is it that speaketh truth

http://ping.fm/8jtIg -man gave three shouts, and was it not to warn him that ye sent unto him my dog Bran? Full well I know that Der

http://ping.fm/6Sixz d he replied, 'That Dermat hath thee for friend will avail him nought. Was it not to warn him that your serving

http://ping.fm/5I2Nj ermat to await thee here, knowing as he does that his life is in peril.'

Then did Finn's wrath wax strong, an

http://ping.fm/ANlAM the nobles hide from Finn that they had seen his foe. And one said to him, 'Far would it be from the mind of D

http://ping.fm/yN8Fg d they look within the fence, and there they saw Dermat and with him a lady.

But for their love of Dermat did

http://ping.fm/3l5qM is hut and around the space had he built the strong fence.

Then the nobles climbed a high tree and from it di

http://ping.fm/CVwpZ he forest they beheld a fence which no man could break through or climb. For Dermat had cleared a space round h

http://ping.fm/go1An gloom.

Now Finn, having reached the wood, sent forward his men, but when they came to the thickest part of t

http://ping.fm/D7JDF h foreboding, yet spake she no further, for sad and stern was her husband's voice, and in his eyes she read his

http://ping.fm/jKQoh mbled, and again she said, 'Let us flee, for how shall we withstand the wrath of Finn?'

But Dermat said, 'We

http://ping.fm/haYKE well I know that it cometh as a warning that Finn is nigh.'

Then great fear took hold of Grania, and she tre

http://ping.fm/4AT6k .

And when Dermat heard the shouts he said to Grania, 'Well I know whose is the voice that shouteth, and full

http://ping.fm/3HWPY so loud that it could be heard for many miles, and they made this man give three shouts that Dermat might hear

http://ping.fm/hjx95 ed Dermat thought of yet another warning to send their friend. They had with them a serving-man whose voice was

http://ping.fm/BPrPZ no further, for in Dermat's eyes she read his gloom.

While Bran still tarried by the hut, the nobles who lov

http://ping.fm/WyVsN but neither he nor his men shall enter this hut without my leave.'

Still Grania feared greatly, but she spake

http://ping.fm/fMewD 'Were we to flee, yet would Finn overtake us, and it were as ill to fall into his hands then as at this time,

http://ping.fm/9zEO7 as been a hero in the Green Isle, and it were well that he should yet rejoice in the land, and, if need be, defe

http://ping.fm/kqFIp ness of the King?'

'Yet,' replied Fergus, 'Erin is the land of his adoption. Since his boyhood's days Nathos h

http://ping.fm/kavrR re in Alba is Nathos now lord over lands wider than the realm of Concobar. Wherefore then should he seek forgive

http://ping.fm/GGita shall be your welcome, if ye will come back with me.'

But before the brothers could answer, Deirdre spake. 'He

http://ping.fm/U7MNO he see once more in Erin the fairest and bravest heroes of his realm. Peace he would pledge with you, and great

http://ping.fm/fHftE ere the two sat on either side of the chess-board.

Eagerly did the exiled sons of Usna beg for tidings of thei

http://ping.fm/iKOCi r friends in the Green Isle.

'I come to you,' said Fergus, 'with greetings from Concobar the King. Fain would

http://ping.fm/x9YpS e with honey-sweet words hath in his mind the shedding of our blood?'

Even as she spake Ardan led Fergus to wh

http://ping.fm/d458Z old of thee?' he asked.

'Hath it not been revealed to me in a dream, O Nathos, that this Fergus who should com

http://ping.fm/f7a7m os saw that Deirdre's lips grew pale and a great fear looked out from her eyes.

'What terror is it that hath h

http://ping.fm/NpnNO , and there welcome Fergus from the Green Isle, for he indeed it is and none other.'

But when Ardan went, Nath

http://ping.fm/5AJ3r was none but knew that it was indeed the voice of a man of Erin.

'Go, Ardan,' said Nathos, 'go to the harbour

http://ping.fm/q1VDL eirdre said, 'Nay, thou dreamest, Nathos. Let us play on.'

Then nearer and clearer came a third cry, and there

http://ping.fm/BUJOM oud cry, and the sons of Usna were called by name.

'Yea, most truly is that the cry of a man of Erin.'

But D

http://ping.fm/MyYGz down the shore.

'Yonder is the voice of a man of Erin,' said Nathos, as they paused in their game.

Again a l

http://ping.fm/OXQyU onged to Concobar, for on the day before the sons of Usna fled from Alba, the King had been hunting by their cas

http://ping.fm/RXDO4 tle, and there had he left the board and men.

As Nathos and Deirdre played, of a sudden was a cry heard from a

http://ping.fm/qM1GG re the tents, playing chess.

The chess-board was of ivory, the chessmen were of wrought gold, and they had bel

http://ping.fm/AkAcF Ailne and Ardan, and one in which to eat and to drink. It was on a bright noon that Nathos and Deirdre sat befo

http://ping.fm/u8UDF th. But the days were hot, and they had pitched three tents on the seashore, one for Nathos and Deirdre, one for

http://ping.fm/LwMAJ ade bright the earth, and Nathos and his brothers had not yet left their father's home for the castle in the nor

http://ping.fm/LtsDj sail in a black barge for Alba, taking with him but his two sons and a steersman.

The bloom of early summer m

http://ping.fm/QTH5y of Borrach, but the three sons of Usna send thou straightway hither.'

So it was that on the morrow Fergus set

http://ping.fm/lbUdq hee Nathos, and Ailne, and Ardan. And when thou art come again to Erin, keep thou thy bond to feast at the house

http://ping.fm/t7oId ted against the King.'

'To thee, good Fergus, do I intrust this thing. Go thou to Alba and bring hither with t

http://ping.fm/TClle King likewise to Fergus, and Fergus answered, 'Let what may befall the sons of Usna, never shall my hand be lif

http://ping.fm/zFfjv Usna lie dead before me, then woe be upon thee, for with mine own hand should I take thy life.'

Then spake the

http://ping.fm/4GHZs rior prince. To him he spake as to the first. And this prince made answer, 'If by thy command I saw the sons of

http://ping.fm/61CPL ould I slay those who did the monstrous deed, even were it at thy command.'

Again the King called to him a war

http://ping.fm/0xCCG Usna, and if at my command thou didst see them slain before thee, what then wouldst thou do?'

'Then, O King, w

http://ping.fm/9Y5Zv ter the feast the King drew aside a warrior prince, and spake thus: 'Were I to send thee to Alba to the sons of

http://ping.fm/vSOru o loves me most,' answered the King, 'he it is that will fail not to bring with him the exiled heroes.'

And af

http://ping.fm/bBYkt en spake one among them, 'Right gladly we go, but who can bring to thee Nathos, if it be not his will?'

'He wh

http://ping.fm/0V3nk adness of the people, 'go hence to Alba and come not again until ye bring with you the three sons of Usna.'

Th

http://ping.fm/ROymC less anger of Concobar that Nathos had fled from the Green Isle.

'Go forth,' said Concobar, when he saw the gl

http://ping.fm/j766f ome.'

At these words great was the joy of all, for there was not one but knew that it was for fear of the piti

http://ping.fm/g22XU befall, sore would be our need, therefore let the sons of Usna be brought hither from their northern mountain h

http://ping.fm/karmM s, Ardan and Ailne, should be exiled from our isle for the sake of a woman, be she fair as May. Should dark days

http://ping.fm/NmLIQ any, while Concobar spoke to them of his discontent. 'It is not meet that these three heroes of the realm, Natho

http://ping.fm/PVvIX eld sway.

It was in the midst of the feast, as they sat around the board, that a hush fell upon the great comp

http://ping.fm/GQ86c dre the Star-eyed should yet be Concobar's Queen.

And the King made a feast so magnificent that such had never

http://ping.fm/PZIWd been seen in the Green Isle. And to it were called all the princes and nobles of the land over which Concobar h

http://ping.fm/g8hky rest beyond the Moor of Loneliness should no longer be suffered to live in peace. He should surely die, and Deir

http://ping.fm/bvi3M n Isle of Erin, Concobar dwelt with gloomy thoughts of vengeance. This Nathos who had stolen Deirdre from the fo

http://ping.fm/6APcJ Thence ofttimes in the young summer would they sail southward]

* * * * *

In his dazzling palace in the Gree

http://ping.fm/jdivg a, and no poet or bard had a song so fair as that which sang of the wondrous beauty of Deirdre.

[Illustration:

http://ping.fm/IsP0y d it been given mortal eye to behold. And throughout the land of Alba was it told of the fame of the sons of Usn

http://ping.fm/fjDvW in peace.

Thence ofttimes in the young summer would they sail southwards. No bluer blue, no greener green, ha

http://ping.fm/PImDY s came would they sail south to the land that the brave Usna had ruled, where now they could dwell in safety and

http://ping.fm/IRoJh t the mountain-sides were aglow with the purple and gold of heather and bracken, but ever before the first frost

http://ping.fm/eV9BN remaining. And at last he too began to move towards the sleeping place. Then he began to yawn a little, and at

http://ping.fm/KjfSe nd snored.

And now the great finder of hidden things began calling down sleep with all his might over that one

http://ping.fm/kaCzi remained awake; at last there were only two. But then one of those two began to yawn, and at last rolled over a

http://ping.fm/hvaSu n a magic sleep upon those in the hut, and one by one they sank to sleep and began to snore. And fewer and fewer

http://ping.fm/AcJaT d by now. And said to those with him:

"Try now to magic them to sleep."

And now the wizard began calling dow

http://ping.fm/M6Upo u want to go home very much?"

¡ng·ngujuk answered quickly: "Yes." And his father was very greatly angere

http://ping.fm/HvEN8 t?"

"No," said the child.

And there was nothing he cared to have. Therefore they asked him at last:

"Do yo

http://ping.fm/b20UK people inside asked the child:

"What would you like to eat?"

"No," said the child.

"Will you have seal mea

http://ping.fm/d0yrj inside the house; each one was eager to have the child. When the father saw this, he was very angry.

And the

http://ping.fm/z1ozf e quarrelling about his child, and the child was crying.

"Who is to look after him?"

So he heard them saying

http://ping.fm/bzn0f les. It was the heat from inside coming out so. And the father looked in through a window, and saw that they wer

http://ping.fm/uENqK ast they sighted a lot of houses. And when they came nearer, they saw the smoke coming out from all the smoke ho

http://ping.fm/UepGK him."

Then they stopped calling spirits, and wandered away towards the east. They walked and walked, and at l

http://ping.fm/ZQHqW the spirit came. And when this had happened, the spirit finder declared:

"It would seem that spirits have here

http://ping.fm/d3r5G found a difficult task. He is up in a place between two great cliffs, and two old inland folk are looking after

http://ping.fm/IvkgL a stick to his face, and made him lie down on the bedplace on his back.

And now he worked away with him until

http://ping.fm/MS6dy t for a very clever finder of hidden things, and meeting such a one at last, he took him home. Then he fastened

http://ping.fm/ySX4C em go without giving them so much as a bite of meat.

And seeing that none of them could help him, he now sough

http://ping.fm/iPHVx inging wizards with him, and bade them try what they could do, and when they could not find the child, he let th

http://ping.fm/nqz1w o can ask counsel of the spirits."

And now the husband began eagerly to search for such a one. He came home br

http://ping.fm/05pnd will kill you."

To this his wife answered:

"Do not kill me yet, but wait a little, and first seek out one wh

http://ping.fm/r3lD1 And when she had said this, her husband answered:

"It is you, wicked old hag, who have killed him. And now I

http://ping.fm/fdn7g "He vanished away from me this morning, after you had gone, when he was playing kayak-man out in the passage."

http://ping.fm/Y3FQa from behind a rock, dragging a seal behind him.

Then he came forward and said:

"Where is our little son?"

http://ping.fm/SpEkB afraid, dreading her husband's return. And while she stood there feeling great fear of her husband, he came out

http://ping.fm/YpTGJ he was scraping, and began to search about. But she could not find the child. And now she began to feel greatly

http://ping.fm/Jutph lled in this way, and called again, for there came no answer. And when no answer came again, she left the skin s

http://ping.fm/3Be9C now and again she called to him: "¡ng·ngujuk!" And the child would answer from outside.

And once she ca

http://ping.fm/qktHM very strong. They had no other neighbours, but lived there three of them all alone. One day when the mother was

http://ping.fm/LEuFi going to scrape meat from a skin, she let the child play at kayak outside in the passage, near the entrance. And

http://ping.fm/5Z1Wi to death, he never went southward again.



¡NG¡NGUJUK

It is said that ¡ng·ngujuk's father was

http://ping.fm/aocB7 gan.

So Atdlarneq slept, and next morning he went back home again. But after having thus nearly gorged himself

http://ping.fm/sJw3e eemed hardly to have eaten until now. But that was because he had swallowed a little stalk of grass before he be

http://ping.fm/8XYpK he had eaten it all up. And again he emptied the water bucket.

After all that he felt very well indeed, and s

http://ping.fm/1rSmL Eat that up too."

And so Atdlarneq was forced to stuff himself mightily once more. He ate and ate, and at last

http://ping.fm/9tNql h to eat more. But then they brought in a whole black seal. And the man set that also before him, and cried:

"

http://ping.fm/MRDSX violently again:

"Give him some more to eat."

And when Atdlarneq had eaten again for a while, he did not wis

http://ping.fm/IzE3F til there was no more left, save a very little piece.

When the man saw there was some not eaten, he cried out

http://ping.fm/Bkp8K said:

"And now the frozen meat."

And they brought in the half of a black seal. And Atdlarneq ate and ate un

http://ping.fm/RwGUr and lifted it to his mouth and drank, and drank it all to the last drop.

Hardly had he done this when the man

http://ping.fm/72IDZ ubber with his fish; he chewed and chewed, and at last he had eaten it all up. Then he went to the water bucket,

http://ping.fm/t9HC1 you do not eat it all up, I will thrash you with my copper cheeks!"

And now Atdlarneq began eagerly chewing bl

http://ping.fm/qM34i f blubber from the half of a black seal. And then the man said violently:

"You are to eat this all up, and if

http://ping.fm/Owx4c s not yet eaten."

"Then bring food at once."

And then they brought in a sack full of fish, and a big piece o

http://ping.fm/LWIYw He had hardly shown himself, when the other asked very eagerly:

"Has he had nothing to eat yet?"

"No, he ha

http://ping.fm/BuIYz There is a smell of people here."

And now Atdlarneq crawled out, seeing that the other had already smelt him.

http://ping.fm/y11K7
And his cheeks were made of copper. [14]

He had but just sat down, when he began to sniff, and said:

"Hum!

http://ping.fm/mkIpR he had hardly crawled in there when that master came home; Atdlarneq looked through a little hole, and saw him.

http://ping.fm/k6qHH xpect our dear master home."

When he heard this, he was afraid, and hid himself behind the skin hangings. And

http://ping.fm/LO3Rs Why do you keep going out like that?"

When he asked them this, all answered at once:

"It is because we now e

http://ping.fm/xGs2d y set off, many sledges together, going southward to buy wood. And having done what they wished, they set out fo

http://ping.fm/KPa6d ed in the south, to buy wood. This men were wont to do in the old days, but now it is no longer so.

And so the

http://ping.fm/Ap0by wished.

It is also told of AvÙvang, that he once desired to travel to the south, and to the people who liv

http://ping.fm/QeUQK o another man who was not their enemy. And at last they were forced to drive away, without having done what they

http://ping.fm/pvy9j cliff, thinking to cast him down. But each time they caught hold of him to cast him down, he changed himself int

http://ping.fm/3FlD2 bout my death."

And as they could not wound him with their stabbing, they dragged him up to the top of a high

http://ping.fm/lUGSH body is now like a piece of knotty wood, with the scars of the wounds you gave me, and yet you could not bring a

http://ping.fm/UkvLS him with their weapons, though they stabbed again and again.

At last he spoke, and said mockingly:

"All my

http://ping.fm/bb2pG upon him, he simply placed that piece of skin on the ground and stood on it, and all his enemies could not wound

http://ping.fm/4jPyH im the skin of a dog's neck, which had been used to wrap him in when he was a child. And when then the men fell

http://ping.fm/CyUXM and hid away.

The sledges drove up before the house, and AvÙvang went out to meet them, but he took with h

http://ping.fm/ny321 brother."

The brother now ran into the house to tell what he had heard. And then he ran up a steep rocky slope

http://ping.fm/wmCTC ame dashing up, and as it reached him, the man who was in it said:

"There will come many sledges to kill your

http://ping.fm/DKEzR ™vang's brother stood one day on the ice near the breathing hole of a seal.

And as he stood there, a sledge c

http://ping.fm/wFj5D when it is good to be out, and the days do not close with dark night, and all is nearing the great summer, AvÃ

http://ping.fm/DcSAX And of him it is said that nothing could wound him. And he lived at Kangerdlugssuaq.

At that time of the year

http://ping.fm/ufZLP the old sneak!



THE SOUL THAT LIVED IN THE BODIES OF ALL BEASTS

There was a man whose name was AvÙvang.

http://ping.fm/nC1Ad id. But she had grown so afraid of him that she never came out any more, and so she died where she was at last--

http://ping.fm/CoqQV hewed and gnawed at it to her heart's content.

"Come out, come out, for I will never hurt you any more," he sa

http://ping.fm/0mDxz erself there. And as she would not come out again, her husband thrust in a great piece of walrus meat, and she c

http://ping.fm/Gz5x6 gone a great way.

But Navar·n‚, who was now afraid of her husband, crept in under the bench and hid h

http://ping.fm/PDT5l es left, and these fled away. They fled away to the southward, and fled and fled without stopping until they had

http://ping.fm/9aTI3 shooting his enemies down.

His mother gave him strength by magic means.

Soon there were but few of his enemi

http://ping.fm/O6Xjy his footmarks are seen on the stone to this day. Then he took his arrows all barbed with walrus tusk, and began

http://ping.fm/BHsFE eels of the dog, and jumped up to the great stone that is used to set out meat on. So strongly did he jump that

http://ping.fm/1a0hZ outside thought it was Neruvk‚q himself, and stabbed the dog to death.

Neruvk‚q came close on the h

http://ping.fm/NPjRC that.

And now he wanted to get out of the house. He put the sealskin coat on his dog, and thrust it out. Those

http://ping.fm/0QhWj to time. Also it was covered with pieces of walrus tusk, sewn all about. None could kill him as long as he wore

http://ping.fm/CSqQN to put on his tunic, and this was a tunic he had worn as a little child, and it had been made larger from time

http://ping.fm/BPXdc then he hopped about on one leg until all the blood was gone from him and he died.

But Neruvk‚q hastened

http://ping.fm/NTUWS he roof, and Neruvk‚q's brother cut it off at the joint.

"He has cut off my leg," they heard him say. And

http://ping.fm/xxLhl sprang upon the roof of Neruvk‚q's house and began to trample on it. One of them thrust his foot through t

http://ping.fm/PmJsF e inland-dwellers.

Now all these many brothers moved down to Natsivilik, and when they reached the place, they

http://ping.fm/P3Jk8 did not cease from ill-treating her, she ran away to those brothers at last. And they were of the tunerssuit, th

http://ping.fm/yGyVn ne, she would snivel with pain.

"Do not touch me; I have many brothers," she said to her husband.

And as he

http://ping.fm/fTyqS vk‚q was cruel to his wife; he would stab her in the leg with an awl, and when the point reached her shinbo

http://ping.fm/TpJde ster. And they lived at Natsivilik, the place where there is a great stone on which men lay out meat.

But Neru

http://ping.fm/bjfFb s feet.
and she was of the tunerssuit, the inland-dwellers. She had many brothers, and was herself their only si

http://ping.fm/SmX1T s, leaving only his head free. Then the worms suck all his blood, and this, they say, makes him very light on hi

http://ping.fm/IoVFk nd-dweller is to become a swift runner, they stuff him into the skin of a ribbon seal, which is filled with worm

http://ping.fm/lpOds ight of their dogs.

And they train themselves to become swift runners, that they may catch foxes. When an inla

http://ping.fm/iJFeA rom among the inland folk, and when that husband came to visit her brothers, the blood sprang from his eyes at s

http://ping.fm/Dkwip are only shy, and very greatly afraid of dogs. There was a woman of the coast-folk, Suagaq, who took a husband f

http://ping.fm/p6jRR ht be there, they found nothing but a single narwhal tusk.

The inland-dwellers are not really dangerous, they

http://ping.fm/Bc0LZ but the inland-dwellers were so terrified that they fled far up into the country.

Since then they have never b

http://ping.fm/YsCW2 land-dwellers; "her skin was already wrinkled; it does not matter at all."

Then the sledges drove home again,

http://ping.fm/ltg4x a sad thing," he said, "that I should have caused you to lose that old one."

"It is nothing," answered the in

http://ping.fm/KHW0g saw the dogs.

Now the man went in, very ill at ease because he had caused the death of the old woman.

"It is

http://ping.fm/Xwz1O were at the entrance to an inland-dweller's house.

The inland-dwellers screamed aloud with fear when they saw

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http://ping.fm/qmFOr ow they went. But when he had ridden awhile, the Horse said, "I think I hear a noise; look round! can you see an

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So when the lad had got on the horse, off they went at such a rate, he couldn't at all tell h

http://ping.fm/0kRfh he bramble-bush rod, and the stone, and the pitcher of water, and the pot of ointment, and then we'll be off as

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"Now saddle me," said the Horse, "and put on the coat of mail, and then take t

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"Try and lift me, then," said the Horse.

Oh yes! he could do that, and as for the sword, h

http://ping.fm/BtRkG as milk and blood, and much stronger than he had been before.

"Do you feel any change?" asked the Horse.

"Ye

http://ping.fm/VxmA3 at, he did as he was told. So when he had taken his bath, he became so handsome and sleek, and as red and white

http://ping.fm/d1ZfS other room, and bathe himself there. "If I do," thought the lad, "I shall look an awful fright;" but for all th

http://ping.fm/kTdjB he came back, the Horse told him to pull off his clothes and get into the cauldron which stood and boiled in the

http://ping.fm/Phj4R he same way."

So the lad did all that; but it was a heavy load for him to carry them all down at once.

When

http://ping.fm/LeinX e most rusty of all you see, that's the one to take; and sword and saddle you must choose for yourself just in t

http://ping.fm/cpK31 coat of mail out of those that hang there; and mind, whatever you do, don't take any of the bright ones, but th

http://ping.fm/mdyXz inds you here, he'll kill you outright. But now you must go up to the room which lies just over this, and take a

http://ping.fm/U0205 so good at heart as to let me have some food, I'll set you free, that I will. For if the Troll comes back and f

http://ping.fm/msvmG ght this all wrong, so he changed them about, and put the hay at his head. Then said the Horse:

"Since you are

http://ping.fm/tSjdZ a stall by himself, with a manger of red-hot coals at his head and a truss of hay at his tail. Then the lad thou

http://ping.fm/y3dEj any longer; he must and would go into that room, and so in he stole. There stood a great black horse tied up in

http://ping.fm/Wediv up all hope of saving his life.

Well, the lad stood out for two or three weeks, but then he couldn't hold out

http://ping.fm/2g0lt e was to be away a month. But before he went, he said to the lad, if he went into the fourth room he might give

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So after a while the man started off again, and this time h

http://ping.fm/KEgeS is bed three days. After that the man took down a pot from the wall, and rubbed him over with some stuff out of

http://ping.fm/v0XXM to kill the lad outright, but when he wept, and begged, he only gave him such a thrashing that he had to keep h

http://ping.fm/ZdKNz bad cut. But the man tore off the rag, and then he soon saw what was the matter with the finger. First he wanted

http://ping.fm/f6TYm t; and when the man came back, and asked what was the matter with his finger, the lad said he'd given it such a

http://ping.fm/tb1m3 ll over. So the lad scraped and scrubbed it, but the gilding wouldn't go off, so he bound a piece of rag round i

http://ping.fm/ImwTv thought the lad, and struck his finger down into the broth, and when he pulled it out again, lo! it was gilded a

http://ping.fm/KmMRU d up and boiled away down there; but he saw no fire under it.

"Well, I should just like to know if it's hot,"

http://ping.fm/Nr0uo ap door on the floor; and when he lifted it up and looked down, there stood a great copper cauldron which bubble

http://ping.fm/1J3Aw ter fourteen days the lad couldn't bear it, but crept into the room, but he saw nothing at all in there but a tr

http://ping.fm/3daG5 man was to take another journey, and now he said he should be away three weeks, and he forbade the lad anew to

http://ping.fm/RHFey go into the third room, for if he went in there he might just make up his mind at once to lose his life. Then af

http://ping.fm/ME8Tm again, he led just as easy a life as ever, and he and the man were just as good friends.

So a while after the

http://ping.fm/27fxp time too he got off with stripes; though he got as many as his skin would carry. But when he got sound and well

http://ping.fm/J2Ev3 pare you no longer; now you must lose your life."

But the lad begged and prayed for himself again, and so this

http://ping.fm/m0alX 'll soon see that," said the man; and when he saw the lad had been in them after all, he said:

"Ah! now I'll s

http://ping.fm/qTHkI k, he asked if he had been into any of the rooms. No, the lad hadn't done anything of the kind.

"Well, well; I

http://ping.fm/74Gmi . Well, after all, there's not much to be afraid of my seeing here, thought the lad.

But when the man came bac

http://ping.fm/DaZNY t in. In this room, too, he saw nothing but a shelf over the door, and a big stone, and a pitcher of water on it

http://ping.fm/IsiyZ hat, and welcome. Well, it was the same story over again, except that the lad stood out eight days before he wen

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Some time after the man set off again, and said he should be away fourteen days; but before he went he forba

http://ping.fm/QxHno ff with his life, but the man gave him a good thrashing. And when it was over, they were as good friends as ever

http://ping.fm/q0WdE en in here," said he; "and now you shall lose your life."

Then the lad begged and prayed so hard that he got o

http://ping.fm/8qIPH 'll soon see that," said the man, and went at once into the room where the lad had been.

"Nay, but you have be

http://ping.fm/BLFx6 y thing to forbid my seeing this.

So when the eight days were out, the man came home, and the first thing he s

http://ping.fm/irbii aid was:

"You haven't been into any of these rooms, of course."

"No, no; that I haven't," said the lad.

"I

http://ping.fm/DSBXt he saw nothing but a shelf over the door where a bramble-bush rod lay.

Well, indeed! thought the lad; a prett

http://ping.fm/lDbrr , the lad couldn't bear it any longer, but went into the first room, and when he got inside he looked round, but

http://ping.fm/uY9TE come back."

"No," said the lad, he'd be sure not to do that. But when the man had been gone three or four days

http://ping.fm/HvEeu ere all alone; but you must not go into any one of these four rooms here. If you do, I'll take your life when I

http://ping.fm/MfMdt and the midmost is prettier still; but the youngest, who is my sweetheart, she's fairer than both sun and moon.

http://ping.fm/O56eH you; but now you should just see the eldest Princess I have set free; against her you look just like milkmaids,

http://ping.fm/qx6RZ nd haughty.

"Aye, aye," said Halvor, "you always thought yourselves so pretty and neat, no one could come near

http://ping.fm/GqIQb back again, they were so shamefaced they scarce dared look at Halvor, towards whom they had always been proud a

http://ping.fm/GrDvE the ingle, where they were sitting darning their clothes, and ran out in their smocks. Well, when they were got

http://ping.fm/E4nf9 ays was."

Just then in walked Halvor, and then the lassies were all so taken aback, they forgot their sarks in

http://ping.fm/2xm6G ine," said the lassies, and tossed up their heads. "We'll be bound he's just the same beggarly ragged boy he alw

http://ping.fm/cUMg3 ey should only just see how grand he was, for, said she, "he looks like nothing but a King's son."

"All very f

http://ping.fm/GMua7 d Halvor followed after. So, when she got up there, she told them all how Halvor had come home again, and now th

http://ping.fm/risyB to the farmer's, and show himself to the lassies, who had always looked down on him. And off she went first, an

http://ping.fm/rFfZe tell how he had fared, and the old dame was so fond and proud of him, nothing would do but he must go up at once

http://ping.fm/NJZ6e alvor?" she cried; and then there was such joy for the old couple, there was no end to it; and he was forced to

http://ping.fm/XEQKJ as when he was at home of old poking about in the ashes, she knew him at once.

"Ah! but it is you after all, H

http://ping.fm/V6KyO while after the old wife went to the hearth to poke up the fire, and when the blaze fell on Halvor's face, just

http://ping.fm/VNPpt next tatter on him. No; there never was the making of such a fine fellow in him as you are, master."

A little

http://ping.fm/flyl0 vor was so lazy and dull, he never did a thing; and besides, he was so ragged, that one tatter took hold of the

http://ping.fm/s9trR be me, now?" said Halvor.

"Let me see; I could tell him well enough," said the old wife, and rose up. "Our Hal

http://ping.fm/zMvyx they didn't know whither he had wandered; they couldn't even tell whether he were dead or alive.

"Couldn't it

http://ping.fm/cfay1 so he asked them if they had never had any children.

Yes, yes, they had once a lad whose name was Halvor, but

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Well, they chattered and talked about many things; and they told Halvor about this thing and that; and

http://ping.fm/KsiUx began to poke about in the ashes, just as he used to do when he lay at home in old days, and stretched his lazy

http://ping.fm/ziZf5 t in the chimney corner."

Well, they couldn't say anything against that; so Halvor sat down by the ingle, and

http://ping.fm/cMiVY e wanted to stop; but the old couple stuck to their own, that he had better go to the farmer's; there he would g

http://ping.fm/vBGal "I won't go up there till to-morrow early, but let me just stay here to-night; worst come to the worst, I can si

http://ping.fm/QSEqB et both meat and drink; as for them, they hadn't even a chair to offer him to sit down on.

"No," said Halvor,

http://ping.fm/3UB4k way off, for you can see the chimneys, and there they have lots of everything."

Halvor wouldn't hear of it--h

http://ping.fm/CDCWa is thing or that thing which such a lord is used to have; 'twere best your lordship went up to the farm, no long

http://ping.fm/9J6nV have a lodging there that night. No; that he couldn't.

"We can't do it at all," they said, "for we haven't th

http://ping.fm/c2OXc ore he knew a word about it. Now it was about dusk at even, and so, when they saw such a grand stately lord walk

http://ping.fm/R3F7x in, the old couple got so afraid they began to bow and scrape. Then Halvor asked if he couldn't stay there, and

http://ping.fm/BbRxw I'd be glad," said Halvor; and it was done as he had wished. Then stood Halvor at his father's cottage door bef

http://ping.fm/EQbbX mes, for there would be an end of all his bravery, and then he'd never see them more.

"If I only stood at home

http://ping.fm/DWTYt h himself thither and hither with it; but they told him to be sure and not take it off, and not to name their na

http://ping.fm/PyKS0 he was as grand as a king's son, and then they set a ring on his finger, and that was such a ring, he could wis

http://ping.fm/3sVfw follow our advice," said the Princesses.

Yes, he'd be sure to mind all they said. So they dressed him up till

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"You shall go thither and come back hither, safe and unscathed, if you will only

http://ping.fm/kSI8g home, for his father and mother were alive, and them he had such a great wish to see.

Well, they thought that

http://ping.fm/VNWzG they had enough and to spare, and he was well off in every way, but still somehow or other he did so long to go

http://ping.fm/6ThbH en the Princesses asked him what he lacked, and if he didn't like to live with them any longer? Yes, he did, for

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But there after a while, Halvor went about, and was so strange and dull and silent. Th

http://ping.fm/RvTsE lvor and Halvor of them, and he might choose the one he liked best for his bride; but the youngest was fondest o

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http://ping.fm/pbO2p strength enough to do it.

So all the Princesses came together to that Castle, which was called Soria Moria Cas

http://ping.fm/ldrnA all, and it was the hardest bit of work Halvor had to do, to get it hewn off, although he knew very well he had

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That very moment Halvor hewed off the first head and then all the rest; but the last was the toughest of them

http://ping.fm/lDUTh en he got his first head in, he said as the others had said:

"HUTETU, what a smell of Christian man's blood!"

http://ping.fm/xYLn1 e was far bigger and stouter than the other two, and he too had to go on one side to get through the door. So wh

http://ping.fm/6s2Dg might be able to brandish and wield it.

Just then back came the Troll puffing and blowing and tearing along. H

http://ping.fm/13hGQ come as soon as he likes."

So she gave him the Troll's sword, and bade him take a pull at the flask, that he

http://ping.fm/XvUt4 ess kept on begging him so prettily to go away, lest the Troll should gobble him up, but Halvor said:

"Let him