He sent four horses, but no, they could not move
it; he sent eight, and he sent twelve; but the sword remained where it
was. They were not able to stir it from the spot. But the youngster took
it and carried it up to the palace alone.
The king could not believe his eyes when he saw the youngster back
again. He appeared, however, to be pleased to see him, and promised him
land and riches. When the youngster wanted more work, the king said he
might set out for an enchanted castle he had, where no one dared to
live, and he would have to stop there till he had built a bridge over
the sound, so that people could get across to the castle.
If he was able to do this he would reward him handsomely, yes, he would
even give him his daughter in marriage, said he.
"Well, I think I can do it," said the youngster.
No one had ever got away alive; those who had got as far as the castle,
lay there killed and torn to pieces as small as barley, and the king
thought he should never see him any more if he would go thither.
But the youngster started on his expedition; he took with him the bag of
food, a crooked, twisted block of a fir tree, an axe, a wedge, and some
chips of the fir root, and the small pauper boy at the palace.
When he came to the sound, he found the river full of ice, and the
current ran as strong as in a waterfall; but he stuck his legs to the
bottom of the river and waded until he got safe across.
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