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THE YOUNG GIANT. 2g9
Then the father harnessed four horses to the waggon and fetched another bar of iron stronger and thicker than before, and so heavy that it was as much as his four horses could do to draw it But his son snapped it across his knee with very little trouble, and said: " Father, this is of no use at all?; you must harness your horses again and fetch me something better and stronger than this."
So the father harnessed eight horses to his waggon this time, and even they could scarcely draw the immense bar of iron he brought. When the son took it in his hand he broke a piece off it and said: " Father, I see you can not procure a bar of iron such as I want, so I will not stay here any longer."
He went away, and after travelling some distance came to a town in which lived a blacksmith. He was a covetous man who gave nothing away, but kept all he earned to himself. The young man walked into the smithy and asked the smith if he wanted an assistant.
"Ah," thought the smith, "this is a strong, clever fellow, no doubt; he has an arm for the forge, and will earn his bread well." So he asked, " What wages do you require V}
" None," replied the youngster; " only every fortnight, when you pay the others, you must agree to let me strike you twice."
The avaricious smith was quite overjoyed at the thought of saving his money, and as to the blows, why, he could easily return them if that was all; his arm was very strong, and though the youngster was such a giant, he was not afraid of him.
On the following morning the new workman had to take his place at the forge, and when the master brought out the red-hot iron bar and placed it on the anvil, the young giant's first blow shivered the iron into a thousand pieces, and drove the anvil so deep into the ground that it could not be got out again.
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The smith was terribly angry, and exclaimed, " This won't suit me, young man ; such blows as that do more harm than good, so take yourself off; and what am I to pay you ?" " I don't ask for payment; all I want is to give you one tap, that's all f and lifting his foot, he gave him a kick that sent him flying over three haystacks. Then he picked out the strongest iron bar he could find for a walking stick, and went on his way. After travelling some distance he came to a farm, and asked the
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