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THE YOUNG GIANT. |
*93 |
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then a third, and so they kept on the whole night; for every blow from the unseen hands he struck out right and left, and was not idle till the day broke, and then all became suddenly still.
When the miller rose in the morning he went in to the mill, and was quite surprised to see the young man still living.
"Oh!" he said, "I have had a good supper, and some terribly hard blows, but I have given them back without mercy."
On hearing this, the miller was overjoyed; for the mill was now freed from enchantment, and he offered him a large amount of money as a reward.
But he refused, saying, " I do not want money. I have enough."
Then the young giant took the sacks of flour on his back, and returned to the farm, and told the bailiff that now the matter was all settled, he would have the stipulated wages. When the bailiff heard this he was in a terrible fright, and knew not what to do. He walked up and down the room for some time, while the drops of perspiration stood on his forehead from terror. Presently he opened the window, that the fresh air might blow upon him, and, before he was aware, the young giant was behind him, and with one kick sent him through the window flying in the air still higher and higher, till at last he was out of sight.
The young man then turned to the bailiffs wife, and said, "The second blow must be for you, as your husband does not return."
"No, no," she cried. "It is impossible. I could not bear it." And she ran to the open window; for the perspiration also stood on her forehead in great drops from fear.
He was not, however, to be deterred from his purpose. With one kick, though more gentle, he sent her flying through the air after her husband, and, as she was lighter, she rose higher. Her husband saw her, and called to her to come to him; but, as she could not, she kept begging him to come to her. All to no purpose. They remained floating in the air unable to reach each other, and, for aught I know, they may be floating there still. As for the young giant, he took up his iron walking-stick, and went on his way. |
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