ld the
ship. You must find a runner who shall take this letter to the ruler of
the Underworld, and bring me the answer back in an hour.'

'That is not in the bond,' answered the young man.

'Well, do as you like,' replied the king, 'only you will not get my
daughter.'

The young man went out, sorely troubled, to tell his old friend what had
happened.

'Silly boy!' cried the hermit, 'Accept his terms at once. And send off
the long-legged man with the letter. He will take it in no time at all.'

So the youth's heard leapt for joy, and he returned to the king.
'Majesty, I accept your terms. HEre is the messenger who will do what
you wish.'

The king had no choice but to give the man the letter, and he strode
off, making short work of the distance that lay between the palace and
the Underworld. He soon found the ruler, who looked at the letter, and
said to him, 'Wait a little while i write the answer;' but the man was
soo tired with his quick walk that he went sound asleep and forgot all
about his errand.

All this time the youth was anxiously counting the minutes till he
could get back, and stood with his eyes fixed on the road down which his
messenger must come.

'What can be keeping him,' he said to the hermit when the hour was
nearly up. Then the hermit sent for the man who could hit everything he
aimed at, and said to him, 'Just see why the messenger stays so long.'

'Oh, he is sound asleep in the palace of the Underworld. However, I can
wake him.'

Then he drew his bow, and shot an arrow straight into the man's knee.
The messenger awoke with such a start, and when he saw that the hour had
almost run out he snatched up the answer and rushed back with such speed
that the clock had not yet struck when he entered the palace.

Now the young man thought he was sure of his bride, but the king said,
"Still you have not done enough. Before I give you my daughter you must
find a man who can drink half the contents of my cellar in one day.'

'That is not in the bond,' complained the poor youth.

'Well, do as you like, only you will not get my daughter.'

The young man went sadly out, and asked the hermit what he was to do.

'Silly boy!' said he. 'Why, tell the man to do it who drinks up
everything.'

So they sent for the man and said, 'Do you think you are able to drink
half the royal cellar in one day?'

'Dear me, yes, and as much more as you want,' answered he. 'I am never
satisfied.'

The king was not