Pagina 170 van 626

The little tailor demanded of the king the promised reward; he,

however, repented of his promise, and again bethought himself how

he could get rid of the hero. 'Before you receive my daughter,

and the half of my kingdom,' said he to him, 'you must perform

one more heroic deed. In the forest roams a unicorn which does

great harm, and you must catch it first.' 'I fear one unicorn

still less than two giants. Seven at one blow, is my kind of

affair.' He took a rope and an axe with him, went forth into the

forest, and again bade those who were sent with him to wait

outside. He had not long to seek. The unicorn soon came towards

him, and rushed directly on the tailor, as if it would gore him

with its horn without more ado. 'Softly, softly; it can't be done

as quickly as that,' said he, and stood still and waited until

the animal was quite close, and then sprang nimbly behind the

tree.