صفحة 514 من 626

So saying he set out and travelled till he came to a hill, where

three giants were sharing their father's goods; and as they saw

him pass they cried out and said, 'Little men have sharp wits; he

shall part the goods between us.' Now there was a sword that cut

off an enemy's head whenever the wearer gave the words, 'Heads

off!'; a cloak that made the owner invisible, or gave him any

form he pleased; and a pair of boots that carried the wearer

wherever he wished. Heinel said they must first let him try these

wonderful things, then he might know how to set a value upon

them. Then they gave him the cloak, and he wished himself a fly,

and in a moment he was a fly. 'The cloak is very well,' said he:

'now give me the sword.' 'No,' said they; 'not unless you

undertake not to say, "Heads off!" for if you do we are all dead

men.' So they gave it him, charging him to try it on a tree.