Northern mythology

122 DANISH TRADITIONS.
upon a lad, who was standing by^ undertook to assist lier,
and in reward for liis service found lying by bis plate at
dinner-time a dainty slice of fine bread with butter on it.
The man, who well knew whence the present came, advised
him not to eat it, saying it would cause his death ;
but the lad ate it without fear, and was well and cheerful
when he rose the following morning; but the man lay
stone-dead in his bed.
In the neighbourhood of Lynge, near Soro, there is a
mount called Bodedys, not far from which dwelt an aged
peasant that had an only son, who made long voyages.
For a considerable time the father had received no tidings
of his son, and thinking that he had perished, mourned
for his loss. One evening as he w^as passing by Bodedys
with a full load, the mount opened and the Troll came out,
who desired him to drive in. At this the man felt somewhat
disconcerted, but knowing that it would not turn to
his profit if he refused couipliance with the will of the
Troll, he turned his horses and drove into the mount.
There the Troll began to deal with him, and paid him
liberally for all his wares. AYhen he had unloaded his
wagon and w^as about to drive out, the Troll said :
" If
thou canst keep thy mouth shut with regard to what has
taken place, I shall look to thy advantage hereafter ; and
if thou wilt come again to-morrow, thou shalt find thy
son here.^'
At the first moment the man knew not what
to answer, but believing that the Troll was able to keep
his promise, he felt extremely glad, and at the time fixed
returned to Bodedys. There he sat waiting for a considerable
time, and at length fell asleep. When he awoke
his son was lying by his side, and both father and son
found it no easy matter to say how all this had come to
pass. The son now related how he had been in prison and