They fought, and this giant also was killed as the former had been. The lad cut off his head, and leaving the dead body, went away.
Soon he saw a third giant asleep with his head in the lap of another beautiful maiden. So beautiful was she that she could say to the sun, “Sun, you need not shine, since I am shining.” She was working with her needle, and before her a golden greyhound and a golden fox were running a race in a golden basin. As soon as the lad saw this maiden he fell in love with her. The maiden also fell in love with the lad, and said:
“Oh, you noble human being! the snake upon its belly, and the bird with its wing cannot enter here. How could you come hither?”
“Your love brought me hither, fair creature,” answered the lad.
“Be on your guard, precious youth!” said the maiden. “If this giant awakes he will tear you into pieces.”
“Wake him!” said the lad; “I have come to fight him.”
A hot iron was applied to the feet of the giant, who awoke, saying: “Oh! what is biting me?”
“What!” said the maiden. “Get up! this human being has come to fight you.”
The giant, seeing the lad, said: “Oh! what a good featherless partridge for a breakfast.” The lad noticed that the giant was wounded in his leg, and at once recognized him as the one who had tried to steal the Apple of Life.
“Come!” said the lad, “let us see whom fortune will favor.”