"How shall I get across?" cried the princess when she saw what had happened.
"Don't worry, mother," replied the child. "I'll come and get you."
To her amazement he crossed the great river in safety and bravely escorted his mother to the other bank in spite of her tears and cries of fear.
"Well done, my son!" she said when on the other bank. "You are indeed a son to be proud of!"
They went to a church and the boy was baptized. José the Beast Slayer was the name he chose. Then they wandered on until at last they came to a house with a door in which a little window had been cut. The boy thrust in his arm and opened the door as if it had been his own.
"Walk in, mother dear," were his words.
Together they entered the house and together they explored the various rooms. There was nobody there and there was nothing to eat. Accordingly, José went out begging. He asked alms at the royal palace and there he was given money to buy food. There was even enough left over to pay for a gun.
Now that he owned a gun there was no need of begging any more. He shot plenty of game for his mother and what was left he carried to the royal palace to give to the king.
One day in the deep forest he entered a cave where the giant of the forest lived.
"What are you doing here, little penny chicken?" asked the huge giant as he frowned down at José.