“Shame on you!” interrupted the countess. “Will you not allow me to keep so little as my gold and silver, [[112]]either?” and, advancing upon him, she gave him a second box on the ear, which so alarmed the king that he beat a hasty retreat and commanded that the countess be left in peaceful possession of her property to the end of her days. [[113]]
[1] This legend is noteworthy as showing how time and fancy often clothe the historical fact in mythical garb. The reader’s attention is called to similar cases in this collection, among them the Lord of Ugerup, Bishop Svedberg and the Devil, Lady Barbro, of Brokind, Jonas Spits, etc. [↑]
The Giant of Skalunda.
On Skalunda Hill, near Skalunda Church, there lived, in olden times, a giant, who, much annoyed by the ringing of the church bells, was finally compelled to move away, and took up his residence on an island, far away in the North Sea. One time a ship was wrecked upon this island, and among those of her crew rescued were several men from Skalunda. [[114]]
“Where are you from?” inquired the giant, who was now old and blind, and was stretched out warming himself before a fire of logs.
“We are from Skalunda, if you wish to know,” said one of the men.
“Give me your hand, for I wish to know if still there is warm blood in Sweden,” said the giant.