Then they said, “The two Golden Lilies remain here. By them you may see how it is with us. If they are fresh, then we are in health. If they are withered, we are ill. If they perish, then we are dead.”
So they rode forth and came to an inn, in which were many people. They perceived the Gold-Children and began to laugh, and jeer.
When one of them heard the mocking he felt ashamed and would not go out into the world, but turned back and went home again to his father. But the other rode forward and reached a great forest.
THE MAIDEN SAID, “I WILL BE TRUE TO YOU, YOUR LIFE LONG”
As he was about to enter it, the people said, “It is not safe for you to ride through; the wood is full of robbers, who would treat you badly. You will fare ill. When they see that you are all of gold and your horse likewise, they will assuredly kill you.”
But he would not allow himself to be frightened, and said, “I must and will ride through it.”
Then he took bear-skins and covered himself and his horse with them, so that the gold was not seen, and rode fearlessly into the forest. When he had ridden onward a little, he heard a rustling in the bushes, and heard voices speaking together.
From one side came cries of, “There is one!” but from the other, “Let him go! ’tis an idle fellow, as poor and bare as a church-mouse. What should we gain from him?”
So the Gold-Child rode joyfully through the forest, and no evil befell him.