A year elapsed, and the brothers neither saw nor heard anything of their sister, so that at length they decided to go in search of her. Yvon would have accompanied them, but they bade him stay at home.
“You are so stupid,” they said, “you would be of no use to us.”
Eastward they rode, and ever eastward, till at length they found themselves in the heart of a great forest. Then night came on and they lost the path. Twice a great noise, like the riot of a tempest, swept over their heads, leaving them trembling and stricken with panic.
By and by they came upon an old woman tending a great fire, and of her they inquired how they might reach the abode of their brother-in-law.
“I cannot tell,” said the old woman, “but my son may be able to direct you.”
For the third time they heard the noise as of a great wind racing over the tree-tops.
“Hush!” said the old woman, “it is my son approaching.”
He was a huge giant, this son of hers, and when he drew near the fire he said loudly:
“Oh ho! I smell the blood of a Christian!”