"'Stop at once,' cried the troll, 'or you shall die.'
"Now, do you suppose Ashiepattle followed his brothers' example, and that he fled from the troll? He never thought of such a thing. He did run, to be sure, but only for a short distance, to the spot where he had left his cheese. Coming back to the place where the troll stood, he squeezed his cheese with all his might.
"'Keep still, or I will squeeze you just as I am squeezing this cheese,' he shouted.
"It would have made you laugh to see that little fellow talking to the big giant in this way; but the troll was a coward, as all big blusterers are, and somehow Ashiepattle felt it. His quick mind told him that he was a human being, and wiser than all the trolls. What do you suppose the troll did, children? He cried, 'Spare me!' with a voice trembling with fear. 'If you will only spare me, I will help you cut down the trees,' he added, in haste.
"That afternoon great work was done in the forest. Many great trees were laid low; for the troll had wonderful strength in his big arms, and he showed himself a fine helper.
"When night came the troll proposed that Ashiepattle should go home with him to supper.
"'It is nearer than your house,' he said.
"So Ashiepattle went with the troll to his home in the forest.
"Before the supper could be made ready, a fire must be made in the fireplace. The troll said he would do this if Ashiepattle would draw some water from the well.
"When the boy looked at the iron buckets he should have to fill, he knew that he could not even lift them; but he was too wise to say this.