Shortly after this, the king was out hunting in the forest, when suddenly a thick black fog enveloped everything. He lost his way completely, and became separated from his people. At length, after some hours, he arrived at a little hut, knocked joyfully at the door, and on its being opened by an old man, craved leave to rest. He was at once invited to enter; and then the old man, recognizing the king, begged him to excuse the poverty of the place.
The king sat down, wearied with his long wandering, and the old man waited upon him, bringing food and drink of the best he had. Just as the meal was ended Hildur came in, and the king thought he had never seen any one so beautiful before. She was dressed as a simple peasant, but she looked like a royal princess. The king begged leave to stay the night, as it was still too foggy for him to find his way, and the old man acceded, only apologizing for the poorness of the accommodation.
“I will not disturb you,” the king said. “Let me only rest in this room for the night, as I have been doing now.”
So it was arranged.
After the old couple had gone to bed, the king begged Hildur to stay and talk with him; but she said she must see to the calves in the stable.
“SHE WAS DRESSED AS A SIMPLE PEASANT.”
“That I can do for you,” he answered; and, rising, he went out into the stable, put the straw and hay right for the calves, and had made everything tidy, when one of them got out. After great trouble he caught hold of it by the tail; but, alas! his hands remained fastened to it, and he was found in this plight by Hildur just before dawn.
She laughed merrily when she saw him.
“It hardly suits a king, my lord,” she said, “to be hanging on to the tail of a calf!”