Oh yes! he could do that, and as for the sword, he brandished it like a feather.
“Now saddle me,” said the Horse, “and put on the coat of mail, and then take the bramble-bush rod, and the stone, and the pitcher of water, and the pot of ointment, and then we’ll be off as fast as we can.”
So when the lad had got on the horse, off they went at such a rate, he couldn’t at all tell how they went. But when he had ridden awhile, the Horse said, “I think I hear a noise; look round! can you see anything?”
“Yes; there are ever so many coming after us, at least a score,” said the lad.
“Aye, aye, that’s the Troll coming,” said the Horse; “now he’s after us with his pack.”
So they rode on a while, until those who followed were close behind them.
“Now throw your bramble-bush rod behind you, over your shoulder,” said the Horse; “but mind you throw it a good way off my back.”
So the lad did that, and all at once a close, thick bramblewood grew up behind them. So the lad rode on a long, long time, while the Troll and his crew had to go home to fetch something to hew their way through the wood. But at last the Horse said again:
“Look behind you! can you see anything now?”