"So, when he had gone a bit farther the keg grew too heavy again; he thought he never could carry it any longer unless some one came with whom he might drink, and so lessen the ale in the keg. Yes! he met an ugly scrawny man who came along fast and furious.
"'Good-day,' said the man.
"'Good-day to you,' said the lad.
"'Whither away?' asked the man.
"'Oh! I'm looking for some one to drink with, and get my keg lightened,' said the lad.
"'Can't you drink with me as well as with any one else?' said the man; 'I have fared both far and wide, and I am tired and thirsty.'
"'Well! why not?' said the lad; 'but who are you, and whence do you come?'
"'Who am I? I am the De'il, and I come from Hell; that's where I come from,' said the man.
"'No!' said the lad; 'thou only pinest and plaguest poor folk, and if there is any unhappiness a-stir, they always say it is thy fault. Thee I will not drink with.'
"So he went far and farther than far again with his ale-keg on his back, till he thought it grew so heavy there was no carrying it any farther. He began to look round again if any one were coming with whom he could drink and lighten his keg. So after a long, long time, another man came, and he was so dry and lean 'twas a wonder his bones hung together.