Yes, that he would. And so he joined Ashiepattle and his crew on the ship.
When they had sailed on some distance they met one who was standing holding his hand to his mouth.
“Who are you?” said Ashiepattle, “and what is the good of standing there, holding your mouth like that?”
“Oh, I have seven summers and fifteen winters in my body,” said the man; “so I think I ought to keep my mouth shut, for if they get out all at the same time they would finish off the world altogether.” And then he asked for leave to go with him in the ship.
“If you want to go with us you must make haste and get on board,” said Ashiepattle.
Yes, that he would, and then he joined the others on the ship.
When they had sailed a long time they came to the king’s palace.
Ashiepattle went straight in to the king and said the ship stood ready in the courtyard outside; and now he wanted the princess, as the king had promised.
The king did not like this very much, for Ashiepattle did not cut a very fine figure; he was black and sooty, and the king did not care to give his daughter to such a tramp, so he told Ashiepattle that he would have to wait a little.
“But you can have her all the same, if by this time to-morrow you can empty my storehouse of three hundred barrels of meat,” said the king.