Gofaster accepted both these offers, and with sword at his side and battle-axe in hand, started off in the direction of the forest, which he soon reached. He wandered there for some time without meeting any one or anything, until finally he heard the sound of a horn. Making his way in that direction, he saw a group of men, and among them one who was a little taller than the others, whom, from that fact, and also because he was the only one bonneted, he inferred to be the King. He placed himself beside a huge fir tree, which was almost the sole kind in the forest, in order to observe more closely; but at that moment the King waved his hand, and the group, apparently at his order, broke and dispersed in various directions.
The giant made his way at a respectful distance after the King, who was attended only by a large hound. The latter was fleet of foot, but as the strides of the giant were one-half as long again as those of the King, Gofaster was enabled to keep at the same distance without exertion. For a half-hour nothing out of the way occurred, nor did the hound seem to put up any game. At length the animal started, stopped, sniffed the air, and with a loud bay bounded off, followed quickly by the King, and, in turn, by Gofaster. As the two latter ran they heard the sound of a conflict, with a yelp of pain from the dog, and both came suddenly to an open space, where they found that the animal had encountered a huge white bear, for whom he was no match, and had speedily been despatched by his antagonist.
The King was armed only with a hunting-spear and sword, and the bear, made furious by the attack of the dog, at once turned upon his human enemy. The latter, spear in hand, stood firmly; but the bear, with a sweep of his powerful arm, struck the weapon with such force sidewise as to shatter the shaft. In an instant more the monarch, who had drawn his sword, would have been unable to make any serious resistance; but Gofaster, who had rushed forward, and whose step had not attracted the attention of the beast, drove his battle-axe with full force into the skull of the bear, and the huge animal fell dead at the feet of the King.
King Jornet coolly returned his sword to its scabbard. "Sir Stranger," said he, "you have rendered us a service most opportune. Eighteen inches of cold steel would have no chance against that brute's claws. May I ask to whom I am indebted for this aid?"
"A mere private gentleman," replied Gofaster, "from the country of the giants, who is travelling here for pleasure, and who happily strolled this way this morning. May I ask whom I have had the honor of serving?"
"I am the King," said the latter, "and I should be glad to see you at Court as early as may suit your convenience, that I may express my thanks in a more fitting way than I can do now."
"I shall not fail to obey your Majesty's command," said the giant, bowing.
"And your name?" asked the King.
"Gofaster, your Majesty."