day. He replied that he had already been engaged
in the chase and had got a beautiful white swan.
They were very desirous to have this, but he said
he would take no money for it, only if they would
allow him to heat their rings red hot and stamp
the signets on their heads, under the hair, then
would he give up the snowy swan.
They thought no one would see if branded under
the hair, so they consented. He branded them
both with their own seals, gave them up the swan
and galloped home. The horse and his white
vesture disappeared, and as they came home they
saw him lounging at the door of the potato-house.
They held up the beautiful swan, and said: ‘See,
brother-in-law, what luck we have. Don’t you
wish you were as clever as we?’
‘Don’t know.’
‘Ah! but you know you are a fool and we are
wise.’
‘Don’t know.’
They rode into the palace laughing, and got great
credit for having killed the swan.
Next day there was another hunting party. Again
the princes laughingly taunted Dan—
‘Will you come a-hunting, brother-in-law ?’
‘Don’t know.’
‘You haven't got a horse to ride, we suppose?’ °
‘Don’t know.’
‘Nor bow and arrows?’
‘Don’t know.’
‘But you know you are a fool?’
‘Don’t know.’
‘When they were out of sight, he shook the bridle,
and now a gold yellow horse stood before him, and
a splendid crocus yellow garment woven with
gold thread. He put on the dress, mounted and
galloped after the princes. When he drew near
they said to one another: ‘Can this be the same
prince we have seen twice before?’

143

DON’T-
KNOW .