"His two brothers looked at him in astonishment. '_You_ try, when we have both failed! You, who never go out of the house, what an idea!' And they laughed in scorn. "Nevertheless, Ashiepattle went to the forest. But first, he asked his mother for a good supply of food. She at once put on the pot and made him a cheese, for she had nothing ready. With this in his bag, he started out merrily and was soon at work. The axe was sent straight into the heart of the tree, and the chips flew right and left. But just then a deep, gruff voice was heard close by. "'Stop at once,' cried the troll, 'or you shall die.' "Now, do you suppose Ashiepattle followed his brothers' example, and that he fled from the troll? He never thought of such a thing. He did run, to be sure, but only for a short distance, to the spot where he had left his cheese. Coming back to the place where the troll stood, he squeezed his cheese with all his might. "'Keep still, or I will squeeze you just as I am squeezing this cheese,' he shouted. "It would have made you laugh to see that little fellow talking to the big giant in this way; but the troll was a coward, as all big blusterers are, and somehow Ashiepattle felt it. His quick mind told him that he was a human being, and wiser than all the trolls. What do you suppose the troll did, children? He cried, 'Spare me!' with a voice trembling with fear. 'If you will only spare me, I will help you cut down the trees,' he added, in haste. "That afternoon great work was done in the forest. Many great trees were laid low; for the troll had wonderful strength in his big arms, and he showed himself a fine helper. "When night came the troll proposed that Ashiepattle should go home with him to supper. "'It is nearer than your house,' he said. "So Ashiepattle went with the troll to his home in the forest. "Before the supper could be made ready, a fire must be made in the fireplace. The troll said he would do this if Ashiepattle would draw some water from the well. "When the boy looked at the iron buckets he should have to fill, he knew that he could not even lift them; but he was too wise to say this. "'I won't bother with those buckets,' he told the troll; 'I will bring the well itself. Then you will be sure to have water enough.' "'O, don't do that,' cried the troll, in fear, 'for I will have no well left. Let me get the water, while you make the fire.' "This suited Ashiepattle, of course, for it was exactly what he wished. The water was brought, and a great kettleful of porridge was soon ready to eat, so the troll and the boy sat down together at the table. "'I can eat more than you, although you are so much larger,' said Ashiepattle to his host. "'Let us see you try,' said the troll, who felt sure he could beat the boy.