Not long after, Peter came in and picked up the three napkins which the maiden had dropped on the threshold. He wondered how they got there, for he knew he had left them in his room; but what was his horror when he saw the form of the fainting girl lying where she had dropped, as still and white as if she had been dead. He lifted her up and carried her to her bed, where she soon revived, but she did not tell Peter about Eisenkopf, who had been almost crushed to death under the hearth-stone by the body of World’s-weight. The next morning Peter locked up his dogs and went out into the forest alone. Eisenkopf, however, had seen him go, and followed so closely at his heels that Peter had barely time to clamber up a tall tree, where Eisenkopf could not reach him. “Come down at once, you gallows bird,” he cried. “Have you forgotten your promise that you never would marry?” “Oh, I know it is all up with me,” answered Peter, “but let me call out three times.” “You can call a hundred times if you like,” returned Eisenkopf, “for now I have got you in my power, and you shall pay for what you have done.” “Iron-strong, World’s-weight, Quick-ear, fly to my help!” cried Peter; and Quick-ear heard, and said to his brothers: “Listen, our master is calling us.” “You are dreaming, fool,” answered World’s-weight; “why he has not finished his breakfast.” And he gave Quick-ear a slap with his paw, for he was young and needed to be taught sense. “Iron-strong, World’s-weight, Quick-ear, fly to my help!” cried Peter again. This time World’s-weight heard also, and he said, “Ah, now our master is really calling.” “How silly you are!” answered Iron-strong; “you know that at this hour he is always eating.” And he gave World’s-weight a cuff, because he was old enough to know better. Peter sat trembling on the tree dreading lest his dogs had never heard, or else that, having heard, they had refused to come. It was his last chance, so making a mighty effort he shrieked once more: “Iron-strong, World’s-weight, Quick-ear, fly to my help, or I am a dead man!” And Iron-strong heard, and said: “Yes, he is certainly calling, we must go at once.” And in an instant he had burst open the door, and all three were bounding away in the direction of the voice. When they reached the foot of the tree Peter just said: “At him!” And in a few minutes there was nothing left of Eisenkopf. As soon as his enemy was dead Peter got down and returned to the house, where he bade farewell to the old woman and her daughter, who gave him a beautiful ring, all set with diamonds. It was really a magic ring, but neither Peter nor the maiden knew that. Peter’s heart was heavy as he set out for home. He had ceased to love the wife whom he had left at his wedding feast, and his heart had gone out to the golden-haired girl. However, it was no use thinking of that, so he rode forward steadily.