On he walked , and on and on , till as dusk was falling he came to a great river , and on the bank there were sticks lying about . ' I will make myself a fire , ' he thought , and thus he did , and by and bye a smooth brown head peered at him from the water , and a long body followed it . ` Sore was the plight of thy wife and thy horses when they passed the river last night , ' said the otter . ' I have sought them and not found them , ' answered the king , ` and nought shall I get for my trouble . ' ` Be not so downcast , ' replied the otter ; ` before noon to-morrow thou shalt behold thy wife . But eat and sleep and I will watch over thee . ' So the king did as the otter bid him , and when the sun rose he woke and saw the otter lying on the bank . ` Farewell , ' cried the otter as he jumped into the water , ` and if danger presses , call to me and I will help you . ' For many hours the king walked , and at length he reached a high rock , which was rent into two by a great earthquake . Throwing himself on the ground he looked over the side , and right at the very bottom he saw his wife and his horses . His heart gave a great bound , and all his fears left him , but he was forced to be patient , for the sides of the rock were smooth , and not even a goat could find foothold . So he got up again , and made his way round through the wood , pushing by trees , scrambling over rocks , wading through streams , till at last he was on flat ground again , close to the mouth of the cavern . His wife gave a shriek of joy when he came in , and then burst into tears , for she was tired and very frightened . But her husband did not understand why she wept , and he was tired and bruised from his climb , and a little cross too . ` You give me but a sorry welcome , ' grumbled he , ` when I have half-killed myself to get to you . ' ` Do not heed him , ' said the horses to the weeping woman ; ` put him in front of us , where he will be safe , and give him food , for he is weary . ' And she did as the horses told her , and he ate and rested , till by and bye a long shadow fell over them , and their hearts beat with fear , for they knew that the giant was coming . ' I smell a stranger , ' cried the giant , as he entered ; but it was dark inside the chasm , and he did not see the king , who was crouching down between the feet of the horses . ' A stranger , my lord ! no stranger ever comes here , not even the sun ! '
and the king 's wife laughed gaily as she went up to the giant and stroked the huge hand which hung down XXXXX his side .
On as at before by for inside into over to