" When he had done that and
looked round again, the two pieces were joined together, and a frightful
man was sitting in his place. "That is no part of our bargain," said the
youth, "the bench is mine." The man wanted to push him away; the youth,
however, would not allow that, but thrust him off with all his strength,
and seated himself again in his own place. Then still more men fell down,
one after the other; they brought nine dead men's legs and two skulls,
and set them up and played at nine-pins with them. The youth also
wanted to play and said "Hark you, can I join you?" "Yes, if thou hast
any money." "Money enough," replied he, "but your balls are not quite
round." Then he took the skulls and put them in the lathe and turned
them till they were round. "There, now, they will roll better!" said
he. "Hurrah! Now it goes merrily!" He played with them and lost some
of his money, but when it struck twelve, everything vanished from his
sight. He lay down and quietly fell asleep. Next morning the King came to
inquire after him. "How has it fared with you this time?" asked he.
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