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back, came and asked them if they would not like to buy some fine
things for their wedding, for he had some costly articles of gold and
silver.
"Yes," said they, "very possibly they might," and they looked very
attentively at the ornaments, and still more so at him, for they could
not help fancying that they had seen both him and the goods before.

At last the youngest princess said, that he who had such costly
articles, might perhaps have others still more suitable to them.
"Very possibly," returned the pedlar.
But her sisters bade her be quiet, and remember Commander Rod's
threat.
Shortly after, when the princesses were sitting at the window, the
king's son came again in his coarse sailor jacket, carrying the chest
with the golden crowns.
On entering the hall, he opened the chest, and now when the
princesses recognised each her own golden crown, the youngest
princess said:—"To me it seems only fair and just, that he who
suffers for us, should receive the reward to which he is entitled; our
deliverer is not Commander Rod, but he who has now brought us
our golden crowns, is also he who destroyed the wizard."
Then the king's son threw off his jacket, and stood there far more
splendidly attired than any of the rest.
The king now caused Commander Rod to be put to death for his
perfidy, and gave his daughter in marriage to the young prince.
The rejoicings in the royal residence were very great, and each
prince took his princess away to a different realm, so that the tale
was told and talked about in no less than twelve distinct kingdoms.
 THE STUDY OF MAGIC UNDER
DIFFICULTIES.
[Italian.]

n the island of Sicily, and in the fair and famous city of

Messina, dwelt a man, Lactantius by name, who was a
great proficient in two different arts. By day, and
ostensibly to his fellow-citizens, he carried on the trade
of a tailor; but by night, and secretly, he studied the art
of necromancy. One evening, when he had locked
himself in his room, and was occupied with all kinds of
magic works, as ill luck would have it, a young man, one of his
apprentices, came to the door. Dionysius, such was his name, had
returned to fetch from the chamber of Lactantius something which
he had forgotten. When he perceived that the door was closed, but
at the same time heard a noise within, he crept gently up, peeped
through the keyhole, and witnessed his master's magic doings. Such
delight did this give the young man, that from that moment he
thought of nothing but how he might secretly learn his master's art.
Needle, thimble, and shears thenceforth were little troubled by him;
he cared alone to learn that which no one cared to teach him, and
so from having been an industrious, attentive, useful workman, he
became careless, idle, and inattentive. Lactantius perceiving this
change in his apprentice, discharged him from his service, and sent
him back to his father, who was much grieved in consequence.
The father having repeatedly lectured his son, with tears besought
him to attend to his duty, and taking him back to the tailor, earnestly
begged him to receive his son once again, desiring him, should he
again neglect his business, to punish him severely.
Lactantius, out of kindness to the poor man, was soon persuaded;
he again received his pupil, and instructed him carefully every day in
cutting out and sewing. As, however, Dionysius would absolutely
learn nothing, his master gave him many a sound caning, so that the
poor apprentice, who received more blows than bread, was always
black and blue, all of which he bore with the greatest patience, so
insensible had he become to everything through the engrossing
desire to learn that secret art which he night after night watched his
master carry on, as he stood peeping through the keyhole.
Lactantius, who took him for the stupid lout he appeared to be, at
last gave himself no further trouble to conceal his witchcraft from
him, thinking that as he could not even learn the business of
tailoring, which is so easy, he would far less comprehend witchcraft,
which is really a puzzling art. He therefore no longer made a secret
of his practices to Dionysius, who now thought himself the most
fortunate of men, and who although others considered him such a
blockhead, in a very short time became such a proficient in the
magic art, that he understood more of it than his master.
One day, as the father was passing by Lactantius' house, not seeing
his son in the shop, he entered, and found that, instead of working
with the other apprentices, he was cleaning the house, and in short,
performing all the offices of a housemaid.
This so disturbed the good man, that he took his son home with
him, and thus lectured him: "Thou knowest, Dionysius, how much I
have expended on thee, in the hope that thou wouldst learn a useful
business, whereby one day to support thyself and me; but, alas! I
have sown my seed on the waters, for thou refusest to learn
anything. Truly this will be my death, for I am so poor I know not
how to support myself, nor have I any means of providing for thee.
Therefore, I beseech thee, my son, learn to support thyself in any
respectable way thou canst."
Having said this, the old man began to weep, when Dionysius,
moved by his distress, replied: "Dear father, I thank you a thousand
times, and from my heart, for all the trouble and anxiety you have
had on my account: but I beg you will not think, because I did not
learn tailoring, as you wished me, that I have therefore passed the
time in idleness. On the contrary, by night-watching and unwearied
efforts, I have learned an art which I hope hereafter to exercise so
efficaciously that you and I shall live all our days in peace and joy.
That you may not imagine that I say this merely to satisfy you for
the moment, I will at once give you a proof of what I affirm.
"To-morrow, by means of my secret art, I will transform myself into
a fine horse; saddle and bridle me, and lead me to the market, and
sell me. When you shall have made your bargain, go quietly home,
your pocket full of money, and you shall find me here again in the
same form which I now bear. Judge therefore whether or not I have
learned something useful, since in so short a time I can earn for you
the necessaries of life. Take especial heed, however, when you sell
me, not to part with my bridle; this, come what will, you must
carefully retain, else I shall not be able to return, and perhaps you
may never see me again."
The next morning Dionysius stripped himself in presence of his
father, and after anointing himself with a certain ointment, he
murmured some words, whereupon, to the inexpressible
astonishment of the good old man, in the place of his son, a fine
powerful horse suddenly appeared, which he immediately harnessed
as his son had instructed him, and led him to the market. As soon as
the merchants and horse-dealers saw him, they gathered round him,
quite delighted with the beauty of the horse, the action of whose
limbs and whole body was so perfect, and who showed such a
fleetness and fire, that it was quite surprising. All inquired if the
horse were for sale, to which the old man replied in the affirmative.
By accident, Lactantius was in the market, and as soon as he saw
the horse, and had narrowly examined him, he at once discovered
that it was a magic horse. He therefore withdrew unperceived from
the crowd, and hastened home, disguised himself as a merchant,
and provided with an ample sum of money, returned to the market,
where he found the man still with his horse. He approached the
animal, and after attentively observing him, recognised in him his
apprentice, Dionysius. He then asked the old man if he would sell
him, and they soon concluded a bargain. Lactantius paid him two
hundred gold pieces; but as he took him by the bridle to lead him
away, the old man objected, saying that he had sold the horse but
not the bridle, which he must have back again. Lactantius however
contrived to talk him over, so that he obtained the bridle as well as
the horse, which he led home, and fastening him to the stall, gave
him for breakfast and supper so many hundred blows, that the poor
beast became nothing but skin and bones, and excited the
compassion of all who beheld him.
Lactantius had two daughters, who, when they saw their father's
barbarity, went daily into the stable to do what they could for the
poor horse. They caressed him, patted him, and treated him with all
possible kindness, and one day went so far as to lead him by the
halter to drink at the stream. The moment, however, the horse
found himself by the water, he threw himself into it, and
transforming himself into a little fish, he disappeared in the waves.
At this extraordinary occurrence the maidens stood speechless with
astonishment, and returning home, gave way to the deepest sorrow.
Some time after Lactantius returned, and went into the stable to
administer a little further chastisement to his horse, when to his
great astonishment he found him gone. Very indignant thereat, he
went to his daughters, and beheld them in tears. Without inquiring
the cause, for he knew full well the cause of their trouble, he said to
them: "My children, fear nothing, only tell me what has become of
the horse, in order that I may at once take measures concerning
him."
The poor maidens composed themselves on hearing these words,
and related to him what had happened. When the father had heard
the story, he hastened to the river, transformed himself into a large
fish, dashed into the water, and as fast as his fins could carry him
pursued the little fish, intending to swallow him.
When the latter beheld the voracious fish, with its terrible teeth, he
was dreadfully alarmed at the thought of being swallowed by him,
and approaching the bank of the river, he left the water, and in the
form of a beautiful ruby, set in gold, he threw himself unseen into
the little basket which the king's daughter, who happened just then
to be amusing herself with picking up little pebbles on the sand,
carried on her arm.
As soon as the princess, who was called Violante, returned home,
she took her treasures out of the little basket, and perceived the ring
shining amongst the pebbles. Quite delighted, she placed it on her
finger, and could not desist from contemplating it.
At night, when the princess had retired to her sleeping apartment,
the ring suddenly changed into a handsome young man. He laid his
hand on the princess's mouth, who was about to scream aloud, then
threw himself at her feet and besought her forgiveness. He assured
her he was not there with any disrespectful purpose, but only to
implore her assistance, and then told her his misfortune, and the
persecutions he had to endure.
Violante, somewhat re-assured by the bright light of the lamp which
burned in her chamber, as also by the words of the young man,
whom she found very handsome and attractive, felt compassion for
him, and said: "Young man, thou art very bold in entering a place
where thy presence was not desired. But in consideration of thy
misfortune, I will forgive thee. Thy narration has awakened all my
compassion, and I will show thee that I am not made of marble, nor
have a heart of adamant. I am even resolved, so far as my honour
will permit, to give thee my entire protection."
The young man humbly returned thanks, and, when day dawned,
again transformed himself into the ring, which the princess placed
amongst her most costly jewels.
It happened just about that time, that the king fell dangerously ill,
and all his physicians declared his disease was incurable.
This came to the ears of Lactantius, who thereupon disguised
himself as a physician, went to the royal palace, and being
introduced to the king, inquired carefully respecting his symptoms,
felt his pulse, examined his countenance, and said: "Your majesty's
disease is no doubt an obstinate one, and very dangerous; but take
courage: in a short time I will restore you to health, for I possess a
remedy by which I can in a few days cure the severest and most
dangerous illness that exists."
"Master physician," replied the king, "if you restore me to health, I
promise to reward you so richly that you shall be content for the rest
of your life."
"My sovereign," rejoined the physician, "I desire neither rank,
honours, nor riches, but only request your majesty will grant me one
favour."
The king readily promised this, on condition that he should require
nothing that was impossible.
"I ask nothing more of your majesty than a ruby set in gold, which is
now in the possession of the princess your daughter."
When the king heard this modest request, he sent for his daughter,
and in presence of the physician, desired her to fetch her whole
stock of jewels. The princess obeyed, leaving out, however, the
precious ring. But when the physician had thoroughly examined
them, he said the ruby he wished for was not amongst them.
Violante, who valued her ruby above all the rest, affirmed that she
had no other jewels than those now before them; whereupon the
king said to the physician: "Retire now, and return to-morrow; I will
undertake that my daughter shall give me the ring."
When the physician was gone, the king called Violante, and inquired
in the gentlest manner, where was the beautiful ruby which the
physician wished for; saying that if she would give it to him, she
should have in its place a still more beautiful and precious one. But
she positively denied having it in her possession.
She no sooner returned to her apartment, than she locked herself in,
and began to weep bitterly at the thought of losing her poor ruby,
which she bathed with her tears, and kissed with the utmost
tenderness.
When the ruby felt the hot tears that fell from the princess's eyes,
and heard her deep sighs, it assumed the human form, and said to
her: "Princess, on whom my life hangs, I beseech you, do not thus
immoderately grieve at my misfortune. Let us rather devise some
means of rescue; for that physician who so zealously covets the
possession of me, is no other than my greatest foe Lactantius, who
desires to kill me. Therefore I implore you, do not give me into his
hand, but feign to be indignant, and dash me against the wall: leave
the rest to my care."
The following morning the physician again visited the king, who
informed him that his daughter still persisted that she did not
possess the ring. Lactantius much displeased, on hearing this,
however, positively asserted that the ruby was in the princess's
collection.
Thereupon the king again sent for the princess, and in the
physician's presence said to her: "Violante, thou knowest that I owe
the restoration of my health to this man's skill and care. He requires
no other recompense of me than that ring which he declares to be in
thy possession, and which thou dost assert thou hast not. I should
have thought thy love for me would have led thee not to give thy
ruby alone, but thy very life. I beseech thee, by the obedience thou
owest to me, by the affection I have borne thee, to withhold it from
me no longer."
The princess, on hearing her father's will so decidedly expressed,
returned to her room, collected all her jewels, amongst which she
laid the ruby, and taking them one by one in her hand, in the
presence of her father, showed them each in succession to the
physician, who, the moment he saw the ruby, would have laid his
hand on it, saying: "Princess, this is the ring I wish for, and which
the king has promised me."
But the princess, repelling him, said: "Stay, master, you shall have
it!" and holding the ring in her hand, exclaimed: "Then it is this
precious jewel, so infinitely dear to me, that you covet: I must
renounce this, for the loss of which I shall be inconsolable for life.
But I do not yield it willingly, but only because the king, my father,
requires it of me."
With these words she flung the ruby against the wall. As it fell to the
ground it instantly changed into a beautiful pomegranate, which
burst as it fell, and its seeds were scattered all over the room.
The physician as quickly became a cock, in order to swallow all the
seeds, and thus to destroy the unlucky Dionysius; but he had
miscalculated: one of the seeds had so concealed itself that the cock
could not discover it. The seed watched its opportunity, transformed
itself into a fox, who throwing himself on master cock, seized him by
the throat, and strangled and devoured him in the presence of the
astonished monarch and his daughter Violante. Dionysius then
resumed his human form, and related all to the king, who thought
he could not do better than immediately give him his daughter in
marriage. They lived long together in peace and happiness, and the
good old father of Dionysius became, instead of an indigent man, a
rich and powerful one; whilst, on the other hand, the cruelty of
Lactantius had cost him his life.
 FORTUNE'S FAVOURITE;
OR, THE VERY WONDERFUL ADVENTURES OF PISTA,
THE SWINEHERD.

[Hungarian.]

ear the centre of a thick forest once dwelt a forester with

his beloved wife. The chase was his occupation, and he
lived contentedly on the provision which his ever-active
bow procured him from day to day. In this manner he
passed two years very happily; although the blessing of
children, which he earnestly desired, had been hitherto denied him.
But the saying, "Patience brings roses," consoled him, and indeed
the saying did at last prove true, and in so striking a manner, that it
seemed as if destiny had exerted its utmost power to fulfil it, in his
case, even to excess. In the third year, whilst the forester was away
hunting in the wood, his family was increased by the addition of
twelve fine, healthy sons, upon whom the attendant midwife
bestowed every necessary care, and then placed them in a circle on
the floor in the centre of the room, where the sturdy infants
stretched their limbs and raised their voices for the first time in a
tremendously loud Tutti.
Whilst these events were taking place, the day declined, and
evening gradually threw its shade over field and mountain. The light-
hearted hunter bethought him of his supper, and returned, laden
with two or three hares, to his cottage.
But how thunderstruck was he when he heard that Heaven had
showered down upon him such an abundant blessing. He entered,
gazed, and at the sight of the liberal gift, at once lost his reason,
and rushed raving out of doors back into the depths of the dark
forest, never to return again.
The poor forsaken wife now remained in her hut with her twelve
little sons, desiring nothing more ardently than to be able to leave
her bed, in order to provide food for her children.
The midwife afforded her all the assistance in her power, and when
at length she recovered, she prepared a bow and arrows, scoured
the woods and hills, and daily brought home as much game as was
requisite for the support of herself and her children. Thus she lived
fifteen years; during which period the little ones grew strong and
healthy, and learned from her to provide, by hunting, for their own
necessities.
But before they reached their sixteenth year, it pleased Heaven to
call their mother to itself, and now the youths, deprived of parental
care, were abandoned to their fate. They continued to live as before,
on the products of the chase, which they fraternally divided amongst
them, and remained together in harmony and peace.
The distracted father meanwhile continued to wander incessantly
through the forest. His habiliments had long been torn to rags, and
his appearance terrified every one who beheld him. Although other
foresters occasionally met him, and brought tidings of him to his
sons, yet no one could ever lay hold of him, as he shunned the
approach of everybody, and at the aspect of a human being he
hastened like a frightened beast to hide himself in the thicket. But
his unhappy fate was a daily increasing source of sorrow to his sons,
who at length consulted seriously together, how they might get him
into their hands, so as to be able to take care of him, and, if
possible, restore him to reason.
They at length agreed to betake themselves, provided with a roasted
goose, a pitcher of brandy, and one large boot, to a certain spring in
the forest, near which the foresters frequently saw him. With these
things they went to the appointed spot, placed them close to the
spring, and then concealed themselves in the bushes to watch for
his arrival.
They had waited a considerable time when they heard the sound of
footsteps, and beheld a dark figure approaching the spring. With
ardent curiosity they peeped from their concealment, and at length
saw, with surprise and horror, a being more like a ghost than a man,
but who, however, perfectly corresponded to the description which
the foresters had given them of their unfortunate father.
When he approached the spring to slake his thirst he started on
perceiving the unaccustomed objects which were beside it, and
prepared to start off at the moment, should he perceive a human
form. But as the youths kept themselves entirely concealed, and
made not the least noise, his alarm subsided, and he ventured to
drink from the spring.
After he had refreshed himself, the roasted goose, the little pitcher,
and the large boot seemed again to attract his attention, and he
could not resist the desire to make himself master of them. He laid
himself down quite leisurely by the boot, devoured the goose with
the greatest avidity, and emptied the pitcher with a satyr-like
expression of countenance.
The liquor seemed quickly to affect him; for almost as soon as he
had swallowed it he manifested his satisfaction by fantastic leaps,
and all kinds of ridiculous antics. He soon laid hold of the boot,
examined it attentively on all sides, and nodded his head knowingly,
as if in self-approval for having devised its purpose.
Thus satisfied with himself, he again seated himself on the ground,
and endeavoured to draw the boot over both feet at once; and
although it was large enough to admit the foot of a demi-giant, it
cost the lunatic extraordinary efforts to effect his object.
Overpowered by fatigue, and the strength of the liquor he had
drunk, he gradually sank down by the stream, and fell asleep.
His sons, when they perceived this, hastened with the greatest
caution from the bushes, raised the intoxicated sleeper from the
ground, and carried him home. But before they had half reached the
hut, they discovered with horror that the burthen, which at every
step had appeared to grow heavier, was a corpse. Whether it was
the effect of the too hastily swallowed drink, or the too rapid
satisfaction of his appetite after long fasting, in either case, the
father lay dead in the arms of his sons. With tears of regret, and
self-reproaches for their ill-advised attempt, the afflicted sons buried
the beloved corpse, under an oak not far from the cottage.
They lived together for some time after this event, but at length,
being imbued with the desire of seeing foreign countries, they
resolved to renounce their hitherto rude mode of life, and each to
set out in a different direction to seek his fortune.
When they had fixed the day for their separation they once more
went hunting together, in order to provide so much food as they
might require for at least the first day of their wandering. On the day
appointed for their departure they went to the oak which shaded
their father's grave, swore eternal brotherly love to each other, and
after mutually taking an affectionate leave, each pursued his
separate way.
To relate what occurred to each of these twelve brethren, and how
each fulfilled his appointed destiny, would be a very tedious task,
and the more so as the fate of the younger brother was alone
sufficiently remarkable to deserve attention.
This youth had from his earliest years an aversion to all kind of
labour and trouble; hence, in all his necessities he always relied on
the favour of Fortune, and the more so as he had more than once
had reason to surmise that she was favourably inclined towards him.
Whilst his brothers laboriously pursued their game under every
disadvantage of time, place, and weather, he would lie at his ease,
with his weapons beside him, on a grassy hill, beneath the shade of
the trees; and it generally came to pass that whilst his brothers
pursued some poor hare, in the sweat of their brow, a roebuck
would come, as if at his call, so near to him that he could shoot it
without the least exertion. Owing to this, he had to endure many a
jeer from his brethren, whose jealousy was excited by his good luck,
and they called him in derision Lazy Bones.
His confidence in the favour of the blind goddess guided him
prosperously on his way. By day he shot all kinds of game, which
came in abundance towards him, kindled a fire, roasted and eat it;
at night, he stretched himself on the soft grass, and slept
refreshingly till the next morning. After he had pursued his way in
this manner for six days, he arrived at a royal city altogether
unknown to him. He entered one of the best inns, and offered the
host a hare in exchange for a draught of wine, to refresh himself
with after the fatigue of his journey. The host gave him credit for
more than he was able both to eat and drink, offered him a bed, and
charged him the most moderate price.
Just as he sat down to table, a multitude of persons assembled in
the room of the inn, and conversed with each other about a most
remarkable occurrence which had just taken place. The affair was
indeed one of no trifling importance, for it concerned the royal
establishment. The king had had ninety-nine swineherds, who one
and all had disappeared, and in all probability would never again be
heard of. The nine-and-ninetieth of these had been missed only the
night before, and it was much doubted whether the king would be
able to find any one again who would be willing to undertake so
perilous a charge. For although the highest wages were offered to
any one who would undertake to tend the royal swine but for a
single day, yet no one throughout the whole kingdom had yet
offered himself, and the illustrious owner of the swine was in great
risk of losing them all.
The young stranger listened to this narration with surprise, but could
not conjecture what could be the difficulty attached to the service.
As the host had for some time been employed in looking out for
swineherds for the king, he asked his young guest whether he would
undertake the office, adding at the same time, that the king would
give a year's wages for a single day's service.
"Why not?" replied Pista, (that was the young adventurer's name)
and he declared himself quite willing to undertake the charge, as he
thought the business of a swineherd did not demand more skill and
trouble than he was accustomed to exert. His consent thus given,
the host joyfully conducted him to the king and praised throughout
the whole city the courageous resolution of his guest.
The monarch received them both graciously, and not only confirmed
the offer made by the host to the youth, but promised him a gratuity
into the bargain, in case of his discharging his duty with zeal and
perseverance.
He commanded a capital supper to be placed before him, and
appointing him to drive the swine in the morning to the heath, he
dismissed him with the most gracious wishes for his welfare.
Before the dawn of day, Pista was already at his post. The heath lay
in a pleasant district, inclosed on the one side by mountains, and on
the other by a thick forest. On his arrival there he found all tranquil,
and could not imagine what danger was to be apprehended.
He passed the day in expectation, and the evening approached as
peacefully as the day had departed. The moon and stars shed their
light over the district, and the refreshing coolness of the air invited
the carefree herdsman to repose. He lay calmly down near his herd,
commended them and himself to fortune, and slept in peace.
He had not slept an hour, when the most extraordinary of all night
visions awakened him. The oldest patriarch of the herd stood before
him, and thus addressed him: "Fear not, for I am thy friend, and
come to thee as a well-intentioned counsellor, to warn thee of the
danger that awaits thee. As I have selected thee for my protégé, I
will assist thee to the best of my power. When thou drivest us home
to-morrow, mind to request the king to give thee a loaf of bread and
a flask of wine, for the following day. These shall preserve thee from
all misfortune. A great dragon who rules this forest, will endeavour
to overthrow and swallow thee. But if thou givest him these gifts,
thou wilt not only be able to resist him, but after he shall have drunk
the wine thou mayest destroy him."
Pista was not a little astonished at this apparition; he rubbed his
eyes, pricked up his ears, and collected all his senses, to convince
himself that he was really awake and not dreaming. But when he
saw the boar standing bodily before him, and distinctly heard every
word, he at last returned him grateful thanks for his friendly
admonition, and promised punctually to observe his instructions.
The following evening he drove the herd home. The king met him,
not without astonishment, caused the year's wages to be paid to him
immediately, and gave him permission further to ask some favour.
Pista, well pleased, put the money in his pocket, and for the present
asked for nothing more than bread and wine for the following
evening.
The cock had scarcely crowed to welcome the first hour of the
morning, when our herdsman again passed out at the city gate with
his herd. He betook himself to the same heath where he had passed
the foregoing night, and had had the strange tête-à-tête with the
boar.
As soon as he reached the spot, his bristly Mentor again approached
him and said:—

"Up and mount me without fear,

Swift on my back I thee will bear;
So that, ere many minutes' space,
Thou shalt reach the appointed place."
 FORTUNE'S FAVOURITE.

The youth bestrode the boar, and in a trice found himself in the
neighbouring wood, and deposited under an enormous oak. The
boar then repeated what he had said to his protégé the preceding
day, and hastened back to the herd.
Pista prepared himself for his adventure, and before he could
accurately reconnoitre the field of battle, so dreadful a noise
proceeding from the interior of the forest pierced his ears, that all
the trees round him creaked and rustled as in a storm. It came
nearer and nearer, and he soon perceived a monstrous dragon,
rapidly making towards him, tearing the bushes and trees as he
passed, and even throwing them to the ground. Mindful of his
Mentor's words, Pista took courage, offered the bread and wine to
the dragon, and besought him to spare his life.
This liberal offer astonished the dragon more than the resistance of
a whole band of herdsmen would have done. He quietly received the
gifts, devoured the bread with much satisfaction, and as the wine
speedily took effect, he drowsily tumbled on the earth. Pista did not
delay to avail himself of the opportunity. When he perceived that the
dragon slept, he drew out his knife and cut the throat of the drunken
monster; before, however, he had completed the operation, he saw
a copper key fall out of his jaws, which he picked up and put in his
pocket.
In the meantime, the herd had gradually moved towards the interior
of the forest, to a considerable distance from the spot where the
dragon had met his death. Pista, fearing he might lose the objects of
his charge, resolved to cut across the bend of the forest, and to go
in a straight line, the same by which the dragon had come, to look
after them.
He had not gone far, when a new overwhelming surprise banished
them from his thoughts. An immense castle, entirely built of copper,
stood before him, far surpassing in splendour the residence of his
king, and which seemed the more to invite him to enter, inasmuch
as he could nowhere descry a single guard to forbid his approach.
Solitary and silent was all around him: not even the song of a bird
broke the stillness. Hastening up to the castle, he found all the gates
locked; but suddenly remembering the key in his pocket, he drew it
out and tried it in the nearest gate, and discovered to his joyful
surprise that it opened every lock. He soon found himself in the
interior of a most magnificent palace, with such a number of state
rooms opening round him, that he could hardly tell which he should
first enter. He passed through the grand hall and went from room to
room, until he at last reached a great saloon, the walls of which
were mirrors, whilst all manner of gold and silver articles of furniture
glittered round him. In the centre of the room stood a table of silver,
whereon lay a golden rod. Without precisely knowing wherefore, he
took up the rod and struck the table with it, upon which a young
dragon immediately appeared, and with indescribable courtesy
begged that he would honour him with his commands.
Recovering from his surprise, Pista expressed a wish to be shown
the whole interior of the palace, with the gardens belonging to it.
The obliging dragon immediately complied with, and requested his
guest to follow him. He led him through all the chambers and halls
of the palace, each of which seemed to contain the treasure of a
whole kingdom; thence into the stables, where splendid coursers fed
from silver mangers on golden oats, and who neighed loudly at the
entrance of their visitors.
At last Pista and his attendant came into a garden full of
marvellously beautiful flowers and delicious fruits, which seemed to
the stranger like a second paradise. He could not refrain from
plucking a rose, which he stuck in his cap.