94 The Catskill Fatrtes.

“Spread the cloth on the table,’ said the squirrel.

“Fancy their astonishment when a grand feast appeared on
the magic cloth. Ducks and turkeys dressed with flowers, de-
licious confectionery in sparkling heaps, and tempting fruits.
The fifth boy’s gift was not so poor a one after all.

“ Then the sixth son walked out, and directly before him lay
a beautiful gold trumpet. He blew a loud blast, and immedi-
ately all animals responded to the summons—bears, monkeys,

jaguars, moose, and deer, even wild cats.

 

“*Fat us up, if you like, or do anything with us; we are
your slaves, growled the animals together.

“Yes, he had control over all beasts for any service he might
require.

“<The little old woman must have been a fairy after all!’
shouted the brothers, beside themselves with delight.

“The pretty squirrel sitting up on the beam with its tail
curled over its back was the fairy all the while.

“What am I to own? asked Peter, in dismay.

“The seventh son went out across the ice - bridge and