ALL THINGS ARE AS FATE WILLS

as saucers and face as white as dough. After he had sat
for a while, and when his wits came back to him and he
had gathered strength enough, he stood up and looked
around to see where Fate had cast him; and far away on
the hillside he saw the walls and the cor and the towers
of the great town, shining in the sunlight as white as
snow.

“Well,” said he, “here is something to be thankful for,
at least,” and so saying and shaking the stiffness out of

 

his knees and elbows. he started off for the white mals
and the red roofs in the distance.

At last he reached the great gate, and through it he
could see the stony streets and multitudes of people
coming and going.

But it was not for him to enter that gate. Out popped
two soldiers with great battle-axes in their hands and
looking as fierce as dragons. ‘Are you a stranger in
this town ?” said one in a great, gruff voice.

“Yes,” said the beggar, ‘‘I am.”

“And where are you going?”

319