8 SLAV TALES

The wife replied, “Our neighbour owes us some wheat;
we want to be sure he returns us the right quantity.”

The rich brother was puzzled, and suspecting something
he, unknown to his sister-in-law, put some grease inside the
measure. The trick succeeded, for on getting it back he
found a piece of gold sticking to it. Filled with astonish-
ment, he could only suppose his brother had joined a band
of robbers: so he hurried to his brother’s cottage, and threa-
tened to bring him before the Justice of the Peace if he did
not confess where the gold came from. The poor man was
troubled, and, dreading to offend his brother, told the story
of his journey to the Crystal Mountain.

Now the elder brother had plenty of money for himself,
yet he was envious of the brother’s good fortune, and _ be-
came greatly displeased when he found that his brother
won every one’s esteem by the good use he made of his
wealth. At last he determined to visit the Crystal Mountain
himself.

“JT may meet with as good luck as my brother,” said he
to himself.

Upon reaching the Crystal Mountain he found the twelve
seated round the fire as before, and thus addressed them:

“T beg of you, good people, to let me warm myself, for
it is bitterly cold, and I am poor and homeless.”

But one of them replied, “My son, the hour of thy birth
was favourable; thou art rich, but a miser; thou art wicked,
for thou hast dared to lie to us. Well dost thou deserve thy
punishment.”

Amazed and terrified he stood silent, not daring to speak.
Meanwhile the twelve changed places one after another, each