THE FLYING CARPET 133

“Very well, she shall be the witness of your betrothal.
Now look down; do you see that precipice, and the deep
river shining in its depths.”

“T do.”

“Very well, it shall be your bridal couch.”

So saying the chamberlain threw him into the deep abyss,
shut the window, and ran to tell the king that there was no
longer a suitor for the hand of his daughter.

The fisherman, stunned by the force of his fall, reached
the water quite senseless. When he came to himself and
opened his eyes, he lay in a boat which at that moment was
leaving the mouth of the river and entering the open sea.

The very old man, to whom he had given the bream, was
guiding the vessel with an oar.

“My good old man, is it you? How did you manage to
save me?” asked the astonished fisherman.

“‘T came to your assistance,” replied the old man, “ because
he who shows pity to others deserves their help when in need
of it. But take the oar and row to whatever place you wish.”

And having thus spoken the mysterious old man dis-
appeared. ‘The fisherman crossed himself, and having looked
round upon the royal palace sparkling with light he sighed deeply,
and chanting the hymn “ Under Thy Help,” put out to sea.

When the sun rose he saw some nets in the boat, and
throwing them into the water caught some pike, which he sold in
a town near the shore, and then continued his journey on foot.

Two or three months later, when crossing some open
country, he heard cries for help which came from a hill near
the forest. ‘There he saw two little demons pulling each
other’s hair. By the cut of their short waistcoats, by their