136 SLAV TALES

capital. The fisherman, with his cap on, descended into
the middle of the courtyard.

The whole place was in confusion and trouble, for the
commander of the foreign army, encouraged by having so
easily received such a large sum of money, had returned to
the attack and again held the town in siege, declaring that
he would destroy every house and slay all the inhabitants,
not sparing even the king himself, unless he agreed to give
him his only daughter in marriage.

The terrified citizens crowded to the palace and besought
his majesty to do as they asked him, and so save them from
such a fate. The king, standing on the balcony, addressed
them thus: “Faithful and devoted people, listen to me.
Nothing but a miracle can save us from this fearful calamity ;
yet it has happened that the most powerful assailants have
been forced to ask mercy of the most feeble. I will never
consent to the marriage of my only daughter with my most
hated and cruel foe. Within a few moments my guards will
be ready for combat, and I myself will lead them against the
enemy. If there be any among you who can win the victory,
to him will I give my only daughter in marriage, the half of
my kingdom for her dowry, and the heirship to the throne.”

When he had finished speaking the fisherman ordered his
club to fall on the foe, while the country round echoed and
re-echoed to the blows by means of which it destroyed the
besieging army. It was in vain that the brave commander
shouted to his soldiers not to run away, for when he himself
received three blows from the club he was obliged to make
off as fast as possible.

When the club had destroyed or driven away into the