THE FLYING CARPET 139

desert all the troops it came back to its master; he, still
wearing the magic cap, and with his carpet folded up under
his arm and his club in his hand, made his way to the king’s
apartment.

In the palace shouts of joy had succeeded the cries of fear
which had been heard but a short while ago. Every one was
happy, and every one congratulated the king upon his victory,
as sudden and complete as it was unexpected. But the
monarch, turning to his warriors, addressed them thus:
“Victory! Let us rather return thanks to God. He who
has won for us the victory has but to present himself and
receive the reward he so richly deserves, that is, my beautiful
daughter in marriage, the half of my kingdom, and the right
of succession to my throne. These are the gifts that await
this victorious hero. Where is he?”

They all stood silent and looked from one to the other.
Then the fisherman, who had taken off his cap, appeared
before the assembly and said, “ Behold, it was I who destroyed
your enemies, O king. This is the second time that I have
been promised the hand of the princess in marriage, the half
of the kingdom, and the right of succession to the throne.”

The king, struck dumb with amazement, looked inquiringly
at his chamberlain, then recovering his presence of mind he
shook hands with the fisherman.

“Your good health, my friend. By what happy fortune
do you return safe and sound to my court? The chamberlain
told me that through your own carelessness you had fallen
out of the tower window ; in truth, we mourned you as dead.”

“TJ should not have fallen out of the window if I had not
been thrown down by your chamberlain ; there is the traitor.