THE HISTORY OF PRINCE SLUGOBYL 177

began to suffer terribly from thirst ; so, sending his servant in
one direction, he himself went in another, in search of some
well or spring. They soon found a well full of cool fresh
water, but unluckily without either rope or bucket to
draw it up. After a few moments’ thought the prince said
to his servant, “Take the leathern strap used for tethering
our horses, put it round your body, and I will then let
you down into the well; I cannot endure this thirst any
longer.”

“Vour highness,” answered the servant, “I am heavier
than you, and you are not as strong as I, so you will not be
able to pull me out of the water. If you, therefore, will go
down first, I shall be able to pull you up when you have
quenched your thirst.” .

The prince took his advice, and fastening an end of the
strap under his arms, was lowered into the well. When he had
enjoyed a deep draught of the clear water and filled a bottle
of the same for his servant, he gave the signal that he wished
to be pulled up. But instead of obeying the servant said,
“Listen, prince; from the day you were born up to the present
moment you have never known anything but luxury, pleasure,
and happiness, while I have suffered poverty and slaved all my
life. Now we will change places, and you shall be my servant.
If you refuse you had better make your peace with God, for I
shall drown you.”

“Stop, faithful servant,” cried the prince, “you will not
be so wicked as to do that. What good will it do you?
You will never be so happy as you have been with me,
and you know what dreadful tortures are in store for

murderers in the other world; their hands are plunged into
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