IMPERISHABLE 255

terrified soldiers fled and completely disappeared. Then the
king said, ‘“‘ Sword, return to me.”
The thousand swords again became one, and so it returned
to its master’s hand.
The victorious king came

  
 

a. home filled with joy. He called

jes | Ley Niezguinek to him, loaded him

\@ f £4) | ee with gifts, and assuring him of

ri i i ——_ his favour, made him the highest

uh ys > general of his forces. In carry-
<n)

‘ ing out the duties of this new
{ post Niezguinek was often obliged
to punish his brothers, who be-
came more and more enraged
against him, and took counsel
together how they might bring
about his downfall.

One day the king found a
letter by his door, and after read-
ing it he called Niezguinek to him
and said, “I should very much
like to see Princess Sudolisu,
whom you wish to bring me.”

“Sire, I do not know the
lady, and have never spoken
to her.”

“Here, look at your letter.”
Niezguinek read :

 

“Beyond the nine kingdoms, far beyond the ocean, within