THE PLENTIFUL TABLECLOTH 347

amazement, but when invited to partake, began to eat and
drink with great enjoyment.

At the end of the meal the whistling was again heard, and
everything vanished completely.

The herdsman set off in hot haste to the court, to tell the
king of this new marvel. Thereupon his majesty sent one of
his heroes in search of the fool, whom he found stretched on
the stove.

“Tf you value your life, listen, and obey the king’s orders,”
said the paladin. ‘‘He commands you to send him by me
your tablecloth, then you shall have your share of his royal
favour. But if not you will always remain a poor fool, and
will, moreover, be treated as a refractory prisoner. We teach
them how to behave; you understand ?”

“Oh yes, I understand.” And then he pronounced the
magic words :

“ O self-propelling, ever willing, fighting Wand,
Go, soundly thrash that man—

The most deceiving, dangerous wretch in all the land,
So hurt him all you can.”

The wand sprang from the fool’s hand with the speed of
lightning and struck the paladin three times in the face. He
immediately fled, but the wand was after him, hitting him all
the time, and crying out:

“ Mere promises are children’s play,
So do not throw your breath away,
But think of something true to say,
You rogue, when next you come our way.”

Defeated and filled with consternation, the paladin returned