"From a nut," answered Jack, pulling out the nut from his pocket. "I've
answered the three questions, and now I'll have the lady." "No, no,"
said the king, "not so fast. You have still an ordeal to go through. You
must come here in a week's time and watch for one whole night with the
princess, my daughter. If you can manage to keep awake the whole night
long you shall marry her next day."
"But if I can't?" said Jack.
"Then off goes your head," said the king. "But you need not try unless
you like."
Well, Jack went back home for a week, and thought over whether he should
try and win the princess. At last he made up his mind. "Well," said
Jack, "I'll try my vorton; zo now vor the king's daughter, or a
headless shepherd!"
And taking his bottle and bag, he trudged to the court. In his way
thither, he was obliged to cross a river, and pulling off his shoes and
stockings, while he was passing over he observed several pretty fish
bobbing against his feet; so he caught some and put them into his
pocket.
Pages:
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253