one.' But the others
persuaded her to go in, and her father was just going in after her, when
up sprung on the deck a little man only seven inches high, and ordered
him to stand back. Well, all the men put their hands to their swords;
and if the same swords were only playthings, they weren't able to draw
them, for all strength that was left their arms. _Seven Inches_ loosened
the silver chain that fastened the boat, and pushed away, and after
grinning at the four men, says he to them, 'Bid your daughters and your
brides farewell for awhile. You,' says he to the youngest, 'needn't
fear, you'll recover your princess all in good time, and you and she
will be as happy as the day is long. Bad people, if they were rolling
stark naked in gold, would not be rich. Good-bye.' Away they sailed, and
the ladies stretched out their hands, but weren't able to say a word.

Well, they weren't crossing the lake while a cat 'ud be lickin' her ear,
and the poor men couldn't stir hand or foot to follow them. They saw
_Seven Inches_ handing the three princesses out of the boat, and letting
them down by a basket into a draw-well, but king nor princes ever saw an
opening before in the same place. When the last lady was out of sight,
the men found the strength in their arms and legs again. Round the lake
they ran, and never drew rein till they came to the well and windlass;
and there was the silk rope rolled on the axle, and the nice white
basket hanging to it. 'Let me down,' says the youngest prince. 'I'll die
or recover them again.' 'No,' says the second daughter's sweetheart, 'it
is my turn first.' And says the other, 'I am the eldest.' So they gave
way to him, and in he got into the basket, and down they let him. First
they lost sight of him, and then, after winding off a hundred perches of
the silk rope, it slackened, and they stopped turning. They waited two
hours, and then they went to dinner, because there was no pull made at
the rope.

[Illustration: SEVEN INCHES CARRIES AWAY THE PRINCESSES]

[Illustration: IN CAME SEVEN INCHES HAND IN HAND WITH THE YOUNGEST
SISTER]

Guards were set till next morning, and then down went the second prince,
and sure enough, the youngest of all got himself let down on the third
day. He went down perches and perches, while it was as dark about him as
if he was in a big pot with a cover on. At last he saw a glimmer far
down, and in a short time he felt the ground. Out he came from the big
lime-kiln, and