h
him, and there handed over to him the hides and horns of the oxen. The
King was greatly surprised at his valour, and said he knew no one like
him, and thanked him heartily for what he had done.

After this the King set Ring next to himself, and all esteemed him
highly, and held him to be a great hero; nor could Red any longer say
anything against him, though he grew still more determined to destroy
him. One day a good idea came into his head. He came to the King and
said he had something to say to him.

'What is that?' said the King.

Red said that he had just remembered the gold cloak, gold chess-board,
and bright gold piece that the King had lost about a year before.

'Don't remind me of them!' said the King.

Red, however, went on to say that, since Ring was such a mighty man
that he could do everything, it had occurred to him to advise the King
to ask him to search for these treasures, and come back with them
before Christmas; in return the King should promise him his daughter.

The King replied that he thought it altogether unbecoming to propose
such a thing to Ring, seeing that he could not tell him where the
things were; but Red pretended not to hear the King's excuses, and
went on talking about it until the King gave in to him. One day, a
month or so before Christmas, the King spoke to Ring, saying that he
wished to ask a great favour of him.

'What is that?' said Ring.

'It is this,' said the King: 'that you find for me my gold cloak, my
gold chess-board, and my bright gold piece, that were stolen from me
about a year ago. If you can bring them to me before Christmas I will
give you my daughter in marriage.'

'Where am I to look for them, then?' said Ring.

'That you must find out for yourself,' said the King; 'I don't know.'

Ring now left the King, and was very silent, for he saw he was in a
great difficulty: but, on the other hand, he thought it was excellent
to have such a chance of winning the King's daughter. Snati noticed
that his master was at a loss, and said to him that he should not
disregard what the King had asked him to do; but he would have to act
upon his advice, otherwise he would get into great difficulties. The
Prince assented to this, and began to prepare for the journey.

After he had taken leave of the King, and was setting out on the
search, Snati said to him, 'Now you must first of all go about the
neighbourhood, and gather as much salt as ever you can.' The Prince
did s