any
days after, and the king issued a proclamation that whoever should bring
back his lost daughters should have one of them to wife, and should,
after his death, reign in his stead.

Now two young generals were at that time living at the court, and when
they heard the king's declaration, they said one to the other: 'Let us
go in search of them; perhaps we shall be the lucky persons.'

And they set out, each mounted on a strong horse, taking with them a
change of raiment and some money.

But though they inquired at every village they rode through, they could
hear nothing of the princesses, and by-and-by their money was all spent,
and they were forced to sell their horses, or give up the search. Even
this money only lasted a little while longer, and nothing but their
clothes lay between them and starvation. They sold the spare garments
that were bound on their saddles, and went in the coats they stood up in
to the inn, to beg for some food, as they were really starving. When,
however, they had to pay for what they had eaten and drank, they said to
the host: 'We have no money, and naught but the clothes we stand up in.
Take these, and give us instead some old rags, and let us stay here and
serve you.' And the innkeeper was content with the bargain, and the
generals remained, and were his servants.

All this time the king and queen remained in their palace hungering for
their children, but not a word was heard of either of them or of the
generals who had gone to seek for them.

Now there was living in the palace a faithful servant of the king's
called Bensurdatu, who had served him for many years, and when
Bensurdatu saw how grieved the king was, he lifted up his voice and said
to him: 'Your majesty, let me go and seek your daughters.'

'No, no, Bensurdatu,' replied the king. 'Three daughters have I lost,
and two generals, and shall I lose you also?'

But Bensurdatu said again: 'Let me now go, your majesty; trust me, and I
will bring you back your daughters.'

Then the king gave way, and Bensurdatu set forth, and rode on till he
came to the inn, where he dismounted and asked for food. It was brought
by the two generals, whom he knew at once in spite of their miserable
clothes, and, much astonished, asked them how in the world they came
there.

They told him all their adventures, and he sent for the innkeeper, and
said to him: 'Give them back their garments, and I will pay everything
that they owe you.'

And th