e justly feared being deprived of both that, and his
slippers. His slippers, alas! could render him no help, for there by
close fetters he was fastened to the wall, and, torment himself as he
might, he could not turn around upon his heel. When, however, on the
next day, sentence of death was pronounced, he thought it would be
better to live without the magic staff, than to die with it; and,
having asked a private audience with the king, disclosed to him the
secret. At first the king gave no credit to his assertions, but Little
Muck promised him a proof, if he would respite him from death. The
king gave him his word upon it, and having had some gold buried in the
earth, unseen by Muck, commanded him to find it with his cane. In a
few moments he succeeded in doing so, for the staff beat three times
distinctly upon the ground. Then the king saw that his treasurer had
betrayed him, and sent him, as is customary in the East, a silken
cord, wherewith he should strangle himself. To Little Muck, however,
he said:--

"I have indeed promised thee thy life, but it seems to me that this is
not the only secret thou art possessed of, connected with this staff.
Therefore thou shalt remain in everlasting captivity, if thou do not
confess what relation exists between it and thy rapid running."

Little Muck, whom one night in his dungeon had deprived of all desire
for further confinement, acknowledged that his whole art lay in the
slippers; nevertheless, he informed not the king of the wonderful
effect of turning three times upon the heel. The king put on the
slippers, himself, in order to make the experiment, and ran, like mad,
through the garden; often did he wish to hold up, but he knew not how
to bring the slippers to a halt, and Muck, who could not deny himself
this revenge, let him run on, until he fell down exhausted.

When the king returned to consciousness, he was terribly angry at
Little Muck, who had suffered him to run until so entirely out of
breath. "I have promised thee thy freedom and life," said he, "but
within twelve hours must thou leave my land; otherwise will I have
thee hung." The slippers and cane, however, he commanded them to bear
to his treasure-chamber.

Thus, poor as ever, wandered the little fellow forth through the land,
cursing the folly which had led him astray, and prevented his playing
an important part at court. The land from which he was banished, was
fortunately not extensive, and accordingly eigh