u to
sleep.'

So saying, he waved his wand over her, and in spite of her utmost
efforts to keep awake she sank into a profound and dreamless slumber.

As he wished to make what he considered a suitable entry into the King's
palace, he stepped outside the Princess's little domain, and mounted
upon an immense chariot with great solid wheels, and shafts like the
trunk of an oak-tree, but all of solid gold. This was drawn with great
difficulty by forty-eight strong oxen; and the Enchanter reclined at his
ease, leaning upon his huge club, and holding carelessly upon his knee
a tawny African lion, as if it had been a little lapdog. It was about
seven o'clock in the morning when this extraordinary chariot reached
the palace gates; the King was already astir, and about to set off on
a hunting expedition; as for the Queen, she had only just gone off
into her first sleep, and it would have been a bold person indeed who
ventured to wake her.

The King was greatly annoyed at having to stay and see a visitor at
such a time, and pulled off his hunting boots again with many grimaces.
Meantime the Enchanter was stumping about in the hall, crying:

'Where is this King? Let him be told that I must see him and his wife
also.'

The King, who was listening at the top of the staircase, thought
this was not very polite; however, he took counsel with his favourite
huntsman, and, following his advice, presently went down to see what
was wanted of him. He was struck with astonishment at the sight of the
chariot, and was gazing at it, when the Enchanter strode up to him,
exclaiming:

'Shake hands, Cloverleaf, old fellow! Don't you know me?'

'No, I can't say I do,' replied the King, somewhat embarrassed.

'Why, I am Grumedan, the Enchanter,' said he, 'and I am come to make
your fortune. Let us come in and talk things over a bit.'

Thereupon he ordered the oxen to go about their business, and they
bounded off like stags, and were out of sight in a moment. Then, with
one blow of his club, he changed the massive chariot into a perfect
mountain of gold pieces.

'Those are for your lackeys,' said he to the King, 'that they may drink
my health.'

Naturally a great scramble ensued, and at last the laughter and shouting
awoke the Queen, who rang for her maids to ask the reason of such an
unwonted hurry-burly. When they said that a visitor was asking for her,
and then proceeded each one to tell breathlessly a different tale of
wonder, in wh