he dawn, sharp
eyes could dimly see the Prince's ship lying on the water, like a leaf
on the surface of a calm well. The Miller ranged his Ten Blowers in a
row, as they always stood when about to make the windmill whirl; and
they were a flight of steps, one above the other, good to see. Then the
Miller cried,--

"Blow, my children! Blow with all your might, when I speak the word; for
a great matter is at stake. Now; one, two, _three_!"

The boys drew in a long breath, puffed their cheeks, let out their
breath, expanded their chests, and at the third count blew with all
their might, till their eyes bulged and they were purple in the face.
The trees bent to the ground, and the birds flew out of their nests,
chirping wildly. And soon after this the watchmen on the palace wall,
who were spying at the Prince's ship with their telescopes, gave a great
cheer. The sails had filled with wind, and the vessel was moving ever so
slowly towards Outland.

"Again, my babes!" roared the Miller. "One, two, _three_!" and once more
a blast blew from the shore, so mighty that the hats of the nobles went
flying off into the sea, and the King himself nearly lost his crown of
pearls and rubies; which would have been a scandalous thing! Once more
the lookouts on the battlements cheered. The Prince's ship was moving
steadily forward past the Windless Headlands, out of the Bay of Calms.

"Once more!" shouted the Miller, encouraged by the King's nod of
delight. "One more blow for our King and Prince, my children!" And a
third time the Ten filled their lungs and puffed their cheeks in the
good cause.

This time the watchers danced wildly on the palace walls, and waved a
golden banner to the King, which was the signal that all was well. For
the Prince's ship had scudded clean out of sight, straight towards
Outland and the Bride. Once in the open gulf the ship was in no further
danger of being becalmed.

[Illustration: ONE MORE BLOW FOR OUR KING]

This is how the Miller and his Ten saved the life of the Prince of the
Land of Windmills, and became very dear to their King. For, aided by the
breath of the Miller's sons, the Prince reached Outland in time,--yes,
even with time to spare; the Princess was not ready for him! And her
father was so pleased by this promptness of the bridegroom that, when
the newly married pair left Outland after the grand wedding, they took
with them as a gift from the King one hundred buckets of silver and one
hundr