The morning sun shining into his eyes awakened him; and after looking about carefully to assure himself that there was nothing to be had to eat in that place, Vance shouldered his box and trudged along the river's bank. It was a beautiful bright morning; the birds were singing, the flowers were opening to the light, and had it not been for a constantly growing hunger, the young traveller might have enjoyed his walk greatly. As it was, he soon became so hungry that he could think of nothing but eating. He went on, however, until about noon, before he found any food; then to his great joy he came upon a fine tree hanging full of ripe peaches, rosy and plump as a baby's cheek.
"Now for a feast!" he said eagerly to himself, as he put down his box and prepared to gather a hatful of the delicious fruit.
Just then he stumbled over something, and looking down saw a man lying on the grass with his eyes shut and his mouth open.
"Hallo!" exclaimed the Prince. "Who are you? Are you awake or asleep?"
"Awake," answered the man, without stirring.
"Why don't you get up then?" asked Vance. "Are you ill?"
"No," replied the man, briefly.
And indeed he was as stout a fellow as one would meet in a summer's day.