"I refuse to wed any maid born in this poor hut," he said. "You must help me to escape this fate."
"What can I do about it?" asked the page, yawning.
"You must steal this babe this very day and put it to death," said the king sternly.
The page did not dare refuse, and easily obtained possession of the baby when no one was looking. He carried her away into the deep forest, but he did not have the heart to put an innocent babe to death. He left her in a hollow tree, wrapped up in the bright red sash he wore.
When he had returned to the king he confessed that he had been too tender-hearted to slay the baby. The king was angry.
"Take me to the baby," he said. "I'll do the deed myself."
Though they searched long and faithfully they were unable to find the hollow tree where the baby had been left. They, of course, did not wish to return to the hut of the charcoal burner, and at length they found their way out of the deep forest.
"No one will ever discover that baby if I could not find it myself! She will soon die without food," said the page.
The king agreed that it was quite impossible for the babe to escape death, but he could not forget the strange voice which had said:
"Here in this hut is born to-night
The maiden of your fate:
You can't escape your lot, young king;
Your fate for you will wait.