"Friends, get back to bed, and I will take charge of your work. I will fetch the Day."
"What! you!" said a servant. "Only one man! And do you pretend that you can do what ten horses can hardly accomplish? You are making game of us."
"I make game of no one. You will soon see that I mean what I say," said Jack.
"That seems very queer," said the head-servant.
"Fear not," said Jack, "I will help you through this by the assistance of my little companion—my rooster with the golden feathers."
"But, see here!" exclaimed the head-servant, with an air of sternness, "if you do not bring Day at the appointed hour, the King will be without mercy, and you will be hanged."
"Nay, let me do as I wish," said Jack, sleepily; "go to bed quietly."
With this assurance the servants and the carters did not need to be coaxed. They returned to their beds and slept heavily. Shortly after, the rooster with the golden feathers crew.
"What is that?" exclaimed the sleepers arising from their couches in surprise.
"It is very simple," said one. "Our friend yonder is about to start on his journey in search of Day."