Again she sent the messenger with the announcement that if her liberator were not sent, she would turn the city into dust and ashes.
“I freed her,” said the second prince to the frightened king.
“Then go to her.”
When she asked the second prince about the taper, he could give no answer, and lost his life. The messenger returned to the king, and told him what had happened to the two princes; the three remaining ones were so terrified that they confessed the truth.
The old man, Boyislav’s savior, now said to the king, “I told thee Boyislav was innocent; thou wouldst not believe me. Now see how thou hast saved thy city from destruction, for the princess will surely carry out her threat unless Boyislav is delivered up.”
“But how can I deliver him up when he is dead?” asked the king.
“He is not dead,” replied the old man, joyfully, “for there is still a little opening in the lions’ den, and there is light there night and day.”
The king sprang up joyfully, hastened to the den, and had the walled-up doors opened. Boyislav looked on this carelessly; and when the king implored him with tenderness to come out, that he forgave him all, he shook his head saying: “I will not go, it is good enough for me here.”
“But the princess will destroy my city,” said the king.
“What princess?” asked Boyislav with curiosity.