On and on they struggled, it was very hard work and they were both tired. They had almost reached the top of the mountain, when they stumbled and once more they fell, rolling over and over, and never stopped until they were in their old place at the very foot of the mountain.
“That is truly discouraging,” said Elrick, “and I for one will not try again.”
“Then I must climb it alone,” said Mansur. “I am bound to get over this mountain.”
“But I am sure you cannot,” replied Elrick.
“I’ll try,” said Mansur, and he started all over again.
Elrick grumbled all the way, but after a long tiresome journey they reached the top. It did not take them very long to go down the other side of the mountain, and they saw a river before them.
Elrick sat on the bank and wondered how he was going to get across, while Mansur took off his clothes and having made them into a bundle tied it on his head and swam across the river.
“I’m afraid,” said Elrick. “I think I’ll turn back, there are too many hard places to go over to reach King Fortune’s country.”
“Come on!” shouted Mansur. “You haven’t tried yet.”
But faint-hearted Elrick turned his footsteps homeward and was soon out of sight. Mansur continued his journey alone amid many a danger and hardship. Sometimes it was high mountains to climb, at other times there were wide rivers to cross. Often he met wild animals and had to fight for his life, and very often wicked people tried to lure him from the right path. Throughout it all Mansur was brave, honest and hopeful; his favorite motto was, “I’ll try,” and in spite of rough places he always succeeded. The purse of gold that his father had given him was empty, and he had to work for his food and sleep on the roadside.