“Then why don’t you join us and lead a gay life?”
“That I can’t do until I know where to find the princesses.”
They invited him to join them, but he refused to do it.
At last they bought some bread and other food, and they all set out together on their journey. They came to a dark forest, and for a fortnight they searched it through and through, but they could find nothing. They couldn’t find their way out of the forest either, so they agreed that one of them should climb to the top of the highest tree to see which way they ought to go. The drummer, being the youngest, climbed up a pine-tree. He called out:
“I can see a cottage. Look, I will throw my hat towards it, and do you follow the hat.”
Well, they went on until they reached the cottage.
“Go into the room,” says the drummer.
“After you,” said both the officers at once.
So the drummer stepped inside, and an old crone welcomed him.
“Welcome, Drummer Anthony,” said she. “How did you get here?”