"How is that possible?" said Busujok. This discovery vexed the prince so much that he determined to go out into the wide world.
"Brother Siminok," he said, "I'm going out into the wide world, because I can't understand why my mother tied my hair while she was playing with it."
"Listen to reason, Brother Busujok, and do nothing of the sort," replied Siminok; "if the empress tied your hair, it certainly was not for any evil purpose."
But Busujok remained firm in his resolve, and when he took leave of Siminok, he said to him:
"Take this handkerchief, Brother Siminok, and if you ever see three drops of blood on it, you will know that I am dead."
"May the Lord help you, Brother Busujok, that you may prosper; but I beg you once more by my love, stay!"
"Impossible," replied Busujok.
Then the youths embraced each other, and Busujok departed; Siminok remained behind, gazing longingly after him till he was out of sight.
Siminok then returned to the palace and related all that had happened.
The empress was insane with grief. She wrung her hands and wept till it was pitiful to see her. But she did not know what to do, and at last comforted herself a little by gazing at Siminok. After some time the latter took out the prince's handkerchief, looked at it, and saw three drops of blood on it. Then he said: