The old man then smote his two palms against one another, and two servants came and laid a board with beef, mutton, pork, and plenty of bread before the King’s son, and the old man said to him:
at and drink your enough. Perhaps it may be a long time before you get the like again.”
He ate and drank as much as he desired, and thanked him for it.
Then the old man said, “You are going seeking for the King of the Black Desert. Go to sleep now, and I will go through my books to see if I can find out the dwelling-place of that King.” Then he smote his palms together, and a servant came, and he told him, “Take the King’s son to his chamber.” He took him to a fine chamber, and it was not long till he fell asleep.
On the morning of the next day the old man came and said:
“Rise up, there is a long journey before you. You must do five hundred miles before midday.”
“I could not do it,” said the King’s son.
“If you are a good rider I will give you a horse that will bring you over the journey.”
“I will do as you say,” said the King’s son.