"If you really are the Magician, come out and fight with me!" cried the youth.
The Magician, in a great fury at this audacity, rushed out, armed to the teeth, to accept the challenge. But as soon as he saw the sword in the youth's hand, he broke out into pitiable lamentation, and, sinking trembling on to his knees, cried:—
"Oh, woe to me, unfortunate creature that I am! At least spare my life!"
Then the youth said: "If you will release the Princess from the spell your life shall be spared."
Then the Magician took a ring out of his pocket and said: "Take this ring and put it on the little finger of her left hand and she shall be well again."
Not a little rejoiced at the success of his journey, the youth hastened to the King and asked, just to satisfy himself of the truth of what he had been told: "Your Majesty, is it true that he who restores the Princess to health will be your son-in-law?"
"THE POOR PRINCESS BURST INTO FLAME."
"It is verily true!" the anxious King assured him.
"Well then, I am ready to accomplish the task!"