When they arrived at the town where the king dwelt they entered the small house over against the castle.The news of their coming spread very soon, and the king rejoiced greatly that the handsome young prince had come back again, and commanded great feasts to be prepared, for in a few days his daughter should marry the king's son.The young man himself could imagine no greater happiness, and when the marriage was over they spent some months at the court making merry.
At length the king's son said, 'My mother awaits me at home, full of care and anxiety.Here I must remain no longer, and to-morrow Iwill take my wife and my friend and start for home.' And the king was content that he should do so, and gave orders to prepare for their journey.
Now in his heart the king cherished a deadly hate towards the poor young man whom he had tried to kill, but who had returned to him living, and in order to do him hurt sent him on a message to some distant spot.'See that you are quick,' said he, 'for your friend will await your return before he starts.' The youth put spurs to his horse and departed, bidding the prince farewell, so that the king's message might be delivered the sooner.As soon as he had started the king went to the chamber of the prince, and said to him, 'If you do not start immediately, you will never reach the place where you must camp for the night.'
'I cannot start without my friend,' replied the king's son.
'Oh, he will be back in an hour,' replied the king, 'and I will give him my best horse, so that he will be sure to catch you up.' The king's son allowed himself to be persuaded and took leave of his father-in-law, and set out with his wife on his journey home.
Meanwhile the poor friend had been unable to get through his task in the short time appointed by the king, and when at last he returned the king said to him,'Your comrade is a long way off by now; you had better see if you can overtake him.'
So the young man bowed and left the king's presence, and followed after his friend on foot, for he had no horse.Night and day he ran, till at length he reached the place where the king's son had pitched his tent, and sank down before him, a miserable object, worn out and covered with mud and dust.But the king's son welcomed him with joy, and tended him as he would his brother.
And at last they came home again, and the queen was waiting and watching in the palace, as she had never ceased to do since her son had rode away.She almost died of joy at seeing him again, but after a little she remembered his sick friend, and ordered a bed to be made ready and the best doctors in all the country to be sent for.
When they heard of the queen's summons they flocked from all parts, but none could cure him.After everyone had tried and failed a servant entered and informed the queen that a strange old man had just knocked at the palace gate and declared that he was able to heal the dying youth.Now this was a holy man, who had heard of the trouble the king's son was in, and had come to help.
It happened that at this very time a little daughter was born to the king's son, but in his distress for his friend he had hardly a thought to spare for the baby.He could not be prevailed on to leave the sick bed, and he was bending over it when the holy man entered the room.'Do you wish your friend to be cured?' asked the new comer of the king's son.'And what price would you pay?'
'What price?' answered the king's son; 'only tell me what I can do to heal him.'
'Listen to me, then,' said the old man.'This evening you must take your child, and open her veins, and smear the wounds of your friend with her blood.And you will see, he will get well in an instant.'
At these words the king's son shrieked with horror, for he loved the baby dearly, but he answered, 'I have sworn that I would treat my friend as if he were my brother, and if there is no other way my child must be sacrificed.'
As by this time evening had already fallen he took the child and opened its veins, and smeared the blood over the wounds of the sick man, and the look of death departed from him, and he grew strong and rosy once more.But the little child lay as white and still as if she had been dead.They laid her in the cradle and wept bitterly, for they thought that by the next morning she would be lost to them.
At sunrise the old man returned and asked after the sick man.
'He is as well as ever,' answered the king's son.
'And where is your baby?'
'In the cradle yonder, and I think she is dead,' replied the father sadly.
'Look at her once more,' said the holy man, and as they drew near the cradle there lay the baby smiling up at them.
'I am St.James of Lizia,,' said the old man, 'and I have come to help you, for I have seen that you are a true friend.From henceforward live happily, all of you, together, and if troubles should draw near you send for me, and I will aid you to get through them.'
With these words he lifted his hand in blessing and vanished.
And they obeyed him, and were happy and content, and tried to make the people of the land happy and contented too.
[From Sicilianische Mahrehen Gonzenbach.]
