for love of whom we left our father's home, and in search of
whom we wandered, all forlorn, the world up and down, and with him alone
do any of us wish to wed."

"Well spoken, fair Princesses," observed the Emperor. "That much
circumscribes the question, and decreases the difficulty. Which of you
desires to wed with the gallant Christian Knight? For, remember, that
only one wife can he have, whatever may be the custom in Asia."

Saint Andrew, who had never feared mortal foe or foes, giants, wild
beasts, or evil spirits, began at these words to tremble in his shoes,
and to regret that he had not recommenced his travels by daybreak.

The strong-minded Princesses all sat looking at him.

"I'm the one to marry him," cried the eldest.

The Champion's heart began to sink within him.

"I'm the one to marry him," cried the second.

"But I'm the one to marry him," cried the third.

"But I say that I'm the one to marry him," cried the fourth.

"But I declare that I'm the one to marry him," cried the fifth.

"You are all wrong!" exclaimed the sixth. "From the very first I am
sure that it was understood clearly that I was to be his wife."

"Stay, sweet Princesses," observed the Emperor, calmly, "I see clearly
that there has been some slight misunderstanding among you about this
matter, and I am sure Saint Andrew is too gallant a Knight to desire to
make any five of you unhappy, or jealous of the sixth. I, therefore,
purpose to send you all back, under a proper escort, to your father's
court, and I hope that you will there speedily find six noble knights to
lead you to the altar of Hymen."

The six strong-minded Princesses made very long faces at the decision of
the Emperor; but, as his decisions were always final, they could make no
reply; though, when they once more turned their eyes towards the
Scottish Knight, the spectators could not but remark that their
expression was very much changed, and Saint Andrew evidently thought it
wise to keep at a respectful distance from their fingers.

"Certes, Master," whispered Murdoch to Saint Andrew, "you are, to my
belief, very well out of it."

"It's a mighty easy way of settling the matter," said Terence O'Grady,
"but I wonder what the six serving maids are to do!"

History reports, however, that they went back to Georgia, married six
stalwart knights, and lived very happily afterwards, as did their six
fair attendants, who, in like manner, married six faithful squires