to
pay him royally.

So Lightning consented, and they went on their way together; but they
had not journeyed many miles when they met another youth, to whom
Moscione said, "What is your name, comrade? What country are you from?
And what is your trade?" "My name," replied the lad, "is Quick-ear; I
am from Vale-Curious; and when I put my ear the ground I hear all that
is passing in the world without stirring from the spot. I perceive the
monopolies and agreements of tradespeople to raise the prices of
things, the ill-offices of courtiers, the appointments of lovers, the
plots of robbers, the reports of spies, the complaints of servants, the
gossiping of old women, and the oaths of sailors; so that no one has
ever been able to discover so much as my ears can."

"If that be true," said Moscione, "tell me what they are now saying at
my home."

So the lad put his ear to the ground, and replied, "An old man is
talking to his wife, and saying, 'Praised be Sol in Leo! I have got rid
from my sight of that fellow Moscione, that face of old-fashioned
crockery, that nail in my heart. By travelling through the world he
will at least become a man, and no longer be such a stupid ass, such a
simpleton, such a lose-the-day fellow, such a----'"

"Stop, stop!" cried Moscione, "you tell the truth and I believe you. So
come along with me, for you have found the road to good-luck."

"Well and good!" said the youth. So they all went on together and
travelled ten miles farther, when they met another man, to whom
Moscione said, "What is your name, my brave fellow? Where were you
born? And what can you do in the world?" And the man answered, "My name
is Shoot-straight; I am from Castle Aimwell; and I can shoot with a
crossbow so point-blank as to hit a crab-apple in the middle."

"I should like to see the proof," said Moscione. So the lad charged his
crossbow, took aim, and made a pea leap from the top of a stone;
whereupon Moscione took him also like the others into his company. And
they travelled on another day's journey, till they came to some people
who were building a large pier in the scorching heat of the sun, and
who might well say, "Boy, put water to the wine, for my heart is
burning." So Moscione had compassion on them, and said, "My masters,
how is it you have the head to stand in this furnace, which is fit to
roast a buffalo?" And one of them answered, "Oh, we are as cool as a
rose; for we have a young man here who blows upon u