reasure to offer me!"

So the guards dragged Danilo out and drove him away.

With no more gold, with no more magic cap, Danilo returned to his
father's house.

"Perhaps there are other treasures hidden away," he thought. "I'll
search further."

In his search he came upon an old pitcher and thinking it might be
silver he began rubbing it. Instantly there was a clap of thunder and a
company of soldiers appeared. Their captain saluted Danilo respectfully
and said:

"We are the servants of that magic pitcher. What does our master wish?"

"Magic pitcher?" stammered Danilo. "And am I your master?"

"Yes," said the captain, "you are our master as long as you hold the
magic pitcher in your hands."

"You may disappear now," Danilo said. "I will rub the pitcher when I
need you."

Delighted with this unexpected good fortune, he hurried off to the woods
to the hut of the old woman who had befriended him before. He showed her
the pitcher and demonstrated for her how it worked. Then he asked her to
carry a message to Peerless Beauty.

"Tell her," he said, "that unless she consents to marry me at once I'll
lead a mighty army against her, take her captive, and then send her off
in exile to that howling wilderness which people call the Donkeys'
Paradise."

"I will deliver your message," the old woman said, "on condition that
you promise me to be on your guard this time. Don't let the maiden trick
you again. She is under an enchantment that makes her cruel and crafty
and the enchantment will never be broken until she meets a man upon whom
her wiles have no effect."

"Trust me this time," Danilo said. "I've had my lesson."

So the old woman delivered the message and when Peerless Beauty
received it with scorn, Danilo at once set out for the castle with the
magic pitcher in his hand. He began rubbing and every time he rubbed a
company of soldiers appeared. Soon the castle was surrounded by a great
army and in fright and dismay Peerless Beauty sent out word that she was
ready to make an unconditional surrender.

When Danilo entered the castle he found her humble and meek.

"I have treated you cruelly," she said. "Now I am in your power, do with
me what you will." And she began weeping softly until the sight of her
tears drove Danilo distracted.

"Weep no more, dear lady!" he cried. "You have nothing to fear from me!
I love you! I am your slave!"

The Peerless one slowly dried her tears.

"If you love me as you say yo