and run away, had to agree.

So the next morning early the three of them started out, each with a
wallet well-stocked with food.

"How are we going to get rid of the Booby?" the second one whispered.

"Trust me!" the oldest one whispered back with a wink.

Presently they came to a crossroads where three roads branched. Now the
oldest brother knew that after a short distance two of the roads came
together again. So he motioned the second brother slyly that he was to
take the middle road. Then he said:

"Brothers, let us part here and each take a different road. Do you
agree?"

"Yes," the other two said, "we agree."

"Then suppose Janko take the left-hand road."

"And I'll take the middle road," the second cried.

"And I," the eldest said, "will take the one that's left. So farewell,
brothers, and let us meet here in a year's time."

"God bless us all," Janko called out, "and grant that one of us may find
our dear father's Magic Grape-Vine."

The two older brothers of course met in a short time when their roads
joined and they had a good laugh to think how they had outwitted the
Booby.

"Time enough to look for that old Grape-Vine when we've had a little
fun!" the eldest said. "Let us sit down here and eat a bite and then
push on to the next village. There's an inn there where we can try our
luck at cards."

So they sat down by the roadside, opened their wallets, and laid out
some bread and cheese. Just then a Little Lame Fox came limping up on
three feet, and whimpering and fawning it begged for something to eat.

"Get out!" bawled the older brother and the second, picking up a handful
of stones, threw them at the Fox.

The little animal shied and then came timidly back, again begging for
something to eat.

"Let's kill it!" cried one of the brothers.

They both jumped up and tried to strike the little creature with their
sticks. The Fox limped off and they followed, hitting at it as they ran
and always just missing it. It was so weak and lame that they expected
every minute to overtake it and so kept on chasing it until it had led
them pretty far into the woods. Then suddenly it disappeared and there
was nothing left for the brothers to do but make their way back to the
roadside grumbling and cursing. In their absence some shepherd dogs had
found their open wallets and eaten all their food. So now they really
had something to curse about.

Janko meanwhile had been trudging along steadily on the t