hile the Sultan was repenting of his folly in
allowing Fortunatus to try on the cap, the vessel was making fast for
Cyprus.

When it arrived, Fortunatus found his wife and children well, but the
two old people were dead and buried. His sons had grown tall and strong,
but unlike their father had no wish to see the world, and found their
chief pleasure in hunting and tilting. In the main, Fortunatus was
content to stay quietly at home, and if a restless fit did seize upon
him, he was able to go away for a few hours without being missed, thanks
to the cap, which he never sent back to the Sultan.

By-and-by he grew old, and feeling that he had not many days to live, he
sent for his two sons, and showing them the purse and cap, he said to
them: 'Never part with these precious possessions. They are worth more
than all the gold and lands I leave behind me. But never tell their
secret, even to your wife or dearest friend. That purse has served me
well for forty years, and no one knows whence I got my riches.' Then he
died and was buried by his wife Cassandra, and he was mourned in
Famagosta for many years.

_THE GOAT-FACED GIRL_

There was once upon a time a peasant called Masaniello who had twelve
daughters. They were exactly like the steps of a staircase, for there
was just a year between each sister. It was all the poor man could do to
bring up such a large family, and in order to provide food for them he
used to dig in the fields all day long. In spite of his hard work he
only just succeeded in keeping the wolf from the door, and the poor
little girls often went hungry to bed.

One day, when Masaniello was working at the foot of a high mountain, he
came upon the mouth of a cave which was so dark and gloomy that even the
sun seemed afraid to enter it. Suddenly a huge green lizard appeared
from the inside and stood before Masaniello, who nearly went out of his
mind with terror, for the beast was as big as a crocodile and quite as
fierce looking.

But the lizard sat down beside him in the most friendly manner, and
said: 'Don't be afraid, my good man, I am not going to hurt you; on the
contrary, I am most anxious to help you.'

When the peasant heard these words he knelt before the lizard and said:
'Dear lady, for I know not what to call you, I am in your power; but I
beg of you to be merciful, for I have twelve wretched little daughters
at home who are dependent on me.'

'That's the very reason why I have c