me, and at last decided that
if Ivan was a fool she also was one, and that it would be useless to go
contrary to her husband, thinking affectionately of the old proverb that
"where the needle goes there goes the thread also." She therefore cast
aside her magnificent robes, and, putting them into the trunk
with Ivan's, dressed herself in cheap clothing and joined her dumb
sister-in-law, with the intention of learning to work. She succeeded so
well that she soon became a great help to Ivan.

Seeing that Ivan was a fool, all the wise men left the kingdom and only
the fools remained. They had no money, their wealth consisting only
of the products of their labor. But they lived peacefully together,
supported themselves in comfort, and had plenty to spare for the needy
and afflicted.

CHAPTER X.

The old devil grew tired of waiting for the good news which he expected
the little devils to bring him. He waited in vain to hear of the ruin of
the brothers, so he went in search of the emissaries which he had sent
to perform that work for him. After looking around for some time, and
seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they
had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.

The old devil next went in search of the brothers, but he could learn
nothing of their whereabouts. After some time he found them in their
different kingdoms, contented and happy. This greatly incensed the
old devil, and he said, "I will now have to accomplish their mission
myself."

He first visited Simeon the soldier, and appeared before him as a
voyevoda (general), saying: "You, Simeon, are a great warrior, and I
also have had considerable experience in warfare, and am desirous of
serving you."

Simeon questioned the disguised devil, and seeing that he was an
intelligent man took him into his service.

The new General taught Simeon how to strengthen his army until it became
very powerful. New implements of warfare were introduced.

Cannons capable of throwing one hundred balls a minute were also
constructed, and these, it was expected, would be of deadly effect in
battle.

Simeon, on the advice of his new General, ordered all young men above a
certain age to report for drill. On the same advice Simeon established
gun-shops, where immense numbers of cannons and rifles were made.

The next move of the new General was to have Simeon declare war against
the neighboring kingdom. This he did, and wi