icians will
say, This is an impostor, and not a learned man,' and they will make all
sorts of difficulties, but you will overcome them all at last, and will
present yourself before the sick King. You must then demand as much wood
as three mules can carry, and a great cauldron, and must shut yourself
up in a room with the Sultan, and when the cauldron boils you must throw
him into it, and there leave him until his flesh is completely separated
from his bones. Then arrange the bones in their proper places, and throw
over them the ashes out of the three bags. The King will come back to
life, and will be just as he was when he was twenty years old. For your
reward you must demand the bronze ring which has the power to grant
you everything you desire. Go, my son, and do not forget any of my
instructions."

The young man followed the old beggar-woman's directions. On going out
of the town he found the white, red, and black dogs, and killed and
burnt them, gathering the ashes in three bags. Then he ran to the palace
and cried:

"A celebrated physician has just come from Janina in Albania. He alone
can cure the King and give him back the strength of his youth."

The King's physicians at first laughed at the unknown wayfarer, but the
Sultan ordered that the stranger should be admitted. They brought the
cauldron and the loads of wood, and very soon the King was boiling away.
Toward mid-day the gardener's son arranged the bones in their places,
and he had hardly scattered the ashes over them before the old King
revived, to find himself once more young and hearty.

"How can I reward you, my benefactor?" he cried. "Will you take half my
treasures?"

"No," said the gardener's son.

"My daughter's hand?"

"_No_."

"Take half my kingdom."

"No. Give me only the bronze ring which can instantly grant me anything
I wish for."

"Alas!" said the King, "I set great store by that marvelous ring;
nevertheless, you shall have it." And he gave it to him.

The gardener's son went back to say good-by to the old beggar-woman;
then he said to the bronze ring:

"Prepare a splendid ship in which I may continue my journey. Let the
hull be of fine gold, the masts of silver, the sails of brocade; let
the crew consist of twelve young men of noble appearance, dressed like
kings. St. Nicholas will be at the helm. As to the cargo, let it be
diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and carbuncles."

And immediately a ship appeared upon the sea which rese