er Mountains, a
rejected suitor, were bent on getting possession of the Princess. On
discovering that she had locked herself up in the strong palace, their
rage knew no bounds. They made a dozen different attempts to break open
the palace door, but all in vain. Finally, they decided to besiege the
fortress.

For four days all went well enough with the Princess and her imprisoned
people; but by the sixth day most of the food had been eaten; and by the
end of the eighth day, the Princess knew she would have to surrender the
following morning. With a sinking heart she went to a turret and looked
out over the ocean in the hope of catching sight of a passing sail. But
she saw only the deserted town and the pirate ship riding at anchor in
the bay. An hour later she went to the turret again, and again she saw
no sign of anything at sea. A terrible despair seized upon her, but
nevertheless once more to the turret she climbed.

Far out at sea, headed toward land, was the brave ship of the Master
Mariner!

So great was the joy of the poor Princess at the sight of the gallant
vessel that she almost swooned; but recovering herself, like the
Princess that she was, she ran down into the courtyard and told the news
to her people. Immediately those who were weak or fretful from hunger
began to take heart, and all who could crowded to the barred windows.

The Master Mariner's vessel came riding into the port; the watchers saw
her drop anchor, saw the boats being lowered, and the sailors coming
ashore. Soon the pirates and the sailors were at it hammer and tongs; a
ceaseless clack clack of steel beating upon steel rose to the turrets of
the palace; there were dreadful duels in the alleyways and battles in
the public squares. Alas! just as the sailors were carrying the day, the
Master Mariner received a blow on the head which knocked him insensible,
and the mariners, disorganized by the loss of their chief, were soon
surrounded and taken prisoners. Then, taking heart, the pirates rushed
the palace, and burst open the doors.

When the rogues had taken everything on which they could lay their
hands, they brought the prisoners and the plunder to the marketplace.

"Shall we bind all these people and take them aboard?" asked a pirate.

"No!" roared the one-eyed pirate chief. "Take only the Princess and that
rogue of a Master Mariner."

The people now began to cry, "Oh, don't take the Princess, our dear
Princess!" But all their prayers