tarted with no companion except his own courage. He went
through many countries and at last reached the Anga country. And scouts
who had been sent by King Glory-banner saw him before he reached the
city. When the king learned of it, he went himself out of the city to
meet him, for he had been terribly grieved by the separation. He drew
near, embraced and greeted the counsellor and took him, all worn and
dusty with the weary journey, into an inner room.

And as soon as the counsellor was refreshed, the king said:
"Counsellor, why did you leave us? How could you bring yourself to do
so harsh and loveless a thing? But after all, who can understand the
strange workings of stern necessity? To think that you should decide
all at once to wander off on a pilgrimage! Well, tell me what countries
you visited, and what new things you saw."

Then the counsellor told him the whole story truthfully and in order,
the journey to Golden Island and the fairy who rose singing from the
sea, her wonderful beauty and the magic tree.

But the king immediately fell in love so hopelessly that his kingdom
and his life seemed worthless to him without her. He took the
counsellor aside and said: "Counsellor, I simply must see her. Remember
that I shall die if I do not. I bow to my fate. I will take the journey
which you took. You must not refuse me nor accompany me. I shall go
alone and in disguise. You must rule the kingdom, and not dispute my
words. Swear to do it on your life."

So he spoke, and would not listen to advice, but dismissed the
counsellor. Then Farsight was unhappy though a great festival was made
for him. How can a good counsellor be happy when his master devotes
himself to a vice?

The next night King Glory-banner threw the burden of government on that
excellent counsellor, assumed the dress of a hermit, and left his city.
And as he travelled, he saw a monk named Grass, who said when the king
bowed before him as a holy man: "My son, if you sail with a merchant
named Fortune, you will obtain the maiden you desire. Go on fearlessly."

So the king bowed again and went on rejoicing. After crossing rivers
and mountains he came to the ocean. And on the shore he met at once the
merchant Fortune whom the monk had mentioned, bound for Golden Island.
And when the merchant saw the king's appearance and his signet ring, he
bowed low, took him on the ship, and set sail.

When the ship reached the middle of the sea, the maiden suddenly a