were a few against which it was powerless, and
it gave certain signs by which these might be known. This was the
reason why Gilguerillo demanded to see the king's foot before he would
undertake to cure it; and to obtain admittance he gave out that he was a
shoemaker. However, the dreaded signs were absent, and his heart bounded
at the thought that the princess was within his reach.

Perhaps she was; but a great deal had to be accomplished yet, and he had
allowed himself a very short time in which to do it.

He spared his horse only so much as was needful, yet it took him six
days to reach the spot where the plant grew. A thick wood lay in front
of him, and, fastening the bridle tightly to a tree, he flung himself
on his hands and knees and began to hunt for the treasure. Many time
he fancied it was close to him, and many times it turned out to be
something else; but, at last, when light was fading, and he had almost
given up hope, he came upon a large bed of the plant, right under his
feet! Trembling with joy, he picked every scrap he could see, and placed
it in his wallet. Then, mounting his horse, he galloped quickly back
towards the city.

It was night when he entered the gates, and the fifteen days allotted
were not up till the next day. His eyes were heavy with sleep, and
his body ached with the long strain, but, without pausing to rest, he
kindled a fire on is hearth, and quickly filling a pot with water, threw
in the herbs and left them to boil. After that he lay down and slept
soundly.

The sun was shining when he awoke, and he jumped up and ran to the pot.
The plant had disappeared and in its stead was a thick syrup, just as
the book had said there would be. He lifted the syrup out with a spoon,
and after spreading it in the sun till it was partly dry, poured it into
a small flask of crystal. He next washed himself thoroughly, and dressed
himself, in his best clothes, and putting the flask in his pocket, set
out for the palace, and begged to see the king without delay.

Now Balancin, whose foot had been much less painful since Gilguerillo
had wrapped it in the plaster, was counting the days to the young man's
return; and when he was told Gilguerillo was there, ordered him to be
admitted at once. As he entered, the king raised himself eagerly on his
pillows, but his face fell when he saw no signs of a slipper.

'You have failed, then?' he said, throwing up his hands in despair.

'I hope not, your majesty