lack,
and the prince was white. Yet he owned a ring, a charm which had been
given him by a woman for saving her from the hands of a robber. This
ring gave him power to call for anything he wanted; and this was the
reason, doubtless, why he was treated with kindness by his masters.

In a neighboring land there was a king who had a beautiful
daughter. This princess wanted to marry. She was so desirous
of having a companion, that she could not sleep day or night,
meditating on how she could have a husband that would suit both
herself and her father. At last, won over by her many entreaties,
the king proclaimed to all the world that his daughter would marry
any one who had a handsome appearance, and who could answer his three
difficult questions. Those who came to the court and were unable to
answer the questions of the king were to lose their lives.

The three princes were all handsome. The two elder brothers tried
to answer the king's questions, but lost their lives. The youngest
remained, and, although he wanted to try, he was sure that he would
fail too. The Negrito determined to help him. By means of his ring he
was able to make his skin white. He also got a mask that was exactly
like the face of his young master. Then he dressed himself to resemble
the prince, and went to the court of the king. The king said to him,
"Will you have your head cut off, too?" He answered, "Yes, if I cannot
answer your questions; but let us see!"

"All right," said the king. Then he asked, "Who owns this kingdom?"

The prince answered, "God owns this kingdom." The king was surprised
at his bold reply. However, he could not say that it was not God's,
for that would be untrue: therefore he could not compel the prince
to answer that it was his, the king's. The next question was this:
"How much am I worth?"

The prince answered, "You are not worth more than thirty pieces of
silver." The king was furious when he heard this, and said that,
if the prince could not give a good reason for his insulting words,
he would be put to death instantly.

"Yes, yes!" said the Negrito. "Our Saviour was sold for that much:
therefore you, who are inferior to the Saviour, cannot be worth more
than he was sold for." The people at the court were astounded by
this bold answer; and they murmured to one another, "The prince is
wise. He is wise, indeed!"

"Well," said the king, "answer this third question, and you shall
be married to my daughter: Can you drin