thout even asking his daughter.

"If my master does not call on you to-day, he will surely come
to-morrow." So saying, the monkey left the palace, and ran about
town, trying to think of some way he might escape the great danger he
was in. It so happened that an old man who was carrying a bundle of
clothes to his son in the mountains passed along the same road where
the monkey was. The sun was very hot, so the old man decided to rest
under a leafy tree. No sooner was he seated there than the cunning
monkey climbed the tree, and shook the branches with such force that
twigs and fruits fell all around the old man. Panic-stricken, he ran
away as fast as his feet would carry him, leaving everything behind
him. When the man was out of sight, the monkey climbed down the tree,
picked up the bundle of clothes, and carried it to Juan.

"To-morrow, Juan," said the monkey, "you will marry the princess. I'll
arrange everything for you if you will only follow my advice." Half
doubting and half believing, Juan asked the monkey if he really meant
what he said. "What do you think of me?" asked the monkey.

Without waiting for a reply from Juan, the monkey left the hut, and ran
towards the home of the Burincantadas who lived on the summit of the
hill. As soon as he entered the gate, he began to scoop up the ground
as fast as he could. The Burincantadas, who at that very moment were
looking out of the window, saw the monkey. They rushed downstairs,
and, half frightened, said to him, "What are you trying to do?"

"Why, our king has been defeated in the war. The enemies have already
taken possession of the crown. The princess is dead, and it is said
that everybody will be killed before tomorrow noon," replied the
monkey, his teeth chattering. "I am resolved to hide myself under
the ground to save my life."

The three Burincantadas seized him by the arm, and said, "For mercy's
sake, have pity on us! Tell us where we can hide!" They were already
trembling with fear.

"Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh! let me loose! The enemy are coming!" On hearing
these words, the Burincantadas all shouted at once, "Tell us where
to hide!"

"If you will not let me scoop out a hole here, I'll jump into the
well," said the monkey in a hoarse voice.

As soon as the Burincantadas heard the word "well," they all ran as
fast as they could, following the monkey. "Let me jump first!" said
the monkey.

"No, let us jump first!" shouted the Burincantadas; and so they
did