occasionally
stopped to stretch his arms and legs, they took the road to court, the
demon grumbling and following the soldier, who carried the tail well
secured in his hands.

On their arrival they went to court, and the demon said to his
liberator:--

"I am going to put myself into the body of the princess, who is
extremely beloved by her father, and I shall give her pains that no
doctor will be able to cure; then you present yourself and offer to
cure her, demanding for your recompense four dollars daily, and your
discharge. I will then leave her to you, and our accounts will be
settled."

Everything happened as arranged and foreseen by the demon, but Briones
did not wish to let go his hold of the tail, and he said:--

"Well devised, sir, but four dollars are a ransom unworthy of you, of
me, and of the service that we have undertaken. Find some method of
showing yourself more generous. To do this will give you honour in the
world, where, pardon my frankness, you do not enjoy the best of
characters."

"Would that I could get rid of you!" said the demon to himself, "but I
am so weak and so numbed that I am not able to go alone. I must have
patience! that which men call a virtue. Oh, now I understand why so
many fall into my power for not having practised it. Forward then for
Naples, for it is necessary to submit in order to liberate my tail. I
must go and submit to the arbitration of fate for the satisfaction of
this new demand."

Everything succeeded according to his wish. The princess of Naples
fell a victim to convulsive pains and took to her bed. The king was
greatly afflicted. Briones presented himself with all the arrogance
his knowledge that he would receive the demon's aid could give him.
The king was willing to make use of his services, but stipulated that
if within three days he had not cured the princess, as he confidently
promised to, he should be hanged. Briones, certain of a favourable
result, did not raise the slightest objection.

Unfortunately, the demon heard this arrangement made, and gave a leap
of delight at seeing within his hands the means of avenging himself.

The demon's leap caused the princess such pain that she begged them to
take the doctor away.

The following day this scene was repeated. Briones then knew that the
demon was at the bottom of it, and intended to let him be hanged. But
Briones was not a man to lose his head.

On the third day, when the pretended doctor arrived,