Well, Jack went back home for a week, and thought over whether he should try and win the princess.  At last he made up his mind.  “Well,” said Jack, “I’ll try my vorton; zo now vor the king’s daughter, or a headless shepherd!”

And taking his bottle and bag, he trudged to the court.  In his way thither, he was obliged to cross a river, and pulling off his shoes and stockings, while he was passing over he observed several pretty fish bobbing against his feet; so he caught some and put them into his pocket.  When he reached the palace he knocked at the gate loudly with his crook, and having mentioned the object of his visit, he was immediately conducted to the hall where the king’s daughter sat ready prepared to see her lovers.  He was placed in a luxurious chair, and rich wines and spices were set before him, and all sorts of delicate meats.  Jack, unused to such fare, ate and drank plentifully, so that he was nearly dozing before midnight.

“Oh, shepherd,” said the lady, “I have caught you napping!”

“Noa, sweet ally, I was busy a-feeshing.”

“A fishing,” said the princess in the utmost astonishment:  “Nay, shepherd, there is no fish-pond in the hall.”

“No matter vor that, I have been fishing in my pocket, and have just caught one.”

“Oh me!” said she, “let me see it.”

The shepherd slyly drew the fish out of his pocket and pretending to have caught it, showed it her, and she declared it was the finest she ever saw.

About half an hour afterwards, she said, “Shepherd, do you think you could get me one more?”

He replied, “Mayhap I may, when I have baited my hook;” and after a little while he brought out another, which was finer than the first, and the princess was so delighted that she gave him leave to go to sleep, and promised to excuse him to her father.

In the morning the princess told the king, to his great astonishment, that Jack must not be beheaded, for he had been fishing in the hall all night; but when he heard how Jack had caught such beautiful fish out of his pocket, he asked him to catch one in his own.

Jack readily undertook the task, and bidding the king lie down, he pretended to fish in his pocket, having another fish concealed ready in his hand, and giving him a sly prick with a needle, he held up the fish, and showed it to the king.

His majesty did not much relish the operation, but he assented to the marvel of it, and the princess and Jack were united the same day, and lived for many years in happiness and prosperity.

[Illustration: 
OYEZ OYEZ OYEZ
THE ENGLISH FAIRY TALES
ARE NOW CLOSED
LITTLE BOYS AND GIRLS
MUST NOT READ ANY FURTHER]

Notes and References