“If the King had sent me to fetch the Princess Goldenhair, I am certain she would have come,” and these words were repeated to the King in such a manner that they made him very angry, and he ordered Avenant to be shut up in a high tower, to die of hunger.

In this sad plight, Avenant exclaimed one day, “How have I offended his Majesty?  He has no more faithful subject than I.”

The King who happened to be passing by the tower, heard this; he called for Avenant to be brought forth who, throwing himself on his knees, begged to know in what way he had offended his royal master.

“You mocked me,” said the King, “you said that you would have succeeded with the Princess Goldenhair where I have failed.”

“It is true, sir,” replied Avenant, “I did say so, for I would have represented your noble qualities in such a way, that she could not help being persuaded.”

The King was convinced of the young man’s sincerity, and with a letter of introduction, Avenant set out for the Court of the goldenhaired beauty, riding alone, according to his wish, and thinking as he went how he best could woo the Princess for his beloved master.

One day, alighting from his horse to write down some suitable words that had come into his mind, he saw a golden carp who, leaping from the water to catch flies, had thrown herself upon the river bank, and was now nearly dead.

Avenant pitied the poor thing, and put her carefully back into the water.  Recovering directly, the carp dived to the bottom, but returning to the edge of the river, said,

“Avenant, I thank you; you have saved my life, I will repay you;” then she swam off leaving the young man in great astonishment.

Another day as Avenant journeyed he noticed a raven who was pursued by an eagle.  “What right has that eagle to persecute the raven? thought Avenant, and he drew his bow and shot the fierce bird.  The raven perched on a bough and cried.

“Avenant you have saved my life, I will not be ungrateful, I will repay you.”

[Illustration]

Not long after this, Avenant found an owl caught in a snare, he cut the strings, and freed the trembling captive.  “Avenant,” said the owl, “you have saved my life, I will repay you.”

These three adventures were the most important that befell Avenant, and he went on his way, shortly before he arrived at his destination purchasing a beautiful little dog named Cabriole.

When Avenant reached the Palace of the Princess Goldenhair, and saw the Princess seated upon her throne, she looked so lovely that at first all his fine speeches forsook him, and he could not utter a word; however, taking courage, he addressed her in exquisitely chosen language, begging her to become the King’s bride.

To this the Princess replied most graciously, saying that his petition moved her more than any other could do, “but know,” she added, “as I was walking by the river a month ago, as I took off my glove, a ring, that I greatly value, fell into the water, and I have vowed that I will not heed any proposal of marriage, except from the ambassador who brings me back my ring.”