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 palace. When he had about reached the latter, a little gray bird which was perched in one of the trees began to sing so beautifully that he involuntarily stopped and listened. The bird flew down, seated itself on the pommel of James's saddle, and began speaking. "Listen to my words! When you sound your horn every one must dance after it, and every one at whom you point with your musket must die. When you see the king, tell him that you will try to free his daughter from the king of the dwarfs, who seized her many years ago, and carried her into the same hill where you were a short time ago; but use your own judgment regarding the way in which to break the might of the dwarf-king. He is cunning. A young prince to whom the princess was to be married is also in his hands. But if you can set these two persons free, and gladden the king's heart, you will become a great hunter, and more."

James was much astonished to hear the bird speak in this manner, and when the little feathered singer left him and swung itself high into the air, he rode into the court-yard, where he was met by the king's adjutant, who asked what he wished. "I desire to become one of the king's hunters," replied James. The adjutant smiled and called several men who were sitting around a table under a large oak-tree, drinking and discussing, as it seemed, very important matters. They gathered about James and the adjutant, and the latter said,