Page:St. Nicholas, vol. 40.1 (1912-1913).djvu/258

166 down and took off his spurs, and fastened them to Billy Bowline’s heels.

“With these,” said the White Cock, “you can ride anything that runs on four legs.”

“Thank you, bold Chanticleer,” said Billy, and went on his way.

Next he came to the house of the Silversmith, and rapped three times at the door.

“Who ’s there?” asked the Silversmith, in a thin voice.

“It ’s I, Billy Bowline, going for to set out on my adventures.”

“When shall you return?” asked the Silversmith.

“In a year, I guess, or more or less, depending on the time it takes,’ said Billy. “And what can you give me for my journey?”

“This ring,” said the Silversmith. “It will give you three wishes. Turn it three times on your finger and say your wish aloud, and whatever you wish for shall come to pass.”

“May I wish anything I choose?” asked Billy.

“Anything you choose,’ answered the Silversmith.

“Then I wish,” said Billy, turning the ring on his finger, “I wish that I may have six wishes instead of three.”

The old Silversmith looked angry and stamped his foot; but soon he began to chuckle and grin.

“Six wishes it is then,” he cackled; “six wishes it is. But no more, Billy, no more. And you have wished one wish already.”

“I shall do very well with the five I have left,” said Billy. “Thank you, Old Man,” and he went on his way.

By and by he came to the house of Linda, the Bakeshop Maid, and he rapped three times on the door.

“Who ’s there?” asked the Bakeshop Maid.

“It ’s I, Billy Bowline, going for to set out on my adventures.”

“When shall I see you again, Billy Bowline?” asked the Maid.

“In a year, I guess, or more or less,” said Billy, “depending on the time it takes. And what will you give me for my journey?”

“This bag,’ answered Linda, and she handed him a small leather bag drawn together at the top with a leather string. “Hang this on your arm, Billy, and you need never go hungry or thirsty. In it you will find all manner of good eating and drinking.”

“Thank you, Linda,” said Billy, with a sweeping bow, and he hung the bag on his arm.

Then Billy went on until he came to the Very Wet Sea; and when he was come to this sea, he saw that the water was blue as sapphire, the foam was white as snow, and the sunshine over all was yellow as gold.

“It is a fine day,” thought Billy, “for to set out on an adventure. But first I must find a ship.”

So he went to the house of Hans, the Shipbuilder, who lives at the edge of the Very Wet Sea, and who makes ships for the King. rapped three times at the door.

“Who ’s there?” asked Hans, the Shipbuilder.

“It ’s I, Billy Bowline, going for to set out on my adventures.”