Page:Tales of old Lusitania.djvu/126

112 you prize these things so much, which seem to me so common and to be easily had?"

"Oh," said they, "these boots will convey the fortunate possessor of them as quick as lightning to wherever he wishes to be, however far or inaccessible the place may be to ordinary mortals. The cloak, when put on, will at once make the wearer invisible, whilst the key will fit any lock."

When the young man heard this, he coveted to possess such useful treasures, and he therefore offered the three brothers a large sum of money if they would part with them. To this they readily agreed, as the best means of settling their dispute.

Our traveller took the boots, cloak, and key, and very contentedly gave the boys the sum of money agreed upon, which was a very large sum indeed. And when they had parted company, he put on the boots, saying: "Boots, take me to my eldest sister's home, wherever that may be."

No sooner said than done. He crossed the sea without getting wet, and instantly found himself in the midst of a magnificent park with fine old trees, the foliage tempering the sun's rays, and which extended for miles along the beach. He saw all along the sea-shore a luminous band of little marine animals, which had the power of emitting light. Further out in the sea were myriads of other little creatures, which, congregating together, resembled