Page:The jade story book; stories from the Orient (IA jadestorybooksto00cous).pdf/88

72 signs of the greatest pleasure, ran off into the wood.

Guido again let down the rope, and this time the monkey, who had noted the lion's success, jumped over the man's head and, shaking the cord, was in like manner set at liberty, and hastened to his own haunts.

A third time Guido lowered the rope, and this time the serpent, twining around it, was drawn up, and showing signs of gratitude to the peasant, escaped.

"Oh, my good friend," exclaimed the Counsellor, "the beasts are gone, now draw me up quickly, I beseech you." This Guido did, and afterwards succeeded in pulling up his horse, which had fallen into the pit with him. Then without another word, the man who had been saved mounted his horse, and rode back to the palace.

When Guido returned to his home his wife saw that he had come without wood, and inquired the cause. He told her all that had happened, and the great reward he was to receive, and then his wife's countenance brightened.

Early the next morning Guido went to