Page:The shoemaker's apron (1920).djvu/107

 “And you—you wicked, faithless mother!” he cried. “What am I to do to you?”

His mother fell on her knees and begged for mercy.

“Never fear,” Vitazko said. “I won’t harm you. Let God judge between us.”

He took his mother by the hand and led her down into the courtyard. Then he lifted the sword and said:

“Now, mother, I shall throw this sword in the air and may God judge between us which of us has been faithless to the other.”

The sword flashed in the air and fell, striking straight to the heart of the guilty mother and killing her.

Vitazko buried her in the courtyard and then returned to St. Nedyelka. He thanked the old woman for all she had done for him and then, picking up his beech-tree club, he started out to find his beautiful princess.

She had long since returned to her father and many princes and heroes had come seeking her in marriage. She had put them all off, saying she would wed no one for a year and a day.

Then before the year was up Vitazko appeared and she led him at once to her father and said: