perity, began to feel exceedingly envious. At last they went so far as to conspire against my life; and one night, while my wife and I were asleep, they threw us into the sea. I had hardly, however, fallen into the water, before my wife took me up and transported me to an island. As soon as it was day she thus addressed me: “You must know that I am a fairy, and being upon the shore when you were about to sail, I wished to try the goodness of your heart, and for this purpose I presented myself before you in the disguise you saw. You acted most generously, and I am therefore delighted to find an occasion of showing my gratitude, and I trust, my husband, that in saving your life, I have not ill rewarded the good you did me. But I am enraged against your brothers, nor shall I be satisfied till I have taken their lives.”
I listened with astonishment to the discourse of the fairy, and thanked her, as well as I was able, for the great service she had done me. “But, madam,” said I to her, “I must entreat you to pardon my brothers.” I related to her what I had done for each of them, but my account only increased her anger. “I must instantly fly after these ungrateful wretches,” cried she, “and bring them to a just punishment; I will sink their vessel, and precipitate them to the bottom of the sea.” “No, beautiful lady,” replied I, “for heaven’s sake, moderate your indignation, and do not execute so
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