DANISH FAIRY AND FOLK TALES
tunity to kill two birds with one stone—namely, at one time to decide who would be his successor, and to secure a new chain for the palace. Therefore, he said to the princes: "Now you must all three set out for the purpose of getting a new chain for the palace. A year from to-day you shall return, and he who brings the longest chain will be my successor to the throne after my death."
The two oldest boys at once departed. The one secured work with the ablest blacksmith he could find, while the other, who considered himself much more clever than his brother, was engaged by a coppersmith, thinking that copper could be worked more easily than iron.
Peter Humbug was for some time uncertain whether he wished to depart or not; he thought that his brothers were more able and skilled than he. But when the king told him to do his best he trudged away. Of course he had no idea what to do, or how to make such a chain as his father wished; so he walked straight into the country, until he entered a large forest where, at length, he lost his way. Evening and night found him walking about among the trees. At length he discovered a light shining in the distance, and when he followed the direction towards it he finally reached a small hut. Having knocked at the door, he heard some one call "Come in!" whereupon he opened it and crossed the threshold. Imagine his surprise when he found no one within except a big white cat seated com-
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