briers. Often they implored the Magician to spare them, and to allow them a little respite; and at last, when their strength was nearly utterly exhausted, he ceased to play, and they left-off dancing.
All breathless, and exhausted, they crept out from among the thorns and the marsh; but one of the constables had sufficient presence of mind left, secretly to carry off the arrow and the bird along with him.
The archer received them laughing; he now wore another beard and garment, and no longer seemed a Jew, but in truth the very Magician they were in search of “Do you not know me 21 inquired he, You were all active enough, however, in torturing me; and this morning you would doubtless have been very well pleased to have assisted at my burning The pile is yet standing, and you wish to prepare for to-morrow the feast which has been spoiled in the cooking to day; well, I will return with you, provided you will promise to dance to my whistle, for I suppose you are come to fetch me back.”
The constables could not deny it, but declined very earnestly the honour of invitation to the dance is Their protestations were, however, of no avail; the Magician took his whistle, and they felt themselves constrained to sobey. Fortunately he was this time content with oplaying a slow Polonese, and thus they escaped skin-free for the present.
When they reached the field before the town, the Magician greeted the executioner, who, happy at the return of the Magician, but not without considerable sensations of alarm, made what arrangements he could, by beckonings and signs, to prevent the criminal again escaping.
The Magician mounted the pile, and sat very contentedly down upon it; upon which the constables hastened, as fast as their weary feet could carry them, into the town to proclaim the unheard of news, their own great deeds, and the deliverance of the country. They proceeded, attended by a
