cruel. He sits on his throne and declares that no prince or king on
earth is good enough for his lovely daughter, that he will give her to
none, and that if any king asks for her hand he will declare war
against him and destroy his kingdom.'

'Has the king of Busan a great army?' asked King Archidej; 'is his
country far off?'

'As far as I could judge,' replied Simon, 'it would take you nearly
ten years in fair weather to sail there. But if the weather were
stormy we might say twelve. I saw the army being reviewed. It is
not so very large--a hundred thousand men at arms and a hundred
thousand knights. Besides these, he has a strong bodyguard and a
good many cross-bowmen. Altogether you may say another
hundred thousand, and there is a picked body of heroes who
reserve themselves for great occasions requiring particular courage.'

The king sat for some time lost in thought. At last he said to the
nobles and courtiers standing round: 'I am determined to marry the
Princess Helena, but how shall I do it?'

The nobles, courtiers and counsellors said nothing, but tried to hide
behind each other. Then the third Simon said:

'Pardon me, your Majesty, if I offer my advice. You wish to go to
the Island of Busan? What can be easier? In my ship you will get
there in a week instead of in ten years. But ask your council to
advise you what to do when you arrive--in one word, whether you
will win the princess peacefully or by war?'