"My daughter's hand?"

"_No_."

"Take half my kingdom."

"No. Give me only the bronze ring which can instantly
grant me anything I wish for."

"Alas!" said the King, "I set great store by that
marvelous ring; nevertheless, you shall have it." And he gave
it to him.

The gardener's son went back to say good-by to the old
beggar-woman; then he said to the bronze ring:

"Prepare a splendid ship in which I may continue my
journey. Let the hull be of fine gold, the masts of silver,
the sails of brocade; let the crew consist of twelve young
men of noble appearance, dressed like kings. St. Nicholas
will be at the helm. As to the cargo, let it be diamonds,
rubies, emeralds, and carbuncles."

And immediately a ship appeared upon the sea which
resembled in every particular _the description given by the
gardener's son_, and, stepping on board, he continued his
journey. Presently he arrived at a great town and established
himself in a wonderful palace. After several days
he met his rival, the minister's son, who had spent all his