added: "I will release you and give you the treasure, as you request.
But you owe me allegiance from this time forth, and if I ever hear of your
becoming thieves again, I promise to return and hang every one of you."

"Never fear!" answered Wul-Takim, joyfully. "It is hard work to
steal, and while we have so much treasure it is wholly unnecessary.
Moreover, having accepted from you our lives and our fortunes, we
shall hereafter be your devoted servants, and whenever you need our
services you have but to call upon us, and we will support you loyally
and gladly."

"I accept your service," answered the prince, graciously.

And then he unbound the fifty-nine honest men and took the ropes from
their necks. As nightfall was fast approaching the new servants set
to work to prepare a great feast in honor of their master. It was
laid in the middle of the grassy clearing, that all might sit around
and celebrate the joyous occasion.

"Do you think you can trust these men?" asked Nerle, suspiciously.

"Why not?" replied the prince. "They have been exceedingly wicked, it
is true; but they are now intent upon being exceedingly good. Let us
encourage them in this. If we mistrusted all who have ever done an
evil act there would be fewer honest people in the world. And if it
were as interesting to do a good act as an evil one there is no doubt
every one would choose the good."