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THE WONDERFUL TRAVELLERS. |
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were turning round with wonderful rapidity, although there was not wind enough even to stir a leaf.
"I cannot think what turns the windmills," said the soldier, " for there is not a breath of air stirring." So he and his two servants continued their journey.
About two miles further on they saw a man perched on a tree, who closed one nostril with his finger, and blew out of the other.
" My friend," asked the soldier, " what are you about up there?"
"Can't you see?" he replied. "Two miles off there stand seven windmills, and I am blowing to make their sails turn round."
" Oh, come along with us," he replied ; " when four such fellows as we go together in the world, we may do wonders."
So the blower came down from the tree, and went with them.
After a time they passed a man standing on one leg, and the other, which had been cut off, lay on the ground near him.
" Well," exclaimed the master, " you have a queer way of resting yourself, certainly."
" I am a courier," he replied, " and as I do not wish to run too fast, I have taken off one of my legs. When they are both on, I can run as swiftly as a bird flies."
" Oh, then you must come with us," was the reply; " five such as we can carry the world before us."
So they set off again, and before long met another curious being who wore a hat, but it hung quite on one side, over his ear. Then the chief said to him : " Pardon me, sir, but you should not hang your hat on your ear, it makes you look like a fool."
"I dare not alter it," he replied, " for if I place it on my head, there is such a dreadful frost, that the birds in the air freeze, and fall dead on the ground."
" Oh," cried the master, " come with us, you are the very man, and we six will do wonders in the world."
After a time the six travellers arrived at a city, in which the king had made a proclamation that if any man would run a race with his daughter and win, he should have her for a wife, but if he was beaten, he would lose his head. Then the soldier came forward and informed the king that he should like to win the race, if one of his servants might be allowed to run for him.
"Certainly," replied the king, '-'but you must pledge your |
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