Sayfa 498 / 626

There was, however, a servant of the king's who favoured the

huntsmen, and when he heard that they were going to be put to

this test he went to them and repeated everything, and said: 'The

lion wants to make the king believe that you are girls.' Then the

king's daughter thanked him, and said to her maidens: 'Show some

strength, and step firmly on the peas.' So next morning when the

king had the twelve huntsmen called before him, and they came

into the ante-chamber where the peas were lying, they stepped so

firmly on them, and had such a strong, sure walk, that not one of

the peas either rolled or stirred. Then they went away again, and

the king said to the lion: 'You have lied to me, they walk just

like men.' The lion said: 'They have been informed that they were

going to be put to the test, and have assumed some strength.