He waited patiently a long , long time , but when the rope never came back he knew he had been wrong , and that his comrades had betrayed him . ` Ah , now I shall never reach the world again , ' murmured he ; but being a brave man , and knowing that moaning his fate would profit him nothing , he rose and began to search through the three halls , where , perhaps , he might find something to help him . In the last one stood a dish , covered with food , which reminded him that he was hungry , and he sat down and ate and drank . Months passed away , when , one morning , as he was walking through the halls , he noticed a purse hanging on the wall , which had never been there before . He took it down to examine it , and nearly let it fall with surprise when a voice came from the purse saying : ` What commands have you ? ' ` Oh , take me out of this horrible place , and up into the world again ; ' and in a moment he was , standing by the river bank , with the purse tightly grasped in his hand . ` Now let me have the most beautiful ship that ever was built , all manned and ready for sea . ' And there was the ship , with a flag floating from its mast on which were the words , ` King with the three crowns . ' Then Bensurdatu climbed on board , and sailed away to the city where the three princesses dwelt ; and when he reached the harbour he blew trumpets and beat drums , so that every one ran to the doors and windows . And the king heard too , and saw the beautiful vessel , and said to himself : ` That must indeed be a mighty monarch , for he has three crowns while I have only one . ' So he hastened to greet the stranger , and invited him to his castle , for , thought he , ` this will be a fine husband for my youngest daughter . ' Now , the youngest princess had never married , and had turned a deaf ear to all her wooers . Such a long time had passed since Bensurdatu had left the palace , that the king never guessed for a moment that the splendidly clad stranger before him was the man whom he had so deeply mourned as dead . ` Noble lord , ' said he , ` let us feast and make merry together , and then , if it seem good to you , do me the honour to take my youngest daughter to wife . ' And Bensurdatu was glad , and they all sat down to a great feast , and there were great rejoicings . But only the youngest daughter was sad , for her thoughts were with Bensurdatu . After they arose from the table the king said to her , ` Dear child , this mighty lord does you the honour to ask your hand in marriage . ' ` Oh , father , ' answered she , ` spare me , I pray you , for I desire to remain single . ' Then Bensurdatu turned to her , and said : ` And if I were Bensurdatu , would you give the same answer to me ? ' And as she stood silently gazing at him , he added : ` Yes , I am Bensurdatu ; and this is my story . '
The king and queen had their hearts stirred within them at the tale of his adventures , and when he had ended the king stretched out his hand , and said : ` Dear XXXXX , my youngest daughter shall indeed be your wife ; and when I die my crown shall be yours .
Bensurdatu King Months fall harbour left morning princesses rejoicings wooers