So they called to their daughters and called again , but no one answered them . Frightened at the silence , they searched every corner of the garden , the house , and the neighbouring wood , but no trace of the girls was to be found anywhere . The earth seemed to have swallowed them up . The poor parents were in despair . The queen wept all the way home , and for many days after , and the king issued a proclamation that whoever should bring back his lost daughters should have one of them to wife , and should , after his death , reign in his stead . Now two young generals were at that time living at the court , and when they heard the king 's declaration , they said one to the other : ` Let us go in search of them ; perhaps we shall be the lucky persons . ' And they set out , each mounted on a strong horse , taking with them a change of raiment and some money . But though they inquired at every village they rode through , they could hear nothing of the princesses , and by-and-by their money was all spent , and they were forced to sell their horses , or give up the search . Even this money only lasted a little while longer , and nothing but their clothes lay between them and starvation . They sold the spare garments that were bound on their saddles , and went in the coats they stood up in to the inn , to beg for some food , as they were really starving . When , however , they had to pay for what they had eaten and drank , they said to the host : ` We have no money , and naught but the clothes we stand up in . Take these , and give us instead some old rags , and let us stay here and serve you . ' And the innkeeper was content with the bargain , and the generals remained , and were his servants . All this time the king and queen remained in their palace hungering for their children , but not a word was heard of either of them or of the generals who had gone to seek for them . Now there was living in the palace a faithful servant of the king 's called Bensurdatu , who had served him for many years , and when Bensurdatu saw how grieved the king was , he lifted up his voice and said to him : ` Your majesty , let me go and seek your daughters . ' ` No , no , Bensurdatu , ' replied the king . ` Three daughters have I lost , and two generals , and shall I lose you also ? ' But Bensurdatu said again : ` Let me now go , your majesty ; trust me , and I will bring you back your daughters . ' Then the king gave way , and Bensurdatu set forth , and rode on till he came to the inn , where he dismounted and asked for food . It was brought by the two generals , whom he knew at once in spite of their miserable clothes , and , much astonished , asked them how in the world they came there .
They told him all their adventures , and he sent XXXXX the innkeeper , and said to him : ` Give them back their garments , and I will pay everything that they owe you . '
So after at for of on though through while with