When Moscione saw that he had spoken the truth , he immediately asked Hit-the-Point to join his party . After they had all travelled together for some days , they came upon a number of people who were digging a trench in the blazing sun . Moscione felt so sorry for them , that he said : ` My dear friends , how can you endure working so hard in heat that would cook an egg in a minute ? ' But one of the workmen answered : ` We are as fresh as daisies , for we have a young man among us who blows on our backs like the west wind . ' ` Let me see him , ' said Moscione . The youth was called , and Moscione asked him : ` What 's your name ; where do you come from , and what can you do ? ' He answered : ' I am called Blow-Blast , I come from Wind-town , and with my mouth I can make any winds you please . If you wish a west wind I can raise it for you in a second , but if you prefer a north wind I can blow these houses down before your eyes . ' ` Seeing is believing , ' returned the cautious Moscione . Blow-Blast at once began to convince him of the truth of his assertion . First he blew so softly that it seemed like the gentle breeze at evening , and then he turned round and raised such a mighty storm , that he blew down a whole row of oak trees . When Moscione saw this he was delighted , and begged Blow-Blast to join his company . And as they went on their way they met another man , whom Moscione addressed as usual : ` What 's your name ; where do you come from , and what can you do ? ' ' I am called Strong-Back ; I come from Power-borough , and I possess such strength that I can take a mountain on my back , and it seems a feather to me . ' ` If that 's the case , ' said Moscione , ` you are a clever fellow ; but I should like some proof of your strength . ' Then Strong-Back loaded himself with great boulders of rock and trunks of trees , so that a hundred waggons could not have taken away all that he carried on his back . When Moscione saw this he prevailed on Strong-Back to join his troop , and they all continued their journey till they came to a country called Flower Vale . Here there reigned a king whose only daughter ran as quickly as the wind , and so lightly that she could run over a field of young oats without bending a single blade . The king had given out a proclamation that anyone who could beat the princess in a race should have her for a wife , but that all who failed in the competition should lose their head . As soon as Moscione heard of the Royal Proclamation , he hastened to the king and challenged the princess to race with him .
But on the morning appointed for the trial he sent word to the king XXXXX he was not feeling well , and that as he could not run himself he would supply someone to take his place .
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