` 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 that he was not feeling well , and that as he could not run himself he would supply someone to take his place . ` It 's just the same to me , ' said Canetella , the princess ; ` let anyone come forward that likes , I am quite prepared to meet him . ' At the time appointed for the race the whole place was crowded with people anxious to see the contest , and , punctual to the moment , Quick-as-Thought , and Canetella dressed in a short skirt and very lightly shod , appeared at the starting-point . Then a silver trumpet sounded , and the two rivals started on their race , looking for all the world like a greyhound chasing a hare . But Quick-as-Thought , true to his name , outran the princess , and when the goal was reached the people all clapped their hands and shouted , ` Long live the stranger ! ' -LSB- Illustration : The Princess beaten by Quick-as-Thought -RSB- Canetella was much depressed by her defeat ; but , as the race had to be run a second time , she determined she would not be beaten again . Accordingly she went home and sent Quick-as-Thought a magic ring , which prevented the person who wore it , not only from running , but even from walking , and begged that he would wear it for her sake . Early next morning the crowd assembled on the race-course , and Canetella and Quick-as-Thought began their trial afresh .
The princess ran XXXXX quickly as ever , but poor Quick-as-Thought was like an overloaded donkey , and could not go a step .
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