The Mannikin said, 'My business is with your father, and not with
you.'
The son answered, 'You deceived and cheated my father. Give me back
his bond.'
'Oh no!' said the little man; 'I won't give up my rights.'
They talked to each other for a long time, and at last they decided
that, as the son no longer belonged to his father, and declined to
belong to his foe, he should get into a boat on a flowing stream, and
his father should push it off himself, thus giving him up to the
stream.
So the youth took leave of his father, got into the boat, and his
father pushed it off. Then, thinking that his son was lost to him for
ever, he went home and sorrowed for him. The little boat, however, did
not sink, it drifted quietly down the stream, and the youth sat in it
in perfect safety. It drifted for a long time, till at last it stuck
fast on an unknown shore. The youth landed, and seeing a beautiful
castle near, walked towards it. As he passed under the doorway,
however, a spell fell upon him. He went through all the rooms, but
found them empty, till he came to the very last one, where a Serpent
lay coiling and uncoiling itself. The Serpent was really an enchanted
maiden, who was delighted when she saw the youth, and said, 'Have you
come at last, my preserver? I have been waiting twelve years for you.
This whole kingdom is bewitched, and you must break the spell.'
'How am I to do that?' he asked.
She said, 'To-night, twelve black men hung with chains will appear,
and they will ask what you are doing here. But do not speak a word,
whatever they do or say to you. They will torment you, strike, and
pinch you, but don't say a word. At twelve o'clock they will have to
go away. On the second night twelve more will come, and on the third
twenty-four. These will cut off your head. But at twelve o'clock their
power goes, and if you have borne it, and not spoken a word, I shall
be saved. Then I will come to you, and bring a little flask containing
the Water of Life, with which I will sprinkle you, and you will be
brought to life again, as sound and well as ever you were.'