Extinguish the flames with the sand that you earned in payment of your faithful service . ' ` Truly , ' thought Martin to himself , ` it would be more sensible to save a fellow-being 's life with this sand than to drag it about on one 's back , seeing what a weight it is . ' And forthwith he lowered the sack from his shoulders and emptied its contents on the flames , and instantly the fire was extinguished ; but at the same moment lo ! and behold the lovely damsel turned into a Serpent , and , darting upon him , coiled itself round his neck , and whispered lovingly in his ear : ` Do not be afraid of me , Martin ; I love you , and will go with you through the world . But first you must follow me boldly into my Father 's Kingdom , underneath the earth ; and when we get there , remember this -- he will offer you gold and silver , and dazzling gems , but do not touch them . Ask him , instead , for the ring which he wears on his little finger , for in that ring lies a magic power ; you have only to throw it from one hand to the other , and at once twelve young men will appear , who will do your bidding , no matter how difficult , in a single night . ' So they started on their way , and after much wandering they reached a spot where a great rock rose straight up in the middle of the road . Instantly the Serpent uncoiled itself from his neck , and , as it touched the damp earth , it resumed the shape of the lovely damsel . Pointing to the rock , she showed him an opening just big enough for a man to wriggle through . Passing into it , they entered a long underground passage , which led out on to a wide field , above which spread a blue sky . In the middle of the field stood a magnificent castle , built out of porphyry , with a roof of gold and with glittering battlements . And his beautiful guide told him that this was the palace in which her father lived and reigned over his kingdom in the Under-world . Together they entered the palace , and were received by the King with great kindness . Turning to his daughter , he said : ` My child , I had almost given up the hope of ever seeing you again . Where have you been all these years ? ' ` My father , ' she replied , ' I owe my life to this youth , who saved me from a terrible death . ' Upon which the King turned to Martin with a gracious smile , saying : ' I will reward your courage by granting you whatever your heart desires . Take as much gold , silver , and precious stones as you choose . ' ' I thank you , mighty King , for your gracious offer , ' answered Martin , ' ` but I do not covet either gold , silver , or precious stones ; yet if you will grant me a favour , give me , I beg , the ring from off the little finger of your royal hand . Every time my eye falls on it I shall think of your gracious Majesty , and when I marry I shall present it to my bride . '
XXXXX the King took the ring from his finger and gave it to Martin , saying : ` Take it , good youth ; but with it I make one condition -- you are never to confide to anyone that this is a magic ring .
In So Upon at for from of to underneath with