And at last the witch let him go , and he followed his brothers to the boat . The way was further than they thought , and it was morning before they reached the palace . Now , at last , their luck seemed to have turned , for while the two eldest were given places in the king 's stables , Pinkel was taken as page to the little prince . He was a clever and amusing boy , who saw everything that passed under his eyes , and the king noticed this , and often employed him in his own service , which made his brothers very jealous . Things went on this way for some time , and Pinkel every day rose in the royal favour . At length the envy of his brothers became so great that they could bear it no longer , and consulted together how best they might ruin his credit with the king . They did not wish to kill him -- though , perhaps , they would not have been sorry if they had heard he was dead -- but merely wished to remind him that he was after all only a child , not half so old and wise as they . Their opportunity soon came . It happened to be the king 's custom to visit his stables once a week , so that he might see that his horses were being properly cared for . The next time he entered the stables the two brothers managed to be in the way , and when the king praised the beautiful satin skins of the horses under their charge , and remarked how different was their condition when his grooms had first come across the lake , the young men at once began to speak of the wonderful light which sprang from the lantern over the hut . The king , who had a passion for collection all the rarest things he could find , fell into the trap directly , and inquired where he could get this marvellous lantern . ` Send Pinkel for it , Sire , ' said they . ` It belongs to an old witch , who no doubt came by it in some evil way . But Pinkel has a smooth tongue , and he can get the better of any woman , old or young . ' ` Then bid him go this very night , ' cried the king ; ` and if he brings me the lantern I will make him one of the chief men about my person . ' Pinkel was much pleased at the thought of his adventure , and without more ado he borrowed a little boat which lay moored to the shore , and rowed over to the island at once . It was late by the time he arrived , and almost dark , but he knew by the savoury smell that reached him that the witch was cooking her supper . So he climbed softly on to the roof , and , peering , watched till the old woman 's back was turned , when he quickly drew a handful of salt from his pocket and threw it into the pot . Scarcely had he done this when the witch called her daughter and bade her lift the pot off the fire and put the stew into a dish , as it had been cooking quite long enough and she was hungry . But no sooner had she tasted it than she put her spoon down , and declared that her daughter must have been meddling with it , for it was impossible to eat anything that was all made of salt .
` Go down to the spring in the valley , and get some fresh water , XXXXX I may prepare a fresh supper , ' cried she , ` for I feel half-starved . '
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