The king 's son allowed himself to be persuaded and took leave of his father-in-law , and set out with his wife on his journey home . Meanwhile the poor friend had been unable to get through his task in the short time appointed by the king , and when at last he returned the king said to him , ` Your comrade is a long way off by now ; you had better see if you can overtake him . ' So the young man bowed and left the king 's presence , and followed after his friend on foot , for he had no horse . Night and day he ran , till at length he reached the place where the king 's son had pitched his tent , and sank down before him , a miserable object , worn out and covered with mud and dust . But the king 's son welcomed him with joy , and tended him as he would his brother . And at last they came home again , and the queen was waiting and watching in the palace , as she had never ceased to do since her son had rode away . She almost died of joy at seeing him again , but after a little she remembered his sick friend , and ordered a bed to be made ready and the best doctors in all the country to be sent for . When they heard of the queen 's summons they flocked from all parts , but none could cure him . After everyone had tried and failed a servant entered and informed the queen that a strange old man had just knocked at the palace gate and declared that he was able to heal the dying youth . Now this was a holy man , who had heard of the trouble the king 's son was in , and had come to help . It happened that at this very time a little daughter was born to the king 's son , but in his distress for his friend he had hardly a thought to spare for the baby . He could not be prevailed on to leave the sick bed , and he was bending over it when the holy man entered the room . ` Do you wish your friend to be cured ? ' asked the new comer of the king 's son . ` And what price would you pay ? ' ` What price ? ' answered the king 's son ; ` only tell me what I can do to heal him . ' ` Listen to me , then , ' said the old man . ` This evening you must take your child , and open her veins , and smear the wounds of your friend with her blood . And you will see , he will get well in an instant . '
At these words the king 's son shrieked with horror , for he loved the baby dearly , but he answered , ' I have sworn XXXXX I would treat my friend as if he were my brother , and if there is no other way my child must be sacrificed . '
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