`` Follow me to my palace . '' The minister 's son followed the rich stranger , whom he had not recognized . When they reached the palace the gardener 's son made a sign to his slaves , who completely undressed the new-comer . `` Make this ring red-hot , '' commanded the master , `` and mark the man with it upon his back . '' The slaves obeyed him . `` Now , young man , '' said the rich stranger , `` I am going to give you a vessel which will take you back to your own country . '' And , going out , he took the bronze ring and said : `` Bronze ring , obey thy master . Prepare me a ship of which the half-rotten timbers shall be painted black , let the sails be in rags , and the sailors infirm and sickly . One shall have lost a leg , another an arm , the third shall be a hunchback , another lame or club-footed or blind , and most of them shall be ugly and covered with scars . Go , and let my orders be executed . '' The minister 's son embarked in this old vessel , and thanks to favorable winds , at length reached his own country . In spite of the pitiable condition in which he returned they received him joyfully . `` I am the first to come back , '' said he to the King ; now fulfil your promise , and give me the princess in marriage . So they at once began to prepare for the wedding festivities . As to the poor princess , she was sorrowful and angry enough about it . The next morning , at daybreak , a wonderful ship with every sail set came to anchor before the town . The King happened at that moment to be at the palace window . `` What strange ship is this , '' he cried , `` that has a golden hull , silver masts , and silken sails , and who are the young men like princes who man it ? And do I not see St. Nicholas at the helm ? Go at once and invite the captain of the ship to come to the palace . ''
His servants obeyed him , and very soon in came an enchantingly handsome young prince , dressed XXXXX rich silk , ornamented with pearls and diamonds .
So at hunchback in like new-comer of to upon with