And immediately a ship appeared upon the sea which resembled in every particular the description given by the gardener 's son , and , stepping on board , he continued his journey . Presently he arrived at a great town and established himself in a wonderful palace . After several days he met his rival , the minister 's son , who had spent all his money and was reduced to the disagreeable employment of a carrier of dust and rubbish . The gardener 's son said to him : `` What is your name , what is your family , and from what country do you come ? '' `` I am the son of the prime minister of a great nation , and yet see what a degrading occupation I am reduced to . '' `` Listen to me ; though I do n't know anything more about you , I am willing to help you . I will give you a ship to take you back to your own country upon one condition . '' `` Whatever it may be , I accept it willingly . '' `` 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 XXXXX marriage .
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