J. F. Campbell Collection > Fireside stories of Ireland

THE TWELVE WILD GEESE. 1 9
condemned to be burned in tlie big bawn at three o'clock
the same day. When the hour drew near, the king went
to the farthest part of his palace, and there was no more
unhappy man in his kingdom at that hour.
When the executioners came and led her off, she took
the pile of shirts in her arDis. There were still a few
stitches wanted, and while they were tying her to the stake,
she still worked on. At the last stitc h she seemed overcome
and droppe d a tear o u^her work, biiTtiie moment after she"
sprang up, and shouted out, "i am innocent ; call my hus-
band ! " The executioners stayed their hands, except one
wicked-disposed creature \n\\o set fire to the faggot next
him, and while all were struck in amaze, there was a rush-
ing of wings, and in a moment the twelve wild geese were
standing round the pile. Before you could count twelve,
she flung a shirt over every bird, and there in the twink-
ling of an eye were twelve of the finest j^oung men that
could be collected out of a thousand. While some were
untying their sister, the eldest, taking a strong stake in his
hand, struck the busy executioner such a blow that he
never needed another.
While they were comforting the young queen, and the
king was hurrying to the spot, a fine-looking woman ap-
peared among them holding the babe on one arm and the
little prince by the hand. There was nothing but crying
for joy, and laughing for joy, and hugging and kissing, and
when any one had time to thank the good fairy, who in
the shape of a woif,- carried the child away, she was not to
be found. Neve r was such happiness enjoye d in any pa-
lace that ever was buTItTand if the wicked queen and heV
helpers were not torn by wild horses they richly deserved it."
THE WONDERFUL CAKE.
A MOUSE, a rat, and a little red hen once lived to-
gether in the same cabin, and one day the little red hen
said, " Let us bake a cake and have a feast." " Let us,"
says the mouse ; and " let us," says the rat. " Who'll go