The Three Soldiers Page 3

thieves had waylaid and return their wealth to them secretly as far as he was able. He would live with his two friends and take up a job as a trainer of wild horses.

  The three men returned to Pegleg's town. Although Pegleg offered to marry all or any of his children's mothers, they all refused. He learned the trade of a tailor and delighted in making clothes for his three children. He supported each of their mothers and before long they had good feelings toward Pegleg. They allowed their children to visit him and play at the home of the three soldiers.

  Iron Hand traveled frequently in search of wild horses to train. He was often gone for long periods of time. His travels were something of a mystery. Often people spoke of a man riding a wild horse who would ride by at night leaving money or jewels on a doorstep with no explanation. Some said he was a ghost or a phantom, but the money was real enough. Iron Hand scoffed at the stories and said in his dealings with wild horses he had never seen such a phantom.

  The flute player apprenticed himself to the story-teller, who was grateful, as she was growing old and wanted to leave her stories in someone's care. He accompanied her and played his songs after she told her stories. They were much in demand, as their presence seemed to bring peace to each town they visited. By the time the story-teller died, the flute player knew all her stories.

  The three soldiers lived happily for many years and perhaps continue to this day.

  The End

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