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THE TWELVE BROTHERS. 57
“Yes, go with your eleven brothers out into the world,
and let one of you always sit on the top of the highest tree.
that can be found, and keep watch upon the tower of this
castle. If a little son is born I will put out a white flag,
and then you may safely venture back again; but if it is a
little daughter I will put out a red flag, and then flee away as
fast as you can, and the dear God watch over you. Every
night will I arise and pray for you—in winter that you may
have a fire to warm yourselves by, and in summer that you
may not languish in the heat.”
After that, when she had given her sons her blessing, they
went away out into the wood, One after another kept watch,
sitting on the highest oak tree, looking towards the tower.
When eleven days had passed, and Benjamin’s turn came, he
saw a flag put out, but it was not white, but blood red, to
warn them that they were to die. When the brothers knew
this they became angry, saying,
‘Shall we suffer death because of a girl! we swear to be
revenged ; wherever we find a girl we will shed her blood.”
Then they went deeper into the wood ; and in the middle,
where it was darkest, they found a little enchanted house,
standing empty. Then they said,
“Here will we dwell; and you, Benjamin, the youngest
and weakest, shall stay at home and keep house; we others
will go abroad and purvey food.”
Then they went into the wood and caught hares, wild
roes, birds, and pigeons, and whatever else is good to eat,
and brought them to Benjamin for him to cook and make
ready to satisfy their hunger. So they lived together in the
little house for ten years, and the time did not seem long.
By this time the Queen’s little daughter was growing up ;
she had a kind heart and a beautiful face, and a golden star
on her forehead. Once when there was a great wash she saw
among the clothes twelve shirts, and she asked her mother,
3 Whose are these twelve shirts? they are too small to be
my father’s.” Then the mother answered with a sore heart,
" Dear child, they belong to your twelve brothers.” The
little girl said,
“Where are my twelve brothers? I have never heard
of them.” And her mother answered,