'What shall we do?' asked the King. 'Despatch two spies--the first to inform and send back the other, and make us know the enemy's strength or weakness. They must be such as can travel by land and water, so the Crane will serve for one, and we will keep his family in pledge at the King's gate. The other must be a very reserved character; as it is said-- 'Sick men are for skilful leeches--prodigals for prisoning-- Fools for teachers--and the man who keeps a secret, for a King,' 'I know such a one,' said his Majesty, after a pause. 'It is half the victory,' responded the Minister. At this juncture a chamberlain entered with a profound obeisance, and announced the arrival from Jambudwipa of the Parrot. 'Let him be shown to a reception-room,' commanded the Goose, in reply to a look from the King. 'He shall presently have audience.' 'War is pronounced, then,' said the King, as the attendant withdrew. 'It is offered, my Liege; but must not be rashly accepted,' replied the other-- 'With gift, craft, promise, cause thy foe to yield; When these have failed thee, challenge him a-field.' To gain time for expedients is the first point. Expedients are good for great and little matters equally, like 'The subtle wash of waves, that smoothly pass, But lay the tree as lowly as the grass.' Let his Excellency the Parrot, then, be cajoled and detained here, while we place our fort in condition to be useful. Is it not said-- 'Ten true bowmen on a rampart fifty's onset may sustain; Fortalices keep a country more than armies in the plain?' And your Majesty,' continued the Goose, 'will recall the points of a good fortress-- 'Build it strong, and build it spacious, with an entry and retreat; Store it well with wood and water, fill its garners full with wheat.' 'Whom, then, shall we entrust with this work?' asked King Silver-sides. 'The Paddy-bird[18] is a good bird, and a skilful,' replied his Minister. 'Let him be summoned!' said the King. And upon the entrance of the Paddy-bird, the superintendence of the fortress was committed to him, and accepted with a low prostration. 'As to the fort, Sire!' remarked the Paddy-bird, 'it exists already in yonder large pool; the thing is to store the island in the middle of it with provisions-- 'Gems will no man's life sustain; Best of gold is golden grain.' 'Good!' said King Silver-sides; 'let it be looked to.' Thereupon, as the Paddy-bird was retiring, the Usher entered again, and making prostration, said: 'May it please your Majesty, the King of all the Crows, Night-cloud by name, has just arrived from Singhala-dwipa, and desires to lay his homage at your Majesty's feet.' 'He is a wise bird, and a far-travelled,' said the King; 'I think we must give him audience.' Nevertheless, Sire,' interrupted the Goose, 'we must not forget that he is a land-bird, and therefore not to be received as a water-fowl. Your royal memory doubtless retains the story of