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HANS, THE MERMAID’S SON
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squire therefore made his way to the men’s quarters, to speak to Hans, and it took him all his time to push his way along the walls, under the eaves, on account of the fish that filled the yard. He thanked Hans for having

black and white illustration of a creature that looks somewhere between a gargoyle and a sea monster pulling a young man out of his boat which is tipping over. The creature has long horns which curl at the tips like antennae, somewhat bat-like ears and wings, a pointed beak, thorny spines down it’s back and long wet hair coming off it’s arms, it’s hands are around the man’s neck. The creature seems to be having fun with a gleeful expression on. The young man is broad muscular and shirtless with shaggy hair and is gripping a thick staff with one hand as he uses the other to try to brace himself. There is a bundle of food in a corner of the boat with an apple visible.
OLD ERIC CATCHES HANS

fished so well, and said that now he had an errand for him, which he could only give to a trusty servant, and that was to journey to purgatory, and demand three years’ tribute, which, he said, was owing to him from that quarter.

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