well , they were n't crossing the lake while a cat would be lickin ' her ear , and the poor men could n't stir hand or foot to follow them . they saw seven inches handing the three princesses out of the boat , and letting them down by a basket into a draw - well , but king nor princes ever saw an opening before in the same place . when the last lady was out of sight , the men found the strength in their arms and legs again . round the lake they ran , and never drew rein till they came to the well and windlass ; and there was the silk rope rolled on the axle , and the nice white basket hanging to it . ' let me down , ' says the youngest prince . ' i 'll die or recover them again . ' ' no , ' says the second daughter 's sweetheart , ' it is my turn first . ' and says the other , ' i am the eldest . ' so they gave way to him , and in he got into the basket , and down they let him . first they lost sight of him , and then , after winding off a hundred perches of the silk rope , it slackened , and they stopped turning . they waited two hours , and then they went to dinner , because there was no pull made at the rope .
they chose the eldest prince .
how did the men decide who would go down in the well ?
how did the men decide who would go down in the well ?