210

thin as a scarccrow, and with the ugliest face he had cover scen. The Prince told her at once what brought him to the island, and when the old woman had heard his tale, and all the dangers and sufferings he had gone through, her heart melted with pity, and she said : “ My son, let me warn you to fly from hence with all speed, for if my three daughters, who live on human flesh, find you here, you are a lost man. They will certainly eat you raw, or roast you for their next meal. Make haste to leave this place as quickly as you can, and I promise you won't be gone far before you meet your fate.”’

\When the Prince heard her words he fook to his heels, and, without as much as bidding the old creature farcwell, he ran without stopping till he came to a different country, where he met another old woman even uglier than the hrst. To her, too, he confided the history and object of his wander- ings, but she answered him as the other had done : * You had better make haste to get away from herc, unless you wish to provide my Jaughters, the little man- caters, with a meal 5 but not far from this spot you will meet your fate.”

As soon as the poor Prince heard her words he set off running at full speed, and didn’t pausc for a moment till he came upon another old woman, who was sitting ander a tree with @ basket on her arm full of cakes and other dainties.

The Prince made her a polite bow, and com- menced at once to tell her his story. This time the old woman comforted him with friendly words, and made him sit down and cat a good breakfast. \When he had finished his meal, she presented him with threc lemons, which looked as if they had just been cut from the tree, and along with the fruit a beautiful knife, saying, as she gave them to him, “You may go home now as fast as you like, for you have got

7 STRAND

MAGAZINI.

what you sought ; when yoir are close Lo your father’s kingdom, stop at the first well you come to, and cut one of tnhe lemons in half; a fairy will come out of it, and say to you, *Give me somcething to drink.’ Then you must get her some water as quickly as you can, for if you don't she will disappear like quicksilver, and 1t you don’t succeed with the first or sccond, you must be sure not to let the third fairy cseape, but hand her the water in a moment, foy she 1 the wife of your heart’s desire.”

['he Prince joyfully kissed her hairy old hand, which felt exactly like the back of a porcupine, and thanking the old damc heartily for her kindness, he bade her fare- well, and left the country with all speed. After many dangers by sca and land, he arrived safely about a day's journcy from his own kingdom. Hereon alovely heath,

shaded by beautiful old trees, the Prince

“ \

CCRHE PRINCE JOYFULLY KISSED HER HAIRY OLD HAND.”

Lismounted at a well, the running of whose crystal waters sounded like a bell, calling people to come and refresh themselves. The Prince sat down on a carpet formed of