Io4 PRINCE FILDERKIN

through the usual process, he boldly re-
peated it, and having for the first time said ~
‘ Gingerbread nuts,’ on account of the river
taking no notice of the first magic word
alone, he not only found the bridge
suddenly appear by means of which the
river could be crossed, but at the same
moment his headache vanished and did
not trouble him again.

That night he slept under a haystack, and
began his third day’s journey in good health
and spirits. :

Towards evening the words of the magi-
cian began to be proved true, for the sun was
evidently about to set, and night to take the
place of day, as indeed was often the case in
that part of the world. The Prince was now
far from home, and knew that he must be
drawing nearer to the place for which he
was bound. As he wished to be as fresh as
possible before he commenced that part of
his task which he knew would be the hard-
est, he thought it would be desirable to find
some place in which he might pass a quiet
night. No barn was near, and no haystack
in sight, so he did not know what to do,
when he suddenly perceived a small thatched