between you and princess All-fair; I know also
the misery you endure, and am come to release
you from it. I am an enemy to the Fairy of the
Desert and the Yellow Dwarf; if you, therefore,
will trust to me, I will deliver you and the princess
out of their power.’
The king gratefully accepted the proffered aid;
and seating himself on the mermaid’s back, pro-
mised to do all that she should direct. They then
sailed off; and as they went, the mermaid told
him all that had befallen the princess, and that
she was now confined in the steel castle of the
dwarf.
At length they drew near to the place, when the
mermaid told him that he would have many power-
ful enemies to overcome before he could reach his
beloved princess. ‘But,’ said she, ‘if you take this
sword,’ which she then gave him, ‘and follow my
directions, you will be able to destroy them all.
Beware lest the sword fall from your hand; for
if you once lose possession of it, you will not be
able to recover it, and certain destruction will fall
upon you.’
The king promised to use the utmost caution;
and after warmly thanking the mermaid for her
kind services, he started for the castle. The first
danger he encountered was two enormous lions,
which guarded the outer gate. He advanced
boldly towards them, and with one blow laid them
dead at his feet. On reaching the inner court the
king was assailed by six fierce dragons of pro-
digious size, but he quickly destroyed them with
his magic sword. The king then entered the
castle, and was met by a band of lovely females,
who forbade his entering, telling him that they
were appointed to guard the castle, and that their
lives would be forfeited if they allowed any person
to enter. The king was so moved by their en-
treaties that he could not resist them, until he
105

THE
YELLOW
DWARF