THE FAIRY PRINCE AND WASSA. 189

a range of mountains that rose in lofty peaks
before the travellers, and a broad river flowed at
their feet. Gently the deer once more knelt,
and his riders dismounted. The instant they
were on the ground the deer bounded away
again, and was lost to view in the thick forest.

“Now,” said Wassa as she looked at the
broad river before her and the range of lofty
mountains beyond, “what will happen next?
Shall we go by the river, or shall we climb
over those high mountains?”

The fairy prince made no reply, but seemed
intent on watching a large eagle that was
circling over one of the highest mountain
peaks. So great was the height that he looked
like a little black speck against the sky. The
prince, keeping his eye on the bird, recited
these lines: —

“Come hither, I pray, king of the sky,
Bear us over these mountains high.”

The black speck grew larger and larger as
the bird seemed to drop down from his great
height, and soon the form of an immense eagle
was distinctly visible.

The huge bird descended in graceful circles,