TWILIGHT LAND

sorceresses, the lesser as well as the greater. They
buried both of the eagles in the garden without telling
any one of what had happened. So soon as that was
done the old man bade the prince tell him all that had-
befallen him, and the prince did so.

“ Aye! aye!” said the old man, “I see it all as clear
as day. The black dogs are the young men who have
supped with the queen; the statue is the good princess ;
and the basin of water is the water of life, which has the
power of taking away magic. Come; let us make haste
to bring help to all those poor unfortunates who have
been lying under the queen’s spells.”

The prince needed no urging to do that. They hurried
to the palace; they crossed the garden to the stone wall.
There they found the stone upon which the prince had
set the black cross. He pressed his hand upon it, and it
opened to him like a door. They descended the steps,
and went through the passage-way, until they came out
upon the sea-shore. The black dogs came leaping
towards them; but this time it was to fawn upon them,
and to lick their hands and faces. :

The prince turned the great stone mill till the brazen
boat came flying towards the shore. They entered it, and
so crossed the water and came to the other side. They
did not tarry in the garden, but. went straight to the
snow-white palace, and to the great vaulted chamber
where was the statue. ‘ Yes,” said the old man, “it is
the youngest princess, sure enough.”

The prince said nothing, but he dipped up some of the
water in his palm and dashed it upon the statue. “If you
are the princess, take your true shape again,” said he.
Before the words had left his lips the statue became flesh

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