THE KINGS OF THE ELEMENTS 15

said he, as he clasped her in his arms. And she, delighted
to be with him again, kissed him fondly. Then she
whispered :

“Dearest, though you knew me to-day I doubt whether
you will to-morrow, for there will be so many of us all alike.
Now I will tell you what to do. At nightfall go to the top
of the Crystal Mountain, where live the King of Time and
his court. Ask him how you may know me. If you are good
and honest he will help you; if not, he will devour you whole
at one mouthful.”

“J will do what you advise, dear one,” he replied, ‘but
tell me, why did you leave me so suddenly? If you only
knew what I have suffered! I have sought you all over the
world.”

“T did not leave you willingly,” said she. ‘A country-
man asked me to come and look at the mountain torrent.
When we got there he sprinkled some water over himself, and
at once I saw wings growing out of his shoulders, and he
soon changed his shape entirely into that of a drake; and I
too became a duck at the same time, and whether I would
or no I was obliged to follow him. Here I was allowed to
resume my own form ; and now there is but the one difficulty
of being recognised by you.”

So they parted, she to join the other women, he to
continue his way to the Crystal Mountain. At the top he
found twelve strange beings sitting round a large fire: they
were the attendants of the King of Time. He saluted them
respectfully.

“What dost thou want?” said they.

“T have lost my dear wife. Can you tell me how to