218 SLAV TALES

“And how is this thief Vikher to be got at?” asked the
prince.

“Ah, my dear child, he would swallow you like a fly.
It is now a hundred years since I went outside this cottage,
for fear Vikher should seize me and carry me off to his palace
near the sky.”

“Tam not afraid of his carrying me off, I am not hand-
some enough for that; and he will not swallow me either,
for my golden hand can smash anything.”

“Then if you are not afraid, my dove, I will help you to
the best of my power. But give me your word of honour that
you will bring me some of the Water of Youth, for it restores
even to the most aged the beauty and freshness of youth.”

“I give you my word of honour that I will bring you
some.”

“This then is what you must do. I will give you a
pin-cushion for a guide; this you throw in front of you, and
follow whithersoever it goes. It will lead you to the mountain
that touches the clouds, and which is guarded in Vikher’s
absence by his father and mother, the northern blast and the
south wind. On no account lose sight of the pin-cushion.
If attacked by the father, the northern blast, and suddenly
seized with cold, then put on this heat-giving hood: if
overpowered by burning heat of the south wind, then drink
from this cooling flagon. Thus by means of the pin-cushion,
the hood, and the flagon, you will reach the top of the
mountain where the Princess with the Golden Hair is im-
prisoned. Deal with Vikher as you will, only remember to
bring me some of the Water of Youth.”

Our young hero took the heat-giving hood, the cooling