280 SLAV TALES

The prince took the sieve, and, going down to the pond,
plunged it in to try his luck; but no sooner had he lifted it
up than all the water ran out through the holes—not a drop
was left behind. Not knowing what to do, he sat down on
the bank with the sieve in his hand, wondering in what
possible way the difficulty might be overcome.

“Why are you so sad?” asked the maiden in white, as
she came towards him.

“Because I fear you will never be mine,” sighed he;
“your mother has given me an impossible task.”

“Come, cheer up, away with fear; it will all be right in
the end.”

Thereupon she took the sieve and threw it into the fish-
pond. Instantly the water turned to foam on the surface,
and a thick vapour rose up, which fell in a fog so dense that
nothing could be seen through it. Then the prince heard
footsteps, and turning round saw his horse coming towards
him, with his bridle down and the red fox at his side.

“ Mount quickly,” said the horse, “ there is not a moment
to lose ; lift the maiden in front of you.”

The faithful steed flew like an arrow, and sped rapidly
along over the road that had been recently cleared by the
bushy tail of the red fox. But this time, instead of leading,
the red fox followed, his tail working marvels as he went: it
destroyed the bridges, reopened the ravines, raised high moun-
tains, and in fact put back everything as it used to be,

The prince felt very happy as he rode along, holding the
Princess with the Golden Hair, but it saddened him much to
think he would have to give up all thought of marrying her
himself, and that within a few short hours he must leave her