OHNIVAK 287

The old raven promised to fetch the water, and went off
at once.

Within three days he returned, carrying in his beak two
small bottles, one full of the Water of Death, the other of
the Water of Life. When the red fox received them he
wished first to try their effect upon some living creature, so
he cut the small raven up, and joining the pieces together,
watered them with the Water of Death. Instantly they
became a living bird, without mark or join anywhere. This
he sprinkled with the Water of Life, upon which the young
raven spread its wings and flew off to its family.

The red fox then performed the same operation on the
body of the young prince, and with the same happy result,
for he rose again perfect in form, and having about him no
wound scars. On coming to life again, all he said was, ‘“ Dear
me! What a pleasant sleep I have had.”

“T believe you,” replied the red fox, “you would have
gone on sleeping for ever if I had not awakened you. And
what a foolish young man you are: did I not particularly
order you not to stop anywhere, but to go straight back to
your father’s house?”

He then related all that his brothers had done, and having
obtained a peasant’s dress for him, led him to the outskirts of
the forest, close to the royal palace, where he left him.

The young prince then entered the palace grounds, un-
recognised by the servants, and on representing that he was
in need of employment, was appointed stable-boy to the
royal stables. Some little time after he heard the grooms
lamenting that the Horse with the Golden Mane would
eat no food.