Page:Czech Folk Tales.pdf/105

Rh when the bird revives, you will know quite certainly that it is the water of life."

The lad did all this. The old ravens brought him the water in leather bottles. He took one of the chicks, pulled its head off, dipped it into the healing water, and the wound grew together again. Then he poured some of the water of life into its bill, and it came alive again. Then he put the young ravens back into the nest again, took the water, and went home.

When he got there, the horse said to him: "The dragon is away from home to-day. Let us go and see if we can get the princess."

So off they went and carried away the princess. They ran off as fast as they could.

The dragon came home and asked the horse: "Where is my princess?"

The horse replied: "She's gone from us. They've carried her off again, and this time we shall never catch up with them."

The dragon said in a rage: "What should prevent us from getting her back? Let's go at once."

So they flew after them, and they reached the castle just as the fugitives were going in through the gate.