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 wash, and scrub from morning to night, while he sat in his study, occupied with his learned duties. The poor girl never ceased to weep over her hard fate, and often begged him to show mercy; but he paid no attention to her tears and prayers, and merely bid her do her work if she did not wish to suffer the same treatment as the two who were standing immovable outside the house.

As the young prince did not return, the king began to fear that something had happened to him, and asked his eldest son to go and find him. The young man readily complied, and at once set out on his journey. He walked a long distance, until he lost his way in a forest where there was neither path nor road. One afternoon he caught sight of a huge eagle, which sat on a tree, watching the ground beneath.

"Can you tell me," said the prince to the bird, "where to—"

"Wait a moment!" interrupted the eagle. "There is a mole which is about to come up through yonder mole-cast. I wish to have it for supper, as I have seen no birds the whole day."

"Leave the poor fellow alone," said the prince, "and eat this sausage instead. It will give you less trouble, and, besides, the mole is a very useful animal which should be guarded carefully from every danger."

"Many thanks!" returned the bird, seizing the sausage with his sharp claws. "No doubt you are