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 ‘Yes, if you ’ll ransom them,’ answered the people; ‘but why will you throw your money away in buying off such wicked people?’

He did not stop to reflect, however, but paid the ransom for them, and when they were set free they all journeyed on together.

They came to the wood where they had first met the Fox. It was deliciously cool there, while the sun was broiling outside, so the two brothers said, ‘Let us sit down here by the well to rest a little and eat and drink.’ The Prince agreed, and during the conversation he forgot what he was about, and, never dreaming of any foul play, seated himself on the edge of the well. But his two brothers threw him backwards into it, and went home to their father, taking with them the Maiden, the Horse, and the Bird.

‘Here we bring you not only the Golden Bird, but the Golden Horse, and the Maiden from the golden palace, as our booty.’

Thereupon there was great rejoicing; but the Horse would not eat, the Bird would not sing, and the Maiden sat and wept all day.

The youngest brother had not perished, however. Happily the well was dry, and he fell upon soft moss without taking any harm; only, he could not get out.

Even in this great strait the faithful Fox did not forsake him, but came leaping down and scolded him for not taking his advice. ‘I can’t leave you to your fate, though; I must help you to get back to the light of day.’ He told him to take tight hold of his tail, and then he dragged him up. ‘You are not out of every danger even now,’ said the Fox. ‘Your brothers were not sure of your death, so they have set watchers all over the wood to kill you if they see you.’

A poor old man was sitting by the roadside, and the Prince exchanged clothes with him, and by this means he succeeded in reaching the King’s court.

Nobody recognised him, but the Bird began to sing, the