Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/189

Rh finger-post? therefore it could not be avoided. Now forget your sorrow and sit down on my back; I like the look of you, and believe you to be a good man, and will serve you from this day forth. But now tell me whither I have to carry you, and why!"

Prince John explained, and told him all that had happened with respect to the apples.

"All right," said the wolf; "I know where to find the golden cassowary, so sit down on my back, prince, and let us be off!"

They were off indeed, for the grey wolf ran faster than any bird could fly.

"Here we are, prince," said he, as they stopped in front of a stone wall. "But listen to me, the cassowary is in a golden cage hanging against the wall; take the bird but leave the cage, or else you will get into trouble."

Prince John climbed over into a most beautiful garden, wonderfully illuminated as if by the sun, but as it was midnight this was hardly likely to be the case, and on looking round the prince saw that the light came from a rich golden cage, hanging on the wall at the opposite side of the garden, in which sat the cassowary asleep. He was about to take the bird out, when suddenly he thought,—

"How on earth am I to carry the cassowary?"

And forgetting what the grey wolf had said, he began to take down the golden cage. But, alas! under it many musical instruments were arranged, from which came a great sound, which woke the guards, who ran into the garden, seized Prince John, and took him before their king.