Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 3).djvu/533

 from her governesses, her face was uncovered, her beauty displayed itself unveiled.

And now an impetuous whirlwind, such as has never been seen or recorded, even in fabulous story, burst over the garden. It roared and raged, and, snatching up the princess, bore her away.

The King and Queen, speechless with sorrow, knew not what to do. At this very time a crowd of princes had arrived at the palace. Seeing the King a prey to so much distress, they asked of him the cause.

"Woe to my white hair!" cried the King. "A Vikhar (whirlwind) has carried off my beloved daughter, the lovely princess with the golden locks, and I know not whither he has borne her. He who finds her and brings her back to me shall have her for his bride, and with her and at once the half of my kingdom, and the rest of my fortune and titles after my death."

On hearing these words spoken, the princes and knights sprang upon their horses and set forth to scour the world, inquiring everywhere for the princess with the golden locks who had been carried away by a whirlwind.

Among the most distinguished of all these was the son of a king.

His eyes resembled those of a falcon and his eyebrows those of the sable. His right hand was of pure gold. His bearing was so majestic as to excite astonishment in all who saw him.

The young prince set off, straight before him—over deep rivers and over stupendous mountains.

At length, arrived at a dark forest, he perceived at a distance a cabin perched on the claws of a cock. About the cabin there was a field full of poppies in bloom. The prince went towards it, and suddenly felt himself overcome by a strong desire to go to sleep a desire so strong—as to be almost irresistible. But he set spurs to his steed and, trampling down the heads of the poppies in his course, presently arrived in front of a cabin perched on a cock's claws and called out—

"Turn, cabin, turn—turn on your claws, your back to the forest, your front to me!"

Instantly the cabin turned about with grating sound, and brought its door on the side of the prince. He entered and found within a stunted old woman with white hair and face all covered with wrinkles and stains, hideous to see. She was seated behind a table, her head resting upon her hands and her eyes fixed upon the ceiling, plunged in a deep reverie. Near her, seated on a form, were her two daughters, both young and beautiful, with complexions of combined roses and lilies, most pleasing to the sight.

"How do you do, prince with the hand of gold?" asked the old woman, whose name was Yaga. "What has brought you to my dwelling?'

The prince having informed her as to the motive of his travels, she said to him—

"Many have perished on the mountain which touches the clouds, while they were searching for the princess with the golden locks carried off by Vikhar, the Whirlwind."

"How can I reach that abductor?" asked the prince.

"Ah, my poor child!—he will swallow