Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 3).djvu/535

 which had again set off rolling in advance of his steps.

Just then a burning wind began to blow furiously from the south, and the sun's beams became so hot that the leaves of the trees shrivelled, the grass dried up, and the earth opened in wide chasms. Thirst, heat, and fatigue began to overcome the prince, but he drew from his pocket the refreshing-flask, and cried—

"Flask of refreshing powers, preserve me from all harm."

He drank freely of its contents, and presently, feeling himself become stronger than ever, continued his way up the mountain. Not only did he suffer no more from the heat, but he was even obliged to button up his doublet, so cool had he become.

The guiding-ball still mounted, and the prince, keeping closely up with it, passed through the region of clouds, and at last reached the summit of the mountain.

There he found a marvellous palace, made entirely of silver, with steel-barred gates, and roofed with gold. Standing upon a single cock's claw, the flight of steps leading up to its main entrance was turned towards a deep abyss, so that no living creature could gain access to it. From one of its windows the princess with the golden locks was looking forth, her beautiful hair streaming in the wind, her eyes shedding light, her breath embalming the air. The prince had hardly seen her before he sprang forward and cried—

"Palace, palace, turn upon your sustaining claw—turn your back towards the precipice, your front towards me."

At these words, the palace turned creakingly upon its support, and set its flight of steps before the prince, who speedily opened the door and entered. No sooner was he within than the palace resumed its first position.

The prince penetrated a room that was as bright as the sun, of which the floor, the walls, and the ceiling were of glass. He paused, full of astonishment, for instead of one princess, he perceived twelve—all