d the unicorn, turning his head, "this is the
fountain of sparkling golden water. Dismount, and fill your flask. But
take care that you do not allow your hand to touch the water. If it
does it will be turned into gold, and will never become flesh and
blood again."

Hans slipped from his seat and, flask in hand, approached the
fountain. The ground on which he walked was sand, but as he drew
nearer the fountain, he noticed that the sand kept growing brighter
until he felt that he was walking upon what he guessed rightly to be
veritable gold dust Hans thrust a handful of this dust into his
pocket, and also one or two moderate-sized stones that he found,
which, like the sand, had been changed, by the spray coming from the
fountain, into pure gold. He tried to be as careful as possible in
filling the flask; but, notwithstanding all his care, the top joint of
his little finger touched the water, and in an instant became gold.
However, he had his flask full of sparkling golden water, the flask
itself now, of course, golden, and he felt that the top joint of his
little finger was a small price to pay for all this.

"Now, master," said the unicorn when Hans got back, "do you still
intend to return to those brothers of yours? Or shall I put you out of
the forest at some other point?"

"Certainly," replied Hans; "I intend to return to them. You heard them
say how sorry they were for all the unkindness they had shown to my
mother and me. I know they mean to do better for the future. Besides,
I promised them to come back."

The unicorn said nothing, but grunted in a discouraging manner, and
motioned to Hans to get on his back. When he was seated the unicorn
said:

"Since this is your wish, you must have it. I have, however, three
pieces of advice to give you. On your way home your brothers will
offer to carry the flask--do not let them do so; also do not let them
get behind you for a moment; and thirdly, guard the crystal ball with
the utmost care. I can't go with you beyond the verge of the forest of
dead trees. One visit, and only one, is permitted to the fountain. You
therefore can never come here again. But if ever you need me sorely,
crush the crystal ball, and I will be with you. Now shut your eyes, we
must be off."

Three bounds brought them to the side of Fritz and Franz; and Hans
having thanked the unicorn warmly for his kindness, the three brothers
began to retrace their steps homeward. Now, during Hans's absence a