d. "And therefore," said he, "I am come for you
once more; make ready to flee."

She did so, and they hastened away; but Steelpacha soon got news of
their flight, and cried to them from afar, "Just wait, little Prince;
you haven't escaped me yet!"

But as soon as the Prince saw Steelpacha he drew the three feathers
and his tinder-box out of his pocket, struck a light, and kindled the
feathers one by one. But while they were kindling Steelpacha overtook
him, drew his sword, and cleft the Prince in half.

That very moment what a prodigy occurred! There came flying the
Dragon-emperor with his dragons, the Falcon-emperor with his falcons,
and the Eagle-emperor with all his eagles, and waged battle with
Steelpacha. Blood flowed in streams, but fortune favoured Steelpacha,
and he made off safely, carrying his prize, the Princess, with him.

The three emperors now took counsel over their brother-in-law's body,
and decided to recall him to life. So they summoned three of the
swiftest dragons and asked which one of them could most speedily bring
some water from the river Jordan. The first one said, "I can do it
within half an hour;" the second said, "I can do it in a quarter of an
hour;" the third said, "I will have it here in nine minutes." The
emperors said to this one, "Then set out, Dragon, as fast as
possible."

The Dragon put forth all his impetuous strength, and truly within nine
minutes he brought back the water from the Jordan. The emperors took
the water, poured it over the two portions of the Prince's body and
scarcely had the water touched them when the young man sprang upon his
feet, safe and sound, as if nothing had happened to him.

The emperors then counselled him, "Now go back home, since you have
been restored to life!"

But the Prince answered that he must once more try his luck, and, by
one means or another, free his wife from the clutches of that fiend.
His imperial brothers-in-law remonstrated:

"Do give it up! You will surely perish this time, for you have no life
at command except the one God lent you!"

But for all answer the Prince remained dumb.

Then the emperors said, "All right; if you are bent upon trying again,
come what come may, at least don't attempt to get your wife away by
flight, but beg her to wheedle Steelpacha into telling her wherein his
strength lies. Then bring us word, that we may help you to get the
best of him."

So the Prince stole secretly to his wife and told her ho