castle at the top of the Glass Mountain. He listened
to all he heard, and determined that he too would try his luck. But
first he went to the forest and caught a lynx, and cutting off the
creature's sharp claws, he fastened them on to his own hands and feet.

Armed with these weapons he boldly started up the Glass Mountain.

The sun was nearly going down, and the youth had not got more than
half-way up. He could hardly draw breath he was so worn out, and his
mouth was parched by thirst. A huge black cloud passed over his head,
but in vain did he beg and beseech her to let a drop of water fall on
him. He opened his mouth, but the black cloud sailed past and not as
much as a drop of dew moistened his dry lips.

His feet were torn and bleeding, and he could only hold on now with his
hands. Evening closed in, and he strained his eyes to see if he could
behold the top of the mountain. Then he gazed beneath him, and what a
sight met his eyes! A yawning abyss, with certain and terrible death at
the bottom, reeking with half-decayed bodies of horses and riders! And
this had been the end of all the other brave men who like himself had
attempted the ascent.

It was almost pitch dark now, and only the stars lit up the Glass
Mountain. The poor boy still clung on as if glued to the glass by his
blood-stained hands. He made no struggle to get higher, for all his
strength had left him, and seeing no hope he calmly awaited death.
Then all of a sudden he fell into a deep sleep, and forgetful of his
dangerous position, he slumbered sweetly. But all the same, although he
slept, he had stuck his sharp claws so firmly into the glass that he was
quite safe not to fall.

Now the golden apple-tree was guarded by the eagle which had overthrown
the golden knight and his horse. Every night it flew round the Glass
Mountain keeping a careful look-out, and no sooner had the moon emerged
from the clouds than the bird rose up from the apple-tree, and circling
round in the air, caught sight of the sleeping youth.

Greedy for carrion, and sure that this must be a fresh corpse, the bird
swooped down upon the boy. But he was awake now, and perceiving the
eagle, he determined by its help to save himself.

The eagle dug its sharp claws into the tender flesh of the youth, but he
bore the pain without a sound, and seized the bird's two feet with his
hands. The creature in terror lifted him high up into the air and began
to circle round the tower of the