APTER TWO.

SAINT GEORGE RELEASES THE SIX CHAMPIONS.

Even the Enchantress wondered at the progress in the arts and sciences
her captive was making; but, as she knew that he was destined to become
a great man, she was aware that she could not hope to stop his progress.
All she could do was to keep him shut up till fate set him free. One
day the friendly fairy addressed the Prince:--"Know," she said, "the
Enchantress sleeps once, and once only, for one week every hundred
years. Her magic art depends on her silver wand, which on that occasion
she hides away so carefully that it is scarcely possible to discover it.
Still, we will search. For that opportunity I have long been waiting.
If we can possess ourselves of it, she will be completely in our power,
and we can work our will within the magic cavern. Know also that I am
an English fairy, Sabrina by name. I love you because you are kind to
me, and because you come of an honest English stock. If we can overcome
the Enchantress, I will enable you to commence that career of glory for
which I know that your heart is even now thirsting." The young Prince's
heart beat high with joy and hope on hearing these words.

Anxiously they watched the Enchantress, to try and discover where she
would place her silver wand. Day after day they followed her through
all the vast interminable recesses of her magic cavern. Every day she
grew more drowsy and less inclined to speak; which is not surprising,
considering how long she had been awake, and how sleepy she must have
become.

In spite of all this vigilance, however, at last she appeared without
her silver wand; and soon after they saw her sink down on a couch of
rose-leaves she had prepared for herself in a sumptuous apartment,
where, had it not been for her hideous countenance, where all the
malignant passions were portrayed, she would have looked like a
sovereign resting on her bed of state. The Prince was eager instantly
to set off to look for the silver wand.

"Stay," whispered the Fairy Sabrina, "she yet deeps with one eye open,
like a weasel; wait till she closes both, and snores." Accordingly they
waited till both Kalyb's eyes were closed, and loud snores echoed along
the vaulted roof. Then off they set.

"Nothing worth having can be gained without toil and trouble," observed
the Dwarf, as he parted from the Prince. All the other attendants of
the Enchantress had taken the opportunity to go to sleep likewise; s