impossible to say, when the sound of a distant church-bell was wafted up
to his ears. It reminded him that the hour was approaching when the
dreadful Kalyb would awake.

He thought to make his escape out of the temple, but that he found was
impossible; the walls of the tower in which he stood were a hundred feet
high, with pointed iron spikes below, to catch any who might fall on
them. Again must he sink into the power of the cruel Kalyb? His brave
heart rebelled at the thought; he would dare and do anything to avoid
it.

He spoke aloud. "You are right," said the Dwarf; "but look! what is
that?" He turned his head, and beheld before him, on a velvet cushion,
which covered a marble table, the silver wand of which he had been so
long in search. He grasped it eagerly.

"Follow me," said the Dwarf, hastening onward, "no time is to be lost."
Down the steps they sped. "No time is to be lost," cried the Dwarf
again. Faster, faster went the Prince's feet. On he rattled--on--on--
often several steps at a time. Nothing stopped him. The bottom was
reached; the massive door was closed; in vain he pushed against it. He
touched it with his silver wand; open it flew. Along the vaulted
passages of the cavern he sped. Many a hideous monster started up, but
a wave of the silver wand put them to flight.

The Prince and his attendant reached the chamber of the Enchantress.
Her snoring had ceased. She had begun to rub her eyes and move
uneasily, with many a grunt and snort. She was about to awake. Who
could have told what mischief one glance of her evil eye would have
effected. "Strike! strike!" said the Fairy. The Prince struck the bed.
Instantly loud shrieks and groans, and cries most terrific, were heard
filling the air, and shouts most horrible of mocking laughter, and
bellowings, and roarings, and hissings, and the walls of the chamber
began to rock, and the bed began to sink, and flames burst forth, and
stenches most overwhelming arose. The horrible noises increased till
dense lurid vapours concealed the spot where the Enchantress's chamber
had been, though her helpless cries were heard far, far down in the
depths of the earth; and the Prince found himself standing in the wild
cavern, but, in the place of the Dwarf, there stood a beautiful Fairy by
his side. "I prepared you for a change," said the Fairy, with a smile;
"but come, we are not the only ones to be set free. Let us not forget
our companions in mi