den castle flew past.

'Fly down and ask what the matter is,' he said to the little bird, who
sped off like lightning and soon returned saying:

'The blood of the eagle has restored all the people below to life. All
those who have perished on this mountain are awakening up to-day, as
it were from a sleep, and are mounting their horses, and the whole
population are gazing on this unheard-of wonder with joy and
amazement.'

ALPHEGE, OR THE GREEN MONKEY

Many years ago there lived a King, who was twice married. His first
wife, a good and beautiful woman, died at the birth of her little son,
and the King her husband was so overwhelmed with grief at her loss
that his only comfort was in the sight of his heir.

When the time for the young Prince's christening came the King chose
as godmother a neighbouring Princess, so celebrated for her wisdom and
goodness that she was commonly called 'the Good Queen.' She named the
baby Alphege, and from that moment took him to her heart.

Time wipes away the greatest griefs, and after two or three years the
King married again. His second wife was a Princess of undeniable
beauty, but by no means of so amiable a disposition as the first
Queen. In due time a second Prince was born, and the Queen was
devoured with rage at the thought that Prince Alphege came between her
son and the throne. She took care however to conceal her jealous
feelings from the King.

At length she could control herself no longer, so she sent a trusty
servant to her old and faithful friend the Fairy of the Mountain, to
beg her to devise some means by which she might get rid of her
stepson.

The Fairy replied that, much as she desired to be agreeable to the
Queen in every way, it was impossible for her to attempt anything
against the young Prince, who was under the protection of some greater
Power than her own.

The 'Good Queen' on her side watched carefully over her godson. She
was obliged to do so from a distance, her own country being a remote
one, but she was well informed of all that went on and knew all about
the Queen's wicked designs. She therefore sent the Prince a large and
splendid ruby, with injunctions to wear it night and day as it would
protect him from all attacks, but added that the talisman only
retained its power as long as the Prince remained within his father's
dominions. The Wicked Queen knowing this made every attempt to get the
Prince out of the country, but her efforts failed,