came there he began telling her a long story, how that his master the
King had sent him to visit all the kingdoms of the earth, and that
this dressing-table was intended for the most beautiful princess whom
he should come across in his travels.

And then the Princess wanted to know whether he would have to finish
his travels before giving the table, and what the King expected from
the Princess.

John told her that everything was left to him and that, when he found
a princess with skin as white as snow, and cheeks as red as blood, and
hair as black as ebony, he was to present the table to her.

Then the Princess looked in the mirror and said:

"Have I not skin as white as snow, and cheeks as red as blood, and
hair as black as ebony? Then give me the table."

But just then she began to feel the motion of the ship and knew that
it was sailing away, and commenced to shriek and cry. But John told
her all that had happened, and how that he had come only for her, and
that his foster-brother the King was dying for love of her, and could
not come himself because the two countries were at war. So at last the
Princess became content, and they sailed on and on towards the country
of John the True.

As they were nearing land John was sitting in the prow, and the
Princess was reclining on a couch on deck, and three black ravens were
flying about the mast of the vessel. Now John, being the son of a
huntsman, knew the language of birds; and he listened to what they
said, and this was it:

"Caw, caw!" said the first raven. "There sits the Princess of the
Golden Horde, thinking that she will marry John's master the King. But
I know something which will prevent that."

"What is that?" asked the second raven.

"Why," said the first, "when the Princess lands and the King meets her
they will bring out to him a bay horse richly caparisoned, with a
pillion for the Princess. And if the King takes her with him on the
horse he will run away with them and dash them both to pieces. Caw,
caw!"

"But is there no remedy for that?" said the third raven.

"Only if some one cuts off the head of the horse, or tells the King;
but woe unto him if he does that, for as soon as he has told he will
become marble up to his knees. Caw, caw!"

"Even if he escapes that," said the second raven, "the King would
never marry the Princess, for at the wedding feast wine will be
presented to him, in a glass goblet, and at the first drop of it he
drinks he