, a sudden gust of wind had reached
them from the land and enveloped them in a dense cloud of dust, after
which everything in the boat that was not metal had sprouted and
blossomed, as the Prince had seen, and that they themselves had grown
gradually numb and heavy, and had finally lost all consciousness. Prince
Mannikin was deeply interested in this curious story, and collected a
quantity of the dust from the bottom of the boat, which he carefully
preserved, thinking that its strange property might one day stand him in
good stead.

[Illustration]

Then they joyfully left the desert island, and after a long and
prosperous voyage over calm seas they at length came in sight of land,
and resolved to go on shore, not only to take in a fresh stock of water
and provisions, but also to find out, if possible, where they were and
in what direction to proceed.

As they neared the coast they wondered if this could be another
uninhabited land, for no human beings could be distinguished, and yet
that something was stirring became evident, for in the dust-clouds that
moved near the ground small dark forms were dimly visible. These
appeared to be assembling at the exact spot where they were preparing to
run ashore, and what was their surprise to find they were nothing more
nor less than large and beautiful spaniels, some mounted as sentries,
others grouped in companies and regiments, all eagerly watching their
disembarkation. When they found that Prince Mannikin, instead of saying,
'Shoot them,' as they had feared, said 'Hi, good dog!' in a thoroughly
friendly and ingratiating way, they crowded round him with a great
wagging of tails and giving of paws, and very soon made him understand
that they wanted him to leave his men with the boat and follow them. The
Prince was so curious to know more about them that he agreed willingly;
so, after arranging with the sailors to wait for him fifteen days, and
then, if he had not come back, to go on their way without him, he set
out with his new friends. Their way lay inland, and Mannikin noticed
with great surprise that the fields were well cultivated and that the
carts and ploughs were drawn by horses or oxen, just as they might have
been in any other country, and when they passed any village the cottages
were trim and pretty, and an air of prosperity was everywhere. At one of
the villages a dainty little repast was set before the Prince, and while
he was eating, a chariot was brought, drawn