ve no better training; only as he grew older she kept him
more and more with herself, that his mind might be cultivated and
exercised as well as his body. But her care did not cease there: she
resolved that he should be tried by hardships and disappointments and
the knowledge of his fellowmen; for indeed she knew the Prince would
need every advantage that she could give him, since, though he increased
in years, he did not increase in height, but remained the tiniest of
Princes. However, in spite of this he was exceedingly active and well
formed, and altogether so handsome and agreeable that the smallness of
his stature was of no real consequence. The Prince was perfectly aware
that he was called by the ridiculous name of 'Mannikin,' but he consoled
himself by vowing that, happen what might, he would make it illustrious.

In order to carry out her plans for his welfare the Fairy now began to
send Prince Mannikin the most wonderful dreams of adventure by sea and
land, and of these adventures he himself was always the hero. Sometimes
he rescued a lovely Princess from some terrible danger, again he earned
a kingdom by some brave deed, until at last he longed to go away and
seek his fortune in a far country where his humble birth would not
prevent his gaining honour and riches by his courage, and it was with a
heart full of ambitious projects that he rode one day into a great city
not far from the Fairy's castle. As he had set out intending to hunt in
the surrounding forest he was quite simply dressed, and carried only
a bow and arrows and a light spear; but even thus arrayed he looked
graceful and distinguished. As he entered the city he saw that the
inhabitants were all racing with one accord towards the market-place,
and he also turned his horse in the same direction, curious to know
what was going forward. When he reached the spot he found that certain
foreigners of strange and outlandish appearance were about to make a
proclamation to the assembled citizens, and he hastily pushed his
way into the crowd until he was near enough to hear the words of the
venerable old man who was their spokesman:

'Let the whole world know that he who can reach the summit of the Ice
Mountain shall receive as his reward, not only the incomparable Sabella,
fairest of the fair, but also all the realms of which she is Queen!'
'Here,' continued the old man after he had made this proclamation--'here
is the list of all those Princes who, struck b