nything to him. Now let him come out."

The prince hidden under the besom was shaking like an aspen leaf, for
when he peeped through the twigs he saw an ogre so huge that he
himself would reach up only to his knees. Happily the ogre had
guaranteed his life before Yezibaba ordered him out.

"Well, well, well, you little June bug!" shouted the ogre. "What are
you afraid of? Where have you been? What do you want?"

"What do I want?" repeated the prince. "I have been wandering in these
mountains a long time and I can't find what I'm seeking. So I've come
to you to ask whether you can tell me something about the Glass Hill
and the Three Citrons."

Yezibaba's son wrinkled his forehead. He thought for a moment and
then, lowering his voice a little, he said: "I've never heard of any
Glass Hill around here. But I tell you what you do: go on to my
brother in arms who lives in the Silver Castle and ask him. Maybe
he'll be able to tell you. But I can't let you go away hungry. That
would never do! Hi, mother, bring out the dumplings!"

Old Yezibaba placed a large dish on the table and her giant son sat
down.

"Well, come on! Eat!" he shouted to the prince.

When the prince took the first dumpling and bit into it, he almost
broke two of his teeth, for the dumpling was made of lead.

"Well," shouted Yezibaba's son, "why don't you eat? Doesn't the
dumpling taste good?"

"Oh, yes, very good," said the prince, politely, "but just now I'm not
hungry."

"Well, if you're not hungry now you will be later. Put a few in your
pocket and eat them on your journey."

So, whether he wanted them or not, the prince had to put some leaden
dumplings into his pocket. Then he took his leave of Yezibaba and her
son and traveled on.

He went on and on for three days and three nights. The farther he
went, the more inhospitable became the country. Before him stretched a
waste of mountains, behind him a waste of mountains with no living
creature in sight.

Wearied with his long journey, he threw himself on the ground. His
silver sword clanked sharply and at its sound twenty-four ravens
circled above him, cawed in fright, and flew away.

"A good sign!" cried the prince. "I'll follow the ravens again!"

So on he went as fast as his legs could carry him until he came in
sight of a tall castle. It was still far away, but even at that
distance it shone and flashed, for it was built of pure silver.

In front of the castle stood an old woman, be