fortunes he presently found himself becalmed
in mid-ocean, a state of affairs which would be considered trying by the
most patient of men, so you may imagine how it affected Prince Vivien!
He even came to wishing himself back at the Castle of the Black Bird,
for there at least he saw some living beings, whereas on board the
white-paper ship he was absolutely alone, and could not imagine how he
was ever to get away from his wearisome prison. However, after a very
long time, he did see land, and his impatience to be on shore was so
great that he at once flung himself over the ship's side that he might
reach it sooner by swimming. But this was quite useless, for spring
as far as he might from the vessel, it was always under his feet again
before he reached the water, and he had to resign himself to his fate,
and wait with what patience he could muster until the winds and waves
carried the ship into a kind of natural harbour which ran far into the
land. After his long imprisonment at sea the Prince was delighted with
the sight of the great trees which grew down to the very edge of the
water, and leaping lightly on shore he speedily lost himself in the
thick forest. When he had wandered a long way he stopped to rest beside
a clear spring of water, but scarcely had he thrown himself down upon
the mossy bank when there was a great rustling in the bushes close by,
and out sprang a pretty little gazelle panting and exhausted, which fell
at his feet gasping out--

'Oh! Vivien, save me!'

The Prince in great astonishment leapt to his feet, and had just time to
draw his sword before he found himself face to face with a large green
lion which had been hotly pursuing the poor little gazelle. Prince
Vivien attacked it gallantly and a fierce combat ensued, which, however,
ended before long in the Prince's dealing his adversary a terrific blow
which felled him to the earth. As he fell the lion whistled loudly three
times with such force that the forest rang again, and the sound must
have been heard for more than two leagues round, after which having
apparently nothing more to do in the world he rolled over on his side
and died. The Prince without paying any further heed to him or to his
whistling returned to the pretty gazelle, saying:

'Well! are you satisfied now? Since you can talk, pray tell me instantly
what all this is about, and how you happen to know my name.'

'Oh, I must rest for a long time before I can talk,' she replied,