failed this time too, he
transformed himself again into a mighty king, and proceeded with an even
more gorgeous retinue than the first time to the Court of the Emperor.
He was courteously received and entertained, and once more after dinner
he led the conversation on to the subject of slaves, and in the course
of it again requested to be allowed to see the bold robber who had
dared to break into the Emperor's stable to steal his most valuable
possession. The Emperor consented, and all happened exactly as it had
done at the court of the Emperor with the golden bird; the prisoner's
life was to be spared only on condition that within three days he should
obtain possession of the golden mermaid, whom hitherto no mortal had
ever approached.

Very depressed by his dangerous and difficult task, the Prince left his
gloomy prison; but, to his great joy, he met his friend the wolf before
he had gone many miles on his journey. The cunning creature pretended
he knew nothing of what had happened to the Prince, and asked him how
he had fared with the horse. The Prince told him all about his
misadventure, and the condition on which the Emperor had promised to
spare his life. Then the wolf reminded him that he had twice got him out
of prison, and that if he would only trust in him, and do exactly as he
told him, he would certainly succeed in this last undertaking. Thereupon
they bent their steps towards the sea, which stretched out before them,
as far as their eyes could see, all the waves dancing and glittering
in the bright sunshine. 'Now,' continued the wolf, 'I am going to turn
myself into a boat full of the most beautiful silken merchandise, and
you must jump boldly into the boat, and steer with my tail in your hand
right out into the open sea. You will soon come upon the golden mermaid.
Whatever you do, don't follow her if she calls you, but on the contrary
say to her, "The buyer comes to the seller, not the seller to the
buyer." After which you must steer towards the land, and she will follow
you, for she won't be able to resist the beautiful wares you have on
board your ship.'

The Prince promised faithfully to do all he had been told, whereupon the
wolf changed himself into a ship full of most exquisite silks, of every
shade and colour imaginable. The astonished Prince stepped into the
boat, and, holding the wolf's tail in his hand, he steered boldly out
into the open sea, where the sun was gilding the blue waves with its
go