At the bottom of that sea is a shell. In that shell is a
golden ring. That ring is the princess. But don't be worried, master,
we'll get her. This time let Longshanks take Girth as well as me, for
we may need him."

So Longshanks put Keen on one shoulder and Girth on the other. Then he
stretched himself out until he was able to cover thirty miles at a
stride. When they reached the black sea Keen showed Longshanks where
to reach down in the water for the shell. Longshanks reached down as
far as he could but not far enough to touch bottom.

"Wait, comrades, wait a bit," said Girth. "Now it's my turn to help."

With that he puffed himself out and out as far as he could. Then he
lay down on the beach and began drinking up the sea. He drank it in
such great gulps that soon Longshanks was able to reach bottom and to
get the shell. Longshanks took out the ring and then, putting his
comrades on his shoulders, started back for the castle. He was not
able to go fast, for Girth, with half the sea in his stomach, was very
heavy. At last in desperation Longshanks turned Girth upside down and
shook him and instantly the great plain upon which he emptied him
turned into a huge lake. It was all poor Girth could do to scramble
out of the water and back to Longshanks' shoulder.

Meanwhile at the castle the prince was awaiting his men in great
anxiety. Morning was breaking and still they did not come. As the
first rays of the sun shot over the mountain tops the doors slammed
open and the magician stood on the threshold. He glanced around and
when he saw that the princess was not there he gave a mocking laugh
and entered.

But at that very instant there was the crash of a breaking window, a
golden ring struck the floor, and lo! the princess! Keen had seen in
time the danger that was threatening the prince and Longshanks had
hurled the ring through the window.

The magician bellowed with rage until the castle shook and then, bang!
the third iron band burst asunder and from what had once been the
magician a black crow arose and flew out of the broken window and was
never seen again.

Instantly the beautiful princess blushed like a rose and was able to
speak and to thank the prince for delivering her.

Everything in the castle came to life. The prince with the uplifted
sword finished his stroke and put the sword into its scabbard. The
knight who was stumbling fell and jumped up holding his nose to see
whether he still had it. The s