tering round the white marble turrets, and, taking
good aim, shot one dead. It came tumbling past the very window where
the white Queen was sitting; she rose to see what was the matter, and
looked out. At the first glance of the handsome young lad standing
there bow in hand, she knew by witchcraft that it was the King's son.

She nearly died of envy and spite, determining to destroy the lad
without delay; therefore, sending a servant to bring him to her
presence, she asked him if he would sell her the pigeon he had just
shot.

"No," replied the sturdy lad, "the pigeon is for my seven blind
mothers, who live in the noisome dungeon, and who would die if I did
not bring them food."

"Poor souls!" cried the cunning white witch. "Would you not like
to bring them their eyes again? Give me the pigeon, my dear, and I
faithfully promise to show you where to find them."

Hearing this, the lad was delighted beyond measure, and gave up the
pigeon at once. Whereupon the white Queen told him to seek her mother
without delay, and ask for the eyes which she wore as a necklace.

"She will not fail to give them," said the cruel Queen, "if you show
her this token on which I have written what I want done."

So saying, she gave the lad a piece of broken potsherd, with these
words inscribed on it, "Kill the bearer at once, and sprinkle his
blood like water!"

Now, as the son of seven Queens could not read, he took the fatal
message cheerfully, and set off to find the white Queen's mother.

While he was journeying he passed through a town where every one of
the inhabitants looked so sad that he could not help asking what was
the matter. They told him it was because the King's only daughter
refused to marry; therefore when her father died there would be no
heir to the throne. They greatly feared she must be out of her mind,
for though every good-looking young man in the kingdom had been shown
to her, she declared she would only marry one who was the son of seven
mothers, and who had ever heard of such a thing? The King, in despair,
had ordered every man who entered the city gates to be led before the
Princess; so, much to the lad's impatience, for he was in an
immense hurry to find his mothers' eyes, he was dragged into the
presence-chamber.

No sooner did the Princess catch sight of him than she blushed, and,
turning to the King, said, "Dear father, this is my choice!"

Never were such rejoicings as these few words produced. The