m Zoulvisia.' And,
springing on his horse, he was out of sight so quickly that the king
had only time to notice that light seemed to flow from himself and his
steed, and that the hair under his helmet was like liquid gold.

Clearly, the cavalier was a woman. But who could she be? Was she queen
of all the queens? Or was she chief of a band of robbers? She was
neither: only a beautiful maiden.

[Illustration: 'I ACCEPT YOUR CHALLENGE. MOUNT AND FOLLOW ME. I AM
ZOULVISIA.']

Wrapped in these reflections, he remained standing beneath the
walnut tree, long after horse and rider had vanished from sight. Then
he awoke with a start, to remember that he must find the way to the
house of his enemy, though where it was he had no notion. However, he
took the path down which the rider had come, and walked along it for
many hours till he came to three huts side by side, in each of which
lived an old fairy and her sons.

The poor king was by this time so tired and hungry that he could
hardly speak, but when he had drunk some milk, and rested a little, he
was able to reply to the questions they eagerly put to him.

'I am going to seek Zoulvisia,' said he, 'she has slain my brothers
and many of my subjects, and I mean to avenge them.'

He had only spoken to the inhabitants of one house, but from all three
came an answering murmur.

'What a pity we did not know! Twice this day has she passed our door,
and we might have kept her prisoner.'

But though their words were brave their hearts were not, for the mere
thought of Zoulvisia made them tremble.

'Forget Zoulvisia, and stay with us,' they all said, holding out their
hands; 'you shall be our big brother, and we will be your little
brothers.' But the king would not.

Drawing from his pocket a pair of scissors, a razor and a mirror, he
gave one to each of the old fairies, saying:

'Though I may not give up my vengeance I accept your friendship, and
therefore leave you these three tokens. If blood should appear on the
face of either know that my life is in danger, and, in memory of our
sworn brotherhood, come to my aid.'

'We will come,' they answered. And the king mounted his horse and set
out along the road they showed him.

By the light of the moon he presently perceived a splendid palace,
but, though he rode twice round it, he could find no door. He was
considering what he should do next, when he heard the sound of loud
snoring, which seemed to come from his fe