The most extraordinary precautions were taken, but all to no purpose. While Prince Erian and the Princess of Golconda were chatting together, sleep fell upon the small company little by little. The wicked Sorcerer had drugged their wine, and the effect was irresistible.
"Keen Eyes," said the Prince, drowsily, "are you awake?"
"Yes, my master," answered Keen Eyes with a yawn. "Fear nothing!"
But immediately his eyelids became heavy, and every effort he made to keep awake only made him sleep all the more soundly.
Magor, the King of the Magicians, found it an easy matter to carry off his lovely captive through a very small aperture that Large had left open when he fell asleep.
At sunrise Prince Erian awoke and discovered that the Princess of Golconda had disappeared. He called to his companions:
"Long! Large! Keen Eyes! where are you? Quick! the Princess has disappeared! This is our last day if we do not find her at once!"
They searched on all sides, but without success.
"Do not distress yourself," said Keen Eyes, to the young Prince, who was lamenting. "See! A thousand leagues from here—farther than the sea, farther than the mountains—there is a broad and waving field of wheat. In that field of wheat there is a ridge. On that ridge there is a stalk. On that stalk there is an ear. In that ear there is a grain. In that grain the beautiful Princess is hid."
Once more Keen Eyes mounted the shoulders of Long, who stretched himself again—stretched and took such long steps that in an hour's time he had crossed seas and mountains and reached the wheatfield. The two friends released the Princess from her floury prison, and in a short time were back at the castle.