"There is nothing new," said the young girl. "Every one is the victim of the water-famine."
"What a misfortune!" cried the young man; "let us go at once to the relief of these poor people!"
Although Lovallec was scarcely able to walk, he leaned on the arm of the young girl, and was preparing to go, when, all of a sudden, he remembered the pieces of bark he had secreted in his bosom. He took a portion of this, rubbed himself, and at once the pains in his limbs disappeared, and he was made whole again.
The young girl was astonished at this sudden change, as well she might be, and her surprise continued until they had arrived in the centre of the great city. Once there, however, the young man recognized the rock that had been described by the Lion. Without loss of time he took the piece of the root of the tree that he had procured, and struck the rock three times, crying:
"Come, gentle Dew, from the skies,
Refreshing Fountains rise,
Oh, Rivers! greet men's eyes!"
At once there was a mysterious noise in the rock. It parted in twain, and the water gushed forth in an abundant supply. The news of this miracle spread abroad in the city, and the inhabitants came with their jugs and vessels to obtain a supply of water. All quenched their thirst, and were happy; they embraced each other and made ready for celebrating the event with festivities. They were so grateful that they could talk of nothing else but the miracle that had given them an abundance of water.
But in the midst of their congratulations and rejoicings a voice rose above the tumult:
"Friends, let us not be ungrateful. To whom do we owe this abundance of water that has given us renewed strength and life?"