“Yes, yes!” cried all three.
Taking the arrow, he said: “Look! I will throw this. Whichever of you brings it first, shall have the inheritance.”
All agreed to this proposition of the young stranger.
Then the prince threw the arrow with all the strength of his arm; and, while the children ran off [[124]]in search of it, he laid three gold pieces for each child upon the ground, took the skin, the cap, the whip, remounted the horse, and again was upon his way.
When the children returned and found the gold, they rejoiced greatly.
After going and going, the horse came to the palace of the fairy king, when he said: “My prince—who art now, indeed, a prince—put on the cap, mount upon the goatskin, and strike it with the whip. Thereupon you will arise in the air and descend in the garden, where stands the tree we have come to seek. With one motion you must pull it up by the roots and immediately bring it to me.”
The prince did as directed. After he had struck the goatskin, he became invisible. He arose into the air, sailed slowly until above the garden, when the skin began to descend.
When his feet touched the marble stones he decided to enter the palace, where great was his surprise to see the girl with the scarlet clothing, sitting beside the one who had been a bird the night before.
The newcomer was still invisible; so, approaching, he sat down beside them. After a little, dinner was brought. While those two were eating, their [[125]]invisible guest, being very hungry, sat upon the other side of the table and ate with them. They were surprised to see the food disappear from the other side of the platter.
“Princess,” exclaimed the fairy prince, “my portion is in front of me; yours is before you; but whose is the other?”