therefore, of pulling out all his feathers, and began at once to pluck himself without mercy.
In this bare state he was about to try another somerset from the crest of a rock, when two girls came suddenly upon him. The moment they saw this unfortunate bird, one said to the other, "Where can this unhappy pigeon have come from? Has it just escaped from the sharp talons of some bird of prey, or out of the jaws of a weasel?" "I don't know where it comes from," replied the younger girl; "but I know where it will go to;" and advancing upon the quiet little creature, "it will go," she continued, "to keep company with five others that I mean to make a pie of for the Fairy Sovereign." Prince Pigeon, hearing her speak thus, far from attempting to escape, came towards her in the hope that she would do him the favour to kill him directly: but, instead of causing his death, it saved his life; for the girls found him so tame and prettily mannered, that they determined to make a pet of him. The handsomest put him into a covered basket, in which she usually carried her work, and they continued their walk.
"For some days past," said one of them, "our mistress has seemed to be very busy; she is continually mounting her Fiery Camel, and flies night and day from pole to pole without stopping." "If thou wert to be trusted with a secret," replied her companion, "I would tell thee the reason, for she has chosen to make me her confidant." "Do, and I will be dumb," cried she who had first spoken; "rest assured of my keeping the secret." "Know, then," rejoined the other, "that her Princess Constancia, that she is so fond of, is persecuted by a giant who would marry her. He has shut her up in a tower, and to prevent his forcing her into this match, the Fairy must do some wonderful things."
The Prince listened to their conversation as he sat in the bottom of the basket. He had thought, up to that moment, nothing could increase his misfortunes; but he felt, with the keenest grief, that he had much deceived himself; and one can easily imagine so after all I have said of his passion, and from the position in which he found himself. To have become a pigeon at the very moment when his assistance was so necessary to the Princess, plunged him into perfect despair. His imagination, ingenious in tormenting him, pictured to
