its feet, for it had swallowed so much water, it was quite swollen; he then warmed it in his bosom, dried its wings with a fine handkerchief, and treated it with such skill that the poor dove, in a few minutes, was more gay than she had just been sorrowful.
"My Lord Cheri," she said, in sweet and gentle accents, "you never obliged a more grateful little creature than I am; this is not the first time I have received essential favours from your family. I am enchanted, that, in my turn, I can be of service to you. Think not that I am ignorant of the cause of your journey,—you have undertaken it a little rashly, for it would be impossible to say how many have perished here! The dancing water is the eighth wonder in the world for ladies; it beautifies them, makes them young again, and enriches them; but if I were not to be your guide, you would never arrive at it, for the spring rises in the middle of the forest, and gushing out violently, precipitates itself into a deep chasm, the path down to which is covered by branches of trees, so twined and twisted together, that I scarcely see any way of getting thither but by going underground. Rest yourself here, and do not be uneasy; I will go, and order whatever may be required."
At the same moment the Dove rose up in the air, went away, returned, alighted, and flew backwards and forwards so often, that by the end of the day she was able to inform the Prince that everything was ready. He took the friendly bird, kissed it, caressed it, thanked it, and followed it upon his white horse. He had scarcely gone a hundred yards before he saw two long files of foxes, badgers, moles, snails, ants, and all sorts of creatures that burrow in the earth; there was such an enormous quantity that he could not conceive by what power they were thus assembled. "It is by my order," said the Dove, "you see all these little subterranean people here; they have been working for you with the greatest diligence, and you will do me the favour to thank them." The Prince saluted them, and told them, he would fain see them in a less barren place, where he should be happy to entertain them. Each animal appeared gratified by this compliment.
Cheri got off his horse at the entrance of the subterranean passage they had made for him, and stooping till he was
