Very strange he is, being gold from his waist up, emerald from his waist down, with a head that looks like mother-of-pearl and a shining crown upon it. The Siddhi-kur is a creature of magic—good magic—and the land wherein he is shall be blessed with knowledge, wealth and long life. Now, if you can capture the Siddhi-kur and bring him to me, we will place him in a cool grove here upon this shining mountain, and then our people in the valley, your people and my people, will be mightily blessed above all others. They shall have gold in abundance, and what is far better, they shall have a great store of wisdom and knowledge, and long life in which to use it."
"That is indeed a noble task," said the Prince, " and with great joy will I undertake it. Only tell me how I may reach the Siddhi-kur and how he may be captured."
"Mark well my words," replied the hermit, "and I will tell you all."
For an hour or more they talked, and
