"Yonder is the dwelling-place of the sister of my sovereign. Here we must part."
The Prince descended into an underground cabin, and found there another good old woman, who received him politely, and asked him for what purpose he was travelling. He replied that he was in search of the Land of Youth.
"Ah!" she said, "I have lived six hundred winters, and have never heard speak of that country. But to-morrow I will question the birds."
The Prince thanked her and slept soundly.
Next day the old woman blew her horn, and immediately a great noise was heard in the air. The birds flew hurriedly from all sides. Their Queen asked them whether they knew where the Land of Youth was, but they replied that they did not know.
Turning towards the Prince, the Queen said:--
"You see that I cannot direct you as I wish, but my sister, who is the Queen of the Fishes, may, perhaps, be better informed than I. Seat yourself between the two wings of this eagle, and he will carry you to her."
The Prince obeyed, and, in the evening, alighted at a small cabin. There he found an old woman, who inquired who he was and where he wished to go.
"I am the son of a King," he replied. "I am in search of the Land of Youth, and have come to you with the recommendation of your sister."
"I have lived nine hundred years," said the good old woman, "and have never heard tell of the country to which you wish to go; but to-morrow I will question the fishes."
Next day, in fulfilment of her promise, she blew her horn, and instantly a great commotion was seen in the waves, all the fishes darting through the waters and assembling about their Queen, who inquired whether they knew where the Land of Youth was, and they all answered that they did not know.
"But I don't see amongst you the old whale," cried the Queen.
In a moment, a great noise was heard in the water; it was caused by the hurried arrival of the whale.
"Why are you so late?" demanded the Queen.
"I have had a long way to come--several thousand leagues."
"Very well. You have failed in your duty by not coming sooner in answer to my summons; as a punishment, you will bear this young man to the land from which you have come and bring him back."
[Illustration: "THE WHALE SPED RAPIDLY THROUGH THE WATERS."]