Then Abdul started away from the tent, watching the ground closely. He walked At last he saw a tuft of

and walked.

grass.

"There must be water somewhere under the sand, or this grass would not be here," thought the merchant.

He ran back to the tent, shouting and calling, "Bring an ax and a spade. Come quickly!"

The men jumped up and ran with the merchant to the place where the grass was growing. They began to dig in the sand, and presently they struck a rock.

Abdul jumped down into the hole and put his ear close to the rock.

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Water! Water!" he cried. "I hear water running under this great rock. We must not despair!"

Then, raising his ax above his head, he struck a heavy blow.

struck the rock.

Again and again he

At last the rock broke, and a stream of water, clear as crystal, filled the hole almost before the merchant could jump out of it.

A shout of joy burst from the lips of the men. They drank the water eagerly, and afterwards led the camels to the spring. Then they set up a pole, to which they fastened a flag, so that other traders might find the well.

In the evening, the men again started on their journey, and they reached the city the very next day.

QUEEN HULDA AND THE FLAX

There was once a poor peasant, Hans by name. He lived with his wife and children in a valley at the foot of a snow-capped mountain.

Hans often drove his sheep to pasture up the mountain side.

He always carried his crossbow with him, to protect the sheep. He was a skillful marksman.

Once in a while, Hans would shoot a deer. The deer meat would serve as food for his family during many days.

One day Hans was watching his sheep while they grazed on the mountain side. Suddenly a deer appeared. Its spreading antlers glittered in the morning sunlight with wonderful brightness.

The deer bounded across the pasture to the rocks higher up the mountain. Hans followed quickly, hoping to approach near enough to shoot an arrow.

From rock to rock, higher and higher, Hans followed the deer, until at last they were at the summit of the mountain.

They sped over the snow until the deer disappeared in the Blue Grotto.

Hans followed more slowly, along a dark and narrow tunnel that led to the Blue Grotto. Suddenly he caught a glimpse of a bright light in the distance.

He walked on and soon reached a brightly lighted cave. From the walls and ceiling of the cave hung many wonderful crystals and precious stones.

A tall woman dressed in pure white stood in the midst of the cave. A golden girdle was fastened about her waist. A crown set

with jewels rested on her head. In her hand she held a bunch of blue flowers.

Lovely maidens in dainty robes, with graceful wreaths of Alpine roses on their heads, attended their queen.

Overcome with wonder, Hans knelt before the beautiful woman. As in a dream, he heard her say very softly, "Choose for yourself what you will of my treasures-gold, or silver, or precious stones."

Most gracious queen," replied Hans, Hans, "I ask only for the flowers in your hand." The queen was pleased, and she gave the flowers to Hans at once.

You have chosen well," said she. "Take also these seeds and sow them in your fields."

Suddenly a peal of thunder shook the grotto. When it had ceased, Hans found himself standing alone on the mountain.