Violet Jacob > Stories told by the miller

74 STORIES TOLD BY THE MILLER
found for the horses. He soon came back to
say that within a mile was a stretch of grass
surrounding a large tree and watered by a
stream. In a short time they reached it, and
encamped for the night.
Next morning, when they had risen betimes
to continue their way, the Princess caught
sight of the tree, which was a dream of beauty ;
for autumn was at its full, and the fruit was
heavy where the flowers had been. As she
stood to admire it, a rustling was heard in the
branches, and an old man descended, swinging
himself from bough to bough and holding a
piece of fruit, round and ripe; he leaned down
and offered it to her.
When she had accepted the gift, the Princess
mounted, and the whole company returned to
the beaten track and went forward on their
road. The sun grew hot, and as noonday
came on she ate the fruit, thinking that she had
never tasted anything so delicious.
They rode by brook and meadow, by hill and
wood, and soon everyone began to wonder at
the change which had come over the Princess.
Those whom she had looked upon as friends
all her life were now commanded to rein back,