He looked at his ring , and when he saw that it sparkled as brightly as ever he went straight on through the forest . He had n't gone very far when he saw a most extraordinary looking man coming towards him . He was not more than three feet high , his legs were quite crooked , and all his body was covered with prickles like a hedgehog . Two lions walked with him , fastened to his side by the two ends of his long beard . He stopped the Prince and asked him in a harsh voice : ` Are you the man who has just fed my body-guard ? ' Iwanich was so startled that he could hardly reply , but the little man continued : ' I am most grateful to you for your kindness ; what can I give you as a reward ? ' ` All I ask , ' replied Iwanich , ` is , that I should be allowed to go through this wood in safety . ' ` Most certainly , ' answered the little man ; ` and for greater security I will give you one of my lions as a protector . But when you leave this wood and come near a palace which does not belong to my domain , let the lion go , in order that he may not fall into the hands of an enemy and be killed . ' With these words he loosened the lion from his beard and bade the beast guard the youth carefully . With this new protector Iwanich wandered on through the forest , and though he came upon a great many more wolves , hyenas , leopards , and other wild beasts , they always kept at a respectful distance when they saw what sort of an escort the Prince had with him . Iwanich hurried through the wood as quickly as his legs would carry him , but , nevertheless , hour after hour went by and not a trace of a green field or a human habitation met his eyes . At length , towards evening , the mass of trees grew more transparent , and through the interlaced branches a wide plain was visible . At the exit of the wood the lion stood still , and the Prince took leave of him , having first thanked him warmly for his kind protection . It had become quite dark , and Iwanich was forced to wait for daylight before continuing his journey . He made himself a bed of grass and leaves , lit a fire of dry branches , and slept soundly till the next morning . Then he got up and walked towards a beautiful white palace which he saw gleaming in the distance . In about an hour he reached the building , and opening the door he walked in . After wandering through many marble halls , he came to a huge staircase made of porphyry , leading down to a lovely garden . The Prince burst into a shout of joy when he suddenly perceived Militza in the centre of a group of girls who were weaving wreaths of flowers with which to deck their mistress .
As soon XXXXX Militza saw the Prince she ran up to him and embraced him tenderly ; and after he had told her all his adventures , they went into the palace , where a sumptuous meal awaited them .
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