The current carried them down the stream , but nowhere could he see the mountain ash . At last he saw it , and close by the large stone . Here he stopped and said : `` From a crab into a man , from a water-lily into a maiden , '' and to his delight found himself once more a prince , and the maiden was by his side . She was ten times more beautiful than before , and wore a magnificent pale yellow robe , sparkling with jewels . She thanked him for having freed her from the cruel witch 's power , and willingly consented to marry him . But when they came to the bridge where he had left his horse it was nowhere to be seen , for , though the Prince thought he had been a crab only a few hours , he had in reality been under the water for more than ten days . While they were wondering how they should reach his father 's court , they saw a splendid coach driven by six gaily caparisoned horses coming along the bank . In this they drove to the palace . The King and Queen were at church , weeping for their son , whom they had long mourned for dead . Great was their delight and astonishment when the Prince entered , leading the beautiful maiden by the hand . The wedding was at once celebrated and there was feasting and merry-making throughout the kingdom for six weeks . Some time afterward the Prince and his bride were sitting in the garden , when a crow said to them : `` Ungrateful creatures ! Have you forgotten the two poor maidens who helped you in your distress ? Must they spin gold flax for ever ? Have no pity on the old witch . The three maidens are princesses , whom she stole away when they were children together , with all the silver utensils , which she turned into gold flax . Poison were her fittest punishment . '' The Prince was ashamed of having forgotten his promise and set out at once , and by great good fortune reached the hut when the old woman was away . The maidens had dreamed that he was coming , and were ready to go with him , but first they made a cake in which they put poison , and left it on a table where the old woman was likely to see it when she returned . She did see it , and thought it looked so tempting that she greedily ate it up and at once died .
XXXXX the secret chamber were found fifty wagon-loads of gold flax , and as much more was discovered buried .
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