"something is wrong, did you hear the crack?" but the eldest said, "it is a gun fired for joy, because we have got rid of our prince so quickly." after that they came into an avenue where all the leaves were of gold, and lastly into a third where they were of bright diamonds; he broke off a twig from each, which made such a crack each time that the youngest started back in terror, but the eldest still maintained that they were salutes. they went on and came to a great lake whereon stood twelve little boats, and in every boat sat a handsome prince, all of whom were waiting for the twelve, and each took one of them with him, but the soldier seated himself by the youngest. then her prince said, "i can’t tell why the boat is so much heavier to-day; i shall have to row with all my strength, if i am to get it across." "what should cause that," said the youngest, "but the warm weather? i feel very warm too."