The next night after everyone was inside and supper was over, it was
decided to be Prince Redmond's turn to tell his story. He accordingly
began, everyone listening attentively:
"I am the youngest of three brothers. My father was King of Laurels
and loved us very dearly. I cannot remember my mother, as she died
when I was quite young.
"My eldest brother Tasmir was a fearless fellow, who did a great deal
of riding, and was always on the lookout for adventure. I was very
fond of him and often went with him, as I liked riding and adventure
too, while my second brother Sadna, who detested any kind of outdoor
exercise, stayed at home holding receptions and going to balls. He was
a vain fellow, fond of fine clothes and flattery, and we used to laugh
at him.
"Sometimes he would say 'Oh, never mind, my good brothers, I shall get
ahead of you both one of these days,' which answer we always took
good-naturedly.
"It so happened when my father was quite advanced in years that he
slipped one day and fell, and was so badly injured that he became an
invalid and could only sit in a chair and be wheeled about.
"He was very fond of flowers, and we had an immense conservatory where
he spent most of his time. It was his wish to possess a flowering
plant from every part of the world. Each ship which came in brought
some new specimen, until there remained but a single little spot on
earth which had not contributed a plant. As this place was surrounded
by a desert which no one would venture across, it did not seem as if my
father would get the 'Wonder Plant' as it was called. He was very
anxious to possess it and offered a large sum of money to anyone who
would find it and bring it back, but in vain.
"Then Tasmir asked permission to go and seek it, and promised that he
would return within a year. After much consideration the King
consented to let him go, and Tasmir was overjoyed. I was very much
cast down at the thought of being alone but Sadna seemed to be secretly
glad.
"Before departing my brother gave me a locket of silver which he said I
was to wear about my neck constantly until he returned. If it remained
bright I would know he was alive and well, but should it turn black I
would know that he was dead, and it would be of no use searching for
him.
"I wore the silver locket, and at the end of the year it was still
bright, although Tasmir had not come home. Up to this time my father
had been patiently waiting for Tasmir's return, but now he became very
anxious and wanted my brother Sadna to set out in search of him.
"This Sadna refused to do, saying that he knew quite well Tasmir was
dead, and it served him right for going on such a foolish errand in a
wild country, which so upset my father that he at once summoned all the
magicians and wise men in the kingdom to see if they could tell him
what had become of Tasmir. None of them could tell him anything,
excepting the Evil Magician, who had come with the others, and he said
Tasmir was dead.
"Then my poor father believed it, although I tried to make both him and
my brother understand that it was not true, as my locket was still
bright. They would not listen to me.
"Sadna immediately seized the King and locked him up in a large unused
wing of the castle, giving out the news to our subjects that his father
was out of his mind and unfit to reign, and that he, Sadna, wished to
be crowned at once.
"I was horribly disappointed with my brother, and taking all the money
I had in the world, I bought a good ship, which I manned with fifty of
the best sailors in the kingdom, and started out to look for Tasmir.
"We had gone only a short distance out to sea when a terrific storm
arose. It lasted all night, and in the morning we found ourselves
stranded high on the flat reefs to the south of this island, and were
obliged to take refuge on shore, as we feared the ship might go to
pieces in the storm.
"We came inland, brought some food with us, and when in the evening we
went back to the shore we found the sea calm enough, but the ship had
completely disappeared, as had also our small boats. Not a timber or a
splinter remained. We knew that the ship could not have sunk, as it
lay in shallow water and it would be impossible to break up and not
leave some wreckage on the shore.
"I did not know what to think, but finally agreed with some of the
sailors that pirates had stolen the ship and also our small boats
during the day. As we had no possible means of escape we were obliged
for the meantime to seek food and shelter in the interior of the
island, believing that perhaps before long we would be able to hail
some passing boat.
"We soon found our way to the fruit trees, you may be sure, with the
result that in three days we had all been transformed into birds, which
shape we had no hope of changing for our own again until you, Prince
Daimur, came to rescue us."
"And your brother Tasmir," asked Daimur, "do you still believe him to
be alive?"
"Indeed," replied Prince Redmond sadly, "I do not know. My locket,
being a charmed one, could not be transformed with me, and is still
around my neck, but it seems to be turning darker every day. Wherever
Tasmir is I fear he is dying."
"Well," said Daimur, "do not give up hope. Just as soon as you are
delivered from this place you will be able to go and seek him, and I
will give you every assistance in my power. In the meantime I will try
and find out something about him."
So they retired to rest with hopeful hearts, each to dream of freedom.