'Farewell,' said the bird, 'and if danger presses call to me, and
I will help you.'

On he walked, and on and on, till as dusk was falling he came to
a great river, and on the bank there were sticks lying about.

'I will make myself a fire,' he thought, and thus he did, and by
and bye a smooth brown head peered at him from the water, and a
long body followed it.

'Sore was the plight of thy wife and thy horses when they passed
the river last night,' said the otter.

'I have sought them and not found them,' answered the king, 'and
nought shall I get for my trouble.'

'Be not so downcast,' replied the otter; 'before noon to-morrow
thou shalt behold thy wife. But eat and sleep and I will watch
over thee.' So the king did as the otter bid him, and when the
sun rose he woke and saw the otter lying on the bank.

'Farewell,' cried the otter as he jumped into the water, 'and if
danger presses, call to me and I will help you.'

For many hours the king walked, and at length he reached a high
rock, which was rent into two by a great earthquake. Throwing
himself on the ground he looked over the side, and right at the
very bottom he saw his wife and his horses. His heart gave a
great bound, and all his fears left him, but he was forced to be
patient, for the sides of the rock were smooth, and not even a