Page 49 - The Green Beaubird

hey mounted and rode on till they
came to an inn, and demanded of the host
whether he could let them know where was to
be found the apple which sang so sweetly. He
told them he knew thereof, and warned them

of the perils which lay in the path of anyone
bold enough to seek to pluck it. 'It grows,' he
said, 'in the midst of a fair garden, and is
watched day and night by a poisonous beast
which kills without fail all those who come
nigh to the tree.' 'What then would you
counsel us to do?' said the youths; 'for we are
set upon plucking the apple at all cost.' 'If you
will carry out my behests,' said the host, 'you

may pluck the apple without fear of the
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