His father gave him a complete suit of steel armour , a sword , and a horse , while his mother hung round his neck a cross of gold . So , kissing him tenderly , with many tears they let him go . He rode steadily on for three days , and at sunset on the fourth day he found himself on the seashore . On the sand before him lay twelve white dresses , dazzling as the snow , yet as far as his eyes could reach there was no one in sight to whom they could belong . Curious to see what would happen , he took up one of the garments , and leaving his horse loose , to wander about the adjoining fields , he hid himself among some willows and waited . In a few minutes a flock of geese which had been paddling about in the sea approached the shore , and put on the dresses , struck the sand with their feet and were transformed in the twinkling of an eye into eleven beautiful young girls , who flew away as fast as they could . The twelfth and youngest remained in the water , stretching out her long white neck and looking about her anxiously . Suddenly , among the willows , she perceived the king 's son , and called out to him with a human voice : ` Oh Prince , give me back my dress , and I shall be for ever grateful to you . ' The Prince hastened to lay the dress on the sand , and walked away . When the maiden had thrown off the goose-skin and quickly put on her proper clothes , she came towards him and he saw that none had ever seen or told of such beauty as hers . She blushed and held out her hand , saying to him in a soft voice : ' I thank you , noble Prince , for having granted my request . I am the youngest daughter of Kostieï the immortal , who has twelve daughters and rules over the kingdoms under the earth . Long time my father has waited for you , and great is his anger . But trouble not yourself and fear nothing , only do as I bid you . When you see the King Kostieï , fall straightway upon your knees and heed neither his threats nor his cry , but draw near to him boldly . That which will happen after , you will know in time . Now let us go . ' At these words she struck the ground with her foot and a gulf opened , down which they went right into the heart of the earth . In a short time they reached Kostieï 's palace , which gives light , with a light brighter than the sun , to the dark kingdoms below . And the prince , as he had been bidden , entered boldly into the hall .
Kostieï , with a shining crown upon his head , sat in the centre XXXXX a golden throne .
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