John took them on his back, but they were heavy because of the iron chains and weights on their ankles, and the sands sank under him.

Then, by-and-by, the first wife put her child into John's arms and said, 'Save him,' and slipped off his back into the water.

'What sound was that ?' asked the Prince.

'That was my heart cracking,' said John.

So they went on till the sand rose half-way to their knees.