The Gold Mine and the Princess›William A. Austin››You'll find this text adventure on›Side "B" of this month's disk, all›ready to run as an AUTORUN file.›Just turn the disk over so Side "B"›is up, put the disk in drive 1, and›turn your computer off, then on again›WITH BASIC. (XL/XE users DO NOT hold›down [OPTION].)››The object of the game is to find›enough gold to buy cattle at auction.›Get enough cattle, and you can marry›the king's daughter. Your only›source of gold, however, is the›ancient gold mine not far from the›village, abandoned years ago when a›monster appeared. No one is certain›if the Beast of the Deep is still in›the mine, but the mine is definitely›dangerous, falling apart and now the›home of rats, bats and the fearsome›shaft wolves.››Adding to your problems, the princess›has demands, too. You must first›toll the Bell of Wondrous Things, and›give her the diamond ring reportedly›hidden in the mine, before the king›will even consider your proposal of›marriage.››HOW TO PLAY››The game has two main parts, the›village and the mine. In the›village, an on-screen menu will guide›you. In the mine, press [H] for a›HELP screen listing possible›commands.››IN THE VILLAGE››The village offers you the›opportunity to rest and recover from›injuries, rat-bite fever or poisoning›(usually, one rest period alone will›not cure you completely.)››You may also inspect your herd, and›see its current market value. Births›may add to your herd, and rustlers›may subtract a few cows.››You will also have the chance to hide›your money before returning to the›mine -- a good way to foil thieves.››TREASURES and PITFALLS››At the beginning your character is›quite weak, but every action taken›adds to your strength. At first, you›will not be able to carry much gold,›or remain very long in the cave›before you begin to experience›breathing problems.››The deeper you go in the mine, the›more likely you are to find ore. If›you look for gold at a given level,›and do not find any, try again.›Repeated searching may result in›success.››MAGIC ITEMS››The GOLD BEETLE will "sniff out" gold›for you.››The GOLDEN PICKAXE will enable you to›dig out ore in ten times the normal›amount.››The EMERALD COW, when carried,›changes the size of your herd. As›you go down into the maze you'll gain›cows (One for level one, two for›level two, etc.) The reverse is true›as you ascend.››The WIZARD will cast a spell on you.›The unpredictable effects last until›a puff of blue smoke indicates that›the spell has expired.››The RUBY AMULET protects you from›spells.››A lucky CAT'S EYE NECKLACE will help›you avoid disasters such as traps and›falling rocks.››The BONE RING protects you from›oxygen deprivation.››RED FUNGUS cures rat-bite fever.››GREEN FUNGUS neutralizes poisons.››BLACK FUNGUS transports you to the›25th level, the very bottom of the›cave.››WHITE FUNGUS transports you back to›the Village.››GREEN GAS is very poisonous.››RED GAS will absorb oxygen from your›system.››PURPLE GAS will cause you to wander›aimlessly.››YELLOW GAS dissolves any gold you›have on you.››A magical CANARY protects you from›the effects of any of the gases as›long he perches on your shoulder.››The SHAFT WOLF may bite or just›wander by. Rarely, he will elect to›accompany you, frightening away any›other animals.››VISIONS can have results ranging from›added wealth to instant death.››CAVE GOBLINS react in various ways,›but encounters are rarely beneficial.››The BELL will perform a number of›unpredictable actions when rung. It›cannot be instantly rerung.››Various SACKS, CHESTS and BOXES may›contain desireable objects. Some,›however, are protected by explosive›traps.››When you offer your herd to the king›he will consider the current market›value of the collection, and not just›how many head are there. If you›bother the king with repeated pleas›to accept your cows, or insult him›with a small offering, he can became›rather irritable.››If you die without gaining the›princess, you can find out how close›you got by pressing the [SPACE BAR].›