d wardrobes upside down. She set
aside enough things for a whole year--dresses embroidered with gold and
precious stones, and a great store of provisions. And she chose the most
spirited horse in the stable, with eyes of flame, and a coat of shining
silver.

When her father saw her mounted and curvetting about the court, he gave
her much wise advice, as to how she was to behave like the young man she
appeared to be, and also how to behave as the girl she really was. Then
he gave her his blessing, and she touched her horse with the spur.

The silver armour of herself and her steed dazzled the eyes of the
people as she darted past. She was soon out of sight, and if after a few
miles she had not pulled up to allow her escort to join her, the rest of
the journey would have been performed alone.

But though none of his daughters were aware of the fact, the old emperor
was a magician, and had laid his plans accordingly. He managed, unseen,
to overtake his daughter, and throw a bridge of copper over a stream
which she would have to cross. Then, changing himself into a wolf, he
lay down under one of the arches, and waited.

He had chosen his time well, and in about half an hour the sound of a
horse's hoofs was heard. His feet were almost on the bridge, when a big
grey wolf with grinning teeth appeared before the princess. With a deep
growl that froze the blood, he drew himself up, and prepared to spring.

The appearance of the wolf was so sudden and so unexpected, that the
girl was almost paralysed, and never even dreamt of flight, till the
horse leaped violently to one side. Then she turned him round, and
urging him to his fullest speed, never drew rein till she saw the gates
of the palace rising before her.

The old emperor, who had got back long since, came to the door to meet
her, and touching her shining armour, he said, 'Did I not tell you, my
child, that flies do not make honey?'

The days passed on, and one morning the second princess implored her
father to allow her to try the adventure in which her sister had made
such a failure. He listened unwillingly, feeling sure it was no use, but
she begged so hard that in the end he consented, and having chosen her
arms, she rode away.

But though, unlike her sister, she was quite prepared for the appearance
of the wolf when she reached the copper bridge, she showed no greater
courage, and galloped home as fast as her horse could carry her. On the
steps of the castle h