shed in oil.'

'I should like to try the treatment, as you might help me in carrying
out my scheme.'

'Try it then, mistress, and I promise you will never repent.'

So in a week's time the horse woke up one morning with a sudden shiver
through all his limbs; and when it had passed away, he found his skin
shining like a mirror, his body as fat as a water melon, his movement
light as a chamois.

Then looking at the princess who had come early to the stable, he said
joyfully,

'May success await on the steps of my master's daughter, for she has
given me back my life. Tell me what I can do for you, princess, and I
will do it.'

'I want to go to the emperor who is our over-lord, and I have no one
to advise me. Which of all the white-headed boyards shall I choose as
counsellor?'

'If you have me, you need no one else: I will serve you as I served your
father, if you will only listen to what I say.'

'I will listen to everything. Can you start in three days?'

'This moment, if you like,' said the horse.

The preparations of the emperor's youngest daughter were much fewer and
simpler than those of her sisters. They only consisted of some boy's
clothes, a small quantity of linen and food, and a little money in case
of necessity. Then she bade farewell to her father, and rode away.

A day's journey from the palace, she reached the copper bridge, but
before they came in sight of it, the horse, who was a magician, had
warned her of the means her father would take to prove her courage.

Still in spite of his warning she trembled all over when a huge wolf, as
thin as if he had fasted for a month, with claws like saws, and mouth
as wide as an oven, bounded howling towards her. For a moment her heart
failed her, but the next, touching the horse lightly with her spur, she
drew her sword from its sheath, ready to separate the wolf's head from
its body at a single blow.

The beast saw the sword, and shrank back, which was the best thing it
could do, as now the girl's blood was up, and the light of battle in her
eyes. Then without looking round, she rode across the bridge.

The emperor, proud of this first victory, took a short cut, and waited
for her at the end of another day's journey, close to a river, over
which he threw a bridge of silver. And this time he took the shape of a
lion.

But the horse guessed this new danger and told the princess how to
escape it. But it is one thing to receive advice when we feel safe a