re, and so absorbed was the little beast, sniffing
about after a few more crumbs, that it never heard Peronnik creep up
till it felt the halter on its neck and the rope round its feet, and--in
another moment--some one on its back.

Going as fast as the hobbles would allow, the colt turned into one of
the wildest parts of the forest, while its rider sat trembling at the
strange sights he saw. Sometimes the earth seemed to open in front of
them and he was looking into a bottomless pit; sometimes the trees burst
into flames and he found himself in the midst of a fire; often in the
act of crossing a stream the water rose and threatened to sweep him
away; and again, at the foot of a mountain, great rocks would roll
towards him, as if they would crush him and his colt beneath their
weight. To his dying day Peronnik never knew whether these things were
real or if he only imagined them, but he pulled down his knitted cap so
as to cover his eyes, and trusted the colt to carry him down the right
road.

At last the forest was left behind, and they came out on a wide plain
where the air blew fresh and strong. The idiot ventured to peep out, and
found to his relief that the enchantments seemed to have ended, though a
thrill of horror shot through him as he noticed the skeletons of men
scattered over the plain, beside the skeletons of their horses. And what
were those grey forms trotting away in the distance? Were they--could
they be--_wolves_?

But vast though the plain seemed, it did not take long to cross, and
very soon the colt entered a sort of shady park in which was standing a
single apple-tree, its branches bowed down to the ground with the weight
of its fruit. In front was the korigan--the little fairy man--holding in
his hand the fiery sword, which reduced to ashes everything it touched.
At the sight of Peronnik he uttered a piercing scream, and raised his
sword, but without appearing surprised the youth only lifted his cap,
though he took care to remain at a little distance.

'Do not be alarmed, my prince,' said Peronnik, 'I am just on my way to
Kerglas, as the noble Rogear has begged me to come to him on business.'

'Begged _you_ to come!' repeated the dwarf, 'and who, then, are you?'

'I am the new servant he has engaged, as you know very well,' answered
Peronnik.

'I do not know at all,' rejoined the korigan sulkily, 'and you may be a
robber for all I can tell.'

'I am so sorry,' replied Peronnik, 'but I may be