e went into the garden,
mounted the sorry nag, and set out. But scarcely had he ridden a few
yards before the horse stumbled and fell. So he dismounted and went down
to the brook, to where the black horse lived in the vaulted hall. And
the horse said to him: 'Saddle and bridle me, and then go into the next
room and you will find a suit of armour and a sword. Put them on, and we
will ride forth together to battle.'

And the prince did as he was told; and when he had mounted the horse his
armour glittered in the sun, and he looked so brave and handsome, that
no one would have recognised him as the gardener who swept away the dead
leaves from the paths. The horse bore him away at a great pace, and when
they reached the battle-field they saw that the king was losing the
day, so many of his warriors had been slain. But when the warrior on
his black charger and in glittering armour appeared on the scene, hewing
right and left with his sword, the enemy were dismayed and fled in all
directions, leaving the king master of the field. Then the king and his
two sons-in-law, when they saw their deliverer, shouted, and all that
was left of the army joined in the cry: 'A god has come to our rescue!'
And they would have surrounded him, but his black horse rose in the air
and bore him out of their sight.

Soon after this, part of the country rose in rebellion against the king,
and once more he and his two sons-in-law had to fare forth to battle.
And the son-in-law who was disguised as a gardener wanted to fight too.
So he came to the king and said: 'Dear father, let me ride with you to
fight your enemies.'

'I don't want a blockhead like you to fight for me,' answered the king.
'Besides, I haven't got a horse fit for you. But see, there is a carter
on the road carting hay; you may take his horse.'

So the prince took the carter's horse, but the poor beast was old and
tired, and after it had gone a few yards it stumbled and fell. So the
prince returned sadly to the garden and watched the king ride forth at
the head of the army accompanied by his two sons-in-law. When they were
out of sight the prince betook himself to the vaulted chamber by the
brook-side, and having taken counsel of the faithful black horse, he put
on the glittering suit of armour, and was borne on the back of the horse
through the air, to where the battle was being fought. And once more he
routed the king's enemies, hacking to right and left with his sword.
And aga