no ordinary horse, but in reality the Prince, who had changed himself thus in order to test his skill in magic.
By their charms and spells they had drawn him straight to their cave, for they were not at all pleased to find he had learned the secret of their magic, and now they were minded to destroy him if they could. So they bargained with the stupid Brother for the horse, paid him a good price and sent him away, never dreaming that he was in reality leaving the Prince behind him.
"Alas!" thought the poor Prince, "now is my last hour come! By all the hidden powers of magic, I wish that some living creature would come by into which I could transform myself and so escape!"
Before the cave of the magicians flowed a brook, and the Prince had no sooner formed this wish in his heart than a tiny fish came swimming by. Quick as a flash, the great white steed disappeared, for the Prince had changed himself into the little
