IIO SLAV TALES

the skull and fly towards heaven: it was the soul of the dead
man on its way to the angels.

The prince made the sign of the cross and resumed his
journey. When he had gone some way along the moorland
he stopped, and without looking back tried the effect of the
magic words, saying :

“Dappled Horse with Mane of Gold,
Horse of Wonder! Come to me.

Walk not the earth, for I am told
You fly like birds o’er land and sea.”

Then amid flash of lightning and roll of thunder appeared
the horse. A horse, do I say? Why, he was a miracle of
wonder. He was light as air, with dappled coat and golden
mane. Flames came from his nostrils and sparks from his
eyes. Volumes of steam rolled from his mouth and clouds
of smoke issued from his ears. He stopped before the prince,
and said in a human voice, “What are your orders, Prince
Dobrotek ?”

“T am in great trouble,” answered the prince, “and shall
be glad if you can help me.” Then he told all that had
happened. .

And the horse said, ‘Enter in at my left ear, and come
out at my right.”

The prince obeyed, and came out at the right ear clad in
a suit of splendid armour. His gilded cuirass, his steel helmet
inlaid with gold, and his sword and club made of him a
complete warrior. Still more, he felt himself endowed with
superhuman strength and bravery. When he stamped his
foot and shouted the earth trembled and gave forth a sound
like thunder, the very leaves fell from the trees.