182 SLAV TALES

At that instant a magnificent grey horse appeared out of
a whirlwind of smoke, and from his head there hung a
golden mane. Swift as the wind was he, flames of fire
blazed forth from his nostrils, lightnings flashed from his
eyes, and volumes of smoke came from his ears. The
Invisible Knight leapt upon his back, saying to the prince,
“Take my sword and destroy the left wing of the army,
while I attack the right wing and the centre.”

The two heroes rushed forward and attacked the invaders
with such fury that on all sides men fell like chopped wood
or dried grass. <A frightful massacre followed, but it was
in vain that the enemy fled, for the two knights seemed to
be everywhere. Within a short time only the dead and dying
remained on the battle-field, ‘and the two conquerors quietly
returned to the town. On reaching the palace steps, the
Invisible Knight melted into the morning mist, and the
serving-man prince returned to the stables.

That same night it happened that the king’s daughter,
not being able to sleep, had remained on her balcony and
seen and heard all that had taken place. She had overheard
the conversation between the impostor and the real prince,
had seen the latter call to his assistance the Invisible Knight,
and then doff his royal armour in favour of the false prince;
she had seen and understood everything, but she determined
to keep silence for a little longer.

But when on the next day the king, her father, celebrated
the victory of the false prince with great rejoicings, loaded
him with honours and presents, and calling his daughter ex-
pressed a wish that she should marry him—the princess could
be silent no longer. She walked up to the real prince, who