198 SLAV TALES

trace of it was left he took the road to the east. After walking
straight on for eight days he reached a large green plain, in the
middle of which grew the three oaks, and in the centre of
these, close to the ground, was the iron door with the copper
handle. Opening the door, he found a winding staircase
which led to a second door bound with iron, and shut by
means of a huge padlock sixty pounds in weight. At this
moment he heard the neighing of a horse, the sound being
followed by the opening of eleven other iron doors. There he
saw the war-horse which centuries ago had been bewitched
by a magician. The prince whistled; the horse immediately
bounded towards him, at the same time breaking the twelve
iron chains that fastened him to the manger. He was a
beautiful creature, strong, light, handsome, full of fire and
grace; his eyes flashed lightnings, from his nostrils came
flames of fire, his mane was like a cloud of gold, he was
certainly a marvel of a horse.

“Prince Junak,” said the steed, “I have waited centuries
for such a knight as you; here I am, ready to carry you and
serve you faithfully. Mount upon my back, and take hold of
the invisible club that hangs at the pommel of the saddle.
You yourself will not need to use it; give it your orders, it will
carry them out and do the fighting itself. Now we will start ;
may God look after us! Tell me where you wish to go, and
you shall be there directly.”

The prince quickly told the horse his history, mounted,
seized the club, and set off. The creature capered, galloped,
flew, and swam in the air higher than the highest forests but
lower than the clouds; he crossed mountains, rivers, and preci-
pices; he barely touched the blades of grass in passing over