IMPERISHABLE 241

removes all traces of her steps with a broom. This old witch
has twelve beautiful daughters who have large dowries; do
your best to win them for your wives. Do not return without
bringing them with you.”

Both parents blessed their sons, who, mounting their horses,
were soon out of sight. All but Niezguinek, who, left alone,
went to the stable and began to shed tears.

“Why do you weep?” asked his horse.

“Don’t you think I have good reason?” replied he.
“Here I have to go a long long way in search of a wife,
and you, my friend, are so thin and weak that were I to de-
pend upon your strength I should never be able to join my
brothers.”

“Do not despair, Niezguinek,” said the horse, “not only
will you overtake your brothers, but you will leave them far
behind. Iam the son of the Dappled Horse with the Golden
Mane, and if you will do exactly as I tell you I shall be given
the same power as he. You must kill me and bury me under
a layer of earth and manure, then sow some wheat over me,
and when the corn is ripe it must be gathered and some of it
placed near my body.”

Niezguinek threw his arms round his horse’s neck and kissed
him fondly, then led him into a yard and killed him with one
blow of his club. The horse staggered a moment and then
fell dead. His master covered him with a layer of manure
and earth, upon which he sowed wheat, as had been directed.
It was immediately watered by a gentle rain, and warmed by
the heat of the sun’s rays. The corn took root and ripened
so quickly that on the twelfth day Niezguinek set to work to

cut, thresh, and winnow it. So abundant was it that he was
Q