276 SLAV TALES

“and I will help you once more. Get on your horse,
follow me, and do as I tell you.”

The fox ran on in front, clearing the road with his bushy
tail. The prince followed at a gallop, until they came to a
castle built entirely of silver.

“Tn that castle lives the Horse with the Golden Mane,”
said the fox. ‘You will have to go exactly at midday,
when the sentinels are asleep; thus you will get past safe
and sound. But mind, do not stop anywhere. You must
pass through three stables. In the first are twelve black
horses with golden bridles; in the second, twelve white
horses with black bridles; in the third stands Zlato-Nrivak
in front of his manger, while near him are two bridles, one
of gold, the other of black leather. Whatever you do, beware
of using the first, for you will surely repent it.”

The prince waited until the appointed time and then
entered the castle, finding everything exactly as the fox had
said. In the third stable stood Zlato-Nrivak, eating fire that
flared up out of his silver trough.

The Horse with the Golden Mane was so beautiful that
the prince could not take his eyes eff him. Quickly unhook-
ing the black leather bridle, he put it over the horse’s head.
The animal made no resistance, but was gentle and quiet as
alamb. Then the prince looked covetously at the golden
bridle sparkling with gems, and said to himself, “It is a shame
that such a splendid creature should be guided by these
ugly black reins while there is a bridle here far more suited to
him, and that is indeed his by right.” So, forgetting his
late experience and the warnings of the red fox, he tore off
the black bridle and put in its place that of gold set with