After dinner, therefore, the Dragon mounted his horse, and in a trice had overtaken the fugitives. When he came up to them he snatched the Empress from the Prince, with the words, "Go, in God's name! I forgive you this time, because you gave me water; but never come back again, as you value your life." The unhappy Prince went on a little farther, but the longing of his heart was too strong, and he turned about. The next day he reappeared in the Dragon's castle. He found the Empress alone and drowned in tears. They again took counsel how they might escape, and the imperial Prince thus spoke his mind: "When the Dragon comes home, ask him where he obtained that horse. Then do you tell me, that I may try to get one of the same kind, to outrun him if possible." With these words he went away. When the Dragon came home the Empress coaxed and cajoled him, talking of all sorts of things, until at last she said, "Well, upon my word, you have a fleet horse! Tell me, in Heaven's name, where did you get him?" He replied, "Where I got him it would not be easy to get another. In such-and-such a high mountain lives an old woman who has twelve horses, each one finer than the other, all standing before their mangers. But in the corner stands a wretched, mangy horse; at least he looks so at a first glance, but in fact he is the best one of all. He is the brother of my horse. Heaven itself would not be too far off for the owner of that steed. But whoever would get him from that old hag must serve her for three days. She has a mare and a foal, and she will require that they be watched for three nights. Whoever succeeds in doing so may choose among her horses. But if any one enters her service and fails to keep watch of the mare and colt, off goes his head!" The next day when the Dragon was from home the imperial Prince came to learn what the Empress had discovered. Then he went to that high mountain where the old woman was, and greeted her with, "God bless you, little mother!" and she answered with the pious greeting, "God help you, my little son! What good luck brings you here?" He: "I have a mind to enter your service." She: "Very well, my little son. If you will keep watch of the mare and foal for three whole days, then you may take your choice among my horses; but if you fail, off goes your head!" Upon this she led him into the courtyard. It was surrounded by a close paling, and on every pale was stuck a human head. Only one was unoccupied, and this one cried incessantly, "Old woman, put a head here!" The old woman showed all this to the Prince, with the words, "You see, all these were in my service without being able to guard the mare."