The imperial Prince was not to be frightened by such an exhibition, but remained to serve the old woman. When it grew dark he mounted the mare and rode out into the field, the foal running along beside the mother. He sat constantly upon her back, but toward midnight he fell asleep, and when toward dawn he awoke he found himself astride a block of wood, holding fast to the halter. When he saw this he was filled with horror, and sprang up to search for the mare. In the course of his search he came upon a piece of water. It reminded him of the little Fish which he had rescued from the puddle and thrown into the lake. He therefore took the scale out of his handkerchief and rubbed it a little between his fingers. The Fish immediately spoke from the water, saying to him, "What is your desire, brother soul?" He answered, "That old hag's mare has given me the slip. I know not where to find her." The Fish returned, "She is here with us; she has transformed herself into a fish and the foal into a little fish. Just strike upon the water with the halter and say, 'The old hag's mare still lives!'" So he struck upon the water, saying, "The old hag's mare still lives!" and the mare became what she had been before and swam to the shore with her foal. He therefore put the halter upon her neck again, mounted her, and returned to the house, the foal running along by her side. When they reached the house the old woman gave him food; but she led the mare into the stable and beat her with the oven-fork, saying, "Go among the fishes, you wretch!" The mare answered, "Indeed, I did go among the fishes, but they are in league with him and they betrayed me." Upon this the old hag rejoined, "Then go among the foxes!" Before dark the Prince again mounted the mare and went out into the field, the foal running alongside. He sat continually upon the mare, but toward midnight he fell asleep upon her back, and when he awoke he found himself astride a block of wood, holding fast to the halter. When he saw this he was overcome with terror and sprang upon his feet to seek the mare. Suddenly he remembered what the old woman had said to the mare, and he drew the Fox's hair out of his kerchief, rubbed it between his fingers the least bit, and behold! the Fox stood before him, saying, "What is the matter, brother soul?" The Prince answered, "The old hag's mare has escaped me, and I do not know where to find her." The Fox: "She is among us; she has changed herself into a fox and the foal into a fox-cub. Just strike upon the ground with the halter and say, 'The old hag's mare still lives!'" So the Prince struck upon the earth with the halter, saying, "The old hag's mare still lives!" and the mare again returned to her former shape and stood before him with her colt, as if she had just arisen from the earth. So he put the halter upon her, mounted, and rode back to the house, the foal running quietly at her side.