Arrived at home, the old woman placed food before him; but she led the mare into the stable and fell upon her with the oven-fork, saying, "Go among the foxes, you wretch!" The mare answered, "Indeed, I did go among the foxes, but they are in league with him and betrayed me." She answered, "Then go among the wolves!" When evening came the imperial Prince mounted the mare and rode out to the field, with the foal running alongside. He sat continually upon her back, but about midnight he fell asleep, and when he awoke he perceived that he was astride a block of wood, with the halter in his hand. When he saw this he sprang to his feet and began to search for the mare; but in a moment he remembered what the old woman had said, and without delay he drew forth the Wolf's hair from his kerchief and rubbed it between his fingers. There was the Wolf upon the spot. "What is the matter, brother soul?" The Prince answered, "The old hag's mare has escaped, and I do not know where she is." The Wolf: "She is here among us; she has changed herself into a wolf and her foal into a wolf-cub. But strike upon the earth with the halter and say, 'The old hag's mare still lives!'" So he struck upon the earth with the halter, saying, "The old hag's mare still lives!" and, as before, she suddenly appeared, with the foal at her side. Then the imperial Prince put the halter upon her, mounted, and rode home, the foal running quietly by her side. Arrived at home, the old woman gave him food; but she led the mare into the stable and trounced her well with the oven-fork, crying to her, "Why did you not go among the wolves?" The mare answered, "Indeed, I was among the wolves, but they are in league with him and betrayed me." So the old woman came out, and the imperial Prince said to her, "See here, old woman, I have served you true and faithful; give me the wages you promised to give me." The old woman: "What has been promised must be performed, my son; take your choice among the twelve horses in my stable." But he answered, "Ah, how should I choose? Give me the one in the corner--that mangy one there; these fine steeds don't suit me." The old woman tried to talk him out of it. "What whim is this, choosing that mangy beast when there are so many splendid horses here?" But he stood by his choice, and said, "Give me the one I want; that was the agreement." The old woman saw no help for it, and gave him the mangy horse, whereupon he took leave of her and went away, leading the horse by the bridle. As soon as he found himself in the forest he rubbed and curried his horse until his coat shone like pure gold. Then he mounted him and set out at full speed. The horse flew like the wind, and in a twinkling had borne him to the Dragon's castle. As soon as the imperial Prince had entered he said to the Empress, "Get ready for the journey as quickly as possible!" In a moment both were ready. They mounted the horse and set forth in the name of God.