Butitwasnotlongbeforethisstoryalsocametotheearsoftheirenviousneighbour，andhelostnotimeingoingtotheoldpeopleandaskingiftheyhappenedtohaveamortarwhichtheycouldlendhim。Theoldmandidnotatalllikepartingwithhisprecioustreasure，buthenevercouldsayno，sotheneighbourwentoffwiththemortarunderhisarm。
Themomenthegotintohisownhousehetookagreathandfulofrice，andbegantoshelloffthehusks，withthehelpofhiswife。But，insteadofthegoldpiecesforwhichtheylooked，thericeturnedintoberrieswithsuchahorriblesmellthattheywereobligedtorunaway，aftersmashingthemortarinarageandsettingfiretothebits。
Theoldpeoplenextdoorwerenaturallyverymuchputoutwhentheylearnedthefateoftheirmortar，andwerenotatallcomfortedbytheexplanationsandexcusesmadebytheirneighbour。Butthatnightthedogagainappearedinadreamtohismaster，andtoldhimthathemustgoandcollecttheashesoftheburntmortarandbringthemhome。Then，whenheheardthattheDaimio，orgreatlordtowhomthispartofthecountrybelonged，wasexpectedatthecapital，hewastocarrytheashestothehighroad，throughwhichtheprocessionwouldhavetopass。Andassoonasitwasinsighthewastoclimbupallthecherry—treesandsprinkletheashesonthem，andtheywouldsoonblossomastheyhadneverblossomedbefore。
Thistimetheoldmandidnotwaittoconsulthiswifeastowhetherhewastodowhathisdoghadtoldhim，butdirectlyhegotuphewenttohisneighbour’shouseandcollectedtheashesoftheburntmortar。Heputthemcarefullyinachinavase，andcarriedittothehighroad，SittingdownonaseattilltheDaimioshouldpass。Thecherry—treeswerebare，foritwastheseasonwhensmallpotsofthemweresoldtorichpeople，whokepttheminhotplaces，sothattheymightblossomearlyanddecoratetheirrooms。Astothetreesintheopenair，noonewouldeverthinkoflookingforthetiniestbudformorethanamonthyet。
Theoldmanhadnotbeenwaitingverylongbeforehesawacloudofdustinthefardistance，andknewthatitmustbetheprocessionoftheDaimio。Ontheycame，everymandressedinhisfinestclothes，andthecrowdthatwasliningtheroadbowedtheirfacestothegroundastheywentby。Onlytheoldmandidnotbowhimself，andthegreatlordsawthis，andbadeoneofhiscourtiers，inanger，goandinquirewhyhehaddisobeyedtheancientcustoms。Butbeforethemessengercouldreachhimtheoldmanhadclimbedthenearesttreeandscatteredhisashesfarandwide，andinaninstantthewhiteflowershadflashedintolife，andtheheartoftheDaimiorejoiced，andhegaverichpresentstotheoldman，whomhesentfortohiscastle。
Wemaybesurethatinaverylittlewhiletheenviousneighbourhadheardthisalso，andhisbosomwasfilledwithhate。Hehastenedtotheplacewherehehadburnedthemortar，collectedafewoftheasheswhichtheoldmanhadleftbehind，andtookthemtotheroad，hopingthathisluckmightbeasgoodastheoldman’s，orperhapsevenbetter。HisheartbeatwithpleasurewhenhecaughtthefirstglimpsesoftheDaimio’strain，andheheldhimselfreadyfortherightmoment。AstheDaimiodrewnearheflungagreathandfulofashesoverthetrees，butnobudsorflowersfollowedtheaction:instead，theasheswereallblownbackintotheeyesoftheDaimioandhiswarriors，tilltheycriedoutfrompain。Thentheprinceorderedtheevil—doertobeseizedandboundandthrownintoprison，wherehewaskeptformanymonths。Bythetimehewassetfreeeverybodyinhisnativevillagehadfoundouthiswickedness，andtheywouldnotlethimlivethereanylonger;andashewouldnotleaveoffhisevilwayshesoonwentfrombadtoworse，andcametoamiserableend。
[JapanischeMarchen。]
THEFAIRYOFTHEDAWN
OnceuponatimewhatshouldhappenDIDhappen;andifithadnothappenedthistalewouldneverhavebeentold。
Therewasonceanemperor，verygreatandmighty，andheruledoveranempiresolargethatnooneknewwhereitbeganandwhereitended。Butifnobodycouldtelltheexactextentofhissovereigntyeverybodywasawarethattheemperor’srighteyelaughed，whilehislefteyewept。Oneortwomenofvalourhadthecouragetogoandaskhimthereasonofthisstrangefact，butheonlylaughedandsaidnothing;andthereasonofthedeadlyenmitybetweenhistwoeyeswasasecretonlyknowntothemonarchhimself。
Andallthewhiletheemperor’ssonsweregrowingup。Andsuchsons！Allthreelikethemorningstarsinthesky！
Florea，theeldest，wassotallandbroad—shoulderedthatnomaninthekingdomcouldapproachhim。
Costan，thesecond，wasquitedifferent。Smallofstature，andslightlybuilt，hehadastrongarmandstrongerwrist。
Petru，thethirdandyoungest，wastallandthin，morelikeagirlthanaboy。Hespokeverylittle，butlaughedandsang，sangandlaughed，frommorningtillnight。Hewasveryseldomserious，butthenhehadawaywhenhewasthinkingofstrokinghishairoverhisforehead，whichmadehimlookoldenoughtositinhisfather’scouncil！
’Youaregrownup，Florea，’saidPetruonedaytohiseldestbrother;’dogoandaskfatherwhyoneeyelaughsandtheotherweeps。’
ButFloreawouldnotgo。Hehadlearntbyexperiencethatthisquestionalwaysputtheemperorinarage。
PetrunextwenttoCostan，butdidnotsucceedanybetterwithhim。
’Well，well，aseveryoneelseisafraid，IsupposeImustdoitmyself，’observedPetruatlength。Nosoonersaidthandone;theboywentstraighttohisfatherandputhisquestion。
’Mayyougoblind！’exclaimedtheemperorinwrath;’whatbusinessisitofyours？’andboxedPetru’searssoundly。
Petrureturnedtohisbrothers，andtoldthemwhathadbefallenhim;butnotlongafteritstruckhimthathisfather’slefteyeseemedtoweepless，andtherighttolaughmore。
’Iwonderifithasanythingtodowithmyquestion，’thoughthe。
’I’lltryagain！Afterall，whatdotwoboxesontheearmatter？’
Soheputhisquestionforthesecondtime，andhadthesameanswer;butthelefteyeonlyweptnowandthen，whiletherighteyelookedtenyearsyounger。
’ItreallyMUSTbetrue，’thoughtPetru。’NowIknowwhatIhavetodo。Ishallhavetogoonputtingthatquestion，andgettingboxesontheear，tillbotheyeslaughtogether。’
Nosoonersaidthandone。Petrunever，neverforsworehimself。
’Petru，mydearboy，’criedtheemperor，bothhiseyeslaughingtogether，’Iseeyouhavegotthisonthebrain。Well，Iwillletyouintothesecret。MyrighteyelaughswhenIlookatmythreesons，andseehowstrongandhandsomeyouallare，andtheothereyeweepsbecauseIfearthatafterIdieyouwillnotbeabletokeeptheempiretogether，andtoprotectitfromitsenemies。ButifyoucanbringmewaterfromthespringoftheFairyoftheDawn，tobathemyeyes，thentheywilllaughforevermore;forIshallknowthatmysonsarebraveenoughtoovercomeanyfoe。’
Thusspoketheemperor，andPetrupickeduphishatandwenttofindhisbrothers。
Thethreeyoungmentookcounseltogether，andtalkedthesubjectwellover，asbrothersshoulddo。AndtheendofitwasthatFlorea，astheeldest，wenttothestables，chosethebestandhandsomesthorsetheycontained，saddledhim，andtookleaveofthecourt。
’Iamstartingatonce，’saidhetohisbrothers，’andifafterayear，amonth，aweek，andadayIhavenotreturnedwiththewaterfromthespringoftheFairyoftheDawn，you，Costan，hadbettercomeafterme。’Sosayinghedisappearedroundacornerofthepalace。
Forthreedaysandthreenightsheneverdrewrein。Likeaspiritthehorseflewovermountainsandvalleystillhecametothebordersoftheempire。Herewasadeep，deeptrenchthatgirdleditthewholewayround，andtherewasonlyasinglebridgebywhichthetrenchcouldbecrossed。Floreamadeinstantlyforthebridge，andtherepulleduptolookaroundhimoncemore，totakeleaveofhisnativelandThenheturned，butbeforehimwasstandingadragon——oh！SUCHadragon！——adragonwiththreeheadsandthreehorriblefaces，allwiththeirmouthswideopen，onejawreachingtoheavenandtheothertoearth。
AtthisawfulsightFloreadidnotwaittogivebattle。Heputspurstohishorseanddashedoff，WHEREheneitherknewnorcared。
Thedragonheavedasighandvanishedwithoutleavingatracebehindhim。
Aweekwentby。Floreadidnotreturnhome。Twopassed;andnothingwasheardofhim。AfteramonthCostanbegantohauntthestablesandtolookoutahorseforhimself。Andthemomenttheyear，themonth，theweek，andthedaywereoverCostanmountedhishorseandtookleaveofhisyoungestbrother。
’IfIfail，thenyoucome，’saidhe，andfollowedthepaththatFloreahadtaken。
Thedragononthebridgewasmorefearfulandhisthreeheadsmoreterriblethanbefore，andtheyoungherorodeawaystillfasterthanhisbrotherhaddone。
NothingmorewasheardeitherofhimorFlorea;andPetruremainedalone。
’Imustgoaftermybrothers，’saidPetruonedaytohisfather。
’Go，then，’saidhisfather，’andmayyouhavebetterluckthanthey’;andhebadefarewelltoPetru，whorodestraighttothebordersofthekingdom。
ThedragononthebridgewasyetmoredreadfulthantheoneFloreaandCostanhadseen，forthisonehadsevenheadsinsteadofonlythree。
Petrustoppedforamomentwhenhecaughtsightofthisterriblecreature。Thenhefoundhisvoice。
’Getoutoftheway！’criedhe。’Getoutoftheway！’herepeatedagain，asthedragondidnotmove。’Getoutoftheway！’andwiththislastsummonshedrewhisswordandrusheduponhim。Inaninstanttheheavensseemedtodarkenroundhimandhewassurroundedbyfire——firetorightofhim，firetoleftofhim，firetofrontofhim，firetorearofhim;nothingbutfirewhicheverwayhelooked，forthedragon’ssevenheadswerevomitingflame。
Thehorseneighedandrearedatthehorriblesight，andPetrucouldnotusetheswordhehadinreadiness。
’Bequiet！thiswon’tdo！’hesaid，dismountinghastily，butholdingthebridlefirmlyinhislefthandandgraspinghisswordinhisright。
Butevensohegotonnobetter，forhecouldseenothingbutfireandsmoke。
’Thereisnohelpforit;Imustgobackandgetabetterhorse，’
saidhe，andmountedagainandrodehomewards。
Atthegateofthepalacehisnurse，oldBirscha，waswaitingforhimeagerly。
’Ah，Petru，myson，Iknewyouwouldhavetocomeback，’shecried。’Youdidnotsetaboutthematterproperly。’
’HowoughtItohavesetaboutit？’askedPetru，halfangrily，halfsadly。
’Lookhere，myboy，’repliedoldBirscha。’YoucanneverreachthespringoftheFairyoftheDawnunlessyouridethehorsewhichyourfather，theemperor，rodeinhisyouth。Goandaskwhereitistobefound，andthenmountitandbeoffwithyou。’
Petruthankedherheartilyforheradvice，andwentatoncetomakeinquiriesaboutthehorse。
’Bythelightofmyeyes！’exclaimedtheemperorwhenPetruhadputhisquestion。’Whohastoldyouanythingaboutthat？ItmusthavebeenthatoldwitchofaBirscha？Haveyoulostyourwits？FiftyyearshavepassedsinceIwasyoung，andwhoknowswherethebonesofmyhorsemayberotting，orwhetherascrapofhisreinsstilllieinhisstall？Ihaveforgottenallabouthimlongago。’
Petruturnedawayinanger，andwentbacktohisoldnurse。
’Donotbecastdown，’shesaidwithasmile;’ifthatishowtheaffairstandsallwillgowell。Goandfetchthescrapofthereins;Ishallsoonknowwhatmustbedone。’
Theplacewasfullofsaddles，bridles，andbitsofleather。
Petrupickedouttheoldest，andblackest，andmostdecayedpairofreins，andbroughtthemtotheoldwoman，whomurmuredsomethingoverthemandsprinkledthemwithincense，andheldthemouttotheyoungman。
’Takethereins，’saidshe，’andstrikethemviolentlyagainstthepillarsofthehouse。’
Petrudidwhathewastold，andscarcelyhadthereinstouchedthepillarswhensomethinghappened——HOWIhavenoidea——thatmadePetrustarewithsurprise。Ahorsestoodbeforehim——ahorsewhoseequalinbeautytheworldhadneverseen;withasaddleonhimofgoldandpreciousstones，andwithsuchadazzlingbridleyouhardlydaredtolookatit，lestyoushouldloseyoursight。Asplendidhorse，asplendidsaddle，andasplendidbridle，allreadyforthesplendidyoungprince！
’Jumponthebackofthebrownhorse，’saidtheoldwoman，andsheturnedroundandwentintothehouse。
ThemomentPetruwasseatedonthehorsehefelthisarmthreetimesasstrongasbefore，andevenhisheartfeltbraver。
’Sitfirmlyinthesaddle，mylord，forwehavealongwaytogoandnotimetowaste，’saidthebrownhorse，andPetrusoonsawthattheywereridingasnomanandhorsehadeverriddenbefore。
Onthebridgestoodadragon，butnotthesameoneashehadtriedtofightwith，forthisdragonhadtwelveheads，eachmorehideousandshootingforthmoreterribleflamesthantheother。
But，horriblethoughhewas，hehadmethismatch。Petrushowednofear，butrolleduphissleeves，thathisarmsmightbefree。
’Getoutoftheway！’hesaidwhenhehaddone，butthedragon’sheadsonlybreathedforthmoreflamesandsmoke。Petruwastednomorewords，butdrewhisswordandpreparedtothrowhimselfonthebridge。
’Stopamoment;becareful，mylord，’putinthehorse，’andbesureyoudowhatItellyou。Digyourspursinmybodyuptotherowel，drawyoursword，andkeepyourselfready，forweshallhavetoleapoverbothbridgeanddragon。Whenyouseethatwearerightabovethedragoncutoffhisbiggesthead，wipethebloodoffthesword，andputitbackcleaninthesheathbeforewetouchearthagain。’
SoPetruduginhisspurs，drewhissword，cutofthehead，wipedtheblood，andputtheswordbackinthesheathbeforethehorse’shoofstouchedthegroundagain。
Andinthisfashiontheypassedthebridge。
’Butwehavegottogofurtherstill，’saidPetru，afterhehadtakenafarewellglanceathisnativeland。
’Yes，forwards，’answeredthehorse;’butyoumusttellme，mylord，atwhatspeedyouwishtogo。Likethewind？Likethought？Likedesire？orlikeacurse？’
Petrulookedabouthim，upattheheavensanddownagaintotheearth。Adesertlayspreadoutbeforehim，whoseaspectmadehishairstandonend。
’Wewillrideatdifferentspeeds，’saidhe，’notsofastastogrowtirednorsoslowastowastetime。’
Andsotheyrode，onedaylikethewind，thenextlikethought，thethirdandfourthlikedesireandlikeacurse，tilltheyreachedthebordersofthedesert。
’Nowwalk，sothatImaylookabout，andseewhatIhaveneverseenbefore，’saidPetru，rubbinghiseyeslikeonewhowakesfromsleep，orlikehimwhobeholdssomethingsostrangethatitseemsasif……BeforePetrulayawoodmadeofcopper，withcoppertreesandcopperleaves，withbushesandflowersofcopperalso。
Petrustoodandstaredasamandoeswhenheseessomethingthathehasneverseen，andofwhichhehasneverheard。
Thenheroderightintothewood。OneachsideofthewaytherowsofflowersbegantopraisePetru，andtotryandpersuadehimtopicksomeofthemandmakehimselfawreath。
’Takeme，forIamlovely，andcangivestrengthtowhoeverplucksme，’saidone。
’No，takeme，forwhoeverwearsmeinhishatwillbelovedbythemostbeautifulwomanintheworld，’pleadedthesecond;andthenoneafteranotherbestirreditself，eachmorecharmingthanthelast，allpromising，insoftsweetvoices，wonderfulthingstoPetru，ifonlyhewouldpickthem。
Petruwasnotdeaftotheirpersuasion，andwasjuststoopingtopickonewhenthehorsesprangtooneside。
’Whydon’tyoustaystill？’askedPetruroughly。
’Donotpicktheflowers;itwillbringyoubadluck;answeredthehorse。
’Whyshoulditdothat？’
’Theseflowersareunderacurse。WhoeverplucksthemmustfighttheWelwa[1]ofthewoods。’
[1]Agoblin。
’WhatkindofagoblinistheWelwa？’
’Oh，doleavemeinpeace！Butlisten。Lookattheflowersasmuchasyoulike，butpicknone，’andthehorsewalkedonslowly。
Petruknewbyexperiencethathewoulddowelltoattendtothehorse’sadvice，sohemadeagreateffortandtorehismindawayfromtheflowers。
Butinvain！Ifamanisfatedtobeunlucky，unluckyhewillbe，whateverhemaydo！
Theflowerswentonbeseechinghim，andhisheartgreweverweakerandweaker。
’Whatmustcomewillcome，’saidPetruatlength;’atanyrateI
shallseetheWelwaofthewoods，whatsheislike，andwhichwayIhadbestfighther。Ifsheisordainedtobethecauseofmydeath，well，thenitwillbeso;butifnotIshallconquerherthoughsheweretwelvehundredWelwas，’andoncemorehestoopeddowntogathertheflowers。
’Youhavedoneverywrong，’saidthehorsesadly。’Butitcan’tbehelpednow。Getyourselfreadyforbattle，forhereistheWelwa！’
Hardlyhadhedonespeaking，scarcelyhadPetrutwistedhiswreath，whenasoftbreezearoseonallsidesatonce。Outofthebreezecameastormwind，andthestormwindswelledandswelledtilleverythingaroundwasblottedoutindarkness，anddarknesscoveredthemaswithathickcloak，whiletheearthswayedandshookundertheirfeet。
’Areyouafraid？’askedthehorse，shakinghismane。
’Notyet，’repliedPetrustoutly，thoughcoldshiverswererunningdownhisback。’Whatmustcomewillcome，whateveritis。’
’Don’tbeafraid，’saidthehorse。’Iwillhelpyou。Takethebridlefrommyneck，andtrytocatchtheWelwawithit。’
Thewordswerehardlyspoken，andPetruhadnotimeeventounbucklethebridle，whentheWelwaherselfstoodbeforehim;andPetrucouldnotbeartolookather，sohorriblewasshe。
Shehadnotexactlyahead，yetneitherwasshewithoutone。Shedidnotflythroughtheair，butneitherdidshewalkupontheearth。Shehadamanelikeahorse，hornslikeadeer，afacelikeabear，eyeslikeapolecat;whileherbodyhadsomethingofeach。AndthatwastheWelwa。
Petruplantedhimselffirmlyinhisstirrups，andbegantolayabouthimwithhissword，butcouldfeelnothing。
Adayandanightwentby，andthefightwasstillundecided，butatlasttheWelwabegantopantforbreath。
’Letuswaitalittleandrest，’gaspedshe。
Petrustoppedandloweredhissword。
’Youmustnotstopaninstant，’saidthehorse，andPetrugatheredupallhisstrength，andlaidabouthimharderthanever。
TheWelwagaveaneighlikeahorseandahowllikeawolf，andthrewherselfafreshonPetru。Foranotherdayandnightthebattleragedmorefuriouslythanbefore。AndPetrugrewsoexhaustedhecouldscarcelymovehisarm。
’Letuswaitalittleandrest，’criedtheWelwaforthesecondtime，’forIseeyouareaswearyasIam。’
’Youmustnotstopaninstant，’saidthehorse。
AndPetruwentonfighting，thoughhebarelyhadstrengthtomovehisarm。ButtheWelwahadceasedtothrowherselfuponhim，andbegantodeliverherblowscautiously，asifshehadnolongerpowertostrike。
Andonthethirddaytheywerestillfighting，butasthemorningskybegantoreddenPetrusomehowmanaged——howIcannottell——tothrowthebridleovertheheadofthetiredWelwa。Inamoment，fromtheWelwasprangahorse——themostbeautifulhorseintheworld。
’Sweetbeyourlife，foryouhavedeliveredmefrommyenchantment，’saidhe，andbegantorubhisnoseagainsthisbrother’s。AndhetoldPetruallhisstory，andhowhehadbeenbewitchedformanyyears。
SoPetrutiedtheWelwatohisownhorseandrodeon。Wheredidheride？ThatIcannottellyou，butherodeonfasttillhegotoutofthecopperwood。
’Staystill，andletmelookabout，andseewhatIneverhaveseenbefore，’saidPetruagaintohishorse。Forinfrontofhimstretchedaforestthatwasfarmorewonderful，asitwasmadeofglisteningtreesandshiningflowers。Itwasthesilverwood。
Asbefore，theflowersbegantobegtheyoungmantogatherthem。
’Donotpluckthem，’warnedtheWelwa，trottingbesidehim，’formybrotherisseventimesstrongerthanI’;butthoughPetruknewbyexperiencewhatthismeant，itwasnouse，andafteramoment’shesitationhebegantogathertheflowers，andtotwisthimselfawreath。
Thenthestormwindhowledlouder，theearthtrembledmoreviolently，andthenightgrewdarker，thanthefirsttime，andtheWelwaofthesilverwoodcamerushingonwithseventimesthespeedoftheother。Forthreedaysandthreenightstheyfought，butatlastPetrucastthebridleovertheheadofthesecondWelwa。
’Sweetbeyourlife，foryouhavedeliveredmefromenchantment，’
saidthesecondWelwa，andtheyalljourneyedonasbefore。
Butsoontheycametoagoldwoodmorelovelyfarthantheothertwo，andagainPetru’scompanionspleadedwithhimtoridethroughitquickly，andtoleavetheflowersalone。ButPetruturnedadeafeartoalltheysaid，andbeforehehadwovenhisgoldencrownhefeltthatsomethingterrible，thathecouldnotsee，wascomingnearhimrightoutoftheearth。Hedrewhisswordandmadehimselfreadyforthefight。’Iwilldie！’criedhe，’orheshallhavemybridleoverhishead。’
Hehadhardlysaidthewordswhenathickfogwrappeditselfaroundhim，andsothickwasitthathecouldnotseehisownhand，orhearthesoundofhisvoice。Foradayandanighthefoughtwithhissword，withouteveronceseeinghisenemy，thensuddenlythefogbegantolighten。Bydawnoftheseconddayithadvanishedaltogether，andthesunshonebrightlyintheheavens。ItseemedtoPetruthathehadbeenbornagain。
AndtheWelwa？Shehadvanished。
’Youhadbettertakebreathnowyoucan，forthefightwillhavetobeginalloveragain，’saidthehorse。
’Whatwasit？’askedPetru。
’ItwastheWelwa，’repliedthehorse，’changedintoafog’Listen！Sheiscoming！’
AndPetruhadhardlydrawnalongbreathwhenhefeltsomethingapproachingfromtheside，thoughwhathecouldnottell。A
river，yetnotariver，foritseemednottoflowovertheearth，buttogowhereitliked，andtoleavenotraceofitspassage。
’Woebetome！’criedPetru，frightenedatlast。
’Beware，andneverstandstill，’calledthebrownhorse，andmorehecouldnotsay，forthewaterwaschokinghim。
Thebattlebegananew。ForadayandanightPetrufoughton，withoutknowingatwhomorwhathestruck。Atdawnonthesecond，hefeltthatbothhisfeetwerelame。
’NowIamdonefor，’thoughthe，andhisblowsfellthickerandharderinhisdesperation。Andthesuncameoutandthewaterdisappeared，withouthisknowinghoworwhen。
’Takebreath，’saidthehorse，’foryouhavenotimetolose。
TheWelwawillreturninamoment。’
Petrumadenoreply，onlywonderedhow，exhaustedashewas，heshouldeverbeabletocarryonthefight。Buthesettledhimselfinhissaddle，graspedhissword，andwaited。
Andthensomethingcametohim——WHATIcannottellyou。Perhaps，inhisdreams，amanmayseeacreaturewhichhaswhatithasnotgot，andhasnotgotwhatithas。Atleast，thatwaswhattheWelwaseemedliketoPetru。Sheflewwithherfeet，andwalkedwithherwings;herheadwasinherback，andhertailwasontopofherbody;hereyeswereinherneck，andherneckinherforehead，andhowtodescribeherfurtherIdonotknow。
Petrufeltforamomentasifhewaswrappedinagarmentoffear;thenheshookhimselfandtookheart，andfoughtashehadneveryetfoughtbefore。
Asthedayworeon，hisstrengthbegantofail，andwhendarknessfellhecouldhardlykeephiseyesopen。Bymidnightheknewhewasnolongeronhishorse，butstandingontheground，thoughhecouldnothavetoldhowhegotthere。Whenthegreylightofmorningcame，hewaspaststandingonhisfeet，butfoughtnowuponhisknees。
’Makeonemorestruggle;itisnearlyovernow，’saidthehorse，seeingthatPetru’sstrengthwaswaningfast。
Petruwipedthesweatfromhisbrowwithhisgauntlet，andwithadesperateeffortrosetohisfeet。
’StriketheWelwaonthemouthwiththebridle，’saidthehorse，andPetrudidit。
TheWelwautteredaneighsoloudthatPetruthoughthewouldbedeafforlife，andthen，thoughshetoowasnearlyspent，flungherselfuponherenemy;butPetruwasonthewatchandthrewthebridleoverherhead，assherushedon，sothatwhenthedaybroketherewerethreehorsestrottingbesidehim。
’Mayyourwifebethemostbeautifulofwomen，’saidtheWelwa，’foryouhavedeliveredmefrommyenchantment。’Sothefourhorsesgallopedfast，andbynightfalltheywereatthebordersofthegoldenforest。
ThenPetrubegantothinkofthecrownsthathewore，andwhattheyhadcosthim。
’Afterall，whatdoIwantwithsomany？Iwillkeepthebest，’
hesaidtohimself;andtakingofffirstthecoppercrownandthenthesilver，hethrewthemaway。
’Stay！’criedthehorse，’donotthrowthemaway！Perhapsweshallfindthemofuse。Getdownandpickthemup。’SoPetrugotdownandpickedthemup，andtheyallwenton。
Intheevening，whenthesunisgettinglow，andallthemidgesarebeginningtobite，Petersawawideheathstretchingbeforehim。
Atthesameinstantthehorsestoodstillofitself。
’Whatisthematter？’askedPetru。
’Iamafraidthatsomethingevilwillhappentous，’answeredthehorse。
’Butwhyshouldit？’
’WearegoingtoenterthekingdomofthegoddessMittwoch，[2]
andthefurtherwerideintoitthecolderweshallget。Butallalongtheroadtherearehugefires，andIdreadlestyoushouldstopandwarmyourselfatthem。’
[2]InGerman’Mittwoch，’thefeminineformofMercury。
’AndwhyshouldInotwarmmyself？’
’Somethingfearfulwillhappentoyouifyoudo，’repliedthehorsesadly。
’Well，forward！’criedPetrulightly，’andifIhavetobearcold，Imustbearit！’
WitheverysteptheywentintothekingdomofMittwoch，theairgrewcolderandmoreicy，tilleventhemarrowintheirboneswasfrozen。ButPetruwasnocoward;thefighthehadgonethroughhadstrengthenedhispowersofendurance，andhestoodthetestbravely。
Alongtheroadoneachsideweregreatfires，withmenstandingbythem，whospokepleasantlytoPetruashewentby，andinvitedhimtojointhem。Thebreathfrozeinhismouth，buthetooknonotice，onlybadehishorserideonthefaster。
HowlongPetrumayhavewagedbattlesilentlywiththecoldonecannottell，foreverybodyknowsthatthekingdomofMittwochisnottobecrossedinaday，buthestruggledon，thoughthefrozenrocksburstaround，andthoughhisteethchattered，andevenhiseyelidswerefrozen。
AtlengththeyreachedthedwellingofMittwochherself，and，jumpingfromhishorse，Petruthrewthereinsoverhishorse’sneckandenteredthehut。
’Good—day，littlemother！’saidhe。
’Verywell，thankyou，myfrozenfriend！’
Petrulaughed，andwaitedforhertospeak。
’Youhaveborneyourselfbravely，’wentonthegoddess，tappinghimontheshoulder。’Nowyoushallhaveyourreward，’andsheopenedanironchest，outofwhichshetookalittlebox。
’Look！’saidshe;’thislittleboxhasbeenlyinghereforages，waitingforthemanwhocouldwinhiswaythroughtheIceKingdom。Takeit，andtreasureit，forsomedayitmayhelpyou。
Ifyouopenit，itwilltellyouanythingyouwant，andgiveyounewsofyourfatherland。’
Petruthankedhergratefullyforhergift，mountedhishorse，androdeaway。
Whenhewassomedistancefromthehut，heopenedthecasket。
’Whatareyourcommands？’askedavoiceinside。
’Givemenewsofmyfather，’hereplied，rathernervously。
’Heissittingincouncilwithhisnobles，’answeredthecasket。
’Ishewell？’
’Notparticularly，forheisfuriouslyangry。’
’Whathasangeredhim？’
’YourbrothersCostanandFlorea，’repliedthecasket。’Itseemstometheyaretryingtorulehimandthekingdomaswell，andtheoldmansaystheyarenotfittodoit。’
’Pushon，goodhorse，forwehavenotimetolose！’criedPetru;