Page:Czech Folk Tales.pdf/116

96 this time we shan't get her back. The horse from the Red Sea has come, and he will get the better of us all."

The dragon took no heed of that, but flew after them and caught them up just by the gate. He was going to snap the princess away, but this time he could not do it. For the horse from over the Red Sea kicked his nose with his hoof, so that the dragon fell down from his horse, and the other two horses fell upon him, and between them they killed the dragon.

They came to the castle with the princess, and they were congratulating one another on their victory over their enemy. Then the horse which had been giving good advice to his rider all the time said: "Now, dear brother-in-law, take my sword there hanging from the ceiling and cut my head off."

He was sad and said: "How could I do that, after all the acts of kindness you have done for me?"

The horse said: "My good friend, I cannot tell you why you must behead me, but you would do me a great wrong if you did not do it."

So he hesitated no longer, but cut his head