Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/201

Rh "Prince John, be good enough to take me out of the net and throw me back into the ocean, for I may be useful to you in a short time!"

The prince, always ready to help, did so, and the pike turned round, thanked him, and then disappeared in the sea, while Prince John stood looking at the water thoughtfully. The big horse looked at him inquiringly, and wondered what was in his master's mind; was he thinking how to get to the Island of Booyan? or of his fair princess?

"What are you thinking of, my prince?" asked the horse at last. "If you are wondering how you are to get across, set your mind at rest; nothing is easier. Mount my back again and I will be your ship, only you must hold on tight to my mane and fear nothing!"

Prince John obeyed, and the horse bounded boldly down the steep shore into the depths of the sea, and in the twinkling of an eye, horse and rider were out of sight in the depths of darkness.

Suddenly, startled by the noise of the waves, Prince John fell from his charger's back into the water, but in another moment the big horse helped his rider up and once more began to beat the water with his hoofs and breast, while all around him the waves rose and dashed with fury. How much lighter a sailing-ship looks when the wind blows it gently along the sea! With long and quick strokes the good horse soon swam over to the Island of Booyan, where he leaped ashore, covered with foam, right in front of the oak.

Prince John had no wish to linger about so he left