d nothing but a
pair of short broom-sticks, of neither shape nor substance, ensconced
in an old pair of spatterdashes; and the toes of his shoes curled
upward like a pair of old-fashioned skates. Altogether he cut a
curious figure, and the prince could not help laughing at his new
traveling companion. "This," thought he, "must be Master
Whipswitchem."

But his gallant steed did not seem to enter into the spirit of the
joke. He pricked his ears, pawed the ground, snorted, champed and
foamed, and finally stood stock still, trembling like a leaf. Prince
Violet began to wax somewhat impatient. Yet at length said to him very
courteously--

"My friend, if it is the same thing to you, I had rather you would get
off and walk."

"Thank you, my friend, but if it's the same thing to you, I'd rather
ride. Ho-ho! ha-hah!" and thereupon he laughed like a whole swarm of
flies.

Then the valiant prince drew his sword and gave Master Whipswitchem a
great blow under the short-ribs, which he took it for granted would
cut him in two; but the sword rebounded as if it had struck on an
empty bladder, while the little imp only bounded upward about three
yards, alighting in the same place as before, and crying out, "Ho-ho!
hah-hah!" At this rate, thought Prince Violet, I shall never get to
the end of my journey. Still he repeated his blows, at each one of
which the pestiferous little imp only jumped higher and laughed
louder, and the gallant steed only snorted, pawed, and stamped more
vehemently, until both steed and master became quite exhausted. The
latter then resorted to artifice, seeing that force was unavailing. So
putting up his sword, he affected to expostulate with his troublesome
companion on the impropriety of his conduct, watching at the same time
for an opportunity of laying hold of him. When he seemed off his
guard, and was crying "Ho-ho! ha-hah!" with infinite glee, the prince
suddenly throwing himself forward, seized him by the long nose, and
after holding him up kicking in the air for a few moments--for he was
as light as a feather--with a sudden jerk pitched him away out into
the river, where, after bobbing up and down some half a dozen times,
and crying "Ho-ho! ha-hah!" he disappeared. "Ho-ho! ha-hah!" cried the
prince, "I think I have done Master Whipstichem's business this time."
After which he proceeded gayly on his journey.

Before, however, he had time to enjoy the victory, his gallant steed
suddenly began to rea