much disappointed. I had thought
to find a powerful robber, and instead of that I have seen the most
miserable creature I can imagine. Hanging is far too good for him. If I
had to sentence him I should make him perform some very difficult task,
under pain of death. If he did it so much the better for you, and if he
didn't, matters would just be as they are now and he could still be
hanged.' 'Your counsel,' said the Emperor, 'is excellent, and, as it
happens, I've got the very thing for him to do. My nearest neighbour,
who is also a mighty Emperor, possesses a golden horse which he guards
most carefully. The prisoner shall be told to steal this horse and bring
it to me.'

The Prince was then let out of his dungeon, and told his life would be
spared if he succeeded in bringing the golden horse to the Emperor. He
did not feel very elated at this announcement, for he did not know how
in the world he was to set about the task, and he started on his way
weeping bitterly, and wondering what had made him leave his father's
house and kingdom. But before he had gone far his friend the wolf stood
before him and said, 'Dear Prince, why are you so cast down? It is true
you didn't succeed in catching the bird; but don't let that discourage
you, for this time you will be all the more careful, and will doubtless
catch the horse.' With these and like words the wolf comforted the
Prince, and warned him specially not to touch the wall or let the horse
touch it as he led it out, or he would fail in the same way as he had
done with the bird.

[Illustration]

After a somewhat lengthy journey the Prince and the wolf came to the
kingdom ruled over by the Emperor who possessed the golden horse. One
evening late they reached the capital, and the wolf advised the Prince
to set to work at once, before their presence in the city had aroused
the watchfulness of the guards. They slipped unnoticed into the
Emperor's stables and into the very place where there were the most
guards, for there the wolf rightly surmised they would find the horse.
When they came to a certain inner door the wolf told the Prince to
remain outside, while he went in. In a short time he returned and said,
'My dear Prince, the horse is most securely watched, but I have
bewitched all the guards, and if you will only be careful not to touch
the wall yourself, or let the horse touch it as you go out, there is no
danger and the game is yours.' The Prince, who had made up his min