ocks would roll
towards him, as if they would crush him and his colt beneath their
weight. To his dying day Peronnik never knew whether these things were
real or if he only imagined them, but he pulled down his knitted cap so
as to cover his eyes, and trusted the colt to carry him down the right
road.

At last the forest was left behind, and they came out on a wide plain
where the air blew fresh and strong. The idiot ventured to peep out, and
found to his relief that the enchantments seemed to have ended, though
a thrill of horror shot through him as he noticed the skeletons of men
scattered over the plain, beside the skeletons of their horses. And what
were those grey forms trotting away in the distance? Were they--could
they be--wolves?

But vast through the plain seemed, it did not take long to cross, and
very soon the colt entered a sort of shady park in which was standing a
single apple-tree, its branches bowed down to the ground with the weight
of its fruit. In front was the korigan--the little fairy man--holding in
his hand the fiery sword, which reduced to ashes everything it touched.
At the sight of Peronnik he uttered a piercing scream, and raised his
sword, but without appearing surprised the youth only lifted his cap,
though he took care to remain at a little distance.

'Do not be alarmed, my prince,' said Peronnik, 'I am just on my way to
Kerglas, as the noble Rogear has begged me to come to him on business.'

'Begged you to come!' repeated the dwarf, 'and who, then, are you?'

'I am the new servant he has engaged, as you know very well,' answered
Peronnik.

'I do not know at all,' rejoined the korigan sulkily, 'and you may be a
robber for all I can tell.'

'I am so sorry,' replied Peronnik, 'but I may be wrong in calling myself
a servant, for I am only a bird-catcher. But do not delay me, I pray,
for his highness the magician expects me, and, as you see, has lent me
his colt so that I may reach the castle all the quicker.'

At these words the korigan cast his eyes for the first time on the colt,
which he knew to be the one belonging to the magician, and began to
think that the young man was speaking the truth. After examining the
horse, he studied the rider, who had such an innocent, and indeed
vacant, air that he appeared incapable of inventing a story. Still, the
dwarf did not feel quite sure that all was right, and asked what the
magician wanted with a bird-catcher.

'From what he says, he wa