n to howl;
but the pony did not seem to mind the noise, and instead of going to the
pond, cantered gaily towards the sea-shore.

Richard began to regret his thyme and blackberries, and the eldest
brother seized the pony by the mane and tried to make it turn round, for
he remembered the blue eyes of Jacob the rope-maker's daughter. But he
tugged and pulled in vain, for the pony galloped straight on into the
sea, till the waves met its forefeet. As soon as it felt the water it
neighed lustily and capered about with glee, advancing quickly into the
foaming billows. When the waves had covered the children's legs they
repented their careless behaviour, and cried out: 'The cursed little
black pony is bewitched. If we had only listened to old Peggy's advice
we shouldn't have been lost.'

The further the pony advanced, the higher rose the sea; at last the
waves covered the children's heads and they were all drowned.

Towards morning old Peggy went out, for she was anxious about the fate
of her grandchildren. She sought them high and low, but could not
find them anywhere. She asked all the neighbours if they had seen the
children, but no one knew anything about them, except that the eldest
had not been with the blue-eyed daughter of Jacob the rope-maker.

As she was going home, bowed with grief, she saw a little black pony
coming towards her, springing and curveting in every direction. When it
got quite near her it neighed loudly, and galloped past her so quickly
that in a moment it was out of her sight.

[From the French, Kletke.]

An Impossible Enchantment

There once lived a king who was much loved by his people, and he, too,
loved them warmly. He led a very happy life, but he had the greatest
dislike to the idea of marrying, nor had he ever felt the slightest
wish to fall in love. His subjects begged him to marry, and at last he
promised to try to do so. But as, so far, he had never cared for any
woman he had seen, he made up his mind to travel in hopes of meeting
some lady he could love.

So he arranged all the affairs of state in an orderly manner, and set
out, attended by only one equerry, who, though not very clever, had most
excellent good sense. These people indeed generally make the best fellow
travellers.

The king explored several countries, doing all he could to fall in love,
but in vain; and at the end of two years' journeys he turned his face
towards home, with as free a heart as when he set ou