'If that is all,' said the youth, 'you shall soon have it.'

So he went out and made his way straight to the stable where the
flying horse was tethered. He stretched his hand cautiously out
to seize the bridle, when the horse suddenly began to neigh as
loud as he could. Now the room in which the dragon slept was just
above the stable, and at the sound of the neighing he woke and
cried to the horse, 'What is the matter, my treasure? is anything
hurting you?' After waiting a little while the young man tried
again to loose the horse, but a second time it neighed so loudly
that the dragon woke up in a hurry and called out to know why the
horse was making such a noise. But when the same thing happened
the third time, the dragon lost his temper, and went down into
the stable and took a whip and gave the horse a good beating.
This offended the horse and made him angry, and when the young
man stretched out his hand to untie his head, he made no further
fuss, but suffered himself to be led quietly away. Once clear of
the stable the young man sprang on his back and galloped off,
calling over his shoulder, 'Hi! dragon! dragon! if anyone asks
you what has become of your horse, you can say that I have got
him!'


But the king said, 'The flying horse is all very well, but I want
something more. You must bring me the covering with the little
bells that lies on the bed of the dragon, or I will have you hewn
into a thousand pieces.'

'Is that all?' answered the youth. 'That is easily done.'