` Do n't be afraid , ' said the horse . ' I will help you . Take the bridle from my neck , and try to catch the Welwa with it . ' The words were hardly spoken , and Petru had no time even to unbuckle the bridle , when the Welwa herself stood before him ; and Petru could not bear to look at her , so horrible was she . She had not exactly a head , yet neither was she without one . She did not fly through the air , but neither did she walk upon the earth . She had a mane like a horse , horns like a deer , a face like a bear , eyes like a polecat ; while her body had something of each . And that was the Welwa . Petru planted himself firmly in his stirrups , and began to lay about him with his sword , but could feel nothing . A day and a night went by , and the fight was still undecided , but at last the Welwa began to pant for breath . ` Let us wait a little and rest , ' gasped she . Petru stopped and lowered his sword . ` You must not stop an instant , ' said the horse , and Petru gathered up all his strength , and laid about him harder than ever . The Welwa gave a neigh like a horse and a howl like a wolf , and threw herself afresh on Petru . For another day and night the battle raged more furiously than before . And Petru grew so exhausted he could scarcely move his arm . ` Let us wait a little and rest , ' cried the Welwa for the second time , ` for I see you are as weary as I am . ' ` You must not stop an instant , ' said the horse . And Petru went on fighting , though he barely had strength to move his arm . But the Welwa had ceased to throw herself upon him , and began to deliver her blows cautiously , as if she had no longer power to strike .
And on the third day they were still fighting , but as the morning sky began to redden Petru somehow managed -- how I can not tell -- to throw the bridle over the head of the tired XXXXX .
Petru Welwa day earth face mane neigh night second stirrups