As he went he suddenly remembered the words that the old woman had said to the mare , and he drew out the fox hair and twisted it in his fingers . ` What is it , my brother ? ' asked the fox , who instantly appeared before him . ` The old witch 's mare has run away from me , and I do not know where to look for her . ' ` She is with us , ' replied the fox , ` and has changed herself into a big fox , and her foal into a little one , but strike the ground with a halter and say , `` Come here , O mare of the mountain witch ! '' ' The prince did so , and in a moment the fox became a mare and stood before him , with the little foal at her heels . He mounted and rode back , and the old woman placed food on the table , and led the mare back to the stable . ` You should have gone to the foxes , as I told you , ' said she , striking the mare with a stick . ' I did go to the foxes , ' replied the mare , ` but they are no friends of mine and betrayed me . ' ` Well , this time you had better go to the wolves , ' said she , not knowing that the prince had heard all she had been saying . The third night the prince mounted the mare and rode her out to the meadows , with the foal trotting after . He tried hard to keep awake , but it was of no use , and in the morning there he was again on the log , grasping the halter . He started to his feet , and then stopped , for he remembered what the old woman had said , and pulled out the wolf 's grey lock . ` What is it , my brother ? ' asked the wolf as it stood before him . ` The old witch 's mare has run away from me , ' replied the prince , ` and I do n't know where to find her . ' ` Oh , she is with us , ' answered the wolf , ` and she has changed herself into a she-wolf , and the foal into a cub ; but strike the earth here with the halter , and cry , `` Come to me , O mare of the mountain witch . '' ' The prince did as he was bid , and as the hair touched his fingers the wolf changed back into a mare , with the foal beside her . And when he had mounted and ridden her home the old woman was on the steps to receive them , and she set some food before the prince , but led the mare back to her stable . ` You should have gone among the wolves , ' said she , striking her with a stick .
` So I did , ' replied the mare , ` but they are no friends XXXXX mine and betrayed me . '
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