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 Welwa . In a moment , from the Welwa sprang a horse -- the most beautiful horse in the world . ` Sweet be your life , for you have delivered me from my enchantment , ' said he , and began to rub his nose against his brother 's . And he told Petru all his story , and how he had been bewitched for many years . So Petru tied the Welwa to his own horse and rode on . Where did he ride ? That I can not tell you , but he rode on fast till he got out of the copper wood . ` Stay still , and let me look about , and see what I never have seen before , ' said Petru again to his horse . For in front of him stretched a forest that was far more wonderful , as it was made of glistening trees and shining flowers . It was the silver wood . As before , the flowers began to beg the young man to gather them .
` Do not pluck them , ' warned the Welwa , trotting beside him , ` XXXXX my brother is seven times stronger than I ' ; but though Petru knew by experience what this meant , it was no use , and after a moment 's hesitation he began to gather the flowers , and to twist himself a wreath .
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