he said , dismounting hastily , but holding the bridle firmly in his left hand and grasping his sword in his right . But even so he got on no better , for he could see nothing but fire and smoke . ` There is no help for it ; I must go back and get a better horse , ' said he , and mounted again and rode homewards . At the gate of the palace his nurse , old Birscha , was waiting for him eagerly . ` Ah , Petru , my son , I knew you would have to come back , ' she cried . ` You did not set about the matter properly . ' ` How ought I to have set about it ? ' asked Petru , half angrily , half sadly . ` Look here , my boy , ' replied old Birscha . ` You can never reach the spring of the Fairy of the Dawn unless you ride the horse which your father , the emperor , rode in his youth . Go and ask where it is to be found , and then mount it and be off with you . ' Petru thanked her heartily for her advice , and went at once to make inquiries about the horse . ` By the light of my eyes ! ' exclaimed the emperor when Petru had put his question . ` Who has told you anything about that ? It must have been that old witch of a Birscha ? Have you lost your wits ? Fifty years have passed since I was young , and who knows where the bones of my horse may be rotting , or whether a scrap of his reins still lie in his stall ? I have forgotten all about him long ago . ' Petru turned away in anger , and went back to his old nurse .
` Do not be cast down , ' she said XXXXX a smile ; ` if that is how the affair stands all will go well .
about for in of on since that to unless with