cried the horse , ` do not throw them away ! Perhaps we shall find them of use . Get down and pick them up . ' So Petru got down and picked them up , and they all went on . In the evening , when the sun is getting low , and all the midges are beginning to bite , Peter saw a wide heath stretching before him . At the same instant the horse stood still of itself . ` What is the matter ? ' asked Petru . ' I am afraid that something evil will happen to us , ' answered the horse . ` But why should it ? ' ` We are going to enter the kingdom of the goddess Mittwoch , -LRB- 2 -RRB- and the further we ride into it the colder we shall get . But all along the road there are huge fires , and I dread lest you should stop and warm yourself at them . ' -LRB- 2 -RRB- In German ` Mittwoch , ' the feminine form of Mercury . ` And why should I not warm myself ? ' ` Something fearful will happen to you if you do , ' replied the horse sadly . ` Well , forward ! ' cried Petru lightly , ` and if I have to bear cold , I must bear it ! ' With every step they went into the kingdom of Mittwoch , the air grew colder and more icy , till even the marrow in their bones was frozen . But Petru was no coward ; the fight he had gone through had strengthened his powers of endurance , and he stood the test bravely . Along the road on each side were great fires , with men standing by them , who spoke pleasantly to Petru as he went by , and invited him to join them .
The breath froze in his mouth , but he took no notice , only bade his horse ride XXXXX the faster .
With along at before lest of on that till to