Everything happened as the fox had said. The Prince came to the stable
where the golden horse was standing, but, as he was about to put on
the shabby old saddle, he thought to himself, "It does seem a shame
that such a lovely animal should be disgraced with this. The fine
saddle is his by right; it must go on."
Scarcely had the golden saddle rested on the horse's back when it
began to neigh loudly. This awakened the stable boy, who awakened the
grooms, who rushed in and seized the Prince and made him a prisoner.
The following morning he was brought to trial and condemned to death,
but the King promised him his life, as well as the golden horse, if
the youth could find the beautiful daughter of the King of the golden
castle. Once more, with a heavy heart, the Prince set out on his
journey, and by great good fortune he soon came across the faithful
fox.
"I really should have left thee to the consequences of thy folly,"
said the fox; "but as I feel great compassion for thee, I will help
thee out of thy new misfortune. The path to the castle lies straight
before thee; thou wilt reach it about the evening. At night, when
everything is quiet, the lovely Princess will go to the bath-house, to
bathe there.
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