Kostieï was beside himself with rage , and commanded his guards to ride after the fugitives . If the guards returned without the fugitives , their heads should pay for it . By this time the prince and princess had got a good start , and were feeling quite happy , when suddenly they heard the sound of a gallop far behind them . The prince sprang from the saddle , and laid his ear to the ground . ` They are pursuing us , ' he said . ` Then there is no time to be lost , ' answered the princess ; and as she spoke she changed herself into a river , the prince into a bridge , the horse into a crow , and divided the wide road beyond the bridge into three little ones . When the soldiers came up to the bridge , they paused uncertainly . How were they to know which of the three roads the fugitives had taken ? They gave it up in despair and returned in trembling to Kostieï . ` Idiots ! ' he exclaimed , in a passion . ` They were the bridge and the river , of course ! Do you mean to say you never thought of that ? Go back at once ! ' and off they galloped like lightning . But time had been lost , and the prince and princess were far on their way . ' I hear a horse , ' cried the princess . The prince jumped down and laid his ear to the ground . ` Yes , ' he said , ` they are not far off now . ' In an instant prince , princess , and horse had all disappeared , and instead was a dense forest , crossed and recrossed by countless paths .
Kostieï 's soldiers dashed hastily XXXXX the forest , believing they saw before them the flying horse with its double burden .
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