And in the twinkling of an eye the whip was changed into a broad river . When the old man got up to it he urged the roan horse into the water , but as the water mounted higher and higher , the magic flame which gave the magician all his power grew smaller and smaller , till , with a fizz , it went out , and the old man and the roan horse sank in the river and disappeared . When the prince looked round they were no longer to be seen . ` Now , ' said the horse , ` you may dismount ; there is nothing more to fear , for the magician is dead . Beside that brook you will find a willow wand . Gather it , and strike the earth with it , and it will open and you will see a door at your feet . ' When the prince had struck the earth with the wand a door appeared , and opened into a large vaulted stone hall . ` Lead me into that hall , ' said the horse , ' I will stay there ; but you must go through the fields till you reach a garden , in the midst of which is a king 's palace . When you get there you must ask to be taken into the king 's service . Good-bye , and do n't forget me . ' So they parted ; but first the horse made the prince promise not to let anyone in the palace see his golden hair . So he bound a scarf round it , like a turban , and the prince set out through the fields , till he reached a beautiful garden , and beyond the garden he saw the walls and towers of a stately palace . At the garden gate he met the gardener , who asked him what he wanted . ' I want to take service with the king , ' replied the prince . ` Well , you may stay and work under me in the garden , ' said the man ; for as the prince was dressed like a poor man , he could not tell that he was a king 's son . ' I need someone to weed the ground and to sweep the dead leaves from the paths . You shall have a florin a day , a horse to help you to cart the leaves away , and food and drink . ' So the prince consented , and set about his work . But when his food was given to him he only ate half of it ; the rest he carried to the vaulted hall beside the brook , and gave to the black horse . And this he did every day , and the horse thanked him for his faithful friendship .
One evening , as they were together , after his work XXXXX the garden was over , the horse said to him : ` To-morrow a large company of princes and great lords are coming to your king 's palace .
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