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 into the forest , believing they saw before them the flying horse with its double burden . They seemed close upon them , when suddenly horse , wood , everything disappeared , and they found themselves at the place where they started . There was nothing for it but to return to Kostieï , and tell him of this fresh disaster . ' A horse ! a horse ! ' cried the king . ' I will go after them myself . This time they shall not escape . '
And he galloped off , foaming XXXXX anger . '
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