Scarcely had he got into the saddle than the horse was off and away , galloping at such a pace that , in a short time , the forest and all the country belonging to the magician lay far behind them . In the meantime the magician returned to his palace , which he found in smouldering ruins . In vain he called for his servant . At last he went to look for him in the stables , and when he discovered that the black horse had disappeared too , he at once suspected that they had gone together ; so he mounted a roan horse that was in the next stall , and set out in pursuit . As the prince rode , the quick ears of his horse heard the sound of pursuing feet . ` Look behind you , ' he said , ` and see if the old man is following . ' And the prince turned in his saddle and saw a cloud like smoke or dust in the distance . ` We must hurry , ' said the horse . After they had galloped for some time , the horse said again : ` Look behind , and see if he is still at some distance . ' ` He is quite close , ' answered the prince . ` Then throw the looking-glass on the ground , ' said the horse . So the prince threw it ; and when the magician came up , the roan horse stepped on the mirror , and crash ! his foot went through the glass , and he stumbled and fell , cutting his feet so badly that there was nothing for the old man to do but to go slowly back with him to the stables , and put new shoes on his feet . Then they started once more in pursuit of the prince , for the magician set great value on the horse , and was determined not to lose it . In the meanwhile the prince had gone a great distance ; but the quick ears of the black horse detected the sound of following feet from afar . ` Dismount , ' he said to the prince ; ` put your ear to the ground , and tell me if you do not hear a sound . ' So the prince dismounted and listened . ' I seem to hear the earth tremble , ' he said ; ' I think he can not be very far off . ' ` Mount me at once , ' answered the horse , ` and I will gallop as fast as I can . ' And he set off so fast that the earth seemed to fly from under his hoofs .
` Look back once more , ' he said , after a short time , ` and see if he is XXXXX sight . ' '
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