So the king's son gave his word to do his best. But when he met the fox, Reynard was not altogether in a soft temper.
"Now you have behaved badly," he said. "Had you done as I bade you, we should have been on our way home by this time."
So they had to make a fresh start, as life was at stake, and the prince had given his word, and after a long, long time they got to the spot. And when the prince was to go and take the horse, the fox said—
"When you come into the stable, you will see many bits hanging on the stalls, both of silver and gold; them you shall not touch, for then the Troll will come out and slay you on the spot; but the ugliest and poorest, that you shall take."
Yes, the king's son gave his word to do that; but when he got into the stable he thought it was all stuff, for there was enough and to spare of fine bits; and so he took the brightest he could find, and it shone like gold; but in a trice out came the Troll, so cross that sparks of fire flashed from him.
"Who is it who trys to steal my horse and my bit?" he roared out.
"Thieves think every man a thief," said the king's
