Meanwhile, the sorceress flew out of the castle and sprang at the steed; but the steed got her down, and so thrashed her with his feet that he did not leave a sound bone in her body. At the same time he wound up the rope so nicely that in a little while he had drawn up the net containing Jalmir. “Sit quickly on me,” said he. Jalmir mounted in a moment, keeping the vessel carefully in his arms. The steed rose in the air and flew like lightning, because the sorceress who had picked herself from the ground was chasing him. But soon they had the boundary of the castle land behind them, so that they had no further need to strain their powers.
When they reached home the steed was drooping wearily to the earth, so that Jalmir had to support him in going to the stable. Jalmir was barely able to go to his own room; but first, according to the command of the steed, he left the cask of wine at the door of the king’s chamber, then he lay on his bed and was soon asleep.
When the king opened the door of his chamber in the morning he saw the cask. “This must be wine,” said the king, rejoicing; and taking off the head, he tried it. “It’s wine; it’s wine!” rejoiced he; and calling the people of the castle, he drank a health with them all.
“But what is this?” wondered they; “we have taken ten kegs of wine out already, and still it comes.”
“This must be an enchanted cask,” said the king, and began to laugh. Then he said in serious tones: “Little cask, I should like to have red wine.” He drew some. And what a wonder! the wine was red. “I want yellow wine,” said the king; and yellow wine flowed out.
“In real fact, it is an enchanted cask,” said the king. “Oh, Jalmir,” cried he in delight, “how can I reward thee!”
“I have only obeyed thy command, gracious king,” answered Jalmir, who had just entered the room.
“Yes, thou hast done all that I commanded, and much more,” said the king; “therefore I make thee my son, and proclaim thee viceroy.”
All present broke out in tumultuous shouting, but Jalmir’s brothers were silent; they bit their lips and clinched their fists. The king, altogether joyous and full of tenderness, from success and from wine, arranged to have a seven day’s celebration in honor of the new viceroy. The people did not wait to have the order repeated, but began that very day, especially since they had plenty of food, and the wine which the enchanted cask gave them without stint. The new viceroy was greeted everywhere with shouts, and won at once the love of the people.
But his brothers were enraged all the more. Instead of going to the festivities they went to the room where the books were, and read as diligently as if they wished to become sages at once. This time, however, they were not able to find anything for a great while; but at last they read what they wanted.