“I would gladly bear thee wherever thou wishest, but I cannot, for I have children; but I will go to my brother. He has no children.” She flew off in a flash, soon returning, and with her her brother.
“But where has my white steed gone?” asked Jalmir suddenly.
“I will soon tell thee,” answered the eagle, and she rose in the sky till she seemed to the eye of Jalmir as small as the point of a pine leaf. She remained motionless a moment, then came down like a bolt and said: “I saw thy steed under the old pear-tree which stands before the southern gate of the great town.”
“Bear me to that place then,” said Jalmir, with a voice of entreaty.
The eagle’s brother caught him in his strong talons, and was soon flying with him high in the air; so high that Jalmir saw his native place, but it was as small as an ant-hill. He went farther, it became greater, till at last the eagle came to the earth and put Jalmir down near the old pear-tree; then he parted with him, and soon vanished in the air.
The white steed was standing behind the pear-tree, with drooping head, and so gloomy that he did not notice his master.
“My very good steed!” cried Jalmir, and fell on his neck.
“Thou art alive and well?” asked the steed in amazement.
“Yes,” answered Jalmir, and told him all that had happened.
“I am happy,” said the steed; “but now sit quickly on me, we must go to the princess or we shall be late.”