When the Prince heard this he was in despair, for he did not see how he could possibly level down a mountain in three years, let alone three days. However, he took a pick and shovel and set to work. For two days he dug and shoveled, and at the end of that time he had scarcely dug away enough to fill a ditch.
At the end of that time the fox came to him. “Now you see how little you can do,” said he. “You do not deserve that I should help you again, but I have a soft heart. Do you lie down and rest awhile, and I will do the work for you.”
The Prince trusted the fox, and he was very tired. He flung himself down upon the ground, and fell into a deep sleep.
When he awoke the next morning the mountain had disappeared. The place where it had stood was as flat as the palm of the hand.
When the King looked from his windows and found the mountain gone he was filled with joy and wonder. “You have indeed fairly won the Princess,” said he to the Prince, “and I will not say you nay.”
So he gave his daughter to the stranger youth, and much treasure as well. He also gave them each a horse trapped out in gold and precious stones, and then the two set out together, riding side by side.
They had not gone far when they met the little red fox, and he was on the watch for them.
“Now you have indeed won the best of all,” said he. “But it is you and you alone who should have the Princess for a wife. But in order to keep her for yourself you must do exactly as I say. First of all you must go to the King who sent you to the golden castle. When he sees you have brought the Princess to him, he will gladly give you the Golden Horse. Mount upon the horse, and when you say farewell to the King and his court, take the hand of each one in turn. Last of all you must take the hand of the Princess. Grasp it firmly, and draw her up into the saddle in front of you, and then ride away for your life. They may pursue you, but none can overtake you, for the Golden Horse goes faster than the wind.”
The Prince did exactly as the fox bade him. He took the Princess to the palace of the King who had sent him to find her. When the King saw her he gladly gave the Golden Horse to the Prince. The Prince said farewell to all and then at the last he caught the Princess by the hand and drew her up in front of him, and away they went faster than the wind, and none pursed them, for they knew they could never catch them.
After awhile the Prince and Princess came to the fox seated by the road waiting for them.