"Hold still, can't you?" cried the kinglet.
"I can; but I won't," said the horse, in a cross tone, for it appeared the animal was able to talk.
"I'll thrash you soundly, if you don't behave!" screamed the kinglet.
"I'll kick you in the ribs, if you dare to threaten me!" returned the horse, laying back its ears. "Why, you miserable little freckle-faced kinglet, I could run away with you and break your neck, if I wanted to!"
"That's true," said his Majesty, meekly. "I beg your pardon for my harsh words. Let us be friends, by all means!"
The horse snorted, as if with contempt, and the guards finally managed to hoist the little kinglet to his seat upon the animal's back.
"Throw away that mace!" cried the horse.
His Majesty obeyed, at once.
"Now," said the animal, "you sit still and behave yourself, or I'll dump you over my head. Understand?"