And so saying, he went out to his forge. As soon as Jack Frost was left alone, he took out the three speckled eggs, and broke them one after another, hoping to find inside either something which he might offer to the hobgoblin in payment of his debt, or at least some means of escape. But in this he was disappointed. The first egg contained a pod with three seeds in it, the second a gossamer lasso, and the third a tiny packet of eye-salve.
“These things are of but little use to me at present,” reflected the foundling sadly, and he submitted to his lot with as good a grace as might be. Seven years long he served the hobgoblin, who made him a hard master, but when the time had expired allowed him to go on his way unmolested.
Onwards through the forest went Jack Frost, sad at heart at the loss of time and the thwarting of his quest, and after some days’ wanderings he came upon a path which at last led him out of the wood and into open country. Soon, however, he reached a place where four roads met, and stood still in some perplexity. Then he bethought him of the pod with the three seeds, and cast one seed upon each of the three roads before him. Straightway three young trees shot up, all bearing leaves, while the tree on the right bore blossoms and fruits as well. He therefore took the right hand road, and walked along it for some considerable distance, till at length it sloped down to the sea shore and came to an end. Now upon the strand Jack Frost caught sight of a beautiful white horse, with streaming mane, and riderless, pacing to and fro.
“What is your name, fair steed?” asked he, “and who is your master?”
“My name is the wind,” the beautiful white horse made answer, “and I have no master.”
Then Jack Frost bethought him of the gossamer lasso, and threw it deftly, and caught the fleet-footed wind.
“Carry me across the water,” said he, “for there is neither boat nor bridge.”
“Then mount upon my back,” returned the wind, “and lean your head against my long mane, and shut your eyes, for should you look downwards you would surely turn giddy.”
So Jack Frost did as the wind bade him, and together they sped away across the waste of rolling billows that rocked and foamed far below them. Upon the opposite shore the wind set him down safely, and Jack Frost put his arms about the neck of the beautiful, swift steed, and kissed it between the eyes, but even as he did so the wild creature started away from him, and fled back across the sea.
Then Jack Frost turned and went on his way, glad at heart, for already he had caught a glimpse of an old ivy-clad belfry among thick-standing trees. Into the low-browed porch he went, and up the winding stair, till he found the magpie’s nest, and in among the sticks and straw he saw the gleam of the magic ring.