“Your shadow and echo, his name is Stanzill,” answered Ray.
“You are right,” said the stranger, “and you shall have the wonderful enchanted horse.”
“Shall I have it to keep for my own?” asked Ray.
“It shall be yours forever if you remember one thing,” said Stanzill.
“It is a fairy horse, as you know, and can do all things; but when once on its back, you must never look behind—if you do, it will be lost to you forever.”
So saying Stanzill disappeared and in his place stood a beautiful white horse, just tall enough for Ray. After stroking the handsome horse, he swung himself into the saddle. “Away to fairyland,” said Ray, waving his hand.
Right up into the air rose the enchanted horse, with Ray on his back, and swift as thought he flew through the air. Over the fair land to the other end of the earth went the horse, and then came down so that Ray could look about. It was midday in fairyland and many of the fairies were asleep on the bosom of the flowers. Others were sailing past on silvery clouds, and on the leaves of an aspen tree near by Ray saw several fairies playing see-saw. It was all very still and dreamy at midday in fairyland and Ray was afraid he would fall asleep if he remained, so he jumped on the enchanted horse, and said, “Away to the Ice King’s country.”
Again the horse rose in the air and followed the course of the north wind. The air was sharp and cold, and sometimes they passed through places where snow was falling. At last Ray looked down and beheld a country of snow-fields and ice castles. He saw stretches of cold blue water where immense icebergs moved like floating mountains.
Great white bears roamed over the snow-fields and seals and walrus floated on the icebergs. It was all very beautiful, but piercing cold, and Ray did not dismount.
“I think we had better start for a warmer climate,” said Ray, leaning forward and stroking the horse. “I would like to go to the end of the rainbow,” he whispered softly.