He rode many days until he came to the castle of the dragon. The dragon was out and the Princess received him with tears of joy.
"Come," he said to her, "let us escape before the dragon returns."
The Princess sighed and shook her head.
"How, my loved one, can we escape? The dragon rides a magic horse and however fast we go he will be able to overtake us."
But the Prince insisted that they make the attempt. So she mounted with him and off they went.
When the dragon arrived home and found her gone, he laughed a brutal laugh and said to his horse:
"I suppose that foolish young Prince has been here and is trying to carry her off. Shall we start after them now or wait till we've had our supper?"
"We might as well eat," the horse said, "for we'll overtake them anyway."
So they both ate and then the dragon mounted the magic horse and in no time at all they had overtaken the fugitives.
"I ought to tear you to pieces," the dragon said to the Prince, "but I won't this time because you gave me a cup of water. However, I warn you not to try this foolishness again!"