“Very well, my son,” answered the king. “Go! Show their prince to my people!”
The supposed prince then flew to embrace her royal mother; after which she went to the stables and selected a most beautiful coal-black steed. As she stood by the horse’s head, tears flowed down her cheeks.
At this occurred something most strange. The beautiful horse, seeing the tears of the princess, began to speak: “Ai, my sultana! Why do you cry?”
Now, the princess was surprised that, while all about supposed her to be a prince, she should be [[101]]addressed as sultana. However, she was too distressed to cavil at anything; so made answer:
“No one has greater cause for grief than I. Ever since my birth, my father has believed me to be a boy. Now, at the performance of this ceremony, he will be told what you already know. In that hour he will cause my mother to be put to death. I have half an hour, only, in which to escape. My father has given permission that I should ride about the square to view the people. At the end of that time, I have decided to make my escape.”
When the princess had confided this sorrow and perplexity to the horse, he spoke again: “Sultana,” he said, “there is no cause for grief. Mount my back and, with the favor of Allah, I will bear you to other lands. But, first, accept a bit of advice. When the time comes that we are to fly, hold to my neck with all your might. Also keep fast hold upon the reins; because my speed is so great that, if a bullet be shot off behind us, it could not overtake me. Bear this in mind and act accordingly!”
Thereupon the young girl mounted the beautiful coal-black steed and rode to the public square—from one end to the other of it—while all the soldiers stood watching one whom they believed to be their prince.
When the half hour had elapsed, the horse gave a [[102]]spring, from the admiring soldiers, and was off like the wind.
When the people saw this they believed that the spirited creature had become frightened, and that the prince could not manage him. A crier was sent to the king, while the soldiers set out in pursuit.
But they found no trace of the horse, nor of his rider—not so much as the prints of hoofs in the road. Then they returned; for they felt that search was hopeless. The king and all his people went into mourning for the prince; and the soldiers were ordered back to their stations.