When the animal saw (for the bull had so much intelligence that it is really wonderful to think of), when he saw that Europa was no longer afraid of him, he grew overjoyed, and could hardly contain himself for delight.  He frisked about the meadow, now here, now there, making sprightly leaps, with as little effort as a bird expends in hopping from twig to twig.  Indeed, his motion was as light as if he were flying through the air, and his hoofs seemed hardly to leave their print in the grassy soil over which he trod.  With his spotless hue, he resembled a snowdrift, wafted along by the wind.  Once he galloped so far away that Europa feared lest she might never see him again; so, setting up her childish voice, she called him back.

“Come back, pretty creature!” she cried.  “Here is a nice clover blossom.”

And then it was delightful to witness the gratitude of this amiable bull, and how he was so full of joy and thankfulness that he capered higher than ever.  He came running, and bowed his head before Europa, as if he knew her to be a king’s daughter, or else recognised the important truth that a little girl is everybody’s queen.  And not only did the bull bend his neck, he absolutely knelt down at her feet, and made such intelligent nods, and other inviting gestures, that Europa understood what he meant just as well as if he had put it in so many words.

“Come, dear child,” was what he wanted to say, “let me give you a ride on my back.”

At the first thought of such a thing, Europa drew back.  But then she considered in her wise little head that there could be no possible harm in taking just one gallop on the back of this docile and friendly animal, who would certainly set her down the very instant she desired it.  And how it would surprise her brothers to see her riding across the green meadow!  And what merry times they might have, either taking turns for a gallop, or clambering on the gentle creature, all four children together, and careering round the field with shouts of laughter that would be heard as far off as King Agenor’s palace!

“I think I will do it,” said the child to herself.

And, indeed, why not?  She cast a glance around, and caught a glimpse of Cadmus, Phoenix, and Cilix, who were still in pursuit of the butterfly, almost at the other end of the meadow.  It would be the quickest way of rejoining them, to get upon the white bull’s back.  She came a step nearer to him, therefore; and—­sociable creature that he was—­he showed so much joy at this mark of her confidence, that the child could not find it in her heart to hesitate any longer.  Making one bound (for this little princess was as active as a squirrel), there sat Europa on the beautiful bull, holding an ivory horn in each hand, lest she should fall off.

“Softly, pretty bull, softly!” she said, rather frightened at what she had done.  “Do not gallop too fast.”