“The brown bull stood still as a lamb for her to mount, and then at a gentle pace he set off.  The Princess had no need to catch hold of his horns to keep herself from falling, his step was so even.  And all along as she rode she threw her balls up softly in the air, catching them as they fell.  But the brown bull spoke not a word.

“On and on they went; the sun rose high in the heavens and poured down on the girl’s uncovered head the full heat of his rays.  But just as she began to feel it painfully, they entered a forest, where the green shade of the summer trees made a pleasant shelter.  And when they came out from the forest again on the other side the sun was declining; before long he had sunk below the horizon, evening was at hand.  And as before, the brown bull stopped.

“‘King’s daughter,’ he said, in a voice so gentle, though deep, that the Princess started with surprise, ’what hour must it be by this?  Tell me, king’s daughter, I pray.’

“‘Brown bull,’ replied the Princess, without a moment’s hesitation, for those who have nothing to conceal are fearless and ready; ’brown bull, it is getting late.  By now must the king and queen, my father and mother, be sitting down to their solitary supper and thinking of me, for at this hour I was used to hasten to them, throwing my pretty balls as I went.’

[Illustration:  THE BROWN BULL OF NORROWA.—­p. 162.]

“‘I thank thee, thou true Princess,’ said the bull in the same tone, and he hastened on.

“And ere long the night fell, and the poor Princess was so tired and sleepy, that without knowing it her pretty head drooped lower and lower, and at last she lay fast asleep on the bull’s broad back, her fair head resting between his horns.

“She slept so soundly that she did not notice when he stopped, only she had a strange dream.  Some one lifted her gently and laid her on a couch, it seemed to her, and a kind voice whispered in her ear, ’Good-night, my fair Princess.’

“But it must have been a dream, she said to herself.  How could a bull have arms to lift her, or how could a rough, ferocious creature like him be so gentle and kind?  It must have been a dream, for when she awoke she saw the great monster standing beside her on his four legs as usual; yet it was strange, for she found herself lying on a delicious mossy couch, and the softest and driest moss had been gathered together for a pillow, and beside her a cup of fresh milk and a cake of oaten bread were lying for her breakfast.  How had all this been done for her? she asked herself, as she ate with a very good appetite, for she had had no food since the morning before.  She began to think the bull not so bad after all, and to wonder if it was to Fairyland he was going to take her.  And as she thought this to herself she threw her balls, which were lying beside her, up into the air, and the morning sun caught their sparkle and seemed to send it dancing back again on to her bright fair hair.  And a sudden fancy seized her.