In an instant prince , princess , and horse had all disappeared , and instead was a dense forest , crossed and recrossed by countless paths . Kostieï 's soldiers dashed hastily into the forest , believing they saw before them the flying horse with its double burden . They seemed close upon them , when suddenly horse , wood , everything disappeared , and they found themselves at the place where they started . There was nothing for it but to return to Kostieï , and tell him of this fresh disaster . ' A horse ! a horse ! ' cried the king . ' I will go after them myself . This time they shall not escape . ' And he galloped off , foaming with anger . ' I think I hear someone pursuing us , ' said the princess . ` Yes , so do I. ' ` And this time it is Kostieï himself . But his power only reaches as far as the first church , and he can go no farther . Give me your golden cross . ' So the prince unfastened the cross which was his mother 's gift , and the princess hastily changed herself into a church , the prince into a priest , and the horse into a belfry . It was hardly done when Kostieï came up . ` Greeting , monk . Have you seen some travellers on horseback pass this way ? ' ` Yes , the prince and Kostieï 's daughter have just gone by . They have entered the church , and told me to give you their greetings if I met you . '
Then Kostieï knew that he had been hopelessly beaten , and the XXXXX and princess continued their journey without any more adventures .
Greeting I. anger burden gift horse monk place priest prince