The others laughed, and said, “Seek one for thyself when we are gone, we will leave one behind us in the stable for thee.” When they had gone forth, he went into the stable, and got the horse out; it was lame of one foot, and limped hobblety jig, hobblety jig; nevertheless he mounted it, and rode away to the dark forest.

When he came to the outskirts, he called “Iron John,” three times so loudly that it echoed through the trees.

Thereupon the wild man appeared immediately, and said, “What dost thou desire?”

“I want a strong steed, for I am going to the wars.”