As soon as he did, the horse stopped fighting. Minerva's magic bridle turned the wild Pegasus into a tame and gentle horse. He sailed gently down to a mountain top. There he stood quietly. Bellerophon slid of his back. Bellerophon threw his arms around the horse's neck.

With one leap the horse was high in the air. Down he shot, like a bullet, trying to throw his rider. He turned and twisted and kicked. He turned over and flew on his back. Bellerophon just hung on tighter. At last Bellerophon saw his chance. He succeeded in slipping the bit between the horse's teeth.

"Pegasus," he cried, "you are the most beautiful horse in the world! You ought to be free to fly where you wish. I don't want to use the bridle on you, but we must kill the dragon. When we have killed it, I shall set you free." Bellerophon and Pegasus stay on the mountain top a few days longer.