Читать книгу The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures: The Ultimate A–Z of Fantastic Beings from Myth and Magic - John Matthews - Страница 334

This water horse lives in the mountain pools and waterfalls of north Wales. Its grey body has a spectral glow that illuminates the mist around it. Its method of attack is to leap from the waters when someone is near, hooking its forelegs over the shoulders of the unfortunate wanderer. If the grip of its forelegs does not strangle him, then the Ceffyl Dwr will trample and kick the stranger to death. In south Wales, the Ceffyl Dwr is said to have wings, but these are lacking in the water horse of the north. Others say that Ceffyl Dwr takes the shape of a goat. Anyone who is courageous enough to attack and overcome the beast will be astonished to find that there is no corpse, only a viscid scum of grease upon the surface of the water. The insubstantial nature of the Ceffyl Dwr, which looks solid enough when you encounter it, changes rapidly should anyone try to ride it, for it evaporates into the swirling mists from which it emerged.