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The young Princes were not in the least concerned； not knowing
what they had to do； but the whole Court was amazed at her
demand； knowing very well that it was impossible for them ever to
get the steed； as all that ever sought him perished in the attempt。
However； they could not retract the bargain； and the youngest
Prince was desired to tell what demand he had on the Queen； as he
had won his game。
‘My brothers；' says he； ‘are now going to travel； and； as I
understand； a perilous journey wherein they know not what road to take
or what may happen them。 I am resolved； therefore； not to stay
here； but to go with them； let what will betide； and I request and
command； according to my bargain； that the Queen shall stand on
the highest tower of the palace until we come back （or find out that
we are certainly dead）； with nothing but sheaf corn for her food and
cold water for her drink； if it should be for seven years and longer。'
All things being now fixed； the three princes departed the Court
in search of the Knight of the Glen's palace； and travelling along
the road they came up with a man who was a little lame； and
seemed to be somewhat advanced in years； they soon fell into
discourse； and the youngest of the princes asked the stranger his
name； or what was the reason he wore so remarkable a black cap
as he saw on him。
‘I am called；' said he； ‘the Thief of Sloan； and sometimes the
Black Thief from my cap； ‘and so telling the prince the most of his
adventures； he asked him again where they were bound for； or
what they were about。
The prince； willing to gratify his request； told him their affairs
from the beginning to the end。 ‘And now；' said he； ‘we are travelling；
and do not know whether we are on the right road or not。'
‘Ah！ my brave fellows；' says the Black Thief； ‘you little know
the danger you run。 I am after that steed myself these seven
years； and can never steal him on account of a silk covering he has
on him in the stable； with sixty bells fixed to it； and whenever you
approach the place he quickly observes it and shakes himself；
which； by the sound of the bells； not only alarms the prince and his
guards； but the whole country round； so that it is impossible ever
to get him； and those that are so unfortunate as to be taken by the
Knight of the Glen are boiled in a red…hot fiery furnace。'
‘Bless me；' says the young prince； ‘what will we do？ If we
return without the steed we will lose our heads； so I see we are ill
fixed on both sides。'
‘Well；' says the Thief of Sloan； ‘if it were my case I would
rather die by the Knight than by the wicked Queen； besides； I will
go with you myself and show you the road； and whatever fortune
you will have； I will take chance of the same。'
They returned him sincere thanks for his kindness； and he；
being well acquainted with the road； in a short time brought them
within view of the knight's castle。
‘Now；' says he； ‘we must stay here till night comes； for I know
all the ways of the place； and if there be any chance for it； it is
when they are all at rest； for the steed is all the watch the knight
keeps there。'
Accordingly； in the dead hour of the night； the King's three sons
and the Thief of Sloan attempted the Steed of Bells in order to
carry him away； but before they could reach the stables the steed
neighed most terribly and shook himself so； and the bells rung with
such noise； that the knight and all his men were up in a moment。
The Black Thief and the King's sons thought to make their
escape； but they were suddenly surrounded by the knight's guards
and taken prisoners； where they were brought into that dismal
part of the palace where the knight kept a furnace always boiling；
in which he threw all offenders that ever came in his way； which
in a few moments would entirely consume them。
‘Audacious villains！' says the Knight of the Glen； ‘how dare
you attempt so bold an action as to steal my steed？ See； now； the
reward of your folly； for your greater punishment I will not boil
you all together； but one after the other； so that he that survives
may witness the dire afflictions of his unfortunate companions。'
So saying he ordered his servants to stir up the fire： ‘We will
boil the eldest…looking of these young men first；' said he； ‘and so on
to the last； which will be this old champion with the black cap。 He
seems to be the captain； and looks as if he had come through many
toils。'
‘I was as near death once as the prince is yet；' says the Black
Thief； ‘and escaped； and so will he too。'
‘No； you never were；' said the knight； ‘for he is within two or
three minutes of his latter end。'
‘But；' says the Black Thief； ‘I was within one moment of my
death； and I am here yet。'
‘How was that？' says the knight； ‘I would be glad to hear it；
for it seems impossible。'
‘If you think； sir knight；' says the Black Thief； ‘that the danger
I was in surpasses that of this young man； will you pardon him his
crime？'
‘I will；' says the knight； ‘so go on with your story。'
‘I was； sir；' says he； ‘a very wild boy in my youth； and came
through many distresses； once in particular； as I was on my
rambling； I was benighted and could find no lodging。 At length I
came to an old kiln； and being much fatigued I went up and lay on
the ribs。 I had not been long there when I saw three witches
coming in with three bags of gold。 Each put their bags of gold
under their heads； as if to sleep。 I heard one of them say to the
other that if the Black Thief came on them while they slept； he
would not leave them a penny。 I found by their discourse that
everybody had got my name into their mouth； though I kept silent
as death during their discourse。 At length they fell fast asleep； and
then I stole softly down； and seeing some turf convenient；
I placed one under each of their heads； and off I went； with their gold；
as fast as I could。
‘I had not gone far；' continued the Thief of Sloan； ‘until I saw a grey…
hound； a hare； and a hawk in pursuit of me； and began to think it must be the
witches that had taken the shapes in order that I might not escape them
unseen either by land or water。 Seeing they did not appear in any formidable
shape； I was more than once resolved to attack them； thinking that with
my broad sword I could easily destroy them。 But considering again
that it was perhaps still in their power to become alive again； I
gave over the attempt and climbed with difficulty up a tree； bringing
my sword in my hand and all the gold along with me。 However；
when they came to the tree they found what I had done； and making
further use of their hellish art； one of them was changed into a
smith's anvil and another into a piece of iron； of which the third
soon made a hatchet。 Having the hatchet made； she fell to cutting
down the tree； and in the course of an hour it began to shake
with me。 At length it began to bend； and I found that