teed, 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 th