In three more days the seven years would be at an end , when a knight in golden armour and mounted on a spirited steed was seen making his way towards the fatal hill . Sticking his spurs into his horse he made a rush at the mountain , and got up half-way , then he calmly turned his horse 's head and came down again without a slip or stumble . The following day he started in the same way ; the horse trod on the glass as if it had been level earth , and sparks of fire flew from its hoofs . All the other knights gazed in astonishment , for he had almost gained the summit , and in another moment he would have reached the apple-tree ; but of a sudden a huge eagle rose up and spread its mighty wings , hitting as it did so the knight 's horse in the eye . The beast shied , opened its wide nostrils and tossed its mane , then rearing high up in the air , its hind feet slipped and it fell with its rider down the steep mountain side . Nothing was left of either of them except their bones , which rattled in the battered golden armour like dry peas in a pod . And now there was only one more day before the close of the seven years . Then there arrived on the scene a mere schoolboy -- a merry , happy-hearted youth , but at the same time strong and well-grown . He saw how many knights had broken their necks in vain , but undaunted he approached the steep mountain on foot and began the ascent . For long he had heard his parents speak of the beautiful Princess who sat in the golden castle at the top of the Glass Mountain . He listened to all he heard , and determined that he too would try his luck . But first he went to the forest and caught a lynx , and cutting off the creature 's sharp claws , he fastened them on to his own hands and feet . Armed with these weapons he boldly started up the Glass Mountain . The sun was nearly going down , and the youth had not got more than half-way up . He could hardly draw breath he was so worn out , and his mouth was parched by thirst . A huge black cloud passed over his head , but in vain did he beg and beseech her to let a drop of water fall on him . He opened his mouth , but the black cloud sailed past and not as much as a drop of dew moistened his dry lips . His feet were torn and bleeding , and he could only hold on now with his hands . Evening closed in , and he strained his eyes to see if he could behold the top of the mountain . Then he gazed beneath him , and what a sight met his eyes !
A yawning abyss , with certain and terrible death XXXXX the bottom , reeking with half-decayed bodies of horses and riders !
For at before down in like than that to with