Let him go in peace . ' ` Iron gate , iron gate , ' cried the voice , growling like thunder , ` fall on him and grind him to powder . ' ` No , ' replied the gate ; ` it is a hundred years since you left me to rust , and he has oiled me . Let him go in peace . ' VI Once outside , the young adventurer put his oranges into a bag that hung from his saddle , mounted his horse , and rode quickly out of the forest . Now , as he was longing to see the princesses , he was very anxious to come to a river or a fountain , but , though he rode for hours , a river or fountain was nowhere to be seen . Still his heart was light , for he felt that he had got through the most difficult part of his task , and the rest was easy . About mid-day he reached a sandy plain , scorching in the sun . Here he was seized with dreadful thirst ; he took his gourd and raised it to his lips . But the gourd was empty ; in the excitement of his joy he had forgotten to fill it . He rode on , struggling with his sufferings , but at last he could bear it no longer . He let himself slide to the earth , and lay down beside his horse , his throat burning , his chest heaving , and his head going round . Already he felt that death was near him , when his eyes fell on the bag where the oranges peeped out . Poor Desire , who had braved so many dangers to win the lady of his dreams , would have given at this moment all the princesses in the world , were they pink or golden , for a single drop of water . ` Ah ! ' he said to himself . ` If only these oranges were real fruit -- fruit as refreshing as what I ate in Flanders ! And , after all , who knows ? ' This idea put some life into him . He had the strength to lift himself up and put his hand into his bag .
He drew out an orange and opened it XXXXX his knife .
About as at for like of since through to with