At length this royal assembly began to sport and play at all kinds of diversions , and the Queen very cunningly challenged the three Princes to play at cards with her , making bargain with them as she had been instructed . They accepted the challenge , and the eldest son and she played the first game , which she won ; then the second son played , and she won that game likewise ; the third son and she then played the last game , and he won it , which sorely grieved her that she had not him in her power as well as the rest , being by far the handsomest and most beloved of the three . However , everyone was anxious to hear the Queen 's commands in regard to the two Princes , not thinking that she had any ill design in her head against them . Whether it was the hen-wife instructed her , or whether it was from her own knowledge , I can not tell ; but she gave out they must go and bring her the Knight of the Glen 's wild Steed of Bells , or they should lose their heads . 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 -LRB- or find out that we are certainly dead -RRB- , 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 XXXXX 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 .
If after as at by for of that whether with