` Bring me the Princess Bella-Flor this moment , ' stammered he , ` for if you return without her I will have you drowned ! ' And without another word he left the hall , leaving Jose staring with surprise and horror . ` How can I find the Princess Bella-Flor when I have never even seen her ? ' thought he . ` But it is no use staying here , for I shall only be put to death . ' And he walked slowly to the stables to choose himself a horse . There were rows upon rows of fine beasts with their names written in gold above their stalls , and Jose was looking uncertainly from one to the other , wondering which he should choose , when an old white horse turned its head and signed to him to approach . ` Take me , ' it said in a gentle whisper , ` and all will go well . ' Jose still felt so bewildered with the mission that the king had given him that he forgot to be astonished at hearing a horse talk . Mechanically he laid his hand on the bridle and led the white horse out of the stable . He was about to mount on his back , when the animal spoke again : ` Pick up those three loaves of bread which you see there , and put them in your pocket . ' Jose did as he was told , and being in a great hurry to get away , asked no questions , but swung himself into the saddle . They rode far without meeting any adventures , but at length they came to an ant-hill , and the horse stopped . ` Crumble those three loaves for the ants , ' he said . But Jose hesitated . ` Why , we may want them ourselves ! ' answered he . ` Never mind that ; give them to the ants all the same . Do not lose a chance of helping others . ' And when the loaves lay in crumbs on the road , the horse galloped on .
By-and-by they entered a rocky pass between two mountains , and here they saw an eagle which had been caught XXXXX a hunter 's net .
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