I will go in search of it at dawn , and you can begin to dig the hole as soon as you like . To comfort her husband , the princess had spoken lightly and gaily ; but she knew very well she had no light task before her . Still , she was full of courage and energy , and determined that , one way or another , her husband should be saved . It was still starlight when she left the palace on a snow-white donkey , and rode away from the river straight to the west . For some time she could see nothing before her but a flat waste of sand , which became hotter and hotter as the sun rose higher and higher . Then a dreadful thirst seized her and the donkey , but there was no stream to quench it , and if there had been she would hardly have had time to stop , for she still had far to go , and must be back before evening , or else the crocodile might declare that the prince had not fulfilled his conditions . So she spoke cheering words to her donkey , who brayed in reply , and the two pushed steadily on . Oh ! how glad they both were when they caught sight of a tall rock in the distance . They forgot that they were thirsty , and that the sun was hot ; and the ground seemed to fly under their feet , till the donkey stopped of its own accord in the cool shadow . But though the donkey might rest the princess could not , for the plant , as she knew , grew on the very top of the rock , and a wide chasm ran round the foot of it . Luckily she had brought a rope with her , and making a noose at one end , she flung it across with all her might . The first time it slid back slowly into the ditch , and she had to draw it up , and throw it again , but at length the noose caught on something , the princess could not see what , and had to trust her whole weight to this little bridge , which might snap and let her fall deep down among the rocks . And in that case her death was as certain as that of the prince . But nothing so dreadful happened . The princess got safely to the other side , and then became the worst part of her task . As fast as she put her foot on a ledge of the rock the stone broke away from under her , and left her in the same place as before . Meanwhile the hours were passing , and it was nearly noon . The heart of the poor princess was filled with despair , but she would not give up the struggle . She looked round till she saw a small stone above her which seemed rather stronger than the rest , and by only poising her foot lightly on those that lay between , she managed by a great effort to reach it .
In this way , with torn and bleeding hands , she gained the top ; but here such a violent wind was blowing that she was almost blinded with dust , and was obliged to throw herself XXXXX the ground , and feel about after the precious herb .
As For So To among from if on than till