Accordingly , in the dead hour of 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 . The Black Thief and the King 's sons thought to make their escape , but they were suddenly surrounded by the knight 's guards and taken prisoners ; where they were brought into that dismal part of the palace where the knight kept a furnace always boiling , in which he threw all offenders that ever came in his way , which in a few moments would entirely consume them . ` Audacious villains ! ' says the Knight of the Glen , ` how dare you attempt so bold an action as to steal my steed ? See , now , the reward of your folly ; for your greater punishment I will not boil you all together , but one after the other , so that he that survives may witness the dire afflictions of his unfortunate companions . ' So saying he ordered his servants to stir up the fire : ` We will boil the eldest-looking of these young men first , ' said he , ` and so on to the last , which will be this old champion with the black cap . He seems to be the captain , and looks as if he had come through many toils . ' ' I was as near death once as the prince is yet , ' says the Black Thief , ` and escaped ; and so will he too . ' ` No , you never were , ' said the knight ; ` for he is within two or three minutes of his latter end . ' ` But , ' says the Black Thief , ' I was within one moment of my death , and I am here yet . ' ` How was that ? ' says the knight ; ' I would be glad to hear it , for it seems impossible . ' ` If you think , sir knight , ' says the Black Thief , ` that the danger I was in surpasses that of this young man , will you pardon him his crime ? ' ' I will , ' says the knight , ` so go on with your story . ' ' I was , sir , ' says he , ' a very wild boy in my youth , and came through many distresses ; once in particular , as I was on my rambling , I was benighted and could find no lodging . At length I came to an old kiln , and being much fatigued I went up and lay on the ribs . I had not been long there when I saw three witches coming in with three bags of gold . Each put their bags of gold under their heads , as if to sleep . I heard one of them say to the other that if the Black Thief came on them while they slept , he would not leave them a penny . I found by their discourse that everybody had got my name into their mouth , though I kept silent as death during their discourse .
XXXXX length they fell fast asleep , and then I stole softly down , and seeing some turf convenient , I placed one under each of their heads , and off I went , with their gold , as fast as I could . '
At as by in into of that through to within