` Quick ! quick ! ' cried the horse , and the king scrambled hastily through the small window , and leapt into the saddle . ` He has heard and he will follow , ' said the horse ; ` but we have a good start , ' And on they sped , on and on , leaving the winds behind them . At length the horse slackened its pace . ` Look and see who is behind you , ' it said ; and the young man looked . ' I see a swarm of brown horses racing madly after us , ' he answered . ` We are swifter than those , ' said the horse , and flew on again . ` Look again , O king ! Is anyone coming now ? ' ' A swarm of black horses , and one has a white face , and on that horse a man is seated . He is the king of the oak windows . ' ` That is my brother , and swifter still than I , ' said the horse , ` and he will fly past me with a rush . Then you must have your sword ready , and take off the head of the man who sits on him , as he turns and looks at you . And there is no sword in the world that will cut off his head , save only that one . ' ' I will do it , ' replied the king ; and he listened with all his might , till he judged that the white-faced horse was close to him . Then he sat up very straight and made ready . The next moment there was a rushing noise as of a mighty tempest , and the young man caught a glimpse of a face turned towards him . Almost blindly he struck , not knowing whether he had killed or only wounded the rider . But the head rolled off , and was caught in the brown horse 's mouth .
` Jump on my brother , the black horse , and go home as fast as you can , and I will follow as quickly as I may , ' cried the brown horse ; and leaping forward the king alighted on the back of the black horse , but so near the tail XXXXX he almost fell off again .
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