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 on the ground , and feel about after the precious herb . For a few terrible moments she thought that the rock was bare , and that her journey had been to no purpose . Feel where she would , there was nothing but grit and stones , when , suddenly , her fingers touched something soft in a crevice . It was a plant , that was clear ; but was it the right one ? See she could not , for the wind was blowing more fiercely than ever , so she lay where she was and counted the leaves . One , two , three -- yes ! yes ! there were four !
And plucking a leaf she held it safe XXXXX her hand while she turned , almost stunned by the wind , to go down the rock .
As after by in of so than though till with