And if you return without them I will have you drowned . ' Poor Jose was much troubled at these words . He thought that he had done all that was required of him , and that his life was safe . However , he bowed low , and went out to consult his friend the horse . ` Do not vex yourself , ' said the horse , when he had heard the story ; ` jump up , and we will go and look for the things . ' And Jose mounted at once . They rode on till they came to the ant-hill , and then the horse asked : ` Would you like to have the bran ? ' ` What is the use of liking ? ' answered Jose . ` Well , call the ants , and tell them to fetch it for you ; and , if some of it has been scattered by the wind , to bring in its stead the grains that were in the cakes you gave them . ' Jose listened in surprise . He did not much believe in the horse 's plan ; but he could not think of anything better , so he called to the ants , and bade them collect the bran as fast as they could . Then he saw under a tree and waited , while his horse cropped the green turf . ` Look there ! ' said the animal , suddenly raising its head ; and Jose looked behind him and saw a little mountain of bran , which he put into a bag that was hung over his saddle . ` Good deeds bear fruit sooner or later , ' observed the horse ; ` but mount again , as we have far to go . ' When they arrived at the tree , they saw the handkerchief fluttering like a flag from the topmost branch , and Jose 's spirits sank again . ` How am I to get that handkerchief ? ' cried he ; ` why I should need Jacob 's ladder ! ' But the horse answered : ` Do not be frightened ; call to the eagle you set free from the net , he will bring it to you . '
So Jose called to the eagle , and the eagle flew to the top of the tree and brought back the handkerchief XXXXX its beak .
as by if in into like over that under while