the Princess Bella-Flor -- ' answered the man , and then stopped as if afraid . ` What of the Princess Bella-Flor ? ' asked the king impatiently . ' I have heard -- it is whispered at court -- that your majesty desires to know where she lies in hiding . ' ' I would give half my kingdom to the man who will bring her to me , ' cried the king , eagerly . ` Speak on , knave ; has a bird of the air revealed to you the secret ? ' ` It is not I , but my brother , who knows , ' replied the traitor ; ` if your majesty would ask him -- ' But before the words were out of his mouth the king had struck a blow with his sceptre on a golden plate that hung on the wall . ` Order Jose to appear before me instantly , ' he shouted to the servant who ran to obey his orders , so great was the noise his majesty had made ; and when Jose entered the hall , wondering what in the world could be the matter , the king was nearly dumb from rage and excitement . ` Bring me the Princess Bella-Flor this moment , ' stammered he , ` for if you return without her I will have you drowned ! ' And without another word he left the hall , leaving Jose staring with surprise and horror . ` How can I find the Princess Bella-Flor when I have never even seen her ? ' thought he . ` But it is no use staying here , for I shall only be put to death . ' And he walked slowly to the stables to choose himself a horse . There were rows upon rows of fine beasts with their names written in gold above their stalls , and Jose was looking uncertainly from one to the other , wondering which he should choose , when an old white horse turned its head and signed to him to approach . ` Take me , ' it said in a gentle whisper , ` and all will go well . ' Jose still felt so bewildered with the mission that the king had given him that he forgot to be astonished at hearing a horse talk . Mechanically he laid his hand on the bridle and led the white horse out of the stable . He was about to mount on his back , when the animal spoke again : ` Pick up those three loaves of bread which you see there , and put them in your pocket . ' Jose did as he was told , and being in a great hurry to get away , asked no questions , but swung himself into the saddle .
They rode far XXXXX meeting any adventures , but at length they came to an ant-hill , and the horse stopped .
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