They were just about to land , when the mother of the genius stood before them . She had learnt that Iliane had fled from her prison in company with a merchant , and , as her son was absent , had come herself in pursuit . Striding over the blue waters , hopping from wave to wave , one foot reaching to heaven , and the other planted in the foam , she was close at their heels , breathing fire and flame , when they stepped on shore from the ship . One glance told Iliane who the horrible old woman was , and she whispered hastily to her companion . Without saying a word , the princess swung her into Sunlight 's saddle , and leaping up behind her , they were off like a flash . It was not till they drew near the town that the princess stooped and asked Sunlight what they should do . ` Put your hand into my left ear , ' said he , ` and take out a sharp stone , which you must throw behind you . ' The princess did as she was told , and a huge mountain sprang up behind them . The mother of the genius began to climb up it , and though they galloped quickly , she was quicker still . They heard her coming , faster , faster ; and again the princess stooped to ask what was to be done now . ` Put your hand into my right ear , ' said the horse , ` and throw the brush you will find there behind you . ' The princess did so , and a great forest sprang up behind them , and , so thick were its leaves , that even a wren could not get through . But the old woman seized hold of the branches and flung herself like a monkey from one to the others , and always she drew nearer -- always , always -- till their hair was singed by the flames of her mouth . Then , in despair , the princess again bent down and asked if there was nothing more to be done , and Sunlight replied ` Quick , quick , take off the betrothal ring on the finger of Iliane and throw it behind you . ' This time there sprang up a great tower of stone , smooth as ivory , hard as steel , which reached up to heaven itself . And the mother of the genius gave a howl of rage , knowing that she could neither climb it nor get through it . But she was not beaten yet , and gathering herself together , she made a prodigious leap , which landed her on the top of the tower , right in the middle of Iliane 's ring which lay there , and held her tight . Only her claws could be seen grasping the battlements . All that could be done the old witch did ; but the fire that poured from her mouth never reached the fugitives , though it laid waste the country a hundred miles round the tower , like the flames of a volcano . Then , with one last effort to free herself , her hands gave way , and , falling down to the bottom of the tower , she was broken in pieces .
When the flying princess saw what had happened she rode back XXXXX the spot , as Sunlight counselled her , and placed her finger on the top of the tower , which was gradually shrinking into the earth .
Without before near nearer over that through till to with