` Now get into the bag , ' bade the son , and the young man got in and took his gun with him , but the dog and the falcon he left outside . The keeper of the birds drew the string at the top of the bag , and left it to finish his supper , when in flew an eagle through the open door , and picked the bag up in her claws and carried it through the air to an island . There was nothing to eat on the island , and the fisher 's son thought he would die of food , when he remembered the box that the lady had put in his pocket . He opened the lid , and three tiny little birds flew out , and flapping their wings they asked , ` Good master , is there anything we can do for thee ? ' ` Bear me to the kingdom of the king under the waves , ' he answered , and one little bird flew on to his head , and the others perched on each of his shoulders , and he shut his eyes , and in a moment there he was in the country under the sea . Then the birds flew away , and the young man looked about him , his heart beating fast at the thought that here dwelt the lady whom he had sought all the world over . He walked on through the streets , and presently he reached the house of a weaver who was standing at his door , resting from his work . ` You are a stranger here , that is plain , ' said the weaver , ` but come in , and I will give you food and drink . ' And the young man was glad , for he knew not where to go , and they sat and talked till it grew late . ` Stay with me , I pray , for I love company and am lonely , ' observed the weaver at last , and he pointed to a bed in a corner , where the fisher 's son threw himself , and slept till dawn . ` There is to be a horse-race in the town to-day , ' remarked the weaver , ` and the winner is to have the king 's daughter to wife . ' The young man trembled with excitement at the news , and his voice shook as he answered : ` That will be a prize indeed , I should like to see the race . ' ` Oh , that is quite easy -- anyone can go , ' replied the weaver . ' I would take you myself , but I have promised to weave this cloth for the king . ' ` That is a pity , ' returned the young man politely , but in his heart he rejoiced , for he wished to be alone . Leaving the house , he entered a grove of trees which stood behind , and took the box from his pocket . He raised the lid , and out flew the three little birds . ` Good master , what shall we do for thee ? ' asked they , and he answered , ` Bring me the finest horse that ever was seen , and the grandest dress , and glass shoes . ' ` They are here , master , ' said the birds , and so they were , and never had the young man seen anything so splendid .
Mounting the horse he rode into the ground where the horses were assembling XXXXX the great race , and took his place among them .
about at for from into over till to under with