` Good luck to you , and victories in all your battles , ' she said , as she kissed him before he mounted . ' I need not be telling you anything . Take the advice of the horse , and see you obey it . ' So he waved his hand and set out on his journey , and the wind was not swifter than the brown horse -- no , not even the March wind which raced it and could not catch it . But the horse never stopped nor looked behind , till in the dark of the night he reached the castle of the king of the oak windows . ` We are at the end of the journey , ' said the horse , ` and you will find the Sword of Light in the king 's own chamber . If it comes to you without scrape or sound , the token is a good one . At this hour the king is eating his supper , and the room is empty , so none will see you . The sword has a knob at the end , and take heed that when you grasp it , you draw it softly out of its sheath . Now go ! I will be under the window . ' Stealthily the young man crept along the passage , pausing now and then to make sure that no man was following him , and entered the king 's chamber . A strange white line of light told him where the sword was , and crossing the room on tiptoe , he seized the knob , and drew it slowly out of the sheath . The king could hardly breathe with excitement lest it should make some noise , and bring all the people in the castle running to see what was the matter . But the sword slid swiftly and silently along the case till only the point was left touching it . Then a low sound was heard , as of the edge of a knife touching a silver plate , and the king was so startled that he nearly dropped the knob . ` Quick ! quick ! ' cried the horse , and the king scrambled hastily through the small window , and leapt into the saddle . ` He has heard and he will follow , ' said the horse ; ` but we have a good start , ' And on they sped , on and on , leaving the winds behind them .
XXXXX length the horse slackened its pace .
At If along before behind in on that till to