The next moment there was a rushing noise as of a mighty tempest , and the young man caught a glimpse of a face turned towards him . Almost blindly he struck , not knowing whether he had killed or only wounded the rider . But the head rolled off , and was caught in the brown horse 's mouth . ` Jump on my brother , the black horse , and go home as fast as you can , and I will follow as quickly as I may , ' cried the brown horse ; and leaping forward the king alighted on the back of the black horse , but so near the tail that he almost fell off again . But he stretched out his arm and clutched wildly at the mane and pulled himself into the saddle . Before the sky was streaked with red he was at home again , and the queen was sitting waiting till he arrived , for sleep was far from her eyes . Glad was she to see him enter , but she said little , only took her harp and sang softly the songs which he loved , till he went to bed , soothed and happy . It was broad day when he woke , and he sprang up saying : ` Now I must go to the Gruagach , to find out if the spells he laid on me are loose . ' ` Have a care , ' answered the queen , ` for it is not with a smile as on the other days that he will greet you . Furiously he will meet you , and will ask you in his wrath if you have got the sword , and you will reply that you have got it . Next he will want to know how you got it , and to this you must say that but for the knob you had not got it at all . Then he will raise his head to look at the knob , and you must stab him in the mole which is on the right side of his neck ; but take heed , for if you miss the mole with the point of the sword , then my death and your death are certain . He is brother to the king of the oak windows , and sure will he be that the king must be head , or the sword would not be in your hands . ' After that she kissed him , and bade him good speed . ` Didst thou get the sword ? ' asked the Gruagach , when they met in the usual place . ' I got the sword . ' ` And how didst thou get it ? ' ` If it had not had a knob on the top , then I had not got it , ' answered the king . ` Give me the sword to look at , ' said the Gruagach , peering forward ; but like a flash the king had drawn it from under his nose and pierced the mole , so that the Gruagach rolled over on the ground .
` Now I shall be XXXXX peace , ' thought the king .
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