the third day everything happened as it had happened the two days before. boots begged to go and see the sight, but the two wouldn't hear of his going with them. when they got to the hill there was no one who could get so much as a yard up it; and now all waited for the knight in silver mail, but they neither saw nor heard of him. at last came one riding on a steed, so brave that no one had ever seen his match; and the knight had a suit of golden mail, and a golden saddle and bridle, so wondrous bright that the sunbeams gleamed from them a mile off. the other knights and princes could not find time to call out to him not to try his luck, for they were amazed to see how grand he was. so he rode right at the hill, and tore up it like nothing, so that the princess hadn't even time to wish that he might get up the whole way. as soon as ever he reached the top, he took the third golden apple from the princess' lap, and then turned his horse and rode down again. as soon as he got down, he rode off at full speed, and was out of sight in no time.