` That is nothing to grieve about , ' she said when the tale was finished . ` You have the best wife in Erin , and the best horse in Erin . Only do as I bid you , and all will go well . ' And the king suffered himself to be comforted . He was still sleeping when the queen rose and dressed herself , to make everything ready for her husband 's journey ; and the first place she went to was the stable , where she fed and watered the shaggy brown horse and put the saddle on it . Most people thought this saddle was of wood , and did not see the little sparkles of gold and silver that were hidden in it . She strapped it lightly on the horse 's back , and then led it down before the house , where the king waited . ` 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 XXXXX some noise , and bring all the people in the castle running to see what was the matter .
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