Well, Boots went to the King and asked for all these things, and the King did not refuse him. Dapplegrim was new shod with fifteen pounds of iron and fifteen pounds of steel, and upon his back were loaded twelve sacks of grain, and the carcasses of twelve oxen, and the hides of twelve bullocks set all over with sharp spikes, and a barrel of tar.
Last of all, Boots mounted his steed and away they rode, and the earth shook beneath them, and the wind whistled past their ears.
They went on and on and on, till all the world seemed left behind, and at last they came out into a barren plain, and all the air around them and overhead seemed filled with the sound of the beating of great wings.
“Now tell me,” said Boots, “what is that sound I hear, for it almost makes me feel afraid?”
“That,” answered Dapplegrim, “is the beating of the wings of all the birds of the air that have been sent out to stop us. But do not be afraid. Cut a hole in each of the bags we carry, so that the grain will run out, and the birds will be so busy picking it up that they will never notice us.”
This Boots did, and the grain ran out in a stream behind them. Then the birds gathered in such countless numbers that the whole plain was covered with them. But they were so busy pecking up the grain that they never even looked at Boots or the great grey horse.
On rode Boots and on he rode, and after a while he and Dapplegrim came into a great black forest.
Then from all around there sounded a mighty roaring that fairly shook the trees, it was so loud.
“What is that sound?” asked Boots. “Now tell me, for it almost makes me feel afraid.”