First of all , though , they had to get a ladder of fourteen steps , to enable them to get on to the Eagle 's back , and there they piled up the meat as well as they could . Then the old man told the Irishman to mount , and to remember to throw a quarter of beef to her every time she looked round . He went up , and the old man gave the Eagle the word to be off , which she instantly obeyed ; and every time she turned her head the Irishman threw a quarter of beef into her mouth . As they came near the borders of the kingdom of the Blue Mountains , however , the beef was done , and , when the Eagle looked over her shoulder , what was the Irishman at but throwing the stone between her tail and her neck ! At this she turned a complete somersault , and threw the Irishman off into the sea , where he fell into the bay that was right in front of the King 's Palace . Fortunately the points of his toes just touched the bottom , and he managed to get ashore . When he went up into the town all the streets were gleaming with light , and the wedding of the Princess was just about to begin . He went into the first house he came to , and this happened to be the house of the King 's hen-wife . He asked the old woman what was causing all the noise and light in the town . ` The Princess , ' said she , ` is going to be married to-night against her will , for she has been expecting every day that the man who freed her from the spell would come . ' ` There is a guinea for you , ' said he ; ` go and bring her here . ' The old woman went , and soon returned along with the Princess . She and the Irishman recognised each other , and were married , and had a great wedding that lasted for a year and a day . THE TINDER-BOX A soldier came marching along the high road -- left , right ! A left , right ! He had his knapsack on his back and a sword by his side , for he had been to the wars and was now returning home . An old Witch met him on the road . She was very ugly to look at : her under-lip hung down to her breast . ` Good evening , Soldier ! ' she said .
` What a fine XXXXX and knapsack you have !
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