and silver
and precious stones. Beside the treasure stood a young and handsome man,
who advanced to meet them, and thanked the nun, the blacksmith, and the
countryman, for having freed him from the magic spell he was under. He
told them that he was a king's son, who had been banished to this castle
by a wicked magician, and that he had been changed into the three-headed
dwarf. When he had lost two of his heads the magic power over the two
princesses had been removed, and when the blacksmith had killed the
horrible dog, then he too had been set free.

To show his gratitude he begged the three companions to divide the
treasure between them, which they did; but there was so much of it that
it took a very long time.

The princesses, too, were so grateful to their rescuers, that one
married the blacksmith, and the other the countryman.

Then the prince claimed the nun as his bride, and they all lived happily
together till they died.

[From the German, _Kletke_.]

_HERR LAZARUS AND THE DRAKEN_

Once upon a time there was a cobbler called Lazarus, who was very fond
of honey. One day, as he ate some while he sat at work, the flies
collected in such numbers that with one blow he killed forty. Then he
went and ordered a sword to be made for him, on which he had written
these words: 'With one blow I have slain forty.' When the sword was
ready he took it and went out into the world, and when he was two days'
journey from home he came to a spring, by which he laid himself down and
slept.

Now in that country there dwelt Draken, one of whom came to the spring
to draw water; there he found Lazarus sleeping, and read what was
written on his sword. Then he went back to his people and told them what
he had seen, and they all advised him to make fellowship with this
powerful stranger. So the Draken returned to the spring, awoke Lazarus,
and said that if it was agreeable to him they should make fellowship
together.

[Illustration: How THE DRAKEN FOUND HERR LAZARUS ASLEEP by the SPRING]

Lazarus answered that he was willing, and after a priest had blessed the
fellowship, they returned together to the other Draken, and Lazarus
dwelt among them. After some days they told him that it was their custom
to take it in turns to bring wood and water, and as he was now of their
company, he must take his turn. They went first for water and wood, but
at last it came to be Lazarus's turn to go for water. The Draken had a
great leat