and go out to seek my fortune
in the wide world. I don't see why I shouldn't be as lucky as many
another who has set out on the same search, and it wasn't for nothing
that I was born on a Sunday.'

And so he started on his travels, driving his three sheep in front of
him, and for a long time it seemed as if fortune didn't mean to favour
him at all. One day he was sitting disconsolately at a cross road,
when a man suddenly appeared before him with three black dogs, each one
bigger than the other.

'Hullo, my fine fellow,' said the man, 'I see you have three fat sheep.
I'll tell you what; if you'll give them to me, I'll give you my three
dogs.'

In spite of his sadness, the youth smiled and replied, 'What would I do
with your dogs? My sheep at least feed themselves, but I should have to
find food for the dogs.'

'My dogs are not like other dogs,' said the stranger; 'they will feed
you instead of you them, and will make your fortune. The smallest one is
called "Salt," and will bring you food whenever you wish; the second is
called "Pepper," and will tear anyone to pieces who offers to hurt you;
and the great big strong one is called "Mustard," and is so powerful
that it will break iron or steel with its teeth.'

The shepherd at last let himself be persuaded, and gave the stranger his
sheep. In order to test the truth of his statement about the dogs, he
said at once, 'Salt, I am hungry,' and before the words were out of
his mouth the dog had disappeared, and returned in a few minutes with
a large basket full of the most delicious food. Then the youth
congratulated himself on the bargain he had made, and continued his
journey in the best of spirits.

One day he met a carriage and pair, all draped in black; even the horses
were covered with black trappings, and the coachman was clothed in crape
from top to toe. Inside the carriage sat a beautiful girl in a black
dress crying bitterly. The horses advanced slowly and mournfully, with
their heads bent on the ground.

'Coachman, what's the meaning of all this grief?' asked the shepherd.

At first the coachman wouldn't say anything, but when the youth pressed
him he told him that a huge dragon dwelt in the neighbourhood, and
required yearly the sacrifice of a beautiful maiden. This year the lot
had fallen on the King's daughter, and the whole country was filled with
woe and lamentation in consequence.

The shepherd felt very sorry for the lovely maiden, and determined